First pictures

Baby Lew had his/her first photos taken yesterday and did very well. According to the nurse, he/she is 8 weeks and 4 days old, and is due on December 6, 2008. Everything looks good with both the baby and me. Crazy!

Take the good with the bad...

and this time it seems the bad far out weighs the good!

First the good: Eric's interview on Tuesday went well. He felt really good about it and is really excited about the possibility of this job. We know that they have a couple more interviews on Friday and then they will make a decision. Not sure if we will hear from them before the weekend or if it will be next week. The waiting is pure torture!

And now the bad: As noted in this post, I absolutely detest Eric's current job, and more specifically the owner there. I am now even more convinced of my feelings because of what happened there on Monday. At some point that afternoon, the owner found out about Eric's interview the next day and it made him really mad (jealous maybe), and he is the type of man who, if something makes him mad, he acts on impulse and does/says whatever first comes to mind. So, after finding out this information, he confronted Eric who confirmed that, yes, he did indeed have a job interview the next day. (By the way, let me just note that Eric had informed his direct boss of the interview, who has always been very supportive of his job search, and is actually one of his references.) Anyway, once Eric confirmed the fact, the owner told him that if he was going to the interview to just not bother coming back to work there. Unbelievable!! To think that this man has the audacity (and the ability) to fire someone because they are trying to further their own career. Did he really think that Eric, who has a Masters degree by the way, was planning on staying there forever? I am just overwhelmed with anger right now...I don't even have the words.

So...because of the current situation, it is even more important that Eric gets this new job. Please pray for the people who will be making this decision, and pray that if this is the right job for him he will get it. And if it's not the right job, please pray that he will find it...soon!

Job Interview

Next Tuesday Eric has a job interview for a position that he is really excited about and really hoping he gets. TSTC (Texas State Technical College) is starting an Agriculture program at its Sweetwater campus, and he is interviewing for the instructor position. Please pray that the interview goes well, and that the job will work out.

Ugh

It's official...I feel crummy. I think the "morning" sickness (why it's called "morning" is totally beyond me!) has hit, and it is not enjoyable in the least. The past couple weeks I have had moments of feeling not so great, but nothing constant. However, the last couple days it has hit full force and is non-stop. I feel sick when I'm hungry, before I eat, after I eat, even when I sleep (or between sleeping and waking up all night long). Oh, the joys of pregnancy.

My man

I saw this and thought it would be kinda fun...

1. Who is your man? Eric

2. How long have you been together? Since August 2005 (2.5 years)

3. How long did you date? 4 months

4. How old is your man? 31

5. Who eats more? He does (although right now I am working on catching up!)

6. Who said "I love you" first? I did

7. Who is taller? Eric - but not by a lot (we are fairly short folks)

8. Who sings better? Definitely me

9. Who is smarter? That's a hard questions...depends on the topic.

10. Whose temper is worse? No question - mine!

11. Who does the laundry? That would be me (His idea of sorting laundry is "his" and "hers.")

12. Who takes out the garbage? That is supposed to be Eric's chore, but it doesn't always happen that way.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

14. Who pays the bills? Me

15. Who is better with the computer? I think me...but he might disagree.

16. Who mows the lawn? Both - although he has told me I am not allowed to right now.

17. Who cooks dinner? Depends -when I work at Sylvan Eric does; otherwise I do or we eat out.

18. Who drives when you are together? When we travel anywhere always Eric; in town usually me.

19. Who pays when you go out? Usually me, but not always.

20. Who is most stubborn? Me, definitely me.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Not me - see question # 20 above.

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Eric's

23. Who kissed who first? He kissed me first.

24. Who asked who out? I don't know if you could really consider it "asking me out" but I guess he did.

25. Who proposed? That would be Eric.

26. Who is more sensitive? Me - I cry at just about everything these days.

27. Who has more friends? Probably me

28. Who has more siblings? Me - 1 sister and 2 brothers; him - 1 sister

29. Who wears the pants in the family? I'm not gonna answer that question (Although some of you are probably mumbling "Mandi" under your breath.)

30. Who am I thankful for everyday? Eric

Symptoms

This week I have felt kind of crummy. Mostly I just have absolutely NO energy at all. When I am at work I sometimes find myself just sitting there doing nothing, and I have to remind myself to get busy. And when I get home the last thing I want to do is fix supper or clean up after it. All I really want to do is sleep! In fact, last night I went to bad at 8:00...yikes!

A couple nights ago I noticed my feet and ankles felt funny, and when I looked down at them I realized why...they were about three times their normal size. (I'm pretty sure it's too early for that to happen.) So the next day when they were still pretty swollen I showed a nurse here at work who proceeded to take my blood pressure (130/80) and drill me about what I had been eating (asking about salt intake, etc.) and how much exercise or walking I have been doing. She told me I should a) sit with my feet elevated whenever possible and b) get up from my desk every hour and walk around the building to keep the blood circulating. So I have been following (or trying to follow) her instructions.

Also, some of my clothes (mostly just the waists of pants and things north of there) are starting to get a little uncomfortable (especially the way I just sit most of the day...maybe I'm eating too much...I feel like I'm hungry all the time!). So this evening I plan to go shopping and try to find some loose, more comfortable clothes. It's too early for actual "maternity" clothes, so hopefully I'll have at least a little luck finding stuff.

Dear Baby Lew...

Dear Baby Lew,

There is so much to tell you, I don't even know where to start. For tonight I will start with my family...

I come from a pretty big immediate family (I'm the youngest of four kids), so you will have lots of names and faces to learn eventually. But you will also have lots of people to love on you and kiss you, and play games with you, and ooh and aah over you, and even babysit you!

First there is Nanny and Papo. Lucky for you they already have experience at being grandparents. They will probably be some of the first people you meet. Papo will definitely sing songs to you, play the guitar for you, read books to you, and he might even give you candy if you ask real nice (don't tell Nanny!). And Nanny...she is an expert rocker (she has the best lap!), she will read books to you, play games with you (maybe even teach you some new ones), make you grilled cheese sandwiches (with or without a lid), and just do all the things a "Nanny" is supposed to do. (I even think she might be an expert diaper changer - so be sure and remember that whenever she is around!)

Uncle Chris, Aunt Kim (my sister), and cousins Jordan and Hunter (who by the way has a birthday tomorrow...Happy Birthday Hunter!!) - Even though they live a long way away (in Kansas), and Daddy might say it's too far away, we will still make the trip whenever we can because it will be totally worth it. Uncle Chris can teach you how to play golf if you want, or maybe teach you about airplanes. Aunt Kim will be our go-to-girl for advice and for shopping. She can teach you how to find the best sales. And if you are ever up for a run, she's your girl! And Jordan and Hunter will be the best playmates ever. They can teach you about some of the most fun toys and games around. They will love playing with you as you grow up.

Uncle Tim (my brother), Aunt Dina, and cousins Bailey and Emma - Uncle Tim will be a good advice giver and teacher of sports. He kind of watched out for me before I met your Daddy, so I know he's good at that. Aunt Dina will help teach you about all sorts of stuff and will let you come play at her house anytime you want. Cousins Bailey and Emma will just dote over you like crazy. They will teach you all the girl things you need to know from older cousins! Maybe they will even babysit you some. (Mommy used to babysit them, so it's kinda fun to see the tides change.)

Uncle Sam (my brother), Aunt Stacy, and cousin Isabel - Uncle Sam is just a year older than me so we have always been pretty close. He will always be up for taking you to a Rangers game, or any Texas Tech sporting events. Aunt Stacy can teach you to sing pretty, or can join us on our shopping trips (with Aunt Kim!). Isabel will just be three when you are born, so hopefully y'all with be great friends. She will be a fun playmate when you are together.

So, as you can see, there are lots of people who are going to be ready to meet you when you arrive, and lots of people who love you already. I am already super excited to meet you (and you are only the size of a tiny little peanut). Until then...

Love,
Mommy

And baby makes 3...

That's right...we are expecting a baby! Yikes! Can you believe it?!? My emotions are on a rotating cycle of being super excited, to being more scared than I have ever been, to being happier than I have ever been, to being extremely nervous, and then back to excited again. So far I feel okay...not great but not too bad most of the time. I am really tired all the time and would like to take a couple naps during the day. I haven't really gotten sick yet, just feel kinda nauseous sometimes (especially if I get hungry - which seems to happen more than usual).

I know the fun is just beginning. "Baby Lew" is already making him/herself known!

Quanah here we come...

So we have decided to go ahead and go to Quanah this weekend to see Eric's parents. His mom is supposed to be home by lunch time on Sunday so we will get to see her for a little while before we have to come home. I guarantee she will be happy we are coming, and happy she is coming back early enough to see us!



Stay tuned...big announcement coming! (If you haven't already guessed it...)

Disappointment and Dilemma

We were supposed to go to Quanah this weekend to see Eric's parents. This was a pretty important trip (some of you know why). However, when Eric called last night to let them know we were coming his mom informed him that she and a friend of hers are going to Dallas this weekend to shop and to go to Canton. While I am a big fan of Canton, and I wish I was going with her, I really wish there was a way we could get her to cancel the trip. I told Eric he should call the friend and explain to her why we really need to come see them this weekend and have her make up some excuse for needing to reschedule the trip. Or I thought maybe we could call his aunt (who lives in Dallas and will be joining them in their shopping ventures) and try to get her to convince them to cancel and come some other time. But we didn't do either of those things. So now our trip will have to be rescheduled. I guess it's not really that big of a deal, but I know when his mom finds out why we wanted to come this weekend she will wish we would have. I don't know what to do. Any ideas?

April Fool's Day

What is the point of April Fool's Day? I mean, what if you have something really exciting to tell people, but you don't want to do so today because of the date on the calendar? Will people believe you? Or will they think you are "fooling" them? Hmmm...something to think about.

Sylvan

So I work at Sylvan in the evenings tutoring math. It's the best part of teaching...no parents, no lesson plans, no (or minimal) discipline issues. I have been working there over a year now. I first started back when Eric was looking for a job and we needed the extra money. And now, I just continue because the extra spending money is kind of nice. However, lately (in the last couple months) things there have changed and it has become a not-so-pleasant experience all the time. When I first started, the two girls who were in charge were super nice, and I really liked working with them. They have both, since, had babies and quit, and been replaced. So now, one of the "replacements" is, well, let's just say, she rubs me the wrong way. (Those of you who know me very well know exactly what I mean!) It has just made the whole thing kind of rotten for me - which is a shame because I do really like some of the kids I get to work with.

Another issue I have with Sylvan is that I just get tired of not having any evenings to myself. I usually go in at 5:30 (as soon as I get off my "real job"), and am there until 7:30. So much for making any dinner plans with others, or having a long relaxing evening, or cooking dinner for Eric, or just hanging out. By the time I get home, eat, and get the dishes cleaned up it's time to get ready for bed. It just gets kinda old day after day. I would really love to quit, but am I ready to give up my extra "play" money?

Blogs

Can I just say that reading blogs is totally addictive. But it is a wonderful, quick way to catch up on the lives of people who you have lost touch with. I love it!

Easter

Happy Easter (a day late).

Yesterday was a good day. Eric's parents came in Saturday night and we had a nice visit with them. I totally lucked out in the 'in-law' department...mine are great! Yesterday's lunch was good and everything came out really well. And now we have leftovers that we will be grazing on all week. (Even better...not much cooking required this week...oh, wait I don't ever do much cooking.)

Today I am back at work...back to the same old routine. It was really nice to be off last week and it was super hard to get up and come to work today. Another day, another dollar...

Busy day

'Twas the day before Easter and all through my house...

Eric's parents are coming today for Easter, and I am the "host." This will be the first holiday I have had in my house, where I am preparing all the food. I am making a ham, sour cream potato dish, cream cheese corn casserole thing, tossed green salad, rolls, jello salad, apple crisp, and fudge. And for breakfast in the morning I am making monkey bread. Oh, and I made banana bread last night. I already have some of the stuff done, (jello salad, fudge, salad stuff) and will do some more later this afternoon. I was busy yesterday cleaning the house and getting laundry done, and today Eric is working in the yard. Overall, a very productive day already (and it's only 1:45).

They're everywhere

Lately, everywhere I look, there are pregnant women. I'm sure there are not any more than normal, but lately I just seem to notice them even more. We went to Target the other day and in the 15-20 minutes we were there we probably saw at least ten expectant moms. Maybe that doesn't seem like a lot, but when you want to be where they are it seems like they just jump out at you. I want to be the one people look at and wonder when I'm due or what I'm having. Hopefully some day soon...

Spring Break

All I can say is...thank goodness I work for a school district! I am officially on spring break this week, and it is great. I plan to do a whole lot of "not much." Maybe some laundry, maybe clean the house, maybe get some scrapbooking done, maybe work in the yard...and then again, maybe not to all of that. Basically I plan to do pretty much whatever I feel like doing each day. The only bad part of the whole thing is - Eric has to work every day. So I feel a little guilty not doing anything while he's working all day...but just a little.

Welcome to the 21st Century

Okay, I have a confession to make. (And it's a tad bit embarrassing.) Until today, we did not have a computer at our house. I know, I know...what the heck! (Shut up - we are poor and it was one of those luxuries we were putting off.) But, we finally decided to join the 21st century, and we bought a computer. So now I can actually update my blog from the comfort of my home (instead of doing it at work...don't tell my boss!).

Here's an ironic tid-bit: the "Geek Squad" at Best Buy really are geeks! We had the (unfortunate) opportunity to work with 'Agent Browne' on our deal. I kid you not - this guy actually referred to himself that way...like we were going to call him 'Agent'...and he fit the "geek" definition completely. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's the one they named the whole thing after. Unbelievable!

Overall today was a pretty crappy day, but it is ending good, so I will save the rest of the story for later.

My husband

I have the best husband. Recently (okay for our entire marriage) I have complained about the fact that we do not eat at the dining table enough. We are in the terrible habit of sitting in front of the tv in our respective places (me on the couch, Eric in the recliner) to eat every meal. Well, last night when I got home from Sylvan, Eric had supper ready (which is pretty standard), but to my surprise he had the table set for us to sit down and eat rather than plopping down in front of the boob tube. In addition, he had fixed a fruit salad, our drinks were fixed and waiting (and not in plastic or styrofoam cups), and he had a beautiful long-stem red rose for me. So we enjoyed a nice romantic supper (okay it was just hamburger helper, but that's beside the point) at the dining table where we talked about our day and looked at each other instead of looking at the big illuminated screen in the living room. It was a very big gesture on his part, and it did not go unnoticed.

Life

Why is it that we as humans let life take over and come between us and people who, at one time, were a huge part of our lives. I know it is just a part of life that friends will come and go, but isn't there something we can do about it? Why, if someone is so important to us, do we simply let time or distance or some circumstance take that person and their friendship away from us? Why don't we fight harder to keep that from happening? I am sometimes frustrated when I think about the friendships I have let go because of the "inconvenience" of the distance between us, or because "it's just been so long since I talked to them, so what's a little longer." Why do I let this happen? I think all of this is fresh on my mind because I was just recently reminded of a good friend who, because of life's circumstances, has become someone I don't feel like I even know anymore, much less someone I can call a friend. That frustrates me because since we were last in touch some pretty important things have happened - I have met and married my husband, they are now engaged to get married, most of our mutual friends have either married or had children. We have let too many things (or maybe excuses) take over and taken the place of our friendship. I know everyone is guilty of this, but maybe it's time I do something about it in my life, and time I get back to what's really important in life - the people. But how do I do that?...