Updated

Some very funny (though a little misguided) things that my husband has said since we found out I am pregnant:

1. "I want us to have an old-fashioned delivery. The kind where I sit out in the waiting room."

2. "…and so I said 'I don't have a problem with dirty diapers…I don't do diapers so why would I have a problem with them?'"

3. "But the baby likes it when I tickle your feet."

4. "If it is twin boys let's name them Anakin and Eragon!"

5. One night (after a long day of "morning sickness") he asked if I was okay to which I replied NO...so he said "Well, you only have 7 more months."

6. "Here, just get a to-go box… you'll be hungry again in an hour."

7. "Did you poot? Do you need to? Can I video the delivery so I can catch you pooting?"

8. "I think I am gaining sympathy weight."

9. The husband and Dave went to pick up the crib we purchased a few days ago. On the way he said to Dave "This is kind of exciting...it's like going to get your first dog house for your first puppy!" To which Dave replied "...it is NOT like getting a puppy!"

10. After we both suffered from a stomach virus a couple of weeks he said "I think I can handle the sympathy weight...but this sympathy puking really sucks."

11. When trying to pose for the belly shot below, I told him that I wanted to look pregnant but not fat...to which he replied "I can't do both here." It is really a good thing that I love him. A really, really, really good thing.

Just imagine a huge eye-rolling on my part after each of the above statements!

Pregnant Belly 1

So here it is, for my mom and sister, since they want to see what my belly is looking like! This was a week or so ago (I haven't grown anymore since). And I have not gained but about 8 lbs. so it seems everything is just shifting forward (or clinging to my back).





I got to hear the heartbeat yesterday, and so far everything is looking good. And by the way, they can't tell from the heartbeat if it is a boy or girl because it was right at 140 (and the doctor said that is an old wives tale anyway)!

Updated w/ Pics! Fabulous Las Vegas

Well, we have finally taken our "last trip before I get too fat - I mean pregnant - to do anything" trip...which was in Vegas... and oh-so-fun! I was - and actually still am - totally exhausted! I have hit that part of pregnancy where all you want to do is sleep and take a nap and then sleep again, after eating of course!

Anyhoo, our trip included a classic car exhibition, dinner at a crazy expensive but yum restaurant, the Bodies exhibit (which wasn't anything dirty), the Shark Reef, a little shopping and of course some gambling - which I assume isn't a sin if you are winning.

But probably the funniest thing about our trip was at the airport on the way home. Our plane was running late so everyone was just hanging out watching tv or reading. I was reading a book and the husband was reading Money magazine (of course), when this guy walked up and sat across from us (facing the tv). We both looked up... then at each other... and I said "Is that..." and he said "Ron Jeremy!" Now, not many people know who Ron Jeremy is but for those who do, please allow me to explain how we know who he is! A few years ago we watched this show The Surreal Life - which is a reality show on washed-up has-been celebrities. He was one of the celebs along with Tammy Baker, Vanilla Ice - you get the point. Let's just say that Ron has acted in some movies that hopefully no one who reads this blog has ever seen - not family type movies for sure.

So there he was... sitting across from us... and he is pretty gross looking in real life. If I hadn't known who he was I would have found him to be very creepy! Well, okay... he is really creepy looking whether I know who he is or not! He slept most of time (with his chin on his chest) and I suggested to the husband that we take is bag, but then I decided I would rather NOT know what was in the bag... if you know what I mean. And the funniest thing is that the husband took some pictures with both of us and Mr. Jeremy in them without the guy even knowing what we were doing!

Cool Slideshows

What time is noon?

On the 2nd Thursday of each month we have a LLL (triple L) meeting which stands for Live Long and Like It - it is for the senior citizens of our area. They get together and play dominoes all morning, then have lunch followed by a program such as "How to not be taken advantage of by salesmen" or something like that. Well, you know old people, it doesn't really start until noon, but they get here at 9:00 am to get a good parking spot and play dominoes.

So anyway, this morning I get a phone call from one of the LLL ladies, here is how it went:

Me: "FBC, this is Kacole."

LLL Lady: "Uh, yes honey, what time does the program at noon start?"

Me: Is this a trick question? "What time does the meeting at noon start?"

LLL Lady: "Yes... today... what time does it start?"

Me: "Uh, it starts at noon. The noon meeting will start at noon today." As though we would start it at 1:00 pm or something...just to throw them all off.

LLL Lady: "Oh, okay. I wasn't sure if it started at 11:00 or not."

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I usually want to pull my hair out at the end of the day!

Just some random things...

This weekend was quite the adventure at my house. It started off with a nice stomach virus that my husband caught...then politely shared with me. Let me just say that a stomach virus...while pregnant...and not totally past the morning sickness/ nausea thing...really not cool. It just seems like a cruel joke...if you eat you'll puke...if you don't eat...you'll puke. I mean...what the heck!

So yesterday, when I was finally back among the semi-living...I was watching the Learning Channel and A Baby Story came on. Since I have now joined the pregnancy ranks, I thought I would watch it. So it was this story about a woman named Trina and how she and her husband had just gotten married when she found out she had breast cancer and that the chemo treatments would make her sterile. Then after the first round of chemo she finds out that she is pregnant. So she has to stop the chemo and take pain meds to make it through the pregnancy. The dad is so excited to be having a baby, but both are worried about the cancer. At this point I have quite the lump in my throat.

Fast forward to the delivery...which goes pretty well...then they run tests on her to see about the cancer...it has now spread to the bones...I begin the light sob. Then it goes to their first few days at home with the sweet new baby and shows the dad saying that he doesn't want to lose his wife and the mom saying she doesn't want to leave her baby (little heavier sob). Then...at the end...the screen fades to black...and reads IN LOVING MEMORY...
Oh that's it...it's on now...there is no controlling the tears at this point...what the heck kind of crap show is that anyway? I thought is was supposed to be some and-they-all-live-happily-ever-after-feel-good-about-childbirth kind of show! See if I ever watch that crap again, I can't handle it!

THEN, did anybody see the TODAY show this morning? OH.MY.GOSH!!! The cute little segment on moms drinking during play dates...go to the website and watch if you have a chance...really. So they have some doctor and some crackpot woman who wrote a book about it...I think...as the panel. And the question comes up (via an email that Meredith reads) that basically asks if there is a gender bias on drinking around kids since nobody seems to care when the men are standing around downing beers while the kids trick-or-treat. And...I kid you not...the crackpot woman says "Well, I was drinking at Halloween too. What if mom and dad are both drinking? We are both the primary care takers. Do you have to have a designated parent?"

WHAT?

As a responsible adult do you really have to ask that question?

I am all about having a drink now and then...as a matter of fact I am eagerly awaiting the day when I can have a nice glass of wine or a big ol' margarita...eagerly. But give me a break...designated parent...you have to have a designated driver...aren't your kids a little more important? Ugh! I have to go now...all this anger may induce the vomiting again!

Ta Da! The Peanut Picture

Well, after I had my first sonogram the doctor told me that I could not make photocopies of it because the paper was heat sensitive. So after thinking about it, I started wondering if that meant that I couldn't scan it in either since I would assume that the picture would receive the same amount light and heat as it would from the copier. So I didn't do anything with the picture all this time for fear that I would ruin it. But the doctor gave me two pics, one not so clear, so I decided that if I ruined the bad one I would still have the other...so I tried...and it worked just fine!

So here he or she is...

This is the only pose we could get because apparently it was nap time for the little peanut and it was not the least bit interested in moving. I assume you can tell what it is...the head is to the right with the arms directly below then the body. This angle doesn't really show the legs. He/ She is lying on his/ her back...much like our dog does when she sleeps...I guess it runs in the family!

Ellen Calls Gladys

Oh, the things they will say...

One of the first things my sister warned me about (when I told her I was pregnant) was all the "useful" advice everyone would have for me including all of their morning sickness and labor stories. I could see that this may be a problem, especially since I work at a church and have so many "friends" to give me the advice (which translates to mean all the little old ladies that share too much info anyway).

So far the morning sickness stories haven't been too bad since most of them have come from people I know a little better. I have enjoyed hearing their funny memories of those exciting first several weeks of hurling and eating. But I was a little shocked the other day when someone said "at least now you look healthy."

I have been thinking about that statement today. Hmmmm....now I look healthy. Why is that? Is it that pale green look I have much of the day from nausea, maybe it makes me look more tan. Or is it the fact that my chest is beginning to pop out of my clothes, boob jobs always make you look healthier. Or is it the little pudge in my gut that popped up overnight and makes my pants too tight thus causing me to have to do the rubber band trick just so that I have something to wear. Maybe it is the fact that since I have such a hard time with nausea in the mornings I just don't care what my hair looks like and so I go through much of the day (okay, all day) all frizzy and stringy and pitiful looking (it matches the green skin pretty well I think!).

So I have come to the conclusion that either this person was coming up with the best comment that they could think of to make me feel good (in which case they failed miserably and should have just stuck with "Congrats" or something)...or they had no idea that I am all emotional and sensitive right now with all the hormones raging and that one little off-handed remark would have me in such deep contemplation for so long.

Well, at any rate, if you want to look healthy it seems that all you have to do is get pregnant! Good news, huh?

A Year In Review

Well, I'm back! I know that everyone is just SO excited! Anyway, we had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year...so far! I did have to come back to work today, so the jury is still out on the Happy New Year part! :)

I just wanted to share my Year in Review letter with everyone. I know...yawn...but you may actually find this one somewhat exciting...I do at least!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope that this year has been a good one for your family. For us, 2006 has been busy, sometimes stressful, and uncertain at times but in the long run it has been good.

In July we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary and were able to take a trip to Colorado. Randy fished to his heart's content while I just enjoyed relaxing & sight seeing. The trip was a lot of fun (well, except for the time when Randy "caught" me in the back with his fishing hook... that hurt a little) But the trip came at the perfect time since we were in the big middle of our move to a new house.

This brings us to the next major event...The Move!

We had planned to put our house on the market in the summer since we were so sick of our pool and wanted more space. But as it happens we ended up selling the house before we even listed it! This was both great and a huge nightmare (since we had no house to move to)! So after some very stressful and serious house hunting…we finally got our new home. And it was just in time too, since we were about to have to end the search and find a rent house! Since then I have been busy painting and decorating! I only have a few rooms left and it is really starting to feel like home.

But our greatest accomplishment this year was still yet to come! We recently found out the happy news that we will be having our first baby in summer 2007. Just the finding out has been a little adventure in itself - we weren't quite expecting it yet! We were able to tell our parents with special Christmas gifts... which was too much fun! We don't know much more about the happy news, but we will be sure to let you know as time goes by!

We hope this New Year will bring many blessings to your family. We look forward to all that 2007 holds for our growing family!

Randy & Kara

Deck Those Halls!

So, I am running incredibly late with this, but oh well!
Better late than never...or whatever!





The Front Door

The Fireplace

And...the tree!

I didn't get a picture of it, but my favorite ornament on our tree this year was the Laffy Taffy ball from Wal-Mart (filled with Laffy Taffy no less) that my husband put up there as a special treat for me! He's so sweet!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

To Butch...

Okay, so I didn't get around to posting Christmas decoration pictures Friday...I am a terrible person! But now that our bazillion Christmas parties are over...I actually have time to do important things again (like blogging).

Anyway, I thought I would share this with you 2 or 3 readers out there. I got this Christmas card over the weekend (hand delivered) from a sweet church lady and this is what the envelope says:

Kara& cute husband (Butch, I think)

Ah-hem. My husband's name is not Butch...not even close! More like Randy. Sorry honey!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, this week has been one big exciting blur at my house! We have Christmas party after Christmas party...and no end in sight! Tonight we are the hosts at our house for the Youth Leaders party.

So, all that to say...sorry for the lack of updates (Marci!) but I am working on it!! I hope to be part of Boomama's Christmas Tour of Homes...but I forgot to get pics before I left the house! I'll put them up ASAP...which won't be until after 3.

Stay tuned...

Vote DCB!!

If anyone out there is a David Crowder fan...be sure to go here and vote for him to be artist of the year on MSN. They are up against INXS, Prince (gimme a break), Christina Aguilera, and Kenny Chesney. I would say they are hands-down the best choice out of that group.

Did you know?

Did you know that after Thanksgiving it is impossible to find yard stakes for your Christmas lights?

Me either.

Stupid me...I only bought 50 back when I decided that I wantd to run lights down the sidewalk...I needed 100. So on Saturday afternoon when I finally had time to work on it, I started putting out the lights and realized we were not going to have enough stakes.

No biggie...I thought.

So the husband and I lock up the house and make a dash to Wal-Mart (which I thought was going to be the worst part of our outing...Wal-Mart on Saturday).

Well, just as I expected, the Christmas section was so jam packed with people you couldn't even drive a shopping cart through it (not that people weren't trying to anyway). And low and behold...no stakes...and none expected in any time soon. We were told to try to think of an alternative.

So we head off to Lowe's. No stakes. Now keep in mind that I have half of the sidewalk done.

So, after a couple of other stores, we decide we are going to have to rig it ourselves. Here is our solution.

Wire hangers & Zip ties

The husband cut and shaped the hangers while I zip tied my little heart out. But I think it turned out okay!

Half the time I was out there... zip tying each and every light on... the lady down the street was standing there watching me. Like "Ha, I got my stakes in plenty of time...LOSER." I almost went and asked her if she wanted to help, but I thought that would not be very Christmas spirity!

Oh and thanks hubby for making the make shift yard stakes... even though you would have been more than happy to not have any outside lights at all!

No Snow Day Here

Well, it got below 40 degrees yesterday...so we shut down the office! You gotta love Texas! It starts to get cold and people freak out about the possible ice! Now, in all fairness it was 32 and very wet outside...and the bridges did ice over. And, let's face it, I am not the least bit upset over leaving work 2 hours early (and still getting paid for it)!

But at 5:00 pm yesterday evening it was as dry as can be outside and the sun was shining away! No snow, no sleet...just cold! Bummer!

There is just no accounting for taste...

Well, it's that time of year...time to pull out the Christmas music and decorate the Christmas tree. Since this is the 1st Christmas in our new house I am very excited about decorating. I have found out that all the decorations we used to cram in our small-ish house now get lost in our large-ish house. It looks kind of sad.



But anyway, this being our 1st year in this neighborhood also means that this is the first time we have seen the decorations of our neighbors. Now, we live in a pretty nice area...we aren't talking Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous here, but nice enough. I was pretty excited Saturday when I saw the icicle lights and the luminaries going up on our street...I love, LOVE luminaries. And to me, you just can't go wrong with white lights! Then THEY decorated their yard. Yes, them...the ones with the yard decorations from...well...you know where!



Say it with me...



PICK.A.THEME.PEOPLE!!!!



That's right, they have quite a collection of Christmas decor. The Nativity scene, moose, deer, snowmen, Santa (the plastic light up one and a stuffed one), candy canes, lights thrown here and there and a MERRY CHRISTMAS sign to end all signs. It is the type of yard that makes you cringe a little thinking that you will be having Christmas parties at your home...and your friends will see their yard...in all it's misguided holiday glory.



But hey, it will give us something to laugh about. Maybe we can even have a contest to see who can guess how many light up candy canes there actually are!

The Elderly

Let's just take a moment to talk about our education system...not for children...but for the elderly. In working at the church I have learned several things about how the elderly mind works and I really think that there should be several classes offered at the community center based on the following things:

1. Phone Etiquette 101
Class Description: When calling a business please do not skip to the middle of the conversation because you just assume the other person knows what the holy crap you are talking about!!!!!!! For example: nobody knows who you spoke to on the phone last week, or who "what's his name" is. When you start the conversation with " I just got the thing in the mail and it says that the check is from 2003 and I just want to know where it came from" ...you are really leaving a LOT of things up in the air...and DON'T get pissy when we try to decipher what you are thinking but not saying outloud!!!!

2. Voicemail is Your Friend
Class Description: When calling for a person (whose name you actually know by some miracle) and said person is unavailable, please leave a voicemail. Voicemail does not steal your soul; it is not some form of identity theft; it will not kill you (though the receptionist might if you do not leave one); and people actually DO check it.

3. How to Leave a Message on Voicemail
Class Description: When leaving a message on voicemail, simply state your name, number and a BRIEF description of your question/ concern. You do not have to ask all the questions on your list (that can wait until they call you back).

4. Have Patience
Class Description: When calling a business and asking for someone in particular, please do not blame the receptionist if they are already on the phone. This class is for you if you have had the following conversation:

Receptionist: FBC, how can I help you?

Old Person: I need to talk to ____.

R: She is on the phone right now. Would you like to leave a voicemail?

OP: No, I need to talk to her.

R: Ok, well she is on the phone. You can leave a message or call back later.

OP: NO, I need to talk to her. How much longer will she be on the phone?

R: Well, in order to know that I would have to have telepathic powers...and if I had telepathic powers I could shoot her a mind beam that said you were on the phone in the first place and we wouldn't be having this conversation...but since I wasn't given the power of telepathy...then I DON'T KNOW! Would you like to leave a freakin' voicemail?

(Ok, so just ignore the last part)

5. Driving
Class Description: Do you really need one?

So, let's pick up the slack in our education system...call your local government office and petition better education for our elderly...they aren't our future, but they could be the death of us.

Gone with the Wind

Today it is VERY windy outside...and this was the phone call I got earlier this morning at work...

Little Elderly Lady: "I, auhhh, just wanted you to auhhh know that the auhhh wind is gusting up to 45 miles an hour right now."

Me: "Oh really?" (Sighing to myself)

LEL: "Auhhhh, yes."

(long pause...because I thought this would be where she would get to the point)

Me: "It is pretty windy out there!"

LEL: "Well, auhhh don't stand under any trees becuase you know auhhh old what's his name that I was friends with auhhhh was standing under a tree when a auhhh branch broke off and landed on his head. Auhhh...killed him. Auhhhh yeah, so be careful out there."

Me: "Oh my goodness." (laughing to myself...not because the man died, but because this is why she called...to tell me this)

LEL: "Well, maybe I auhhh will see you tonight...if I make it out in this wind."

Oh to have nothing else to worry about but the wind.

(and in case you wanted to know...it was the boob lady)

Faux Paint

So...last Friday night my husband and I made a dash to Lowe's to pick out a new paint color for the dining room...something better than Institutional Gray.

...an hour later we were still trying to figure out what to do. Finally, we decided to do a two-tone technique that used a special roller...so we go in search of the roller in the "Faux Paint" section. Then we decided to do a stippling technique instead...so we gathered up the supplies for that.

Let me just recap for you:
-we run into Lowe's to buy a gallon of paint (before we go out to eat)
-after an hour we are still looking
-we leave with one gallon of paint, one pint of glaze, one stipple brush, one pounce brush, one package of cheesecloth and two paint trays...for a grand total of $75

Yeah...In the check-out line when she told us the total my husband said "All we came for was a gallon of paint...what happened?"

I guess we were victims of the pretty brochures and fancy displays that made faux painting techniques look so wonderful.

Well...Saturday night when I had been faux painting for four...yes FOUR...hours and still hadn't finished the first wall...I didn't think it was so wonderful anymore! I was pretty sure that if I had to "stipple" for one more minute, my hand was going to snap right off my arm at the wrist. I FINALLY finished sometime Sunday afternoon...at a grand total of about 9 hours worth of painting!

Needless to say...I will not be stippling anything else for quite some time...but man, it does look great!

This bottom picture is a more accurate view of the color...the other picture makes it look more red.

She's a lady...

...well, maybe not!
This is our dog...and this is how she sleeps. We really get a kick out of the amount of time she spends sleeping like a person. It seems that sleeping on her back is the most comfortable position for her.





She isn't very modest either.