Ribbit Ribbit

There has been quite a lot of frog talk these days on Rachael's website. I couldn't help but do a little reading on the myths of our green friends.

As you can imagine, the myths run the gamut, but the one I thought was most appropriate was the one that said that frogs represent fluidity, cleansing and tears.

So, Rachael, just short of an Egyptian plague, I wish you, Brien and Lily many many many frogs to cleanse your hearts and lullaby you to sleep each night.

Free TV WHAT?

http://www.5minutesformom.com/2032/insignia-37inch-flat-panel-lcd-hdtv-contest/#comment-361705

Click on the site above to register to win a free LCD tv. :)

GOOD LUCK!

Happy Monday!

So, it is rainy and foggy this morning, but I don't mind. I'd prefer it to be that while I'm at work. :) We had a crazy storm yesterday that knocked our cable out. It still hasn't been restored. I'm not much of a tv junkie, at least I don't think so, but I was concerned that Hell's Kitchen would be missed tonight. Thankfully, we have a pair of rabbit ears so, worst case, it will be a little fuzzy. I can handle that. After all, I remember jiggling the turn dial on my grandmother's tv to get a clearer picture.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We certainly did. Marc's dad, stepmother and stepsister came to visit us on Saturday. We went out for lunch, took a swim at the pool, had dinner and then, I was ready for bed. :) They left early on Sunday morning. They are making the big move from Korea to Japan. I'm so excited. You have to know how much I love sushi! Even though I pregnant, the Sakura across the street carries a No Raw Fish Sushi Platter. GENIUS! It certainly is much cheaper than a la carte. All the talk about Japan over the weekend prompted me to make a sushi run last night. YUM!

OH! So, update on my streak of laziness. Can you believe I got up on Saturday morning with Mr. T (my hubby) and went for a bike ride? For those of you that know me personally, you know that I have a serious aversion to exercise. I'd rather eat. I do like Yoga though. It is exercise without much of a sweat. :) Anyway, we went about three miles, I think, and it was actually really a lot of fun. It started to get hot on the trip back and I, of course, had to stop on the way home. I'm really out of shape. I know, I know. I've got to work on that. The funny part was when I got off the bike for the last time. I barely made it into the house and crashed on the floor. My legs felt like they did after anesthesia, totally useless. This is only my second time out on the bike so, I won't be too hard on myself and we did go further this time. It will just take some time.

Summer Fever?

I graduated from college in June. FINALLY! Before graduating, I was juggling full-time+ classes, full-time work, my daughter, my husband and our house. Obviously with significant help from the hubby. Somehow, we managed to get most everything accomplished. We were tired, but productive.

Now, here I am, one month later, wishing for a fairy to do my chores. I just want to play all of the time now. I cannot seem to focus, not even a little. When I come home, I want to play with my daughter and my husband, eat and go to bed. No, I don't really want to eat anything that requires a lot of cooking. No, I don't really want to do the load of laundry sitting in the basket. No, I don't want to put the clothes away that have been folded for three or four days. I just want to sit on our deck and eat Popsicles with Marc and Syd.

That was fine for a week or two. That should have been a nice break. When did I get so greedy? The reality is that the LSAT is coming closer and closer by the minute and not only do I not want to do any real chores around the house, but I don't feel much like studying. I've never been this way before. I'm not sure how to shake it off and get back in the groove.

I need a serious reality check. Without an acceptable score on that test, I can forget about law school. Did I mention that I have to get into one of two schools for law school to be a reality? Yep, that is true. They aren't poorly ranked either. The others are just way way too expensive. It certainly is worth an investment of time and money, but I can only go so far.

Ah..blah. I know all of that, but I can't get my heads out of the clouds long enough to do anything about it. It is very uncharacteristic of me.

Junk Food Junkie! HELP!

When I was pregnant with Sydney I wanted to eat veggies, fruit and not much more (specifically, strawberries and green beans). Really! I would have chosen a plate of green beans over a steak.

This time, I've turned into a junk food junkie. If it is sweet, salty and fatty, I'll eat it! Last week, my lunches consisted primarily of bacon cheeseburgers. I even woke up one morning wanting one, but had to settle for a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit because, wonder why, no one was open to make a bacon cheeseburger for me. Today's lunch: beef souvlaki and cheese sticks! Not good!
I'm counting the hours until I get to go home. There is a big jar of Claussen dill pickles in my fridge calling my name! YUM! I've always loved them though. No ice cream or yogurt! :( It kills me. I care less about the ice cream, but desperately miss my yogurt. :(

I still LOVE green beans and early on, I would have eaten a tray of fresh peaches. Now that I'm barely sick, which is fabulous, I want grease, grease and more grease! I'm 16 wks today. I was so sick with Sydney that it is just an absolute delight to say I get sick once a day and I'm set. This pregnancy is so different. Wonder if we will be blessed with a baby boy?

Who has/had the strangest pregnancy cravings?

Sydney

For those of you who do not know me, I have a two-year-old daughter, Sydney. We fondly call her Pooty-Pants. I know. I know. It seems to be a habit we just cannot break. We are getting better. For her sake, we might be able to hold back when she gets to high school. For now, we'll go with it. Sydney is hysterical, stubborn and lovable, a perfect combo of me and my hubby, Marc. Here are some recent photos:

Dirty face from the farm!

Big wheel!

In awe of my new pet rocks!

Driving this thing isn't so hard mom!

Grandma Sebrina and me!

Me and mom at a horse farm in Ashburn, VA.

Sydney loves her ball cap and hates to leave her hair presentable (just like mom).

Syd at the Nationals game.

Grandma Loretta, Marc, Sydney and Me

Ready for a stroll at the farmer's market!

I love my Grinch!

Sydney is always ready for whatever!

Remember! I said she was two! :)

So, that is my Sydney! She certainly keeps us busy and entertained.

A Celebration Like No Other

Yesterday, I had the special privilege of attending the life celebration for Hannah. It was an amazing experience that touched me to the core. Who knew I could learn so much from someone so young? I think you were right, Rachael, Hannah lived more in her short time here than I have in my life. I hope to change that. I'm thankful to have had the exposure to Hannah, even in the smallest way. I continue to send my positive thoughts and love to the family!

When I made it home last night, just in time to put my sweetie to bed, I decided to make my entrance wearing my party glam. Sydney was thrilled and instantly wanted to try on the boa and tiara. This morning, before she would allow me to dress her for school, she said, "Wrap me up, Mommy!" Then she stared at herself in the mirror. She had a smile from ear to ear. This was her first exposure to FANCY! :) I'll have to be sure she is decorated appropriately in the future.

Thoughts and Prayers

We are still sending our love to the Davis and Gaulden families as they prepare to celebrate the life of thier Fancy Hannah.

Marc, Sydney and I are thinking of you and wishing you comfort.

Much love!

The Unbearable Pain of a Mother

Rachael updated their site this morning. There are no words.

No Time Like Today

I've been reading the blogs of friends for quite some time now and have always wanted to participate. I created a website for Sydney during my pregnancy, which I kept up with fairly regularly until this past fall. I didn't think the site was appropriate for posting my thoughts. I really didn't think anyone would be interested in them. Why would they be? Whether or not it becomes a regular read for others is really not the point, I suppose. It is for me.

Yesterday, Marc and I received terrible news that our friends, Jess and Bob, lost their lovely niece, Hannah due to drowning. Rachael, Jess' sister, had been introduced to me while she was pregnant with Lily. Some of you may remember me posting their photo on Sydney's site shortly after Lily was born.

Since that time, a little over two years, I've periodically followed the lives of these two sweet girls both through Jess' blog and Rachael's. So, as crazy as it sounds, I feel fairly well acquainted with their family.

Last night, while lying in bed, I couldn't help but think of Rachael and Brien. The clock was ticking and I knew there would be no sleep for them that night. I'm not much of a prayer person. That is a story for another day. Last night, just in case someone is listening, I prayed:

Please wrap love around the families affected by the loss of this sweet child. Please, if only for tonight, allow me to burden some of their pain so that they may rest their tired, swollen eyes. Please comfort these families and let them know that so many people are praying for them.

This morning, I decided that there would be no more waiting. I'd start my novice blog today. As evidenced by yesterday's tragic events, these moments and our lives are fleeting. I will attempt to capture them while I have the opportunity.