So I never blogged about my baby shower. I was waiting for some pics from a friend, but I still haven't gotten them. This was the invite. Pretty clever, huh?

It was fun! There was a book theme. They had children's books placed around and some of the food went with the books (green deviled  eggs for Green Eggs and Ham, cupcakes frosted and put together like a caterpillar for The Hungry Caterpillar). Lindsey and Nicolina threw it for me. It was really sweet of them. They really went out of their way to do it. I didn't think I'd get one and I'm really glad I did. Since I delivered on the day of my last shower- I never got one!

Scarlet looks like this the first half of the day.

Diego has become a serious favorite. I gotta say, I like it too. Some of the animals are weird, but the music is really cool. You know, for a kid show. The last few days, Scarlet hasn't been doing this quite as much. It's been FABULOUS. I think if I've felt better and had more time she'd be doing it even less! But sometimes, it's like I have to be the one distracting her, she won't go play on her own. So I've let her get a little more in, in the mornings, than I think she really needs. But it makes me happy that her energy has been perking up a bit more each day! 

Went grocery shopping last night and the checker put THIS on top of my eggs.

As she was piling it all in, I assumed she was packing it all AROUND the eggs, and I couldn't believe she kept putting more in. Then she handed it to me and I was like, "Are you serious? Are you a complete idiot?" You know, in my head. I immediately took them out and checked them. I hate people bagging my groceries. At Winco, I got so efficient at it. At the end of bagging, I would be a sweaty, out of breath mess. Literally- it was a work out. I was very organized about how I put them on the rubber/mover/thing so that I could just put them in the bags and go. I still put them out in, what I THINK to be a convenient way to bag, and yet it still doesn't get done. For instance, ONE TIME I set all the heavy items out first and my CILANTRO last. You know, but the heavy things on the bottom, and toss the gentle leafy greens on top. Well, THAT checker REACHED over my 5 items to grab the cilantro first, and then put everything else on top! Don't they go over these things when they get hired? Isn't it COMMON SENSE. I don't know. Maybe these people don't cook and don't understand that some items appreciate more gentle handling. I also hate when they just put two items to a bag. So annoying. Load it up!!!! The bags can take it! It's just annoying to have a million bags, that many more trips to take from the car- that much more room taken up in the trunk. Am I a little opinionated about bagging groceries? I suppose I am.

5 more days to go! I gotta say, I think I look pretty good!

There's definitely a belly there. He better stay in for 24 more hours!!! After that I'm ready to go. I have been a bit of an emotional wreck. Not so much a lot of crying, but a lot of almost crying. A lot of feeling like total crap. I'm confident I've gained more weight in the last week or two than I have any week in my life. Not that THAT'S why I'm upset. Not at all. I have abandoned all health and eat a box of animal crackers every night. And not a little snack box, like a full on box of crackers. I used to stuff myself with raspberries and have exchanged it all for cake and crackers. I think this might be contributing to how crappy I've been feeling. I feel bad for Greg. His wife has checked into Complainer/Grouch Land. Today I've been feeling a lot better about everything though. I fixed my hair for the first time in at least a week and I forgot what a difference it can make. Volume can make one's hair SO much more attractive. And Scarlet's been sleeping better the last 2 days, and not watching so much tv. It takes my stress level down a notch and just contributes to a better day- more playing, more interaction, more smiles. More normalcy.

Greg and I are SOOOO anxious for Scarlet's appointment tomorrow. In some ways it seems she's getting better, more energy- if we stick to her diet. But then at the same time, some things seem to be getting worse. Like she'll wake up from a nap and hold out her hand or foot and sadly say, "hurt!" and it's the saddest thing! It's the saddest thing 'cause we can't do anything. She usually won't complain beyond that, so I have no idea if it just suddenly pangs and then goes away in a minute, or she just tells us and moves on with her day. I'm suspecting a bit of the second, because she's never been much of a complainer. It makes us so sad. And then I wonder, should I give her Tylenol? But that's just a ton of sugar- so I wonder if it will numb her pain, but then give her more later? I have no idea. This is one of the questions I'm anxious to ask her doctor, among many other things. Even though the last couple days have been BETTER, I've realized that we just can't expect much out of her before 3 pm. Like making plans with friends is just a bad idea and never turns out well. I had a few girlfriends over to go swimming in the morning and Scarlet couldn't even handle 10 minutes. Then it was 40 more of crying/whining and just horribleness. It stunk. It was my event, and I left early and didn't even get to socialize anyway. I was just fighting Scarlet the whole time. And it stresses me out. It stresses me out that she doesn't feel well and it's so obvious. It stresses me out that I want to be selfish and take one hour for myself so I can have SOME social aspect of my life happening, and then I just feel bad- because she's just suffering for my desires. And I'm getting over this slowly, but I hate people seeing the way I handle her freaking out. I always wonder if they think I'm being a wuss/push over or that she's being a little brat, but really she's just REALLY SICK. Anyway. Every time I make plans before 3pm, this happens. Even in our apartment. Kids will be playing in her room and she is just tired and asks me for Dora. So I've decided I'm done making plans before the afternoon. So that's a little different, most people like to get together in the morning, but it's ok.

So please pray that Scarlet will be well behaved for the appointment so we can communicate with her doctor. When a toddler is whining and climbing on you, it's hard to hear what someone is telling you and easy to forget what you wanted to ask in the first place. Also, pray that she won't be afraid of the doctor and will be able to handle the exam. And last, but not least- let the baby stay in the oven until we're on the way home! I'm not worried after that. I mean, really if I start the moment we walk out the door, I'm pretty sure I'll have a good 20+ hours to go, so we still have plenty of time to get home. Oh yeah, it's in DC, so pray that we don't get stuck in traffic and get there on time! If we're late, we forfeit our appointment but still pay for it. And trust me it's a hefty fee for the first one. Have a great day!!!