We're READY Baby!

Unlike most people during the holidays I am not one to wait until the week of Christmas to complete my holiday to-do list. The first of the month Brandon brought all the Christmas decor down from the attic and I took to placing all my cute snowmen all around the house. That same week I went out to Walmart and picked up some hooks to hang our stockings and the following weekend we filled our tree's branches with our eclectic collection of homemade, hand crafted, designer, and family ornaments. Brandon took a random Friday off work so that we could finish our Christmas shopping together and we took a night last week to complete our Christmas candy bake off for all the neighbors. Surprisingly, we still have some buckeyes left that Brandon has yet to eat.

The presents have been wrapped and placed under the tree and the neighbors gifts have been delivered. There are 3 days until the Kennedy Christmas and 4 days until the Mann Christmas; we are ready for both! Although we still need to do some minor cleaning like dusting and vacuuming I'm glad to take the next few days propping my feet up and just enjoying all the holiday specials and movies on TV.

What about the baby and the nursery? I mean I am 9 months pregnant and 36 weeks along so it's not been an uncommon question for people to ask if we're ready for the baby as well. It is with pride that I answer with a resounding YES! The nursery is organized and we have everything we need. Since the doctor seems to think that I could go with in the next 2 weeks I have made sure to ready the diaper bag, pack my overnight bag, and install the car seat. I couldn't be happier with the way everything has turned out and I'm feeling a lot better about everything since getting that panic attack out of my system. ;)

The Christmas to-do list is done and the baby to-list is done; it is with a sigh of relief that I can enjoy the holiday season knowing that no matter what is thrown at us this week we're ready for it!

THEIF!

It is a my firm belief that every child needs a rubber ducky. It is the bright yellow color, the fun squeaker, or the fact that I grew up with the fun loving "Rubber Ducky" song that was always sung by Ernie on Sesame Street, I don't know? A child in a bath tub with out a rubber ducky seems wrong in some way to me.

My nephew is such a child and for 3 years I have commented to my sister that he needed a rubber ducky. Knowing how much Kyndahl loves his baths it only seemed fitting that he should have a rubber ducky to share it with. While out shopping yesterday I found a classic rubber ducky for only $1, excited at my discovery I quickly scooped one up and put it in my basket.

After unloading the car I headed into the office to share my great find with Brandon. Thinking of the smile I knew would spread across my nephew's face I squeaked the toy over and over again as I shared about my shopping trip not realizing that it had attracted the attention of my quirky dog. Sitting at my side on full alert Tiko's ears were fully erect and his eyes never left sight of the yellow duck.

Finally turning my attention to the dog I laughed and squeaked the duck some more teasing that I should have bought a duck for Tiko as well. Still excited about my find I didn't give Tiko another thought and placed the duck and other Christmas items on the ottoman for wrapping and went to gather my supplies. In the 30 seconds it took for me to walk into the kitchen and pull the tape and scissors out of the drawer Tiko had swiped the duck off the ottoman and was innocently holding it in his mouth. When I walked into the living room Tiko looked up at me with two of the biggest puppy dog eyes I have ever seen and I burst out laughing. He took my laughter as a good sign and chomped down on the toy causing a squeal to escape and took off running with what could only be described as a smile on his face.

Still laughing I walked back into the office to tell Brandon that Kyndahl would not be getting a rubber ducky for Christmas because Tiko had claimed it. The whole situation was so funny and Tiko was so excited with his new toy that I didn't have the heart to take the duck away from him. He spent the rest of the day squeaking and cuddling the rubber toy while I spent the day laughing at his antics over the duck.

Both Brandon and I see this as a sign that Tiko may be tempted to steal toys from Andrew as well. It seems that both of them will have to learn to share!

Quite Alarming

As most know my husband has been working an immense amount of hours these past few months, some weeks he logs up to eighty hours. Although having him work from home has been wonderful sometimes it can be a burden on both Brandon and me. With the work computer just seconds from the living room and the ability to check email at all hours of the night causes a itch that some days can not be scratched and thus most evenings I don't get to see or spend a whole lot of time with my husband.

Already knowing that he was going to be working a late night this past Friday I decided to head to Cincinnati and spend a little extra time with my family. We already had plans to head up that way for a baby shower on Saturday and instead of spending an evening alone around the house I packed a bag and drove to Cincinnati with plans to have Brandon meet me there the next day.

The time with family was fantastic and as always my cute nephew entertained us all till we had tears in our eyes from laughter. Despite the winter weather we had a great turn out and the fellowship with friends was wonderful! Brandon left Saturday night to head back home to work some more and I decided to stay and visit a while longer thoroughly enjoying the time with my family.

Sunday morning my sister and I headed out to my car for church; I stuck the key in the door, unlocked the car, and lifted the handle. Dread immediately set in as the car alarm started to chime. For some reason, with our car, if you lock the door with the remote you can not unlock the car with a key. Once the alarm is detonated it shuts off the starter and the engine is incapable of being started.

Hearing the alarm, frustration set in and I climbed in the driver seat. I shut the door and hit the manual lock button on the drivers side; however, nothing happened and as I waited for the alarm to stop my frustration grew. Once the alarm stopped it's wailing I counted to 30 and stuck the key in the ignition and attempted to start the car; the alarm began screaming at me yet again and for some reason it seemed to get louder as it made another call. Now furious I waited for the alarm to quiet down and moved to get out of the car and the moment I opened the door the alarm sounded for a third time and my blood boiled. I was livid and was ready take the head of the man who caused the event to occur. I stomped into the house like a three year old throwing a tantrum and dialed Brandon's phone and when he didn't answer I only grew more upset. I pounded the numbers for a second time and yelled into the phone that he better answer and he did. With more calm than I felt I explained that he had locked the car with his remote before he left and now I couldn't get the car started. Shocked he asked: "Did I really?" The conversation did not last long since both of us were frustrated at the possibility that Brandon may have to drive back to Cincinnati just to "unlock" the car.

While I was at church Brandon did some research and discussed with a few friends what to do about our current dilemma while I talked to my family. The fact that I found the current safety feature on our car ridiculous did not stop Jen and mom from giggling over our predicament. Eventually, I was able to laugh at the situation that would of course happen to me but having gotten no sleep the night before and entering the uncomfortable stage in pregnancy it took a little longer than normal to see the humor in it all.

Come to find out I had to use what's called the "Valet Feature". If the alarm on the car has been set with the remote and is detonated with a key you must: get in, shut the door, stick the key in the ignition, turn on the battery, count to 30, and then turn on the engine. Not being a valet I was unaware of such a feature because I would have thought that if I have the key I should be able to open the door and start the engine. I guess my desire to work in a library in high school and college instead of parking cars was a poor choice on my part. :-P

Luckily Brandon did not have to spend three hours, round trip, in a car to come let me in mine and we learned a new trick about car alarms that I would have NEVER figured out on my own. According to the Hyundai dealership the car alarm is not suppose to shut off the starter like ours did but in my opinion this whole situation just goes to prove how stupid and pointless car alarms are.

When you think about it, it really is funny... and of course it would happen to me! :)