AM~Erica Should Probably Take it as a Sign

So anyway...

For quite some time, I have heard about & caught some posts from a fabulous writer/blogger/humorist, Snarky in the Suburbs. And because several of my friends & online friends sharing so many of her things, I thought I was actually following her. When another face-to-face friend brought Snarky up to me, I wanted to make sure I was actually following her...and I wasn't. I was, inadvertently, following her vicariously thru others. D'oh!

Well, I am officially following her now. And you should check out her stuff & see if you'd like to follow her, too. (click for blog HERE; click for Facebook page HERE)

Now then, the other day, Snarky shared a blog post that contained a guest blogger. It was from an angry health-nut, hippy-commune-needing mom who is looking to ruin every child's Halloween & how Halloween celebrating moms/parents are actually child killers.

No. Really. You can read it right HERE.

Now then, I realize it was probably written in over-dramatic satire. But I did comment on the post in hopes that Snarky would just give me a virtual cinnabon.

But, I want to get to my point. In my comment, I brought up making pumpkin hummus. I said it just to prove a point. I'm not really a hummus eater, but just because it's not really around...I'd probably be the only who really ate it in my house, anyway.

Then, as I was browsing Pinterest...imagine my shock when I came across this staring at me today:

Click the pic, above, to take you to the pin & eventually to the recipe

Yeah...that's right. Pumpkin hummus, which I'd never heard of before & thought it was something created in my head, and here it slapped me in the face!

*sigh* It's fall. And autumn is my favorite time of year! With THE COLORS, with it being FOOTBALL SEASON, and it's time for MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY. So I guess I might have to work getting this hummus working. Amm-i-rite? It's a total sign. Amm-i-rite?

I'll make it while I'm chowing on the candy that's supposed to be for Halloween...and finding one of those cinnabons from Snarky.

And I'll also be going thru a bag of baby carrots to dip into the pumpkin hummus...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Speaks to the Offended

So anyway...

Many of you may have read my blog post CALLING OUT THE OFFENDED. Why do I know this? It's moved WAY up in the popular posts as of this post.

This time around, I would like to continue the conversation about the NickMom fiasco.

When I reposted the link, on the NickMom Facebook page, to my views on the subject of being over offended...I did have a conversation with one of upset moms. In our differing points of views, I did have extra commentary to expand on my previous conversation start up.

We made a break thru with each other, I think. She wasn't happy I didn't cover as much in my post as I did in the comments...but my previous blog post on this subject covered more than just this. So, I thought I'd follow up with some of the commentary and a couple of great posts I came across. So bear with me...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have "***" where she had some commentary. At one point she did start to see my point & was not happy it wasn't in my post, but I do explain why. I did call out activist moms & she said she was one of the pioneer protesters by chance. I have added some summary of other comments made so you can get the gist of what I'm commenting on.

******

Oh...I realize how serious the food allergy thing is. Trust me. But I want to point out that my friend who brought it up to me realized the attacks were misplaced. If your PTA had the gall to make jumps like this, you would be offended. And I do believe that was the point. It's making fun of the moms...certainly not the kids at risk! And I'm intrigued as to why you are keeping up with it on a page that you are so against. The more you come over here & click on the things here...the more it brings up this pages ratings. Just an observation.  And it was just a different point of view. It never hurts to have a different perspective.

*** (Here, she brought up that I was name calling about the bullies, and she took offense.) ***

I do believe we will see it differently. And it wasn't a matter of name calling...just reading some of the comments from the protest movement are pretty mean. And that tends to happen in protest movements. I realize that. And people take one thing and do blow it up. That is the bullying part of it. And do understand that I don't think it's the labeling & such they are making fun of...it's the trying too hard to make sure everything is all inclusive, but it ends up separating out these kids. So, we will see it differently. And I know it's not Nickelodeon you are pointing out...but NickMom...which is this page. So there's a lot of traffic being drawn here, too. I would not & do not promote joking about the food allergies...just those who don't understand it & blow it up into something it shouldn't be...like separating them out from others. Nothing discriminatory toward these kids or what they go thru...just the non-understanding moms who think they understand. Like I said...different perspective.

*** (Here, a guy piped in telling me I digested her; she replied to him calling him an idiot) ***

I have a sense of humor. I look for positive in most everything. I learn to laugh. Not at the serious situation...but out of the satirical. I do still think the video was blown out of proportion. I have children with other issues. I have one that thankfully grew out of a food allergy. But I'm not going to throw myself on the floor because a humor-based satirical video made fun of irrational adults. It made fun of the adults! Not the kids! I also want to make it clear that I am not being disrespectful at all. My friend with the child with the major food allergy came to the conclusion that I did...it's about people doing research of those with food allergies. It should have been used as a teaching tool of how not to handle a bake sale. That's all. It's obvious you all are very worked up. I think it's sad all the way around. But like I've been saying...it's a different perspective. Plus someone who is on your side of things actually thought the protest was out of context. I'm not blowing off the part of the kids...I just truly believe it was directed at adults who have it oh-so-wrong.

*** (In here , she shared with me a blog on the subject from a nicer point of view, that they are not activists, that I was still name calling & that the video had shown during children's programming) ***

I would like to apologize if my blog post was misinterpreted. And when I wrote it, not only did it cover a couple of other subjects, but all the information I came across looking into this video, when it was presented to me, had almost nothing but vile comments, torches & pitchforks, that kind of thing. I had not seen this blog...because there are vile blogs about it out there, too. So, like I said...most any kind of protest brings out of hoard of crazies with threatening & awful words...it happens so often. I know they are loving & caring parents, but the levels that it sparked was a little intense for what I really thought & felt this video was about. But coming on here & calling someone an idiot is name calling, too. I know that comment in the thread didn't strike you the best...but I ignored it. I'm obviously always OK in having conversations about this. Now then...I was not aware of NickMoms until this whole thing blew up. And part of what I'm saying is that, even commenting on this thread...though great conversation of differing view points, still shows up in news feeds & still brings people to this page. Even with the video being taken down...there's all kinds of other subjects that this programming humorously covers.

I do not know exactly what you said about it or how you vented...but if it jumped all over the food allergy thing in the rant, then it's human nature for a lot of other people to jump on that portion of the issue. So instead of saying, "Hey. I saw this video shown...I'm not happy about it, but what do you all think?", that would have drawn more conversation & many less claws may have come out. I know you are only 1 person, though...and it's obvious many others took it the same direction, too. When it was brought to my attention by my friend, I was asked to watch the video first before we had conversation about it. But the comments left from many other moms/parents out there are very-bullying like: threatening & vile in nature. So please understand how it looks to anyone starting to read up on this & research it. Either they are going to also pick up their torch & pitchfork with the riotous mob...or they are going to face palm from how over-the-top the backlash appears.

And, as I pointed out...I completely understand the fears of children with the food allergies. That is not the part lessened here at all! I just think it's the levels that these parents have actually taken it, too. That is all. I have just recently gotten out of the Nick Jr. days...so if this was airing during a program, I can certainly see an issue with that. But that's the first time I saw where that happened. Like I said, I've only come across a lot of vile comments & come backs.
I would also like to point out that I understand the mama bear thing. Mine certainly comes out...but when it personally & directly effects any of my kids. If it's a general thing...I tend to let it go, or at least look into it before the claws come out. But I also know that's me & my own parenting style. It's good there are mama bears to protect their kiddos...but I'm just wondering how much thought any kids put into that video. Kids are very perceptive...I know that, too. But just something to think about. Not that it made it OK to put on during the kids' programming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you would like to read the whole back & forth, click HERE.


So after this posting, and my additional thoughts, there was no more from her. But I do believe it was good conversation. I did come to some additional understanding of a few things I was unaware of...but it certainly did not change my mind.

Right around this time, it was beautiful that I came across this posting from George Takei on his Facebook page...

Satire apparently is a disappearing art form. I am experiencing what younger people call "face palm."  ~ George Takei

My thoughts, exactly! It's totally part of my soap-boxy rant.

Right around the same time, one of the raw, real, and hilarious MOM BLOGS I FOLLOW had this posted on her Facebook page:

The majority of you here genuinely get my sense of humor- and I truly appreciate that- but there is always a group that doesn't who feels the need to make condescending and snide remarks about it. I'm in a "NO BS" kind of mood- so I want to make something very clear.  Just because I joke about something does not mean I don't care. Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes the downs make us want to fall apart- and if we DON'T laugh, we will cry. This is why I try to find even the tiniest bit of humor in everything- the tiniest bit of positivity- the littlest giggle. If you don't understand that- you should not be here on this page.  Yes, I do put my life online for the whole world to read, but just like anyone else- you do not know everything about me from what you read online. My family is held together by love and laughter. Plus, I'm pretty sure if I really were some evil hateful b****- my husband would have ditched my a** a long time ago.  Life is so much better when you stop judging everyone for every little thing and just laugh. Try it. Even if just once. I promise it doesn't hurt.~ Holdin' Holden (she is an author who has also dealt with cyber mommy bullies)

Again...EXACTLY!!

We take life WAY too seriously! We post mean things about the other political side, we post digs at religion, we make it OK to want to shoot someone, we tell other people to kill themselves or call them horrible names with awful connotations. And the humor many find is the tearing down of someone else. 

There is a difference between mean humor...and the satirical. Stop a moment & think...do you know the difference? Did they come after you directly? Or are you just grabbing a torch & pitchfork because you got caught up in a misguided idea or notion?

We need to celebrate the moments, not be horribly cynical when someone is being positive. There's no need tear someone down because their humor is different than yours.

Be positive, people! Find humor! Know the satirical & what is being humorously twisted to get someone thru a moment or a day.

We could all learn from that thought.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica is Sitting Here

So anyway...

*DING-DING*

Round 2!

The snow storms have hit again. SNOWPACOLYPSE II HIT just a few days ago...and now the BLIZZARD OF OZ HAS OFFICIALLY COME!

And we are hunkered down. And we are sitting here.

I am so blessed to be able to have a warm home, electricity, coffee, food...we can be settled in. And I know that not everyone has all of these things...if any at all.

This round has placed me in a very contemplative mood. HERE I GO BLOGGING AGAIN...but there are things that I think about, or things that come to the forefront that need to be thought about.

Being snowed in, and while the news people are staying on air thru this whole thing to remind us that it's snowing & to stay inside, we are almost used to it. And this time around, as the snow gently falls & quickly builds, it causes me to pause.

I still have other things I want to cover, but this sitting & contemplating has brought on other thoughts...

I've already covered part of my thinking of how blessed I am/we are. I was making cinnamon rolls, from a tube that we could buy from the store, and getting the coffee ready...I couldn't help but think about it. Again...I do so hope that those who don't have the blessings we have readily available could at least get to somewhere to have their needs met in this mess.

But I also have the blessing of wifi to stay connected to everyone. We are sharing our pics & stories with each other & making sure everyone is OK. This is nice side of social media. You know...the caring & sharing of our lives side...not the NASTY MUD THROWING as has not even let up. Ugh to all of you who are keeping up on that! Shame on you! Trying to be all inspirational & then throwing someone under the bus right after the other! Cut that crap out! Either be your rude "informative" (term used very loosely) self OR lift others up! You can't be both!

*ahem*

Like I said..."contemplating"...a lot.

I also came across a blog post from a page I enjoy following on Facebook. The owner of the page flagged down her followers to have them read a blog from another page. I read the blog, and was totally taken. Because it's an IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT I TALK ABOUT HERE, too. The page I follow said she would cover the same subject soon...and I was looking forward to it. And she posted it today...

Friends, I cannot stress enough how much I NEED you to read THIS LINK RIGHT HERE from Frugalista Blog.

I'm still shaken by her words. Like she's been inside my head. It scares me...in a good way. But still scary. And it should be.

As this day continues...and it's a lazy day while being snowed in...I will continue to contemplate, I will be thankful for my blessings, and I will be thankful for all of you who read my ramblings. I appreciate you for hanging with me for the insanity that runs thru my brainy-brain...whether it's funny, weird, informative, or sad...the support from each of you is another blessing I truly count.

Now...onto spending some quality time with the blessings I'm hunkered down with here...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Has a Pondering Moment for Blogging

So anyway...

I was reading a daily devotional today, and it was about Jeremiah being told to write down what God was telling him! And it was more than just to show up in scripture...

It's Ash Wednesday, everyone! It's the beginning of the Lenten season. It's a time to ponder about our faith & how we can grow in it. I have TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE, as well as HOW IT SHOULD BE HANDLED along with THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T DO FOR LENT.

Because of that, I won't discuss what I am doing or not doing or whatever during this time. I pray on it & it's between me & God. If I went all Pharisee on you, you would totally laugh at how holy I was trying to make myself sound...or how big of a victim or martyr. Any way you look at it, it would look, sound & be ridiculous!

However, I noticed in the reading of Jeremiah 30:2 (what the devotional was based on today), it talked about making sure to write down His words. It struck me. It struck me because the devotion talked about how we all have such short memories. We need to write things down to go back & remember!

Humans have this really weird way of misremembering things. The story gets mixed up, or we forget it even happened. You know...like going to the store to get a few things, but going without a list. You might remember a few things, but forget others...or just happen to remember something you "need" but really didn't. Yeah...kind of like that.

So, it made me think about my blog. I can tell you that it's something I probably could not give up at this point. Why? Well first off, my brain might explode. We can't have that, now can we? I have a whole lot rolling around in there & getting crowded. But it also allows me to share memories. I have actually gone back over past postings, and been amused at the stories I had forgotten I had told.

God wanted Jeremiah to write down His words so that people would remember! They were going thru a difficult time, and they needed to remember that so they could grow from it...as well as tell the story for history's sake, too.

Yes, there's a lot more to that story, but it's kind of what the devotion spoke to me about. It told me that I needed to just keep blogging. If you all enjoy it &/or get something from it...then...great! But I need it for me. I need it to see my growth, and to help me continue to grow as a person in my faith & in everyday life.

Plus, it will help me keep track of the memories I want to share at another time. They can be pretty amusing.

So there...something to ponder. What a beautiful start to a blessed journey we are beginning for another year...
Who's joining me?

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

I Blame AM~Erica's Future Self

So anyway...

In a recent post I had about coffee shops, I mentioned my fabulous friend, Shanna. I also mentioned she's an author. She also has a fabulous blog that she keeps up, too. I love her!

Recently, she had a great blog post about what you, as your future self, might tell your high school self. It's an entertaining post that really makes you think! She wondered what I would tell myself.

This post will NOT answer that. I am actually here to address my future self. I know I can be ornery & sneaky...but my future self is even worse!

Generally, we love it when someone steps up to do a chore for us or something nice. But there are those times when there's something you need to say yourself, or you have it in the back of your own head to do. But somehow, your future self beats you to it. Just yesterday, I was just talking to my daughter about a story with my future self. I guess my future self got really excited to be in the conversation & struck again this morning!

Several years ago, when I had my wisdom teeth out, I forced them to put me under. I did NOT want to know what they were going to do to me! I remember having my wrists tied down to the arms of the dental chair. I remember thinking that I had to remember that moment as being funny so I could tell my dad. He's the one that took me & was taking me home. I remember them waking me up; I remember the recovery room; I vaguely remember the ride home; I remember being sick since I don't do anesthesia too well; and I remember my dad waking me up once in a while to switch which side I was laying on & to switch my ice packs. Then, I heard it: when my mom got home, I heard my dad tell her that I'd told him about being tied to the chair! Wait...WHAT?? I didn't even get to tell him because I beat myself to it??? How dare me! I was so disappointed that my future self would do that to me.

Now, just know that my future self has struck a few more times, but it was the timing of telling Teen Girl about the above story that made me wonder about this morning...

I was going to get another cup of coffee & I put my coffee cup by the coffee maker. I went to get lil guy going for summer school & then came back to put milk in my cup...and the milk was already poured perfectly into my mug! Wait...WHAT? Gee...thanks, future self!

Don't get me wrong. It was nice. My future self, I'm sure, was trying to help. But at the same time, I have the feeling my future self is enjoying me being made to look like a bigger dork than I already am. Trust me...I do NOT need the help.

So this doesn't help my high school self. Actually I think my high school self would either be terrified by this, or laughing hysterically.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

Welcome to a New AM~Erica

So anyway...

Once again, welcome to my new place. I packed up all my posts & brought them here. I needed a change to reflect me a little better. Reflect where my posts have been going. And it just needed updating. My blog has been pretty much the same since 2007 when I first started it. So, for those who are new to my blog, and to those who have been visiting for a while...I want to invite you to look around.

I'm so happy you came to my Blog Warming Party. (like a house warming, but for the blog)

There's several posts on coffee, of course.

There's those about a kid or my kids. And even the family ones & those about my hubby.

My older ones about jobs & potty training.

Don't forget my celebration posts...

You can always check out my popular posts & other label links, too! >>>

And, of course, my soapbox posts. If you're strong enough to handle them. I found that about 30 people dropped out of reading my 3-part soapbox after the first post before reaching the third part.

Feel free to check out my archives, too.

As you can tell, I've been at this for almost 5 years...but I made a commitment to myself to start blogging again, like I did back in 2007. I didn't keep up the place so well from 2008-2011. So I hope you have enjoyed my stuff.

Even though they don't necessarily cover early parenting, job hunting or bargain shopping much anymore, you can see how far I've come in my blogging.

Also...feel free to comment (like signing a guest book) and I've added the reactions back in, too.

Thanks for stopping by, as usual. Stay as long as you'd like. And plan on more coming...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica's BIG Birthday Post

So anyway...

This post is HUGE! It really is. You know why? Wanna know why? Well, do ya??

You are reading my 100th POST!!! WOOT! *confetti cannon*

I have been contemplating on what I should post about. It's only taken me almost 5 years to accomplish, so what would I or could I cover for this milestone? I thought I might soapbox again, since I really do have a need to pull it out...but that wouldn't work. Needs to be happier. Was going to just make a simple montage blog open house, but I wanted to put some thought & effort into it. Then it hit me...hard. I had this 100th post looming, and today would be a great day for the story that goes with it. Teen Girl's 16 birthday! *cries a little*

As I compose myself in trying to get over the fact that I have a 16 year old, I thought I would share the crazy story behind it & helps explain her personality.

Back during the fall & winter holidays of late 1995, I was in a lot of situations where SO much food was being presented. I worked at a bank & we had so many loving customers who loved sharing treats of all sorts with the bank staff. Even though I'd had a few sicky spells with flu going around & some major stresses I was going thru, I was having spells of throwing up. One of the hard things of working customer service...the sickies come in & breathe on you. But, even being so sick off & on, I was gaining weight. I knew I needed to lose some poundage, but was just too lazy to start trying.

Then, one February Sunday in 1996, as I helped in the church nursery, I got really warm, and light headed, and tired. I decided to just close my eyes for a moment knowing that the other helpers would make fun of me for sleeping for a moment, but it would be worth it!
Ummm...you know in TV & movies when someone faints & they can hear a voice in the distance getting closer & closer & closer before they come to & see whoever's face looking right at them in a very close proximity? Well...I could hear my hubby's voice in the distance, calling my name...and getting closer & closer & closer...and when I woke up, there he was, plus the 2 other nursery workers, plus my dad & maybe another person or two. I'd passed out. I was instructed to lay down in the pastor's office for a bit. Eventually I was taken home to rest. I still wasn't doing better...so...off to the ER. *sigh*

When we got to the closest hospital, I had vitals taken & all that yucky-good stuff. Then I finally saw the doctor. They had taken blood & had determined that I was pregnant. Oh boy...we hadn't planned on that, but we were trying to sort out the info being given to us...especially since they said I might be 1-2 months along.

And, apparently, the hospital didn't have any sort of maternity ward, so anything to check for pregnancy stuff was very primitive. Just like the little wand & amplifier the doc pulled out. He thought he'd give it a shot to check my belly for any heartbeat. He also said that we shouldn't be alarmed if we don't hear anything because of the very primitive tool. He place the tip of the wand to my belly...and...very strong heartbeat! He pulled back in shock & said, "Whoa! Well we usually don't pick up a heartbeat with this unless you're about 4-5 months along." Wait...wha-WHA???? At this point I began to hyper-ventilate. The doctor ignored that & kept talking. Hubby did all he could to show the doc my condition to make him shut his trap. *face palm*

OK...you know when I said that there were only primitive ways at that hospital to deal with pregnancy? Well, we had to find out just how far along I really might be. But how do you do that in the condition of this hospital? Brace yourselves, people & make sure you're sitting down. The only we could check was....by.......X-Ray. I know, it's awful!!! But, when we freaked out about it (since we had NOTHING else to freak out about), we were informed it would be only one picture. So...of to X-Ray I went. For my one picture. Then back to the ER room I was in. Then we waited...and waited...and waited...and freaked out...and waited...

Then the doctor finally came in. But hubby & I had an agreement that, with my earlier heartbeat reaction, it might be best that he talk to the doctor in another room & then hubby would give me the scoop. They went to the next room & I could hear mumbling of the 2 that sounded like the adults talking in "Peanuts" cartoons, "Wah-wah, wah-wah-wah-wah..."

After a bit, my hubby came back in. Even though I was calm, he kept telling be to breathe in, breathe out & calm down. Now...I was worried.

He put the X-Ray film on the lighted wall box & basically told me to find Waldo. (He actually said, "find the baby," but it may as well have been a game of Where's Waldo.) I looked in the normal place you would find a developing child...the belly/abdomen area. There was nothing. I was baffled. So...hubby stepped in. He pointed to where there was a head & body & fingers & toes...IN MY RIBCAGE!!! I had been asked if I'd had trouble breathing, but I was fighting a cold...so YES! But not like that.

It was determined that I was about 8 months pregnant & I'd be delivering in about 2 weeks. They wished me luck. Nice, huh?

Then I had to break the news to family & find a doctor. Only 1 doctor would see me with as far along as I was. I had an emergency sonogram set up. Hubby was there, as well as my mom & MIL. Crowed room, but much concern.

We were informed of 2 things:
1. I was about 7 & a half months along. So that bought us a little time.
2. Not to go painting anything blue...but...it looks like it might be a boy.

Thus, the longest game of hide-and-go-seek was over. The child had been found. And since the child had been found & it was game over, guess who was up all night while baby came "out of hiding"? *raises hand* It was weird. And, if you laugh at the term "she woke up pregnant"...well, guess who that happened to! *raises hand* Imagine my hubby's face getting up the next day & I had to wear maternity clothes the VERY following morning. I had a belly & didn't know what to do with it. It was crazy.

Remember when I said I'd put on some weight? I had put on a total of 8-10 pounds. Guess it's a good thing I didn't try to take it off! But I was told to put on more weight. Well, I did that, too. I put on 35 pounds in a 2-week period. I'm not making that up. The doctor told me I could slow down at that point.

I passed out, found out I was pregnant, found out I was VERY pregnant, woke up pregnant & put on 35 pounds about 2-3 weeks. Yes indeedy-do. That's how I roll...

Oh...and even though we told people it MIGHT be a boy...I had 2 different baby showers thrown for me & the upcoming little one...in boy themes. (remember this part - it's important)

With this being my 1st pregnancy, I was informed that, a) the due date may be off considering how late in the pregnancy it was figured out, and b) I would probably go about a couple weeks over the due date. My doctor was getting ready to go on vacation RIGHT at the time of my "due date". He was setting up future appointments with a different doctor so I could get to know him since the other doctor would probably be the one to deliver if he wasn't back by then. My due date was May 23rd. My doctor was going on vacation on May 22nd. On May 19th we had church, a child's birthday party & I had to teach a makeup dance class. May 20th, I began to feel the pangs. After a while, I started writing down the times & length of my pangs. Coworkers started noticing that I was keeping track.

I don't remember much more about that day except that I got home, hubby & I were trying to figure out if I was in labor, planned on dinner, called the hospital to see if I should eat dinner, called the doctor, walked Kmart (this is an ordeal by itself), still thinking labor & then called the doctor to say we were going in. This was finally around 10ish at night.

I was told that I probably would be sent home, but found out that, along with the steady contractions, I was 80% effaced. That meant I was staying! I got to get settled into about the only room they had left available...the big suite! One they normally use for high risk birthing situations, but it was free & I needed room. Voila! And I felt great! Just the contractions hurt, but I was carrying on colorful conversations only pausing for contractions. Even the admitting office didn't believe I was in labor when I had to go over insurance stuff with them on the phone.

The contractions were getting harder & the family was showing up. At around 11:00, the doc showed up. This is a very stately man with a balding top of his head & sporting a perfectly silver half-circle of hair & a full, yet very groomed & stately beard. Always in a tie & labcoat. Until he showed up at my room's door. What he had of hair was every direction you could think of; he was in a grubby brown tshirt & faded jeans; and, even though I didn't see it, he was wearing wooden clogs. He showed up in the door and proclaimed, "So! We're having a baby!" Duh!!

There's more fuzziness in memory here. I do remember hurting & fading quickly. I remember that I couldn't dilate fully, so I had to be given pitosin. I remember getting ready to be given a local anesthesia & my hubby freaking out for me by covering my face in a wet cloth & telling me it would be OK. He didn't want me to see the size of the needle. That's love. I also nearly crushed his hand during a couple of contractions. Well...they hurt.

When it came time to push, I remember pushing, but not a lot of what happened during that time. I remember the baby crowning & hubby thinking we were having a redheaded boy with his ears. Then...the moment came to pull the baby out...and on May 21st at 6:08 AM, this is what I hear from the doctor:

"Oh...it's a girl! Oh...she peed on me."

Yes, the build up to a boy deflated quickly & this little, tiny girl already had so much attitude playing hide-and-go-seek for so long & then wanted to prove to the doctor that she was in fact a girl BEFORE he went on vacation.

After the nurses got her cleaned up, hubby & I spent some time with her. And then it was time to let the family in. (Heck no we weren't gonna have an audience!) They walked into the room in a straight line...almost like getting ready for a firing squad. They stared at us. And I said, "Everyone, we want you to meet (our girl)." The jaws dropped to the floor. Seriously. No one said a word. After a long & awkward moment, my MIL was the first to speak. "It CAN't be! Think of all the little girl stuff I passed up at the garage sales!"

That was our bit of congratulations.

Even when I called into work to let them know I wouldn't be in for a few weeks, my work (who hosted one of my baby boy showers), sent flowers, a girl balloon & a card with this message:

"OOPS!
~BoB"

HA!!! Still one of my favorites!

The nurses did say she didn't even look like a newborn, and that she was the prettiest baby they'd seen & were trying to hook her up in the nursery. *face palm*

That was 16 years ago. Hard to believe. We gave birth to a teenager on that day. She has had the sass & the attitude to prove it for all of these years. She's the one that gave me migraines.

She is also blessing. She does make us crazy, but she is creative, entertaining, talented beyond belief, adorable & a beautiful young girl. She has big dreams. I know she will achieve them because that's the one place she's driven.

This is my story on an important day. What a great way to celebrate my 100th blog post! What great way to celebrate a birthday!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica