Updates

Maggie had her 9 month check up and is doing marvelously.  She is 17.5 lbs., which is the 25th percentile.  People all over the place tell me, "She's a big girl!"  At lunch one afternoon, an older man told us she had arms like a football player!  Really?  She's not that big!  Her length is 27.5", which is the 50th percentile. Her head is 17", which is the 25th percentile.  We thought she had thinned out some, but now we have proof.  She's not a huge eater, but when she does eat, she's willing to try anything.  

Maggie is so easy going, which is a huge help for me.  Even though she is crawling everywhere and pulling up on furniture, she doesn't really get into much mischief, yet.  It's Katie we have to watch, leaving all her little "tinies" everywhere.  We've eliminated all the rocks in the house (Katie is a major rock collector) after I found a rock in Maggie's mouth!  I knew it would happen eventually, but I guess I had to learn the hard way before getting rid of them! However, no permanent damage was done.

Katie is taking swim lessons this week and next at the YMCA, Monday through Thursday from 5:50 pm - 6:30 pm.  Her class is small, only 4 kids, so that is really nice.  Of course, Katie is the only girl!  Here is a video of her actually listening to the instructor, Mrs. Elizabeth.

The girls are having lots of fun this summer hanging out at the pool and playing with their friends. Naps are becoming an issue for Katie, but hopefully when the schedule is a little more routine in the fall, she'll be back to normal.  If not, then we just cut them completely and institute some "quiet time."  If that's even possible for chatty Kathy!

Trip to BJ's.

Fun at our friend's community pool in Clayton.

Swinging at the park.

A couple random things...

I had a doctor's appointment on Monday to check the heart rate, etc. of this alien baby inside my belly.  Since I've been quite nauseated, I felt sure things were going as they should, so I was more concerned with the number, not necessarily if he'd find one at all.  I had a feeling I knew exactly what the doctor would say based upon my previous two female fetal heart rates.  I made the mistake of asking a girlfriend with two boys of her own what their heart rates were ahead of time so I could compare.  When Dr. Inge said, "sounds strong," instead of being pleased as punch to just hear I have a healthy heartbeat, I said, "what is it?"  He said EXACTLY what I thought he would say, "about 155."  I sighed, like a jackass, and said, "that's a lot of girls!"  He looked annoyed, as well he should've, and said, "It could still be a boy."  The hell you say!  

I also got an email forward this morning that was totally meant for me!  It said, "God doesn't give us what we want, He gives us what we need."  True dat!  I'll try not to be a jackass anymore and be happy with what God gives me!

Speaking of what God has given me...  I have two beautifully silly girls!  Katie is still saying silly things daily.  The latest family favorite is from Wednesday on our way to the car from the pool. We passed by a prickly bush and Katie walked right into it, then said, "AHH!  That sharp tree is freaking me out!"  I love her!  She's hilarious.

Mags is almost ready to walk, well, not really.  She is a stealth crawler who now pulls herself up to the standing position.  If I can remember correctly, which I'm absolutely sure I cannot, Katie wasn't quite pulling up like this at 9.5 months.  Katie didn't start walking until 16 months.  I think Maggie will walk sooner, which might be OK, giving me time to get used to it before the new one arrives in January.  

Thankfully, even though we're kind of out of girl names at this point, we had one reserve from when Maggie was born that we think we'll use for the next/last, provided that the next girl baby born in the family (by Ben and Amanda Williams in a few short days) doesn't claim it.  If she does, it could get hairy over here, but it will force us to get creative.  Can you say, "Starquesha Theodotia Wilson?"  We'll think of something.  And, hey, just like Dr. Inge said, "It could still be a boy."  ;)

Damn you, FETA!

I had some greek pasta salad today.  I wanted to devour the entire bowl.  I thought I hated feta cheese, but turns out I actually like it.  Not long after I ate more than my share,  I realized that I'm not supposed to be eating feta cheese, as it is one of those soft cheeses that may potentially carry the listeria bacteria.  Now I want to cry.  I can't stop thinking about eating MORE of that pasta salad, but it may have just harmed my unborn baby.

For those of you who CAN eat feta cheese...  this is a good recipe:

Greek Pasta Salad 

(I ate it without shrimp & olives and it was still quite tasty.)

Recent Homicide

I didn't sleep very well last night.  In the almost five years we've lived in this neighborhood, I have never felt unsafe.  In fact, I have always felt so comfortable coming and going from our house that it never occurred to me that anything bad would ever happen so close to home.  Even after my mother-in-law experienced the worst kind of terror from a break-in of her own, I still felt relatively safe in my own home.  However, I think that has all changed for me.  The other night, an 83-year old woman was killed in her home just near the entrance to our subdivision.  The person who committed this awful crime is still out there...

After discussing the incident with Jimmy, he mentioned learning about some other small car thefts in the back part of the neighborhood during the last homeowner's meeting.  I guess when you don't know your neighbors and, in turn, don't talk to your neighbors, how would you ever learn of such things?  I'm glad we are slowly getting to know our neighbors now and that we can all keep a look out for unusual behavior.

I'm just feeling sick about it all.  Jimmy assures me that no one is immune to this sort of thing, no matter where you live.  Even the "nice" parts have their fair share of break-ins.  He also says that most homicides are done by people who know the victim.  However, in this case, I'm thinking this woman was being watched by no one she knew because of her age and very poor health condition - an easy robbery.  But, based on her poor health condition, why did he have to kill her?  What kind of threat did this poor woman pose?  

I have two beautiful daughters and one pending fetus due to arrive in January.  I already do everything in my power to keep them safe.  Do we really need a new fear hanging over our heads like this?  I sure hope this case is resolved immediately.  I doubt whatever the outcome is will make me feel all that much better, but perhaps it will provide me a little closure and maybe some peace.  Truth be told, I'm really just hoping it's not gang related!  I'm also hoping Jimmy will forget that he said he wants me to learn how to shoot a gun!  

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