Mom knows best

Growing up, my mom had a rule that eating and drinking in the living room was not allowed. Food and drinks had to stay in the kitchen or outside (except for the occasional bowl of ice cream for dessert!). Now that I'm all grown up, with my own house I can do what I want! Eat and drink wherever I feel like it and no one can tell me not to. I learned the hard way this week that mom is always right and you should not drink fruit punch in the living room....

It now looks like someone was murdered in my living room! I've tried everything and can't get the stain out so now I'm sitting here at home waiting for the carpet cleaning company to come and give me an estimate!

On a different note. Here is a picture of a baby woodpecker that is living in our front tree. The mom has a nest on the very top of the tree and I don't know exactly how many babies she has but they sure are cute!

I could get used to this!

Well, it has now been 3 weeks since I've been on "house arrest." I have to say, as an inmate on house arrest, I'm doing a horrible job. I make it my personal mission to get out of the house once a day! The first week was really boring....not much to do, no one to talk to, everyone else was at work and that was the week I wasn't supposed to drive at all so I really was stuck in the house.

Now, I've totally gotten used to this housewife lifestyle. I have my morning routine: get up when Brian leaves for work (around 7am but no later than 8am), water the outside plants, read the paper, eat breakfast and take the dog on a walk. Then I have the rest of the morning to do my chores around the house. The afternoon is spent running errands or finding something to entertain myself. I have to say, our house has never been clean for this long of a stretch, I am caught up on all of my errands and the dog is even starting to act better!

I better enjoy my last few days of leisure as the little one could come anytime and mess up my whole routine!

Speaking of babies....here is a picture of me at 35 weeks (2 weeks ago). As you can see, I had nothing better to do that day than take pictures of myself and straighten my hair!

Want to play?

Bella would like someone to come and play with her!

Saying Goodbye to Opa

I've been struggling for the last couple of days with the decision if I should blog about this or not and I've come to the decision, I blog about everything else so it is only appropriate for me to take a few moments out of my day and remember such an honorable man.

Opa passed away on Saturday May 3, 2008. My mom, uncle and Oma were all by his side and it was very peaceful. He had been struggling with various different ailments for the previous couple of weeks and it was nice to finally see him at rest. The priest had been in earlier to anoint him with his last rites (a Catholic sacrament).

The services for Opa were this past weekend. He had served in the US Navy for 30 years and was therefore entitled to a full military burial. On Thursday night was the rosary but unfortunately, I was unable to go. We all decided that I should stay home and rest so I could be at my best on Friday and Saturday. On Friday was the service at the church and then the burial up in Dixon. The church service was perfect. It was very hard to see Opa up there but he looked so peaceful and relaxed. He was dressed in his military uniform with all of his medals on. I learned that day that he had received the medal for good conduct 8 times! Somehow, that didn't surprise me very much as he was a man who always played by the rules and was so respecful and caring of other people. After, the family went up to the military cemetery in Dixon for the burial. Oma was given the US Flag as a remembrance of the time Opa had served and as a thank you from the government. Saturday we had an open house at Oma's and so many people stopped by to pay their respects and wish her well. It was nice to see everyone again and listen to people's memories of Opa.

Over the last week, I've had the opportunity to reflect on my relationship with Opa and the wonderful memories that I have. After knowing someone for 28 years, there sure are a lot of good times. Then I started thinking not only had he touched my life, but the lives of my friends as well. Here are a few I have come up with:

1. Pancakes before skiing in Tahoe: Yep, this was not my idea but Opa's. Growing up, the whole family (all 8 of us!!) would go to Tahoe quite frequently. Every morning, Opa would be the first one up and when we came downstairs, he had pancakes ready for breakfast. He made the BEST pancakes and there were always plenty to go around.
2. Chicken and Rice Dinner: The dinner that I make where the chicken and rice go in the same dish in the oven...came from Opa!
3. The condo in Tahoe: Now this one would also not be possible without Oma but together, they have provided that place for not only the family to enjoy but have allowed us to bring our friends up there over the years. There have been plenty of good times had by all up there.
4. The loft in the upstairs bedroom: Opa built that so we would have more sleeping and storage space. When they bought the condo and for a few years after, that was just a big empty space. Once Opa built the loft, Karla and I would sleep up there instead of in our beds because it was just so much more fun!
   

As you can see, Opa was a giving person. He never thought twice about helping out a member of his family or one of his friends. He was a wonderful role model for myself and I thank God that I was blessed to have him in my life for the last 28 years. I am sad that he will not be around to teach our little one about growing up on a farm, how to make things out of wood and to be a terrific role model but I take comfort in knowing that Opa will be looking down from above and guiding both Brian and I. People sometimes wonder who their Guardian Angel is and I know who our son's is going to be. Opa was taken from us so he could be our son's Guardian Angel, watching over him and protecting him. I have no doubt that one day, I will look into my son's eyes and see a little sparkle of mischief and Opa looking back at me.

Thank you Opa for everything you have taught me. You were and always will be an inspiration.

All my love,
Michelle

Baby Wing's Arrival Date

OK, so the betting is officially open. Either comment below or e-mail me the date you think Baby Wing will make his appearance. I will post everyone's bets on the side of my blog. The person who is closest (without going past the date) will win diaper duty for 1 year. (What, I think that is a great prize!)

35 week update

I just got back from my 35 week appointment at the OB's office. The baby and I got a clean bill of health and don't have to go back for 2 more weeks. The good news is that I lost 1 pound. (Well, it was good news to me, the OB said to try and not loose any more weight.) I was scared that since I've been off work and not walking around as much that I would have gained a whole bunch. I also made a batch of brownies two days ago and I've eaten almost 1/2 of them! I guess I can finish on the second half now!!

My contractions are still coming every day but they are completely irregular and some days I only have 1 or 2 and other days I have more. The doctor still thinks I'm going to deliver early so I'll put together a little baby poll and we'll start taking bets to see who comes the closest.

Have a great weekend!

Eviction Notice

Dear Baby Wing,

I am issuing 30 day notice for EVICTION. Tenant will have 30 days in which he can either gather his belongings and promptly vacate the premises, or wait until the final day. After which, he will be physically removed from the property.

He's being evicted due to breech of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, within reasonable limits, were discussed. Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back of the house were also made!

Remodeling and gutting of the home was never approved, nor was changing the initial layout and base structure. And due to property damage, there are now leaks in both the upper AND lower levels of the home. On top of which, the landlord has received numerous complaints about nightly disturbances.

After 30 days from this day that he doesn't comply with the notice will result in immediate and forceful removal at my discretion.

Sincerely,
You Landlord.....mom