"Well, isn't that special"

"Well, isn't that special."  That is what I say in my head about the fact that there is a hurricane named Irene looming out there.  I will say, Irene is the resident trouble maker of the womb.  She usually is kicking Anna in the head or sticking her rear in Brooks' face. 

We've crossed the 24 week mark which is very exciting.  About 10+/-  weeks to go, hopefully.  Sometimes 10 weeks sounds like an eternity yet I know it will be here before we know it.   The girls are all growing and over a pound now.  Anna (baby A) is still the smallest, but she is not far behind Irene (B) and Brooks (C).  I've now moved from house arrest to more strict bed-rest as a result of the doctor seeing some very early signs that could indicate pre-term labor is wanting to make an appearance sooner than we wish.  Nothing too major at this point and with a little bit of medicine and keeping my feet up hopefully we can nip that in the bud.

One major perk of going to the specialist in Memphis is the fancy equipment.  They have super cool sonograms and we always get to see the 4D images.  A few weeks ago we got good face views of Anna and Irene, and yesterday Brooks was showing off her mug.  They never all cooperate on the same day.   It is hard to tell in these shots but there are always limbs belonging to other babies in the picture.  We continue to be amazed and amused at how crowded and all over each other they are.

Anna on 8/3, Irene on 8/3, Brooks on 8/21

The nursery is coming along.  Here is a little peak.  Right now we are starting with one crib and then when we need to we will put up the other two.  Until then we will keep the bed in there for easier night time management for whoever is on duty.   As you can see the lighting was very different in these pictures, thanks to my fancy cell phone camera.  May need to upgrade the camera soon....

I'm not sure where I'm going to hang these cute bird pictures.  Lot's of blank wall space so I'm going to wait to see what looks best where once I find some other things for the walls.  Check out the artist on Etsy, she has really cute stuff:   Murray Designs

I got a good laugh the other day because someone found my blog by searching "not too girly nursery".  Sorry lady, this is clearly not the place for you.

Oh and I'm still getting huge.  Below is the latest progression shot.  Honestly a few inches bigger when I'm already this big doesn't even seem to show that much.  However the wrinkles in the shirt (or lack thereof) are quite telling.

SOAP.com

It was only a matter of time before I used this blog as my soapbox.  I am a fanatic about good customer service.  It makes all the difference in the world.  I don't care if a company sends me a box of dog&$#% accidentally, as long as they are friendly, honest, and remedy the situation.

So I'd like to give a shout out to SOAP.com.  I've been meaning to try this site out, and now that I'm unable to head to the store this was the perfect time.   I really like buying cleaning materials...I just don't like to use them. It was a delightful shopping experience.  Easy website, good selection, 2 day free shipping.  However the box arrived today in less than perfect condition with a few damaged goods.

I e-mailed customer service, and received this response within 45 MINUTES.

"Hey Sage--

Thanks for your email, and thanks for shopping with Soap.com. Yikes! It looks like your box went a few rounds with Mike Tyson and didn't fare too well. I'm really sorry that you had to receive your first order with us in such a condition. Talk about leaving a first impression. Here's what I can do, I'm sending you a replacement of the damaged Swiffer Wet pads, and the opened package of the Covergirl Mascara that you had ordered. They're both scheduled to arrive on Friday, Aug 19th"

Now that is customer service.  Personal, friendly, and with a little humor.  Not all companies would have provided a similar response.

So I will keep shopping at SOAP.com.  Especially if it means I never have to step foot in Wal-Mart again, which is one of my personal goals in life.

And as I mentioned previously, I may have an online shopping addiction.  

Imagine if....

For some reason I like to start sentences like that and then finish off with something more exaggerated than I'm currently experiencing.  Imagine if.....I ate like this all the time.....I had 5 babies in here....Maggie and Ginger could talk.....we lived in Alaska.  Sometimes this is in my head and sometimes it is out loud.  It makes for thrilling conversation.  

So my latest internal monologue - Imagine if Jack had my personality.  The answer?  We would be in big trouble because he would not tolerate the inhumane sleeping conditions I've created.   Jack is a phenomenal sleeper.  He can sleep anywhere, anytime, and through most anything.  Nothing keeps him up at night - not worries, not work stress.  The only time I've seen him too excited to sleep is before a football game.  I, on the other hand, am the opposite.  Add some pregnancy factors to that and it is almost comical.  Almost.

Let me take you through a typical night.

10 pm - get in bed.  To set the stage, I have taken all pillows from all beds in the house and am using them as part of my setup.  If you are coming to stay with us soon, better bring your own pillows.  I have 7 and I quickly notice if one of them is missing or Jack accidentally added to his one.  The head of the bed is also elevated on books (I knew those law books would come in handy) to help the heartburn.

10-11 pm:  read my book, watch the news, and ask Jack questions.  Did you lock the doors?  Did you turn the air down to negative 50 degrees?  Oh crap, will you get me my ipad out of the den?  Will you get me a little more water?  Will you rub my neck?   Where did you put the remote (followed by insisting that I don't have it, followed by finding it under one of my pillows)?  Go to the bathroom at least 4 times in this hour.

11 pm - 2 am - Sleep on and off.  Get up and go to the bathroom at least every hour.  Getting up requires turning to the right, moving the pillows, pushing up with my arms usually accompanied by an "ughhhhh" as a result of my effort.  Turn from my right side to my left side and vice-versa every 30 minutes and readjust all the pillows every time.  Usually the effort of turning over results in another groan or heavy sigh, along with a dramatic body slam down onto the bed.

2 am - 3 am - Can't go back to sleep after the last bathroom break.  All of the above still occurs, but on a more frequent and more exaggerated basis. 

3 am - 5 am - Give up and turn the TV on to try to catch a movie or something other than an infomercial.  Like Greenberg starring Ben Stiller (not recommended).  Eat a snack - usually Golden Grahams or Chex Mix, both of which I keep by the bed.

5 am - 7 am - Repeat of 11-2 if I'm lucky.  If I'm not lucky, at 6 start complaining about how I can't sleep late and how my arms and legs are numb and tingly and I can't feel my hands and feet.  Ask Jack what time he is waking up.

After ALL that, I ask Jack "How did you sleep?".  His answer "Great!".  Every. time. 

Go back to that "Imagine if Jack had my personality" and the answer would be more like "Are you kidding?  How could I &$%& sleep when you are making so much noise, getting up 50 times, moving the bed all around, eating, turning the tv on, turning lights on, and talking to me?  And now I have to go to work tired, blah, blah, blah."

The lesson in all of this is that when Jack doesn't do something right when I ask him to because he is taking his sweet-ass time, I should remember that laid back personality is what allows us to still have a lovely, functioning relationship.  I have a feeling it is what will make him an excellent dad to three girls, too.