Hi! We are in Michigan on Dex's first road trip. He has been such a good boy. He was so silent the whole ride except for the last two minutes before we got to Grandpa Barr's house. Nice work kid. We head home tomorrow and on New Year's Eve I will have my first night home alone with the baby (Daddy's got a paying music gig. Woo hoo!). I am so nervous that he'll have a bad night and I will not get any sleep at all, but I am sure everything we'll be fine.

I just finished reading a sweet little book ('cause little is all I can swing right now) for the southside book club (yes, that brings my book club total up to 3!). It's called Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp. I enjoyed it, and think you would if you are in to nature conservancy/ alternative living arrangements/ or all things cajun. We've also been watching a lot of DVDs. If you haven't already rented Invincible or Little Miss Sunshine, they are worth checking out.

My heart is full...

I am really enjoying being the mother to a boy. It is really fun to hang out with my two guys. Aren't they sweet all curled up and sleepy? I have everything my heart desires this Christmas.

Another bonus of living with two guys? Well, ever since I was a little girl, I have found nothing to be funnier than a good fart joke. (Ask my mom about her nickname for me.) With my house full of men there is no end to the gastric hilarity. We aren't a classy bunch here, but we're always laughing. (Does that make me a bad mom if I laugh when Dex toots? I don't want to give him a complex. Well, at least more of a complex than I probably am already giving him by keeping this blog.)

Merry Christmas!

Not much new here. Dex & I just are hanging out getting ready for Christmas. We're finally putting up the tree tonight. Joel went back to work today, but only for two days so we can handle it.

I probably won't be posting much but pictures for the next few days, so Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope your holidays will be spent with family and friends.

Sleep deprived but happy...

Little Man is 12 days old today, and I have only left the house once since we've been home. Do you think it is probably time? Joel does. I am just so tired it is the last thing I feel like doing. I know, I know, the "tired" is what I signed up for. I am not complaining...I am just dreaming of a nap in the near future. But it is all worth it. Look at this beautiful boy. His dad and I are convinced that he smiled at each of us yesterday. The book says it is gas but that we can go ahead and believe it is a smile. I am choosing to. Here is a picture ofLittle Man in Cousin Girl's lifesaving swing. He totally looks like his daddy.

Another hormone induced meander...

WARNING: I still haven't gotten my sarcasm back. This post is cheesey, gushy, and devoid of all irony. I'm sure I'll return to my old self soon...

but I couldn't have gotten through this week so well without the help of our wonderful family and friends. From bringing us meals, to babysitting so I could nap, to breast feeding class and massages, my family and friends have really pitched in to make this first week home beautiful and memorable. I've felt wrapped in a cocoon where I can focus on taking care of Little Man and figuring out this whole mom thing. It's even better because it is right before Christmas. For those of you who read this, I can't thank you enough for the company and support this week.

I loved watching my sister Liza, Little Man's godmother, with the baby yesterday. She tries to put up a tough exterior, but to those who know her, or those who watch her with a baby, it is clear what a softie she is. I feel so overwhelmed and fortunate to watch Martha, my mom, dad, Jen, Liza, my aunties, etc. and to know that they love this little guy too and that Joel and I are not in this alone. Now if only I can sleep.

She REALLY Meanders...

So Little Man has been home for three nights. He slept horribly night one. He slept like a sweet little angel in night two. He hardly slept a wink last night. Yikes!

He had a great visit to the Dr. yesterday though and has actually gained weight and gotten longer since birth.

Some disappointing news...I didn't achieve the National Board Certification that I attempted last spring. I kind of knew in advance because my portfolio had a very large error in it that I didn't find out about until after submission. I am surprisingly not too disappointed. I really know that I did the best that I could and then made a stupid mistake and mixed up some papers during final submission. This is probably a good lesson for me. Also, I feel so blessed right now with my little boy that it is hard to let other things bring me down. I have never cried so much in a short period of time. They are all tears of joy. (Probably brought on by hormones, admittedly.)

I am amazed at how I am surviving on this little sleep so far. Grandmama McGavic returns home today and Grandma Jane is moving in for a few nights. Joel and I are so spoiled by all of this help. But I'll take it because I am such a rookie when it comes to changing newborn diapers. I totally got peed on yesterday. I swear it was on purpose because Little Man was mad at me for undressing him. I seriously think the kid took aim. It was like an old slapstick movie where someone sniffs the joke flowers and gets squirted by a steady stream in the face. I got him back though. Several of our newborn clothes are hand-me-downs because I think he'll only be wearing them for a few weeks. Unfortunately they are hand-me-downs from Little Man's cousin, Girl. He slept in a pink sleep sack last night. I hope I am not giving him gender confusion. I prefer to look at it as helping him get in touch with his baby feminine side.

Daily dose of Little Man...

I promise this website won't be only a shrine to Little Man. But I'm a new mom; give me a break. Expect lots of pictures in the next few weeks...humor me for a little longer.

They grow up before you know it... :)

Little Man at about eight hours old and then again at about fifty hours old.



I'm not sure who he looks like now.

Feeling Christmassy...

So here are some of 2006's favorite Carols. (Some are the same from last year.)

"River" by Joni Mitchell: a very sad Christmas song, but so beautiful.

"What are you Doing New Years?" by Diana Krall: A very sultry song that makes you want to slow dance under Misteltoe.

"Silver Bells" by Stevie Wonder: There are a lot of great versions of this song, but this one just kicks up that Christmas feeling a notch for me.

"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues: A fun, Irish Christmas song.

"Sleigh Ride" by the Ronettes: Another really fun song that a lot of people do, but their version is my favorite.

"All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey: OK, she can be a bit cheesey, but this song reminds me of a favorite chick flick, Love Actually. Then it makes me feel happy that I have a great family and I'm in love.

P.S. Still no appearance by Thelonius...

Late Arrival...

Well, it's December 3rd and little Thelonius has not deigned to make an appearance yet. Nor do I think s/he will anytime too soon. (But who knows? I've never done this before.)

I do know this...the latest it will be is December 12th. (Though I guess it could be the 13th if I have a dreadfully long labor?) So you can really place your bets now.

I am trying to be very chipper and upbeat about this delay because this is truly one of those things in life that you just can't control. (And for a control freak like me, what a hard lesson to learn!)

So I am nesting to keep myself occupied. I have reorganized most of the cabinets in my house. Joel and I cleaned the basement as much as possible...but there is a lot of stuff down there. As of this morning, the Christmas shopping is finished! Woo hoo! The giant pile of crap that usually litters my desk is almost completely gone. Next week, I guess the cooking and freezing will start.

I will have to say that by not coming this weekend, Thelonius is missing one breathtaking view out of the nursery window. The sun is shining and there is still snow on the trees and the backyard looks like the best kind of winter wonderland. But I am certainly enjoying the view.

Finally some reviews...

I have snapped out of my hormone-induced funk to actually finish a few (light) books and a movie!

If you are like me and not ashamed to read chick-lit (it has become a dirty word in some circles), then you might enjoy Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA. It was light entertainment and funny at times without being too over-the-top, which often happens with chick lit. But it is hardcover, so maybe borrow my copy or try the library.

Have you read much Adriana Trigiani? I devoured Big Stone Gap and Big Cherry Holler, the third in the trilogy, Milk Glass Moon, was getting to be a bit much. Then she moved away from that series and published Lucia, Lucia, which I loved. Then came a few books that were just OK, and finally she has returned to the Stone Gap stories with Home to Big Stone Gap. I feel somewhat indifferent towards it. Still, if you are fan, you are free to borrow my copy; I wouldn't invest in the hard cover.

Last Saturday, Joel and I watched A prairie Home Companion. We both enjoyed it, mainly because of Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline. They really are superb. I know it is nothing original to say, but Meryl Streep can replicate an accent like no one else. All the other actors in the film who used a Minnesotan accent were just a tiny bit overboard, but she was pitch perfect. However, if you are not a fan of the late Robert Altman's style, you won't like the film. (Overlapping dialogue, a story that defies traditional plot lines, and an ambiguous ending...) If you like it, and haven't seen it...add it to your queue.

Copycat...

Liza got me interested to find out what people had searched to find my blog. The following searches will lead you to me...

crude joke :(
Christmas in Kilarney
Jennifer Paddock

and my personal favorite:

stacked high school boob!!!

(Don't get any google search ideas cousin Michael!)

What will Thelonius look like?

I have been searching through all of Joel's stuff (which I am sure he loves) for a picture of newborn Joel. I can't find one, so here is one of me. Do you think our baby will be bald-headed with chubby cheeks? Odds are likely. Doesn't Rory look like Jen?

Crazy bag o'hormones...

Yep. That's me. I am trying really hard not to take it out on friends and loved ones, so I found an easy target: the evil folks in charge of merchandise at Disney. (Wow! I suck at hormonal rages. I wanted to call them whores, but I deleted it because sometimes grandma reads this.)

What's up with the most hated Disney princesses? I revile them in the way that others despise Barney. I know that I may have a girl someday and will sell my soul and purchase Disney princess merchandise so I can have a moment's peace with my margarita, but they don't even make senese. The ladies are from all different areas and time periods. Why are they friends and starring in videos and sleeping bags together? I just don't get it.

Useless trivia from the Strong girl archives...

Back in the early eighties, my sisters and I liked to watch Son of Svengoolie on Channel nine (?). One time there was this special event showing of Creature from the Black Lagoon. You had to go buy your 3D glasses at 7-11. My mom had to explain what 3D was to me. I was scared the whole week that the monsters were going to jump out at me from the TV. In the end, it was pretty lame and I have been skeptical about 3D ever since, but we did get this great photo out of the deal. If you read our blogs and don't believe we are that cool, here is photographic evidence to the contrary.

Give me a slice of the good stuff...

So I haven't had any weird cravings yet or anything. But the other day Joel was talking to me and a commercial for Baker's Square came on. You know the one where the lovely French Silk Pie spins around in a tantalizing circle?I couldn't even pretend to respond to him. I just sat there, mouth agape Homer Simpson style. I went out the next morning and bought one. I gave two pieces (not very big) to the neighbors, and one to Joel, but I ate the rest. (In only three days.) I don't know if that is considered a craving, but it was definitely rationalization. (I am eight and a half months pregnat and I WILL have some pie, damnit.) Now all I want is more.

The not-so-desperate housewife...

I hope I am as cute and fun as my mother when little Thelonius arrives.



The camper my mom is sitting on in the first picture is the source of some of my favorite childhood memories. There was a bed right over the cab where my sisters and I would hang out and play barbies during long rides. (I guess you probably couldn't do that anymore because everyone would have to be buckled in.) We didn't even mind when the camper broke down or overheated every hundred miles because we had plenty of stuff to do to keep up busy. When it no longer worked we moved it to Woodhaven where it served as our makeshift cottage. As a frequent nighttime pee-er (see almost any other entry in the last few months). I would always almost (and one time did) step on Jen's head as I climbed down from the bunkbed. (Maybe that explains some of the posts at LaSirena... just kidding lovely sister.) Of course I have been trying to convince Joel for the last several years that we need an RV. For some reason he thinks it is trashy. I have found a way around it though...I have started calling it a tour bus. Now I think he is on board.

Wide awake again...

Heartburn and my bladder woke me, and Thelonius' crazy dancing won't let me get back to sleep. Perhaps one part of the problem is that I went to bed at 8:30, so I have been sleeping for nearly six hours.

At the risk of sounding schmaltzy so early in the morning, I wanted to write about how blessed and lucky I am feeling (it's true...and you are blessed and lucky too... for the 10,000 Maniac fans... oh and yes, I do ALWAYS have song lyrics in my head that match what I am saying/ writing/ thinking). Anyway, first, last week I had a thirty-six week ultra sound. It turns out my "placenta issue" (thank you substitute Doctor) is not an issue. Everything is fine. Thelonius is healthy and exactly where s/he should be. Weighing an approximate 6.5 pounds. Will I give birth to an 8+ pounder? Let the pools begin!

Also, this weekend, my mom, sisters, and aunties (with help from dad) hosted a lovely shower for me that was just perfect. (Relaxed, filled with good food, and some of my favorite people.) Joel and I felt really, really spoiled. Of course we came home and set up all the strollers and everything, but it will be more fun when there is actually a baby to put in all the gear.

If that weren't enough...my teacher-friends surprised me with dinner last night at Rosebud. (I was almost bratty because Joel told me he was planning date night. I whined a lot about how all I want to do right now is stay home and be lazy, and almost refused to go. What an ingrate.) The teachers never fail to make me feel appreciated. I can't believe my luck that I get to work with such kind and gifted (funny) people every day.

Well, Pete, I hope this doesn't make me sound like too much of a Polyanna, but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I can't wait for you to all meet Thelonius (remember this is not the real name, though, despite Joel's lobbying). But when you do, can you mention to him/her that the mama you know is NOT this much of a night person? Thanks.

Grrr...

Dear Pimply faced brat who egged my car last night,

You are a total loser. Find a girlfriend or a hobby. It is not difficult, nor is it impressive to throw four eggs at a car parked in a driveway from the sidewalk and still miss the car twice! You throw like a girl, sissy boy, and you run like a duck as evidenced by the wussy manner in which you ran when we turned on a light.

Regards,
The owner of the adorable car you bombarded last night.

Nicknames...

are fun. Well, when they're given by people who are kind and they mean it in an endearing way. Here are a few that I have been called over the years that make me smile...

Disaster Sister (Ellie)
Nora-girl (a college friend who still sometimes calles me that)
No/ NoNo (Sarah)
Dr. Strong (a co-worker in STL, I think because I am a know-it-all)
Dr. Barr (a maintenance worker at school who always raids my Ibuprofin collection)
The trollope (Pete)
Barbie (guess who's Ken? also from Pete and my mom)
Shoog (You know sugar cut in half? That's Joel...)

I think my students have worse names for me...but I won't print them here.

What are yours?

Insomnia

It has set in again. I have been awake since 2:30. At 3:30 I gave up and got out of bed for fear that my tossing and turning would wake Joel. Little Thelonius is wide awake with me and keeping me company while I do laundry and tidy up the house...'cause what else are you going to do in the middle of the night? Certainly not watch television.

Which reminds me...I haven't yet talked about the new TV season, and anyone who knows me knows how important "my programs" are. I have been a little disappointed with former fave, Veronica Mars, this season. I still love the show, but not in that "can't wait until Tuesday" way that I loved it last year. I think they are dumbing the show down a bit so that it will appeal to more viewers, but instead they aren't staying true to the characters.

My new favorite, because I am so fickle, is Studio 60. Have you been watching? The dialogue is very clever and the show is funny one minute and then heart felt the next. It will probably be cancelled because I like it so much.

Tonight I have yet another parenting class. This one is Baby First Aid. Now, while I'm all for First Aid for babies, I wish I had been more realistic about all these classes at Northwestern. I signed up for everything this summer, while in trimester two and feeling great, and while I wasn't working a full day. Now I am dreading the commute, and beginning to loathe all the labor videos. I know labor is not like High Tea at the Drake, but there is no turning back now, so stop trying to scare me with your gore fest videos NMH!

Sunday Bloody Sunday...

I hate Sundays. Isn't that ridiculous? Once there was a quote on My So Called Life about how the clock on Sixty Minutes is so horrific it sounds like a warning bell reminding you about work or school tomorrow. To me it is like The Tell Tale Heart. Maybe it is because I am a teacher and have never had to grow up to the cruel world of a real schedule. Since I get to experience utter elation in late May and early June I have to deal with the down side of the Sunday Night Blues.

I am lucky though because Joel is making my favorite dinner and it smells so good I don't want to be anywhere else right now.

We had our first birthing class on Friday night. Just when I had adjusted to the fact that I would have to experience labor I went and watched several on video. I almost changed my mind. But they know us crazy, hormonal pregnant ladies at Northwestern because they ended with footage of adorable babies being cute. Brainwashing? Perhaps, but I am getting so excited. We are still having a hard time agreeing on a boys name. I may just open the Bible and point randomly to words and see what we come up with. Jesus Wept Barr? Deuteronomy Barr? Gomorrah Barr? Yay! I found a fun new game!

Eastern Senior Day...

Mary's second to last game is Saturday, October 28th at 2:00pm. It's also Senior Day. Party to follow. Come cheer her on...

I raaatherr feel like expressing MYSELF.

I hate this commercial with a burning passion. I love Audrey Hepburn, but even find her annoying this way. And really Gap, the skinny black pant? Ya sure? Like five women in American can pull that look off. If you have any sort of hips at all, the skinny black pants make you look hugely pear shaped. Warning.

An excellent weekend...

One year ago we were living in my dad's condo waiting for the family of ten to move out of our house. You all probably know our nightmare story of the fight to move into this place, but I like to try and remember how powerless and frustrated we felt at the time. It makes this feeling of loving the house that much sweeter now. As a one week delay turned into two months many people told us that we might have to prepare to let this house go, and we almost did. We didn't want to make a stupid decision. I am so glad we fought for the house though. It is shaping up to be such a beautiful place. Although it is a money pit, it is also, definitely a home.

Wasn't this a great weekend? I love a three day weekend, and one where you have almost nothing to do is even better. Joel and I did projects around the house, watched some movies and TV, and enjoyed each other's company on three very sunny days. And we finally got around to stenciling what will be the nursery. Not the most professional job, but I think the dragonflies turned out pretty well. You can't tell from the pictures, but their wings are iridescenct.

Seven months...

and I am huge! I can't believe how puffy I look and still have two months to go. Honestly, the photos are harsh because I don't feel this big when I look in the mirror. I barely recognize myself...

Still, none of this matters. I couldn't be happier. We had one of those perfect days yesterday. Joel's mom and stepdad were visiting and a friend, Suzanne. We (meaning, they, mostly) worked on the house taking care of dreaded projects such as hanging art work and photos on our walls. The house looks so much cozier now that our "stuff has been strutted". (Suzanne's decorating business where she works with the things you have is called Strut your Stuff.) Then last night Thelonius was kicking so forcefully that you could see it make my stomach move through my shirt. Joel started talking to the belly, and the baby was kicking even more to the sound of his voice. Sorry to get a bit emotional on you, but the sound of Joel's laughing and the feel of the baby fluttering in my stomach is a memory that I am tucking away to remember on an unforgiving day.

Though right now I am hiding out because I am having heart attacks while Joel is perched precariously on a ladder in our stairwell as he tries to move our stained glass up to the atrium window. Yikes. I am kind of afraid of heights so even watching it makes me nervous.

Fall frolicking...

What a fun weekend at the farm! It was perfect campfire weather and I got to visit my former place of employment (What's Cookin') for a Chicken Fajita on Pita. Yum.

A crude riddle...

What happens when you cross Fiber One cereal, prune juice and Activia yogurt, and call it breakfast?


Turns out at thirty weeks pregnant, not very much.

When did Chicago Ridge Mall become a place so filled with dollar stores and people who hit their kids? Yikes. I had to go there this weekend to buy ugly granny panties at Motherhood and was scared away by the "Beautiful Baby" scholarship contest. I wonder how high the entry fee was? I can't wait to go a few years from now, put ruffles and a glued on bow on little Thelonius' head and take a portrait similar to this one at Glamour Shots.

Where's Nora?

Obviously not blogging. Otherwise, work, work, turoring, work, Home Depot, work work, tutoring, Home Depot, Wisconsin and work. We're having our second experience with contractors and it is rather unnerving. Of course, costs keep going up, which I am sure seem like no big deal to the contractors, but my swollen feet and I can vouch for where every dime of their large bill was earned. But still, soon our entryway/ hallway will be stripped, replastered, and painted. Goodbye Haunted House Chic!

In other news, trimester three is bringing along some lovely lower back pain. But also, seeing me so obviously pregnant has brought about an increased sense of enthusiasm and protectiveness in Joel. He's been excited all along, but I think it is starting to seem like much more of a reality to him. (Maybe it has been feeling the baby kick more often?) Anyhow, less than three months to go!

Oh the school supplies!

So we've been back to school for a few days. Of course it is always sad to see the summer coming to an end, but one perk is that I get to buy all new school supplies at low, low prices. Then, like a kid at Halloween, I sort them on the shelf in my classroom by category and color. I know this is the nerdiest thing I have probably ever written, but I don't care. Organization makes me happy. Having a package of unopened pens is rather exciting too. Do I need to get out more?

I heart Joel...

Five years ago this week I started teaching at Hirsch. On the second day of training we met out in the ‘burbs at what was then a corporate conference center run by Arthur Anderson. (I doubt it is anymore.) So we were in our “computer training sessions” and I got paired up at a monitor with a cute red-headed English teacher. At the time, of course, I was dating someone else and thought it was pretty serious. Still, this other teacher and I had so much fun that day making fun of everything related to the corporate conference center and correcting other people’s grammar and spelling, surreptitiously, of course. We were typing messages and then quickly erasing them so our snarky comments wouldn’t be noticed by others. All of a sudden though, I think this other teacher started to have too much fun with me because he writes some comment that is a total non-sequitur about “his girlfriend”. I thought to myself, “OK buddy, wasn’t hitting on you, easy with the girlfriend comment.” So of course I write back, “My boyfriend sometimes says that too.” So it’s on at that point. This other teacher and I furiously masked our inappropriate flirting by continued discussions of how awesome our significant others were. Joel lasted with his girlfriend for two more months. I made it three. Shortly after that we went to the movies… but that’s a story for another day.

Vacation all I ever wanted...

So I am officially done with work for four days. Since I can't eat because of terrible heartburn, and I've been off the sauce for about twenty-six weeks now, I am a bit bored. Mostly I am just sitting with my feet up watching DVDs on my New Laptop. (I love it so much.) Plus occassionally I get up and do a few chores. I stole an illustration from google images so that you get an idea of how things are looking over here. So, feel free to drop me an email because I am a bit bored. (I never knew what a work-aholic I am.)

31!

This year I got to do a lot of my favorite birthday things...eat steak, see my nieces and nephews, and most importantly...stay home! Saturday our block had a party for the first time in maybe twenty years. It was low key but there was a nice turn out of neighbors. Joel had a band set up in front of our house, and then Liza, Mason and the kids stayed over.

One of my favorite things...

I love that Rory is so amenable to my sisters and me dressing her up and playing with her as if she was our very own Barbie. She even seems to enjoy it. I also love that she keeps patting my belly and saying, "hello, my cousin."

OFU...

Barb's band was great at Lincoln Square. I am a little late in posting...

Movie rant...

I used to love going to the movies; especially in the summer when it was hot. It now costs nearly $10.00 to get into the movies. It is the same cost for a small popcorn and a drink. One shouldn't have to butter their own popcorn if they are paying $10.oo for it. Crestwood theatre is a mess. The lobby and bathrooms are filthy. There were seven commercials before the movie started. Two of them were for the armed forces. Overall, rather disappointing. Thank goodness for netflix.

These are the salad days...

The title is from one of my favorite movies, Raising Arizona. Nicholas Cage says it in his deadpan voice as they show clips of the main characters basking in the sun and sipping lemonade. (Which I can no longer do, thank you heartburn.) But if I had to title this summer that would be the name of it. Joel and I are having so much fun. We really can't wait for the baby and are having the best time preparing for the arrival. But a part of me is trying to save up this memory of our life when it is easy and we have all the time in the world for each other. Something tells me things will change drastically.

I heart summer. OK, so it's been hot, but that is what popcicles and swimming is for. I have been the biggest pool whore this summer. Since being in the water makes me feel cool and weightless and relaxes my swollen little tootsies I am trying to swim as much as possible. If I know you and you have a pool, chances are I have been at your house this summer. (You're next Erin!)

Here are some of my other summer addictions...The 4400. I am usually not a sci-fi fan, but I love shows that have character studies. Crappy romance novels, especially The Secret Lives of Fortunate Wives : pure trash, but fun for summer. Otherwise I have just been nesting, putting my feet up, and wishing just a little bit for a Margarita.

Guess what?

Hi! I have been boring you with my meanderings for one year today!
And also...this has been such a great summer! I could never have any other job because I need to have the freetime to eat sweetcorn, swing on a hammock, read, swim, get pedicures...aahhh. What a rough life. AND! If you like to make fun of famous people like I do, check out this website.

More than just shamelessly fishing for comments...

So, what boys names do you like? I just know we are having a boy because there are about five girls names that we love but seem to be stuck for a boy. One of my favorite hobbies this summer (and, who am I kidding, for the last several years) has been to peruse the social security administration baby names website to get ideas. Only, because I like old fashioned names I have been looking in the twenties and thirties for ideas. Anyway, I'm still kind of stuck, so feel free to post some suggestions.

Happy Birthday (yesterday) Dad!

(This is actually my dad and Jen. I am the one

for whom the crib is being painted.)

A bit of insomnia for the early bird this morning, so I thought I'd catch you up on what I've been reading. So I tried to be all literary and read this year's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, March by Geraldine Brooks. And instead I just didn't read for several days. I am going to try again, but for now I am returning to chick lit and popular fiction that so easily helps me escape when I get home from work. One recent read was Julia Glass' The Whole World Over. (You may remember Julia Glass if you read Three Junes.) I enjoyed Ms. Glass' most recent novel, although the end deals a bit with September 11th, which made me not want to read it, I must admit. However, the characters are really engaging and I think she writes about the difficulties and rewards of marriage pretty well. I also just finished an old one from Elizabeth Berg, What We Keep. It's about mothers, sisters and daughters and reevaluating events from the past that you believed in your core to have happened one way; only to look back with the benefit of experience to realize you might be wrong. I think it also makes you think about how easy it is to blame your parents for things when they are simply other human beings trying to get it right too.

Greetings, Earthlings...

Thelonius says hi!

They must be raindrops...fallin' from my ey-eyes...

A weird thing about pregnancy is all the irrational crying. In my first trimester it was rather pathetic how easily I could cry tears of joy, sadness, frustration, etc. I actually cried after the National Geographic Geography Bee. (Oh, that little nerdy kid is so brave! & from Illinois!) And forget watching Extreme Home Makeover, which makes me cry on a normal day, but while pregnant I would sob.

Lately it has been much better, but today I had bad customer service while grocery shopping and literally cried the whole way home from the store. Logical Nora was sitting there like, "you big cry baby, knock it off." But it didn't matter I just was so sad about this big mean Dominick's manager. Oh yeah, and I cried during Superman...I mean when he saves Lois, her husband and kid from the sinking ship...come on! It makes a girl afraid to venture out in public. If a teacher cries in a high school classroom she is done for...
Enough sharing for today.

Happy Independence Day

So I have been out of town and just got back. (Before that we had out-of-town visitors) so I haven't posted. Here's what's new in fun and easy to read bullet style:

• Went to Taste of Chicago & The Aquarium. Dolphins are pretty.
• Saw the Disney Channel phenomenom High School Musical and secretly enjoyed it although it is a Grease knock-off and the songs aren't as good. I also saw Superman which I liked more than I thought, but at two hours and thirty-four minutes, I had to take more bathroom breaks than I care to recount.
• Lost my cell phone somewhere, I can check voice mails, but that is it on the mobile for a few days, 'kay?
• Had much fun with the in-laws and got to check out Lake Michigan from the Western side and the Eastern side in a span of two days. Kinda cool.
• Start summer school tomorrow. Feel sorry for me?

Anyway, I am having a delightful summer and am enjoying my second trimester way more than the first. I will post a week nineteen picture in the next few days.

Happy Two Year Anniversary...

Time flies when you're having fun...

Fun Weekend...

Summer weekends are the best. Liza, Mason, Rory, and Iain came to visit. I got some quality hammock time with the kids. Saturday I went to a Barbecue at Liz's, one of my favorite summer past times. I did get a bit sunburned. You would think I'm old enough to have learned the sun screen lesson by now..

Once a cute saxophone player...

Always one.

Summer Reviews To Date...

So hooray for summer. (At least my two week break before I start summer school.) I have been able to read and watch a few movies, and here are the reviews:

By Sarah Dessen: The Truth About Forever and Just Listen. Both novels are adolescent fiction, but very good reads. The characters are very believable and you start to care about them.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I chose this for a book club that I am in. I found it on an NPR summer reading list. I really got sucked into the story and couldn't put it down for the two days it took me to read. It didn't change my life or anything, but I love those novels that you can't put down.

Swapping Lives by Jane Green. I am pretty much getting over chick lit of the British single girl variety, but I think Jane Green is one of the best writers in this genre. Her characters are somewhat more believable than many others in the books with the pink covers.

The Year of Pleasures by Elizabeth Berg. I really like her stories. They are more idealistic than many writers today. Her characters are flawed, but they work on these flaws and try to fix things in their lives. This novel is no different, and it reminded me to appreciate some of the good things in my life.

Movies: The Break-Up- I read and heard so many negative reviews I was expecting it to suck, but I mostly liked it. There were several parts where I laughed out loud, and it made me want to move to Chicago. (Oh, wait...) Even Jennifer Aniston, who has seemed to only have two facial expressions lately was likeable and funny. My one beef was with the ending, but I don't want to ruin it for you.

Munich: I know this is pretty old, I just had no intentions of seeing it, but Joel put it on and I got sucked in. First of all Eric Bana, you of the divine cheek bones, next time I have an opening in my womb I'd gladly bear your children. And! You will totally be able to buy Daniel Craig as James Bond, blonde hair or not. But moving beyond the hotties, it is suspenseful and emotional and true. I loved it.

Queen Latifah in Beauty Shop and Last Holiday. These are essentially the same movie. Queen Latifah plays a salt of the earth woman with problems who teaches greedy people of all races how to enjoy the simple things in life. AND! with just a bit of hard work we can pull ourselves up and solve our own problems. BUT! her screen presence is real, and you watch it and buy into both stories a little bit. Neither of those messages are bad ones, and so these movies are light, non-thinkers, but watchable.

Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic -She is one funny, extremely raunchy comedian. If you don't like South Park you probably won't think she is funny, but if you do...you will probably love it. I fast forwarded through the musical numbers just to her stand up. Joel and I were both falling off the couch laughing, but hating ourselves for it.

That's all for now...I'm always open for recommendations if you have any.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I hope that somewhere in Lithuania you are enjoying you cake as much as I used to.

I take it back...

I used to think Day Lillies were nothing flowers. It was when I was working as a gardener's assistant in St. Louis and they seemed to scratch at my ankles and I thought the fronds were ugly, and that on the whole they were just so common.


And then with no effort at all from me they bloomed in my back yard.

I take it back.

I got free tickets to Wicked...

and all I had to do was dress like a total freak...

Happy Fathers Day!

What she said...

Happy Birthday (yesterday) Ellie!

PICT0032
Originally uploaded by NKB.

(She's the one on the right!)

Michael likes to take self portraits...

Wedding Weekend (38)
Originally uploaded by NKB.

See?

Schooooool's Out for Summer!

Not that it matters a whole bunch because I decided to be a summer school sucker this year. This would normally be the time I would rub it in to any friends or family who have real jobs. Alas, not this year. Still, I do have a two week break in which I plan to have some quality hammock and virgin daquiri time.

It's in the genes...

ZZ
Originally uploaded by NKB.

This is my great grandma and grandpa Welch. I hope I have inherited her resourcefulness in addition to the other things she has passed down.

In which I talk a lot about my boobs...

I was a late bloomer. I got made fun of a lot in middle school for being "as flat as the wall". So then I just assumed I was. Then I got to high school and I still considered myself flat chested. It shows you how self-aware and self-assured I was that one of my friends had to point it out to me. ("Quit making flat-chested jokes about yourself, you have bigger boobs than all of us." "I do?") Quickly, I sort of moved from one extreme to the other. I remember several times in the next few years I had to physically move a boys face up by the chin so they'd be looking me in the eyes. I was stacked, which was fine at eighteen, but gravity begins to take its toll by thirty.

And then I got pregnant.

OhmiGod! I didn't think they could get any bigger. And I know that they will just keep growing. I swear if this kid doesn't breastfeed properly we are going to have words because the thought of lugging these puppies around for another nine months is sort of driving me crazy. And really, it was attempting to zip the girls into this dress that tipped me off to the impending motherhood before anything else.
Sincerely,
Chesty McKnockers

Some wedding photos I like...