All posts by

Where did July go?!

by Erin on August 5, 2011 in pure prattle with 1 Comment

I am very aware of the fact that I’ve been a huge ass slacker posting here. And every year I always say will be posting more. Well, I’ve got a great excuse this time, I really, truly do:

Meet Addison, the newest love in my life. :)

Addison came into the world on June 17th @ 3:14pm, weighing in at 8lbs 12oz and 20.5″ long. Now 7 weeks later, she’s 10lbs 10oz and 22″ long. Being a Frank breech baby, she arrived via a some-what scheduled cesarean section. Some-what in that if she flipped there would be no surgery.

Recovery was fairly trouble-free and she’s growing like a weed!

Big brother is loving her to pieces and surprisingly, so is the dog. When she cries, the dog walks to me and looks at me as if to say, “Hey lady, your baby is crying.” If I don’t get to her quick enough, the dog licks her to try to calm her. Yeah, I’m not a ‘like being licked by dogs’ type person, so this is one to watch (plus, as much as I love animals, you never really know what may make them defensive and bite).

Tomorrow is a big day for us here… it’s the kiddo’s 10th birthday! Wow. I can’t believe that it’s been ten years (or that I have a newborn and a 10-year-old!). The husband and I also are celebrating 15 years together as well. Big day.

Hope you all enjoy yours!

Cross Pens: Edge Nitro

by Erin on July 6, 2011 in bzzagent, geekness with 2 Comments

A couple of weeks ago the mailman brought me one of the best packages I’ve ever received—my first ever Cross pen.

Being as I’m a huge pen hoarder enthusiast, I’ve been eying up Cross pens for a while, but haven’t ever made the leap as I’m also a huge pen displacer. And now that I’ve been using a Cross pen (the Edge Nitro Blue) I’m in h-e-a-v-e-n.

What I love about this pen:

The Size. It’s a bit shorter than a full sized pen when closed, but it’s the perfect size when opened.
It’s Capless. No messing with or losing a cap.
Changeability. Go from rollerball to ballpoint by changing the refill.
New Mom Friendly. With the innovative slide-open technology, writing out thank you notes just got a whole lot easier.

The only downside I experienced was with the ink itself, which happens. I experienced skipping after a week of constant usage. Once I replaced the ink with a refill I was good to go again.

All in all, this is one fantastic pen and I’m definitely hooked on Cross. If you’re holding out due to the price, it’s well worth it. WELL worth it. From insurance forms to thank you notes, Cross pens have you covered.

When manners are tossed to the side (of the computer)

by Erin on May 24, 2011 in trials & tribulations with 2 Comments

For the past 7 years and 4 months I’ve had the ~~luxury~~ ability to be a work at home mom. What this means for me is that I am an independent contractor working for a company with a set hours of work per day/week. I have the flexibility to go to the school if I need to. As well as hit up doctor appointments when necessary (and as I’m pregnant, they are necessary). The downside to this is that I work solely via the computer.

Now don’t get me wrong. I love my computer. As the saying goes, most of my friends live in it. But just like in real life, there are a lot of bad eggs that live in it as well. And after 7+ years, I’ve learned pretty quickly who is going to be a bad egg more often than not. But that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t sting.

So on that note, begin rant: I find it utterly amazing how easily (and swiftly!) people toss away their manners (assuming they’ve had any to begin with) when they sit down in front of the computer.

People, let’s get this straight once and for all… when you are emailing or posting a comment or replying to a message board post, there is undoubtedly a person on the other side reading what you’re writing.

So no, being on a computer does not mean that you can use smilies to “passively” roll your eyes at someone. Nor does it mean you can be rude and obnoxious. And no, no you can’t just demand everything under the sun in a tone that makes you sound like you need a good smack upside the head. WHERE ARE YOUR MANNERS?!?!

Let’s assume for a minute that you do have manners. And let’s assume you’re looking for help with a problem. Wouldn’t it also be right to assume that if you asked politely that you’d get what you want, rather than ticking off the person who can help you, so much so that said person no longer is willing to help you ever again?

Thought so.

And I really hope that these people that toss their manners to the side—Miss Manners be damned—aren’t teaching the younger generation to do the same. Although if I were a betting person, I’d bet a million that they are. For shame.

So in conclusion (I’ve always wanted to say that!) let’s try to remember that yes, Virginia, there is a person sitting in front of their computer reading what you’re spewing.

Realizing You Are NOT In Charge…

by Erin on May 23, 2011 in pure prattle with 3 Comments

…pretty much sucks.

Today I had my 35/36 week appointment. As far as the baby looks, alls well. However, she is breech. Completely and utterly breech. No mistaking it for anything else, breech. She’s completely vertical. So we’re talking about a csection, which I’m not thrilled about. I’m not an epidural person. Heck, I’m not a needle person, never mind such a big one IN MY BACK. (I didn’t have one with the kiddo.) I’ve also never had surgery. So, yeah, not exactly happy about the idea. Although if we listen to Brian, a section would give me a “nice relaxing weekend away.” Yeah, because we all know how relaxing it is to sleep at a hospital. :( The other downside (although really, I’m not truly serious, lol) is that if I am scheduled on my due date and go in on my due date (that is, I don’t go earlier) then I’ll miss out on the season 4 premiere of True Blood! Argh! It’s Sunday night (the 26th). I won’t be released until Monday morning. :( Yes I could DVR it, but sheesh.

Aside from this bit of news, we’re pretty much ready for baby. We’ve gotten everything we need. I got a bunch of stuff off my registry and what I didn’t get we went out and scooped up this weekend. The only thing we’re lacking is diapers. I’ve got the box of newborns (in the newborn diaper cake above) from my mom. I should be getting another scan soon of the size of the baby and then I’ll take a guesstimate on what size diapers to buy next. I think I may just end up buying another box of newborns and a box of size 1s. NEITHER of which Costco sells (weird, right?).

I’ve got bags packed for the hospital and am just getting everything else ready to go. I can’t for the life of me find my battery charger for the Sony Cyber-Shot. I really want to bring that camera rather than the Rebel, simply because losing/leaving behind a $150 camera is much better than losing/leaving behind a $1000 camera. ;) I refuse to pay $50 for a new charger. So tomorrow I’ll be trashing the room looking for it. Fun.

On top of it all, the weather has been cruddy. Truly cruddy. :( This is our next 5 day forecast:

Not a pretty picture! Too many things going on with school and too many things to do in the yard (like get the new pool installed!). Argh. Wish mother nature would get it together!!!

34 Weeks Down, 6 To Go

by Erin on May 13, 2011 in pure prattle with Comments Off

And here we are, 34 weeks pregnant.

Little girl has taken up residence at the tippy-top of my uterus, right under my ribcage. She’s making things MIGHTY uncomfortable. While we still have things to do before she arrives, I’m hoping she’ll be like her big brother and arrive 2 weeks early. {Though it’s not looking good.}

I got a wonderful surprise today from a great friend (who I’ve never met in real life!)—an absolutely gorgeous blanket and matching hat.

Thank you, Jodi!!!

I head back to the doctors in another week and 3 days. I’m hoping she’ll say the baby has turned (because at the last appointment she was still breech). I also will get scheduled for my final ultrasound, which I am really looking forward to. I’ll get a guesstimate on the size of miss thing as well as another peek at what she looks like (hopefully!).

Otherwise it looks like it’s going to be a normal, ho-hum week coming up prior to the appointment. Maybe I’ll at least get my “go” bag ready and wash some clothes for the baby and get her diaper bag ready.