Jo and the Giant Belly

Well, with less than 3 weeks to go to my October 19th due date.  It is time that I admit I have a GIANT Belly!!!  Colby couldn't help himself, when I came downstairs in my ultra sexy PJ's that I bought to wear at the hospital, he had to take this pic.  So have a good laugh on me...

Also, it seems that Padre enjoys a nap on the ol prego belly.  He loves me even more now that I give him insulin shots everyday to keep him alive...

No Glaucoma for Jake!!

Today we went to see a Pediatric Opthamologist, one who specializes in glaucoma.  Sounds odd, I know.  Colby was born with a Coloboma (pupil that looks like a key hole) to his left eye and congenital glaucoma. Colby wasn't diagnosed until 3 years old and is legally blind in his left eye. As a result of the strong family history, Jake was monitored at a few weeks of age, and then again today (we would have come in earlier if he had any problems).  Jake did great!  he has great vision, better than average for his age, as most 3-5 year olds are far sighted.  

I was shocked to see him sit in the chair, both before and after having his eyes dilated, and allow them to shine the lights in his eyes.  I am sure it is a testament to the Dr's and techs at Children's Mercy Vision Clinic that they were able to tune into what would help a 3 year old do what they needed him to. I am glad we went, and Colby is super relieved to know that Jake has great vision.  It has always bothered him to think that he could pass this on to our children.

Brand Loyalty

Jake is only 3, but is already an advertiser's dream.  He is already very brand loyal.  Recently we introduced him to Capri Sun, he drinks his weight in that stuff.  We have been buying it from Sam's Club, where you can get 4 cases for $7( a steal).  In every pack there are 4 flavors, and Jake has already distinguished which ones he loves the best.  He even drinks them in that order.  He drinks the "Wild Cherry" first, followed by "Fruit Punch", "Pacific Cooler, then last "Strawberry Kiwi".  If you try to give him a "Pacific Cooler and he finds a "Fruit Punch" he will say "hey, lets drink this first".  

P.S. this is the best pic I could find without getting up and taking one myself : )

Blankey Hits

Jake is a thumb sucker.  At least when he is tired, or going to sleep.  He is also a blanket kid.  He loves that thing.  We have to sneak it into the wash when he isn't looking.  Most days the blanket is within eyesight at all times.  The reason for this is what Colby and I have dubbed "Blankey Hits".  If Jake is playing, but getting tired, he will run, grab blankey, lay down, suck his thumb and rub the blanket.  This usually only lasts for less than a minute or two, then back up to full speed.  This is our tell tale sign that he is sleepy.  I realize that he is 3, but I still see him as a little guy.  I will be sad when the days of "Blankey Hits" are over.

I'm at the quirky stage...

With now less than 4 weeks left until my due date, I have hit the uncomfortable, quirky stage of pregnancy.  I woke up yesterday morning and it is very obvious that Devon has "dropped".  I thought he had a little the week before, but he is even farther down now.  I know because the "just have to laugh stage" is in full effect.  While in the shower, I was completely unable to put my foot on the wall of the shower to shave my legs.  I had to resort to sitting on the floor of the shower (The getting up off the floor is a whole other blog).  Some things just have to be done.  Also, while sitting at the table or sitting at all, I am unable to sit with my legs together.  It seems Devon is sitting in my lap.  Last but not least, if I don't wear full panel maternity shorts or jeans, then my belly hangs out under my shirt.  If I didn't know better, I might be frightened that this would be my plot in life.  Thank goodness, in a few weeks, some normalcy will return.

I hate rude kids

Jake and I just came home from the park.  I usually love going with him.  He is so good at making friends anywhere he goes.  Most of the time there are other kids there, and they all have a good time playing.  Not today.  There were about 5 other kids there, and all of them were rude.  Of course their parents were setting in the shelter talking and not paying attention to them (part of the problem I am sure).  Anyway, one little girl in particular was the ring leader.  She tried to tell Jake that he couldn't play on the equipment, because they were not playing with him.  I heard her say this, but Jake came over and asked me if he could play.  I tell him that the playground is not theirs, so go ahead and play.   She tells him again, so I say in a loud voice (hoping the delinquent moms will hear) "they are being mean, but you can still play".  At this point the kids move on, Jake plays a while then goes to play at another part of the park.  He runs up to a little boy and introduces himself, and the kid tried to kick him.  Jake came to me and said "that was not nice"  I told him out loud "there are a lot of mean kids here today, but you can still go play".  No, no parents even notice.  Next, Jake is headed toward a  slide, the little girl runs over and sits in the opening then tells Jake "this is for my friends" Ok, it is time for the mommy claws to come out.  I tell the little girl "No, you need to move.  This is not your slide, if you want to go down then do it, but you will not tell him he can't slide"  she looks at me then slides down.  I had a couple other interactions like this throughout our stay.  Yes, I am that mom.  I don't tolerate rudeness no matter who it comes from.  If your kids are being rude, and you either don't care or are ignoring it.  Don't worry, I'll straighten them out.  Can I just say that if Jake did that, I would have corrected him, but if he did it again, I would have spanked his butt in front of everyone and then we would have left.  If we don't teach respect toward others now, they will never get it.  

whew....glad to get that off my chest.

Cheers to Dave Ramsey and Craigslist

I am so grateful that Colby and I have found Dave Ramsey.  He is a saving grace, and truly doing God's work.  Even though Colby and I make great money, we made bad choices on how to use it.  I think that this is a problem nationwide as well.  I now know that "buyer's remorse" is in fact a spiritual scolding.  Proverbs 10:22- "the blessings of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it".  I love being able to buy things and not feel guilty about them.  If I do feel guilt, I don't buy it.

It sounds crazy, but now that we have set up a budget, we feel like we have more money.  We just didn't know where it was going.  We have more money to put toward our "debt snowball".  In the last 3 months we have paid off a little over $27,000. in Debt!!!! Yes, that includes selling my beloved Odyssey, and buying a less expensive car.  Can you believe it?  It is very exciting!!!  We still have a long way to go, but we have set sail for our goal of complete financial freedom (No debt, including having a paid for home).  One of the ways we are getting money to pay off our debt is to sell items that we no longer need and take up space in our house.  Craigslist has been an amazing place to get it done. Including selling our Van, we have earned $21,005 for our stuff on Craigslist.  $185.00 of that since this past Friday.  We have also used Craigslist to find great deals, for example we spent only $170 on a Glider and Ottoman for Devon's room.  The glider alone sells for $408 at Babies R Us.    Ahhh....I have found a new love for finding great deals and getting OUT of debt instead of diving deeper into it!