People with Faces

I am far from a child development expert. However, I do know that it's a big accomplishment for a child to start drawing faces on people. Those faces will later be following by arms, legs, fingers, etc. BG has just recently begun drawing her family as circles with faces. I love these pictures. She also frequently includes her baby sister in her family portraits.

This is the one she brought home from church last week. When I asked what was on Daddy's head she informed me that those were his legs. She was offended that I had to ask. I'm not sure why she is not in this family picture.

Candy Decor

I love to decorate with candy. It's an easy way to add some holiday cheer at a great price. I use this same vase every year and just fill it with appropriately themed candy. For Halloween it's candy corn. For Christmas it's either something red and white (peppermints) or last year I just used small Christmas balls. For Easter I use Robin's eggs. The possibilities are endless and it gives me an excuse to have a yummy treat around!

The only downside is when I'm craving candy corn only to realize it's been sitting out for a month and really stale. My vase usually starts out more full, but over the weeks, well, you can guess.

For more great tips and tricks, visit Works for Me Wednesday.

Open Letter

Dear Vandals-

Really?! I know that pumpkin smashing is all the rage this time of year among teenagers, but did you have to smash ours? BG lovingly picked them out and tells me every morning "The big one is BG's, the other big one is Mommy's and the little one is Daddy's." You really had to take away the joy for a 3 year old? We hadn't even carved them yet. I was going to roast those seeds.

And another thing, why only ours? When I check the neighborhood this morning I didn't see any other large orange gourds with their guts spilled. Not that I wish it upon my neighbors, but why not everyone's if you already out causing mischief?

I'm disappointed. Disappointed that you would bring something like that to our quiet, suburban neighborhood.

Signed-
You Owe Me Two Large Pumpkins

***
On another note, Happy Birthday to my sister! And happy (hopeful) birthday to the new baby my friend is having today.

Friday Fragments

I have arrived as a blogger! I got an email from someone wanting me to review their product on my blog. I haven't responded.

*****
BG's hair was really snarly the other day. Even after a bath, combing it was a challenge. She was wincing as I tried to comb through the tangles. I told her she had a rat's nest in her hair and asked what she had put in her hair at school. Her response: "A rat".

*****
BG is starting to talk about her little sister more and more. After buying pumpkins (three, one for each family member) she told me that we needed another one for her sister.

*****
When setting the table last night, BG got out spoons for the soup. She got out a baby one for her sister.

*****
I bought the first baby items for Blanche. She got new winter sleepers and bibs. I'm hoping to use a lot of BG's baby stuff for Blanche, but BG was born in June and Blanche is due in Jan. There is going to be a weather difference to be accounted for. The bibs? Well, BG was an incessant drooler and her bibs have seen their best days. My favorites (after much trial and error) are the Carter's dribble bibs. They have a plastic lining so it takes longer for the drool to soak through to an outfit.

Restrictions and Ramblings

I went to the OB today for my 25 weeks visit. I've made it to viability! (That means should Blanche be born, she actually has a chance of survival. Not that anyone wants that now, but a big milestone anyway.) Everything looks good and Blanche is growing well. She is really active and my OB, at times, has a hard time pinning down her heartbeat.

While at my appointment, we discussed hospital restrictions. Most hospitals in our area (including the one I work at and the one I will deliver at) are implementing visitor restrictions this winter due to H1N1. While I knew that was happening it didn't hit me until today that BG will not get to visit me in the hospital when Blanche is born. Visitors are restricted to two at a time and must be over age 12. While it makes me kind of sad that BG won't get to meet Blanche until we bring her home, I understand the rationale behind it. I don't want someone else's sick 3 year old coughing on my new baby.

On a totally different note, I made more caramel popcorn last night. Yes, the other batch was gone and yes, I wanted more. We also got Wolverine from Redbox and enjoyed a night in. I know I'm pathetic that I am just now seeing this movie, but that's how we roll. Hugh Jackman in yummy but I actually have liked him better as Wolverine in the other X-Men movies.

I Can Blame the Pregnancy Right?

BG and I made pumpkin bread with chocolate chips in it on Friday. We made it in honor of JM's last day at his current job. Plus it's delicious and I've been craving some.

Last night I polished off JM's shake from Iceberg before I even knew it.

Tonight, I made pecan caramel popcorn. It was almost too easy, which only concerns me because it means I will be making it much more frequently. I was kind of thinking about making enough to take to some neighbors, but, well.... there's not enough left to share.

I'm already plotting for when I can make pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting.

I bought a decorative candy corn this weekend to add to my fall decor. JM laughed when he saw it and asked why it didn't have a bite taken out of it. I do have a love affair with those delicious little multi-colored triangles.

All I want to eat is sweets!

Shooting Up

No, I'm talking about illegal substances; don't go calling DCFS on me. What I mean is the flu shot. Have you gotten yours? Are you going to be getting one?

I have never been a big believer in getting flu shots. I also rarely get the flu. Last year (after I started working at a hospital) it was required for all employees to either get the shot or sign a waiver refusing the shot. I got the shot and fell horribly ill two weeks later.

This year the job still requires one of the above two options. Since it is highly recommended for pregnant women, I got my shot.

My real question is about the H1N1 vaccine that will be coming out soon. Those highest on the priority shot for the vaccine include pregnant women (raises hand) and health care workers (keeps hand up). I am generally a believer in western medicine and vaccines and all things scientific. But with this one, I'm a bit hesitant. I'm hesitant because this is the first time we've ever had this vaccine. It has been rushed through production and there is no long-term information about the effects - good or bad. So it makes me feel a bit like a I, and my unborn child, are a bit of a guinea pig for this vaccine. I wish there was at least one year of data to look at.

On the other hand, I fully recognize there is a good reason pregnant women are at the top of the priority list. Studies of H1N1 have found that when preggos get it, they respond much worse than the general population. Even if they were healthy before they got it. I have heard some unsettling (yet unofficial) information about babies doing poorly after birth when mom had H1N1. I would hate to not do everything I can to protect myself and Blanche (in-utero baby name).

What complicates this is a Jan. due date. That is pretty smack in the middle of winter. It's not as though I can have this kid in the fall and then just become a hermit over the winter to minimize exposure. I will be out there working and living life. What would (or are) you doing about the H1N1 vaccine?

*Did I mention that I did talk to my OB about the vaccine. She said that the benefits of it outweigh the risks and will be getting it herself and encouraging her patients to get it too.