Baby sleeping

Just sitting here rocking the little guy. He's so stinking cute. Problem is, I'm starving. No one else is awake - father in law is visiting for the weekend. Thankfully Jack is snoring so he can't hear my stomach growling. 

Whoa I'm behind

Soooo I'm behind on posting any updates. It's like I have a cute little baby at home or something. =)

Anyway, things are busy. Jack is learning new things all the time and his eyes just always look so big with wonder. He also now has 2 little teeth on the bottom. They don't seem to bother him much but I do catch him chewing on his tounge sometimes. He does love to chew and chomp on all of his toys. Luckily he doesn't reach for any of the dog toys!!!

My parents were out for a long weekend visit during Veterans Day. I know they enjoyed seeing baby Jack and Jack enjoyed his time with them also. He showed them how good he is at eating cereal at night time (helps him not wake up so much during the night). He also showed them how he rolls over every where and how good he is at petting the doggies.

The dogs have been behaving so good around the baby. I think they know that he's here to stay and not so bad. Both Lucy and Charlie will go and stick their noses close to him to make sure he's okay. Charlie of course gives him kisses and he doesn't mind.

Here are a couple photos. 

Eyelash

I realize that eyelashes fall out. That being said I have one eyelash on my right eye that is pointed down. Nothing I do works!!! I put make up on and still points down...eyelash curler...tried pulling it out - that hurt. 

It's toward the center of my eye and believe it or not it does sort of get in the way. 

Never imagined I'd have a problem like this.

Shopping carts

So it really bugs me when people don't put their carts away. Either back into the store or in the cart corral. We all hate to find a parking space only to realize there are shopping carts in the space right? Plus when they are just randomly in the parking lot the wind can sometimes get it and push it onto someones car causing damage and frustration. And we all hate to see the parking lot full of carts only to get into the store to realize there are none inside.

Well today I had enough. Squeaker and I went to Wal-Mart to get some address labels and we actually scored a decent parking space. Sometimes I park next to the cart corral on purpose so it's easier to get into the store. Just pop his car seat in and go. 

Anyway, when we were leaving with just one bag of stuff I watched a woman finish putting her things into the back of her SUV. She was parked in one of those parallel handicap spaces. I was just getting near her when she was finished. She was the first car in the line and she started to push her cart away. I held my breath thinking maybe she was actually going to go back into the store to put it away.  Like I said she was in the first spot and I couldn't tell what made her qualify for the handicap space. Well nope...she just dropped her cart off in the cross hatch spot not 10 yards from the door. So I looked right at her and said "really you are going to leave your cart right there?" She replied, "yes isn't this where they go?" Mind you there were shockingly no other carts there. So I turned toward her and said nope and me and Squeaker took her cart and walked it into the store leaving her standing there. I can't believe I actually said anything. 

I hope she thought about how inconsiderate she was. I know I should have been nicer but ahhhh it drives me nuts. I also hope that she was embarrassed that she didn't put her cart away right but a mom carrying an infant in a car seat could do it.

So moral of the story. Put your cart away. 

Kudos to my mom

As I sit here and nurse squeaker I can't help but wonder how my mom did it. 4 kids including a set of twins. Right now he's doing a great job of not squirming around and such. Last night though he just didn't feel like going to sleep. In his defense though he had shots Monday so Tuesday he slept quite a bit at day care. He just wanted to fuss and be rocked. I just don't know how my mom had the energy and patience for us when my twin sister and I were born. 2 boys in grade school and the twins! She nursed us too which I am very thankful for. I just don't know how she did it. It is a bit tiring. I feel like I'm always hungry and can't get full.

I do realize that dad helped out and our brothers were able to mostly take care of themselves. I'm quite certain that helped. I know everything the hubs does around here I am very thankful for. For instance he is usually the one that has to finish preparing dinner. Then has to clear the table. He also makes sure the dogs still get attention and exercise. I'm sure though that my brothers still wanted mom's attention and hugs. I'm sure she gave them plenty of those hugs too.

Seriously though, I have no clue how my mom was able to feed, care for, rock to sleep etc twins and still had energy and patience for our brothers. Getting this little squeaker to sleep is exhausting. Its not like he is fussy like I said, he just wanted to be awake and look at things. Can you imagine having to try and calm down 2 babies?!  She is a master at holding 2 babies at the same time though.

me getting ready for a photo with both boys

and GO for photo!

Grandma is a pro!

I have been told that after you have one baby that any after that are easier and you are less worried about things and have a better grasp about whats going on. I don't know about that though. I'm not sure I will know though. Much too early to be thinking like that. I do know that I will not be pregnant during a deployment again though.

Anyway, just wanted to give a shout out to my mom for being such a great mom!!!

Introducing....

Mothers Day 2012

Well most of you know me in real life know that I was pregnant. 

super pregnant!



In the elevator going to Labor & Delivery

Now there's a baby!!!







First Family Photo



Cuddling with Dad in the hospital







Sleeping in the hospital







Professional Phto



Just look how curious he is!



Born May 25, 2013 at 9:16AM, 7lbs 6oz

The hubs calls him Mr. Squeaker or Squeaker because of the noises he makes. He's my little cuddle buddy. I'll try and get a picture of him cuddling up on my shoulder after a feeding. He just wraps his little arm around my shoulder.

Of course there will be more Schuster Stories involving the new addition. =)

Professional photos done by Elisabeth Smith

Teeth Whitening Pinterest activity

So I imagine that we've all seen the TV commercial that if you're not whitening you're yellowing. Here it is in case you haven't.
Crest 3D White :30 Spot from Denise Reynolds on Vimeo.

Well I want white teeth but I didn't want to pay a bunch for it. So I got on Pinterest to find a DIY and found this. at home teeth whitening I have used the whitening strips before and this "toothpaste" felt like the same product that is on them. When I was done though my teeth felt so sensitive! Like a layer of protection had been taken off. Maybe that's what it's suppose to do to help get the gross stuff off but I'm going to stick to the whitening toothpaste I can buy unless someone can convice otherwise. And yeah I'm using the Crest 3D white... The commercial sold me.

Grease...not the musical

Well with the hubs home that means projects are happening.

See all the grease?

He wanted to do some work on the pick up. He was wanting to put in an auxiliary tank which is fine except when he did this to his jeans...his shirt was pretty bad too but, he has plenty of work shirts so the shirt didn't make it... shucks.

Anyway, the first thing I did was roll my eyes because I did not know if this was going to be able to come out.  But then I gathered my products: Cornstarch, scrub brush, Dawn soap, and Borax.

I liberally applied the cornstarch to the grease and went to town with the scrub brush. I should have probably put more elbow grease into it but I got bored.

This is what I used

Scrub it in

After I got the cornstarch absorbed in, I then applied some Dawn soap. I have used Dawn soap on some smaller grease spots before with great success. Those other times were more like from when I spilled something on myself not from the vehicle.

in the washer

Finally I decided to go ahead and put the jeans in the wash. I had some old towels and rags to wash also. I was too chicken to have anything good in the wash just in case the grease would rub on to it. I added to Borax because I have recently heard that it does wonders for laundry.

For the most part I am happy with the results. You can still see some of the grease but, they are work pants so it isn't a big deal. I imagine that if I would have used more cornstarch and more elbow grease that I would have had better results. I will be trying this again.

Final

The Hubs

May 15th started like any other day.  I probably had a hard time figuring out what to wear because I would be a million degrees at work. I was probably late to work because of it. Again normal. Anyway I was just working away trying to get some loose ends taken care of before the baby comes. 

Then a gal comes to my desk and says "Michelle there I someone here to see you." I panic thinking its someone here to yell at me and why haven't I paid their claim etc. I sit fairly close to the door but I stand up and then I can see over the cubicle walls and there is my husband standing by the door!!!! 

I run over to him. Well as much as I can run being 9 months pregnant and I didn't have my shoes on. 

I give him a big hug again, as big of one as I could do with the belly in the way and I start shaking a little. I wasn't suppose to see him until after the baby came and even then I didn't know exactly when.  I didn't cry but I joked about not having shoes on. I then took him to my desk to get my shoes and paraded him around the office. I was just starting to introduce him to some friends when I realized I really had to use the ladies room. Poor guy had to stand around with people he had never met before. It was the fastest bathroom break I ever took. Anyway as I introduced him to everyone about half the office cried knowing that he had been gone and I hadn't seen him since September. 

After introducing him to anyone/everyone and not letting go of his hand he wanted to get home. I got him the key to the car so he could load up his things while I shut down my computer. I was shaking with excitement though and I didn't even know what to do. My manager and my desk mate were outside taking a walk but I wasn't going to just leave a bunch of stuff out. 

Once outside we saw my manager and desk mate so they too had to meet the hubs. My desk mate said he saw someone come to the building in a taxi and was confused about that but ten while they were walking past my car they saw his bags and put it together.

I hardly had to tell my boss that I was going to be done working now as she is pretty dang awesome and probably would have yelled at me if I stayed. 

Driving home!

On the way home we stopped at Speedway so he could understand my obsession with slushie a and so he could get a drink too. I guess traveling for 36 hours or something makes one thirsty.  I kept telling him I couldn't believe he was home. Also I kept touching him to make sure it was real. 

Once we got home I found out that I didn't get the dogs locked up in the kennel so they were roaming the house. I am quite certain though that is the ONLY time during the work week that I didn't get it right. Weird. The hubs was certain though that Charlie would bark at him and sure enough she did. It wasn't for a long time because she soon realized it was dad!!! Then it was all tail wagging and kisses. Poor little Lucy couldn't even get a turn because Charlie was in the way. The hubs stood up though and I had picked Lucy up and they got to have their lovins too. 

I still can't believe he's finally home.

At BWW for the first time in ohhhh 8 months?

Enjoying his first beer - Yuengling of course

Savoring it

ahhh

Pinterest

So all the cool kids are on Pinterest right? I created a board now of projects I've actually completed or had the hubs complete. There really should be a round of applause when I pin something to that board - even if it was a fail. 

I'm not sure what my favorite completed one is yet..the eggless cookie dough just for eating is amazing though. I was even nice enough to add the helpful note to add more sugar. : )

Also, I did get the hubs to be part of Pinterest now too. Not sure if that's good or bad at this point because a few times when we were on the phone when we were both working he'd say something along the lines of "been on Pinterest, we're broke." Hooray for projects though!! As long as they get done...

Michelle


I did it! Pinterest board

Raising the bar

So I was talking with the hubs the other day. He pretty much told me that I'm the most amazing person he's ever met. awwww

Growing a person

He told me that he's all proud of me because since he's gone a lot here I am running the house, taking care of the critters and everything that they do, go to Iowa to visit not only my family but his family as well, I'm making a person, and I still go to work every day. Boom I'm amazing.  But he also told me that I'm not ever going to be allowed to say I can't do something. Is that good or bad?
(Photo credit: Elisabeth Smith Lifestyle Photography)

Speaking of what the critters do....

Belle earned her keep again... gross. But she got a mouse. I was doing laundry and then went into the kitchen and out comes the cat from the laundry room. I knew she had something in her mouth and she was all proud and prancing. I thought maybe she just had some fabric or something else random that she finds. But she went down the hall, then downstairs, then she came back upstairs and I decided to check what the heck was going on. That's when I noticed it was a mouse. Gross. Anyway, this was before church and I decided that I should probably take care of the mouse before church. Gross. By now Charlie and Lucy are fairly interested in what Belle has. Belle came downstairs and so did the rest of us. She eventually just dropped it and I took care of it. Gross.

Flooded Deer Creek

Also it has been raining a lot. Lots of flooding but we live on a hill so things are fine here. That means a lot of mud though.... Lucy isn't a fan but Charlie is. She is getting really good at learning how to get into the tub after only being told once. Then she sits there so nice and lets me wash her feet and sometimes her face. Every now and then someone comes in with a tick.. yeah I take care of that too. Then the other day I was walking in the backyard looking for the dogs because it was nice out and they were just out and about having a good time. Then I looked to my right and saw 6 vertebra  WHAT?! It's still there. I should probably take care of it but, I'm not going to lie, it is actually kind of interesting  I took the picture and then the dogs came running up. They weren't interested. I took a picture to prove it. 

Country

Charlie has been a good guard dog lately. She doesn't spend a whole heck of a lot of time with me. Lucy follows me everywhere... except the bathroom because she hates baths and when it is bath time she runs to the kennel. Then she also gets all sad puppy dog eyes when I pick her up and get her in the tub. She just gets so itchy - not sure if it's allergies or dry skin. I know it's not any sort of bug because I check her out for that a lot and put medicine on both of the dogs for that.  Anyway, Charlie had a full report to give to the hubs the other day. He snapped a picture. 

Well that's all I got for now. I need a slushie. =)

Smoothies/Slushies

Pregnancy is terrific. Nobody looks at me funny when I roll into Speedway and it's brisk outside but yet I get a smoothie or a slushie. They just smile and tell me to have a great day. I will thanks.

That being said, the bowling alley no longer has the slushie machine?! I guess it kept breaking down and nobody ever ordered anything... what... The way I found out was great though. So again, nice and round pregnant lady here. I get up to the counter and ask what kind of slushies they have. One gal said they got rid of the slushie machine but they still have margaritas and daiquiris. I looked at her and then another worker was like "WHAT NO SHE'S PREGNANT." First girl was all embarrassed. So thanks for the notice of no slushies and for the reminder that I can't drink.

Speedway is getting plenty of my business though with their machines. And just in time for my pregnancy to be done there will be a Dairy Queen in Greencastle!!

Cheers with my strawberry/banana smoothie,
Michelle

I am so over winter

First off I do realize that I live in the midwest. 

I am so tired of it being gross outside. Here it seems like it is either raining or snowing. Sometimes we get both in one day. Terrific. 

Last Tuesday (3/5/13) I had to work late at work - we all take turns. It was raining in the morning and I knew the weather may be getting bad so I decided to take the big truck. I left work at about 6:45PM and the rain had turned into snow. I thought no worries, I will just go slow and be safe. Well I don't know what happened but when I was attempting to change lanes on the interstate I started to fish tail. I was like whoa whoa whoa. Please see this link to get the full effect of what I mean. 

Anyway, after I got my bearings and did not go into the ditch about 10 mins later we were all just stopped on the interstate. Now I know that this is a normal occurrence for some people on their way home but, not for me. I don't know how long we were stopped but it did seem like an excessive amount of time. Once we got moving I realized what the problem was.... it's hard work getting up some of these hills and if you don't have 4 wheel you start sliding backwards. So I put it into 4 wheel (which I know now I should have done right when I stated for home).  About now I get a text from my mother asking if we are getting any snow.... 

Speaking of pregnant, here's me on 3/9/13

Finally I get to my exit and the highway I'm on now hasn't been cleared but I've got 4 wheel going so I am truckin' along. Soon enough I see a vehicle clear down in a ditch. I thought hard about stopping to help them until reality hit. Hellllloooo pregnant lady what are you going to be able to do to help them. So instead I call the local police non emergency line and help is on the way.

The driveway once I got home

Next I get to the turn to take me to our road. I have to turn left and it's not a busy road but the truck behind me just decides it can't wait and decides to pass me on the right. I hate it when people do that. There is no lane there and just barely a shoulder for him to fit. I thought for sure he was going to get pulled into the ditch (Read: I really wanted him to get pulled in the ditch). An oncoming car was also going to be turning on the same road. They didn't get stopped in time and slid a little too far, put it in reverse and then made the turn. They pulled over and waved me by but I did make sure they were okay first. I think they really just wanted to follow my path. 

I do eventually make it home at 8pm. My drive is typically 45 mins. Annoying. I still had to plug the truck in (diesel) and that took longer than it should have only because in the morning I didn't put the cord away nice... my own fault. Critters were all happy to see me, be fed and let outside but they were also really happy to go cuddle right back up.

It is now Sunday and at 4:45pm it was 63 degrees out...spring? is that you?

front porch when I got home

Front porch Wednesday morning

Backyard Wednesday morning

front flower pot Wednesday morning

Dreams

Pregnancy dreams are weird.  I don't totally remember the dream I had but, I do remember a few things in it. So I went .www.dreamdictionary.com and looked up what the stuff meant.


Here's a recent photo of me!

Killer Whales
To see a killer whale in your dream indicates that you need to be more social or more vocal about something. Step up and speak up. Alternatively, the dream symbolizes spiritual guidance. You are ready to explore your emotions, but you need to make the connection between the conscious and subconscious aspects of yourself.

Mud
To see mud in your dream suggests that you are involved in a messy and sticky situation. It also suggests that some spiritual cleansing is needed.

To dream that you are walking in mud suggests that you are feeling weighed down by a situation, problem, or relationship. You are feeling frustrated.

To dream that mud has gotten on your clothing means that your reputation is being attacked and called into question. Consider the term "mud-slinging" to refer to some politicians.

Soccer
To dream that you are playing soccer suggests that you are suppressing your sexuality or aggression and expressing it in a more socially acceptable manner. From a Freudian perspective, sports generally serve as a disguise for attitudes about sex as a aggressive act. Hence soccer can be seen as a pun on "sock her". Alternatively, the game of soccer parallels to how you function and how you run your life when confronted with challenges. You need to be able to think quickly on your feet, if you are going to succeed. The soccer game also reflects you competency, integrity, strengths and weaknesses.

Ball
To see or play with a ball in your dream symbolizes completeness and wholeness. It may also indicate that you need to be more in tune with the inner child within. The dream may also be a metaphor for the testicles. Consider also the phrase, "he's got balls" to indicate guts and strength.

To dream that you are watching a ball game indicates that you need to take more initiative. Your lack of action may stem from your shyness which you must overcome. Perhaps you are too overly self-conscious.

Skinny Dipping
To dream that you are skinny dipping indicates that you are freely and openly exploring aspects of your subconscious.

Chase
To dream that you are being chased signifies that you are avoiding a situation that you do not think is conquerable. It is a metaphor for some form of insecurity. In particular, to dream that you are chased by an animal represents your own unexpressed and unacknowledged anger which is being projected onto that animal. Alternatively, you may be running away from a primal urge or fear.

To dream that you are chasing someone signifies that you are attempting to overcome a difficult goal or task. You may also be expressing some aggressive feelings toward others.

Swimming Pool
To see a swimming pool in your dream symbolizes relaxation, calmness, luxury and ease. You need to take a break. Alternatively, a swimming pool suggests that you need to acknowledge and understand your feelings. It is time to dive in and deal with those emotions. You need to cleanse yourself and wash away past hurts. Consider the depth of the pool. If you were swimming on the deep end, then it means that those emotions are deeply seeded and may be harder to confront.. You will need to work through it, no more matter how difficult. If you are swimming on the shallow end, then it implies that you should be able to easily deal with your feelings.

To see an empty swimming pool in your dream suggests that you are literally feeling empty and devoid of emotions.

To dream that the swimming pool is filled with trash indicates that you are leading a lifestyle of excess. You need to tone it down and discard some of the negative emotions in your life.

Drought
To dream of a drought indicates that you are void of emotions. You are withdrawn and depressed. The dream may be a result of a major loss in your life. Alternatively, the dream suggests that you are not drinking enough water and staying well hydrated.

Slide
To dream that you or somebody is on a slide indicates that you are experiencing some instability in your waking life. You have lost your grip on a situation or relationship.

To dream that you are sliding represents a loss of control.

Water
To see water in your dream symbolizes your subconscious and your emotional state of mind. Water is the living essence of the psyche and the flow of life energy. It is also symbolic of spirituality, knowledge, healing and refreshment. To dream that water is boiling suggests that you are expressing some emotional turmoil. Feelings from your subconscious are surfacing and ready to be acknowledged. You need to let out some steam. To see calm, clear water in your dream means that you are in tune with your spirituality. It denotes serenity, peace of mind, and rejuvenation. If someone throws water at you in your dream, then it implies that you need to show more of your emotions. You have been too disconnected from others. Alternatively, it may mean that you need to cool off.

To see muddy or dirty water in your dream indicates that you are wallowing in your negative emotions. You may need to take some time to cleanse your mind and find internal peace. Alternatively, the dream suggests that your thinking/judgment is unclear and clouded. If you are immersed in muddy water, then it indicates that you are in over your head in a situation and are overwhelmed by your emotions. To dream that water is rising up in your house suggests that you are becoming overwhelmed by your emotions.

To hear running water in your dream denotes meditation and reflection. You are reflecting on your thoughts and emotions.

To dream that you are walking on water indicates that you have total control over your emotions. It also suggests that you need to "stay on top" of your emotions and not let them explode out of hand. Alternatively, the dream is symbolic of faith in yourself. If you dream that a wall of water is coming towards you, then it implies that your emotions are welling up and can potentially close you off to others.

Things that went nuts

Why is it that when the hubs is out of town that's when something around the house goes nuts? I have started a bit of a list. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I suppose a bit of both. Bad that I have enough items to create a list but, good that I have (so far) survived these things.
1. On day one when he was going to be out of town for about a month I decided to practice on my motorcycle. Nothing huge, I was just in the drive way practicing going from neutral into first. I was doing okay and then decided that I should run some errands with the car since I don't have my motorcycle license and everything. I put the motorcycle into the garage and turn off the engine, turn the key...don't get the kick stand down well enough and I fell. Broke me arm. The radial head to be exact. Ow. I'm totally good now but dang.


2. He was out of town when I found out I was pregnant. So I had to go through all the shock and amazement by myself.


3. The septic tank went nuts. It didn't need to be emptied or anything and luckily my parents were in town and I knew a guy that could come out and help.

4. Moving onto colder weather. I couldn't get the pellet burner to cooperate. That's not really anything new though. Just annoying because he's really good at it.

5. But now the furnace wasn't working either?! What the heck. A friend of mine came over and I paid him in beer to sit and wait for a furnace guy to get everything worked out. I have heat now and have had no problems since then - thanks for your concern. This was probably when he was gone in October.

6. December - So my pay check got messed up. I had to call HR and they had to do a big research thing. Luckily all the bills and stuff got paid but, it could have been rough. Of course it got resolved but not until the 2nd paycheck later.

7. Now to this month... January. My garage door opener broke. What the.. so now I'm waiting to see if my dad can get it or what. But it's cold outside every so often and now I have to park outside. Unacceptable. I even had to scrape the ice off the windshield once.

 

8. And I'm still on the bowling league. I will be "kicked off" because the person I am subbing for will be back from the south. But I think I slipped on my pants or something and I sort of fell. I say sort of because my leg just slide from under me but I didn't like fall on my side or stomach just crouched down. It didn't hurt that day but the next day when I was trying to go downstairs the back of my thigh hurt a little. Oops.

9. Then last week I was stranded at work!!! I hang my coat up on the coat rack instead of on the back of my chair. I just get too crowded when it's on the back of my chair. Me and one other person really use the coat rack. She has the exact same coat as me and leaves quite a bit earlier than I do. She thought she had left her coat here once so she put her coat on and grabbed mine also. Not a huge deal but, my car key was in the pocket.... So I had my manager give me a ride. Luckily we have another vehicle that the next day I just ran around in that one since I had the day off. Of course she didn't mean it and one of my friends had to go the same way to work on Wednesday so I just bummed a ride. The gal did get me and my manager a Starbucks gift card and told me to buy my friend a drink to and apologized a ton.

10. What's next?

Bowling

So I'm not that good at bowling to start with but last night was even worse than normal. I don't know if I'm just off balance because of the baby or what. Maybe it was because I felt like I was going to be late because the dang big dog did not want to come inside. It's warmed up and I think she had a bird in a tree that she was trying to get.
Anyway, I didn't even write down my scores they were so bad. =\
Now the bowling alley in town is old but new. Meaning that before we ever moved there it was open. But when we moved to town in 2010 it was closed but then just this fall it re-opened under new owners. It seems pretty nice but daaaaaang lane 3 keeps breaking down. Guess which lane we were on...
Someone would go and lets say hit 7 pins down. They get ready to roll their second ball and 2 pins would just randomly fall down before they even went. Could be good for your score but bad for the whole let keep things right sort of deal. Anyway, we are usually done bowling around 9pm but we weren't done until after 9:30. Everyone on my team and the other team were all getting anxious and in a hurry - I think my team more so but, that made it so we all bowled a little rough. Hope next week is better.

For those wanting to be up to date on baby news --

Baby Schuster is a boy! Things are going along just fine and I'm not getting sick nor do I have much nausea anymore - that is thanks to my Rx Zofran though. Amazing stuff. He moves around quite a bit and lately has been hanging out on my left side which was a little painful but today I think he centered himself up. Maybe he didn't like me pushing on my left side back at him to try and convince him to move?

Sleeping seems to be getting a little better too. I just have a whole cocoon around me of pillows. It's lovely.

Anyway, off to work. Stay safe everybody - I know the snow is melting but watch for the re-freeze.

Michelle