TGIF!

No, it's not Friday yet, but February also starts with an F. I'm just thrilled to bits that January is finally over and we can move on to the rest of the year. I know I haven't blogged much in the last few weeks. I just haven't been motivated. I've been trying to keep the house clean, reading up a storm, working on my Chick Lit Central blog, dealing with crazy weather, baking (got this new peanut butter bar recipe that just requires some butter melting and refrigeration), taking care of the kids, trying to rest with this pregnancy and shopping (sometimes out of necessity).

Last week, I went to the hospital to get a tour of the maternity ward. I wanted to see it because I was new to this hospital, having given birth in two different states prior to this one. The woman leading the tour reminded me of Gloria from "Modern Family," as I couldn't understand half of what she was saying. I was also the only one there who had given birth before, as she made it feel like a kindergarten class for parents-to-be. The tour was only supposed to go 45 minutes but this went well over an hour and had way too much detail involved. Still, I was relieved to find out that we can use our cell phones and we get free wi-fi. :) The TV costs $5/day once we're in the recovery room, but if I am there during Oscar time, I will deal with that cost. (When I had my younger son, there was no way I was going to miss "American Idol.")

This past week, two of my friends (one local and one from my previous community) had baby girls. I'm very happy for them, but it makes me long for a girl of my own. I still want a healthy baby no matter what, and there are pros to having either gender. My older son does have his heart set on a girl and I worry about disappointing him if it's a boy (even though my younger son would be happy then). My BFF's Magic 8 Ball confirmed that it will be a girl, so we'll just have to see if it really works the way it should! :) Two more of my friends are having babies next week (b'shaah tovah). One is local and one lives far away. I know one will be a boy as she's been talking about it ever since she found out. The other is sending off a strong boy vibe, so we'll just have to see. I'm excited for both of them. It was nice being able to talk about my pregnancy with them this entire time.

In terms of this pregnancy, I plan on it being my last. My husband and I agreed on only three kids a while ago. I was aiming for just two originally, but was okay with three. I knew I wanted another one and chose to get pregnant this past year. I won't miss the morning sickness, but I will miss the feeling of a baby moving around inside me and getting to hold a newborn for the first time. Once my kids grow up, I feel like that's it. I have been writing down the cute things they say and posting them to my blog about them. I love reminding my older son about some of the funny things he said when he was the same age as my younger son. He finds it hilarious too. Anyway, when I was on the hospital tour, I felt unsettled by the fact that my baby will soon be physically detached from me and they'll become a separate entity (i.e., their own person). I didn't give it much thought before, but now it's something that nags at me. I also don't know how I'm going to juggle things with three kids. My older son is very independent but I've been warned that even he could regress. Yikes! I also worry that I'll be jealous of people who are continuously having babies, even though I did choose for this time to be my last. How conflicted is that?!?

In the meantime, I shall list some things I am looking forward to in the coming months, aside from having another baby (b'shaah tovah).
1. Valentine's Day (I still love it.)
2. My 7-year wedding anniversary.
3. My younger son's 3rd birthday/upsherin
4. Purim
5. My family visiting (for younger son's birthday and to meet the baby, b'shaah tovah)
6. "Glee" Super Bowl episode (3 days!!!)

I haven't seen too many movies recently. In January, I saw "Dinner for Schmucks" (pretty funny, but also a train wreck), "The Social Network" (interesting, even though I heard that it's not completely factual) and "Freakonomics" (some parts I liked, some parts I didn't). I also read some good books, all of which I reviewed at Chick Lit Central. I'm currently reading "Night Road" by Kristin Hannah. It's interesting so far and has a Jodi Picoult feel to it. Reminds me of "The Pact" in some ways. Lots of gray area. Earlier in the month, I read "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford for the book club I'm in from my community. It was also a well written story, but I thought the ending was kind of forced and a bit sappy. Still, a worthwhile read!

I got the soundtrack to "Free to Be You and Me" from Value Village. I think I enjoy it as much as my kids do. The first time I remember hearing the song was when I went to overnight camp the summer before my freshman year of high school. Some of the words were changed around and they kept inserting one of the counselors' names in it. They also added the name of the camp in there too. Then I went to a "nostalgia night" during freshman year of college and some people were acting out scenes from FTBYAM. Afterward, we watched the video in someone's dorm room. It was really cute. Then I didn't give it much thought till I moved to NJ and one of my friends had bought the DVD for her kids. A friend might get me the DVD soon, so that would be cool.

My "Little Shop of Horrors" soundtrack cassette has died though. I need to get it on CD. I love that soundtrack! I hope to find it someplace soon. I was so glad when someone sent me the "Joseph..." soundtrack, even though my younger son has become addicted to it. In order to not become satiated of the music, I found a bunch of kids' CDs to play in the car. I hope the variety will be helpful!

Other than that, I have an annoying cough that I wish would go away! I'm just taking Tylenol Cold for it since that's safe for the baby. I'm hoping some cough drop brands will be safe too. I can't take it much longer!

Till next time....