Merry Christmas!!

Judging by the weather we are having, I feel like I should be saying Happy Thanksgiving instead, but my calendar tells me I should be saying Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful day!
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Thankful 12/24/2011

I was able to get out and finish Christmas shopping this morning; just finished wrapping presents and getting ready for the morning chaos, made it to church with Sami and got to spend some time with family. Bonus: my mom is still here, although she's not staying at my house anymore.
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Thankful 12/19/2011

Today I am thankful that I managed to make it to Target with the girls, and even ran into Karina. I let a man ahead of me at checkout and he bought Sami a pack of bubblegum. I got a hand mixer and am baking cookies for Sami's preschool program. Called my grandma (it's her birthday) with a baking question and completely forgot to tell her happy birthday, even though I've mentioned it to Sami and Joe about five times over the weekend. Also, very thankful that I have enough supplies (minus a stick of butter) to make another round of monster cookies since I forgot to include the oatmeal in the first batch (see picture).

Thankful 12/18/2011

Yet another unbelievably beautiful day outside - December 18th and it was sunny and 55 degrees!  I got to lay in bed until 8am; Stella slept from 7:30 last night until 8:15 this morning when I woke her up because I was worried. Joe made pancakes for the girls (I can't eat them due to the gestational diabetes) and he cleaned up the kitchen (he's usually not around at breakfast time). I got to go to church with Sami and she even snuggled with me; AND someone came up to me after church and told me how sweet she thought it was when she saw Sami resting her head on my belly. Only 3.5 days until my mama is here!

Thankful 12/17/2011

Another beautiful day! A family walk, 1 1/2 hours of kid free time while Joe took the girls to the Harley shop, hot chocolate and the forecast looks like it's going to stay nice and clear so my mama won't have any trouble arriving in Fargo on Wednesday night!!!!!

Santa's @ the Harley Shop!

Thankful

I am going to try something new.  Every day I would like to post what I am thankful for that day.  If I shoot for every day, maybe I will do it once a week. Of course I am always thankful for my family, that my family is healthy, that Jesus died so I could experience life and all of the other most important things, but it's the little things that I want to recognize, too.

So now you know what that's all about.  Happy Friday!!

Thankful 12/16/2011

Today I am most thankful for Grandma Pam, Caribou Coffee, a healthy baby no. 3 appt., this awesome weather we've been having and the SUNSHINE! ...also, thankful for a nap that I am seeing in my near future!
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Finally walking - 17 months old!

It's official - Stella's a walker now. She's been taking 5 steps here and there for about a month now, but now she's putting a little more effort into it. She still crawls and knee walks, but we are seeing her walk around a lot!

The Kitchen - Finished (mostly) Product!

In the dining room, we just painted and updated/replaced the outlets. In the kitchen, we now have new laminate on the countertops, a mosaic tile backsplash, new cooktop and hood, new sink and faucet, and we painted and replaced the old outlets with updated outlets.

When I say 'we', I mean Joe. I'm so very thankful for his hard work. It's so nice to have a nice kitchen. It's even a little motivating to keep it clean!

 

Arrival No. 3

No. 3 is scheduled to arrive at about 830 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.
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Climber

Stella likes to climb on things. We just got back from picking up different tiles for backsplash ideas (just me and Griz). I brought her in the house and ran back out to the car to get the remaining bags and this is what I came back to. I was gone for less than a minute. Yesterday I busted her climbing boxes. So, she'll climb about anything, but she won't walk.

Actually, she is getting closer to walking. She took two steps a couple days ago to get to her daddy.

And one more thing, just for the record, she likes to try use my belly as a step stool and a bouncy seat.

Kitchen Project: Part 4

Prepping counter tops for new laminate.

Removing old cooktop

 I'm not sure what's going on here. The counter that you see is particle board.

 The little kids' bar is done! Sort of. Still need to tile the back.

The sink area counter top is done!

The disaster of a dining room. It's in there somewhere. Going to re-upholster the chairs sometime soon.

Tomorrow Joe will finish up the last part of the laminate counter tops, install the kitchen sink w/new garbage disposal and faucet, install the new cooktop and hood and I need to figure out what the heck to do for backsplash. And then it is cleanup time! And from the looks of things around here, it feels like it will take a year to get the place cleaned up.

Kitchen Project: Part 3

Touching up the cabinets. Apparently, when you paint cabinets white they will turn yellow over time.

Kitchen in Progress: Part 2

This is really more about the kids than it is about the kitchen. Part two of the kitchen project was the trim. Before, there was gray, rubber, industrial trim. We 'upgraded' to actual wood baseboards. You can see a tiny corner piece in the background of these pictures. I took these pictures to show how the girls love their daddy.  Sami always wants to know what Joe is doing and if and how she can help. Stella is just a total daddy's girl. Notice how she manages to get herself into his arms and then clings on.

Oh, Sami's hair is goofy like that because it was Halloween, but at preschool it was 'crazy hair day'.

Kitchen: Backsplash I want...

This is the backsplash that I want and love. But have been told I should find something else. I want to find a way to make it work.  My only concern with this is how it would be for cleanup behind the cooktop.  Joe's concern is installation. So we are trying to figure out a different plan for the backsplash.

Kitchen in Progress-Part 1

Paint! From whatever blue this was to Mushroom Bisque (or tan).  We Joe didn't paint the backsplash area because we thought we were going to do this really nice backsplash (I'll post a picture later). It rocks. I love it.  BUT it would be a huge pain in the ass to install because it is glass and stone, and the stone part needs to be pre-treated and so on. So now we are still trying to figure out what we will do for backsplash. We are contemplating a couple of things: white subway tiles where the old backsplash was and then painting over the blue with the Mushroom Bisque, or doing mosaic tiles of some sort. Open to suggestions if you have them, but whatever we do, we need the stuff to be available so we can get this done already!

Kitchen Before

These aren't the best BEFORE pictures, because Joe had already got started when we realized we should take some before shots. But, you can click here to see the kitchen before we moved in. The funky blue walls were fun, but I was more than ready for a change. The backsplash was the same as the old laminate countertops from the 60's. Stainless steel sink and faucet from the 60's and I'm guessing that the cooktop and hood were many years old as well.

Hormonal or Crazy?

You might know that when I am pregnant I have no patience for bad parking jobs that leave me little to no room to get my kids and myself in my car. I've been known to lick my finger and leave special messages in the dirt on tailgates of pickups and leave not-so-sweet notes on the windshields of minivans. Today, however, I took it to a whole-notha-level.

After my appointment with my psychiatrist (ironic, isn't it?), I returned to my car to discover that I had less than a foot to get Stella and myself in the car. My first reaction was to write the standard "dumbass" in the dirt on their windshield. I even did it backwards so they would have no trouble reading it while inside their car. Then I proceeded to try load Stella in the car, which was not an easy task and she was not happy about the wedging that was necessary to get her in her carseat. Neither was I. Then I had to try get my pregnant ass (and belly) in the driver's door. I couldn't squeeze in there, and didn't feel that "dumbass" was sufficient for my level of frustration. So I gave the car a few good bangs with my car door, hoping that would help make more room for me to get in my car (no, not really. I was hoping to do some damage.) . Didn't work. So I had to hoist myself up so my belly was at the window level (about an inch more room up there) and squeeze my belly and ass through the small opening. Similar to birth, I am sure, except with me and my car.  I was beyond pissed after that, and seeing that my earlier door banging did nothing to the piece of shit car next to me made me even more mad. So I went at it again, except this time from inside my car with a little more force. Repeatedly. The guy sitting in his parked car diagonal from me was chuckling while watching me lose my temper and I ended up leaving more pissed off than relieved because after all the work I just went through to try do SOMETHING to that damn car, it was such a POS that if I did do something, you couldn't tell. I left wishing that I had a baseball bat in my car so I could have at least busted a taillight or something. Yes, I realize that's crossing the line. And that's why I think I can categorize this under 'hormonal' and not 'crazy'. Crazy would be not seeing any problem with it at all.  And if, say, I did feel that way about it, I would never admit it!

Happy Halloween!

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Gestational Diabetes

I 'failed' my three-hour blood glucose test last week and was given the diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes. Yesterday, I met with the dietician who talked to me about portion control and carb counting, and set me up with a blood sugar meter.  We did a test run with the meter in her office and my reading was high.  We attributed that to the candies I stole from Sami's candy jar before I left for my appointment. Not smart on my part.

I have to test my BS level four times a day: when I wake up (before eating/drinking), two hours after breakfast (before my morning snack), two hours after lunch (before afternoon snack), and two hours after dinner (before my bedtime snack). Today is the first day that I started testing my BS level at home and my wake up level was high but my after breakfast level was low. Very low (hypoglycemia). Which, I guess, is not uncommon in gestational diabetes as our bodies get used to the new diet. But hypoglycemia makes mama bear very irritable and moody and weak, so I need to learn to keep carb snacks in my purse and the diaper bag at all times.

So I have lots of learning to do, but it is all for the best. Not only for a healthy baby, but a healthy mama. And it is kind of cool seeing how what I eat effects my BS. That's for Blood Sugar levels, not Bull Shit levels.

Check-ups and Cherry Berry!

Sami and Stella both had shots with their checkups on Tuesday morning and they did great. Sami had her 5-year checkup and shots and Stella had her 15-month. As a reward for Sami for being so brave getting shots in front of her baby sister, I took her to the new Cherry Berry by our place and it was De-Lish-ous! I know that's not how you spell it.

I was already aware, but the doctor confirmed that Sami is tall and skinny, and Stella is short and a tiny bit stout. Stella is actually average for her weight, but she's so short that it doesn't match up right now.

One-hour glucose test

I did the one-hour blood glucose test this morning. Just got a call from docs office that it came back at 138 and the doc wants it at 135 or below. So, I have to go back on Wed. morning for the three-hour test. 630am. Ouch. Nothing to eat or drink (not even water-W.T.F.!!) after midnight. Then the test/blood draws every hour for three hours. Yay! This is pretty much the same scenario I went through when I was pregnant with Stella, except then I was 136.
Maybe I shouldn't indulge on pasta at Altony's tomorrow night for Cam's 13th birthday. But I really think I should.

Sami's Shopping Habit

I just sat down at the computer where Sami has been playing preschool games. Or so I thought. Turns out she was doing some online shopping at walmart.com and has so far racked up a total of $70.62 What's in her shopping cart? One Playhut Disney Princess Super Playhouse with Lights and two Disney's Tangled: Rapunzel-Basic Doll.
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How the Fluge Girls Spend Our Days At Home...

On the couch. Topless. On the phone (or camera, behind her head, in Stella's case). Remote nearby.

Explanation...or something

Here's what's been going down at the Fluge Bear Family home the past couple of weeks:

Assume the head shaking because we (Joe) got another dog. 

He is a purebred black lab from Brandon, SD.  We named him Cash because he cost us some cash and we are hoping that he will make us some cash.  Joe will be able to train him and use him to show hunters how he can train their dogs.  Besides that, if Cash turns out to be anything like his dad and grandpa, we will be able to stud him out for a good price.  He's a super sweet little guy, with a spunky side, too.  He loves to charge Stella when she is on the ground outside and she just looks at him as though she is wondering what his problem is. Sami is helping her daddy with some of the basic training stuff, but there hasn't been too much of that because of how young he is. Leroy is tolerating Cash, so far. We try to go on family walks at night after dinner and when we do that, Cash doesn't need to be on a leash because he just latches on to Leroy's tail and doesn't let go. 

Sami is loving preschool.  They learn about a new letter each week. This week they learn about the letter "D".  When they learn about the letter "F" they get to go on a field trip to the fire station! Also on Sami's schedule is gymnastics, which she is loving. This session is over in a few weeks, so I suppose we'll have to sign her up for more. 

I have joined Kids And Moms (KAMS) at our church. It's a bible study mom's group that meets once a week.  I have only been to 1 1/2 meetings, but I enjoy my 'break' time.  My grandma will be coming over to watch the girls when she can (on KAMS days), and on days that she can't there is child care just across the hall from where we meet. I hope to join Moms of Preschoolers (MOPS), too.  The more support the better!

About the fire on my face: it's mostly just smoke now.  Earlier in the week I started noticing a tingling on my cheeks, but didn't think anything of it. Until I went to put on my new facial moisturizer (a different brand than what I've used in the past, and it's for sensitive skin). Screams could be heard for blocks when I put that stuff on my face (this was the 2nd or 3rd time I used it, but the first time it burned). Then I started getting a puffy, dark red rash on my cheeks. It burned whenever I touched it, washed it - even with just water, and it beyond burned when I put Cortaid on it, which was supposed to give me relief.  But it's slowly getting better and I don't think that I will use that CVS brand of knock-off Oil of Olay moisturizer anymore. Oh, and if you stop by my house after 9pm be warned that I will have a glossy, slimy face when I answer the door! Vaseline is the only thing I can put on it without increasing the level of pain.

Go Fly a Kite

Sami got this cool kite from her Grandma Deb a while back and we finally broke it in a few weeks ago.  It was the perfect, mega windy day.  Not sure who had more fun, though, between Sami and Joe.

Lovin' This!!

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Waiting For The Parade!

Sami and I are at NDSU's homecoming parade, just waiting for it to start. This is our 3rd or 4th year doing this and last year it fell on guard drill, so baby Stella came with. I feel kind of sad that she's missing out this year, but the Mom-n-Sam time is kicking butt!!
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I've Got Some 'Splainin' To Do!

So the post-a-day thing is going great, don't you think?! Well I can explain. And I will. Maybe even later today. For now, I have a burning face and a couple of babies to take care of.
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Sami's Turn

It's about time that I post some pictures of Sami!  She got to go on her first and second motorcycle rides this past summer (it's officially Fall now so I feel obligated to include 'past').  It was nerve racking for her mama the first time she went for a ride, but the girl could not have been more excited. 

 Sami was super excited that she was finally going on her first motorcycle ride.

 Getting geared up for the ride.

 Ready to go on Ride number 1!

 And they're off!!  

(I was a nervous wreck, pacing the street until they got back 15 minutes later)

 Ready for ride number 2! 

Nicknames

Stella has had quite a few nicknames in her young life.

It all started with Juan Carlos, then she was born and Juan didn't stick. Probably because she's a she.

Then it was Stella Bird. When she cried or complained she sounded just like the bird "Kevin" from the kids movie "Up." The sound was similar to that of a peacock. We don't hear that anymore, unless we are at the zoo.

Then her nickname was Turtle, because she wouldn't roll off of her back. So if we laid (??) Her on the floor on her back, we could rest assured she would be in that same spot when we returned, however many hours later. Then, at one-year-old, she finally figured out the rolling over thing, so it didn't feel right calling her Turtle.

While she had the Turtle nickname, we'd also been calling her Grizzly Bear here and there as her personality was really starting to shine through.  This is the nickname that I think is going to stick. She even stands her ground like a Grizzly Bear.  She'll be crawling towards Joe when she gets up on her knees, scrunches up her face and screams at him, coming down on her hands for a second when she loses her balance, but getting right back up on her knees.  A picture below to help you visualize.  Joe was trying to get a picture of it today, but she kept coming closer and closer attacking him and swatting at his phone.



The bathtub picture I posted because it was bath time tonight when I was thinking of all of the different nicknames she has gone through.  Griz loves bath time and hates when I don't put her in the tub the second she discovers what time it is. So she was standing up next to the tub and then looking at me and started the usual screaming, and that screaming left me wondering what ever happened to the good ole bird calls.