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Friday, August 28, 2009

Final Jeopardy

Answer: October 9th, 2009

Question: What is my new due date??

Yes, after visiting my new doctor on Wednesday, she has agreed and sees no problem with inducing me early. YEAH!! Can I just tell you how relieved I am? I was so nervous to be visiting with this doctor for the first time since changing from my Nurse Practitioner. The Nurse Practitioner that was handling my visits decided, due to family reason and concerns, to go on a medical sabbatical. It was really nice to have someone actually looking out for me during this pregnancy and not just blowing my concerns off as a side effect of pregnancy. It has really made me wonder whether I was having medical problems with LMA's pregnancy or if I really was going crazy (well, we all know I was going crazy, but that's beside the point).

And the top it off, this doctor delivered Little Man A. Hubby and I also know a few other people who have had a great experience with this doctor as well.

So, yes. October 9th is the day. Unless of course he decides on his own to come out early. Watch. He'll come out on his own on October 8th. Damn kids.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Sweet deals

Since late last year, we have had a Sunday morning tradition. We venture out to IKEA for their steal of a deal breakfast for only 99 cents! We also pick up a cinnamon roll and some of their yummy Swedish pancakes (they kind of remind me of crepes). Be there before 10am and coffee and tea are FREE. We spend $6.25 for three small breakfasts, a cinnamon roll, pancakes, coffee and tea (we bring juice for LMA). You can barely spend that for one person at IHOP!

And every Sunday we spend time over at the kids section which is conveniently located right across from the cafe area. Little Man spends a good deal of time playing with the train set - if there are any trains left to play with that is - while we relax on the sidelines letting our food digest. He's also really excited when they come out with new toys. IKEA's new catalog just recently came out and not only did they DECREASE some of their prices (Imagine that! A place that is actually decreasing prices, not increasing them), they also came out with some new things. Included in the new items is a mini-kitchen set up for kids. It's a little on the pricey side, although I have to admit I haven't looked into prices of kitchen set-ups for kids, it is nicely put together. It even has red lights under the burners, a little microwave above the sink, and storage down below for all their kitchen needs.

When we've had enough of watching him play or just want to get moving, we make our way through the marketplace downstairs to the "AS IS" section. Here you can find scratch and dent items, or even items that have been discontinued, for marked down prices. If you get really lucky, you'll find a scratch and dent item still in the box with barely any damage for close to 50% off the original price (which has happened with two pieces we have purchased).

I have been wanting to get a new table/desk area for my scrapbooking room. The set-up I have now is definitely adequate, a nice corner unit that hubby built, but it would be nice to have things spread out a little more. Hubby thinks I should have a desk that angles slightly, like an architect's desk, so I can really see the layouts that I'm working on. I think I just need a taller chair or a lower table. We were planning on waiting until we moved next year to help cut down on weight. Alas, he wanted to spend money on me so I wasn't going to argue.

A few weeks ago we noticed a desk set-up that had the legs and table top sold separately. The legs were triangular shaped and had the capability of slanting the table top if you wanted. Originally priced at $30 per leg, we picked up one leg for only $9.99 with no apparent damage. Since the legs were actually a discontinued item in white, we knew we could pick up another one for only $20 if we didn't come across another "AS IS" one later. We also found a nice white table top with minor damage along the edge which could go against the wall for only $2.99, originally priced at $30.

The only thing about "AS IS" items is that they are final sale. They can't be returned... and for obvious reasons. When we got home, I remembered that the amount of space that the chair could fit under the table top would be limited because of the triangular shaped legs. The tabletop would work, and for only $3, if I changed my mind later it wouldn't be a big set back.

Last week, we hit jackpot! I had been looking at this set up in the catalog:


A nice tabletop with a lip so your items wouldn't slide off the table. This one also has a nice glass piece so if I wanted to add a light box later I could. For only $9.99 I picked up the table top. The only damage? A minor scratch along the edge. What sold for originally $99.99 we picked for less than $10!

And on top of that, we found another white triangular leg for only $9.99 as well. So for less that $30, I was able to purchase the table set I wanted that was originally priced at $159.99!!

I love IKEA! Now if we could only find the extendable toddler bed at a discount for LMA before next year's move.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Photo Ops in Williamsburg

With my new camera in tow, you had to have known that I was going to be on the look out for some great photo opportunities. Although ALL the pics were great when taken with my new camera, these were the ones that I really enjoyed taking the most. I was able to capture all of these while at Busch Gardens.







I'm definitely going to have to find some great places in the nearby area to take my photography skills to the new level. Then again, it does help to have a great camera as well.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Williamsburg, VA Part 2

After a fun-filled day at Busch Gardens, how could we possibly beat it? Why a visit to Water Country USA, of course. Besides our small local Spray Ground park, we have never been to a water park.

I was a little nervous about LMA going into the water, mainly because he just had surgery to have tubes placed in his ears. He handled everything like a pro. There were only a few kiddie areas that he could explore (before the big kids started to arrive before lunch time), but he had a blast!


Even though he submerged himself a couple times going down the kiddie slides into the water, he kept going back for more. He even braved a couple tube rides with Daddy.


Although it was an overcast day (it definitely would have been better if we had visited the day before with the humid heat), we had a great time. We'll definitely have to make sure we check out the water parks in the future.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Visit to Williamsburg, VA

While we are still in the area, we decided to take advantage of our proximity to Busch Gardens... and the free admission for military families. Besides Walt Disney World in Florida, this is LMA's second amusement park visit. This one was especially fun for him since Busch Gardens Williamsburg now has a new Sesame Street themed area for kids.


We checked out the "Forest of Fun", but shortly after arriving LMA heard the familiar sound of a train whistle. We took the train ride around the park for a cool, relaxing break from the humid heat.

We joined Elmo and friends for lunch, which was of course really fun for LMA. This was a nice way to get out of the heat and make sure LMA had a good lunch.... and have fun.


Afterwards, we headed back to the local Naval Post to rest before finishing our day. We decided to go out to dinner first so we wouldn't have to stop in the middle of fun to get dinner, or pay for dinner at Busch Gardens. Then we made our way back to the park until closing time.


It made for a really long day, more for Daddy and me especially since LMA didn't fall asleep until almost 10:30pm, but it was definitely worth it.

Next day, Water Country USA.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A Visit to NY

This past weekend we were lucky enough to take a trip to NY to visit family, Wenderina and Uncle Carl. Wenderina's mom was celebrating her birthday and we, actually LMA, surprised her with a homemade birthday card.

On Saturday, the weather was perfect and Carl thankfully didn't have to work. So we ventured out first thing in the morning to one of his favorite photography spots, Indian Point, NY. He gave me tips and pointers on how to capture "the perfect shot". Here's what I came up with:


Before LMA's naptime, we were able to go to the New Jersey Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately, it wasn't the most ideal time of day to capture the most dynamic photos, but we came back with a few good ones.


I'm starting to think I might like this photography business. Don't worry, Uncle Carl... I'll be giving you lots of credit!

Next stop for this week - Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Can't wait to show off those photos.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Kitchen Remodel Complete!

Our kitchen remodeling is finally complete. Although there are a few minor touch-ups that need to be done and we would still like to replace the countertops with new laminate (or whatever is on sale at the time) and tile back splash, at least the cabinets are done.

I have to admit, I was a little hesitant about going to an off white color for the cabinets, but our main objective wasn't to please me. It was to appeal to possible new buyers in the future. We were told by a neighbor real estate agent that lighter is better. And boy was she right.

Before, I remember thinking that the kitchen was so dark at night with only the track lighting on the ceiling. Now, you walk into the kitchen and it just explodes with light! I'm so happy we chose the linen white and the brushed nickel hardware. I just hope this gets us our asking price in the spring or at least a really good tenant.

Before:


After:

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

A neighborly visit

As LMA and I were enjoying our morning cartoons of Max & Ruby, something outside had caught the attention of both cats and the dog. Since the dog was really excited about it, I only assumed that it was another stray cat outside. So after I let her outside to scare away the vermin, I noticed this little guy...


Of course being he nature lover that I am and wanting that love to grow in LMA, we ventured outside to take a closer look at our new visitor. We usually get visitors like this from time to time, which is another reason why I love the location of our house (what I don't like is the number of bugs including horrendous spiders and lots of mosquitos).

While LMA was enjoying the morning air, I was taking pictures...



Did I mention I love my new camera?

Monday, August 3, 2009

Finally, some relief

This week, Little Man will undergo surgery. Minor surgery, but surgery no less.

A week after his last check-up with the Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor in June, he suffered another ear infection. This one was pretty bad. And of course, it came out of no where. We thought he was just sad from my visiting Texas friend needing to leave, but by noon he was spiking a 102 degree fever. By eleven that evening, after several doses of Motrin, which is suppose to last longer than Tylenol, he was still suffering from a major fever.

After ten days worth of medicine (and a canker sore for the first few days which made giving the medicine even worse), the ENT doctor deemed it necessary to have tubes in both ears as well as his adenoids removed. Granted this experience has not been as worse as AmyBow's with poor little AK having double ear infections over and over again all within her first year, it's still something.

I have absolutely no qualms about having him get this procedure done. Whatever needs to be done. I think working in the vet field has prepared me, only slightly, for taking care of children (of course when your child bleeds that's a different story). I'm glad that this will bring him relief and an end to the ear infections. Hopefully, the new kid won't suffer as much with ear infections.