Thanksgiving disaster

MISSING!!!!

Since we moved here, we have had the pleasure getting to know a pair of wild turkeys that reside near our house... as well as you can get to know a wild turkey while driving past it in your car.

They remind me of the 2 old men in Grumpy Old Men. We have spotted them stopping all 4 lanes of traffic as they meander across the street. Once Jared saw them attack a police car as the officer was writing a ticket to a speeder. On more than one occasion, they have been standing to close to the street as I make a right turn, which results in them pecking at my car as I try to avoid hitting them.

They really are quite the feisty pair. A year and a half of seeing them almost daily, and it still makes me giggle to see these birds who own Boston Post Road from Bertucci's to Friendly's. As goofy as they are, it is kind of touching that they are ALWAYS together. I have never seen them apart...

Until Monday. I was on an attempted labor inducing walk, when I saw the hunched figure and nasty, crinkly face that has become so familiar to me...but to my shock it was a lone figure! I looked all around the parking lot, and even bent over, or at least tried to bend over, to see if one was under a car somewhere (funny image to passing by cars- no doubt). His companion was no where to be seen.

I never realized how attached I have become to these birds until that very moment. I have been very distraught all week, and asked Jared to keep an eye out for them since he drives by their domain everyday.

However, today, my fears have been confirmed as I saw Pablo, the lone turkey, crossing the street alone. What happened to his buddy????

Jared claims coyotes are probably responsible for his disappearance. But if you look at the facts, I am sure you will agree with my theory.

The turkey disappeared a mere 4 days before Thanksgiving Day, aka Turkey Day. Coincidence??? Clearly NOT!!!! Poor Pablo!

Monday's Memory

When Brooke was in 3rd grade, she told my mom she couldn't see very well. However, a trip to the eye doctor proved that she in fact had perfect eyesight.

Those who know my sister know how persistent she can be (a talent she has had since a remarkably young age), and it took two more trips to the optometrist before my mom realized Brooke just wanted glasses. I think even today Brooke has better than 20/20 eyesight.

Fast forward 2 years, when the poor neglected middle child (me) began talking of blurry vision at the exact same age Brooke had become obsessed with glasses- ok, not really neglected, I just have a serious case of middle child syndrome.

But mom had been through this before, and she would not be tricked again. She knew it was a ploy, that glasses were considered stylish, and she was NOT about to spend the money to go through the same thing again.

Unfortunately for me, mom didn't realize how completely unaware I was of the fact that eye glasses were "in", or any fashion for that matter. I really could not see ANYTHING!!! I found ways to cope...for example: if I squinted my left eye just small enough and crossed my right eye just far enough I could kind of make out what was being written on the chalkboard.

One day, Mrs Kirsten (the SCARIEST 3rd grade teacher the world has ever seen) got tired of me asking to sit closer to the board and yelled, "IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE BOARD, GO TO THE EYE DOCTOR!!!!"

Through my tears, I told her (in no doubt the most pitiful voice imaginable), "My mom won't take me."

I don't remember what happened next, I think she sent me to the nurse to check my eyes, and a note got sent home that basically said your kid can't see, get her some glasses.

The day I got my glasses was a day I will NEVER forget. They were HUGE and PINK and I LOVED THEM!!!!! As memorable as huge, pink glasses are, the unforgettable part was the drive home.

I sat in the passenger seat with my face pressed against the window. The ride home was filled with my exclamations of joy, "I CAN SEE LEAVES ON THE TREES, NOT JUST THE COLOR GREEN" and "I CAN READ THE BILLBOARD, IT SAYS..." I also recall being amazed by individual blades of grass, and the array of colors that made up the tiles of the school hallway- which I previously thought were just brown.

Bless mom's heart, she felt pretty bad when the doctor told her I had the worst eyesight of anyone who didn't already have glasses he had ever seen. Blind as a bat took on new meaning that day! She can't be blamed though, which you understand if you have ever come into contact with the persistence of Brookey Babe! (Don't worry Brooke, it is usually a good thing to have persistence...unless it is combined with your ability to act blind and a younger sis who actually IS blind : } )

Despite how it sounds, I am actually really grateful for this memory. Not only is it something I like to tease mom about, I consider myself lucky to have been old enough to remember the first time I really saw the world around me...how many people can say that???

I didn't have a picture of my actual glasses, so I drew some on so you could have a small taste of the beauty the world beheld for the first time that glorious day in 1993.

Grateful Sunday

In an effort to save up $ for our upcoming (expensive) bundle of joy, we have declared our home heater free for the next 19 days. Let's be honest- it is getting COLD here in Connecticut!!!!! So today as I sit in our igloo of an apartment, I am especially grateful for my 2 favorite means of warming up...my Uggs and hot chocolate.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday's Memory

So I don't know if you noticed, but we are getting ready to have a baby : ) One thing I really want to avoid is making this blog all about the baby. I understand she will be the majority of my life, especially at the beginning, but I really want make sure that there are other things in my blog.

In an effort to keep this goal, I thought maybe if I had certain days that I do a certain post I can retain some variety. I will continue to do Grateful Sundays, and I would like to add Monday's Memory and Wordless Wednesday (where I post just a picture that makes me happy without having to explain it). I know I won't do it every week, but I hope it helps.

Today's memory- Lindsey the Medicine Man:

I like to think I have always possessed amazing powers of persuasion, and I feel like this story proves that I have since a very young age.

My mom taught piano lessons when we were younger, and I believe this event occurred when I was 4 or 5. She taught my friend Adam and one of his siblings (I can't remember if it was a brother or sister). Anyways, while she taught the other kid, Adam and I would play.

We were out in the front yard, and I caught a glimpse of our cactus on our porch...and my evil plan was set into motion. I told Adam if he touched the cactus he would NEVER get sick again.

I must have delivered quite the moving performance, because the poor dummy went up and hit the cactus with an open palm. His hand looked like a porcupine with all the needles that got stuck in it...he cried...I got in trouble...his mom was really mad at me...they spent his entire piano lesson pulling them out with tweezers.

You would think the story would end there. However, due to the amazingly convincing nature of my medical discovery, there is more. After they painstakingly pulled all the needles out of his hand, Adam went back and whacked the cactus again.

So it was that I regained my good name...I think my mom figured if he was gullible enough to do it twice he kinda had it coming.

P.S. I found this picture online...I wonder if it is the same kid?!?

Another post about poop!

Alot of people chose store brand diapers, so I added a poll to see which store brand is best. If you chose store brand (or there is a store brand you like) please vote for the store brand you prefer.

On a related topic....diaper rashes...what kind of bum cream do you like? I didn't do a poll for this because I have no idea what the different options are. Just leave a comment if you have good feelings about something for diaper rashes.

26 Days to Go!

I am getting really big. That is all I have to say about that. At the bottom (if it works, I have never tried to upload my own video) I have a video of my daughter trying to escape from my belly. The first 30 seconds nothing really happens so feel free to skip that...after that she goes NUTS!!!

OK, I guess not...does anyone know how to load a video? It is in AVI format, which blogger says it takes, but it tried to upload it for the past 10 minutes and it never happened. Sad day!

Grateful Sunday

Today I am especially grateful for these lovely ladies. Melinda and Ami were 2 of my first friends I made out here in CT and they are the best! Yesterday they threw me a baby shower and I just want them to know how much it meant to me. It is so nice to know that even though we live so far away from family, there are people out here who love us and are there when we need them. I LOVE YOU LADIES!!!!

I also want to thank everyone who attended the baby shower. I couldn't believe how many women showed up to give their support...thank you SO much to everyone!!! I had a blast!

I am also grateful for this stinker who has been preparing us for parenthood for the past 2 years...She has been helping us test our new baby products (we will be using the rocking chair glamour shot in my next audition for America's Next Top Model)...

She has also been helping us test our patience. Once we tell her no, she wants what she can't have even more.

Here is a picture of the condition we found her treat bag in last night. We have been trying to reinforce her good behavior by giving her treats, and accidentally left them where she could reach them. She knows what she has to do to get a treat, so I am sure was in heaven when she saw she could get her treats for "free". I wish I could have seen her do it, considering she is declawed I am sure it was quite a show!

She is so good at pushing us to the edge of sanity, and then in the nick of time doing something that is so sweet we can't help but love her- which I can imagine happens alot in parenthood. Today, she was driving me nuts when I was trying to take a nap...don't mess with pregnant Lindsey's sleep! I am glad I didn't flush her down the toilet like I wanted, because a couple hours later, this is what I found on the couch....is she smooth or what?!?!?!

Vivid Dreams

So I may be really strange, but I am just going to throw this out there: Have you ever had a dream that was SO realistic that you have a hard time accepting reality even when you have proof? Example: I swear I did a blog post about something...I remember what I wrote, things that I thought were witty, and comments I received from the post. However, Jared says I never published a post about the event...and looking back on past posts he is right! Even though I have the proof right in front of me that I really actually never blogged about this event, I am struggling accepting the fact. The only logical explanation, in my mind, is that I had an extremely realistic dream about blogging it.

So, since it is actually a blogworthy thing, here is what happened (PLEASE if it sounds familiar, let me know so I don't continue to question my sanity).

In high school, our athletically inclined friend Matt played rugby...fast forward years later to now when someone decided to make a movie about Matt's rugby team, called Forever Strong. A couple of months ago the movie premiered down in the city, and the Cole's asked if we wanted to go to it with them.

At the time, we didn't really understand what we were going to, we just thought it was going to be the opening night for the movie at some nice location. Imagine our surprise when we pull up to this really nice place, where we were on the list to get in (how cool is that, we were totally on the list- haven't you ALWAYS wanted to say that!)

As if that wasn't cool enough, some of the actors from the move show up. Among the people who came was Gary Cole from Office Space (and lots of other stuff, but I think that is the most known role he played)

Blake Lively and Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl (he was in the movie, and she was being a supportive girlfriend)

And Jeremy Earl (who acted in a few things, but I didn't know who he was. However, we had a nice little chat with him in the elevator and he was in a movie, so I think he is noteworthy : )

So we are standing in the lobby, waiting to be seated in the theater, when Sean Faris walks in. If his name doesn't sound familiar, he is the "young Tom Cruise". His acting career is really taking off, he looks like Tom Cruise and I was STAR STRUCK. We didn't have our camera, and Jared was trying to take pictures with his phone, much to my embarrassment. However, when Sean walked in I immediately jumped on the "who cares what these famous people think, we have got to document this night" bandwagon and began nagging Jared to get a picture of him.

Once we got in the theater, star struck Lindsey noticed Sean would be sitting right behind us...YAY!!! I was worried I wouldn't be able to concentrate on the movie (I am so cool, huh?), but as soon as the movie started it was not an issue. The movie was AWESOME and if you haven't seen it, I recommend you do so IMMEDIATELY!!!

After the movie, we went to the after party in the penthouse of some huge hotel. We got this picture of us (thanks Ashley) and if you look hard you can see the NYC skyline... the view from the deck was amazing.

Right before we left, Sean Faris walked right by us, so Jared congratulated him on the movie and I jumped on the opportunity to get a picture with him (I have no shame). Jared wanted me to note how much more I am snuggling up to Sean than the picture with Jared...oops! He also decided that since I got to take a picture with Sean, he should get to take a picture with Sean's scandalously dressed date...but there was no follow through.

Sean Faris was really sweet, and asked questions about the baby and even rubbed my belly. Then a couple of the other rugby players from the movie came up, and got all excited about my big belly and started rubbing it too. It made me laugh, apparently pregnant-hood is not all that common in that social ring.

All in all, my little stroll in the world of Hollywood was a really fun adventure. However, I was exhausted by the end of the night and it made me really grateful for the simplicity of my life. I guess not everyone is cut out for the life of a star: )

Grateful Sunday

I haven't done one of these in awhile. The one thing I have ALWAYS craved the past 8 months is cheesecake. I just discovered these little heavenly treats at Walmart. You make a full sized non-cook cheesecake in like 15 minutes for less than $2. Can life get any better- I submit that it CANNOT!!!!!

The Grass is Always Greener...

Since I was young, I have had a bad habit. I don't know what the official name of it is, but I am sure all of you have afflicted by it at some point in your lives.

For me it came in many different forms. My siblings and I would BEG for a pet for years and years. However, and it wouldn't take that long after getting a much desired dog that we would fondly remember our carefree days that didn't involve constant feeding, walking, and of course picking up fresh dog poop. I was ecstatic to enter into high school, but after a DISASTROUS freshmen year wished to return to my much less complex middle school days.

My hair often takes the brunt of this "illness". I would see long, lustrous locks on other girls and set out to grow my hair...and as soon as it had some length to it I would catch a glimpse of a cute short "do" and chop my hair off- only to miss my long hair soon after (if not DURING the haircut). Same thing with color: 1. I want blonde hair 2. Blonde hair 3. Ohhh, look at her pretty brown hair 4. Brown hair 5. repeat - this has been a constant cycle in my life since I was about 14. I think the ultimate example was 2 summers ago. My hair has always been ridiculously straight, much to my dismay. We are talking so straight that it is not a big deal if I don't brush it after washing it...it dries completely straight either way. So 2 years ago I decided the only way to live the dream was to get a.................you guessed it- A PERM!!!!! EEESSSHHHKKKK- I just recently rejoiced as the hairdresser cut the last remnants of that disaster from my hair.

I think I have found my anthem, my theme song if you will. It is called I Keep Looking by Sara Evans, and here a some of the lyrics.

Back when I was young
Couldn't wait to grow up
Get away and get out on my own
And looking back now
Ain't it funny how
I've been trying to get back home

Well the straight-haired girls, they all want curls
And the brunettes wanna be blonde
It's your typical thing
You've got yin, you want yang

Just as soon as I get what I want
I get unsatisfied
Good is good, but could be better!
I keep looking for something more
I always wonder what's on the other side
Of the number 2 door

I bet you are wondering about these random thoughts. Well, these past 2 weeks have been very door #2, yin/yang weeks for me.
It wasn't long ago that every morning I would grunt and groan as my body resisted the need to get out of bed. Every morning I would CRAVE the day when I could stop working and give my swollen body a much needed rest. And now that I am not working, I CRAVE my job. Not only am I bored out of my mind, I miss my kids, my co-workers and just the feeling of being needed and that I make a difference. I know all that will change when I actually have a baby to care for, but for now I miss my job.

Shortly after we moved to CT I was called to Primary, which I LOVE!!! I am so grateful to be around these kids, I have learned so much more from them than they could ever learn from me. However, sometimes I wish that I could get some social interaction with adults, instead of 3 year olds.
I was released last week, and today attended Sunday School and Relief Society for the first time in over a year. Talk about a culture shock. I have gone from singing Popcorn Popping and teaching how we can be kind to animals to listening to a discussion about the words of Isaiah! I felt so out of my element that when I saw the Primary president peeking her head into Sunday School, I desperately hoped she was there to tell me there was a mistake and take me back to where I belong. However, I thoroughly enjoyed being with friends in Relief Society listening to an amazing lesson and know that is where I am supposed to be right now.

The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side!

Its been awhile

1. I can't wait for Jared to be a daddy (and only partially because that will mean I get to be a mommy : ) He is going to make an awesome dad, and our little girl is so lucky. She already loves her dad... a couple of weeks ago we were laying in bed and talking and she started responding to his voice! Every time he would talk she would start moving around like crazy, but as soon as he stopped talking she would lay still- talk about an AHA, we are going to be parents soon, moment.

I have never met anyone who has the ability to "win over" kids quite like Jared can. Give him 5 minutes with a child of any age, and they LOVE him. It always amazes me! Below are some pictures of some of his buddies that he made this past summer on our trips home.

Also, a little story to illustrate this point: Last week in church we were sitting behind a family with a little girl who is a little over 2 (I think?). Within 15 minutes of Jared deciding they were going to be friends, Ella was on his lap and they were playing with one of those sewing board's (not sure what they are called, but they are cardboard with a picture and you thread yarn through the holes). The best part was, she wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with me. I would say something to her and she would just look at me...Jared would say the same thing and receive an award winning smile. At one point the yarn fell onto my lap, she looked at it then at me, reached down and moved the yarn so it was resting on Jared's leg. It was so stinkin funny, I just about died, I wasn't even cool enough to be the holder of the excess yarn : ) I guess when you got it, you got it...apparently I DON'T GOT IT!!!!
I hope our daughter likes me as much as she is sure to like her daddy!

2. The cat. We are a little nervous about the cat/baby combo. We have tried to keep the cat out of the baby's room, but have discovered the truth behind the statement "curiosity killed the cat". Now every time I open the door one of 2 things happen... she either bolts in and tries to hide under the crib or she puts her sneak on and creeps into the room like a tiger stalking its prey. Once I left the door open to get something out of a different room, and when I came back the stinker was sitting in the bassinet like it was her newly claimed territory. We love our cat and hope she handles the new baby better than we think she will.

We have had a good time trying out some of the baby things with her. We discovered she likes to be held in the carrier, but does NOT like to model the baby's new shoes. (side note: look how CUTE these shoes are. A couple of months ago, after seeing my niece's, I decided my little girl NEEDED pink sparkly shoes. Since then I have been on the lookout, but without any success. Until last Saturday, when I stumbled upon the very shoes I had been searching for at Burlington Coat Factory- oh happy day! I also found these extra furry Ugg-like boots that I am totally pumped about! The cat was not so pumped when I put them on her.

3. 5 weeks to go...Wahoo! I am hoping to not go all the way to my due date, I am ready for her to come in 3 weeks... still considered full term, but this way we get to meet her sooner. I have been having a hard time breathing lately, which is fun. She also has found new play toys in the form of my ribs, hip bones and bladder. I complain now, but I know soon I will be missing the feeling of my internal organs being kicked!

P.S. I KNOW you are totally digging the pregnant face- I know I am!