Ba Humbug!

It really doesn't feel like Christmas. I swear this year was a whirlwind. In a year I went from dating to engaged, married and pregnant.

It's been a crazy year for Kiel too, he gave up his hot sexy bachelor status, became a husband and is now preparing to be a father (he can't wait, now that he knows it's a boy.)
We also have moved twice this year. And moved our 100 pound moose in with us aka Montana the dog ;)

Maybe it doesn't feel like Christmas because just last week we were celebrating the New Year with my gal pals.

Or maybe it's because it was a whopping 85 degrees on Saturday and Montana is already losing his winter coat.

Or maybe it's not Christmas because I have yet to buy one present (accept for Kiel) and have no desire to battle the late-vicious-holiday shoppers (well, with that descripton who would?).

Maybe it's because I'm just now starting to bake my Christmas cookies (without coconut, per Kiel's request.) and the store was out of baking powder - seriously.

And lastly, it's probably because all of the presents under the tree are already opened and played with, thanks to my impatient gimme fingers.

So my verdict is, Christmas came too fast - I'm not ready. Year 2010 is next week.

At least I will be in the bay area - cold weather don't let me down.

Merry Christensen

Way back when I first became an aunt at age 13 I learned all about pregnancy and how hard it could be on the woman's body. At that age I was skittish around bellies, especially those that had movement in them. To me pregnancy resembled an alien abduction or at least how I imagined an alien abduction would happen. Let's just say I had quite the imagination and watched too many movies.

As I got older, more nephews and nieces were born and I observed all of those pregnancies as well. I developed my own theories and one that always rang true was:

Easy pregnancy = Girl

Hard pukey pregnancy = Boy

Based on that theory I guessed right every time. I should have bet money, I would have raked in the dough, oh well, I'll call it a loss in economic opportunity ;)

My pregnancy (we're talking about me now, after all it is my blog) has been nothing to complain about. Sure, I've had my rare pukey moments and days where I felt like I was living on a ship anchored in the ocean but over all I've felt great.

Great = Girl

I was sure we were having a girl until my first real ultra sound (the 6 wk one doesn't count). I saw our baby at 12 weeks and it was lying in my belly sleeping on its back. Nothing could disturb it. The doctor was trying to get a measurement but the baby would not move. So the doctor poked and prodded some more until the little baby bounced up one time and turned to it's side, back facing us and went back to snoozing away. At that moment I thought, is my husband inside of there? It was a precious moment only a mother and father could find precious. (After all, let's face it at that stage they're pretty lumpy and my kid had two lumps on top of it's head that resembled horns, I swear.)

After that moment I was on the fence; well it's possible to be a boy, the Chinese calendar says it's a boy and Kiel really wants a boy.

And so we waited six more long weeks.

Today was the big day. Kiel came with me and we both waited patiently, since we were patients (bad joke) in the doctors office. Finally Dr. Naylor came in and put that warm gel on my belly and started poking around. We first saw the top of the head and checked out the brain, he then moved to the belly and the face. We saw a hand by it's mouth and then we checked out the umbilical cord along with the kidneys. "Everything looks great" Dr. Naylor reassured. "Now do you want to see what you're having?" Before I could answer Kiel piped in a fast "yes!" So the doc scooted down by the legs and measured the femur, and added "this is the strongest bone in the human body." Who cares just show us the good stuff I thought. Then he took a picture of it's feet, "oh what cute little baby feet" he continued and "it has all 10 toes." Woo hoo, I thought, move along. And so he went up between the legs and Kiel and I both looked and thought we saw something in between. "Girls don't have that, do they?" I stated/asked.

"Nope, they sure don't" Dr. Naylor said.

And that's when Kiel jumped out of his chair and yelled "I knew it!"

So there you have it baby Christensen #1 is a boy and we are more than overjoyed/thrilled/excited/(enter synonym here)!

Merry Christmas, a very merry Christmas!

And Kiel says "see, prayers do work!" well, we all knew that anyway:)

So my point (yep, I have one): My theory is wrong~ we're having a boy!

The end!

Update!!!
My theory has proven right for all of my nieces and nephews, it just didn't work on me because, and this is just a theory, I'm sorta manly (you'll notice when you look at my feet).

Say Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

Christmas came early this year. I came home from work and my husband had my present, all wrapped in a bag from Best Buy under our tree.

and that's not all. He also got me the super mario brothers game. My favorite! But don't worry folks I won't be doing a 72 hour marathon anytime soon.

It was a great activity to do for FHE! It certainly brought us closer together, oh that Mario has magical powers.

Merry Christmas!

My Inner Battle

Ever since I found out I was pregnant I've been battling with myself on what to do once the baby is born:

Do I go back to work? Or do I stay home?

I'm sure there are strong opinions that sway from one side to the other depending on whose reading this.

And I know that I am not just a Woman and I will not just be a Mother, but I am a Latter Day Saint Woman and will be a Latter Day Saint Mother and yes there is a difference. I am encouraged to stay home, I am promised multiple blessings to my family and children if I do so. But for some reason I am still trying to do both. Kiel and I worked out a schedule, he would be home with the baby 4 days out of the week and 3 days that next week and I would home with the baby 3 days out of the week and 4 days the next week. We share the duties 50/50. But it hasn't felt right.

My loving husband told me he doesn't need my help to provide, he can do that and will do that for his family. And it's not that I feel like I need to provide, but I do love my job. I like being part in an industry where woman thrive in the work place. I also have had a glimpse of how hard it is to be a stay at home mom and selfishly I would like to have a 4-day break. And I am afraid what will happen if I quit until my babies are ready for mom to go back to work.

So again, I battled.

And then I read this talk Mothers who know by Julie Beck

...and I finally swallowed what I had known all along. My purpose is not to become CMO in the beauty industry. I am to thrive in another job.

I am to be a Mother.

But not just a Mother, a Mother who knows how important it is to sacrifice.

Because as said by Julie Beck...

Mothers Who Know Do Less
Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world's goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord's kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power.

So soon I will be a Mother that stays home full time and cleans her husbands castle and a milk machine, burping rag and a zombie from lack of sleep...can't wait ;)

Insomnia

I was wide awake at 3am, this morning. After my usual tinkle I couldn't go back to sleep.

I was hungry, but for what?

I tossed and turned for an hour and then gave up. I made couscous and turned on the tube.

Kiel came out to see what the heck I was doing, plus he had to get ready for work.

"I can't sleep." I explained

"So you're cooking and watching T.V.?" He shook his head, and then started watching the tube with me amongst getting ready for work.

He left and it was only 5:15am, I was still wide awake.

I didn't know what to do. I would be dead if I went to work at 9am. I'm dead by 4pm with normal sleep.

It took me till 7 to write an email to my boss.

So now I have the day off, to sleep and catch up on housework, but first...

I'm hungry.

I smell something good...

There have been a few people in the kitchen...

Check out what's cooking and whose doing it here ;)

http://kickbuttcookin.blogspot.com/

Chow!

M

(ha ha get it? I said Chow, instead of ciao! As in chow down. Man I'm funny)

Montana The Dog

Meet Montana the dog:

Age: 6

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Favorite Food: Lamb flavored dog food - Kirkland brand

Favorite Snack: Dog biscuits

Favorite thing to do when bored: Chew on raw hides

Favorite Things to do: Go on a walk, go to the dog park, sleep, and get massages by my parents

Theme Song: My buddy, My buddy, My buddy and me

If He could talk: He would sound like Barry White

One thing he will NEVER do: Chase a ball and bring it back

Montana currently resides in Redondo Beach with his mom and dad and loves it there very much. Montana has the mentallity of a human 3 yr. old and can understand 273 words of the English language. He's gentle and loving to people of all ages and animals. He is most like Kiel in these ways:

1. They are both madly in love with Melissa



2. They hog the fan



3. Don't like covers until the middle of the night



4. Eat whatever is in front of them



5. Sleep very heavily



6. Territorial



7. Don't like to share their toys



8. Adorable looking



9. Have short hair and green eyes



10. Shake their butt when they walk

Montana finally re-joined our household Sunday, November 14th after 8 months of living in the bay area without his mommy. We are so happy to have him! (Even Kiel!)

Redpoint Makeup 50% Off!!!

Hi All -

I just thought I'd share Intelligent Beauty will no longer be selling the brand Redpoint, so they are having a blowout sale.

Makes great stocking stuffers. Go here: www.redpointbeauty.com

Happy shopping!

Melissa

The Last 22 Hours

Since 11:52 pm, November 9th, Kiel's been doing this:


(notice the mt. dew can on the table)

And drinking this: Kiel + no sleep + 2 cases of Mt. Dew + non-stop gaming = Melissa to get the heck out of dodge

Bay area here I come!!

Kiel, be a doll and at least put the bed together by the time I get back ;)

xoxo -

Melissa

ps - please excuse the mess, in our horrendous looking apartment. We haven't quite settled yet.
pps - I'll let you know when the gaming session ends, he plans on pulling an all nighter again.

Sensa Blog

This is just a post to let everyone know I am now a contributor to the Sensa blog twice a month.

I also have a favor to ask: the more comments I get the better! So please click here, to read my first post and leave a comment. It really can be as simple as: I liked your post or Happy Thanksgiving! Anyone can comment, that's the good thing.

Also if anyone is curious about what Sensa is (a weightloss program) and how it works you can visit our website: http://www.trysensa.com/

And if you are interested in trying Sensa, I of course have the hookups!

Thanks!

Melissa

This Is It

I know, I know - we all have mixed feelings about this guy. But I think we can agree that he was weird, had a childhood that none of us envy and was uber talented. (I just wanted to use the word "uber" in a sentence.)

The death of Michael made me feel a little empty inside and I guess I could say my mom probably felt the same when Frank Sinatra died...she cried that day.

I don't know how to cope with the deaths of my childhood entertainers: Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze and when Michael J Fox goes....I don't want to think about it.

So this weekend in honor of MJ - my friends: Beth, Monica and I saw the movie THIS IS IT, and oh man, that was IT.

We all cried, laughed, sang along to the songs (until the audience told us to shhhhh) and oooohed and awwwwed about the talent. Oh the talent! The singing, the dancing and the creative directing. One things for sure Beth and I would have sold Kiel's left foot to go see him live. And it would have been the best concert we ever went to.

I could just see us now, scrimping our pennies to buy tickets the day they went on sale and planning our outfits months in advanced. I probably would have worn a gold glitter jacket with an MJ t-shirt and Beth a MJ hat. We would have compiled all of his music on our i-pods and jammed the whole way there, while practicing our Thriller dance moves of course.

Then MJ would come out and perform, live, in front of us and we would have screamed our heads off and probably cried real tears of excitement and joy. Michael, oh it's really Michael! Afterwards we would be so shaky with adrenaline we would have to go somewhere to talk about all of the amazing dance moves but our voices would be gone so we would have to whisper. Beth's favorite part would have been Thriller, ooooh that was amazing I agree! But how can you like that better than BAD? Oh and Billie Jean, I loved when he performed Billie Jean. Oh Beth we loved it all, how can we choose?

But one things for sure we can now die happy that we went to the most amazing concert of our lives. No one will ever top that...no one.

Instead we took our dreams where we had to... the movie theaters and contemplated buying MJ t-shirts at Charlotte Russe for the event. Beth cried during the opening scene, Monica and I balled afterwards. We then went shopping at Nordi's to help us with our woes. It is amazing how a good pair of leather boots can make me feel better even after the tragedy of MJ.

(but they are really cute boots, don't you think?)

Is he gone? Is he really gone?

No Melissa, he will live forever.

Thanks for that, Monica.

And thanks girls for the wonderful weekend!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Remember This?

That was taken the day we signed our first lease together to what would be our first apartment as a married couple.

Kiel and I are finally moved out! Thank you! This was probably our hardest move, seriously. I had a melt down and collapsed in the hallway and cried...Kiel will probably be more than happy to tell you about it.

Things we will miss about our old place...

1. The ocean view
2. The balcony
3. The washers and dryers that take cards (now we have coins...boooo!)
4. The 2 min. walk to the ocean and pier
5. The Mexican music on Sunday
6. The awesome pool, and hot tubs.

Things we happily say goodbye to...

1. Mr. smoker of weed and tobacco (morning and night)... and for the last time Kiel will yell, CIGARETTES ARE BAD FOR YOU!
2. Mr. whistler man....and for the last time Kiel will yell, SHUTUP!
3. The crazy, football screaming lady during Melissa's Sunday nap...and for the last time Melissa will yell, NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR STUPID GAME! YOU HEARD ME, SHUTUP! HA HA YOU CAN'T SEE ME BUT I CAN SEE YOU.
4. Our storage, or lack there of.
5. The cheap paint.
6. The cheap counter tops and unleveled stove.

Things we like about our new apartment...

1. It's way bigger
2. Rent is cheaper
3. Montana can live there (Melissa likes this one, Kiel's coping...bravely)
4. We have two bathrooms
5. Kiel doesn't have to share a closet with Melissa
6. We have a separated dining area ;)

ps, I don't know why I chose to do a top 6, it just worked out that way.

pps, You can stop by to see us anytime. But call Melissa, Kiel keeps the news to himself ;)

Baby Update!

I had my 2nd ultra sound today to make sure the baby was healthy and genetically safe and sound. All turned out great! Baby is normal and healthy. The baby was so much bigger than the last time I saw it. I was amazed on how fast they grow.

I have pictures and a live DVD, but it freaks me out when I see other babies in other wombs so I won't post accept upon request. Of course my own baby was not freaky at all and really adorable (lumpy head and all). My Dr. did a 3D ultra sound as well, just for fun, so I really got a close look at the baby. It slept the whole time and did one side turn when the Dr. tried to wake it up.

Kiel and I find out what it is, so I can stop saying "it" on December 14th.

I'm 12 and half weeks and my due date still remains May 15th.

That's all!

xoxo - Melissa

I've Been Reorganized

Let me start off by saying..."I'm thankful I have a job, I'm thankful I have a job, I'm thankful I have a job."

Last month at my company there were all types of rumors going around and everyone was scared.

"Did you hear? They are laying off everyone on Tuesday."
"NO, they're not, but they are dividing us all up."
"They are selling us to Guthy - Renker."

And then came Tuesday...and lot's of people got laid off. Some of my close work friends ;(
Then came Wednesday and we had a company meeting where they announced we would be splitting up into three companies. After the meeting we were to meet with our bosses to discuss how these changes would effect us personally. I had recently been moved to a different team so I thought I was safe...

Turns out I was reorganized and then reorganized again. I'm thankful they didn't reorganize me out the door.

Melissa, you will now be in charge of Customer Retention Management and you have a new boss.

This is my fourth boss since I started...but I have a job ;)

CRM is boring, and not that fun. I have to look at data, analyze LTV and help improve the customer experience. I should have failed the test when they gave it to me a couple weeks earlier.

I am happy to add more skills to my resume tho... Yay, HTML and Dream weaver!

I finally told my work, well actually just my new boss that I'm pregnant.

He asked, "Well what does that mean?"

"Ummm, well I think it means I'm having a baby. But for you it means I have a Dr. appointment once a month."

He said, "Great, well congratulations!"

and then I checked out maternity leave...I get a whopping 5 months! Woo Hoo! Thank you family leave act.

And now I'm deciding when to tell my co-workers. I think after Turkey Day, I will show up and make everyone think I ate a lot of turkey that weekend. And then I will have my close friend here start a rumor that I'm having Michael Jackson's baby...hmmm good times to come!

Alas, the purpose of why I still have a job!

Dead Man Sleep

Four days out of seven, Kiel is so exhausted when he falls asleep he looks like a dead man. He sprawls out on the bed face down literally looking like he's just been shot in the back. Whenever I see this I feel like getting out my chalk and tracing his body like the police do when someone's been shot in the street.

When Kiel is in his dead man's sleep, you do not bother him. I repeat leave the man alone, for your safety and the saftey of those around you. For example, I made this mistake last night and he told me I nag like his mother (no offense Patrice). I let it go, knowing that it wasn't Kiel but Kiel tired that was talking.

Anyway, sometimes when I can't sleep I scratch Kiel's back or his head and it helps me dose off. So last night I couldn't sleep and started scratching dead man's back and when I layed my hand down on his side, dead man moved my hand back to his back so I could continue scratching.

Typical Kiel, even when he's in his dead man's sleep he still bosses me around. Of course the next morning he doesn't remember a thing, even the part when he said I was like his mother.

Old Wives Tales

Kiel wants a boy.

I mean, he wants this baby to be a boy, no exceptions. He wants it so bad he has said it to be true. Whenever he mentions the baby, he mentions it in "he" form. And in his prayers he asks Heavenly Father to bless his son. I ask him to just say the baby for now, until we know what the sex is, and he refuses. I know it's a boy, he says. Poor Kiel, he's been wanting a boy since before Celia was born.

I on the other hand, have an open mind and think it might be a girl. Call me a skeptic, but with the history of Kiel's Forefathers, I find it hard to believe he would score a boy on his first shot.

Until, I looked up old wives tales and started doing little tests. According to these wives tales and the Chinese gender calendar, we are having a boy. (Kiel is beside himself.)

Since more than half of my blog readers are pregnant and the other half have kids I decided to list some of them here:

Direction of the Ring
Many people believe in the good old ring test as a way to tell what the sex of their baby is going to be. In this test you hang your wedding ring from a string over your belly. If the ring swings back and forth your baby is a girl. If it swings around in a circle then it is a boy. This is not very good indication of whether or not you are having a boy or a girl. Fact is, if you hang your ring over any object or person it is going to swing.

Fast Heart Rate Tale
Some people believe that if your baby has a fast heart rate, near 170 beats per minute, then that means you are having a girl, and that if your baby’s heart rate is closer to 150 beats per minute then you are having a boy. This also is false. You baby’s heart rate will get faster and stronger during the first trimester as he/she grows. Then the heart rate fluctuates in speed during sleep and active times for your baby, just like an adults. So depending on when you listen to your baby’s heart rate, it might be faster or slower than it was the day before, or even earlier that same day.

The Shape of Moms Face
Some people believe that the shape of your face determines the sex of your baby. If your face is round then you are having a girl, long and narrow means a boy. This is just a myth however because where a woman stores fat and water during pregnancy has nothing to do with the sex of their baby. Along with that some believe that if your nose starts to grow or widen then you are having a girl because daughters “steal” mom’s beauty. While this sounds like something out of a fairy tale, it is simply an old wives tale.

The Key Test
Then there is the key test. Some say that if you can tell your baby’s sex by picking up a single key. If you pick the key up by big, round (top) part then you are having a boy. If you pick it up by the narrow part on the bottom then you are having a girl. Then, as if it isn’t detailed enough, if you pick the key up by the middle you are having TWINS!

The Mayan Tale
If you are Mayan then you may follow their beliefs and use numbers to determine the sex of your baby. The Mayans take the mothers age at conception and the year of conception and add them together. If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way! The Chinese have a similar way of determining the sex of a baby.

Drain-O Test
So many people believe this old wives tale which is completely false. They are told to put a tablespoon of Drain-O in a cup and pee into it. If the mixture turns green you are having a girl. If it turns blue you are having a boy. Supposedly there is something in the moms’ urine that mixes with the Drain-O causing it to change color and determine the baby’s sex. (I didn't try this one, but am interested to find out if anyone has.)

Acne Myth
Acne during pregnancy is caused by hormones, not the sex of your baby. However, many believe that if you have an increased amount of acne during pregnancy then it means you are having a baby girl.

Cravings
This one sounds good and can be an “explanation” for many of moms’ cravings, but is it true? Some people say that if you crave salty food while pregnant it means you are having a boy and if you crave sweet food while you are pregnant it means you are having a girl. Does this mean that baby girls are sweet and baby boys are salty?

Do You Smell Like Garlic?
The question should be, “Do you WANT to smell like garlic?” There are people that swear that the garlic old wives tale is true. They say that if you eat a clove of garlic, and the smell comes out through your pores then you are having a boy. If no garlic is detected then you are having a girl. Who really wants to find out THAT bad though?!

So what wives tales seem to be always true?

Now that the wives tales are on Kiel's side I am more willing to believe that we are having a boy.

Next week is the end of my first trimester...woo hoo! I'm looking forward to having my energy back.

Lastly, Kiel wants everyone to pray for a healthy boy. I want everyone to talk Kiel into not finding out the sex until the baby is born. Good luck with that by the way, so far I have had none.

Letters

Dear Nausea,

Must you consume every part of my day? Seriously, nausea I need a break. Can you go hang out with someone else now?

Thanks. P.s. I hate you.

Melissa

Dear Toilet Bowl,

Thanks for always being there and putting up with my crap.

(I practice these jokes ahead of time.)

You're a true soldier.

See you tonight, when I need to hurl.

Melissa

Dear Baby,

I know vegetables and tofu are really good for you, but would it hurt to crave mashed potatoes or a sugary snack every once in awhile? Also baby, when you see a commercial that shows steak you don't have to make my stomach turn. We can't eat things from the t.v. I know. You still have a lot to learn. And seriously baby, a jar of peppercinis every night? That's weird baby. Fine. You win.

Love your Mommy

Dear Husband,

Can you come home now? I know your friends are really cool and all but I miss you. Selfishly I want you to have a horrible time so you will never go away again. So, are you having fun?

Love your wife

Disneyland Part 2

Meet Maddie:

She loves dogs, prefers a dry cheddar cheese sandwich on white bread for lunch and hates the movie "A Walk to Remember" because the girl dies at the end.

Maddie is my oldest niece and I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with her. She made me laugh, asked all sorts of questions about parenting, and was so grateful that I felt I needed to be more grateful in my life.

It was Madison's turn to go to Disneyland and Beth also came along. We had so much fun and did not stop until Maddie dropped (literally).

Here are a few pictures of our day. Unfortunately, Kiel couldn't come play.

Jasmin, who went everywhere with us.

P.s, I got my Cinnabears. When I came to work Friday morning they were sitting on my desk and tasted better than I remember. Ask and ye shall receive!

Day 3 and Still No Luck

Alright, I'm driving everyone crazy. People at work are hunting for cinnabears and don't even know why. My husband cannot find them. I've been to 10 stores and have not found them. Why now? I used to see cinnabears wherever I went and all of a sudden they are a luxury item?

P.s. - The ones at the gas station don't count, too stale.

I'm going to the mall tonight...I'll keep you posted!

Also thanks to Lisa and Shelley, I'm dying to try these:

I'm in there somewhere

(This picture has nothing to do with my post, I just want them really, really bad)

This weekend I got a glimpse of me. I felt so good I baked cookies and laundered Kiel's 100% wool pants and dried them (thank you very much). I also made dinner for us both, so what if it was only a salad (baby steps, baby steps) it was good (so good I made it again the next day) and Kiel was appreciative.

Speaking of my hot (that's H - O - T, hot - but say it more like hawt) husband he's been amazing. For a month now, my routine was simply: go to work, go home, crash on the couch, eat food Kiel brought me, go to bed. He cleaned the kitchen and whatever else, made me anything I wanted and put in my favorite new show (24) so I could relax, mind you he's been working 12 hour shifts. Oh and yesterday he organized the pantry, but that's not unusual. He always organizes the fridge and pantry for me. I make it disorganized because I know he loves to organize it so much (and if you believe that, I got some ocean front property in Arizona).

So I think it sufficeth me to say, Kiel was really happy when he came home and I was no longer in the depressed, pathetic and irritable mood that had recently consumed my days. But not so happy to find his wool pants went through the washing machine.

On another note, we found a place to live! It's right down the street from where we live now but much bigger and a two bedroom. This means Montana will be able to move in with us, we have cheaper rent and we stay in the same ward.

Kiel works on weekends now, boo hoo! I have been to more steak restaurants in the last 3 weeks than I have in a year. It probably would have been amazing if I didn't have a vegetarian living in my belly. One of the dinners will be a separate blog, I was surrounded by amazing people that have accomplished amazing things and are not done yet.

That's all for now, but if anyone wants to send me cinnabears I promise I will eat them.

October

This is my Month!

The month I was born

The month of my favorite holiday

The month of my favorite colors

The month of my favorite season

The month Kiel and I carve pumpkins

The month I wanted to get married

This is the month that regardless of how I'm feeling I will feel good about this month!

This is the month we go to knotts scary farm and get really scared.

This is the month that I will be Belle and Kiel will be Gaston.

This is also the month we move.

And now my registration is officially past due.

Sounds Like 1st Trimester

"Have you called your mom yet?"

"No"

"Have you written Frannie's blog?"

"No"

"Have you talked to any of your sisters?"

"No"

"You are in a funk with your family"

"No Beth, I'm just in a funk"

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Last weekend I talked to my sister about motherhood.

"When you are sick and pregnant nothing is quite right." She noted.

Yes! That is it! Nothing feels quite right. Like my blog. Like me. Like my family. Things should be different.

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I didn't have anything to wear to church on Sunday. I looked at my closet and nothing mentally fit. I could've tried some dresses on, but my mind had already decided. I didn't want to wear anything I could see. So I put on my black stand-by dress and tried to revive it with some pink accessories. I used to be cute, I swear I used to be cute.

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After church Kiel and I went home to break the fast. We ate our leftovers from the Olive Garden. Lately food and I cannot agree on ANYTHING. I thought the Zuppa Toscana soup would satisfy my appetite but after two bites I gave it to Kiel. I usually cook on Sundays. But I can't make food right now, because my love seems restricted.

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Back at the apartment Saturday morning.

"I'll make breakfast if you do the laundry." Kiel bartered.

"Sure" I shrugged.

I had a small portion of breakfast and then couldn't get up to do the laundry. The day I have a laundry room in my home will probably feel much like winning the Lotto.

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My mother's house is adorable. Every pillow, vase and sculpture sings a happy song. It's the coziest home you'll ever visit and everything is homemade. Nothing is chirping at my house. I haven't vacuumed or swept in weeks. I don't feel like doing anything while I am gestating. I get to pick these things, right?

"Were you concerned about having a cute house when your children were little?" I asked my mother.

"No, but I always tried to have a clean house." She replied.

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Kiel and I went apartment/house hunting. We walked into a home we could never afford. I will use these words to describe the home: Spacious, Georgeous, Breathtaking, I want it.

"We should talk to a lender." I say.

"You want to buy a home right now?"

I think about it, "well, we should talk to one anyway."

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We are in the bare living room tonight.

I want a snack.

I get up and get spinach dip with croustini.

No good.

Instead I grab a jar of spicy pickles take a few bites and still feel unsatisfied. I get up and slice a bell pepper.

I think, what am I doing?

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I got a promotion.

Have I told my blog that yet?

It's great, last week I had meetings till midnight. This week I have meetings in the early AM.

All day I decide which background and what CTA (Call To Action) buttons are going to attract the most customers and therefore improve conversion.

Well actually, I'm responsible for way more than that.

But basically I could care less.

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I am not right. And that is the point. I am not right because I am not listening to what is right. Right for me, my body, my season of life.

My season is not about Job promotions.

It is not about the perfect snack.

I need a permanent house so I can nest and create a safe home.

Good organization and lots of cues from nature.

A clean house.

My season is not about fashion.

It is about picking a few items, showing off the best part of my body.

Easy laundered shirts.

Look nice, but not encumbered.

Clean clothes.

My season is not about cooking elegant meals.

I do not have the heart to treat food the way it should be treated.

It is okay to eat watermelon, oatmeal and toast.

Pirate Booty and Corn Pops.

Just eat something.

My season is for babies.

For sleeping when I can.

For belly and breast expansion and retraction.

A season for schedules and predictability.

A quiet time, a time to be at home (except I'm at work), a time to focus on growing and gathering.

Love this season. (I don't want to ask my energy to do more than this, though some women can.)

Then, then, then! I will start to dream again. I will dream of the season of home cooked meals and vacuum lines in my carpet. The time to cultivate a more sophisticated wardrobe and mornings to stay in bed until noon. I will earn my way to a kitchen full of spices and surprises. Parties, gatherings, social outings. First this. Then the gold living room. (Did I mention I want a gold living room?)

The Day Real Life Happened

For the past 5 months Kiel and I have been living a dream. We talk about it all the time. About how life is being so good to us and how spoiled we are. We live right on the beach, we both have nice paying jobs and in this economy that should be enough, and we love married life. We have so much freedom to travel and do whatever we want. We are planning an amazing vacation in June. It's been great :D

Then something happened...I got really bad PMS. It was the longest PMS of Kiel's life and has yet to go away. I noticed I was cranky when Kiel pointed out something "funny" I did.

"Hey, you washed my hat."

"No I didn't, you're the one who did the laundry." I snapped back, already angry

"But you're the one who sorted it."

"So, you put it in the washer"

"Babe, it's okay I'm not mad"

And then I lost it. Seriously, lost it. I was yelling at the top of my lungs while scrubbing the counters and throwing dishes in the sink. "Of course you're not mad and if you WERE mad you should be mad at YOURSELF." I turned around to find I was yelling at the walls. I knew I was acting crazy but I couldn't get a handle on it. The following weekend wasn't that bad because we were in the bay area but once we got back to our humble abode so did crazy woman. It's like I'm possessed.

Monday, 7 p.m., Melissa gets home 7 minutes before Kiel. Thought bubble "awesome, I think I'll watch a little t.v. before I make dinner, but first I have to go to the bathroom"

Melissa on the pot, Kiel walks in: "You better light a candle in there" he hollars and proceeds to turn on his video game. I yell "Babe, I get dibs on the t.v. for 30 minutes" but he can't hear me.

"Babe, I wanted to watch 30 minutes of t.v. before I cook dinner"

"Why?"

"Because I want to relax for a minute"

"Cook dinner, then you can relax"


It took all of me not to jump on him. I just glared, if my head could detach and spin like the exorcist it would have.

He must have sensed I wasn't thinking good thoughts because he turned off his game and let me watch my show. After dinner Kiel mentioned that my PMS was lasting much longer than usual. Well, it's only been a week I protested.


But then I thought about it, it's been longer than a week. It's been about two weeks and as it turns out it will be the longest PMS both of us will have to endure.


That's right folks, we won't be taking our vacation anytime soon.

A Blog Over

A conversation I had with my company's PR firm.

"Kim, I want my blog to be famous!"

"You do?" she chuckles to let me know she doesn't take me seriously.

But I stand there, then I laugh. "Yes" I say, not knowing why. But I do. Oh, who am I fooling, I just want to be famous and if it's my blog that will get me there then so be it. I love Famous.

Then Kim gives me Hope. "Let me look at it" she says, I will let you know if you have potential.

She gets back to me quickly, "Your blog is really cute and sweet, but it's not you!"

I laugh, taking it as an insult but also knowing she was right.

"You need to tell stories, and put in your sense of humor"

That's how The dog story evolved. A story about my relationship on my "relationship blog" seemed appropriate even if it ran a little long. But now I'm stuck. Most of my visitors, although I don't know who some of them are:

(Who are you Oakland California and Mesa Arizona? Whoever you are, thanks for coming.)

Are interested in pictures and mini updates, am I right? Or am I wrong?

So please bare with me as I try to make this transformation and struggle to make the post that will be The post. That will be the day that Kiel will no longer tease "Did you make your million dollar post yet?" and he will then apologize for not taking my goal seriously and proceed to ask me to buy him a ferrari.

Frackus K

On September 20th 1982, a 9lb 90z curly haired girl was born and that's the day I became an older sister. Frances brought much joy to our family and balanced our sarcastic, dry sense of humor with her over-sensitive, love for everyone and everything, spirit.

Her big blue eyes, blond curly hair and humongous chubby cheeks quickly stole the hearts of most that came in contact with her, and yes this baby was as sweet on the inside as she looked on the outside.
By the time Frances was in the fourth grade she had to date 35 boyfriends. We all know what elementary relationships consist of; playing tag, an invite to the house to jump on the trampoline and wa la "you're going steady" until that little boy finds someone else he'd rather play tag with. Anyway the point is (if I have one) Frannie won the hearts of many, was a social butterfly and a delicate sensitive flower all at the same time. (How's that for talent?)
Speaking of talents, Frances can quilt, crochet bikini's and make crotchless underwear (don't ask, practical joke, or just watch Friends Season 6 Episode 17.)

Frances is a cancer survivor, a supporter and great example to all Latter Day Saints.

She's also the worst secret keeper of all time even though she tries so hard.

But most of all she's a Mother. A mother of the cutest boy.

So happy, happy Birthday to my Favorite sister of mine.

With Love,

Melissa

Job Security

My department did some rearranging.



They rearranged me to the health team. I'm nervous about it. It's a huge brand, that means lots of pressure from the corner office guy but bigger bonus checks so it evens out in the end.



It came at the worst time in our personal lives but we'll figure it out, we always do.



But don't worry beauty scavengers who only love me because I get free beauty products, I still get those perks.



And if you're interested in losing weight but don't want to work at it check out this website: http://www.trysensa.com/

It's Over!!!

Finally, all celebrations for the Birthday Boy have been celebrated and I no longer have to hear the words "but it's my Birthday" for at least another year.

First, we went to the Bay Area to celebrate with family and ate at a chinese food restaurant.

Then we ditched my high school reunion to go out with my sister and her husband to Bennihana's and again we celebrated Kiel.

Next we went to a Blink 182 concert.

Last I threw him a party and it was sorta like two parties in one day. The first half was with family and the second half was with new friends.

The group before the balloon launch with Birthday wishes.

So in all seriousness, I love this birthday boy (I love Kiel, but the boy in the above picture is adorable, don't you agree?) and feel blessed to be his wife and put together a celebration(s) in his honor.