What a giving soul.....

Ian has really been giving mood this holiday season....such as....
1.telling his school that his mom is baking cupcakes for all 70 kids
2.telling all the school employees that he got them gifts for Christmas
3. getting tea from England for all the neighbors here in Washington

I really didn't have a problem with the above...but tonight I had to draw the line...

HE WAS WRAPPING ALL MY GOOD JEWERLY FOR PEOPLE....INCLUDING MY WEDDING RING....I had to stop the giving at this point...

I will post photos of my new car soon....it is too cold outside....I LOVE IT!!!

We are having a......

We went to the doctor yesterday and got our scan...the baby is still very long and active. We did confirm the sex and I have told Ian, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a few friends...including your friend Joy...Holli. By the way, she is great...we spent a couple of hours talking and she has tons of ideas...she kind of thinks the way I do, which comes in handy for me.
I am having a GIRL!!! I will have her on Monday April 13th at 8:00. I like having a plan...I just hope she likes our plan. Jeff has the name...I am not 100% settled with it, but I will probably let it happen.
I gotta run...I am off to buy everything pink and girly that I can find...just kidding!! I am still in shock, even though I know it all along.

We are home....

We are finally home....it feels so good. The flight home was fine...I was shocked to see that my ankles really didn't swell that much....until I got off the plane...SEXY. I always hated my skinny ankles when I was younger...so it was kind of like living out a fantasy..although it never was and will never be part of Jeff's fantasy.
Ian did great on the flight as usual...Jeff did ok...I did fine. Bo was so happy to see us...all the jumping,kissing, etc. was a little much, but he is fine now. Ian has been playing with his cousin Grant...nice babysitter for me...Amanda is Amanda...tonight I am going to over to supervise a cookie exchange at her house with her Bible study....I don't think it will be too wild.
WE CLOSE ON THE CONDO TODAY!!! It is so cool....I will post photos later today maybe.....
I have a pregnancy workout in about an hour and than it is shopping before the closing....
There is NO place like home.....I have missed my house, parents, and animals so much!!!
I will also post a photo of our new car if we get it today....I don't have any idea what Jeff will buy...he has been all over the place....Hummer, Jeep, Volkswagen....it will be a shock to all....

Question of the day.....

This question came to me from my wonderful son....

Mom..can pregnant women play in the snow?
Yes, Ian they can.
Mom...can pregnant women thrown snowballs?
Yes, Ian they can?
Mom...can pregnant womenget hit with snowballs?
Yes, Ian they can.
I have one more question mom...
Yes, Yes, Yes....
Can pregnant women get "bombed" by her son and husband by snowballs...
No, Ian they can't!!!

Plans canceled for those two....

Today was the sonogram....

Today was the day...yep..Jeff took the day off..he even got up and took Ian to school with me. I gave in and was ready to find out the sex of the baby...just to see it I am right or not. Anyway, we get there..the baby looks great..everything is normal..than we ask about the gender of the baby. She goes over all the rest of the body parts and saves that for the end...here are some things we do know about the baby....

IT HAS OFF THE CHARTS LONG LEGS...this explains why I actually see my stomach move from the inside already...she actually checked them twice and than assured us that it was fine because we are both tall....

I also found out that I am farther along than they thought I was...they will confirm that at home.

Than came the moment...and the baby is....


well, we don't know....it wouldn't open its legs...I tried laying on my side, walking around, jumping up and down, etc. The part the really bothered me was the baby was moving...hands were flying, head was turning, etc.

I have a feeling this baby is showing us who is in charge....not us!!

The Big Debate.....

We have had a big debate going on here....should we or shouldn't we?? Find out the sex of the baby that is....I don't want to...Jeff insists on it...Ian is split on it. I would love to wait...just like I wanted with Ian, but Jeff thinks a surprise is a surprise no matter when you get it...me on the other hand....I would love to wait and see when it comes out. I feel like the birth will all be planned this time, so we should wait on the gender. Guess what...I lose. Jeff is taking 1/2 day to do with me so that he can see the sonogram....I guess this means alot to him because I sometimes wonder if he would take off for my funeral. I will post the gender of Thursday....that is if it will cooperate...the last two times the sonograms have been horrible...bad positions. I am pretty sure I already know...I will let you know on Thursday if I was right.

Thanksgiving...a day late....

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in the states...I spoke with most of you yesterday..hope you enjoyed your family time and food. I was thinking of all the things I am thankful for and started to make a list...but realized that I take most of them for granted so am I really thankful for them...only when I have them taken away. Sad to say, but true...I don't know many people that wake up every single morning and take that warm shower, dry off with a towel, get dressed, eat breakfast, drive your kid to school, etc. and think how grateful they are for all of that...but I do know tons that complain if just one of those things goes wrong or is taken from them...myself included.
I was going to bed last night...Jeff is out of town...AGAIN...anyway Ian and I were saying our prayers. I started off and it was just really flowing...lots of words to God and kind of like a conversation...I got so caught up I forgot that Ian was there..he was sooo quite. I finished and tradionally he adds anything he wants to add...well he was on a roll yesterday. He was praying like I can't imagine any other 5 year old prays..the things that he was saying were so grown up and he "really" gets it...I just sit there in amazed once again by my son. He is not perfect by any means, but he really has a heart for God and wants to please him with his words, actions, etc.
I than realized that I am so grateful that Ian will have the knowledge to pass this on to his future children, grandchildren, etc. That is just amazing!! I am also so grateful for every experience, failure, heartbreak, achievement, etc....because all of those together have made me have this faith in God that is unbelieveable....

Baby Saads friend arrived....

My friend Piper just had her little boy about one hour ago!! She named him Lennon Jeffrey Trotter...I will hopefully find out next week if my sons playmate was just born or my daughters future boyfriend was born....just thought I would let all of you that have been asking in the states and England...yes...that baby finally arrived!!

A Day Shopping In London.....

On Saturday myself and 3 friends went to London for the day to shop. I wanted to go to Harrods and I thought it was easier with the girls rather than Ian and Jeff. WE had loads of fun...although London was so busy on Saturday. The weather was cold, but still managed to have fun. We had a system down...go into store..go your own way..meet at the door when finished...no time table...it worked perfect!! I posted a few photos of us...I left out the one that the guy got closest to me to take the photo...I looked huge!! I know I have the same photo on their twice....that is a mistake....oops!!

Why are you looking at me.....

This is the "new" question that goes on at our house. It is working out wonderfully...he starts to do something he isn't suppose to or that he didn't ask to do and all I have to do is LOOK at him. I know this won't last long, but I am enjoying the newfound power....I have tried this with Jeff....doesn't work. He is so rebellious!!

Jeff has recovered.....

Is it a miracle?? I don't really know, but we thought we were going to loss Jeff this week...don't get too scared...it was only a COLD...aka...MAN-FLU!! Never mind that I have been sick, am almost 5 months pregnant, etc. Jeff has a cold...the world stops...Ian is wondering if his dad will ever by able to play with him again. I assure him that he will...Ian is thinking if he should just ask Santa to make daddy better...rather than asking for gifts. I was wondering if I should start planning his funeral, how we would get home for Christmas, etc. I did take my mom (whom has been married 49 years) and my sister (whom has been married 20 years) to just put them in a room, give them some liquids, a tv or dvd player, and just open the door a crack and see if they need anything....don't go in....explain that YOU need to be healthy for the family...go onto explain that without him being healthy you are not complete...blah, blah, blah....YOUR ONLY CONCERN IS FOR HIS HEATLH AND COMFORT...shut the door and roll your eyes. I did it...thanks mom and Tammy!!

Jeff has been healed!!! He is off to workout, get a haircut and go to work....you know because he was bedridden all week. He really does make me laugh....I promise...

Bowling night...

On Saturday night we decided to take Ian bowling...he had gone a couple of years ago, but he can really do it now. He had so much fun!! Well, I should say Jeff and and I had so much fun. Ian did great!! He got an 84 and 79..he did have bumpers up, but not the whole time...they weren't working properly...go figure. I did manage to beat Jeff in one game...yep...Mr....I have my own shoes and ball...guess it didn't do you much good did it...just kidding. Here are a few photos from the fun night...
I am also so glad that everyone enjoyed the last post...I can tell by your emails. Yes, Ian is very smart...good and bad at times. He hasn't mentioned anything yet about the whole egg thing again. He did however explain to me that he needs to write Santa a letter about the toy he wants....I of course ask where he saw it...he really didn't see it...it is in his mind, but he knows that Santa and his elves can make it for him....hopefully this will disappear from this mind also.

Don't pack so much in my lunch.....

Ian has complained all year that I pack too much in his lunch box. He explained you have to eat your food before you can go out...finally I decided to just let him have his way...he packed his own lunch. Yep, you read it correctly...he packed a few crackers, 2 slices of cheese, and a very small peeled orange. He ate his lunch alright...in fact...he was the first one done!! The problem is...he had to wait to go outside to play until a certain time...and he was starving the rest of the day. He was a real jerk when I picked him up...crying, begging for me to get him some food, he couldn't wait until we got home, did I have food in my purse, etc. I explained that maybe I wasn't so wrong in packing several items in his lunch box after all...he agreed...that was easy.
Now on to the next topic of the day...I haven't even told his dad yet...we are driving to school and he asked me when I got "fertilized" because I had to if I was carrying a baby. I was like...why do you think that...he came back with that I am a mammal....a girl..which is a "female" and that is how it works. Ok...but I just couldn't stop...could I?? Nope...who fertilized me was my next question...dad...he is the only one that can fertilize your eggs..oh...silly me...oops we are at school now. Eggs...he knows I have eggs...this seems like something we should be talking about in junior high or even his wedding night....not going to reception class!!

Time for a change....

No...I am not talking about he election...I am talking about my blog page. I always look so forward to Fall...and after Halloween I am so ready just to get to Christmas and forget the rest of Fall...so I felt it was time for a change...new blog background.
What has been going on here...Ian loves school. He is doing great!! I really will miss the schools here...in fact I have been thinking alot lately about what I will miss here and I do have some things that I really like here...

I will miss my health club...it is awesome!! Everyone is so nice and friendly...
I will miss my trainer...Shalimeno...it will be hard saying goodbye...but I will see her in the states again sometime...she competes alot in the US

I already said Ians school....
I will so much miss my neighbors...they are so nice and love to make fun of me for cleaning out my garage every few months!!

I will miss my American friends that I have met here...I will keep in touch with some, but I will miss lots of them.

I will miss having nothing to do...actually being bored on a weekend...this doesn't happen in my life...

I am looking so forward to moving home and just being with my family....eating dinner at my parents house...it will only be a few miles away...

Hanging out with my sister on the weekends...
Going and seeing my niece and nephew play their sports stuff....fun family time
Having our families over to our house almost every weekend....

My friends...2 of my good friends are having babies within months of me!!! How cool will that be...we can all complain about lack of sleep and sore nipples together!!

OUR DOG...We miss him TONS!!!

My mom also had my grandma moved to Washington nursing home...she will be so close to my house now...I can go everyday. She is very ill right now, but it will be great if she is so close when I move home.

I could go on and on...do I love Peoria...no...not really, but I love the people there..my family, my friends, my animals, my house, etc.

Fall Break is over....

Everyone is sleeping and I am still awake!! I hate it when I can't sleep...knowing tomorrow is a SCHOOL day. I have enjoyed Ian being off so much...our mornings cuddling, our time at the gym, my little lunch buddy, and most importantly...my baby clothes helper. He had the best time looking at all of the baby clothes, bibs, and blankets. I think I am finally done with that job..unless I find another box of clothes...I sure hope not.
We had a great break. Jeff didn't have to go to the states so we were able to spend some family time together. I would have planned to go somewhere had I known he wasn't leaving, but I so loved this week at home.
Now back to reality...early mornings. The alarm goes off, breakfast to make, lunch to pack, uniform ironed, and the worst...making myself look deceit to take Ian into school. I guess he is glad to be going back, so I will get through it.
I forgot to add that Halloween was fun again. Ian was a cockroach....he favorite thing in the world. He loves that costume. I had to laugh the other day when I came downstairs and he was just sitting there playing with his Transformers dressed like a cockroach....he really is one of a kind!!

Don't upset my friends.....

Lesson learned this week....I guess I haven't been blogging about my pregnancy for them and they think I should be...including photos. Fine...I will take a photo this weekend!! I really have been doing so much to get ready for this baby....I workout 4days a week..2 with my trainer and 2 on my own. I have been retaining ALOT of water,but we think we have that taken care of and I don't average 7-9 pounds during the day that keeps me up all night getting rid of going pee. My boobs are so sore!! Yep..you wanted it girls so you will hear it all!! The good news...I look better naked than with clothes on..the bad news I need to wear clothes. I look at myself and see that my arms are where I want them to be...no bingo wings anymore...never again...I have worked for this!! My butt doesn't sit on my thighs...nope it is a BIG piece of muscle that stands out...not good in clothes. My legs are still skinny, but they have muscle also...which comes in handy for holding that butt up! Add all this up and me naked looks pretty good with a pop belly...me with clothes on looks like a fruppy fat lady. I really don't like the clothes here at all...yea H&M is fine, but every pregnant lady has the same thing on...I am ordering a bunch of stuff today and I am going to sell it on ebay when I am done...it is all the stuff worn by the stars here...it is cute and unfornately very expensive, but I can't do this anymore!! Is that enough for now??? I should find out if the sex of the baby at Christmas and I will tell me family and than post it right away or tell you in person. I am hoping for a boy, but I am not 100% anymore...I thought for sure, but something keeps nagging at me. I knew right off with Ian and now I just don't know for sure....we will see. We do have the names...don't ask...I won't tell...I don't want any options....you know you like the name if you like the kid...Ian and I have been gong through EVERY baby item we own to see what will still work....I have AWESOME clothes and alot of them are unisex in the beginning months...I think I have covered about everything...the last thing...I didn't post the last sono because the baby was upside down on its head and it was a bad photo...they didn't even charge me for it...YES...I said charge....it is socialized medicine after all!!

The next American Idol???

I happened to walk in on this one evening. Ian is singing a song he learned at school. I knew it was one of those "priceless" moments.

Life has been really busy lately....

I think that is what it is or I have been really lazy!! I really have tried to post a couple of photos and they just wouldn't load....don't know, but know they did!! We went to a fun fair last weekend...Ian had so much fun...as you can see by the photos. He loved the rides...most of them.
We had the "bright" idea to ride a family ride...mistake. It looked so innocent..we gave the guy our tickets...sat down...lowered the safety bar...AND...we saw it...yep...the words....HELLRAISER!! The ride had started and we knew it couldn't be good...Ian was fine...Jeff and I were about ready to throw up...the baby...if it comes out and smacks me in the face...I will understand. I do have to admit...I have never gotten sick on a ride and vomit did come up, but I just swallowed it!! GROSS...I know!!

I have been tagged again....

I have so many photos to post, but I will do this tag thing...and than I am out...I quit....I can't be tagged again. Does anyone really want to know 7 things about my that you might or might not already know?? Well...here goes....

1. I have to take 2 showers a day...yes...it is weird, but I can't get up and get moving without a shower in the morning. The thought of going to bed at night with all the days crap on me makes me sick...this would put my father-in-law in nervous mode when staying at this house. He thought I was going to use ALL the hot water.

2. I always ate hamburgers in layers until after college. I thought it made perfect sense...my roommate, Amy,thought is was plain weird. I always made the hamburger and ate the top bun, lettuce, etc until I finished.

3. I can't sit at home and watch a movie. It takes too long for me to just sit in one place...unless I am at the movie...I do usually get up once and use the restroom. I can't sit that long.

4. I love having pets. Dogs, cats, hamster, rabbits....you name it...except a snake. The poo doesn't bother me from those pets...just keep them clean.

5. I love hanging out with my sister, sister-in-law, niece, mom, mother-in-law...not all at once because they could get annoying. Just kidding. Seriously, I love each of them so much....we just laugh and have fun together....I think they like me so...I find it is better to be with people that like you.

6. I think cuff links are so sexy...yep...you read that right. I know that all men cannot wear those...and some would look dumb, but when my husband wears them...WOW!! He is metro so it works for him...it wouldn't work for all.

7. I can ride a motorcycle...yep...not a problem at all. My dad always had dirt bikes for us and I just grew up riding so in college my claim that I could ride one was laughed at...I challenged to a bet...this person took me up on it and off I went...I don't remember what kind it was...this was back in 1990 so it was the kind you lean really forward on....ok...I was nervous...I took off and popped the front up a bit...brought it down and was a legend for the remainder of my senior year.


Was that informative...I could have written some real juicy stuff, but I didn't have the energy to make claims like that......

Metamora homecoming....

This will be the last homecoming I will miss sweet Amanda...you look great!! Thanks for the photos...glad you had a fun date this year!!

My niece had homecoming the homecoming dance this weekend...and I was in rainy England...yep...we had to miss the parade and all the fun stuff. Freshman year she was Freshman attendant so Ian got TONS of candy...she will be able to be nominated again next year...so I won't miss the next one. Her date was Ryan...he is too sweet. He runs cross country with Amanda and they are great friends...which makes for a FUN date. You notice she has the Woods curse...can't wear shoes in pictures...too tall. Sorry....some of the boys will catch up with you....and please don't listen to all those people that say..."you are so lucky to be tall"..really why...now is when you hear all those lame excuses about being short...as they call it...us TALL girls call it PETITE...you know the area of the store that if we just walk through we get redirected!!

This is our family.....

Ian drew a picture of our family....I am the tall one with the baby in my stomach...
Ian is the tall slender one standing next to me....
Jeff is the short fat one in the back....

I was worried the one in the back might be me...but rest assured his claim is that I am not short....you notice what he left out

I did ask about hair...he explained I don't like fixing my hair anyway, so he made me with no hair...same for his dad and him...

I thought a had a dress on over the baby in my belly, but apparently that square shape around me is my body...I guess my stomach hangs to my knees...it doesn't yet!!

News from Ian.....

I know I haven't posted the Fall Festival video yet, but I will get to that this weekend...I have been slow this week. This whole having 6 hours a day free thing goes so fast!

Ian gave me the news today...well, let me back-up...almost everyday he tells me what he wants to be someday when he grows up. He pretty much stays the same...a doctor that owns a pet shop part time...the pet shop has a kinds of bugs and snakes in it...after he opens that up in the morning he goes to work and takes care of sick kids all day...at the end of the day goes back and closes pet shop. That sounds pretty good to me...I did mention why not be a vet...that didn't go over well...it sounded so sensible to me.
Today on the way home from school he brought the whole job thing up again. This time he was upset about his decision...which he wouldn't share. I finally told him that he didn't need to decide today...he had a few years. After a huge sign, it finally came out...he is going to work for John Deere!! He explained he thought about it and that is what he wants to do...he knows his dad will not like this, but he can't stop dreaming about John Deeres. I told him that dad wouldn't care and it would be fine. He wanted to call them and see what he could do...because he already knows how to drive, fix, and build all the tractors....yea right, Ian.
We stopped the conversion at that point because we were home. About an hour later I asked him if he would ever want to be a Transformer when he grows up....you know like a kid. He shook his head no and as I was leaving the room I heard him say..."she doesn't even know they are fake"...I almost wanted to defend myself with a "do too!"
The night ended with him letting me know that Transformers are not real and other toys are not real either....Santa and his elves make all these "fake" toys for kids on Jesus' birthday.....ok....my little boy is back!!

This is my mother-in-law....

I just thought you may like to see whom I was writing about in the previous blog entry....

Thanks.....

A real quick thanks to all those prayers for Ian and myself. He has had a GREAT last two days!!! He hasn't gotten as sad and when he does he works through it...THANKS EVERYONE!!! Everyone has been asking about the egg story....

Quick summary....

When we returned from our honeymoon Jeff's mom had a food for us waiting at our new house...it was the day after Easter...so she had boiled eggs...I decided to have a boiled egg...tried to peel it and the shell was stuck to the egg...I basically ended up with the yoke....I tried several eggs and had the same result. I approach Jeff and explained his mother couldn't boil eggs....rule #1...don't talk about his momma!! He explained to me that she was a great cook and maybe I needed to learn from her....WOW....just back from the honeymoon!! I took my wise mothers words from before my wedding which where...."don't say anything negative about his mother to him"...I have no reason and I didn't think that was negative, but to Jeff I had basically called her a piece of "no good trash"...I than decided to confess my horrible sin to my mother-in-law and called her and told her that she couldn't boil
eggs...and you know what she still can't to this day...but don't tell Jeff!! My mother-in-law laughed of course and that was it...luckly I don't have any negatives to say about my mother in law, but if I did I would probably just have to share them with my girlfriends...remember...DON'T MESS WITH JEFF'S MOMMA!!!

The Good and the Bad.....

Ian is really liking school...he has made so many friends!! He plays Transformers on the playground everyday...thanks Aunt Karen for buying all those when you where here...he is now cool on the playground. His school also has a Fall Harvest on Friday. The little ones perform a song and refreshments are served...by the way...I am baking 200 sugar cookies and decorating them!! I thought I would have all this free time...ha ha!! He is learning so much...everyday he is coming home with new words to read and books to read. It is amazing all they do here...he does love that part.
Now the bad....he misses me!! Everyday he has a few tears after lunch...he is ready to come home. The teacher always reassures him that I will be there when school is over and gives him a cuddle(hug) to make it better. It works pretty good, but he is a smart one. This is a typical morning....after breakfast, cartoons, teethbrushing, and getting dressed...we pray for a good day, thank God for sending his Son do die for us, and put our armor on aganist Satan and all his tricks. Once at school...I always adjust his "armor"...this makes him laugh and I go about my day. Today he tells me that his heart hurts even though he has his armor on...kill me now. His little lip quivered and he was fighting the tears....I can't take it. He is so tender hearted....this is where Jeff claims he gets it from him or his side of the family...I guess we are all cold hearted on my side...only kidding. I remember I was the same way at school and until a few years ago Jeff would have slept in his mothers womb at night if possible....lucky I love her so much...this could bring about issues...remind me to write about the "boiled egg" incident sometime...anyway please pray the Ian just gets through his day without his heart hurting to be at home.

Our fun weekend....

Make a Smilebox photobook

We had a really fun weekend and these pictures just don't do it justice. It was just one of those weekends that you didn't want to come to an end. The weather was GREAT!! We went to a ccokout on Saturday at the home of another ISE family....I didn't take any photos there...so I didn't post any. We had a really nice time and Ian had so much FUN!! It is always nice to get together with other families and visit when you are not on a time schedule.
On Sunday we went to Laurie and Steve's house. They had a few people over to cookout again. They had a great house with lots of toys for th kids and grown-ups. Again we had a great time with lots of food and fun.
I was so tired on Sunday night....and so was Mr. Ian Saad. I am off to find a straw hat because Ian is a scarecrow in the Fall Harvest production...whatever that is...live and learn.

Baby Saad Update.....

I went to get a sonogram on Wednesday....I found out that I am 10 weeks along and the baby is due April 17, 2009. I was actually excited about the date because that is Jeff's birthday and my friend Pipers birthday. I have another sonogram in 3 weeks because of my tilted uterus. They couldn't get that get of a picture. I will post the next one. It may turn out that I am farther along than they think....we will have to wait and see.
Ian is so proud of the sonogram picture. He has asked several people if they would like to see it...I am sure they could care less!! He has some great ideas about his little brother or sister....the first one being making signs telling the baby to not touch "his" stuff. I agreed because I didn't want to let him in on the fact that the little one will get into his stuff every chance he gets....I know I was a younger sibling.
Jeff is home....I am going to bed and sleeping ALL night!! I will not be awakened one time thinking that someone is in my home. It is amazing what your mind can do....anyway...anyone whom would like to break in tonight can because they couldn't get through the house. Jeff is home.....yep...stuff is everywhere!! I guess I will keep him.

Piper please read below....

Piper...will you please set your blog page up after reading this??? You are due in November and I want to see sonogram photos and pictures of you. It isn't fair that I am the ONLY one that doesn't get to see you. Post just one photo...please!! I will even take a photo of Dirk at this point...just kidding Dirk....I would love a picture of you also.

As if I didn't already know...

Today any doubt that I may have had about really being pregnant is gone. I haven't really doubted, but until I see my baby I always wonder. Enough wondering...no I didn't get my sonogram, but I did get my former craving...grilled cheese on wheat bread with pickles and ketchup on the side. I really haven't had the desire for that since my last pregnancy and today at the health club...I couldn't stop thinking about it. I got home showered , turned on biggest loser(not the best show for my uncoming meal) and made my sandwich. Luckly by the time I sat down Dr. Phil was on and I felt more at home comparing my life with their life over a cheesy, pickled, tomato sauced up sandwich.
My stomach has gotten bigger. I go on Wednesday for my sonogram...can't wait to actually find out how far along I am. Jeff comes home Thursday and he is bringing me a big bottle of Tums. It is so romantic....I know. I figure to have any chance of romance when he gets home, I will have to stop burping for at least...a few minutes...I mean a few hours....yea thats what I meant.

The Next Great Pastry Chef....

He may be the next "Naked Chef"




Today I decided to be a nice mom and make sugar cookies. This is something that Ian usually does with his 2 grandmothers and he loves it. We have been in the house since Thursday night...Ian has been ill. He is feeling much better and will return to school tomorrow morning. I will get to go to the gym, plant some mums, and just rest. I have found that being pregnant at 39, having a 5 year old that is sick, and a husband that has been traveling for 3 WEEKS is a little too much for me to handle....yes...Jeff does come home Thursday.




Here are some pictures for you Jeff....we also made a video for you. You will be required to eat at least one of the dog cookies when you get home.....see video for more information. Enjoy this....I will stop writing since I know you are waiting. By the way, Ian is feeling back to normal now...he is eating his 3rd taco!!!

What does a mom do at night.....

If you are me you decide to find a Fall template for you blog....in the process you lose the blog roll that you had on your last one. I will need some help figuring this out Holli...I forgot how to do it...you young girls know all this stuff....I will get help sometime soon.

I finally got an appt......

I finally got an appt from the sonogram people. They explained that they really wanted to see me by Sept. 8th...I than explained that no one had called...that is why I was calling. Anyway, we got the appt. for next Thursday.....Jeff is maybe going to be home. She than said just to refer to my "letter" on how go get there and where to go...."what letter"....you did get the "letter"? They are sending me a letter to give me the details...basically they are....park in the car park...go to the glass building to the left of the hospital called The Treatment Center and check in....easy enough....or at least it seems.
I will be glad to find out how far along I am....I look about 5 months, but am probably only 3 weeks...only kidding....I really don't know, but what I do know is that I am gettting big. Jeff you will be in for a shock....get those Gap maternity clothes here asap!!!

We are on day 2 of all day school.....

Ian is doing ok....I on the other hand.....not so well. I hate this!!! It just doesn't seem right to drop off my little boy and let someone else just be in charge of him all day long. He seems to like it, although he did mention he liked the half day thing better than the whole day thing at school. If I wasn't having a baby in ? months....I would be going crazy. Which reminds me....I need to go and pursue a sonogram....since it has been 2 weeks and they still haven't called me.....
All kidding aside, I have just had a really hard time letting go.....I of course had my moments, but overall I HAVE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IAN!!!

I am finally getting around to posting photos...

I really hope he learns to smile very soon...anyway...this is his friend and our neighbor...Isobel...they sit by each other in class. Ian claims she is only 1/2 girl...don't know what that means yet...I think that she likes bugs and playing with cars.

The morning activity...every morning they start out with a quick actvity that the parents do with them.

This is Ians coat and gym bag hook. He has a place on the bottom for his indoor shoes.

Ian walking into school...you once he is about 20 steps ahead of me!!

This is Ian right before we left the house....he was excited to get there and see what this "school" thing was all about...



I know I posted these photos in the wrong order, but it took me forever to get them uploaded. Ian likes school so far...he starts going all day tomorrow. I will have to pack his lunch in the morning...this will be his first day eating at school. He seems fine with it...me on the other hand...I wish he was only 1/2 day. This has been so much harder on me than I thought it would...Ian of course is clueless. At times I envy those that can't wait to get there kids out the door, but that is not me....my mom was the same way...thanks mom.

I hope you enjoy the photos Jeff....we wish you were here....come home....we miss you!!!!

I promise I will post photos tomorrow...

Ian had his first day of school...he LOVED it!! We got up this morning at 7:30a.m. and started going with our day. It was easy for Ian...not so easy for me. He ate, brushed his teeth, watched cartoons, and ran around until 8:45...time to leave for school. He looked so cute...we got there, found his coat hook, put his book bag away, looked around the room, etc. The room was amazing...they are doing a "What did you do on holiday?" unit...such cool stuff they brought in for the kids to see and play with for the next week.
The bell rang and all the mums leave for the day....I came home, cleaned up a little, and headed off to do errands. I was back to get him at 12:00 because they are on a short schedule this week, next week it will be until 3:00. He came out the door and told me that he loved every minute and it was fantastic!!!
When we got into the car he stripped down to his underwear....he hates the uniform!! He knows he has to wear it because all the kids do, but he likes his other clothes. He explained how cool his new tan shirt would look with his brown vest and brown Puma shoes....I agree, but sorry....not going to happen.
It was a great day!! The only thing missing is Jeff....GET HOME NOW!!! I can't take this anymore....it has been 5 days...5 days to long....come home!!
I will post photos tomorrow....I am off to bed...this whole school thing is really not working for my sleeping habits....I don't do mornings

The party is over....

Ian starts school on Wednesday....I can't believe it! I know I have written about this before, but this is going to be hard. I know..I know...you are thinking she will be fine without him all day...yea...I know that...ok. I mean it is going to be hard getting up in the morning, going to bed at an actual bedtime, not watching American Idol together, Dancing with the Stars, and just so many other things that SCHOOL takes away from us. Seriously, I am stressed about having to be somewhere on time...at least his school doesn't start until 9:00 a.m. and it is only 5 minutes away. I am not a morning person, but I guess I will become one. It is really true that I need at least 9 to 10 hours of sleep....I guess I will start taking naps....that is until the baby arrives. I am hoping for a sleeper all night and up early....since I will be up anyway.
I have been trying to guess whether it is a boy or girl....I have a feeling it is a boy, but I feel totally different this time. It could be that I am a little older this time around also....and a little wiser I might add....
Jeff is gone for 2 weeks!!! I have the alarm set in the house and am getting ready to go to bed. I really don't think Jeff would hear anyone if they did break in and he was here, but something about being alone....I don't like it. I rehearse every scary movie in my head...and just want to fall asleep, but than Freddie might pop up in my dreams...I can't win. He will return on Sept 13th...
Holli and Andy invited me for dinner tonight. We had a nice time with another family that is just moving here...forgot there names already...sorry. Well, it is off to bed for me....workout with Shal in the a.m. and than a visit to Ian's school to fill out any last minute paper work.

Getting ready for school....

We tried on the uniforms and he is ready to go...I think. He hates the whole uniform thing...I don't blame him, but he likes to pick out his own clothes...which is becoming a problem. He gets his haircut today and he will be good to go.
We are in the process of cleaning out his room...all toys and books not in use anymore. We are moving them to the garage. I have been enjoying it so much...thus would be why it has taken me 3 days thus far. Ian has about 300 books...we are moving about 200 to the garage. I realized we have read all 200 we are moving....I now know why I haven't read much in the last 4 years. I couldn't believe how much he remembered from each book...yes we have been going through them.
That is about it for this house. We are going out to dinner tonight for Italian...I have been thinking about pasta all day!! My only real cravings are for apples, bananas, plums, oranges, and green fried tomatoes!!! If you haven't tried those...they are great!! I just can't get them here.

It is that time again....

I can't believe my little baby starts school in one week!!! It just seems like yesterday I took him home from the hospital. Time has flown by so quickly...it won't be long until I am taking him to get his license and than off to college a few years later. It goes by so fast...all those little sayings...I am so glad I have video and a camera. Ian has been such a true blessing to all of us...he is really amazing. Just yesterday he asked me to distinguish between two different types of juice....I don't know where he gets all this from. He is a thinker alright...he loves to tell me that I am not the boss...God is the boss and we should go to him.

I could go on and on about Ian all day...but I don't have all day. I did wonder what I was going to do when Ian went back to school...he is my little sidekick...who will I shop with..do puzzles with...read books to...etc. I will have about 7 months of freedom...yes...that is right...7 months.

Baby Saad will be arriving in the Spring of 2009...I don't know that date yet...I have my first appt. today. Ian is soooo excited!!! Jeff and I are thrilled also...we already love this baby so much...we had planned on keeping it to ourselves for awhile, but decided just to let everyone in on our GREAT NEWS!!!

I will let you know more about this after my first midwife appt....today. I will just be making it under the wire of being 40!!!

The unanswered questions....the grandparents...yes, they are sooo excitied...our entire family is so excited!!! I am taking any ideas for baby names....I am again not telling the name until the birth...I may not find out the sex this time either....we haven't decided yet....I do think it is a boy...and I couldn't be more thrilled...Jeff and I being in our late 50's raising a teenage girl would surely put us over the edge....especially if she is anything like me!!!

Our cruise....

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had a great time on our trip!!

On our way home....

We are headed back to Venice today. We are ready to be home!! Yesterday we spent the day at the beach in Greece. It was MUCH better than the day before. Ian had a great time swimming in the ocean..there was a shark net...and in the pool. He suprised up by doing a front flip into the pool...this kid only learned to swim 3 months ago. He is doing great!! The swim teacher said he was a natural and I am now starting to believe it wasn't the 50 bucks and hour that made him say that to me. Ian loves the water and it almost too adventurous for us now. I have recovered from my near death experience...I least I felt like it was...ok. We are spending the day in Venice and heading home on Sunday. Here a few more photos from the trip...Ian says he will miss the sausage...the american kind...not the nasty English kind...I will miss not cooking and cleaning up and Jeff will miss nothing...his life will still be the same off and on the ship. It has been fun, but I just like the great ole' USA the best...give me Florida or Hawaii and I am good to go. We will call you on Sunday mom and dad...Ian has a surprise for you!!! Can you guess...no you can't so don't even try!!! Ok...he built a boat out of wood with his dad..he is VERY proud of this creation...so act really shocked!!!

Don't climb a volcano....

Today we climbed a volcano in Greece....skip it!! It was so hot and rocky!! I know what did I expect, but I hated it. Ian loved it!! He kept talking about what Cat machines were needed to work in the area. Jeff was no saying anything...lack of sleep. After the exhausting volcano climb we went to swim in the hot springs of the volcano. A boat took us out in the ocean and got about one quarter mile from the springs and shore. I did get Ian a life jacket and we were ready to get in...than Jeff forgot his googles so he goes back to get them...leaving Ian and I to get in the water. We climb down the ladder and into the ocean...Ian gets scared...really scared...he is clawing at me all the while I am in 30 foot water after climbing a volcano. I thought he was going to drown me...I felt horrible but I had to push him away and start swimming..he was so upset about the sharks...that right!! Jeff is nowhere to be found and I am about to drown in the ocean...I finally just grabbed his lifejacket from behind and started swimming to shore...all the while he was crying.
We finally located Jeff and I explained the situation about swimming back to the boat..he was going to take over this time. Needless to say, Jeff did better, but it was still a struggle. Ian freaked when we would get into the blue water with all the fish and sea creatures next to us....why did I let him watch Jaws??? Don't say that I should have hung on to his life jacket...I tried it didn't work...he was too upset to wouldn't stay still...I have the marks on my arm to prove it...bad idea from me!! We got back took showers and slept 4 hours!!!
Here are some photos from the past few days....

Don't climb a volcano....

Still no pictures....

I haven't made it in to transfer the pictures...I will tonight. We cruised all day yesterday and today we went to Turkey. We saw so many beautiful sights...lots of cool pictures. Ian was loving it...until...he had to pee!! How do you find a place to pee where Paul preached ....go behind a rock and how you don't get arrested. Jeff gave us a plastic bottle...he barely hits the toliet...wasn't going to work in a bottle. He went nobody saw and we moved on.
I did get sad because of all the animals...dogs and cats...everywhere. They didn't pay any attention to us, but they were skinny and dirty. I wanted to take each one home and give it a bath, but I knew that wouldn't work on the ship.
We went to a carpet store....I found one!!! It was beautiful...you notice I say was...it was a mere £3000.00 pounds or 6000.00 us dollars. It would have looked great under my marble coffee table. Jeff said ok...but...didn't I think that was a little overboard...people are starving and I want a rug for a living room we are never in at our house...ok....point taken...he said he would rather give the money to someone in need to to live in such a way...who does he think he is??? Anyway, at that point how do I buy the rug...I don't!!
That is about it for now. I will try to post those pictures later. We are having a great time!!

We are having a great time.....

I will post pictures later today or tomorrow morning because I forgot the thing to transfer photos and I have to get them put on a CD in order to get them on the computer...that is the only thing I forgot. Anyway, I thought I would post so that you could know we are alive mom and dad.

Venice takes over as my new favorite spot on Earth. The weather was great and we had a wonderful time. Our hotel was super!! We still have on day left there when the cruise is over so I can't wait to do some more shopping.
Ian and Jeff resting in the room and I came out to use the computer in the library area...peace and quite.
Ian went to the Kids Club today and I think he had a good time because he can't wait to go back, but he won't tell me one thing about it. He refuses to answer any questions...keeps telling me not to worry about it ...he had fun....NO DETAILS. Yes, he is my son....he is just like myself and you Amanda!!!
We stopped in Crotia today...it is so pretty. We did some sightseeing and shopping. It started off a little funny because we actually missed our trip...that I prepaid for because I couldn't understand the lady and Jeff didn't hear her. We just laughed it off and went on our own. We ended up having a great time and got around just fine. I will post photos later.....we took some neat pictures.
Well, I better go and see what those two are doing in the room...I also need to buy Jeff a necklace to keep his card on...he has misplaced this thing about 50 times...wll maybe only 5 but still...I can't take it anymore.
Grandpa Eddie....you will be glad to know that Ian has stuffed himself on icecream every hour on the hour. I am hoping that Jeff doesn't have a break down from watching all this...but hey...it vacation!!!

I know I should be packing....

I know I should be packing, but I just had to blog this so that I could remember it. Ian and I were talking about school and school lunches. He will get to take his lunch everyday. We were discussing what he could bring for his lunch each day....

My thoughts...peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple, carrots, and a cookie or fruit snacks.

His thoughts...steak..cooked rare, squid with tomato sauce on top, grilled chicken on a wrap with greek yogurt, rice and some indian food..that would be his main courses on different days. His last request for dessert was ice cream from Paris or a pastry from Rome.

I think he will need to adjust his standards on packed lunches...

We leave today....

We leave for our cruise tonight....I just cannot get myself to get ready. I haven't packed yet...still need to get a few items at the store...etc. This is so unlike me. I am LAZY!! I am going to get packing now, go to the store, empty fridge, take out trash, and be ready to go by 6:00 p.m.!! I will also call you mom to give you the details of the trip....I better get moving!!!

Karen and Carole come to England...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Karen and Carole came to visit us. We had a great time. We are getting ready to go on our cruise. We are leaving tomorrow and return on the 24th. I will post lots and lots of photos when I get home....gotta go pack.....

Summer fun....

We have only been back a 1 1/2 weeks and we have been having a great time. The weather has been amazing!!! It is HOT AND SUNNY...I love it. It does tend to get a little warm in the house, but I can take it rather than have it cold and rainy.

We have been keeping very busy with the other ISE families. We have been to the Burghley House Water Garden 2 times this week. Ian has had a lot of fun playing with Drake, Gwen, Brett, Kendall, Kameron, Brittany, and Sophie. The kids really enjoy each other and everyone gets along so well....it is sometimes relaxing....sometimes not for us moms.

My mother in law and sister in law will be arriving on Sunday for 8 days. Ian is so excited for them to get here.

Never say never.....

I always thought I would have a little girl...I didn't. Everything was fine for so long...I could dress him the way I wanted...life was good. It still is...for Ian...I am having a hard time with his sense of style. I was begged to bring back this outfit from the US....yes, it is a ROACH!! This is ALL he wanted for his birthday...so I went through with it. He is planning to wear it for Halloween this year. He wears it around all the time. It has been to hot to wear it here since we've been back....but it won't be long..until my little roach goes running around the village. I am posting pictures of him driving his gator while being a roach. It is very funny, but I never thought I would buy a roach suit and carry it across the oceans....never say never!!