Ugh. Gretchen won. Wah-who.

It's no secret, I wasn't a huge fan of Gretchen.

I did however, feel that her clothes WHILE ON THE SHOW were wearable. Her styling was awful (those constant thigh-high boots?!), her attitude was remarkably nasty and she is what I would consider an overall malcontent.

Her runway show, for me, was BLECH. I hated her prints. I wasn't in love with her actual designs. Blah.

Did I want Mondo to win? Yeah, I sort of did. Why? Because he had a few garments throughout the season that I adored and I didn't hate his runway show. I love mixing prints and I think Mondo does it well.  I do believe, however, that he does have the tendency to make younger clothes and that is something he needs to be cautious of.

Did I even remotely care about Andy's clothes? No. I really enjoyed the lime green color that he integrated into his show... but I felt as if his clothes were incredibly repetitive. The head gear/decor? Well, to be honest that didn't really bother me. His clothes just didn't do much for me. Boring.

So yeah, Gretchen won.
Boo.
Whatever.

:)

What did you think?



--

Conscious effort.

I'm currently taking a very conscious effort to not be tied to my technology.

I'm easing off the blackberry messenger a bit.
I'm easing off the always knowing exactly where my phone is.
I'm chilling out on the email checking.


I need some separation. Don't we all?


So, if I'm slower to respond to your emails - don't be offended.



--

Happy Birthday to my sister!

 You were about 2 years old in this picture.

I took it with a disposable camera and this is a picture of a picture.

It's been one of my favorites for years.

You're precious.

Oh sweet little sister, how I love you.

As my only younger sibling, you hold such a special and dear place in my heart.
I remember the day of your birth like it was yesterday.
I remember holding you for the first time.
I remember being told that you were mine.

From that day forward, I've believed that.

No matter how old we get, you will be mine to cheer on.
You will be mine to cry with.
You will be mine to encourage.
You will be mine to be proud of.
You will be mine to love.

That's just the way it goes.

I love you to the moon and back and  I'm so glad you're my baby sister.
Happy Birthday!

♥ me


--

Ferg Friday: Lounging

Ferg likes to spend her afternoons lounging and eating circular bones.

And when she's through? She wears those bones as bracelets.

She can multi-purpose like no other.

--

Don't forget. Project Runway finale tonight.

I need to catch up on the last TWO episodes before the finale. AH!

Part 2 of the Season Finale starts tonight at 9 p.m.

Consider this your public service announcement for the day.

Another one: Small fabric hair ties/rubber bands make fantastic cabinet door fasteners that effectively keep toddlers out of places they don't need to be. And they're cheap. And don't require a screw driver.

--

DVR. Watermelon. Blogging.

Life's been kind of busy lately.
The MIL was in town for a week.
We went away for the weekend.
Work is gearing up and getting a bit busier.
My Mom arrives in a week.
My extended family starts arriving in a little more than a week for my cousin's Cabo wedding.
I'm super-pregnant. And ridiculously tired by 5 p.m. everyday.
Anywho...

--

So last night when I'd normally be writing the blog post for today, I decided to catch up on our DVR, eat pizza and just sit with my husband.


Don't hate me.

--

In the midst of the DVRing, I was cutting up watermelon (Oh, how I love watermelon and OH how difficult it is for me to sit still) and I was thinking about life. (Of course I was.)

I think everyday life can be likened to a slice of watermelon. It's full of seeds. The dark ones are especially annoying because who likes to chew up a seed when you're eating that perfect slice of watermelon? And picking them out? Blech. Annoying and tedious.

Then there's the light-colored, white seeds. The flimsy ones. You just eat them because they're not worth picking out. They're not a huge issue; but if they weren't there, it would be even cooler.

Then there's that perfect bite.

It's cold, ridiculously sweet and absolutely delicious. That one bite made the earlier seed-picking from all of those previous non-perfect bites that much sweeter.

I sort of live for those bites. Literally and figuratively.

Life is filled with seeds, but every now and again you bite into something delicious and the seeds just don't seem to matter.



--

Random Wednesday

1. I ate donuts for dinner last night. (I wish that statement was a lie.) But they were so good. THANK YOU to my brother.

2. I love looking in people's houses at night. In fact, it's one of the things I miss about not living in a traditional U.S. neighborhood. You can go for a walk at dusk... and look in people's homes to see how they've decorated. Love that.

3. Fiji water bottles are stuffy. And, I hate that they don't have indentations in them. Your hand just slips off the bottle. (That isn't my hand or leather jacket at left.)

4. We're attempting to conquer more sign language with Lila. It's going...

5. This made me smile. It's my sister's facebook status update from Monday about her daughter. "aubrey introduced me to her teacher as "my friend momma" this morning... just love that little lady!" (Um, how ridiculously cute is that?)

6. Am catching up on my DVR. (The MIL left yesterday afternoon.) Let's just say, I felt that the Mad Men season finale was pretty great.

Any random thoughts for you?


--

Love this face.

Sent from BlackBerry® Wireless

Only in San Lucas.

I live in San Jose del Cabo, not Cabo San Lucas. Both cities make up what is known as, "Los Cabos." Both are found at the bottom of the Baja peninsula. (See above. Click to make larger. San Jose del Cabo is on the bottom of the peninsula in the middle. Cabo San Lucas is at the left-hand bottom-side. The two cities are approximately 20 miles (more or less) apart.)

That said, yesterday we took the MIL (mother-in-law) and the daughter (Lila) and the husband and I down to the Cabo marina to look around and go to dinner.

I am noticeably pregnant.

There's no guessing with me right now. "Is she or isn't she?" doesn't exist. It's more like, "Did she or did she not eat a whole pumpkin?" (I always think it's cute when people call their children, "punkin". So cute. Anywho. I digress.)

We're walking down the marina and one of those annoying guys who is paid to torment tourists by convincing them to eat in the restaurant he respresents says to me, "Felicidades! How many months along are you?"

I replied: "I'm not pregnant." and kept walking.

:)

That was sort of fun to do.

--

Then after dinner we were walking back and a silver-jewelry-peddler offered me a hooker-like necklace and I declined. "Silver? Silver necklace?"

Me: "No." (I get sick of the vendors and sometimes refrain from saying, "No gracias.")

Him: "Weed?"

Me: I smiled.

--

Absolutely. It's absolutely appropriate to offer "weed" to a nearly 6.5 months pregnant woman walking with her husband, mother-in-law AND toddler.

Awesome.


--

Gimmick? Maybe. Worth a try? Yep.

As it turns out, killing a mosquito in our house is worth approximately $490.00 pesos. (That's approximately $39 USD.)

We live next to a golf course.
We live with our doors and windows open.
We live with a horde of mosquitoes from morning till night.
And as it turns out, my husband and my daughter are both walking mosquito bait.

Hence, the nosquito.

(I love the name.)

It's a non-toxic, indoor mosquito lamp that attracts mosquitos with a UV light bulb, then TRAPS them in this little screen-thing and you can either "gently release them" or STARVE them to death and throw out their little carcasses upon extermination. (Guess which one we chose in our house?)

Um, it works.

The reviews online complain about how the "hum" is too loud. (It plugs into a standard wall outlet.) Or that it doesn't kill *every* mosquito. But we prefer to look at this from more of a "glass-half-full" perspective. The nosquito traps mosquitos so that they're no longer eating my family. Job well done.

So yep, it works.
And it's worth it. In fact, we're considering getting one for Lila's room.
Goodbye lava lamp nightlight - hello nosquito.



--

Hyland's teething tablet recall

It appears that our favorite teething remedy has been recalled by Hyland's. Apparently they're worried about a uniformity in dosage and therefore are recalling ALL BOTTLES of teething tablets. (FAQ's here.) This is their first recall in their 100-year history.

Press release here.

Get reimbursed or replacement tablets here.

Ugh. Really? I just bought a collection of Hyland's products. I really don't want to lose faith in a homeopathic company.



--

No itching here.Happy 7 years, husband.

Dear sweet husband-o-mine,

I remember writing you that letter the night before our wedding... remember those letters? I remember it like it was yesterday.

And remember when we exchanged those letters? You, me... in that beautiful round room at the museum, seeing one another for the first time all dressed up and fancy before the wedding. The minute I saw you, I calmed down. My heart knew it was merely going home.

I remember writing that letter and thinking, "Tomorrow he's going to be my husband." I was so excited... not for the wedding, really - but for the marriage. For the life that was about to begin.

Seven years later, I feel the same way.

When I look at you... oh, when I look at you... my heart beats faster, my eyes more often than not tear up and my brain? Well, it says: "Well done, Kylee. Well done."

I'm thankful for you.
I'm blessed for having you in my life.
The memories we've made over the past 13 years could fill the pages of a what I would consider to be a thrilling, content, uber-funny read. I think I'd name it something like, "More than ever: A love story."

I think it's true: we've grown up together.
But more importantly, I think we've grown more closely together. (Is that possible?)

If I were being completely honest and authentic, I'd say I think we sort of have something unlike anyone else. And I love it. Us. Together? It just works so well. We work so well. I love that we have so much in common; yet haven't lost ourselves. I love that I still learn new things about you.

I love you that you let me grow. You let me be. You let me be me.
I love and respect who you are.
I love how safe you make me feel.
I love how you can solve any problem. I adore your confidence.
I love seeing how you've transformed from my best friend, to my husband, to the the most amazing Daddy of our 1.5 children.
Best of all, I love how in the past 16 months, we both understand and realize how imperative it is to spend as much time and effort cultivating us as we do our daughter.

Oh and you and that daughter?
You and your Lila Ross?

Seeing your eyes light up when you see Lila's eyes light up when she sees you -- it's nearly more than I can handle.

I love you.
I love you.
I love you.

Happy Anniversary, my love.
It's true - perhaps today more than ever, you're still my everything.

♥
me

--

Stroll with me down memory lane, sweet husband... I've found some pictures you may care to see...

26 weeks: My last week in the second trimester.

According to babble.com, Nutella/Baby Girl 2011 is approximately the size of 3 russet potatoes. YEAH RIGHT.  My BELLY IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN IT WAS at 26 weeks with Lila. It looks like I swallowed one of those mini-Heineken party kegs. For real. (Here's a link to my sweet little Lila-stomach. Wow. It's amazing how different second pregnancies can be.)

Q. How am I feeling?
A. I know it's boring - but I feel great. I did, however, get a case of FIRE-like indigestion this past week and couldn't even lie down to sleep. It was terrible. I cried. I paced all night long and then woke Craig up to tell him that I was in a bad way. Seriously, I cried. Ask C. However, after some zantac as recommended by my doctor, all was well. :)

Q. Physically how am I?
A. HUGE! I'm serious. I'm at the point (already!) where I don't believe I can paint my own toenails. My belly is not small.

Q. When is my next doctor's appointment?
A. We head to the doctor on November 2nd.

Q. Is the impending birth of Baby Girl 2011 becoming more real?
A. Absolutely it is. Some baby items have arrived down here and seeing those little newborn sleepers... Oh, my. I'm so excited. I just can't wait to see what she looks like...

Q. Any other major developments?
A. Not so much! Baby Girl is so active, though - and I adore it. We're at the point where we can see my stomach actually move when she dances. Um, love that.

Ok, and here's this week's belly shots...

Autumn has come to my house.

Note: Ferg's treat canister on the far right has since been refilled. It's empty in the pic. And the reason it's so small is because we get bugs here in everything and the bugs REALLY like Ferg's treats.

Anywho.

You will notice the lack of Halloween decor. Here's the deal. I'm not a Halloween fan.

I do like to dress Lila up. (Her costume to come...), but ghosts, scary things and witches? Never been a fave of mine.

I prefer bails of hay, pumpkins and cornucopias.

--

Wah-who.

C. and I are checking into a local resort to play tourists this afternoon starting at 3 p.m. Well,  also to celebrate our SEVEN year wedding anniversary (on Monday.)

Lila is safely in the care of her Grandma and they're two peas in a pod.

So excited, so excited, so excited. Friday-Sunday with just "us".

I think I'm going to pretend that we're from Fargo and I'm not going to speak any Spanish to anyone. Tourist, baby.



--

Ferg Friday: Good sport. Yet again.

Ferg is a professional lounger. She did not come into this world to hunt or herd. Instead, Ferg's sole purpose is to follow you, cuddle with you and be cozy all.of.the.time.

 And... she must also be Lila's footstool.

And I'm not so sure I'm going out on a limb here when I say, it makes her happy. (She's smiling.)

Ah, besties.


--

In Vitro.

Let's dig in, shall we?

So there's this person I know.

She decided that in-vitro was an option she wanted to pursue -- not because infertility forced her in that direction, but because she did not have a compatible/able-to-produce significant other. And, well, because she wanted to have a baby. She's mid-30's, I believe.

So her reputable doctor extracted egg cells, fertilized them with a sperm donor of her choice, then implanted the three besties.

All three took. All three stuck.

She is now the host of 3 follicles-turned-embryos and is 2.5 months pregnant. This is her first pregnancy.

Her personal life is such that for all intents and purposes, she's single. However, I don't want that to weigh into your thoughts on this. However, the situation is such that she does not have immediate access to the best prenatal and post-natal, early-baby healthcare nor does she have a checkbook that is ready and able to write a check for whatever amount is necessary to take care of her medical bills.

So, here we are.

We all know the realities of multiple births. From forced early bed rest, the incredible strain on one's body, premature babies oftentimes with developmental differences, medical expenses, lack of time, energy and resources, the cost of raising children, etc. -- it's hard. I don't mean to paint a bleak picture, but even in the best case scenarios it can be quite difficult.

Here's where I want to hear what you would do. I'm asking you to take a step back from all of your preconceived notions about abortion, about faith, about our freedoms and tell me what you would do.

There are so many facets to this conversation.

Point: The way a woman craves a child is so palpable, so intense, that I can't begrudge anyone that desire nor would I ever purposefully discourage anyone from attaining that goal.

Counterpoint: Bringing three lives into this world at the same time almost guarantees that the one-on-one bond that most parents get with their singleton babies wouldn't even remotely be an option with three.

Point: A doctor medically implanted those embryos, they were not fearfully and wonderfully made and knit together in her womb. Instead, they were implanted by man. Therefore to have man remove one or two is reasonable and within the realm of acceptance.

Counterpoint: The babies are gifts from God and therefore must be kept. Come hell or high water.

So, let's talk about this.

What would you do?

What would you think?

Again, I ask that you consider every aspect of this scenario: the effect on the mother, the effect on the potential children, the financial aspect, the medical/developmental aspect. ALL OF IT.

I would love to hear your opinion. And remember - you can always post anonymously. I want to hear how you'd embrace the scientific proposition that the babies were man-made and not God-made. I want to hear your argument either for or against her desire to have a baby in this way.

What is the responsible decision?

I'm crafting my answer now...

Note:
I believe in God.
I call myself a Christ-follower.
I believe in doing unto others as I would have them do to me.
I pray. All the time. It's like God is my Jiminey Cricket.
I love words; therefore I love the Bible. Specifically Psalms and Proverbs and James. I consider the book to be written by folks who were inspired by God. And you know how that goes - man is fallible.
I feel that even if all this God-following is for naught, I will have lived a fulfilled, calm, faithful, non-lonely life based on a doctrine that encourages me not to gossip, but allows me to be who am I. Imperfect and all. So imperfect that I even swear. Or lie every now and then.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: 

The "point/counterpoints" are merely that: two extreme perspectives that one could potentially have.

Remember friends... I haven't identified or communicated which one I identify with just yet.


--

I'll let you know what she decided in a few days.


--

Baby Item Review: Lascal Kiddy Gate(Yep, my oh my, how has the blog changed...)

I'm clumsy.

As a general rule, I hate baby gates.

I can never put them up sturdily (word?) enough. I always knock them over. They're always falling over when not in use and overall, I give them TWO thumbs down. They get dusty. They're gross.  I especially loathe them in high-traffic areas. I hate them and only use them when I have to.

So, a while back I bought this on amazon. It's the Lascal Kiddy Guard Wall gate. (See here.)

(That is not my kid. Or my housekeeper (?) in the background.)

Our doors leading to the courtyard are weird. When only one is open, it's a skinny opening that a traditional baby gate doesn't work with. If both doors are open, the door frame is far too wide and is therefore too large for a traditional baby gate to work with.

So, we needed a solution.

BAM! There it is.

The baby gate is transparent and apparently is able to withstand tornadoes. (Or something.) Lila bangs on it out of sheer anger and it doesn't seem to hurt it. And, it's breathable. It allows air to flow over, under and through it. And, Lila likes to be able to see outside.

There's a single button (see below) that you press and slide forward at the same time as you pull out the screen. (Ignore the plywood behind it. C. still needs to paint that. Sorry for calling you out, honey. I know you're busy.)

So you pull out the screen while pressing down the button, then hook the latches on the top and bottom of the other side. (All mounted to the wall.)

My overall vote?

It's a little pricey, but for us - it's worth it. We have our doors open 9 months out of the year so to be able to keep Lila (and then Nutella) in (or out) is so very worry-free and convenient.

I also love that it retracts and ultimately goes away and we're not forced to stash away the baby gate here or there. Love that.

Can I work it with one hand? No. Can I work most mechanical things with one hand? No.

Overall, I give it 4 stars out of 5. My only complaint? I wish it were cheaper.

And there you go.


--

40 ounces of anything is too much.

Growing up, my Grandma always had and used juice glasses.

They were just enough. Maybe 8 oz. of liquid? Spending the night at her house meant setting the table in the morning for her, my Grandpa, me and maybe my cousin A.

Glass plates.
Silverwear.
Folded paper napkins.
And juice glasses.

I recently bought juice glasses for Cabo. (Our other juice glasses are packed away with our former life in two Ohio storage units. I swear, we just need to throw 95% of that stuff away. I digress.)

And, I sort of love them.

I enjoy drinking just enough and not too much of my morning juice.

I think our grandparents really got the whole "moderation" thing.



--

Patience.

While I don't have an immediate blog post at this particular moment for today's Wednesday morning reading, I will have more this afternoon. Stay tuned!

Lila's grandma arrived yesterday evening and after cleaning and socializing... it appears that blogging couldn't happen.

Like I said, stay tuned! More today. More today!


--

Just once.

Just once I'd like to participate in a conversation that includes this response:

Me: How are you?

Other: Livin' la vida loca.

Me: Cool.

--

That phrase just isn't used as often as it should be in 2010.



--

Blogging.

Preparing for a guest who will be arriving Tuesday evening.

More blogging to come.

Until then, I'd like to hear your baby girl name guesses.


--

Seriously?

Sent from BlackBerry® Wireless

NOTE: REALLY? Really? It's 99 degrees? I'll have you know that this is an accurate temperature, too. It just so happens that when I got in my car it was only 91 degrees and as I continued to drive the temperature continued to increase. Normally, it decreases.

I just think nearly 100 degrees in OCTOBER when you're six months pregnant and 20 lbs. heavier is absurd.

Hear that? ABSURD.

Lila Lunes:15 months for 4 more days.

Note: There are more than likely grammatical errors/spelling errors in this post. I'm tired. And I'm rushing so I can watch the Mad Men season finale.

Sunglasses? Check. Elephant shirt from Iris Took? Check. Attitude? Check.

I'm not sure I even have a caption for this one. The only thing I say? This is our Lila.

Playing outside. As usual.

Lila has gotten better at watering the flowers. However, she feels that just the leaves and flowers should be watered. The root system is absolutely irrelevant.