The Skinny

I didn't dress up for Halloween this year. Let me rephrase that. I didn't purposely dress up for Halloween this year. While hanging out at my friends' house tonight, I caught site of myself in the mirror. With my huge belly, gray sweats and raggedy flannel, I bore an uncanny resemblance to a certain man living in a van down by the river... aka... an accidental Chris Farley.
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To top that off, I had my monthly doctors appointment yesterday. He informed me that I was about four pounds too rich. Since we don't live in England, I'm assuming that is polite doctorese for slow down on the carbs Fatty!
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I handled this information in the only way I knew how. By finally getting my donut that I've been craving all month. Chocolate, with chocolate frosting and orange sprinkles... it was just like I dreamed it. Happy Halloween!!! I hope it's a rich one.

Better To Give

That's the rumor, but as much as I like giving, I LOVE receiving. I think it has something to do with being a December baby and getting jipped on gifts as a kid. No matter what, I have a running gift total in my head. My sister, a.k.a. my polar opposite in the gift department, puts me to shame. Her Christmas lists are full of charity sites to donate to and usually include requests for buying somebody in Zimbabwe a chicken. By the way, she's born in May. This time she has found an awesome sight that I thought I'd share.
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www.kiva.org -What makes this site so cool, is that you don't just give your money away, you loan it to people in developing countries that have small businesses and then they pay you back. No interest of course, but who cares. You can lend really small amounts too. I just loaned $25 and my sister has done about 10 loans. You read their profiles and pick who you want to lend to. When they pay you back, you can cash out, or loan to someone else. You can also join a team and have your loan count towards the team total. Don't worry, the money still comes back to you.
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I joined Kiva Mormons, because I'm Mormon and also other team members have committed to do three extra loans if they get 350 group members by October 31st. They are really close. I also loaned to a lady in the Philippines, because a group member is matching all loans made to the Philippines. It seemed like a great way to make my cash go further.
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There are tons of groups to choose from, not just religious ones. Or you could start your own group, or you can just be a group of one. Whatever you decide, it is worth checking out. A great way to help and pretty fun too... even for a December Baby!

Bump Update

The Bean at 6 months! (With the aid of a beautiful Montana lake, nice lighting and my friend Marianne's sweet photography skills.)

The Bean at 7 months! Is it just me, or did I explode in the last month?

Baby Q's

Two quick questions... What are the parenting books that helped you out the most? I want your suggestions. Also, for my Salt Lake friends... Do you have a pediatrician you recommend. I just realized I need to find one.

The 411

Yes, yes... Jessica is getting married and I am having a baby. Both things are happening soon. For those of you who have been asking, here are the links to her wedding website and my registeries. For those of you who have not been asking... Why the heck not? Just kidding! (Said passive aggressively, with an evil snort and an eye roll.)

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http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/pwp2/view/MemberPage.aspx?coupleId=8920219626981369

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http://wishlist.com/995910/mywishlist/

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http://www.toysrus.com/registry/search/index.jsp;jsessionid=TWYWKWlLy5zBdz1nPFRLCgGrsqGfyHryGn9VlFLJGzsmGd18T4Nv!433799130?_flowExecutionKey=_c16D02088-DE01-E1F5-1602-34B49468734E_kAEAF97B1-60C2-9AA1-CD00-7FE83489ED76

Ramble On

I've been officially called out by my mother for being a lazy blogger. Maybe I'm making this too hard, by planning my posts and needing time to track down the right picture, etc... Today, I'm just going to get the blog monkey off my back and type whatever comes to mind

1. I won a blog giveaway. It was on a site called give me goodies and the giveaway was actually for a hat of my choice from my friend Selissa's blog called forever and a day. Lucky me. I could have got something for The Bean, but I was selfish and got myself a hat. Does this make me a bad mom?

2. When did the mall kiosk people turn into carnival barkers and why do they always target me? I went to the mall, because Motherhood Maternity is the only place I know that you can buy bra extenders and The Bean is expanding my rib cage by the second. I got stopped by three different vendors and I had to tell each of them no four times before they would let me leave, making me feel like a cheap and mean person. Sorry lady, I have a baby coming very soon. I don't think it's the right time to buy your magical $140 curling iron!

3. My birthing class teacher said I must have been an A student. I think it was her polite way of reminding me that no one likes a know it all. I wasn't trying to show off, but I hate awkward silences when no one answers questions. I think it's because I've taught, so I know what it feel like when you ask a question and then you hear crickets chirping... plus I'm just really smart.

4. I've been thinking about the way animals give birth a lot lately. It almost seems like they go into a serene trance. I don't think they are trying to go someplace else, so they don't feel the pain, because that seems like a high cognitive function beyond an animals ability. I think they are just so relaxed that they have less or no pain. So that is the theory I'm going with.

5. I found out Utah has the highest epidural rates in the nation. 95%!!! Why do you think that is? I mean, for a state of people descended from hearty pioneer stock, it just surprises me that it is that high.

6. I officially made the switch to maternity pants and I don't think I ever want to go back. Comfy and you can bend over as far as you want and those suckers aren't going to slide down.

That's all for now and I'll try and do better mom.