update

Sarah is on the mend. yes! I went to the doctor today and found out I had an ear infection and a really bad sinus infection. In fact, the doctor's words were (regarding the ear infection) that it was "the type you'd see in a 4 or 5 year old." I answered with, "well, I've been emoting at the age of a 4 or 5 year old lately, so that seems appropriate!" He gave me some prescriptions, so hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow. Woo hoo!

The great and terrible VENT of 2009

Okay. I apologize in advance for the negative tone of this post. I may take it down later tonite, tomorrow, or soon thereafter, but I'm going to write it nonetheless.

I am officially miserable. Capital M miserable. The pregnancy is okay, and for the record, I do recognize that I am really blessed to have been healthy and pretty comfortable so far. However, IT has begun. You know, the feeling like I'm being stabbed in the side every so often, feeling so stinkin' tired I can't even stand it, not being able to bend over and pick something up whilst seated without rocking forward and backward three or four times first, my back aching soooo badly I'd swear I was carrying a load of bricks in a backpack in front--oh, wait, I AM! I start out the day pretty okay (except for that first move in the morning, yep, the one where you take a deep breath and hope you don't swear out loud as your muscles and ligaments yell out in protest). I have good energy in the morning, I hang in there during the afternoon, and then 4 PM hits. My patience, positive attitude and kindness go runnin' out that back door. I will not mince words: I hate how I feel and act between 4 PM and when Ryan gets home from work. I am just nasty nasty nasty!!

Well, if that wasn't bad enough, I got the mother of all colds two days ago. I usually feel the worst on the first day (yesterday) and then get slowly better each day, feeling fine again by the fourth day or so. And I most always sound worse than I feel. But this is usually under "the best of circumstances" which to me means being calmly and happily under the influence of TheraFlu. But guess what? Can't take that! I'm pregnant. So here I sit, stuffy head, aching back, shoulders, chest, ribs, nose, face, left eye thinks it's Niagra Falls for heck's sake, my throat feels like the Badlands, lips are chapped, I'm being "that guy" that breathes through his (her) mouth--I HATE THAT--my TEETH hurt, I can't sleep, my head is throbbing and throbbing. Ughhhhhh. And, to top that off, I can't breathe deeply, and I seriously feel so out of breath I think I'm suffocating half the time.

Okay, I know I'm getting a little drastic and dramatic here. I did get the nickname Sarah Bernhardt from my parents for a good reason, I guess. . .

Anyway, the thing that has set me off tonite (other than the previous paragraphs) is that I got all cozy in my favorite pair of pants--they aren't maternity (which means they don't fall down), they stretch enough to accommodate two pregnant women, yet are elastic enough to stay up and feel great, they are fleece and cozy, and I just folded them and put them in my cozies drawer this morning. Wellllllll. . . . those of you who have birthed babies before understand the risks taken whilst laughing, coughing, and the like. . . I have been warning Ryan all night to NOT MAKE ME LAUGH because If I laugh, then I cough like crazy and either throw up or die. (well, not really, just feels that way). So, he makes up some parody to the tune "Sweet Child of Mine" about Carson's stinky pants smelling like death while he was changing him, and I started laughing and I PEED MY PANTS!!! A LOT! I could not help myself or stop myself. What the HECK?!?!?!? 2 year olds pee their pants, 3 year olds pee their pants! I don't like it, but my four year old has even peed HER pants. But a 34-year old? Seriously?! I can't believe it. Suffice it to say, I've HAD it today! I know I should count my blessings, be grateful for what I have. Fine. I will. Later. But, I just wanted to vent. I hope my cold is better tomorrow. And I hope I can try to have a more positive attitude.

I know it won't last forever. . . I know it won't last forever. . . I know it won't last forever. . .

A Funny Exchange

Maybe this stuff is only hilarious to the parents of the child(ren) in question, but I'll share it anyway. Carson is learning to put words together more and more. It is really funny sometimes. Not that he's a comedic genius or anything, it just sounds funny coming from a tot his size. He's so little, I just can't believe that he really understands what he is saying, but evidently he does.

Annie saw on the video monitor that he was awake and said, "let's go get Carson!" You see, she's been begging her dad for two days now to go up in the attic and get the Easter decorations. She is obsessed with Easter eggs--has been as long as I can remember. Anyway, her dad got the stuff down and we unloaded it onto the table and she picked out a bunch of plastic eggs and a basket and has been busy ever since. Well, she was excited to share the fun with Carson.

(see, here she is with her Easter eggs two years ago)

So we go downstairs and she goes right into his room and leans in and says excitedly, "CARSIE!!! Come upstairs, there is a surprise for you!" (surprise for whooooooo????) He does that audible open-mouthed inhalation/excited noise "ahhhhhhhhhhhh. . . . COOH!" (or "cool" in Carson-ese)

I thought it was sooo funny. He was over-the-moon excited, and for what? He didn't care. All he knew was that his sister was excited so what other explanation did he need! So funny.

Yes, kids say the darndest things. I love when other parents post them because they make me laugh so hard!

We are not without these such sayings here at the Droubays. One of my favorites I hear every night as I'm tucking Annie into bed is, "Mom? Is it gonna be tommorow today?"

I love thinking about how they arrive at those words -- you know, what's their train of thought?

Hilarious!

What's in a Name?

Annie and I were having the most interesting conversation as we snuggled in my bed this morning. Since we found out we're having a boy and her response was "NOOOOO!!!! I DON'T WANT A BOY, I WANT A GIRL. . . . .", I have been trying to get her excited for the boy. So, a few weeks ago, I asked her what she wanted to name the baby.

Annie: Orco.

Me: Orco? From He-Man? (She's been watching it with Dillon lately)

Annie: Yes. Orco.

This name was her first choice for a few weeks. She still likes it. Then, when Aunt Kelli had her baby, we went to the hospital to visit, and every time we went into either Labor and Delivery or Recovery, we had to announce who we were there to see: "Kelli Shelley." This was very neat for Annie, and to her credit, it does roll off the tongue quite nicely. Anyway, Annie not only insisted on calling her "Kelli Shelley" for the rest of the day, but also on being the voice in the intercom at least twice. I kinda chuckled to myself thinking, "I'm sure they are going to be thrilled to push the admit button when they hear a small child's (not the hospital's favorite visitor in the Women's center, I'm sure) voice requesting admittance!"

A few days later,

Me: So do you still like Orco for a name?

Annie: No, let's call the baby "Kelli Shelley"

Me: That's a girl's name. Is there a boy name you like?

Annie: Mike. Michael.

Me: Mike Shelley? (Thinking she was following a pattern here)

Annie: No. Michael Scott.

Me: (You have GOT to be kidding me! Mommy watches too much Office, me thinks!) Michael Scott?

Annie: Yes, he's funny.

Then, this morning. We were talking about how my tummy was hurting and she was telling her baby brother in my tummy (with her lips approximately 1 mm away from my belly), "you cannot hurt my mommy's tummy. We have to be nice to mommy!" And we started discussing names again.

Me: So what should we name the baby?

Annie: Mike

Me: Michael Scott? (Thinking she was on THIS again.)

Annie: No. Mike Wazowski.

Me: From Monsters, Inc.? (for those of you who don't have this film memorized, he's the little green ball monster--good guy)

Annie: Yes. Mike Wazowski.

Me: (stunned into silence)

Annie: Actually, what do you think we could name him "Joe Mama?"

I didn't know how to respond. She gets this from her dad. All I could do was laugh. What a silly girl!

8 Things About Me -- TAG AGAIN!!!

Here are the Rules:
1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six '8' items
3) Let each person know by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite TV shows
1. The Office (it's the only one I watch)
2. 24 (but not till the season is over--I can't stand the suspense)
3. Prison Break (same as above)
4. American Idol Tryouts (I seriously CANNOT get into it week after week, but I love the tryouts)
5. The News (go ahead and laugh)

Okay, so I had to REALLY stretch it to get to 5. I can list three more I used to watch and enjoy:
6. Supernanny
7. Clean Sweep -- inspired me to toss things I really don't need
8. Antiques Roadshow. I don't know why I like it, since I am not a fan of old stuff.

8 Things I did Yesterday
1. Attended Draper Temple Open House
2. Died of embarrassment at the totally inappropriate comment Annie made in the bathroom stall after the Open House. I can't even repeat it.
3. Had a J Dawg for lunch. It SERIOUSLY doesn't get better than that. I don't mind the hour drive either.
4. Bought a new church bag. I know it's sad that's what stands out, but I really wanted a new one.
5. Spent the day with Tim and Beth-- so fun!
6. Stood by in awe as Tim totally fixed my computers and then networked them. Why can't I learn these things?
7. Made a very tasty roast with sour cream dill gravy. Thanks Oma for that amazing recipe!
8. Read old Balderdash clues with Tim and laughed so hard my sides ached. Such fun!

8 Things I'm looking forward to
1. My taxes doing themselves--okay, so it's not going to get done without my help. Fine.
2. My next family visit--missing them already!
3. Organizing the piles of stuff in my house. Nesting ROCKS!
4. That first day that feels like Spring--you know, where the birds are singing and the air FINALLY feels warmer.
5. Green grass
6. The hot date I just KNOW Ryan is planning for our 11th anniversary next month.
7. Laughing really hard again soon--it was soooo fun. I LOVE to laugh.
8. I'm fine with pregnancy for now, but I'm excited to meet baby boy Droubay in June!

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Old Spaghetti Factory--still a fave of mine. After all these years. Mizithra cheese, mmmmm
2. NYPD in Park City--really good pizza. The closest to East Coast Pizza I've found in Utah.
3. Benihana and / or Tepanyaki
4. Famous Dave's
5. I'm with Kimber, McGrath's is pretty dang yummy.
6. Bombay House
7. J Dawgs
8. Any REALLY good Mexican, but I don't have a fave yet. Any suggestions on places to try?

8 Things on my wish list
1. Less than a half hour of pushing, with a fully functioning Epidural and no follow-up stitches. Sorry for the TMI.
2. A new TV that is digitally compatible so I don't have to figure out the converter box.
3. I agree again with Kimber -- a better economy -- it's really frightening!
4. A piano to own and not just borrow.
5. The ability to pause time every now and then to take a break.
6. A deeper bathtub.
7. The solution to whining-- for me and for Annie. I don't know that I'll survive unless I find one.
8. A garden that weeds itself.

8 People I tag
1. Kelli "new mommy"
2. Stephanie
3. Miriam (again, since you didn't do the last one, you naughty girl!) :) just kidding
4. Kacee
5. Marcie
6. Heather
7. Courtney
8. Jessica

Bedtime Confessions

Oh, this is priceless. Bedtime is one of my favorite times. Well, for many reasons. First of all, it's my personal sigh of relief for the day. Fun and relaxing things come after it: hot baths in which I read more than one or two paragraphs at a time--that is, until I fall asleep. . . , back rubs from my husband, sitting on the couch and talking or belly-laughing at something hilarious Ryan has said, getting a phone call from a friend, basically what it boils down to is adult time and/or alone time. I feel a little guilty saying that, but I'm just wiped out at the end of the day.

Another thing I love about bedtime is how cute my kids are about it (for the most part). Don't worry, there's plenty of tears and emotional meltowns too on occasion, but as I said, for the most part, they are soooo cute at night-time. Take tonite for example: I was snuggling with Annie. I had just finished singing "the Rainbow Connection" for the billionth time in the last 4 year or so--don't think she could have cared less as an infant. This is funny because any time I start singing during the day, in the car, or what have you, she says to me, "mom, please be quiet." Rude! I know I'd get chucked out of any American Idol audition, but that doesn't mean I want to hear about it. I'm smart enough to stay far away from any solo, performance, concert, etcetera, but I don't need the reminder that I'm awful, for heck's sake! Anyway, I think it is funny that she won't hear a note during the day, but oh, at night time, it's a REQUIREMENT for sleep. Anyway, I digress. . .

So I had just finished singing and we were snuggling and I said, "I love snuggling with you, Annie. I'm going to be so sad when you are a big girl and you don't want to snuggle with me anymore." She patted my head, smoothing my hair most tenderly and responded VERY excitedly (with eyes big as saucers and nods of the head): "Mom, when I grow up and I'm a big girl, then I can use your lives!!!!!!!!!" Now, for those of you who don't know, "lives" is Annie for "knives." Yes Annie. When you are a big girl, you can use my knives. That's exactly where the discussion was headed. thanks.

Then came the confession.

Annie: Mom, when I was a little girl, I used your knives once. What's that thing you use in your left hand to go like this? (followed by a charade-like demonstration of knive-sharpening).

Me: The knife sharpener?

Annie: Yes. I used that.

silence.

Me (to myself): My daughter is saying "damn it" (see previous post) and playing with knives. nice. What is next?!?!?!?!?!

Annie: We don't play with knives, huh. . .?

Me: No, we don't.

Annie: (Cupping my face this time) Mom, I'm so sorry I scared you. I won't ever scare you again.

Me: Thanks, Annie.

Yes, bed-time is great. Great for big hugs and monster, snake, and bad dream concerns. Great for prayers that entertain even the most agnostic of souls. (My favorite was when the first few lines of the sacrament prayer--FROM MEMORY, I must add--were uttered as her bed-time prayer). And, yes, great for confession.

WHAT did you say??????

First of all, Happy New Year everyone! We had a GREAT Christmas, and I'll post more about that later. And I apologize for the lack of posts last month. But I found Facebook, need I say more? But first, I'd like to say a little something about my morning. I'm PSYCHED! My four year old flawless, princess, angel daughter Annie just said "dammit." Yes, you heard me correctly: dammit.

I suppose it could be worse. I've never professed to have the cleanest language in the world (and, friends and family with children my kids' age, I completely understand if we're banned now), and I suppose there are worse things she could have said. But I've tried super duper hard to not say naughty things in her presence. I can think of one time, A LONG TIME AGO, when I hurt myself and said "dammit." Followed by "dang it, darn it, dog gone it, shoot, egads, gobble-dee goop, dang it, dang it, dang it, dang it!" because my logic was this: if I yell out 10 acceptable I-just-stubbed-my-toe words, perhaps that would decrease the chances that the one she'd repeat would be the naughtier of the bunch. Well, you can see now that it was a nice try, but naughty words are just more fun, apparently. sheeesh!

So, I explained that it was a naughty naughty word. (What will I do if it gets worse?) She said "sorry" and thus the morning continued without incident.

But I've fastened the proverbial seat belt and I'm hanging on tight for more. You see, this is not the first time she has said something that has horrified me (and I'd like to reiterate that I understand she could have said worse--but she's FOUR for crying out loud, and she was a tiny innocent baby like three minutes ago!).

Some examples: There was the time in Wal-mart when she asked the overweight lady behind us if she had a baby in her tummy. This was right after Aunt Kelli announced the baby in HER tummy, so I cut her some slack because it was obviously on her mind. But I don't know that the lady (whose response was, "no, I'm just fat") cut her the same slack. And then there was the time she tapped me on the arm in the grocery store and said, (loudly) "MOM!!! LOOK AT THAT BIG LADY OVER THERE!!!!!" . . . sigh.


I know other parents and children have gone through this. I remember a time myself when my parents invited someone over for dinner and the guest complimented my mom on her au gratin potatoes. Anxious and thrilled to offer advice and let her know how easy it would be to acheive the same results, I blurted out "Oh, it's SO easy! It's just a BOX MIX!!!!!" My parents were a little embarrassed perhaps.

Anyway, if any of you have advice or a funny story about those horrifying child speech moments, go ahead and leave a comment about it. I look forward to reading. . . . .