What?

A few days ago someone, in all seriousness, called me an introvert.  Me, an introvert?  Really?  I don't think I have an introverted bone in my body.  I'm not sure what prompted this person to think that of me.  I am not their biggest fan, so I wasn't talking to them very much.  But they've seen me in social situations, so they know what I am like, usually.  But introverted?  Me?  I don't think so.  I'm pretty extroverted and that is not likely to change.

A little addition to the family next year

For those who haven't heard (and for those that have and just want more gossip, because you can never have enough...), there is an addition to our little family, due in July 2012.  And because Kevin is a camera nut, here is the latest photo:

As you can see, the baby is not much bigger than a jellybean, but seems determined to make it's presence felt.  I have been constantly "car-sick" (low-level nausea) and craving red meat like there is no tomorrow. I think I've eaten more red meat in the last two months than in the last year.  Weird. 

Once we started telling my aunts and uncles, the medication questions started coming.  So, here is the deal.  I started going off my medication (for bipolar disorder) at the end of August, and was completely off by the beginning of September.  It's been hard.  I am running mostly manic, which means my mind feels like a hamster on crack, I've been fairly easily irritable, and I have a VERY hard time falling asleep.  We'll see how the next seven months go.  But as of right now, I really miss my meds and desperately want them back.  I can only imagine the whole thing will get worse as pregnancy hormones continue to raise their ugly heads.  I feel sorry for Kevin, and that he has to deal with it, but he seems to be okay with the whole situation.  We'll see how he feels as this goes on. 

When I started going off meds, we told my parents (they know my whole history and can work with Kevin and the doctor, if need be), and a few friends I hang out with fairly often and know me very well.  My "circle of trust" has been fabulous, keeping an eye on me, checking in, and ready to report to Kevin if I am slipping too far beyond normal (and, poor things, your job is not over yet.  There is still seven (+/-) months to go!). I appreciate the care and support.

We'll be finding out if the jellybean is a girl or a boy around February or March, and we will definitely be sharing that information.  As for a name, we'll be waiting on figuring things out until we find out the gender, and then we will begin working on a list.  Until then, I have a nursery/guest room to rearrange and decorate, color schemes to look at and narrow down (and then choose once the gender has been identified) and some other stuff to work out.  There is a lot to keep me busy in the next several months.  Wish us luck!

I'll be home for Christmas...

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Bing Crosby (and covered by a multitude of other artists over the years).  This year, I will be home for Christmas.  Kevin and I are travelling north to the homestead and will be living it up in the cold splendor that is Eureka!  I love it up there; it is actually winter with the cold (and potentially rainy) days and nights, the small-town atmosphere, and seeing the people I've known since I was little.  I have a list of the things I intend to do, and am super excited to start crossing them off.  It's been a while since I've had the opportunity.  It's been a while since I've been up in Eureka, period.   

1) Lunch at Vellintini's Bakery.  Turkey Lurkey season is here!  Yay!!!!!!!

2) Dinner with the fabulous Candy at Applebee's.  It's our spot together and always a good time.

3) Touring the Christmas displays at Pierson's.  There is always super cool/cute stuff by local craftsman. LOVE IT.

4) Wandering Old Town and perusing the used book stores (there are two up there and I've never found any other place that can compete to these locations.  Awesome).  

5) Hanging out in front of the fire and reading, for hours on end.

6) Speaking with far-flung family and friends.

Happy Christmas everyone!  Enjoy the time you spend with friends and family and be safely merry. 

That's all it took?!!!?

We have some friends that moved into the ward the same time Kevin and I got married, and they have a little two-year old, Madie, who is super adorable.  But despite knowing Madie for three quarters of her life, her being over to our house multiple times and us being over to her house on several occasions, and we always sitting together at church on Sunday, Madie remains pretty stand-offish with me.  She kind of rejects me.  However, when she was over at our house last week with her parents for a little holiday gathering, I wound up painting Madie's fingernails.  It was pink and sparkly, and she loved it.  Now, she apparently LOVES me.  She approaches me, says hi, waves, suddenly learned my name, and is no longer so reticent around me.  Is this the secret to kids liking you?  I should have painted her nails a year ago, and then I wouldn't have been part of the out-crowd with her, but someone she actually likes.  Lessons learned, I guess.  When a friend brings their child over and they seem a little hesitant around you, paint their fingernails and they will suddenly love and adore you.  And cease to be afraid of you.

A Grinch-y Christmas

One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (the cartoon, not the fairly awful Jim Carey remake).  I love that movie and watch it every year.  I've been thinking about it a lot, lately.  Mostly because I've had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit.  We've been exceedingly busy since October and I feel like I haven't had a moment to catch my breath, work has been hellish, and life has just been getting in the way of things.

One of the things resonating with me the most this year about the Grinch is his inability to get into and understand the Christmas spirit.  Granted, he goes a lot farther than I ever would in destroying Christmas, but he starts out with a heart two sizes too small, and by the end, it grows three sizes that day.  It is a movie that always makes me smile, and reminds me that Christmas is not in the ribbons and bows, but the heart and the spirit that prevails amongst family and friends.  I hope you enjoy this holiday season and find joy in the time spent with those you love.

Old Friends

It is always good to see old friends.  I was delighted with a visit from Miss Carrie Fuller yesterday.  She is a friend from the LBC days and is now located in Washington DC.  We spent some time catching up, reliving the old days, and made plans to meet up in Utah when the fabulous Julie Black gets married in May.  It will be a grand time and a wonderful adventure.  I'm contemplating taking the train from here to Utah.  I've never done a long train trip and it seems like it might be interesting.  Has anyone made that trip before?  Any tips, advice, or just random thoughts?

And the kudos are gone

Maggie has lost her footnote in history.  She started barking again.  And refuses to give up.