What in the World?

Yesterday afternoon, I was happily writing a letter to the Commissioner's office when I received an NBC email alert about the shooting in Cleveland. Since the initial notification, I've learned that the shooter, all of fourteen years, killed himself after injuring four others. I'm thankful that it wasn't worse and my heart goes out to the parents of this child.

It seems like school shootings are popping up left and right. The truth is that they have been happening for quite some time, some claiming more lives than others. Certainly, the Virginia Tech shooting instantly pops into my mind. I wrote my senior paper on Cho, school shootings and the very fine line between protecting the lives of citizens and protecting the civil liberties of individuals. The research concerning various school shootings was extremely emotional and disturbing. I simply cannot wrap my head around it, especially when dealing with shooters of a very young age. How do they get to that point in their young lives?

Yesterday's incident is thought to have been prompted by the school's suspension of the shooter and evidently, he'd had several incidents prior to yesterday's shooting. What about Columbine? They strategically planned their attack. These young boys shot their crying classmates while joking, "Who's next to die?" Chilling. I have been seriously pissed in my life and have wanted to severely injure someone. There is one person in particular I can think of that I would imagine beating their head with a bat. I'm not proud to admit that. I certainly never acted on it. It was a lot like the imaginary thoughts of a tv character. It ended there. So, what does it mean when these young kids pick up guns and carry them to school? Why doesn't fear click in?

I'm Back!

I'm back at home and work! It is bittersweet. We had a WONDERFUL long weekend. I cannot wait to tell you about it!

Have a great day!
Jess

Ready for the Weekend!

Yay! It's Friday! Not only is it Friday, but it is a three day weekend for me. I'm having a great Friday so far with a great weekend on the way.

Today, my boss took me to lunch, the work load has been light and another atty in the firm bought me a massage! We have a massage therapist that visits us regularly. How lucky am I?

Tonight, Marc and I are headed to Queenstown, MD to begin a weekend celebration. My friend, Rachel, is getting married there tomorrow. We decided to make it a dual celebration since our 5 yr anniversary is the 19th.

We've been invited to the rehearsal dinner at Harris Crab House tonight. Mmmm! You know I love seafood. We'll be staying at a cute bed and breakfast tonight and tomorrow night. The wedding isn't until 5pm tomorrow so, we'll have all day to get into trouble. Grandma picked up Sydney today! :)

Sunday we'll head to Grandma's to watch the football game and hang out. We'll stay the night and return home early afternoon on Monday, which is a holiday for us. I think it will be a great weekend! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Half-Asleep = Half-Done

I woke up early this morning with thoughts racing in my brain. Any day that I wake up BEFORE the alarm goes off five times is a strange day. I decided not to waste the time and I rolled out of bed and into my office where I decided to start copying the recent photos to cd. I was so proud of myself. I was going to catch up on all my photos today at lunch. Then, I got to work and realized that I had not formatted the cd properly and my machine at work will not read it. Go figure. Oh well. I guess that is what happens when you are half asleep.

The good news is that my MIL and FIL forwarded some cute photos of them in Japan. My FIL moved there in July and I'm so jealous! I want to visit soon, but we'll see. Flights are RIDICULOUSLY expensive. Just think...sushi all day for a week. Mmmm!

Here is our sister, Kim (right), and a friend from school (assuming).

A beautiful view in Japan!

My FIL, Charles, and his lovely wife, Rose.

Rose and the growing-way-too quickly, Kimberly.

A few more scenic views in Japan (above and below).

Rose and Kim in front of a beautiful waterfall.

Thanks to Rose for saving my picture day! :) I hope everyone has a great day!

Tick Tock!

I went to the doctor yesterday for my 26 wk check up. Yesterday was the yucky glucose test. It actually doesn't taste as bad as it could. I did a great job of chugging it in 1 minute flat! This is a huge accomplishment for me. I'm more of a sip girl.

Anyway, all went very well with the check up. Vitals were good for both of us. Boy! Nathan Alexander (we finally picked a name) is growing growing! I've gained 22 lbs to date. This is quite a jump for me with approximately 14 weeks to go. I gained about 35 lbs with Sydney over the entire pregnancy, most of which accumulated in the last two months of pregnancy. So, I am curious to see what the final count will be. I certainly eat a TON more now than I did with Sydney. I'm also not drawn to healthy foods. Last week, don't laugh, I ate a meatball sub for lunch four out of the five days. I couldn't get enough of them. I totally blame Nate. Anyone who knows me, knows that I really don't like eating the same thing day after day. Lately, anything Italian and mmmmm. I'm supposed to have a birthday dinner for my mom, dad and sister at the end of the month. I was debating about what to prepare. I keep coming back to lasagna and I know it is selfish! :)

So, I guess I'm starting to get closer as I was informed that since I have to come back in two weeks for my Rhogam, my two week visits start now. IKES! Where did the time go? I have so enjoyed this pregnancy. Sure, I was yucky sick in the beginning, but once I got past it, it has been smooth sailing. I have the standard gripes (i.e. leg cramps, constant bathroom visits and sleepy syndrome), but all in all this has truly been a remarkable experience. I love my Sydney dearly, but that pregnancy STUNK! I'm so glad I get to see this time what the fuss is about. I never understood why some moms would talk about how much they LOVED their pregnancy and what a JOYOUS experience it was for them. I thought they were lying or freaking crazy. Now, I understand! :) Remind me I said this later when I am complaining I want this baby to be born. Ha ha!

Jess, I'll try to post a belly pic soon. I have so many pics to post. I've got to play catchup. :)

Not Necessarily On The Outside!

First, thank you all for posting positive comments about my awful experience this weekend. I really appreciate it. Of course, you are all right. I, hopefully, have many years to reach my goals and I just need to settle down a little.

Now, on to the topic of the day: Sydney and me! :) I was reading blogs this morning, as I often do first thing, and I have been commiserating with my friend, Jess, on how the daddy/daughter relationship can sometimes really suck for the mom. Of course, I am very thankful to have a husband that is so attentive to his family and it can be really sweet to watch Sydney swoon over him; however, it can sometimes be lonely.

I have been talking about this "exclusion" for a while now and I often tell everyone that Sydney is hands down a daddy's girl, which is true. Typically I go a step farther and even mention that she probably wouldn't miss me if I left the room, also mostly true. This morning I started to comment on Jess' blog and realized that Sydney is interested in mommy too. I have just been too blind or stupid to notice.

Sydney has become interested in all things girly of late and she turns to me for answers. Jess, don't fall out of the bed! It is true. Every morning when I get dressed, there is my little baby standing on her step stool next to me at the bathroom sink. She asks about my belly and her little brother. She wants to know what dental floss is and why can't she use it. She wants to try every lotion, cream and soap. She points to my pantyhose curiously and then rubs my legs. She wants to wear my jewelry and shoes. On those rare days I take a few minutes extra to "paint" my face, she has her very own brushes and pretend makeup. I know that if I really want to see a sweet sparkle in her eyes, I can let her use my "lips." Lip gloss is extra special to her. She'll stand at the mirror with a wide grin and say, "I look pretty."

At night, she wants to help cook dinner or carry the groceries. When it is time for bed, she ALWAYS wants mommy to read her stories and of course, we have to peruse the lotions again. She wants to brush her teeth exactly as I do. She'll stand with me and mimic each motion. She giggles when I brush her tongue. Most nights, she'll give me a cute little peck and a "BIG SQUEEZE!" There is more, so much more.

I often claim to be a pretty observant person. Well, I guess that isn't exactly true. Evidently, I've been walking around with blinders on for quite some time. I'm really not as invisible to my daughter as I had thought. She just looks to me for different things. That doesn't mean that I'm not jealous of her admiration for Marc. :) It will now be a little easier to swallow.

Best wishes for a great day!

I wasn't sick this time, but I still choked!

Hi! I've been on the outskirts of the blog world this past week. I had lots going on at work and then there was the LSAT looming over my head. Well, the bad news is I most likely won't be going to law school right now. However, the good news is, if I hurry and take acting classes, I could still play one on tv. Actually, that might be more fun than law school.

The test was held on Saturday morning at the UMW. We had to check in no later than 8:30am and were dismissed at 1:30pm. I tried desperately to put my game face on and focus, but...just like the Redskins team last week, I choked. Bottom line. I let my head rule me and keep me in a panic.

I spent the remainder of Saturday beating myself up and being grumpy. Finally, I just decided that there was no point, it wasn't going to change the outcome. While I am very disappointed in myself, I have to move on. I haven't decided what I am going to do yet. I can either take the test again in December or just wait until July or Sept of next year for the following year. I'm still mulling it over. I thought I would give myself a few days to think about it.

Tonight there will be no studying! Sydney and I have a date to play ponies! I will look forward to it all day!