This morning my friend called me to go to the hospital for her baby’s delivery. I say a friend but she started out as a friend of a friend. In the last month in a half we have become friends.
8:45 was the time I was to meet her at the hospital. She called me about 8:30 and said that she was having trouble finding a sitter. I called a friend and she was able to watch their children at their home. So at 10:15 we met at the hospital. Her contractions by that time were about 5 minutes apart but very regular. She was at a 4.
She chose to do the delivery without any medication. (meaning no epidural and IV drugs) We worked through the labor pains as she started contracting about every 3 minutes. At around 11:35 we had to work really hard at keeping her focused. They checked her and her water broke. 20 minutes later a beautiful baby girl arrived. After having 3 boys they were so excited to have a little girl. Baby A weighed in at 8 pounds 1 oz 19 inches long.
This was my first delivery without knowing the mother before. Meaning I knew her but only about two months. It was still as wonderful of an experience for her and for me.
I am sitting here in awe. I hope that every birth that I attend I can sit back after it’s over and be in awe of the miracle of life.
Sweet welcome Baby A.

This morning I got the call that I have been waiting for! My friend is in labor. This will be the 2nd case study that I will do and turn in! Then I only have 1 more and I’ll be that much closer to the certification to be a Doula.
I will meet her at the hospital at 8:45. Here’s to another healthy delivery!

Yesterday my daughter curled up in my arms. Sometimes at her age of 7, I wonder if while she stretches her wings for independence she feels like she wants to be little again. This morning it was confirmed.
She was quiet for the first 15 minutes of the squish. Then she looked up at me and said, “We don’t do this as much anymore.” I told her that I was always willing to hold her and squish her, but lately she has pulled away when I put my arms out to hold her. She then secretly told me under her breath that yesterday when I picked her up out of the car and brought her inside (because she was half asleep) she realized how much she missed me holding her.
I’ve missed it too. She has been squirming for her independence and I’ve tried not to force her. My arms have felt a little empty.
Last night I couldn’t sleep because Hula Hubby was snoring like he was building a log house. I got up and moved to the couch in the livingroom. When I woke up, Hula Girl was on top of me and in my arms. She must have found me when she did her nightly restroom run. I snuggled down deep under the blanket and enjoyed the moment. She woke up right after I did. I held her again for about 15 minutes before getting up. I sang to her like I use to when she was a baby. She looked up at me and smiled in total satisfaction. “Could we do this every morning mommy?” I thought to myself that I could do this for the rest of my life and still not get enough. “Sure honey.”
So tomorrow morning I look forward to a squish on the couch with my not so little and not so big girl.

Yesterday we finally picked out a tree and trimmed it and decorated the house. Hula Boy fell asleep while we were decorating so he didn’t get to see us put the tree together.
When I was at church this morning the kiddos stayed home with Hula Hubby. (I had to go work in the nursery) He was busy getting ready for the delivery of his big screen TV so he was not paying attention to what was going on.
“Cousin Carrot” was supervising the chaos while she was putting the finishing touches on lunch when much to her surprise she couldn’t find the cucumbers. She looked around and then noticed Hula Boy placing them on the tree.
“Wook Wook!!!” he said while putting the cucumber on the tree and knocking off a few decorations.
“Oh I see that!! WOW those are pretty heavy. How about putting them under the Christmas tree.” (she thought this might help her get them back faster so she could get them cut up into the salad.
Well as we know, 2 year olds can be quite obstinate and cute all in the same moment. He picked up the cucumbers and said, “My PICKLES!”
She then told him that he had to share and give them back to her so she could put them into the salad.
He quickly responded with his quirky grin, “My pickles on the tree!”
So needless to say the cucumbers stayed on the tree until right before we ate and we got them off the poor weighed down branches.
At lunch he picked out all of his cucumbers. When I came upstairs I noticed a little green decoration on the already decorated tree.
Cucumber Christmas Tree anyone?

Someone please explain to me why in the last few days my dreams have been in cartoon format? Is there an off button for cartoons and can I return to the previous programming of wacky dreams?
I feel like I’m being haunted by “Arthur” and “Barbie Rapunzel”. HHHEEELLLLPPP!

What’s new on Black Friday?? Nothing much here. Went to get our Christmas Tree but the place we go didn’t have any yet. I know it’s early for a tree but there is a reason. If we don’t get it done this weekend we won’t get it done at all.
“Scrooge” is the reason for this. I am in a musical production in 2 1/2 weeks. From here until The 19th I’m so busy. I have dress rehersals, Christmas parties, neighbor Christmas gifts to make, and a ton of babysitting these next few weeks. So basically I’m socked in. So this weekend it’s the Christmas tree weekend!
Did I mention that I love my life?! No really I do!

Last night my cousin came in to town to have Thanksgiving with us. She hasn’t seen the children in a year and was given the proper awakening when Hula Boy did his morning chant. (basically yelling mommy and daddy at the top of his lungs at 6:30 am)
I reintroduced my cousin to our children and immediately Hula Boy started calling her Carrot! Wherever he came up with that I have no clue but he was so proud of himself.
So cousin Carrot joined us at my sister’s home for our Thanksgiving feast. This was the year of fumbles and faux paus, but we eventually got to eat lunch around 1:00. The turkey pinger never rose. (you know the thermometer thing) My brother in law swore that it would only take 4 hours to cook an 18 pound turkey. Can we all say salmonella? YIKES. So we were suppose to have an early lunch at 11:00. We ended up flapping our gums for 2 hours waiting for the beautiful browned turkey to let loose of it’s pinger! FINALLY we stuffed ourselves silly. Then we ended up lounging around like a bunch of hibernating bears too stuffed to move. Eventually we came out of our turkey induced coma and played some card (which I won) and Trivial Pursuit. (sister shredded us) I forgot how hard Trivial Pursuit can be. We all had to give each other hints just to get an idea of the answers!
The funniest thing was when we got there Hula Nephew had written an advertisement about a book he had written. Then Hula Girl got a hold of the advertisement and decided to be his agent. She basically posted signs all over the house about his book sale. Then she put footstep prints all the way to his bedroom where he was waiting patiently for everyone to buy his books. (oh he’s 6) His book sale was a success. He sold out of every single one. He pretty much chumped his auntie, mom and grandma out of a couple dollars. Entrepreneur in his blood! Future Publicists in her blood!
So for anyone out there wanting to sell a book, I’m sure Hula Girl will be looking for another gig since Hula Nephew is sold out and pretty happy with his income!
In years past we have traveled near and far for Thanksgiving. I have never minded that, because to me that’s what Thanksgiving is all about. It’s about thankfulness and family. So if family means travel then so be it. I don’t stress about the time scale. I don’t stress about what I have to bring. I don’t stress about the travel. I relish the moments and treasure them with each and every person that is in my life. I’ve never minded the traveling crew from hither to thither. There might come a day when we don’t have family around so I would rather seize the moment and enjoy the crazy family times with extended family before the children grow up and are spread out wherever they might settle. We are all here such a short time and don’t get to see each other much.
One of my favorite holiday pleasures was playing with my cousins. (Cousin Carrot has a few whopper stories on me!!) We would play and fight like sisters and brothers. What a joyous ruckous that was. There were 4 aunts, 1 uncle, and 13 cousins. We got ourselves into a lot of craziness. We had fun. We still giggle about our times and we are still close. Because of my experience, I would feel a wee bit selfish if I didn’t let them enjoy each other over the holidays. So for me it’s bring on the crowds of family and enjoy the moment. It’s only one day out of the year. That’s all. One small thankful day.
So here’s to Cousin Carrot!! One of those OLDER cousins that has always had a special place in my heart! Thanksgivings were fun weren’t they?!

It was a nice vacation. I could not really post from the hotel because it took so long to do so. They had dial up connection and I had DSL time to post!
What an experience being at Disney without kids. At one point I felt a little creepy being in the Magic Kingdom and pining away at eveyone elses children wishing mine were there. I shook it off and went on my merry way!
Sunday was filled with football. When I say filled I mean there wasn’t a moment of Sunday that did not have some type of game going on. But then again that’s why we were there. The whole reason for our trip was Fantasy Football League get together. This is where my understanding stops. See Hubby and I have an agreement. I don’t understand his love for Fantasy Football and he doesn’t understand my love for blogging. We had the blog meet a few months ago and he went without complaint. He sat and listened to the crazy talk at the table about this post and that post. I had to extend the same courtesy by sitting and watching football for two days in a row. (Sunday and then Monday night)
So I’m back in the saddle again. I’m ready to start reading up on everyone and playing catch up.
While I’m at it I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
My list of things I’m grateful for…
My family (extended as well as close)
My health
My life
The list could go on and on….What are you thankful for?

Hubby and I went to Disney when my parents went with us. We were engaged then. That was 13 years ago and we were with prospective in laws so nothing went on!!!
We’re going to Disney one day by ourselves!!! I don’t know if we can do it! We have a time share down in Orlando. We love it. Normally though we are packing a stroller and 10 pounds of baby crap! We will be footloose and fancy free. *shivering in excitement!! Do we go to the Magic Kingdom or do we just go to MGM and do all of those adult type things? HUM…MGM WINS OUT! We generally have to go one at a time and then one of us will wait with the kids while the other goes on the ride. NOT THIS TIME!! WOO HOO! We get to double date on the rides!!! *the euphoria is going to my head!!!
Well anyway you all take care. I’m sure I’ll be updating you all on the fun we’re having. HUGS to all!

Tomorrow I will be leaving with my wonderful hubby. He is whisking me away to Orlando for the weekend. NO KIDS!
He has a team builder for work,he bought me a ticket and is taking me along for the ride. I love it when he does that!
So if I don’t update for a day…just know I’m having fun!