61 weeks, but who's counting right?

That's right, sixty one glorious weeks left. How awesome is that. I wish that number was squished to about 6 weeks left, but I will take what I can get. This week I'm supposed to wash and clean out the car...boy does it need it!! Stephen took it to work today so I wont be doing it now. It is raining since Friday so no harm there. I think we may end up selling it after we get the new car. HALLELUJAH!!! That car was okay when i first got it but now it's more like a tiny little coffin. It scares the jeepers out of me.
On a different not, I am supposed to be going to Louisiana on Thursday but no tickets booked yet. Hopefully I still get to go. I have been back since September, but that time has really flown by.

I took Michael to get his one year shots on Saturday. He is 34 inches tall and 25lbs. He's in the 98th percent for his height and the 70th for his weight. The doctor said he is doing really well and is very healthy. Well, I would hope so. Little booger is always hungry and always has a drink in hand. Ugh, we love him so much. How is it that no matter how much I see him walk, or talk, I still think its the cutest thing ever?! Me NOT being bias, thinks he is the sweetest and cutest and smartest baby alive! lol. His sugars have fogged my brain, i think. Last night we were sitting at dinner and said, "Michael what does the doggie do?" and he replies with, "OOF OOF!."

Week 2: Cleaning out the closets

Well, that was easy! ...and difficult all at the same time. I am a horrible "get-rid-of-er" . My thoughts as I'm going through my drawers: "Well, I haven't worn that in two years but I am losing weight so maybe soon"...cant' go in the bag. "What if my other clothes get stained and I have nothing left" ....keep that. You see where this is going. All together I bagged about 6 pairs of hideous pants and stuff that I wore about four years ago in college. Things my flabby mommy belly will not be folded into. And I'm a good folder...which makes me a bit depressed. HOw the hell was I that skinny?? Really?? And I thought i was a bit big back then but a size four from American Eagle isn't that big at all. And I'm really not big now, just not little anymore. Sigh...where am I going with this?? Oh yea..the cleaning out the closets thing. Well, I did what I said I would do. I'm going to do Michael's clothes today, which shouldn't be that hard. Little thing gets longer everyday.
Speaking of...he's walking like crazy. Everywhere!! and talking. He says "Jsss" in a high pitch, oh so cute, baby voice. That means Juice, btw. He also says fish, daisy, hey, and dada. That's right..no "mama" in the mix but he'll recognize one day.=) Here's a picture of the too cute little man that made a year old on the 20th of Feb.

Making a list and checking it 63 times

In my effort to get through the last year and couple months, I am coming up with a list of 63 things. 63 weeks, 63 activities. The list is going to be filled in with random things. Some things related to moving and packing and cleaning...others related to cooking puerto rican dishes and taking Michael to get ice cream. Sometimes I'll go in order and sometimes I'll skip around. Some things may be repeated obviously. But I want to finish this. Hopefully documenting each week's activity with a picture. The first week is making the list. I"m still working on it and trying to think of things to fill it in. Here's what I have so far:

Week 1: Make my list (in progress)
week 2: Clean out upstairs closets
week 3: Wash/clean out the car for Stephen (since i dont' have one yet)
week 4: order a new book on Amazon
week 5: clean the garage
week 6: buy ingredients for and make Pastelon
week 7: rearrange and clean my room
week 8: buy a car (this may come sooner)
week 9: have friends over for a game night
week 10: take Michael for Ben and Jerry's icecream
week 11: reorganize and clean out the laundry room
week 12: do al of the laundry in the house in one day...
week 13: clean off Stephen's desk
week 14: see "Remember Me"
week 15: see "Eclipse"
week 16: Make Easter cards with Michael
week 17: Take Michael to the park and blow bubbles
week 18: visit family in Louisiana (may come sooner)
week 19: cover the table in paper and paint with Michael
week 20: Make a new Scrapbook page
week 21: Buy and plant some new flowers
week 22: clean out and minimize junk drawers
week 23: make Papas Rellenos
week 24: mani/pedi
week 25: make michael a jumper
week 26: Picnic at the park with Michael
week 27: Lucy and Dans wedding. =) can't waiiiittttt!!!!
week 28: wash/clean out both cars (assuming i have one by then)
week 29: plan a trip to Vieques
week 30: clean the garage
week 31: order a new book on amazon
week 32: clean off Stephen's desk
week 33: clean the fish tank
week 34:
week 35:
week 36:
week 37:
week 38:
week 39: spend a couple of days in Aquadilla
week 40:
week 41:
week 42:
week 43:
week 44: clean up back yard, pool area.
week 45: go through clothes again and pack what we wont need
week 46: Clean up all Christmas and get rid of what we dont need
week 48: Plan Michael's 2nd birthday
week 50: Clean out Michael's old baby toys and pack up what he doesn't use anymore
week 52: Go through my kitchen stuff
week 53: clean out garage
week 54: clean out my room
week 55: start cleaning out guest bedrooms/washing walls and windows
week 56: clean out and sell the stuff we aren't taking with us
week 57: Clean out pantry and refrigerator
week 58: Get our medical records/ organize important papers for the move, take dogs to vet
week 59: Pack everything we will need before HHG arrives: clothes, etc
week 60: Move everything that isn't ours or moving into its own room
week 61: pack all of my breakables and pictures
week 62: cancel all internet, cable, electricity, water
week 63: Take a video of inventory of all of the HHG and video the working appliances and tech gadgets.

That's all I have so far. When I finish, I will repost with the rest and each following week will be entitled with that week's activity. =) wish me luck...and if anyone can find the remote to put the next 63 weeks on fast forward, please let me know..i can't find it!!

To my baby boy

February 20th of 2009
I held my heart for the first time
I touched your face and kissed your cheek
Played with your hands and cuddled your feet
I cried many tears and laughed aloud
When daddy changed your diaper and was so proud
When mommy nursed you through the night
And promised everything would be alright
For the first time ever, I’d found my place
Looking into your darling face
We will love you forever my darling dear
Our little Michael Patrick Bernier

Half way to a year!

That's right, our precious little big boy is 6 months old on Wed. He is 22lbs and 28 and a half inches long. His hobbies include; burping, rolling over, giggling, eating dog tails, and coughing when not paid attention to. He enjoys spending time with Boston and Daisy and being held at least 12 hours out of the day. His favorite foods are sweet potatoes, mashed bananas, and apple cereal. His short term goals consist of learning to crawl in the next two months (stationary play just isn't his style), saying his first words by seven months, and walking before his first birthday.

He's a perfectly healthy and comical baby boy and a joy to be around. He's so easy to take care of and is always happy. We'd be lost without him. Happy early six month birthday Michael..WE love you!!

Good Gracious

Where does the time go? Seriously! Wasn't I 6months pregnant like last week? All of a sudden I wake up to a giggly, roley poley, who's working on scooting his way across the living room floor. He's 4 months old as of last week, weighing in at 17lbs and stretching out 26 inches long. We're looking into NBA teams at the moment for when they decide they want to recruit our son. =) Definitely not the Lakers, we don't want to make Kobe look bad. Michael is now rolling his way around. I woke up about a week ago and went in his room to pick him up and get him ready for the day. Michael was rolled over onto his stomach with his blanket draped over him and his head poking out with the biggest, toothless grin he could force. That happened a couple of times without Stephen or me being able to catch him in the act. Sunday we laid him on the floor and were so excited when we saw him roll over a few times!! He's also eating cereals and fruits, sometimes twice a day. The strained peas incident made me realize he's not much for vegetables at the moment, so we should try again later. He is no longer mocking Daisy's howl, but instead, he's OOHing like a monkey. That makes for interesting conversation in the middle of Walmart. =) He's also growing out of his 6 to 9 month pajamas. If he grows another half inch he'll be in 12 mnth. I'm already thinking of ways to alter his pajamas by maybe cutting off the feet and hemming the bottoms. At the end of July we will be making his first trip up to Mass to see his aunts and uncle and grand parents. It should be lots of fun. No time for posting pics today..he's calling for me. =)

3months

Our sweet little handsome man is three months old already! He's come such a long way from that motionless, curious, little bundle we brought home, seemingly, days ago. While he's still curious as ever, he's also very much aware and alert to his surroundings. He can't sit still long enough to realize that he can't run, although he tries so hard but stays in place. Recently, he's found his voice, however I think he's copying Daisy's howl more than mocking our words. He loves his bath time with dad every night at 8:30 and then willingly lies in his crib and falls asleep to his glow seahorse. His open-mouth, gummy, smile is heart-melting, and his appetite for hands is hilarious. He can pull himself up on his legs while holding our hands, now. He can also, almost, pull himself into a sitting position but lacks the stability. He's weighing in around 15 or 16lbs and stretches out about 25inches long. He loves the dogs and they adore him just as much. Boston is way more protective and tries to shield him from Daisy's tongue baths, whenever she gets a half second to sneak them in. Stephen and I are doing great. We're looking forward to our first summer as parents, taking our baby boy to the beach and letting him get a feel for sand. It's been a fantastic experience so far and we can't wait to see what the future holds for our baby boy, Michael. Here are a couple of pictures we've snapped in the last month
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My growing boy

Michael will be two months old tomorrow. I can't believe how fast it is all going by. I know it's only two months out of his entire life but he's still growing up on me too quickly! I've already made up my mind that I'll rock him to sleep til he's twelve....then he'll be too big for me to hold. =) He's been smiling and cooing alot more and I've caught him laughing in his sleep a couple of times. He must have been dreaming about peeing on mommy or daddy; he usually gets a kick out of that. Oh and his little bobbin (pouty face) is the cutest thing I've ever seen. He sticks his little bottom lip out as far as it will go and gives me the saddest little eyes...I'm not supposed to laugh but I do and I kiss him more! He hasn't begun sleeping through the night, yet. Although, two nights ago he only woke once and that was at 3 am. Last night was more like every two hours which he hasn't done since he's been home. But he slept all yesterday afternoon so I half way expected that. We've been going on more walks and hanging around outside. I can tell he can see alot more because he can't stop looking around when he's out there. Poor little man is going to get four shots tomorrow afternoon. I'm not going to be able to look, I'll cry more than him...which is why I recruited Stephen into being there so he can do it. He's alot stronger than I am when it comes to things like that. I have lots more pictures posted on my myspace page under his One Month album so you guys can all go check it out. I'm still waiting for a little bit of me to shine through but he's still alllll Stephen..and so darn cute!!! How I went this long without him, I don't know.

As for me, I am going to have surgery on my gallbladder April 21st. Next Tuesday. I beleive it's an in and out procedure. I could stay overnight depending on what time he schedules me for surgery. I am so excited to get this over and done with. I've grown acustomed to eating healthier and it's done great for my baby weight. I dont' know how much i've lost but it's atleast twenty pounds. I'm almost down to my original size and fitting most of my old clothes...I honestly don't know how I squeezed myself in to some of those things though, jeezzz...now that I have a little more junk in the trunk alot of my pants are useless. Oh well, I guess I have to go shopping for more =)

Our little doodle bug

It's been a while since I've updated. We are doing pretty good. Michael is getting big so fast. He's begun cooing and smiling and holding his head up on his own. His favorite time is the morning. Most mornings start off with his "grunting" from his crib doing his morning business which is pretty hilarious to wake up to. I've been "marked" a couple of times while changing a diaper half asleep and have since learned to keep my guard up. =) He has such a great personality already. I can tell he's going to be a character. I came home from a solo trip to the grocery store the other day to find Stephen wearing something completely different and dressing the baby upstairs. He'd finally got Stephen!! It was pretty funny. He went to the doctor yesterday and at 6 weeks old he weighs 13 and a half pounds and is 25 inches long. Needless to say, he's quite healthy. He was smiling all morning and cooing at his doctor who just loved on him...And how can you not?? If i don't kiss him a thousand times a day, i don't kiss him at all. He really is such a joy and Stephen and I could not be more thrilled to have reached this point in our lives. I'm still waiting for him to look a little more like me....but he looks more and more like his daddy everyday. I'm not complaining, he's so handsome, I could care less either way. Here are a couple new pictures. I'll try to stay more updated.

Life with Mikey =)

It is now day 10 since we first saw our little boy. We have been home a week now and he is such a pleasant little person. Every day I look forward to seeing his little face when he wakes in the morning...(and the three times he wakes at night) Stephen goes back to work on Wed and we are going to miss him so much. I know he's going to miss Michael just as much. I have some pictures I've been taking of the two of them, and Stephen is so in love! Just as I knew he would be, he is a great dad. Never complaining to change a poopy diaper or get up at night to help with the baby. It really is such a great thing to see baby boy and his daddy asleep together on the couch. Neither one of us can help but kiss his cheeks all day. It's pretty safe to say he is going to be spoiled rotten. Anyway, here are the pictures of Stephen and our son. =) or I should say, Stephen and little Stephen

Michael Patrick is here!!

I really should have updated sooner but we've been a little occupied =). Michael Patrick made his appearance via C-section on Feb 20, 2009 at 7:06 pm. We tried and tried to get him out the other way but he was not having it. (Picky already, haha). His Auntie Lori was with us and kept Stephen company during the nervous times. It really was a great thing she was able to come on such short notice. I know it made Stephen feels lots better, as well as myself, to have family here.
After four and a half painful hours in recovery, alone, I was able to be wheeled into my own room where Michael and Stephen where able to join for the remainder of our 4 day stay. Seeing him for the first time...(since the first time) was the most amazingly wonderful feeling ever. He looks like a little glow worm!!! Ha ha. And every inch of him is full of Stephen's features. After much confusion, we finally found out his weight at birth was 8lbs 13oz and he is 20 and a half inches long. NO WAY was momma gonna get him out any other way. The dr even said so. We won't go over the c section experience. Eventhough it was an aweful experience, hearing his first cry was the greatest thing i've ever heard in my life!! And if given the chance I know we'd do it all over again.
Here is a picture of little man. He's the greatest baby in the whole world (don't try to argue with me on it, haha.) Stephen is an awesome daddy. As soon as little man came into the world, he went into instant daddy mode and has been in love ever since. I can't get over how much we love him. I look forward to waking up at night and giving him whatever it is that he needs. He is such a joy

Still here

38 weeks pregnant. Yea, yea, I know alot of first timers go to infinity and beyond with their first babies. This chick is not having it. Can I tell you how swollen my poor little ankles are? My bones are probably going to crumble into dust if I put on anymore weight. Although not gaining weight would involve me putting down those six packs of chocolate donuts and toll house cookies i have come to love and adore. Ben and Jerry run a close race with the previous mentioned. OH sure, I laugh, I poke fun at myself, and all of the above ...the truth ....I am done.. stick a fork in me! Don't get it twisted, I still love seeing little mans foot glide across the top of my belly but when he kicks me in the ribs, oh my goodness!!! I think he giggles when he hears me curse. I woke up at 430 this morning...for reasons I am totally unaware of. All I know is, there were cabinets downstairs just begging for me to rearrange. Did I do it? No...why?? oh because I have these elephant sized kankles that cripple me after walking down a flight of steps. So walking at all is now out of the question. You think it's hilarious..and I'm glad to entertain, but seriously...can we just get the patocin ball rolling here? Things I have tried to get this going...

Walking- 3 miles one day last week..a mile or two the other days...with no light at the end of the tunnel
Pineapple- I bought a fresh one, butchered it, downed it, and ended up with a raw tongue
Cleaning house- the best it's looked since stephen and I married 4 years ago. He's elated to say the least. I've scrubbed all but his desk (no telling what i find on this thing) but i did disinfect the key board.
I've also bought carpet, assembled coffee table and end tables, painted the living room (with much ventilation) rearrange furniture (nothing too heavy), washed my vaccuum...that's right..i said it. vaccuumed couches, scotch guarded couches, I mean aside from spit shining the place with a toothbrush, i've pretty much done it all.

but to no avail.
He'll come when he's ready. If he's anything like stephen...he'll be late and move at a turtle's pace. =) I mean that in sweet way.

Am I done bitching now? Yea...but you'll probably hear from me in a couple of unlabored days.

Update

Get him out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ahhh i feel about as stuffed as a thanksgiving turkey. I make it sound funny but this is no walk in the park...all i gotta say is BRING ON THOSE LABOR PAINS!! i'm strappin on my combat boots and ready to go!!

Dr appt last Friday

I completely forgot to update after I went to the Dr on Friday. I'm happy to report that I didn't gain another 10lbs. I lost 1 lb. I think there's just a one or two lb difference in the two Drs scales..so I'm probably the same as I was last week. Anyway, I am 1 cm dilated and the baby is "there". I asked the doctor if he thought I was going to go to my due date and he said No... yay! Although I do want to go a little bit further. I am so swollen lol. My face and kankles are just something to be laughed at, at this point. As well as my very noticable wobbling. Other than that, we've been working on the baby's room. We got it painted this weekend and the bedding came today. So as soon as I put everything up, I'll post pictures. We also have the pack n play as well as a boppy. Everything is up and ready to go. So if we get any unexpected surprises in the coming days, little Michael will be pretty set! We've also recieved a video camera and web cam from Stephen's parents, so those back in the states will be pretty up to date on all of his waking moments. (I just needa figure out how to work it..lol) I'll have another dr appt to report on Friday. Wish us luck =0)

um, OUCH!

Yesterday was SUPPOSED to be a great day. We were going tour the hospital and see where little Michael will make his appearance...assuming he doesn't be funny and do that in a car or on the hwy...=0|. First, I walk downstairs to let the little dogs out...and slide on the back of my calves for the second set of steps...avoiding falling on my butt by holding on to the rail...that was the first of many bad things to happen. Second, we're getting out of the car at the dr's office and i manage to close my pointer finger in the door with the same hand it's attached to...!! I now how a black nail, purple and blue on the other side..it's swollen and feels like it's going to fall off, also rendering me unable to use it for typing, making this typing thing a pain in the you-know-what. Moving on to the rest of the day where i must have gotten too worked up over my finger, i wasn't breathing correctly and tried to force the rest of the painful trip without fainting. Once in the drs office, i had to sit, otherwise woulda have done a face plant. Then, walking to the hospital, had to sit like 5 times because i was going to eat pavement. Such and embarrassing, desperate, and horrible feeling. Stephen kept telling me to go sit in the car, but i'm stubborn and pushed on. Until the dr noticed my hands shaking and I was about to faint...then I was made to sit out the tour in the waiting room while Stephen did the tour. I hated yesterday...lol. But we learned some valuable info, and I'm glad we got it over with. On a happier note, Sunday I had a surprise baby shower and it was lots of fun. I didn't expect to have one until after te baby was born, but that was all part of their grand scheme. =) I love surprises. 4 weeks left

On the brink

Of being 200lbs!!! are you kidding me?! I went to the doctor yesterday. Let me first start by saying, everything with the baby is great. Now as far as me....lol...that's a different story. I am now retaining water, oh how fun! The last time i had a doctor appt, I didn't gain any weight from the 2 weeks before.......now this time........I gained 10 lbs in two weeks?!! Yea...i wish i was making this up. I don't know how I have managed to gain so much...my diet has not changed at all. I've actually been more active this last two weeks so i expected to have a better result. I'm 190lbs...with 4 weeks to go. Wow!!! We're going to be parents in a month. Other than that, the doctor says the baby's head is "right there"...lol. No dialation or effacement yet. Which i guess is good...though baby boy is about 6lbs right now. I'm told he gains about a lb a week. i think we may have a little piglet on our hands. =) Monday, Stephen and I go for a tour of the hospital, Friday I go back for another appt. (i go once a week now). and in between all the commotion, I've got to get the epidural approved as well as little Michael's circumcision. Gooooo medical insurance. Good thing I found out before we went to the hospital, other wise everything would have been out of pocket. Oh joy. Other than that, I've been cleaning like crazy, getting everything ready, and trying to keep these kankles under control. Here's a recent pic. I'll save you the shock....I'm huge.

Let me just say

I am totally 100% uncomfortable. I mean that in the most excited way possible. I'm huge, to say the least. I've got stretchmarks....yuck. Me, that was bragging the first 30 weeks with not even a sign of stretchmarks has suddenly been "blessed" with every mommy's service stripes. Michael has now taken a liking to elbowing me in the pelvic and kicking me in the ribs, lots of times at the same time and mostly around 3 in the morning, which makes for a quick trip to the potty. 6 more weeks and i'm giving him his eviction notice! lol. My best friend will be here on the 22nd of Feb and i have a good feeling he'll still being baking. Linda being here is going to be such a big relief and help. I'm really looking forward to it. No new pictures to post...i took some new ones of my belly today but those will not be making their appearance. =) The belly's huge...and Michael's still kicking his way out...other than that all is the same. We're excited and antsy to say the least to see him make his debut....let's hope it's a fairly quick and painless debut!

Happy New Year!!

Stephen and I are staying home tonight. No big deal, I'd rather stay home and be comfy and I think Stephen just really isn't up for the going out thing right now either. Our New Years Resolutions? Stephens is to be a good dad...=) He already is to me if he's making resolutions like that. Mine is to bring our baby boy into the world with a healthy start. I want to teach Michael so many things and spoil him. I know Stephen feels the same way. I know we're going to go through alot more changes together and I feel like we both have the same outlook and goals as far as raising our baby boy. I'm so excited for Feb to get here.
I've spent most of today painting stuff for the baby's room. I'm so excited that I took a more creative and inexpensive approach to decorating his room. Now all we need to do is set it all up. I can't wait. Here are some pics. =)

So Christmas went great. Stephen invited a couple of his friends over who were staying in the barracks. And together we made a great Christmas lunch/dinner. Stephen did the turkey and I handled the rest. WITH NO CASUALTIES OR FOOD POISONING!! lol. I was so glad everything came out great. Stephen loved his presents. I got him a Tom Brady jersey, some patriots flip flops, and a tool kit with everything in it that he needs. He got me a Dooney and Burke bag that is just gorgeous with the matching wallet and a beautiful pair of earrings. We really did well for eachother this year. Not that the presents matter but it was great to be able to spend Christmas just the two of us. Boston and Daisy loved their presents. We had them each a stocking with treats and toys and i kept two of the four bones Stephen's mom sent so they had something to open for Christmas..plus it keeps them quiet when company is here. So here are some pics I took of stephen and food and gifts and another preggo pic of me...getting huge!!!!

Happy Christmas Eve

Stephen is finally home. He left a little over two weeks ago to fill in on a boat in St. Pete. While I'm glad he got to go back to the states for a bit, i'm even happier that he's home. I picked him up yesterday from the "aeropuerto" around 1130 and we fought traffic to get home. He says I've gotten bigger...i absolutely feel bigger, that's for sure. Beached whale comes to mind when someone asks how I am doing. He had a great trip and was even part of the opening ceremonies for the St.Petersburg bowl..he was part of the American flag shaped like the u.s. But because of a stupid basketball game on ESPN, they skipped over taping the opening ceremony and went straight to kick-off.
Tomorrow is Christmas and I am so thrilled. It's our last Christmas just the two of us. Next year we'll have little baby boy to flourish with gifts and start the traditional "fib" about Santa bringing presents. I can't wait. We're normally in Mass at his parents' house for this time of year but because of my massive belly and risk of having a baby soon, we opted to stay home and spend it here. I love Christmas in Mass...the snow on the ground and absolutely frigid cold makes it all come together to feel like the holidays. It's almost difficult to listen to Christmas music here when it's 85 degrees out. So, we'll have some company over tomorrow and I'll attempt not to food poison them or burn anything. Let's hope it goes well. I'll post pics tomorrow of our gifts and food, etc. Dr appt on the 29th...so i'm hoping i have more great news to report.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!!