Red Bull

Before sharing this post, I asked myself WWBD (you know, my go-to question, "What Would Bud Do?").

Here's the deal, there's no way to share this story, without bragging.  I know Bud wouldn't tell a soul, if he were in this position but it's such a crazy story, I really must share.

In a town about 50 miles from Columbia, there's been a spike in teenage pregnancies.  There are no OB/GYN's in the small town (I know, can you imagine?), so the girls are having to drive 30 miles to get prenatal care, and I'm not even sure if that's happening.

I know about this situation, through my work with March of Dimes.  I have served on the Board of Directors for many years, and, truth be told, don't really do all that much work.  Healthy pregnancies and healthy babies were important to me long before I started having kids.  In all honesty, while I was newly involved with MOD, I selfishly hoped that when the organization shifted its (very successful) campaign from folic acid education to prematurity prevention, researchers would successfully tackle prematurity, then the organization would shift its focus to infertility.  I was certain I'd have struggles getting pregnant.

I know, the irony.  I also know how lucky I am.  It's important to remember that on days like this one, when I'm feeling so queasy.  I just keep telling myself it's a good sign.  Hopefully the baby is healthy and growing, and this is the last Hodge baby, so I'm going to try to enjoy every aspect of this pregnancy.

Today March of Dimes is still fighting to prevent prematurity.  The non-profit organization funds research around the country, and a lot of it right here in Columbia.  Doctors and scientists are trying to figure out why there are more women dealing with pre-eclampsia, and why more babies are being born prematurely.  MOD also funds education.  There are nursing modules, available to help educate nurses about the latest research and techniques.  They also award community grants to help school districts or county health departments coordinate campaigns and provide literature and support about smoking cessation, signs of pre-term labor, etc.

I am very flattered, because March of Dimes just named a community grant after me, and awarded it in my honor.  Remember that small town, where all the teenage girls keep getting pregnant?  They have also been playing a game.  The girls chug Red Bull to see whose baby starts kicking and flipping all over, reacting to it first.  I know, insane.  The school district and health department asked MOD for a grant, so they could provide education and support to these girls about why this is not a good idea.

I know.  It's a crazy story.  Hopefully these girls can be educated about the dangers of Red Bull.  It's too bad they weren't educated about the benefits of birth control.

So, I have a fancy glass and mahogany award on my desk at work.  I know, totally pretentious.  But, seriously?  I can't keep it at home (that would be more obnoxious, wouldn't it?).  I'm pretty sure the kids would break it, of course that could very well happen here, with the "kids" at work.

Anyway, WWBD?  He'd hide it under the bed.  Not me.  I'm proud to be a part of March of Dimes.  Even if I do seem a little full of myself.  I'm not.  I still remember, and want to thank, all the little people.

100% Better

So... we're still waiting on furniture (Nana is bringing us her couch and two rocker recliners- all like new- because she ordered new furniture), so things aren't totally re-assembled yet... but I did bring much of the toys and this comfy chair (I love it, Christi gave it to me) back in to get things settled as soon as the carpet guys finished up yesterday.

I love it... and it's obviously a HUGE improvement over the HIDEOUS green stuff that was here when we moved in 3 years ago.  Unfortunately, it was in perfect shape, so there was no getting rid of it, until we had catastrophic flooding.

I just about had heart failure when we had (no where near catastrophic) some flooding yesterday, as the carpet guys were finishing up.  There was a wet spot on the BRAND NEW CARPET along the wall.  I immediately called the ($625) French drain people to come back over here, since they just installed the drain last Friday.

The guy checked out his work, then proceeded to tell me how the drain is working properly.  Just when I was about to be all, "Oh really?  I don't think things are working perfectly, MY BRAND NEW CARPET IS GETTING WET!" he started telling me what was causing the (minor this time) leaking.  The gutter.  The duct tape (Bud's fix) wasn't holding.

Go figure.  He's caulking it tomorrow, and he rushed home with a Shop Vac and large fan, and the carpet was dry last night and is still dry today.

Thank God!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Great Day

Bomb pooped on the potty!!! I missed it. Thank God Bud documented it with lots of photos. Note sarcasm. I won't share those with you, much as Bud would like me to.

Bud says Bomb said he needed to go, then got up there and did his thing! First time he's ever even acted interested!

Yay! Maybe I won't have to do anything to potty train him, either!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Shorter Hair

I gave the boys haircuts last week.  I put the photos on facebook, but just realized I hadn't posted them on the blog, yet, for Nana.

I really need to work on potty training with Bomber.  I haven't really given it any effort, yet.  I was spoiled by Hayden potty training herself.  She was 2 1/2.  Bomber will be 3 in about 2 months.  He hasn't shown any interest.  Fun, fun, fun.

Brewer is taking a few steps (before falling) now... Bud was teasing that he puts his head down and moves his hands really fast, when he wants to get somewhere quickly, but Bud says he doesn't actually wind up crawling any faster.  I guess it's an optical illusion.  It LOOKS like he's crawling faster.

I like the way Brewer's haircut turned out better than Bomber's.  Oh well.  It will grow back.  Bomb's hair was actually much harder to cut, because he wouldn't sit still.

I miss his blonde curls... hopefully they'll be back by summer.

Good News and Bad News

Good news is we are replacing all the flooring downstairs and the installer will be here in about 24 hours to do it.

The bad news is that we must use carpet because of the condition of the existing floor. Also, we haven't selected the carpet yet.

Christine will be here in 20 minutes to watch the kids while we choose the carpet. No pressure.

Super queasy. May have something to do with not getting home until 1am (Mill Creek Gala then meeting up with good friend on Twitter and in real life, Megan to hang out) then getting up at 6am to start trying to figure out carpet decision.

Christine is bringing donuts. Maybe that will help.

Kim thought she spotted a baby bump in my dress last night. Sadly, I don't think it's a new one.

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Making it Happen

Picked out the flooring for downstairs and the steps. Bribed the kids to behave (sort of worked) by promising a trip to BK. Now if I can just convince Bud to PAY to have it installed... He really wants to tackle the project himself. I know. Nuts.

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Aunt Dean

These are for you. Bud gets into the whole guy cheerleader character a little too enthusiastically.

We can't wait to see you guys!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Go Mizzou!

So.  We lasted through the first quarter.  My boss offered me Mizzou tickets yesterday.  So, on the spur of the moment, we decided to take the kids.  The year I was dating Bud, we didn't miss a game.  We took Hayden to one game, as a baby, and Bud has averaged one game a season, with the guys.  I had my big hurrah for homecoming weekend.  That was my first game in 5 years.  Isn't that nuts?  

Anyhow, we'd never attempted taking the kids to a game.  The boys are still pretty young, and I worried about disrupting the game for those seated around us.  I thought we might end up sitting on the hill... but we stayed in our seats for the 1st quarter.

I think Hayden may be getting over her suntan tights issue, thanks to the Golden Girls.  We were actually in our seats 15 minutes before the game, which hasn't happened since I took my nephew, Chase, to a game about five or six years ago.

Some nice older gentleman seated in front of us gave our kids a box of popcorn to share (or fight over), and Brewer kept guzzling his water.  I think they liked the game.

We keep asking Bomb what he liked best about his first MU football game.  All he talks about is the cupcake he devoured at the tailgate we visited.  My boss, Curtis, always throws a nice tailgate in Lot C.

We had plenty of basement work to do... but instead we goofed off and enjoyed the weather today.

The woman (Pam) from the company doing the French drain, who called to ask my name (and addressed me, on voicemail, as Michelle), left another message telling me that the project won't get started Monday, as planned.

We've narrowed down the flooring choices to either floating vinyl or carpet tiles.  I was set on the vinyl floor.  That's what our friends, Steph and Matt have in their basement, and they've had water issues, and they love it.  But, the second contractor is really pushing carpet tiles.  I still haven't been able to find any, and I'm not convinced.  I think Bud's leaning in that direction, because he's confident he can install them himself.

I was hoping we'd have the flooring finished by Thanksgiving... now I'd say it's 50/50.

Great Day

I'm probably jinxing it... because the baby is fussing in the other room, and I still have to survive Hayden's dance class... but we had a playdate at Presleigh's, with all of our good friends... and I didn't want to strangle any of my kids, and I got to visit with my girlfriends, and was only a little queasy while we were there.

We had a great day!

I haven't talked to Jill yet today, but she sounded great yesterday afternoon... and now we're 99% certain it is the relative of the rival anchor.  How messed up is that?  My poor good friend, Megan.  She's so good and so talented, and if I were her, I'd totally feel like I had to be watching my back all the time.

The whole thing has made me think about my job and myself.  I immediately assumed guilt and deleted the account... then I started looking back at things and realizing, 'Hey, I didn't do a damn thing wrong.'

I wonder why it's my nature to assume I'm wrong.  Now that I'm convinced I'm right, I feel extra-super angry.  I just can't stand things that aren't fair... it's not fair that an evil, jealous, vindictive person could've gotten my friend or me fired!!!  I mean I have a brand new boss, who doesn't know me... what if he'd gotten mad, and believed this email without investigating?

Now I'm just determined to continue living my personal life like a NORMAL person... maintaining friendships, drinking alcohol in moderation (obviously not now, but when I'm not pregnant), and enjoying personal freedoms like everyone else in this country.

Just because I'm on television doesn't mean I'm not a real person, for God's sake!!!

Much Better

Jill is home from the hospital.  I just talked to her.  She sounds great.  She's feeling 100% better.  They're now leaning toward a bacterial infection, but they still don't know.  She's thinking maybe it was a kidney infection, because her back had been killing her, but is feeling better now that she's on antibiotics.

Today the office manager for the people doing the French drain called and left this message (swear to God) on my voicemail:

"Um.  Hi, Michelle.  This is Pam.  I'm just calling because we need your REAL name.  I know your last name is Hodge, but I need your first name."

Seriously?  You just said, "Michelle".  I think you know my name.  She's confused because I emailed her from my work account last Friday.  However, I TALKED to her Monday, and I talked to her (and identified myself by my REAL name) last week.

She might be a little ditzy.