Day two of not working...

I'm on day two of not working. I start my new job at an elementary school on September 10th. Kent and I are working on a puzzle. Now all we have left is the annoying non-descriptive background peices to place.
Kent did most of it because he just can't walk away from the damn thing.
I already love this weekend because its so gorgeous outside.
HORRAY! for good weather!
Thanks to another burst of hormones I have added yet another pimple to my chin. Geez these hormones drive a girl nuts.
Me and "O" a.k.a. Olivia will probably discover someplace wonderful to walk and I will talk to her, "Who's the best dog in the whole world?" *Olivia looks up at me with her tounge half out smiling-rolls onto her back and wags her tail* It doesn't get much clearer than that folks!
I have a list of things I want to do today/this weekend:

• Go for a walk with Olivia
• Go to Radio Shack for a missing plug-in for my Ipod.
• Shop for new light fixture for my bathroom. I need affordable!
• Maybe pick out some paint colors?
• Pick of car from the mechanic.
• Visit Tanger Outlet Center's Labor Day sale.

There is more but I'm done listing things.

Here are some pictures from our trip to Denver. Top to bottom/right to left: Kent and I at Cubs/Rockies game [Cubs won but also inflicted serious injury to a Rockie who was up to bat when the Cubs pitcher accidentally hit him in the head with a fast ball- cubs got booed :( ], Kent enjoying a Black and Tan at an Irish pub outside the left field entrance to the stadium, Coors Stadium, Kent at aquarium with the sharks, Katy and Kent at the Zoo, Kent at Summit point in Estes park just before the rain.

(above from left to right: "The cousins"- Me, Kent, Shelly, Chis, Jared(?), Lisa and Joel)
Lisa and Joel got married Sept. 22nd, 2006 and had their reception this last month.

I have the utmost respect for all the women before me who have endured this thing called, "Pregnancy."

I'm at about 17 weeks and still puke in the morning. I have a pinched nerve where my leg meets my hip.I'm EXHAUSTED and I have acne like a teenager. I have another friend who is just as pregnant as I but her pregnancy has gone much smoother than mine.

At about week 15 Kent and I went to Colorado for a reception for a cousin of his. We camped some and, thankfully, were able to check into a motel for a few nights. Camping the first night was nightmarish. I don't think I slept more than an hour. It got better the two nights that followed. We camped at Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden, CO. There is a gorgeous view of about 10+ mountain from a lookout in that park. Kent and I went for a very nice hike (minus the up-mountain hike portion of the hike) to that Panoramic point.

Kent's mother, Elaine, his Aunt Kay and cousin Shelly and Chris (any of you remember the guy yelling for someone to take him to breakfast during gift opening at my wedding?) stayed in Evergreen. That was a very quaint touristy town.Turned out that Shelly is only a week or two less pregnant than I!!! She is also having a fabulous complaint free pregnancy. She had been trying a very long time and had to endure a lot to conceive.

Kent and I had the best time in Denver where we saw the Cubs play the Rockies, went to the zoo, the aquarium and to the art museum. I LOVED DENVER! I would live there if it wasn't for having to drive a million miles around mountains to get anywhere. I also don't like the idea of driving through Nebraska anytime soon.

Now to tie in the Pregnancy to all this... Kent and I haven't seen a whole lot of each other. Kent wakes up to the sound of my retching in the morning but hasn't experienced all my emotional and physical changes.

Chris (Shelly's husband) is, lets face it, a loud mouthed, loving, hilarious Italian man. He is VERY involved in every stage of the pregnancy as he too waited and worried as they were trying to conceive. You could often Chris and Kent hiding somewhere to smoke what they professed was another one of their precious last cigarettes (that was more Chris than Kent). Shelly laid an ultimatum on Chris but I know better with Kent. You need to know when to strike, choose your battles, and expect nothing. Kent always performs but on his terms (usually). Kent has a prescribtion for Chantix but hasn't gotton it filled yet. Its going to happen when he's ready. I credit Chris for preparing my husband emotionally for the coming of our baby. Thank you so much Chris!

I honestly think Kent didn't know what to think (and sometimes still doesn't) when in comes to becoming a Dad and having a family. I think its been drilled into Kent's head for so long that it's something naughty or wrong to get a woman pregnant that he's adjusting to the idea that its okay now and actually very welcomed by our families. Guys are weird and programmed sometimes (no offense).

Kent was able to laugh and joke with Chris about their upcoming new roles. It was very nice to see. I always feel really good when I see Kent off with a friend (that doesn't make my skin crawl). He is generally a home body and its a relief when he gets out socially.

Lastly, I have quit my job folks... Don't ask. Long story. My last day is next Wednesday. I think we'll be okay but it is worrisome. I'm working on a plan. I might like to take this opportunity to see some family. Mom and I talked about the possibility of meeting my niece Madeline or going to see Grandma (+family) in Ohio. I love going to Ohio.

Oh, one more thing... The new house is coming along. Kent and I are in no rush to make everything perfect all at once. We will paint the baby's room after we find out the sex. I just read a friend's blog wehre she is also pregnant and she's WAY more on the ball then I have been. I have an appointment next week to get blood work done. My doctor calls it the "Big OB" exam. Then we will schedule an ultrasound. Pretty exciting even if there are no guarantees that they will be able to distinguish the sex.

Anyone have votes or suggestions for names?

Here are the current possibilities in order of likelihood that we will actually name our kid this:

Boys (According to me I'm having a boy):

1. Michael "Mikey" Anthony (which is funny because this is a prominent name in my family that I could never spell and let me add that it was at Kent's suggestion).


2. Martin "Marty"


3. Evan

Girls (according to Mom and Kent they want a girl)

1. Annette "Annie"


2. Vivian "Vi Vi"


3. Kara

I didn't post anything on Pop-o's Birthday but I spent the day with him on Saturday. It was great because I really missed my folks. I have been on a vacation in Colorado with my in-laws for a reception (more about that later).

I'd just like to dwell a bit more on my Pop-o.

Boy, is he the best. Popo works hard for his family. He isn't the most outgoing or showy of personalities but Popo can be very funny. The older I get the bigger kick I get out of spending time with him. I tell Momma, "I just like watching him because he's just such a goof-ball!"

Pop-o has always been the handsomest man I ever knew. I have compared his looks to Elvis Presley on occasion. People say he looks more like Raymond from, "Everybody loves Raymond," but he is really much more handsome than that.

Everybody knows that Pop-o is smart and is very successful but he also has a very big heart. He genuinely cares about the people in his life and has turned out to be a very fun Grandpa. Its not always easy to see how much Popo cares because of the aforementioned lack of showy but there are tells in the more subtle variety and he would do anything to ensure that the people he loves are safe from harm.

I have looked up to my father my whole life and know that when he is angry that he means business because most of the time he didn't pay any mind. So when he yells- I jump. Most the time he yelled because of something bad I had done to Mom. Popo was always the model of a protective and loving husband. I also admired my parents loving relationship and would take no less in my own marriage than the love my parents had.

Pop-o travels and enjoys fine things in life because he works hard to get those things. I hope you get to enjoy those things for another 50+ years Popo. Take care and I love you! Happy Birthday.