Our Silver Anniversary and I Finally Get it Right Sister

Well, I know my friend Jenn is quite shocked that I got her birthday on her actual birthday. I even sent an e-card last night with the date of today so she knows I got it right. Although, I will admit, I was a little nervous that this was the wrong day.

Why is this a big deal? I've known Jenn since 2nd grade so you would think a person who you've known for 25 years would know the date of your birth. Well, not so with me. For years, I've gotten it wrong when Jenn ALWAYS remembers mine. As I remember back, it seems like this is a pattern in our relationship. ha!

Now I don't actually remember (as usual my lack of memory hits) Mrs. Green's class much except that we had special "chew gum in class" days, but that is when Jenn and I actually met. We had the same teacher and got to know one another. We also were on the same cheerleading squad in 3rd grade. We lucked out that we got to know one another better. Who would have known that it would last this long!

I do remember going to her first house on Elma(?) to spend the night. I even remember a little bit what it looked like. In fact, we spent the night together A LOT! I never remember the times at my house, but I do remember a few things about being over at her Dad's house on Amisted. We would always make up game shows for our parents to play. Her Dad must have really gotten a kick out of it. Also, he would always let us climb, WALK, and jump on the back of their brown 80's couch! We loved doing that! I can't believe he let us. Jenn and I would turn on the stereo (in the "formal" dining area of the house) and put on one of the tons of records there. We also used our cassette tapes to be modern. We would dance all around the living room.


We did have a falling out period that started in the 6th grade. I vaguely remember it having something to do with a note that I wrote to Julie Chen who became my 1/2 of 6th grade best friend. Jenn and I did hang out after that, but did grow a little apart in Jr. High and High School and I don't think we realized that we were still BFFs.

The funny thing is that Jenn always let me borrow money in Jr. High. Like today, I never seemed to carry cash. I'm probably still in debt to her. It became a joke on how she financed me and how much money I actually owed her. I really can't remember ever paying her back.

We did go on trips together. I remember one particular trip to Schiltterbahn, which you can read about on Jenn's blog. We actually rode the same ride 20, maybe 50 times to see this lifeguard Chris. We flirted for hours (at least it seems like it now). We got his address and everything, but once he took his red hat off we decided to pursue other ride options. He was balding! Now days that isn't a big deal to me, but to 2 15 year old girls, it is a BIG deal. It still makes me laugh today.

Also, on that particular trip, I remember the drive down there. Jenn and I had our 2 Walkmans. She was in the front seat, me in the back laying down. My choice of music was Salt and Pepa, "Let's talk about Sex." Ooooh! Risque aren't I? Anyway, I'm singing along and here is what it sounded like..."Let's talk about (silence), Baby, Let's talk about you and me....Let's talk about (silence)." Jenn's Dad, Jerry, interrupts me "Hot Rod, I know what the song says." or something smart ass like that. Talk about embarrassment! Oh my! 15 year old turning RED at this point. Knowing Mr. Garner as I did, he totally did that just to get a rise out of me!

Right here I just want to say that Jenn welcomed me into her family and her Dad was really like my 2nd Dad I spent so much time over there. He would call me "hot rod." I can vividly remember where I was standing when I got her call about her Dad. It hit me very hard as I loved him just like my own parents. He was so special to me and its hard to think he's been gone so long. He was just as special as Jenn!

I do believe that I was the first person Jenn picked after getting her license in the styling gray Monte Carlo. Even though it was totally a pimp-esque car, we thought we were awesome in it. I do have to admit that we became closer in High School because she had an October birthday and mine is in April! We had lots of fun in that car for sure.

Jenn did "steal" all the guys from me. I had the biggest crush on John Messer and guess who he goes out with. Yep! Jenn. I'm not sure if she knew I liked him, but I have to say that when I look back, I'm glad I got one upped! ha!

A prime example of this was when Jenn went out with James Palin, the cool guy with a white Nissan sports car. I was so angry that she went on a date with him because we were all in theatre together and she knew I liked him A LOT! However, once she told me of her date at Chili's where he preceded to take a string off his shirt and floss with it at the table we both agreed that he was a total dork! Again, I'm glad she experienced it first hand and not me.

Now for some reason our Senior year we decided to room together at A&M. We had always been friends, but still rooming together was a big commitment. I'm thinking she even was going to room with someone else there, but picked me in the end because she thought we'd be a better combo, which we were. I can't think of two roommates going more their separate ways. It worked well. We did spend sometime together, but our Freshman year worked out great as we were both with our boyfriends A LOT!

My fondest memory of the dorm freshman year was when our heater went out. It was freezing! So cold we duct taped a sleeping bag in front of the window to keep the cold air out. It was hilarious! Of course, we put a work order in and it took them a day or two to come out. However, maintenance decides to come out at 8am before some of us are out of bed. Now being that one of us didn't want to get in trouble for having boys in our room they shooed the worker off saying it was fixed. HA! Needless to say, we lived a bit longer in the freezer until another work order was filed and another worker came.

Now that I'm writing this guys seem to show up frequently in this post. Our Sophomore year we decided to live in the dorms again and got to pick a room in Rudder (the big dorm rooms on campus). One of our reasons for picking the room we had was that it was next to the stair and we could sneaking guys up and down easily. And we weren't even wild! We were so tame.

Now, one of the main times I remember actually being there for Jenn was during a break up our Jr year? I cancelled my plans and we played Skip Bo together. We really didn't even talk about the guy. We just had some quality roommate time.

I do want to add one more cool thing that I contributed to the relationship. If it weren't for me wanting to go meet up with a set of potential suitors, Jenn wouldn't have met her hubby! Jenn always was the stable relationship type of gal when I was the lets date around and not get too settled kind of girl. There were many guys Jenn would meet in our apartment while I was hanging out in our living room with them that she would raise her eyebrows at and in the end she would be right about them. A few favorites for Jenn's reading pleasure - Liam/Ryan upside down w/ his feet up on the wall while sitting on the couch, Brian walking into Jenn's room guy...

In the end, I think Jenn and I bonded because we were both only children secretly wanting a sister. We are enough alike to understand one another, but so different that it really makes us like sisters. She is the giving, detailed oriented, remembering one. I'm still working on it. I think we have this understanding This is why we could live together for 4 years and still come out BFFs on the other side. As for the future, Jenn is one of those friends that if you talk every day to each other or once in five years, she'll understand who I am and what I'm feeling.

I love you, Jenn!

Happy Ira Freeman's Birthday

Now what is this all about????

My friend Brian and I have a fun holiday and I thought I would share it with you since a lot of you are from Midland and actually know Ira Freeman. I'm not sure if you think it is wierd or funny...Oh well. Brian and I think its great!

Brian and I used to work at the same company, National Instruments, and during our ever-so-productive days it came up that my birthday is April 30th and Brian's is July 30th, exactly 3 months apart. Anywho, we put our b.days on the big 12 month wall calendar in his cube and then I realized who else had a day 30 birthday, my old 8th grade crush, Ira Freeman. I added his Happy Birthday to Brian's calendar and thus the silliness began

It proves how crushed I was on him as I still to this day remember his birthday and to honor the crush that really never materialized into much I always wish Brian a Happy Ira Freeman's birthday.

So to all of you loyal readers (ha!)-
Happy Ira Freeman's Birthday!!!

Just a Little Thing

It seems all I have to do is write sweet things about my baby girl and she responds...Last night we had a breakthrough of 2 five hour stretches. Even though I got up at 6am I am so rested today it is amazing! Got to love it! Had to share my excitement with someone!

My sweet baby girl - The First 3 weeks

I have to say from the moment I got you in my arms I was just totally loved you. So tiny and small somehow you were much more delicate than the boys at just 6 lbs. 12 oz. Its amazing what less than a pound difference makes. For the first week I swore I could have another baby because I just loved the experience so much! Now, I am content with my sweet 3 kiddos and think that is just the right number. Good thing because we have planned you to always be the baby unless God really decides to throw us for a loop.

Cuddling is just the best with you and I am not a "loving the baby stage" person. Maybe its different because I know you are my last one, plus as I go through the same things I went through with Dylan and Logan it brings back a flood of all those memories that were tucked away and forgotten due to sleep deprivation. Like tonight when I finally got around to putting the nighttime music on. As it came to song #8 on the cd (yes, it does take that long to feed and get you down at night, just like it did with the boys - another forgotten memory), I remembered a song I had made up for my sweet baby boy Logan that went along to that tune. It really is a little simplistic song, but still got my emotions all up and made me want to go into Logan's room and sing the song to him.

The bows and all the pink outfits that say "Adorable", "Sweet Girl", and "True Love" are lots of fun. You have so much dark hair. That was one of my first thoughts when I saw you. We're not sure where the color came from, and I'm sure it will be replaced soon, but it makes your smoke blue eyes stand out and it is long enough to clip a bow in. Lucky for you because I am so against the total headband bows and was planning to use scotch tape or honey to stick these suckers on. However, the clips work for now and at least I only put bows on you when you are going out on the town.

You really have been such a great baby and working with my scheduling process. ha! You really get the nighttime thing which Daddy says is inherited from me. Either that or I forced it upon you. Keep it up and I can't wait till you drop a feeding. You are already in your bed as Mommy is a light sleeper. Just today I had to start double swaddling you because last night you kicked out of your swaddle everytime! Twice, it was up around your face. I can't believe you are already getting that strong. For such a little girl (8 lbs. now) you have strong legs.

The hospital was great this time. Quite a vacation as usual! Unfortunately, Daddy didn't want to stay the extra day on the not so comfy couch bed so we came home for your full life experience. You had a preview of what was coming at the hospital, but not the entire picture until you got home. The craziness of a two boy household set in and now you know you have brothers who love you as much as they possibly could.

Dylan loves to hold you, kiss you, hug you, and takes time every chance he gets to play with you on your gym. Yesterday morning I peeked around the corner to check up on you two and he had gotten a burp cloth and was wiping up your spit up off your cheek and off the gym so lovingly. Dylan is so sensitive to your needs and really gets a kick out of watching diaper changes and wants you to "sit" next to him at all times. He says the sweetest things.

• "You are such a beautiful sister."



• "Mommy, I don't like you better. I don't like Logan better. I like Kaley better!"



• "She's so cute."

Logan took a little more warming up to you. The first time he really decided he wanted to see you he yelled ,"KALEY!" and ran into your room while you were sleeping in your crib. Of course, big brother Dylan had to join in and they both woke you up. Logan must understand what its like to be around the constant noise of a sibling because he always says "Baby Sleeping. Shhhh!" **putting pointer finger up to his mouth** Recently, he just started coming up to kiss you, wants to give you a hug and kiss at nappy nap and night night. He has even called you "my baby."

Daddy is a little overwhelmed by all the pink. He mentions it anytime we get new clothes. "Ahhh more pink!" He puts on a tough face, but you already have a special bond with you. He even calls you Princess when he isn't thinking. You are so loved by us all!

Well I must get to bed soon since you will be waking me up tonight. I just want to close with my favorite moment of the week. I went to handbell practice on Thursday night and even though I was gone only an hour and half the moment I got you in my arms I realized how much I had missed you and was ready for the newborn neediness again. As you ate for bed time, your little body was up against mine and your arm was over your sleeping face just relaxed. I just wanted to hold you all night. Especially when I was holding you on my shoulder, legs tucked up and in against me with your head tilted back and your mouth open because you were so relaxed.

I love you Kaley Kirby!

True Love

I know you'd rather hear about Lil' Miss Kaley, but I'm just writing a quick note about how sweet my husband is.

Today I noticed online that the new 90210 was coming on tonight so I went to Greg and said, "Can you set up 90210 to record? It comes on CW tonight."

Greg - "Already done it. Its a 2 hour premier."

How cool is it that my hubby knows to record shows I might be interested in? This is especially sweet because we had not discussed it before!

What a great guy!

Dylan Sunday Sayings

"That poop is gorgeous!" (showing me what he had done in the potty -maybe its a boy thing?)

"I'm a chugger!" - He was eating pancakes when he said this. Earlier in the day Greg and I had commented how Logan was a chugger when he drank milk. Dylan naturally applied this to eating pancakes fast!

I am officially checked out

As with other aspects of my life, this blog is falling to the wayside for awhile. I will be back, but since I am exhausted at the thought of doing anything these days (which I'm sure will get worse) I'm giving you a heads up.

So our baby girl is coming on the 21st and for all you who have been pregnant or have had a pregnant wife you understand how absoultely unmotivated I am right now. The following are a testament to how pregnant I am.

1. I sleep with the ceiling fan on high and an oscilating fan on high that I don't let oscilate so it points directly at me. I'm still hot for my afternoon naps.

2. I have to take a nap everyday now. Boo! For those of you who know that I have had more energy this 3rd time around understand how disappointing it is for me to have to go back to napping. I even slept in till 8am this morning, took a 2 hour nap at 1pm, and I'm still tired at 11pm.

3. I have worn 2 different shirts inside out within the last week or two. My friend Kelly has been there both times to tell me. Did I take the time to go in the bathroom and change them back right? Nope. They didn't have tags and she had commented that they were cute before she realized they were inside out. Of course, she does have a 2 month old so maybe I shouldn't have been so lazy.

4. My kids have had a tv show increase. I usually keep it to 2 30 minute shows a day, but now they can wrangle up to 2 hours a day out of me. I have come to the conclusion that in 2 weeks they will be up to that level anyway since I'm nursing so what is an extra few weeks going to do to them? The hard part will be breaking them once I'm sleeping through the night.

5. I warned Greg last week that I will only be cooking dinner every other day these last few days so he needs to alter the budget accordingly. His response was "Okay, no problem." which in turn prompted me to do the same this past week instead of using the original start date as next Monday.

6. I have taken plates out of the dishwasher for the boys twice in the past two days because I thought they were clean only to realize later that my dishwasher had not run. Oops. Once I really didn't turn it on...The second time, I'm convinced I did. Greg is challenging that thought though.

And the worst...
7. I looked in my underware drawer after a shower and thought "If I wear a lighter color undie, then it should be cooler during the day right? Wait, maybe that would be true with a shirt, but the undies never see the light of day." I for sure have prego brain.


Other Updates

• Dylan is doing great with the no thumb life. We even have stopped the bribes. We are just keeping the band aids going until after Kaley/Kailey is born
• Yes, Kaley/Kailey has a name now, just not a spelling or a middle name.
• Logan is super cute these days and my favorite thing is when I am putting him to bed and he says....

L- "Mommy."

K - "Logan."

L - "cuttle" (pats his hand on this mattress and gives the mommy is a sucker smile)

• Greg is being super hubby while I am in this state. I guess the 3rd time around he knows what to expect. Today he pretty much did all the hard work (or anything that required work) with the boys. He was surprised when I got up at 8am and said, "Why didn't you stay in bed?" Also, he is dealing with my list of things to do very well. This past week after work he finished hanging things in K's room AND he rehung some crappy bulletin board squares in the playroom on the same night. That is a big level of effort from him without complaining on a work night! Although, anytime I complain about anything he says, "You should stop getting pregnant!" Does someone need to clue him in on how that happens???? ha!