It's the Simple Things

Okay, okay, Heather, I'm finally updating my blog. Ha, ha! I know it's been forever since I've updated everyone about what's been going on. Things have been extremely busy here the last couple of weeks. My last day at work was January 12th and I have been going nonstop ever since. Since Grant was still in daycare during my first week off I decided to take advantage of my kid-free time and clean, organize, clean, organize, and clean some more. Heather and Trevor, you guys were such a big help - thanks for everything. You're great friends. As bad as shape as my house was in a week wasn't long enough to get it all done so I'm still doing the same this week with Grant underfoot.

Last week Grant and I took a trip to South Point for the week. It was definitely fun and we enjoyed seeing everyone. It went by so fast. We got to spend Sunday afternoon with Kim, Brianna and Ethan but by the next day Ethan had the flu so we couldn't go around anymore - bummer. Kim, I hope you had a great birthday last week. Sorry we didn't get to spend more time together. Did you get the Waltons 3rd season on dvd yet? Ha, ha! My sister is hooked on the Waltons and has gotten the kids and Eric pretty hooked as well. I think it's hilarious.

Grant survived a whole week back home without getting sick. I was shocked and relieved to say the least. Hopefully being out of daycare will keep him well for a while. During his whole first year it seemed like he was constantly sick - poor buddy.

While we were home last week Grant learned some new words. Let's see... um... "papaw," "baaa" (what the sheep says), and there was another one but I can't remember right now. How terrible am I? Plus, for the last couple of weeks he has learned to say "please," well, "fa-fa" anyway. Don't ask me, I'm just as confused as you, but it is so cute and hilarious. We figure he got "fa-fa" from when Chris was trying to teach him to say please when he wanted something, so Chris was slowly sounding out the P in "please." He's such a hoot. He makes me laugh everyday. I'm excited to be able to spend so much time with my little guy. I just hope he takes the transition(s) well.

Baby Ben (oh yes, we have decided to name him Benjamin Mitchell) has been moving around quite a bit since I have limited my intake of Benadryl to one a day or none at all (for the last 2 days). All my blood work was negative for anything to do with a liver dysfunction and they had no other idea what it could be other than some strange food allergy or something. So, the more I thought about it and what I had eaten leading up to and during my horrible itching spells I thought I'd try to eliminate tomatoes from my diet. I did this for 7 days and it drastically reduced the itching. Because I love ketchup, spaghetti, and pizza (of course I had to eat Giovanni's last week - twice) so much I still eat it but I try not to overdo it so I won't have an attack. I've gone the last two days without a major attack, just a little itching here and there but I have gone without a Benadryl.

I was at Steph's house the other day and she asked me what it felt like for me to have one kid on my lap and another moving around inside me at the same time. I suppose it just feels normal now. I'm starting to anticipate Ben's arrival, although I'm much more patient this time around since I know I'll have a full plate with 2. I've been working on the nursery and trying to get it in some order before Tristen comes next week. I'm doing the nursery in old, antique type toys. Good idea mom! I still have so much to do around the house before everything goes full swing on the 5th. I'm excited about my new adventure. I have another ultrasound on Thursday the 1st so we're excited to see how Ben has grown.

Anyway, hopefully everyone will still e-mail me from time to time and update me about what is going on in their lives since I'm kind of out of circuit now. Please, keep in touch. I will need some adult interaction to stay sane. Ha, ha!

It's very cold here today - where's the stinking snow?

Have a great week everybody!

Hugs and love,

Jen, Chris, Grant, and Ben