seven odd and interesting things about me

I was tagged by Wardeh at Such Treasures; the goal is to share seven odd and interesting things about myself. Odd shan't be too hard, but odd and interesting? That could be a challenge...

1) It drives me absolutely batty when people misuse apostrophes.

2) I always cringe when I see possessive pronouns and contractions abused (it's/its, you're/your)...see #1.

3) I never imagined myself having sons-- now I am a mom of three boys, and I wouldn't have it any other way!

4) I am trying to give up using paper towels. There haven't been any paper towels in my house for about two weeks, and I still miss them. Hopefully I'll build up a nice rag collection soon.

5) I would love to learn to make cheese.

6) I loved to be in the cast of musicals in high school, but I never wanted a speaking role. Simply the atmosphere and being a part of it all was enough for me.

7) These days, I spend most of my recreational time in the kitchen. I think I need a t-shirt that says "I'd rather be cooking."

Okay! I tag: Joy, Deb, Brigetta, Cory, Jeanne, and Carolyn.

A Baby Meme (Owen)

Owen Daniel
March 8, 2008

1. How long had you been married at the time of the birth?
-10 years

2. What were your reactions when you found out that you were pregnant?
-We were very excited, and a bit nervous (I had had a miscarriage a few months before.)

3. How old were you?
-I was 31when he was born.

4. How did you find out that you were pregnant?
-Home pregnancy test(s)

5. Who did you tell first?
-My husband.

6. Did you find out the sex?
-No, we definitely wanted a surprise for this baby.

7. Due date?
-February 22, 2008

8. Did you deliver early or late? -Late, 15 days late.

9. Did you have morning sickness?
-Not really

10. What did you crave?
-Red meat, and also orange-flavored stuff: orange juice, orange soda, orange candy, orange fruit snacks...

11. Who irritated you most?
-People who kept asking me "You haven't had that baby yet?" Also, people who said "This had better be a girl!!"

12. What was your child's sex?
-A boy

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout your pregnancy?
-35 lbs

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
-No, none.

15. Where did you give birth?
-At home, in a birthing tub.

16. How many hours were you in labor?
-8 hours

17. Who drove you to the hospital?
-We didn't have to drive anywhere, since we were planning a homebirth.

18. Who watched?
-Jeff, the birth team, and my mother-in-law, who was running the videocamera.

19. Was it vaginal or c-section? -Vaginal

20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain?
-No.

21. How much did your baby weigh?
-9 lb 14 oz

22. What did you name your born baby?
-Owen Daniel

23. How old is your baby today?
-He's 7 months old today!

***To read Owen's entire birth story, click here.

A Baby Meme (Kyle)

Kyle Warren
September 26, 2005

1. How long had you been married at the time of the birth?
-8 years

2. What were your reactions when you found out that you were pregnant?
-We were very excited!

3. How old were you?
-I was 29 when he was born.

4. How did you find out that you were pregnant?
-Home pregnancy test(s)

5. Who did you tell first?
-My husband. I did run out to buy an "I'm a big brother" t-shirt for Ben to wear. That's how I made the announcement!

6. Did you find out the sex?
-Yes, we decided to find out this time.

7. Due date?
-September 21, 2005

8. Did you deliver early or late? -Late, 5 days late.

9. Did you have morning sickness?
-Not really

10. What did you crave?
-Sandwiches from Quizno's. And later, doughnuts.

11. Who irritated you most?
-My 2-year-old, when he decided to stop napping during the 3rd trimester.

12. What was your child's sex?
-A boy

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout your pregnancy?
-35 lbs

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
-No, none.

15. Where did you give birth?
-At home, in a birthing tub! It was awesome.

16. How many hours were you in labor?
-13 hours

17. Who drove you to the hospital?
-We didn't have to drive anywhere, since we were planning a homebirth.

18. Who watched?
-Jeff, the birth team, and my mother-in-law, who was running the videocamera.

19. Was it vaginal or c-section? -Vaginal

20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain?
-No.

21. How much did your baby weigh?
-8 lb 2 oz

22. What did you name your born baby?
-Kyle Warren

23. How old is your baby today?
-He just turned 3 years old!

***To read Kyle's entire birth story, click here.

A Baby Meme (Benjamin)

I saw this meme on Kristin's blog and thought it might be fun. I'll do it for all of the boys, eventually. I would love it if you would fill it out for yourself in the comments section, or link to your own blog if you do it there.


Benjamin Wayne
December 18, 2002

1. How long had you been married at the time of the birth?
-5 1/2 years

2. What were your reactions when you found out that you were pregnant?
-Disbelief, thrilled excitement. We had been trying to conceive for 2 1/2 years and had just about given up on a biological child, when...BINGO!!

3. How old were you?
-I was 25 when I fell pregnant and 26 when the baby was born.

4. How did you find out that you were pregnant?
-3 HPTs, then blood tests because I needed further proof!

5. Who did you tell first?
-Technically, the OB's office, because they ordered the blood tests for me. I was fortunate to be able to get tested that day, and everything came up "baby!" My husband's birthday was the very next day, and I decided to keep it a secret and give him a special gift (a book called "The Expectant Father") as a birthday gift. I was so proud that I could keep the secret from him for 24 hours!

6. Did you find out the sex?
-No, we wanted a surprise!

7. Due date?
-December 7, 2002

8. Did you deliver early or late? -Late, 11 days late.

9. Did you have morning sickness?
-Not much to speak of. No vomiting, just the occasional wave of nausea.

10. What did you crave?
-Mexican food

11. Who irritated you most?
-My husband when we were doing our first "healthy pregnancy food" grocery trip. He said "Uh, you know you're only supposed to gain 3 or 4 pounds the first trimester...right?

12. What was your first child's sex?
-A boy

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout your first pregnancy?
-55 horrible lbs

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
-No, none.

15. Where did you give birth?
-At a freestanding waterbirth center. It was lovely, like giving birth at the Ritz.

16. How many hours were you in labor?
-14 hours

17. Who drove you to the hospital? -My husband drove me to the birthing center.

18. Who watched?
-My husband and the birth team (midwife and 3 apprentices)

19. Was it vaginal or c-section? -Vaginal

20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain?
-No.

21. How much did your baby weigh? -8 lb 3 oz

22. What did you name your first born baby?
-Benjamin Wayne

23. How old is your baby today?
-He's 5 1/2 (nearly 6, though!)

***To read Ben's entire birth story, click here.