Friday, December 9, 2016

35 Weeks

Mama needs a nap mug, $12.99
 
Let's just say at 35 weeks, this mama is slowing down.  There's still so many "nesting" things I want to do when I get home, plus all the Amazon.com goodies arriving at my house to go through for Christmas, but there's never enough time (or energy) in the day.  Plus, I'm caffeine free for three weeks now.  It sucks.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

It's a... GIRL!!!

Can't say I saw this coming.  At our 21 week appointment on 8/30 we were scheduled for our anatomy scan.  We brought Jayson with us thinking it was going to be a good experience for him to see the ultrasound and hear first hand whether his sibling was a boy or a girl.  We were fully prepared to make the announcement that day following the appointment, except our little peanut (much like her older brother) had other ideas and refused to cooperate.  So we left that day a little disappointed and were scheduled to come back on 9/14 to get some additional measurements and help our awesome ultrasound tech Leslie hone in her new machine. Within the first five minutes, despite criss-crossed little legs, we were able to determine the gender and it was a girl.  Justin and I were actually shocked.  I felt like I was carrying very similar to our prior pregnancy, but hey, one of each is not bad.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Tantrums, TMJ, and Pregnancy


Ok - so the title should have been three items that start with "T' and it could have been really catchy, but I couldn't come up with a way to refer to pregnancy with a T.  Trimester is a t-word related to pregnancy, but this is my second trimester not third...so no T.  Anywho, T or no T, as I already mentioned this pregnancy has been different than the first go around with Jayson.  Chalk it up to my age or the fact that I've already got a contentious child at home to deal with, it's all different and I can say I'd be appreciative of some better days.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Until I See You Again


Seventeen. That's how many years I've been fortunate and blessed enough to know the Krueger family.  For seven I've had the same last name.   For three I've been raising one.   If there's one thing I know about being a Krueger, it's the love for family that trumps all.  Anthony Krueger was no exception.  He lit up with family around.  He loved kids.  He was the "fun Uncle."  Every family has one.  Our family will now be in short supply and it's a loss that's hitting hard.

Tony, as he liked to be called, exhibited all the defining qualities of a Krueger:

  • Caring & Generous. He'd give you the shirt off his back and it wouldn't matter if you were a stranger, his neighbor, a friend or family member.  I once witnessed him pay for an entire order of groceries for a complete stranger who's card was declined.
  • Charming & Charismatic. He knew the value of opening doors and buying flowers.  That same charm and charisma helped him build an impressive business network.  His name carried weight.
  • Mechanical. He was a jack of all trades. There wasn't a single thing he couldn't take apart and rebuild. He passed this on to his sons who I've watched tinker since they were toddlers.
  • Busy body.  The man couldn't sit still. He used that energy to be productive, both at home and at work.  I could get tired just watching him. 
  • Work ethic. The man owned his own businesses and knew the value of sweat equity.  He wasn't all high tech. He carried around a chewed up pen and a pad of paper and was boss man, customer service, and worker all in one.
  • Gracious host. He loved to be surrounded by friends and family.  The more the merrier and like a typical Krueger he always made sure there was enough food and refreshments to go around. 
  • Fun.  Tony knew how to have fun. As I said earlier, he was the fun uncle. Whether it be boating, going to the board walk, or simply wrestling with his sons and nephews he made sure it was fun. Even a trip to a diner for breakfast became a laughable affair.
  • The "Go Big or Go Home" mentality.  No matter what he got involved in, he was 110%.  He also loved buying in bulk, especially Clorox products for which we all teased him.
  • Insomniac. I joke using that term but like many of his siblings, he was up at the crack of dawn and rarely went to bed before midnight.  Many a vacation was spent talking into the wee hours of the morning reminiscing over stories like that time he drank a bottle of syrup or when he got lost boating with Tweds while using navigation.
I could go on and on about you Tony, but I'lI close saying this: I'm going to miss your raspy voice and nonchalant attitude.  I'm going to miss your negotiating skills as to why we should stay by you versus Aunt Linda, etc.  I'm going to miss fighting over the check at restaurants and hearing you say "get outta here" like you were straight out of Brooklyn.  And I'm going to miss that smile that gave away when you were up to no good.  You were larger than life and you knew it.  Heaven gained an incredible man. 

Until I see you again,
Christy

Monday, May 9, 2016

I blinked...


Kenny Chesney was really onto something with his song "Don't Blink."   It's lyrics fully encompass how I feel about life, and Jayson's life in particular.

"Don't blink, just like that you're six years old and you take a nap, you 
wake up and you're 25 and your highschool sweetheart becomes your wife"

Unfortunately, I blinked and another whole year has passed.  Jayson is turning three.  How is that even possible?  Don't get me wrong, some days feel longer than others.  Many days I can fully relate to "Toddlers are A**holes: It's not your fault" by Bunmi Laditan.  However, when I sit down to write a recap post on yet another year of Jayson's life, I find myself a little sad that it's going oh so fast.