Don't faint, okay? I'm going to post.

As you can see, first day of school for older one has come and gone. She hasn't been very vocal about first grade, yet. She used to tell me all kinds of things that happened in kindergarten. I've had lots of questions and not many answers.

Lottie starts the 8th. Baby's due the 10th.

Today is a good day and I just wanted to say so. We've been hanging out cleaning/playing/mowing, and no one has been fighting. We're going to the arcade later and the girls are actually waiting until we get some things done without whining and begging to go! Such a shocker.

I'm feeling positive about the impending birth and baby. Amazing what a somewhat picked-up house will do for your mood.

Tomorrow cleaning lady is coming to do kitchen and bathroom. I'm SOOOOOOO excited! I decided to get a little help in that area for a while before/after new baby. Can't wait!

Hope all is well out there!

I'm pregnant!

For those of you who don't know yet, I'm pregnant. Yep, number three!

This is something we've been bandying about for a long time, and it kind of just happened with a little help from me, and now here we are.

At first I was kind of wondering what I'd gotten myself into, but I'm starting to get excited. I know I'll be getting really excited later on. But for now, I'm not really thinking about anything I don't have to think about. I'll think about all that later. When I need to. Not now.

I'm 11 weeks now and the belly's starting to pop a little bit. Today my new maternity exercise pants from Gap came in the mail and I think I'll probably be wearing them almost every day until the weather warms up, at which time I'll be moving to dresses and skirts. Here's to being pregnant in the summer.

I know no one really wants to let themselves go, well, ever, and not during pregnancy, but man, you gotta be comfortable! So you might see me in a lot of sweats for a while. THESE PANTS FEEL SO GOOD!

Looking forward to the cloth diaper garage sale next month.

And BTW, I'm putting out a call for maternity clothes. I got rid of ALL mine after Lottie was born, so I'm in great need. I know people have them, so let me know if you can loan me.

Getting involved

I've just been reading at whitehouse.gov

I've never cared to know what was really going on up there, but it's quite interesting. You can read what our new president has been up to in the last couple of days. He's been busy! Of course, when is a president not?

Get on there and read his proclamations and executive orders. Interesting stuff. You can also sign up for email updates.

He'll begin publishing a weekly video address every Saturday of his presidency, starting tomorrow presumably. I plan to watch faithfully!

Blog flunkie checking in. I know now why I've never started a blog. I knew I'd be dismal at it. Usually my thoughts are preoccupied with very deep and fairly personal stuff. And even though I'm new at this game, I'm pretty sure most of it is not at all appropriate fodder for a blog.

Anyway, in lieu of talking about what I'm really thinking, how about some miscellaneous facts about me?

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7 a.m.

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds. Classic and gorgeous. Totally my style. Pearls always look like an affectation to me.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Milk

4. What is your favorite TV show? I don't really have a favorite. It's usually whatever I'm watching on Netflix. Right now it's Big Love.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Current usual breakfast is homemade granola with homemade yogurt, frozen blueberries and wheat germ on top. OJ and coffee.

6. What is your middle name? Kathryn

7. What food do you dislike? There isn't much I dislike. Not a fan of pickles. Won't usually choose most seafood.

8. What is your favorite CD at moment? I don't listen to music a lot. I'm aware this makes me totally uncool and un-young. But it's me.

9. Whats your favorite car? God, I don't care. Something that always runs, is quiet, and has lots of luxurious extras.

10. Favorite sandwich ? Arby's Market Fresh Turkey & Swiss. It's true.

11. What characteristic do you dislike? Not being able to ask for help. We all suffer from this one.

12. Favorite item of clothing? I hate the way everything fits me right now. But I always wear jeans. Always.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Wow, that's a good question. Umm, an island somewhere. And Germany.


14. Favorite brand of clothing? I don't have a favorite. Whatever looks good and is affordable.

15. Where would you retire to? Somewhere away from everything.

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? The one where my husband took the girls outside to play while I got a long bath. That was nice.

17. Favorite sport to watch? Baseball. My husband got me into it.

18. Furthest place you are sending this? Um, not too far. On my blog.

19. First person you expect to respond? I have no idea.

20. When is your birthday? November 17

21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Late morning.

22. What is your shoe size? 8.5 or 9

23. Pets? We have one 3-legged cat. Probably be getting some other caged creature soon. The kids want something, but I don't think I can handle a dog.

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Nothing to report at this time.

25. What did you want to be when you were little ? An actress. I was pretty good.

26. How are you today? Tired. Pensive.

27. What is your favorite candy? Peanut butter cups

28. What is your favorite flower? I like roses, lillies, tulips


29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Leaving on a trip to Denver in June.

30. What's your full name? Natalie Kathryn (Clark) O'Hern

31. What are you listening to right now? Football on TV

32. What was the last thing you ate? Oh, God. Wendy's. If I weren't doing this right now, you'd never know that.

33. Do you wish on stars? no

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple, no question.

35. How is the weather right now? about 34 today and windy. Better than it has been.

36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My MIL

37. Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke. Ahhhhh.

38. Favorite restaurant? I just don't have favorites of most things. I'll always go to El Aguila Real

39. Real hair color? Brown, people. Just brown.

40. What was your favorite toy as a child? I remember a chemistry set, a typewriter, Lite Brite, record player. These are the things that stand out.

41. Summer or winter? Summer. I love being outside with minimal clothing.

42. Hugs or kisses ? Kisses

43. Chocolate or Vanilla? If we're talking ice cream, vanilla for sure.

44. Coffee or tea? OMG, coffee for sure.

45. Do you want your friends to email you back? Sure!!

46. When was the last time you cried? I'm always tearing up about something. But a good cry? About a week ago.

47. What is under your bed? Carpet. Probably some stray socks.

48. What did you do last night? Had pizza at the IL's. Spent forever getting the girls to leave for home. Put them to bed then crashed.

49. What are you afraid of? Oh, man, I'm not going there. The list is extensive.

50. Salty or sweet? there's nothing like salty and sweet together.

51. How many keys on your key ring? Oh, about four.

52. How many years at your current job? Six

53. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

54. How many towns have you lived in? 6

55. Do you make friends easily? NO! I have an extremely hard time opening up.



Thanks for reading. That was kind of fun.

Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tuesday

Didn't have breakfast at home, but nibbled on a little of this while having coffee at Leah's. Look closely and you'll notice the wee baby napping on a blanket.

Lunch was leftovers

Lottie and I went to Target, where I would ordinarily get the largest candy bar available and a diet coke. I compromised on less than an ounce of dark chocolate. Before I ate this I had an orange and some almonds, which I totally forgot to photograph because I was starving!

Had this while dinner was cooking - hummus and carrots

Dinner was salad and some cheesy tortellini. No dessert because the tortellini was way too fatty. It was from the freezer and it was on sale and I had a coupon. Won't be getting it again.

By the way, my friend Tattooed Mama is going to do a 30-day Challenge with me no fast food.

Also, when I begin whinging about missing the bad stuff, your encouraging comments are welcome.

Monday

So, I've done well. Here's the rest of Monday:

Afternoon Snack

Dinner - split pea soup and bread

Bedtime snack - this is a cup of fat-free frozen yogurt, about half what I would usually eat, which would also be premium ice cream, so definitely a lower-calorie option than I usually choose

Ugh, will it ever stop?

So, this is what I had for lunch today.







I know, it really sick, isn't it. That's why I'm putting it here. I have problem with food. I know what to eat. In fact, nutrition is a particular interest of mine. I read practically every new book on the subject. But this bad food does something for me and being accountable to myself has not worked, so I'm going to be accountable to you, reader, and this blog.



After this meal, I ate about four large gingerbread man cookies, but didn't take a picture of that. But I am going to take pictures of what I eat from now on. Probably not every meal and snack, but most.







Also, I've been knitting. This is Broadripple with Cascade Fixation. My first pair of socks! Actually, my first sock. We'll see about the pair. I plan to cast on the second and knit a few rounds right away to stave off SSS.



And, I had an interview with my first potential paying client for my doula business. That went really, really well which is good because I was about to throw up from nerves on the drive over there. Now after I get paid and actually work the job, I'll really be in business, so to speak.

My first FO

Well, not my first ever, but my first here.

Let me just say now that I confess to being a TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE photographer. Don't read for the artful photography, all you'll get from me is the old bathroom photo shoot.

So, I think it turned out really good. Could have been a little more slouchy, if I'd knit a bit more into it and shaped with blocking, it could have been. But really the picture in the book and other projects on Ravelry look fairly round, so that's really just the pattern.

Now I just have to wear it. I feel a tad self-conscious in hats, even though I've always liked how I look in them. Something to work on, I guess.

I'll be back after Beggar's Night tonight with pictures of my little pumpkins.

WIP's

Suddenly decided today that I need to knit myself a hat. I chose the Cabled Newsboy Cap from Stitch 'N Bitch Nation. It's really cute and easy and I hope it fits my head when I'm done!

Also knitting the Casey's Coat dog sweater from SNB Nation. This is the second one I've done. My folks have two little dogs now, a male and a female. I knit pink on pink for the female and now I'm doing a boy's version.

These little dogs are a Chihuahua and Dachshund mix and the other is all Dauchshund. Very cute and small. My dad does most of the pet naming at their house and calls the little female Lillipoochin. The other one is Cyrano for his very long nose and after an episode during which they thought they wouldn't be able to keep the dog, his full name became Cyrano de Pooch-is-Back.



Lillipoochin. Snort.

Just feeling good today. I had no-kids knitting time with some great ladies last night and no-kids coffee time with some more great ladies this morning. I can't tell you how rejuvenated this has made me feel! Now I'm freshly showered and Lottie is napping and I'm feeling really satisifed with my little life today.

It's a feeling I wish I had more often. Satisfaction.