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?