Blackstock Life: June 2007

The good news: I have time to blog. The bad news: I really don't have much to blog about. So, I thought I'd write about the world as I see it from my couch, or to be more accurate, what exactly I've been doing (or watching) to pass the time.

7:00 am-
Although I'm already technically awake from having to go to the bathroom about an hour ago, this is what I consider my official wake-up time. This is when David brings Collin in our room to see us, we get our morning kisses from him, and he generally entertains mefor about 20 minutes or so. We'll tune in to GMA and have the TV on for the next two hours. Although I miss Charlie a whole lot, I definitely prefer GMA to other morning news shows. Diane is a little out there for me, but that's okay- the fact that Robin is ultra-cool makes up for it. And I'm still honestly a little bitter that Bill Wier didn't get the morning gig and that it went to Chris Cuomo instead, but I have never been a Today Show fan, so I can't make the switch. As my brother-in-law, Chris pointed out years ago, Katie Couric just looks like a person that smells bad...I agree. I know she's gone now, but I still don't watch it.

9:00 am-
Unfortunately, GMA is now over and there is a huge lull in programming. The 9 o'clock hour just plain struggles. On bad days, when for some reason I forget to change the channel, Good Morning Texas will come on...agghhhhh! One perky girl, one girl who looks like she hates her job, and Gary Cogil who I thought was a movie critic...sprinkle in some Rodney Anderson appearances (what's with THAT?) and that girl from IBB Design that's always on there, and you feel like you're watching a really bad infomercial. Someone recommended Rachael Ray, but she seems like she's screaming at the camera- my BP can't take it. I might as well watch Regis and Kelly- or just gargle with acid, whichever seems to be more fun. My usual stations (TLC and Discovery Health) are picking up their good shows now (no more Chicago Hope and weird cartoons) but the chances that I've already seen the one that's playing at this time slot is pretty high. So, for the aforementioned reasons, I usually take my once-a-day shower now.

10 am-
So now we're settling in for the day. I'll usually grab my computer and sit down and check email and blogs...whilst watching Little People Big World. Now it is almost guaranteed that I have seen this episode, but I'll probably still watch/listen while I'm on the computer. The people in that family are hilarious! David and I crack up at how NNNNASTY their house always looks, and how irritated Amy always is with Matt. But Matt definitely redeems himself with the way he treats his kids. They seem like a cool family.

11 am-
Time for a BP check, and we're going to stay tuned in to TLC for What Not to Wear. I will make a quick disclaimer here. When this show started, I actually wrote into TLC, explaining that I thought it was way too mean-spirited for their network. I didn't like it at all. Now, as the show grows in popularity, their "contributors" as Stacey calls them are usually familiar with the show, and seem more excited than embarrassed. Not like the first few shows where the person was absolutely humiliated. All in all, good show! And I would LOVE to know where Carmindy gets that aerosol foundation. If anyone knows, do tell. Now I can also start thinking about lunch. Meal decisions, as well as which scent of shower gel I am going to indulge with, are some of my few highlights. Could also explain why I am just one good smellin' biggo' girl right now!

12 pm-
Lunch and possible TV break, depending on whether I can sit at the table. I usually do. Collin and I talk a little bit about the day, and we get a chance to hang out a little bit. This is a good time to take a hiatus from TV anyway...10 Years Younger is on- blah.

1 pm-
Collin is in bed, the baby shows are all on, and there's only one more hour until Divine Design. I love watching all of the shows about moms and babies. My mom, much to her dismay, usually watches along, not understanding why anyone would want to be filmed at that moment. Me, I think it's great (not the idea of being filmed personally, but the fact that someone is willing to do it!) I've kind of taken a break from Babies: Special Delivery because it freaks me out a little bit right now, but for the most part, I'll watch anything with the word "baby" or some form thereof in the title. Maybe I should have been a nurse or something...maybe not.

2 pm-
I take a break from birthin' and flip over to Divine Design...my FAV design show. I love it because, from what I understand, there is no limit on how much Candace Olson spends on these rooms, which is always fun. AND- I have never seen her do something that wasn't really cool. It's not always my personal flavor, but it is always so well done. I will admit that the intro song will wear someone out, but she can dee-dah, dee-dah dee dah-day all she wants to as far as I'm concerned. Kudos Candace, kudos!

3 pm-
Good news...baby shows are STILL on, so I've got my pick. I can either flip over to House of Babies if I have a hankerin' to see yet another water birth and watch Shari totally freak some mothers (including me) out, OR, I can watch Runway Moms. Now, RM is a little depressing to those of us who don't feel all that attractive as a pregnant woman, and a little annoying if you have to watch too much of Liza's theatrics, but it is still informational. The funny thing about this show is that you can watch it, and then notice these women in advertisements and things. Like the really cute short-haired lady with the perfect skin (who by the way makes a visit to the dermatologist because of some minuscule red bumps) - the one who has a little girl named Olive- she is on a huge advertisement at Babies R Us! I feel so "in the know." Oh- Collin is usually awake now, so we might be flipping over to watch Dora or Wonder Pets or something. Which brings me to an important question for my Noggin-watching friends...is Lenny a GIRL? Someone said that s/he is, but I'm not seeing it.

And while I'm on the subject of Noggin...a message for Moose. Listen, she's not that into you. I mean, you say that Zee is your bestest friend, and that she has a beeeeautiful name, etc. but have you noticed that she NEVER responds. She just beats the drum, and looks like she'd rather be beating her brains in. I totally believe that she can talk, but that you just freak her the heck out! I got online to play some Noggin games with Collin the other day, and there you were, talking about Zee again. I mean, seriously, what's a Moose going to do with a little blue bird anyway? It's totally obvious that you're into her, Moose. And if I can read you like a book, I'm guessing that she can too. Your little "I didn't know that Zee is azul" trick didn't fool any of us. Seriously, I've been in your shoes probably more times than I'd care to admit, so trust me when I say that it will all eventually work out. You'll find a really nice Moose-friend at some point. Until then, just work on loving YOU! Get a new hobby, start revising that ONE AND ONLY song that you sing, join a spin or improv class or something. Trust me, she's not the one for you...you both will be better off if you just go your separate ways!

4 pm-
Big decision. Oprah or Babies: Special Delivery. Depends. I'll have to make this call at the last minute.

5 pm-
Property Ladder. No question. It's like watching a train wreck! The only other thing on TV is the news...there's not even anymore Noggin now.

6 pm-
Our FAVORITE time of day- Daddy comes home!!!! (and Scrubs is on, too!) We'll usually have dinner courtesy of one of our amazingly generous friends, and then we'll settle into our nightly routine of bathing, books, and prayers with Collin.

Collin's bedtime- our bedtime
Here's a serious misfortune of bedrest in May/June/July... all of the good TV is over!!!! How sad is that? But, as far as David is concerned, it couldn't get any better...it's baseball season! I will admit that I am a much bigger baseball fan than I used to be, but watching a 3-hour game almost every night can wear a sister out! We'll compromise and sometimes watch a little Dirty Jobs or Man vs. Wild (two shows that he loves too) and sometimes he might even let me catch a little Jon & Kate plus 8 or Quintessential. But, I will also add, sometimes my usual channels struggle in the prime time hours. Jackie: 600 lb. Woman? What's with that? And Diagnosis: Unknown should be called Let Me Guess: Poison. Then all of the shows like Dr G. Medical Examiner and Skeleton Stories just freak me right on out, so I don't watch them.

11 pm- 3 am
SK and I like to argue over whether I'm actually going to get to sleep. She usually wins, and we stay up and try to find something other than TV watching to do. Which brings me to a point that I should have previously made...If you're wondering why I don't READ, it's because I've been getting bad headaches. The computer actually does the same thing (it's taken me several different computer sessions to finish this blog). Not that anyone really cares, but I don't want to seems like I'm a total loser.

So, that's it in a nutshell! Take my opinions and reviews for what they're worth- and hopefully none of you will have this much time on your hands anytime soon.

For those of you who have actually endured this pitifully long and boring post, an update on the baby...we went to the doctor on Thursday and she looks great! She actually has dropped so much that they had a hard time getting a measurement on her head- who knows, I might not have carried her full-term anyway! We'll see. She hadn't grown all that much, and I was actually measuring smaller, so I guess the enormous growth-spurt is over. She is right on track for a 34-weeker weighing in at an estimated 4 lb. 11 oz. My doctor hopes to get me to 36 weeks, but I'm aiming for 37 or 38. So, it's back to business as usual.

My sweet friend Sarah reminded me that I really have NO excuse to not be blogging...especially now. Since I am now starting my 6th straight week of bedrest, I thought that this would be a great distraction! That's exactly how we're going to look at this blog... a distraction for me. I was telling Sarah that I feel this enormous pressure to be clever, entertaining, or at least worth a read. For the record, I'm not promising anything! Here are just a few things that are going on with the Blackstocks:

1) Collin is going to be two years old in a couple of weeks which absolutely blows my mind. He moved to a big boy bed last month so that we could make room for his "Sarah Kate baby sister" as he likes to call her. He is doing really well. In fact, he would love to show any of you his new room and tell you how big and strong he is!!

As has been the case his whole life, the child is quite a talker. Just the other day he got his toy taken away because he chunked it at the table (probably an innocent consequence of his daddy doing batting practice with him in the living room on a regular basis). After his crying fit subsided, he looked at me and said, "I not do it again." I said, "Collin that's very sweet. I'm glad you are not going to throw your ball at the furniture anymore. Good boy." He follows, "Can I have my ball back now?"...good negotiator.

He has been such a trooper, also. Granted, he is constantly being entertained by friends and family, but he has also been infinitely patient with the fact that I'm confined to the bed/couch. He cries every once in a while about me not being able to do something for him, but all in all, he has been great. I am so proud of my precious boy!

2) David is wrapping up (yes, still wrapping up) our little remodeling project. He is so talented! We just have a few little details to finish before we can officially put this one in the books, and then get to the business of raising two kiddos...yikes! I'll post some pictures of our finished rooms once they're photo-ready!

Other than that, David is playing the role of super-dad like a champ! Collin has always loved his daddy, but one wonderful thing about our situation right now is watching the two of them become even closer. David and I were saying the other night that it is a true blessing to come to realize that your kids are also your favorite people. Collin and David are so much alike, and truly enjoy so many of the same things- ice cream, sports, being outside, and Dora- David LOVES Dora. I love you, sweetheart! I truly don't know how we would be doing this without you! (Does that make up for the fact that you didn't get a Father's Day card?)

3) Me, I'm up to a whole bunch of nothin'! My blood pressure is, in general, staying down- with random spikes every now and then. I have figured out what I can and cannot handle (for the most part) so hopefully Sarah Kate and I will stay healthy until her due date. She has already had steroids for her lungs, and she always looks great on the monitors and on her sonograms so we're just waiting anxiously to meet her! I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow, so please continue to pray for all of us!

Other than the medical side of things, I will give my family and friends complete credit for my being able to stay sane! On an average day, I would say that my mom is a gift. Lately, she is an absolute angel! David and I both depend on her so much, and she has truly delivered! I have never met anyone with such a servant heart, and I only wish I could be like her. The only criticism I ever have heard of my mother is that she's too nice...I sure wish that was my biggest problem! Angie and Karen (my sisters) have also been amazing. They call, bring me groceries, love on my son, and come for visits often. What a blessing to have family close by. David's family has been a great help, too! And my friends are amazing! I love you all and thank you for all of the food, company, and fun distractions... Specifically, thanks to Alyssa for introducing me to The Office- where have I been...seriously? I've never found so much joy in falling off the couch. And Sam, you're amazing for keeping up with me when you have SO much going on in your world. I love you and you are really on my mind today. I'm sending up prayers for you and your sweet family today, and thankful that you remind me that we cannot limit God! You're awesome!

Below are some pictures of our trip to San Diego that we took before the bedrest sentencing. I am so glad that we got to take this trip!! Collin was hysterical!