Home by Design
. . . enjoying the view from my cube

19 weeks – first day. Ultrasound showed measurements of week 19, day 3. Highlights duri ng ultrasound:

1. As the technician applied the gel to my not-as-big-as-I-remember-it-at-this-stage-before belly, Henry exclaims, “Whatintheworld? You gonna fry an egg?” I must admit, it did feel like an excessive amount of gel.

2. Wow, what a spine! All of our children are slight and even at age 8 or 10 you can still see their spines through their skin. I often call them “riblets” when they are toddlers and running through the house with a diaper and no shirt. So, we are definitely brewing another Riblet.

3. Really? That’s a kidney? Looks like a shadow to me.

4. Most important: gender. Well, we didn’t find out. I wanted to, so desperately. After four boys, you can imagine my desire and justification for such information. Actually, until we crossed the threshold of the exam room, I was the one pushing to find out, even if just to have it sealed in an envelope. So Henry begins asking for an envelope and I waved my hand in a “this is what I want…and I will have what I say” manner stated, “We don’t want to know.” True, I was lying. I did want to know. I still want to know. But as I explained to Henry and the technician, my desire to know will be outweighed by the regret I would feel once knowing. It would be too much to bear. So instead, I’ll remain in the dark for another 21 weeks.

What’s 21 weeks when I’ve remained ignorant of such things for a collective 179 weeks?

Missing In Action, right? Isn’t that what MIA means? Well, that’s what I’ve been on this blog, partly because my computer had serious issues and partly because of my other MIA.

New acronym: MIA = Maternity In Action

That’s right, we’re brewing a new batch of chromosomes to see if another combo will create just as wonderful a concoction as the last four. Maybe we’ll get a female blend. I’m happy either way…a little more nervous on the girl front (can you blame me?).

Anyway, long first tri and I’m getting my energy back. And with energy and a functional computer, I have resurfaced.

That’s it. Nothing else to say for now, but will try to be  more consistent.

Loving the view cause I can still see my toes!

March Madness seems like yet another focus for sports fanatics to aim their obsession. For moms, it’s usually a point of frustration because every male in the house (in ours, 5/6 of the household) eats, sleeps, and breathes NCAA basketball.

For homeschooling moms, however, I’ve discovered that March Madness is our friend. This is the time of year that we desperately need a spring break. Henry had the boys complete a bracket (and me, too) and we tally up our rankings at the end of each night. Spring break is starting here in our fair town and we will be on half break for one week and full break for the next.

March Madness is going to be Mom’s Madness for me: spring cleaning the old fashioned way. I’ve got quite a list created and given a sensible night’s sleep, I’ll stay on target. The boys have been told that they will assist and will continue to do work. They will help me and play games. Each day they will be assigned games to play: chess, Othello, corners, and more. Between meals, laundry, gaming, and spring cleaning, I believe that playing with the neighbors and watching NCAA will provide the balance.

So March Madness is providing a focal point for my little people while I get the house in order, phase 3 (four phase process that started last year. Phase 2 was completed over Christmas). No teaching for me, just lesson prep, family time, and housekeeping with a fervor.

I love my job!