What's happening in our world...

So I have decided that many of my co-workers are a bunch of gossipy grownups who act like children. I will admit, before I had Ellison, a small part of my work life was involved in gossiping. I guess I enjoyed the thrill of what was going to be said next about whom. After having Ellison, my perspective has changed and I am no longer interested in such silly banter. I wonder if these people realize how hurtful gossip can be? It's interesting that many of the people who do choose to gossip can dish it out, but can't take it (sorry for being so cliche). Anyhow, I have this to say, I am now promising that as much as I can help and resist getting sucked into the gossipping, I will NOT gossip any longer! Besides when one person gossips about another, does it just make the person gossipping look bad? (Did you all get that?) I think so!

Kam and I are excited for the Christmas season to finally be here. Kam is finishing up his last final tomorrow, and I am ready for a trip home. Kam and I were commenting the other day that we haven't been anywhere in the past year because of the awful pregnancy and post pregnancy stuff we had going on...we are ready for a vacation. We are excited for our family and friends to meet little Ellie. We are also planning on blessing Ellison while we are out there with my family around. I think we will be able to get most of mine and Kam's family there.
On another note, it has been brought to my attention (multiple times) that I need to post a picture of Miss Ellison (as the Southerners would say)...I am working on that one to. She is doing great, I am stressed about bringing her on the airplane with all the germs that are there. I know that I can't protect her from everything, but I can try! RSV season is the devil!

I have decided that I am losing the battle. You know what I mean. It's down to just saying no, and I can't do it. The will power is gone, I mean how can I deny myself of the sweet taste of a nice brownie? I can't deprive myself of the cookies that were at the baby shower or the trifle at Thanksgiving. Nevermind that I still have 20 post pregnancy pounds to lose...not to mention the fact that exercise isn't easy anymore with big blood clot sitting in my leg. I would love to lose this weight, but I am beginning to wonder if it will be possible. In 3 months, I have lost 3, yes 3 pounds. I was hoping by this time it might be more like 10. So I have this to say...to all you women who are able to fit into your skinny jeans just weeks after giving childbirth, may your hips spread wildy and your thighs engorge, so you know just how I feel!

As I have quietly lurked around other blogs on the web, I have decided that my blog is somewhat boring compared to the other blogs I have seen. How do other bloggers get such cute backgrounds on their blogs? How do they upload or download all the little "extras" such as polls, slide shows, etc? I have decided I am not as blog savvy as I once thought I was. Perhaps I just don't pay my blog as much attention as others do (keeping in mind I work a 40 hour week), or maybe it's all just beyond my mental capacity at this time. So to all you savvy bloggers out there...help!

So I thought I would indulge my readers (the few I have) regarding one of my latest addictions. Since being on bed rest, Kam and I found that "regular" TV is no longer cutting it, and invested in Dish Network. My oh my has this opened up a new world to us! I have found that not only am I addicted to cable TV, but one channel in particular...channel 110 a.k.a the Food Network channel. I know that most of the time I will never try the recipes, but something about watching someone else cook makes me feel more domestic. I love watching Giada (*sp) on Everyday Italian, The Barefoot Contessa, and of course 3o minute meals by Rachel Ray. I have also found that prime time food network is great. Who wouldn't love the Food Network challenges, Throw down with Bobby Flay, Ace of Cakes and Dinner Impossible? And of course, let us not forget the fast paced favorite...Iron Chef. So to all the Food Network lovers out there...cook on!

So I thought I would write a run down on what has happened this week. Monday through Wednesday were pretty uneventful. I came home from work on Monday feeling listless and with a scratchy sore throat. I felt bad because I didn't want to be around Ellison and get her sick, so in addition to spending 8 hours away from her at work, I spent the rest of the evening in bed, keeping my distance. I had the day off on Thursday, so Ellie and I got to hang out. We were pretty low key, and at 2:30 I went to get my blood drawn (which is now only happening every 2 weeks!). At 4:00, we took Ellie to get her RSV shot. I felt so bad as I heard her screaming, but I kept telling myself it is for her own good. We have to take her to get these shots every month through RSV season. Yesterday I had to work, and Kam got the lucky job of taking Ellison to get her immunizations. Kam said she only cried for about 5 minutes after it was over, but she was fussy last night, and has been some today. The pediatrician said she is in perfectly good health and all was well. He even gave us a prescription for some ear drops to give to her before we take off on the plane during our visit out to Utah. I have to work the weekend, so I went to bed early last night, and woke up feeling awful again today. I hope I can get over this cold soon!

It's offical, I am back to work after having Ellison. I have hated coming back to work and leaving my little one, but I have no other choice. I have to admit that I am quietly looking around for something that isn't going to require 40 hours a week, pays well and offers insurance. If anyone knows of a job like this, I would be more than happy to take the offer...unfortunately no one wants to offer me anything like this. In the mean time I have let my boss know if the oppertunity to reduce hours ever arises, I would definately be interested. We will have to see how that goes! In other exciting news, Kam and I have booked our tickets home for Christmas. We are flying into Las Vegas on the night of the 26th and flying out the afternoon of the 2nd. We are going to try to bless Ellison while we are out there.

I became bummed out today as I looked at the calander and realized I only have about 2 1/2 weeks before I have to go back to work. I was hoping that the maternity leave would never end, and I would get to stay home forever. I have quite enjoyed having my time at home, having a very flexible schedule, and not having to worry about working an 8 hour day. I have also enjoyed not having to worry about my co-workers using aweful language, or writing notes on each patient. I do love what I do, but I really love being a mom more. I do have to admit, I have found that being a mom is the hardest job I have ever done! Any other mothers out there who agree, comment now!

Hello all,

Here I am writing again, to let you know all about the maladies I have experienced for the past few weeks. As you all know, I had Ellie by C-section in September...well lucky me formed a blood clot as a result and spent and additional week in the hospital on blood thinners to try to treat this thing. I am home now and will be on blood thinners for the next six months to treat this beastly thing! As a result I cannot breastfeed the baby because of the medication I am taking, so I pump and dump. I missed a feeding today and developed mastitis. I have to admit I am feeling like Job, I would like him to move out of my house and go visit someone else. Kam and I need some down time from all these medical problems! Anyhow, the doctor dosen't seem to be too concerned about the mastitis, and I will be taking an antibiotic for it. Other than that things are going well, we are enjoying our darling baby girl!

Hello all, sorry it has been so long since I have last written, as most of you know, life has changed dramatically since the last time I wrote. We have welcomed our little girl, Ellison Eve Howard to our family. She was born on September 08, 2007, five weeks early. Ellison weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. and is 18 1/2 inches long. We are both doing fine, and have been home for almost a week. I have to say, I am sleep deprived, and still trying to recover from a C-section, but other than that, I am doing well. Kam has been a great dad, taking on a lot of her care, from feeding and burping to diaper changing. We feel really blessed to have this little girl in our family and will keep you updated on the progress.

So today is another day and a of course another bump in the road. Today I went to the Dr. for my gestational diabetes test. Well of course I got to drink that disgustingly sweet drink an hour before, and then had the wonderful opportunity to give my blood following to check the sugar levels. Well the cut off for gestational diabetes is anything below 140. Well as it turns out, my score was 140 on the dot...so I get to go back next Monday for the fasting glucose test. My Dr. told me it was going to take 3 hours for the test. I get to drink that yummy stuff again, and then give blood an hour later, and then again an hour later. This is all going to be happening the day before Nauvoo...fun stuff! The Dr. told me she isn't worried I have gestational diabetes at all, and was able to say with almost 100% surety that I don't, but I do have to go and take the test, just to be sure...Other than that, everything is looking great with the baby and me!

Well, my 3 day weekend is officially over, and Monday has come with a vengeance. I never realized how much I truly enjoy my weekends until I had to work 7 days in a row. Oh well, that's life I guess. I am however looking forward to next Monday as it is Memorial day, and brings me another 3 day weekend.
Yesterday I was officially sustained as the Primary President of our ward. I am nervous about how I am going to do with the calling, but hopefully it will all work out well. Since being called as the Primary President, I now have 4 callings in the ward. I am considering becoming inactive...just kidding.
Kam starts summer school this week. He is taking 2 classes, 5 credits. I am hoping he does well this summer and doesn't get too burned out since just finishing Spring semester, but this will ease his schedule next semester when the baby comes...
That's about it in our neck of the woods. I have decided that I need lots of comments on this blog, I need to ensure that I do have readers, so post away!

The Canton Flea Market was held yesterday. Canton is a small town in Mississippi where some 2000 vendors come to sell buyers anything from clothes, to purses, shoes, crafts, blankets (you name it, they have it). Kam's sister Kallee, myself and our friend Elizabeth braved the crowds and attended the Flea Market. While we were there, we found the best booth. The booth was selling children's books for $3.00 a piece and I bought a few for the baby. I bought a counting book about lady bugs, complete with a hand puppet with lady bugs on each finger, it's cute. I also bought a book I believe will be a good "quiet time" book during church about loving everyone. I also bought a pair of earrings (sterling silver) and a headband. All in all, I spent $13.00, I love it when one can find good buys!
Yesterday the weather was crazy hot! I sucked down water like crazy and still felt like I was becoming dehydrated. It appears as if summer is here in full force, and I am ready for the fresh summer fruits, bring on the Watermelon!
P.S. I have to work the next 7 days straight, wish me luck!

I know it's been awhile since I last blogged, and I have been told that I need to update my blog, so here goes. The past few weeks have been eventful and uneventful at the same time. I won't go into the eventful, because most of you know why, and I don't like thinking about depressing things. Uneventfully, Kam has been studying his little heart away trying to get ready for his finals. Thankfully tomorrow is his last one and he will be done with his first year of law school! Only 2 more to go. He is planning on taking 5 credits over the summer so next semester when the baby comes, he won't be so bogged down. I also felt the baby start moving this week, it has been the craziest, most exciting thing ever! It's fun to tell Kam when she is moving about. I hope she stays this active! Otherwise, nothing much new. I have to work the weekend this weekend, which I am not looking forward to, but because I am working, I get tomorrow off, and next Friday. Tomorrow I am going to a big flea market with Kam's sister Kallee. It should be fun, maybe I will find some good fun buys! Next Friday I am planning on hanging out and relaxing! I love 3 day weekends!

I have decided to post a blog dedicated to Chocolate Twizzlers. They may be one of the most under appreciated flavors of Twizzlers ever, but they are in fact the most tasty I have had. I have been craving these delightful treats ever since I became pregnant and when I was sick, Kam was a sweetheart and got some for me. Ever since I tasted this licorice treat, I have been unable to think of anything else when I eat. I bought myself another bag last night and have eaten 10 strands, and still crave more. I must stop myself before I become morbidly obese! Anyway...
I also told Chad and Heather I would give them a shout out here on my blog, so here it is, HEY GUYS! They have been great friends, and even sent us an email telling us how worried they were about us living in Mississippi. One reason being that there are multiple tornados that swirl around us, then they remembered we didn't live in a double wide and their concerns were eased. The second reason being that Chad heard on the radio in SLC that Jackson is ranked #3 in worst drivers...which is totally true. Anyway, thanks for the concern! Hope to have lots of comments on my topic today, perhaps you will all go out and buy a bag of Chocolate Twizzlers and we can have an in depth, intellectual conversation on the goodness of Chocolate Twizzlers.

This past weekend has been an interesting one at that. I have been sick with a cold and sore throat all weekend long, and since I have been pregnant, suffered through without taking any medicine, mostly drinking water and sucking on cough drops. I missed work on Monday because of my illness (I make it sound like I was dying of the plague), and came to work for about 6 and a half hours on Tuesday before finally surrendering to the fatigue and going home to sleep. Yesterday I seemed to bounce back a little, and am feeling better and better every day! I still have the cough, for some reason I always get a cough (which makes me sound like an old man), and a stuffy nose at times, and can't taste anything I eat. All in all I think I am on the mend.
We had another doctor's appointment yesterday. The doctor said everything looked good, and the baby's heartbeat was fine. She also told us we get to find out the gender at the next visit, and can bring a video tape to record if we want. The doctor also said at this next visit they are going to ask if I want the Downs Syndrome test done. I am opting not to do this, because as you all know, I am quite the worrier, and I don't need a false positive test to worry me more. So my question for all you mothers out there is, did you get the test done? If so, did it come back with a false positive? Also, did you record your sonograms?

Easter was fun this year, this was the first time we have ever spent and Easter with family while being married. We of course spent the morning at church. It was interesting teaching little Sunbeams that Easter is actually about Christ and the resurrection, instead of the Easter Bunny...
We spent much of the afternoon at Kam's parent's house. We had dinner there and then had an Easter basket hunt around their 5 acre yard, and found that even the Bunny remembered Kam and I this year. That night we watched Extreme Home Makeover, it was filmed here in Brandon where we live. We actually saw Kam's sister and her girls for a brief second, in the audience holding a sign, and yelling "move that bus"! It was entertaining. We were also able to get our laundry done, which hadn't been done for the past two weeks.
As far as our house goes, we have been having some unseasonably cold weather lately. We had to cover our plants in our garden to protect them from the 30 degree lows that we have been having. I hope they survive!

Easter was fun this year, this was the first time we have ever spent and Easter with family while being married. We of course spent the morning at church. It was interesting teaching little Sunbeams that Easter is actually about Christ and the resurrection, instead of the Easter Bunny...
We spent much of the afternoon at Kam's parent's house. We had dinner there and then had an Easter basket hunt around their 5 acre yard, and found that even the Bunny remembered Kam and I this year. That night we watched Extreme Home Makeover, it was filmed here in Brandon where we live. We actually saw Kam's sister and her girls in the audience holding a sign, and yelling "move that bus"! It was entertaining. We were also able to get our laundry done, which hadn't been done for the past two weeks.
As far as our house goes, we have been having some unseasonably cold weather lately. We had to cover our plants in our garden to protect them from the 30 degree lows that we have been having. I hope they survive!

Easter was fun this year, this was the first time we have ever spent and Easter with family while being married. We of course spend the morning at church. It was interesting teaching little Sunbeams that Easter is actually about Christ and the resurrection, instead of the Easter Bunny...
We spent much of the afternoon at Kam's parent's house. We had dinner there and then had an Easter basket hunt around their 5 acre yard, and found that even the Bunny remembered Kam and I this year. That night we watched Extreme Home Makeover, it was filmed here in Brandon where we live. We actually saw Kam's sister and her girls in the audience holding a sign, and yelling "move that bus"! It was entertaining. We were also able to get our laundry done, which hadn't been done for the past two weeks.
As far as our house goes, we have been having some unseasonably cold weather lately. We had to cover our plants in our garden to protect them from the 30 degree lows that we have been having. I hope they survive!

To my dedicated reader (I think I have only one...), sorry it has been so long since I have posted something new. So, I will try to make up for it now.
On Monday we rotated floors at work, which means, I went from the psych floors (where I have been for the past 3 months), to the neuro floor. On the neuro floor, I am working with patients who have spinal cord injuries, strokes, brain bleeds, etc. It has been hard work moving around some of these patients who can't move themselves. By the end of the day I find that I am totally exhausted, only wanting to crawl into bed. When I heard that many pregnant women were tired all the time, I never knew what they were talking about, because I was doing a job where I got to sit all day. Now that I am up and moving around and moving patients around, my energy levels are depleted at the end of the day.
Last night I went to a bridal shower for a girl I work with. Tonight I have Achievement Days, and tomorrow night is the city's Easter Egg Hunt, which I plan on attending with Kam's family and a friend. It looks as if even though I am so tired at night, there will be no rest for me.
By the way tomorrow marks my 13th week, I am hoping to start feeling better soon!

I have decided that besides the obvious reasons of my life changing secondary to me being pregnant, that it is changing in a lot of other ways too. The nauseous feeling has got to stop soon right, the dry heaving and vomiting, that has got to stop to right? The facial breakouts, loss of sleep because I have to use the restroom, me being hungry every two hours...this has all got to stop right? Kam has told me he doesn't think pregnancy is agreeing with me, but I think it's agreeing with me too well.
Last night I woke up at 3:30 a.m., and couldn't go back to sleep. I have heard that sometimes pregnant girls have insomnia, I am not saying I have this, but is this normal? I also had to eat when I woke up, I have never had to do this before.
I guess these are the joys of pregnancy, and it's the yucky stuff one has to go through before the good stuff comes right? (Do I sounds like I am trying to convince myself)? Anyway, I hope all who are reading this are either sympathizing with me, or laughing because they know all too well how this stuff all goes!

I have decided that besides the obvious reasons of my life changing secondary to me being pregnant, that it is changing in a lot of other ways too. The nauseous feeling has got to stop soon right, the dry heaving and vomiting, that has got to stop to right? The facial breakouts, loss of sleep because I have to use the restroom, me being hungry every two hours...this has all got to stop right? Kam has told me he doesn't think pregnancy is agreeing with me, but I think it's agreeing with me too well.
Last night I woke up at 3:30 a.m., and couldn't go back to sleep. I have heard that sometimes pregnant girls have insomnia, I am not saying I have this, but is this normal? I also had to eat when I woke up, I have never had to do this before.
I guess these are the joys of pregnancy, and it's the yucky stuff one has to go through before the good stuff comes right? (Do I sounds like I am trying to convince myself)? Anyway, I hope all who are reading this are either sympathizing with me, or laughing because they know all too well how this stuff all goes!

So I was excited to hear that people actually look at my blog, so excited in fact, that I got the warm fuzzy feeling! Seriously, I am glad that people read my thoughts, it's good to know that someone cares! Now that I know people are reading the blog, I need to spice things up and make it more interesting. On Friday Kam and I completed 4 count 'em 4 heaping loads of laundry, which took us forever. On Saturday I worked half a day and then went to a baby shower for a girl in our ward (pregnant with twins and due in April). After that I went home, took a nice nap and then Kam and I were off again to hang out with some friends.
Sunday was also nice and quiet. The weather was nice and after eating dinner at Kam's parent's house, we played a game of croquet and played in the yard. By the time we got home around 9:00, I was so tired, I think I fell instantly asleep. Anyway, how is that for spicing things up?

I have been a busy little bee lately, and I am very grateful for this, as it helps me keep my mind off missing my family. Monday night Kam and I ran to the store after work and school to buy items needed for a Mother/Daughter Achievement Night dinner my Achievement Days co-leader and I were putting on, on Wednesday night. Tuesday night I went to the Relief Society birthday party at the ward house, that was interesting....Wednesday I worked all day, went to the Doctor, ran home, grabbed the decorations and then headed to the church to meet my co-leader for Achievement Days and set up for the dinner. We had the dinner that night, it was chaos. We had 7 girls ranging in age from 8-11 attempting to help us cook so they could pass off some of their stuff. The girls had a lesson on manners prior to this dinner and of course showed close to none! They did however, serve their mothers first (after cues from us) before eating themselves! All in all it was a great time. On Thursday we were back at the church so Kam could play basketball with his friends, while myself, and two other girls whose husbands play basketball chatted. It was fun. Today is Friday, and I have a heaping pile of Laundry to do when I get home, as well as attend a Wienie roast hosted by Kam's parents. Tomorrow I work again (only a half-day) and on Sunday of course church. By the end of Sunday night, I will be facing another week, and it will all begin again!

The visit from Christy, Lindy, Sydney and Mom has come and gone. We had a really great time visiting each other, and showing them around Mississippi. On Tuesday, the family flew in. Kam and I took them home to our house and showed them all the hard work we had put into the place making it look nice when they came. We then went to Kam's parents home and let the girls pet the horses. We then went to dinner where Christy and Mom both tried the sandwhich I wrote about in an earlier post. On Wednesday we went around Jackson, showing them where I worked, looked through an old Civil War home here in Jackson, and then took them to a 50's style soda fountain. We also spent some of our day at Kam's parent's home where the girls rode horses and played in the row boat on the pond. On Thursday we went to Vicksburg Mississippi which is famous for a Civil War battle that took place there. In Vicksburg we walked around the city square, and little shops, toured through an old Antebellum home that still had a Civil War cannon ball lodged in the wall, and drove across the Mississippi river into Louisiana and back. We all had a great time in Vicksburg. On Friday we spent more time around Jackson, going shopping and seeing sights. We ate lunch at Macaroni Grill and the girls built a bear. That night we went to Kam's parent's home again and had a hot dog roast. The girls rode horses again and all had a great time. On Saturday we ventured down to New Orleans where we spent much of the day in the French Quarter. The girls had fun buying masks and beads, as well as seeing all the sights of New Orleans (in my opinion a Las Vegas for the South). Sunday we went to church and then to Kam's parent's house again for dinner and at 4:00 they flew home. I am sad to see them go, but excited for another visit soon!

I am so looking forward to having the family come and visit me. Every day that passes, I get a little more excited. Yesterday, Lindy my niece called to inquire all about the plane ride (she has never been on a plane), and was asking if there were murders' who lived in my city.
Christy, my sister, also has a few inquires of her own, a few of which I will now include. According to Christy, all she wants to do is see the mighty Mississippi river, and ride on a "Mark Twain boat," as well as try a New Orleans tradition called beignet (also known at the "French Donut"), and I have been told to get them at the famous, Café du Monde. Christy also wants to tray a Mufalatto (sorry with the spelling) sandwhich. I am just excited to see them all and can't wait until they are here. The weather has been nice and we are looking forward to having a good time! Only 2 more days!

Today I had the day off because lucky me gets to work the weekend shift at the hospital. I never like working the weekend shift, but fortunately only have to do it once every three months. Kam and I continued to work in the yard today and ran other errands around town. We have decided to end our day hanging out at his parents house. We made some yummy Chocolate Oreo Truffles, which so happen to be two of his Dad's favorite treats (chocolate and Oreo's).
We have been happy to have Kam's dad home from Iraq, it is interesting to hear the other side of the story the news doesn't report. It has also been interesting to hear all of the technology the US has over in Iraq, and see pictures of the places he has been. His involvement in Iraq only confirms our sometimes ridiculous idea of his Dad being a secret agent...anyway it's always fun to tease him about it.

Kam and I have continued to work in the yard to get the house ready and suitable for our company to arrive. The weeds continue to put up a fight, but fortunately so do we. As Kam was working in the flower bed last night, his hand got attacked by ants, and now has war wounds in the form of multiple ant bites.
We are excited to have visitors from Utah! We are expecting Christy, Mom, Sydney and Lindy to fly in on Tuesday, and stay through Sunday. Too bad they are missing our ward party, that would be a sight for Utah Mormons to see! I will post more on the ward party as soon as it happens.
Otherwise, we continue to work to get the house where it should have been all along. I wish we hadn't been so lazy a few weeks ago!

Kam and I spent about an hour last night cleaning out our flower plant beds. Over the winter they had become overrun with weeds that were threatening to take over most of the other plants and perhaps, eventually the house. We pulled and pulled at the weeds, finally conquering one flower bed, and then looked over at the other two, and decided to admit defeat for the evening. We will get to those sometime this week, but definitely completed the hardest of the three. Other than that, the house is looking good. We have it mostly ready for when my family comes. We are looking forward to showing them the southern experience!

So I thought it would be fun to start a blog so I can keep in touch with my family members and them with me. I figure this could be a fun economical way to stay connected, now that I am living in the farthest region of the country also known as Mississippi. Kam and I have moved into our house, and have been trying to make it more our own. We have painted most of the rooms in our house, most recently finishing the kitchen. I wish I had more framed art work, whether it be photos or other pictures to hang on the wall, instead of the bare ones we look at daily. We have been working in the yard a lot as well. Kam expanded our patio about 3 feet by 5 feet, and put a new planter around one of our large oak trees. We also cleaned up one of the corners of our yard, putting in a bird bath and hopefully eventually a garden. There is still a lot we would like to do, but unfortunately not the money to do so! Any ideas on cheap wall hangings that would be interesting or cool?