Pregnancy Weight Gain: What's Normal, What's Not

Pregnancy is one time in your life when you have to pack on the pounds. But it's important to keep your weight within a healthy range for your body type. Here are are some general guidelines to keep your weight gain on track.

By the editors of Parents magazine from Parents Magazine

How Much Weight Should You Gain, Total?

Pregnancy is one time in your life when it's perfectly acceptable to put on pounds. But it's important to have slow and steady gain and to keep your weight within healthy range for your body type. Here are some general guidelines -- be sure to ask your healthcare provider for specific recommendations.

Total Weight Gain During Pregnancy

If you were...

Underweight before pregnancy: 28-40 pounds

Normal weight before pregnancy: 25-35 pounds

Overweight before pregnancy: 15-25 pounds

Obese before pregnancy: 15

Carrying twins: 35-45

How Much Weight Should You Gain in the 1st Trimester?

• Gain 1 to 1 1/2 pounds per month for a total of 3-5 pounds.
• Consume an extra 200 calories a day (for example, a glass of skim milk, and two slices of turkey breast).

How Much Weight Should You Gain in the 2nd Trimester?

• Gain about 1 pound per week for a total of 12 to 14 pounds.
• Consume an extra 300 calories a day (for example, a cup of carrot-orange juice and a cup of low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt).

How Much Weight Should You Gain in the 3rd Trimester?

• Gain 3/4 to 1 pound per week (weight gain often slows during the last month) for a total of 10 to 14 pounds.
• Consume an extra 300-500 calories a day (for example, a cup of low-sodium tomato juice and a whole-grain bagel spread with low-fat cream cheese).

How to Gain the Right Amount of Weight during Your Pregnancy

Where Does the Pregnancy Weight Go?

In an average pregnancy, weight gain is distributed as follows:

Baby -- 6-8 lbs.

Placenta -- 1-2 lbs.

Increased fluid volume -- 2-3 lbs.

Increased blood volume -- 3-4 lbs.

Amniotic fluid -- 2 lbs.

Enlarged uterus -- 2 lbs.

Enlarged breasts -- 1-2 lbs.

Stored fat and protein (important for lactation) -- 6-8 lbs.

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Housewife Life

Housewife Life

by ASHLI MICHELLE on OCTOBER 29, 2012

Today is my first day as a housewife. Even though I’ve been married almost two months, it just occurred to me last night that I’m supposed to be taking care of things around here. All this time I thought housewives just sat around trying not to be bored. The only housewives I thought were busy were those with rug rats running around.

Since I thought a housewife was just a wife at a house, my brand new boot wearing Achilles tendon torn husband has been bringing home the bacon and frying it up in a pan. This is a catastrophe to non-househusbands everywhere. For two months I’ve been sitting around in my pajamas writing about food until picking a place to lunch. Instead of jib-jabbering around town, I should have been strictly following the definition of a housewife.

Definition of Housewife: “Housewife is a married woman whose main occupation is running or operating the family’s home— caring for and educating her children, cooking and storing food, buying goods the family needs in day to day life, cleaning or maintaining parts of the home, and making clothes for the family.”

Who makes clothes? Making clothes is a deal breaker. I can’t even put clothes in the dryer on time. If the clothes even make it into the dryer, they sit so long a debacle of wrinkles erupt. Nobody wants to iron. Ironing is a nightmare. I just re-wash the clothes. Sometimes I forget the clothes are there again, forcing the same attack of wrinkles to repeat. It’s just an ongoing re-wash cycle of wrinkle pain. One time I ironed my shirt collar while wearing it and burned my neck. True story.

Housewives use coupons when buying goods. Now I’m going to have to go out and buy one of those scary coupon pouches. No one will be able to check out because I will be searching through the coupon pouch desperate to save four cents. I’ll have to start buying newspapers and cutting coupons to fill the pouch. Making a grocery list to somehow coincide with coupons in my coupon pouch is inevitable.

Housewives apparently have some kind of pressure to please the non-househusband. There isn’t a househusband around here because he is off working. This can only mean one thing: I’m supposed to have dinner ready when he gets home. This is just weird. We should be eating at a restaurant with a real chef.

I’m going to have to start wearing soft curlers, a robe, and slippers to fit the morning look of a housewife. We will have to order the morning paper and train my chihuahua to fetch. Instead of watching crime shows on Discovery ID, I’ll have to start watching soaps. These soap operas will have to make me emotional in order to fill the requirements of a housewife. I need to be upset when soap opera people are in peril. I’ll have to start baking cookies and get Botox. We don’t even have flour. This is a disaster.

Housewives are desperate because being a housewife is a form of slavery. Trapped. Your boss is your husband and staying at home is the only option. It’s like prison. There’s too much to do to leave. Lock the door and throw away the key. The only place you’re going is the grocery store or the gym. Spending one full hour at the gym, in order to be an in shape trophy housewife, is mandatory. With all this housewife pressure I’m going to need a therapist. This is only my first day as a housewife and there isn’t enough ADD medication in Texas to force focus on the ten thousand tasks attached to this title.

3 Ways Menu Planning Saves Money

March 5, 2013 by Kimberlee

from contributing writer Kimberlee.

Are you trying to stick to a budget? Do you need to save money on groceries? Try menu planning!

I feed our family of six (including 3 teens and a 12 year old) for $125 or less per week, and the primary way that I am able to stick to my budget is by making a weekly meal plan. Here are just a few ways that menu planning saves you money.

Spend Less on Eating Out

It’s 5:00, you’re tired, and the kids are hungry, but you have no idea what to feed them. Looks like another trip through the drive thru!

Making a weekly menu plan will enable you to avoid eating out by default because you will know what’s for dinner, and on busy days you can plan to have dinner waiting in the crock pot. You will also be saving gas money by driving less.

Avoid Impulse Buys

Remember that time you went to the store for a gallon of milk and ended up with $30 worth of groceries? Menu planning helps you avoid those impulse buys because you stay out of the grocery store except for your once-a-week shopping day.

You will also spend less on groceries because making a detailed menu plan enables you to make a detailed grocery list which means you can purchase exactly what you need at the store rather than grabbing whatever looks good.

Use What You Have

Making a weekly menu plan enables you to take time to inventory what is currently in your pantry, fridge and freezer. You don’t buy a third container of chicken broth because you are aware that you have two at home. Using what you have enables 

17 Habits of Very Happy Moms

17 Habits of Very Happy Moms

How do those upbeat moms we all envy keep the joy and love flowing? In honor of Mother's Day, we sent our intrepid reporter to uncover their secrets.

By Marion Winik from Parents Magazine

1. Ask for help

Happy mothers are not afraid to ask for help from family and friends. While morose, martyred moms miss those out-of-town weekends and movie nights with their husband because they can't find a babysitter or a willing relative, Very Happy Moms just say, "Please."

2. Leave the house -- now

Have you been outside today? Fresh air, sunlight, and nature are believed to be critical mood enhancers for women, and moms can get this little lift while pushing strollers or swings. Look around that playground. Who looks happy? Go talk to her, right now.

3. Plan some big fun

In my research, I've found that VHMs work really hard to find time and money for vacations. Take away the alarm clocks, the homework, the deadlines...bring on the sunsets, the sand castles, the card games. Suddenly you remember why you spend so much time doing these people's laundry.

4. Get your groove on

You call him "honey," and he calls you "sugar" -- but are you giving each other enough sweetness? Happy moms like getting busy. It'll put a smile on your face. And it's nice to have a Very Happy Husband hanging around.

5. Eat, sleep, and be merry

Being sleep-deprived may be a badge of honor for those with young babies, but the sooner you can figure out how to get your eight hours back, the more delirious with joy you will be. Follow that well-deserved rest with a bowl of oatmeal and a banana instead of three cups of coffee and the remains of somebody's Pop-Tart, and see what happens.

6. Have a six-pack

I thought the main habit of Very Happy Moms might be popping Prozac, but I asked around and not a single happy mother mentioned drugs. Not even margaritas. Sigh. What they did mention, in droves, was exercise. And of course they're right: Just about equal to how good regular exercise makes us feel is how insidiously the gloom creeps in when we weasel out of it. Fortunately, to a mom, exercise can feel almost self-indulgent -- after all, you're doing something for yourself, in the company of other grown-ups. And that's part of the buzz.

7. One is not the loneliest number

Carving out time away from the kids is crucial, whether it's poker night with the girls or just a long bath with a magazine.

8. Be nice to thy neighbor

You would think that moms would be tapped out in the giving department. But most happy moms make doing things for others a regular part of their lives, whether it's baking a lasagna for a family with a new baby or offering a ride to an elderly friend. Remember: Your helpfulness is another deposit in the karma bank.

9. Love the one you're with

The happiest moms don't compare and compete. Neither they, nor their kids, nor their cars, nor their houses have to be the smartest, cutest, newest, or neatest. The green-eyed monster has chewed up the happiness of many a mom. Around A.D. 89 the philosopher Epictetus offered advice for Very Happy Moms: To be content is greater than riches, so love what you have.

10. Hang with your gal pals

Very Happy Moms have close mom friends. Knowing that others are in the trenches with you is key. From the super-petty issues to the deadly serious crises, I don't know how I would have made it without my friend Theresa. Over the years, she has patiently listened to long stories involving extremely important topics, such as Pull-Ups, car pools, and her favorite: the vice principal of the middle school.

11. Plan a little fun

Very Happy Moms sometimes buy themselves flowers, just in case no one else has thought of it. They meet their husbands for lunch, get a facial, or have the car detailed just because.

12. Play with the rules

One of the best things about being the person who makes the rules is bending them. With each of my kids, I allow certain treats that have a slightly wicked feel. With my 4-year-old daughter, it's taking a bubble bath with our miniature dachshund. With my teenage son, it's stopping for really expensive sushi on the way home from a doctor's appointment. Very Happy Moms know when to turn the mundane into magic.

13. Pick and choose

Separate the siblings and enjoy some one-on-one time with each kid. No interrupting, no juggling, nosibling rivalry. What joy!

14. Look ahead

When your happy buzz threatens to slip away altogether, remind yourself that "This too shall pass." It works both ways: Either you get through the terrible stuff by knowing it's not forever, or you put it into perspective by reminding yourself that the good stuff -- the sticky kisses, the cute little tutus -- will also soon be gone.

15. Forgive and forget

We all want to live up to our parenting ideals and do everything right all the time, and here we are, losing our tempers, being inconsistent, and bribing kids with candy on a daily basis. Unfortunately, all the time you spend brooding and punishing yourself for this is more time when your best self is not there for your kids. Very Happy Moms know that even the best of us have days from hell. They let those days go, and get on with exercising and vacation planning.

16. Pee in your pants laughing

Kids love to see their moms smile (mine actually comment on it, if that tells you anything), and research is starting to show that just crinkling your eyes, turning up the corners of your mouth, and laughing can produce the happy brain chemical serotonin. At least it will make you look really ridiculous, which will make your kids laugh. And laughing really hard with your kids is one of the best Very Happy Mom secrets of all.

17. Cuddle up

Though I consider myself a Somewhat Cranky Mom, I share this with the Very Happy Moms I surveyed: I have a hug habit. "Hugs and snugs and snoodles" is how my 4-year-old, Jane, and I refer to our smooching sessions. Happy moms cuddle their kids every chance they get, which is smart since those chances diminish through grade school and then disappear altogether by the time your former cuddler gets her driver's license. So take Janis Joplin's parenting advice: Get it while you can.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Without Harsh Chemicals or Products

How to Clean Stainless Steel Without Harsh Chemicals or Products

by KIM on MARCH 4, 2013

in ALL TIPS, CLEANING, KITCHEN

Stainless steel, so shiny and beautiful when clean! But if you own big appliances made of this elegant material, you know they are prone to show even the softest of fingerprints!

However, did you know that harsh chemicals and expensive products are not needed to keep your fridge and other appliances looking brand new!?

All you need is a microfiber cloth and some water! The more I use microfiber, the more I love it! Just wet part of the cloth, squeeze the excess moisture out and wipe your stainless steel appliance. Buff with the dry part of the cloth and fingerprints are gone!

To keep things nice and sparkling, I recommend adding this task to your daily cleaning schedule if you own big stainless steel appliances!

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Caring for Cast Iron

by KIM on FEBRUARY 20, 2013

in ALL TIPS, CAST IRON, CLEANING

I was first introduced to cast iron skillets via my sister, years ago and until very recently had the least desire of ever owning one. They are really hard to care for, right? Eh, wrong! While it is true that you can’t just toss them in the dishwasher like other pans and you shouldn’t use dish soap to clean them, I have learned it is fairly simple to care for cast iron. And when properly done, they last beyond a lifetime!

Just scrub with a brush and hot water!

Dry immediately.

Then apply a thin coat of vegetable oil. If it’s sticky, then you know you’ve put too much on!

And that’s all there is to it. All clean!

After my Break

After my Break

I took a few days off from blogging. Actually, I haven't blogged since Friday and it's Wednesday. That is NOT normal for me. It was much needed though. I have a lot going on & for days have had some issues that I was trying to work through in my own head. I really just couldn't find it within myself to blog. I'm back though and hopefully won't need another break for awhile. I've missed blogging, it really is so therapeutic for me.

I left you all on Friday night and the weekend came and went. As with any other weekend, it was entirely too short.

Saturday was a busy day for us. Hubby was off work so we decided to take a day out with the kiddos. We went over to the Polaris Shop to look at a Ranger we are considering purchasing. I think it's pretty much a done deal as Hubby and Axle fell in love. I must admit, I really liked it too. They offered us a really good deal on it so hopefully within the next week or so, we will be the proud owners.

We also took Anika to the dress shop to find a dress for her Spring Fling Dance. She tried on a few short dresses but didn't love them. Initially she told me she wanted a straight short dress but quickly figured out that it just wasn't what she was looking for. I talked her into trying on a high-low dress & she fell in love. It's the same color as the dress she had last year. It looked very pretty on her.

Sorry that the picture quality isn't all that great. You aren't supposed to take pics in the dress shop so I was trying to sneak and do it! The dress is now in layaway and set me back right at $500.00 with jewelry. Yes, I paid $500.00 for her to have memories. Isn't that silly?

After we sealed the deal on the dress, we went to Reno's and had lunch. I opted for the Steak Tips covered with Cheese, Mushrooms, Sauteed Onions & Peppers. I also had a Baked Potato. Anika ordered the same thing as me but she had her Steak plain. Boy do I wish I had ordered mine plain, the cheese sucked. It was a creamy type cheese and just really gross. The steak was pretty good though & the salad I had at the beginning of the meal was fantastic. Hubby got the Chopped Steak and he said it was really good & Ax ordered a pizza roll with fries. He didn't eat a single bite of the pizza roll but he did eat a few fries. The boy doesn't eat enough to keep a bird alive. The bill was outrageous and the service was some of the worst I've experienced in a long time. The waitress didn't even bother to bring us any bread the entire meal and she was very unfriendly. She acted as though it hurt to speak. I definitely think I'll think twice before eating there again.

We made a trip to Walmart before we came home. I ended up finding my printer ink (thankfully) and picked up a pair of red leggings for myself. I have no idea where I'll ever wear red leggings but for some reason they appealed to me. I also picked up some new school stuff for Axle. I tried to get Anika to get her an outfit but she didn't want to look so she ended up going home with just Twizzlers. Hubby on the other hand has no problem spending money. He now has a new pair of boots!

When we got home I tried to get someone to come babysit for the kids for awhile but couldn't find anyone. Anika was determined she could watch them so I had my niece Kelsey come stay with her. Kelsey is in High School and has a baby sister too so I was certain they would be fine. I was right, they did a great job. Hubby and I went riding with a buddy of his. It was a good night. We sat by the fire & just shot the breeze. I LOVE being out at night in the wilderness. I guess I'm just country like that. The night did end badly though. Another fella showed up and hung out with us for awhile & then Hubby's Buddy's Friend and his wife stopped by for awhile. Everything was great until we decided to play in the mud. Yes, we love the mud! Hubby's friend got a little carried away & had an accident. He ended up turning over his side by side. He busted his head open & crushed his collar bone. Needless to say the next few hours consisted of us trying to get the Rhino to start, getting him cared for & working out how to get him home. It was almost 5:30 am when I finally got back to the house. Definitely much later than I ever intended. I spoke to the girls every hour though and they were doing okay. I must say, I was proud of them. When I finally got home everyone was sleeping. Apparently my mother on the other hand was not so happy. Anika said she was very upset the last time she called. Sheesh, how did I know that was coming?

Sunday was a VERY lazy day for me. I slept on the couch with the babies when I got home & by 10:00 Ax was up. I functioned most of the day on about 2 1/2 hours sleep and that isn't enough to function on for sure. I pretty much laid around and did nothing for the biggest part of the day. The Hubby washed on his 4-wheeler & hung out in his garage. I did make it to town around midday to pick us up some lunch/dinner. We had KFC/Taco Bell. I napped for about 2 hours on Sunday evening. I ended up just ginning around most of the rest of the night. I think when I finally went to sleep for the night, I was out like a light. I was absolutely exhausted.

Monday the Hubby went out to work on dayshift. I should have stayed awake when he left but I didn't so of course Anika ended up being a bit late for school. That is about par for me. I ran a few errands when I took her to school and then the little ones and I came home. I spent most of my day just lounging. For some reason my mood wasn't the greatest. I talked on the phone to a friend for awhile & managed to do a tiny bit of housework but that was about all that got accomplished. I picked up Anika from school at 3:00 & I ran up to meet a friend's husband at the Dollar General. I had gotten her to make me a Valentines sign & I finally got around to picking it up. I really like it too. I haven't decided where I want to hang it for sure but for now it's hanging in my kitchen. I'm thinking I'm going to keep it out year round though as it doesn't really look like it's just for Valentines Day.

I fixed a pan of lasagna for dinner when we got home. Hubby was a bit late because he had to go to the finance company on his way home. We had dinner & then spent the rest of our time out in the garage chatting with some friends that had stopped by. Anika fell asleep quite early but the little ones went strong as usual. It was a late bedtime for me.

Tuesday I was supposed to take Ax to Story Time but we slept late & I was in no mood for rushing like a mad woman trying to get us ready. I had a really rough day all day. I got into it with my Mother. Her & I both have strong opinionated personalities and sometimes we just clash. Never fear though, we are over it today. Isn't that the way it work with Mommy/Daughter Relationships? The kids & I were lazy most of the day. I did some minor housekeeping, worked on some financial things, talked on the phone and so forth. Definitely not anything to write home about. I picked up Anika from school & we made a trip to the grocery store to get some grub. I came home and cooked us some Cheesburgers & Mac n Cheese for dinner and then I spent some time talking with the Hubby. I ended up making another return trip to town to get diapers because I forgot them the first time & Anika picked up some stuff to make some Peanut Butter Cookies. She fixed the cookies while I straightened the house & then we did some Tot School with Axle. We didn't get to do it on Monday so he was definitely excited about it.

His new Stringing Beads had came in the mail so we worked with those for awhile. He LOVED them and got the hang of it very quickly. They will probably be played with a lot.

We also worked in a new sticker book I got him the other day at Walmart. It was an "animal" sticker book and of course he LOVED it. The boy loves stickers. He repeated each animal as he put the sticker on. He can recognize a cat, dog and fish every single time.

Our last project was to fill out his Valentines. I bought him Spongebob Valentines at the Dollar Store not long ago. He wouldn't help put the suckers in but he did scribble on the name tags a little. His favorite part of the project was actually eating his sucker. Typical kid I guess!

Our night wound down around 11:00. Anika got herself in the bed and Annalee went to sleep. Little Man went strong for a few more hours so it was around 3:00 am before I actually called it a night!

Today is my 14 Year Anniversary so I talked with the Hubby a bit this morning before he left for work. I seriously cannot believe we have been married an entire 14 years. That is just insane. Hubby had to work today and I had a dental appointment at 11:00 this morning so my Sister in Law sat with the kids for me. I'm happy to report that all I need now is a cleaning and I'm done. The root canal is finally complete. It's already after 2:00 and I have to go get Anika soon. We are going to Mom's to pick up a dress and then meeting a lady who is wanting to buy it at 4:00. I also have some errands to run this evening and can't forget about buying the Hubby a card. It's going to be a busy evening. Hopefully we will work in a little Tot School somewhere in there.

That my friends is your ridiculously long update. As you can see, things are okay here. Hopefully I'll be able to get back to my regular blogging now :)

Hope your having a good week my friends. I'll be back tomorrow with another update

Angie

How We Have Spent Our Days

How We Have Spent Our Days

Can I just tell you that I cannot believe it has been SO long since I've written. My last post was on Friday and it's Thursday. That is just ridiculous. I'm not going to moan and groan about it though, let's just get you all caught up with my little life, shall we?

Friday was a typical day around the house. Not too much really went on. We did enjoy some sunshine and outdoor time on Friday evening so that is always nice. Axle always LOVES playing outside. He's definitely not going to be a homebody. Annalee even enjoyed it too. She got to sit in her walker for the very first time. I think she liked it except for the fact that her feet won't touch the ground yet. It won't be long though. She's growing way too fast.

 The weekend was a good one. We spent our day watching Disney on Ice at the Civic Center. Anika wanted to take a friend with her so we had to leave Little Annalee with my Mom. I know, not fair BUT really Annalee is still too little to understand anyway. I must get a bigger automobile eventually though. My car is just too tiny for everyone. The show was FANTASTIC. It was well worth the $125.00 it cost to see it. The food and other items they sold were outrageous but that is to be expected. We didn't end up buying much while we were there anyway. We all had a slice of pizza and a pop while watching the show and I did buy Ax a small Mickey Mouse stuffed animal. He loves Mickey so much. Bless his heart, he came straight home though and gave it to Annalee. Isn't that the sweetest? After the show we went to Applebee's for dinner. The food was delicious but the service sucked. Every time I eat at Applebee's I'm disappointed in something. I have no idea why I keep returning. I think it must be the Blondie's. Best dessert ever in my opinion :)

Sunday we took the kids riding. Lee had spent the night at Mom's so we got an early start. I think we were all packed up and out the door by about Noon on Sunday. We rode ALL day long. Ax had a blast. He did fall asleep on the way home though. I suppose Anika and Torie had a good time. You know teenagers, they don't really ever say much. The Hubby and I enjoyed it. We covered a lot of ground. It was a cooler day but definitely not cold. We were bundled up so it was pretty comfortable. I think it was well after 5:00 when we got home so by the time I got Lee picked up and Torie took home, it was time to call it a night.

Monday started out okay. Anika had to be at the Prestera Center for open intake at 8:00 am. The Prestera Center does a Mental Health Evaluation and then gives out referrals. Can I just tell you there are loads upon loads of crazies at a Mental Health Center. I know, what did I expect but gee whiz. I'm telling you, those people made me feel sane. Luckily, we do not have to go back there EVER! Anika has an appointment set to meet with a child psychologist for counseling. I hope it helps her. Since our accident back in May, she has became very depressed. I know people don't understand but when you are involved in an accident that takes a life, it takes a toll on you. The fact that it was a very young life taken I think has made it harder. Maybe not but that is how if feels. Anyway, after 3 hours at the "nut ward" we finally got our appointment and got out of there. We had lunch at Cracker Barrel which is always fun. I opted for my usual, Chicken and Dumplings. We also went out to the mall but by this point my Mother and I were at odds so it was a MISERABLE trip. Mom bought the kids there Easter goodies which I totally appreciated but at the time, I was not in the mood. Annalee got a new Purple Dress with some White Shoes, Ax got a Tux with a purple shirt and tie & Anika got MISS ME Jeans ($110.00- CRAZY) and a new Makeup Mirror. Of course now I'm going to have to buy Anika something purple to match the other two for Easter. I'm thinking she's going to get a Purple Top to wear with those jeans. For that price she needs to live in the darn things. Axle was tired and not in a good mood. Most of the trip with him was spent dragging him off of quarter machines, begging him to please get out of the floor and chasing him around Penny's in only his Superman Undies. Yeah, not fun. I was going to take pics but frankly by the time we got to the mall and to the quarter machines, I was just done. I finally dragged my crew home around 4:00 at which time Axle refused to let Nana leave so he got to go home and spend a few hours with her. She called around 7:00 wanting me to bring him so clothes so he could spend the night. Well, I did BUT he changed his mind and ended up coming back home with me. He was asleep before we ever got to the house. He was just exhausted and so was I.

Tuesday was another day that I wish I'd had my camera BUT I didn't. Mom took Anika to her Orthodontist appointment for me on Tuesday so that I could take Little Man to Storytime. This was our first time ever doing Storytime at our local library and we will be going back. They sang songs, read books, played games, did a craft and had snack. Ax didn't participate a whole lot but I think after a few times he will. He did do the craft but that didn't surprise me, he loves things like that. They were focusing on the Letter X which I thought was neat. There craft was to glue little bones on the Letter X to make an X-Ray, how fun is that! Annalee was so good during the whole thing. I think she enjoyed it almost as much as him. After Storytime some of the ladies and kids all go to The Community Center Play Zone and have lunch while the kids play. My Sister in Law and I decided to join them. We picked up McDonalds for lunch and headed on up there. There was about 7 kids total and they had a blast. Ax loved playing on the slides. Believe it or not I've never taken him there before which is sad since it's just right up town. I think this will be our new Tuesday adventure from now on. I needed the time out and so did he.

Tuesday evening was a rough one. The Hubby made me angry first thing and the night just got worse and worse. I didn't sleep a wink pretty much all night long. I really think I may need to go back to the doctor and get put back on some medicine. I've really been struggling with depression, anxiety and severe anger issues lately. 

Yesterday was a do nothing kind of day around here. I was absolutely zonked from being up all night the night before. Frankly, I did what had to be done and that is about it. My head busted all day. I'm blaming some of this moodiness on PMS and I know that is where the headache came from. I'm hoping next week will be better :)

In other news, I've broken out my new rainboots several times this week. LOVE these boots. My Mom informed me that they were just a little much but I don't care, I like them.

Axle still pretends he is a car but he now starts himself by turning his toes. No kidding, he reaches down and turns his toes before he starts zooming through the house making car noises. That boy is going to have an imagination.

The Hubby's job has changed once again. They closed another mines down the other day so he will be starting a new job at a new location on Monday. All this change stresses him out. I'm sure it would me too though. Hopefully he likes the new location. It's about the same distance from home so that is a plus. I guess right now we should just be Thankful he has a job. With the mines really going under around here, jobs are hard to come by.

I worked on the Happiness Project up until the weekend. Frankly, I was failing miserably. NOT completing tasks that I wanted to complete was just exhausting me and dragging my moods down so I quit. I mean how can you be Happy when the Happiness Project is making you unhappy. Right now I just think I'm not stable enough (emotionally) to handle such a project. I might revisit it one day.

Chocolate has been my best friend this week...FOR REAL!!!!

Well friends, that about has you all back up to speed. Today is a cold one here in my neck of the woods so the kids and I will be spending our day indoors. I've got some Tot School planned for Axle because I swear we are going to get back to doing that. It's very high on my priority list. Other than that, it's going to be a pretty low key day and that is okay with me, I need the rest :)

Dear Friends...I'm really hoping to get back to regular blogging soon. Frankly, blogging and my blog friends make me happy. Yes, I spend too much time on the computer and so I'll be trying to limit some of my other activities (time wasters) but I really enjoy my blogging so hopefully I'll be back into the swing of things soon.

Hope you all have a good Thursday

Angie