Derailed my plans

I had all kinds of plans to get the things that needed to be done DONE this week. But, James has had a pretty high fever, so I've been taking care of him. I guess, according to the information I found on the internet, that it was NOT a high fever. I read that temperatures up to 103degrees are considered mild. Doesn't seem mild to me, but I also tend to overreact. (When he first got to 102.5, I was pretty sure he had swine flu or some sort of rare, exotic illness that would only be diagnosed when it was too late. Again, let me state that I overreact.) It got to 103.7 (moderate?) but is coming down. He was showing a lot more energy tonight. So, hopefully we can all start getting more sleep and getting back into the swing of things. We did decide to take him to the doctor yesterday, who is very nice. She found it amusing when he asked if she was Dr. Seuss.

At least I got my final classes taken for renewing my OT license. Just need to submit the paperwork. Then to finish thank you notes and making calls about my name change. Oh, I don't think I mentioned the name change last time. I debated for a LONG time about my name. I knew I was taking Blake's last name, but the question was whether to keep my middle name (Ann) or change it to my maiden name. I finally decided that no one calls me Heather Ann, but people have been calling me by my last name for 40 years, so that would be a more fitting middle name. So, I go to the license bureau to change it, and find out that it is no problem to change the last name, but to change the middle one, I have to go to the Social Security office and change it there first. So, after months of debating, it comes down to the license bureau deciding for me. It just wasn't worth it to wait in line at the Social Security office (with a 3-year-old) for the change. So, feel free to call me Heather Ann. Except don't. It makes me think I'm in trouble.

ACK!

It's been almost 2 months since my last post. Although those 2 months have been a little busy . . .

Here's a summary:

1. Got married.

2. Had a honeymoon.

3. Came home to James with a cold (or allergies?).

4. Got the cold (or allergies?).

5. Turned 40.

6. Had 3-4 hours of therapy on my arm each week.

And a bunch of other stuff.

There is seriously so much that I want to share, but have been working on catching up on stuff. And coughing. So, I'm going to try to post a little something each day, because this has been such an amazing time for us.

First, a funny story. Last week, as I was trying to get James to eat his breakfast, I told him to eat his oatmeal, or no cookie and no Diego (I know, bad mom), he said to me "Ok, Mommy, you drink your coffee or no opening presents and no Jeopardy!" And this was even before my birthday. So, yes, we have a lot of thank you notes to write!

So, the wedding was beautiful (although I am a little biased, but I've heard others say it, too). It was an indoor ceremony and reception, but the weather was perfect, which made it even nicer. We were really blown away by how many people came to celebrate with us, since it was out of town for everybody. My aunts and uncles came from New York, my mom and dad from Texas, and Rachel and her husband even came from Wisconsin! We had so much fun at the reception, talking to everyone as much as we could. I hardly ate in the 24 hours before the wedding (from nerves), and by the time of the reception I was starving, then didn't get to eat much because I was talking. No worries about me wasting away though -- I made up for that lack of food by eating everything in sight on the honeymoon.

Blake and I keep talking about sitting down together to jot down all of our notes on the wedding and honeymoon, so we don't forget anything. That has yet to happen, but we really need to, because there is so much that we want to remember. One thing that I am so happy about is that we waited until now to do this -- James was old enough to be our ring bearer, and he did a wonderful job! He still talks about how he brought our rings to us.

We should receive our discs from the photographer soon and are excited about that! We used David Owens from Columbia, and he does not provide any prints, just ALL the pictures he takes in high resolutions on a disc. He followed us around like a shadow for 8 hours, so I know we are going to have so many amazing pictures.

And, as soon as we got home, Larry had given us a disc of pictures he had taken of all of the festivities, and of the week James spent with his grandparents Larry and Debbie, Aunt Danielle and cousins Cameron and Landon. So, here are a few of them!

Blake cracking us up at the rehearsal dinner, while Landon tries to get the presents.

The wedding party

Looking back toward the chapel and pavilion. We were taking "sunset pictures" and many people came out to enjoy the weather and view of the river.

At the brunch the next morning, Blake discovered mimosas. He has had many, many mimosas since.

I am going to try to update with more pictures and details of things, and as I try to get my thoughts down, it may seem a little scattered.

And, just so it doesn't seem like we get to slack off and relax now that things are over, NOW we are starting to look for a house to buy!

Again, thanks to everyone who helped make this time so special for us!

Do you know anyone named Pam?

James came out from his nap the other day, informing me that he had changed his name to Pam. When I asked him why, he said it was because he didn't know anyone named Pam, so he would be the only one. I was forced to inform him that we did know people named Pam, and perhaps he should choose again. Or keep the name Daddy and I worked so hard to come up with when he was born. He eventually went back to James. Either way, Pam or James, I like this picture of him dressed in his pirate costume, trying to look fierce.

On the wedding front, there is no need to panic. But I'm pretty sure I will at some point. It is less than a month to the wedding. It is all going just fine. Nothing is wrong. But, it just seems that so much time is being spent on wedding stuff, despite the fact that it doesn't really seem like there should be that much to do. I can say that everything that has been done is great. I love my dress, almost all RSVPs are in, and the honeymoon is booked! So, really, nothing to worry about.

Got a new doctor, who has referred me to a specialist for my arm. I go Tuesday and hope to get some quick work done. At least something good has come of this -- I love the new doctor I found. So I can face future illness and injury with confidence, hahaha.

Yeah, Blake!

Blake started his new job today! He proactively went looking for one, being unsure if his previous company was going to have work for him when his project ended. They were a little offended that he did this, but turns out that they didn't actually have more work for him. So, I think he did them a favor.

We are excited about his new company, including that they are allowing him to take vacation after a month, which lets us take our honeymoon! And, I know that I am marrying someone with a clean record. His new employer does some work for the government, so he had to complete a 50-page security clearance application. And he passed :)

Easter was great -- James had a BLAST looking for eggs. Periodically, Blake would take a couple that had already been found and re-hide them so James could do more looking. James never knew and had so much fun each time.

My arm is still a mess, but is maybe a little better. I don't like resting it. I feel lazy.

Can't Post

Supposed to be resting my arm. Apparently I cannot fully extend (or now even fully bend) my arm because I have medial and lateral epicondylitis. Better known as tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, despite the fact that I have never played tennis or golf.

So, still no working out, which became increasingly frustrating today when I got a call from the bridal shop saying my dress was in and I could begin alterations. NOOOOO! I'm not done altering my body!!!

Well, no more typing. Except to say that if you get a chance, watch the new episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. Jack Black is on it. It is pretty hilarious. Apparently he also has a preschooler who loves that show.

I am SOOOO drunk

because I am such a supersticous fan. When we were down 13-2 toUConn, I yelled for Blake to bring me a beer. He brought his good Boulevard Smokestack Series Sixth Glass. It's yummy. And strong. And we finished it before the game was over. BUT, we started doing better almost immediately. So, when I ran out of beer, but we were close, and the game wasn't over, I had to have more of the EXACT SAME BEER, just in case that was why we were doing better. But we still lost. and then I had to chop veggies and cook pasta sauce. Drunk. Probably about the closest we've ever been to the final 4. So I'm happy., But, still so so so sad.

At least Kansas lost in the Sweet 16.

Elite 8!!!

I am so excited!!! Mizzou beat Memphis and is in the Elite 8! I will gladly have my bracket picks ruined for that. We play UConn tomorrow, so I'll be looking forward to that game.

It has been a fun and busy, busy week. Last week, Danielle and the family came to town for her birthday. It was fun to celebrate, and of course James always enjoys parties. He's already asking about the next birthday, which is actually mine, but not until June. Saturday night, we went to dinner at Buca de Beppo with Danielle and Shawn, and some friends of theirs from school. It was fun to get out without the kids. If you haven't been to this restaurant, it is a serious amount of food! Fortunately, James enjoyed the leftovers and has been eating them all week. And has some killer garlic breath as a result.

Monday, I went for Mom's Night Out at the Melting Pot. It was Ladies' Night, and this Melting Pot has an even better special than the one in Chesterfield did. $22 for cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, and 2 drinks (wine or martinis). Much better than their usual prices. The company was great, too. It's really nice to be getting to know the other moms in the group better and feeling like I have friends again. I should post a pic, but I'm too lazy to upload right now.

After all of the eating and drinking out, combined with the fact that I still can't work out with my left arm, I doubt that I'm still 8.5 pounds from my goal, but I am trying to be good. We'll see.

Go Mizzou!