Sleepless Nights

Well, it's only 8:54 p.m. and I'm exhausted. My day started at 4:45 a.m. when my insomnia kicked in. I know I need to be sleeping now since I will probably be having many restless nights once Baby D. is here, but it's really hard to sleep when you are uncomfortable and have a 10 pound baby kicking around in your stomach! :-) Just kidding. That's not my vote. I'm guessing 8 pounds 6 ounces. My nesting is in full swing as I felt a strong urge to come home and shampoo the living room carpet. That's not something I would normally do after a long day at work, but the urge hit me.
Did anyone notice the comment from my friend in Taiwan who is now polling people around the world regarding the Ella/Emma quandry? Isn't that funny. Jen says that Ella comes out "Erra" when a Taiwanese person says it, so they vote for Emma. I just think it's so funny that we have come this far and still have no name, and now it's a serious enough issue that it has gone global! Keep up the good work, Jen Ren!
Well, since it's my last night with just Gracie I am going to go read her as many bedtime stories as she wants. Tomorrow she is leaving to stay with Brent's family in Hannibal at a hotel so they will be well rested for Friday's events. I predict that Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White and Good Night Princess Pruny Toes will be among the stories she wants to read. A princess theme, right? Ella...Cinderella. I'm feeling it! Now if Brent would just feel it!

Many Thanks

It has been fun polling the public for baby names and baby weights. Only time will tell what happens in each case. My funny story for the day is that a customer told me it looked like I was well cooked because she could see that my belly button is kind of protruding. It isn't totally out, but it is out there enough that my shirt doesn't hide it too well. She said it looks like the plug you put in a turkey before you stick it in the oven. When it pops out, you're done. Well folks...I feel done. Tomorrow is my last day at work, and I can't wait. I am exhausted from being on my feet today. Brent's school is closed until next Monday because of the flu. They had over 50 kids gone today so that puts them in the percentile of absences that forces them to close. He will get to put in a couple extra days on the basement before Friday's big delivery. We are all excited, including Gracie. Feel free to keep commenting on names and such. It has been helpful.

Ella vs Emma

Well, since you guys are doing such a good job voting on things, I thought I'd let you voice your opinion on baby names. Brent and I are both in favor of Ella but just today I told Brent that Emma was one of my favorite names. I went on to say that I would never use it since my name basically starts the same way (Emma-ly). It was like a light bulb went off in his head. He loved the name Emma and thought we should use it. Personally, I've grown fond of Ella, but like I said, Emma is a favorite of mine. Any opinions on either name or on Emma and Emily being so similar? Oh, and who in the world is Moses???

Baby's Weight

Last week I told Brent's mom that I think this baby I'm carrying will be her biggest grandchild at birth. She didn't think so, but I feel so gigantic. This will be the Doolin's 8th grandbaby. I was telling my mom that "Fuzzy" was going to be a beast of a baby, and she suggested I take a poll on the blog to see what people predict she will weigh. Dr. Bennett hasn't given me his prediction yet, but I plan on pinning him down tomorrow. So, if you want to play along, go to the comment section and post what you predict "Fuzzy's" weight will be. Be sure to type your name you anonymous posters!

Our Little Secret

Last night I had to pick up Gracie at one of Brent's basketball games he had to supervise after I got off work. We were on our way back to Macon, and it was nearing 7 p.m. I asked Gracie if she wanted to go through a drive-thru and get some supper to take home. She thought about it a few seconds and said, "Hey, I have an idea. Let's go get some supper inside a store. Let's go out to eat." I asked her if we could just take it home and she said, "No, let's go out to eat. We won't tell daddy. It will be our secret."
I haven't mentioned this yet on the blog, but Gracie is now calling the baby by another name. She would still like Fuzzy, but 2 times now she has called it by one of the names we are contemplating. I think we are making big progress. She may be helping us to narrow down our choices. We have exactly 1 week to settle on something.

Ear Infection #2 This Season

Gracie hasn't been feeling well the last 2 days, so rather than prolong the agony, I took her to the doctor today. She was not excited to be going, and was even less thrilled that it was a male doctor. She asked me as we were leaving the house if she was going to Dr. Bennett (my OBGYN). I told her no, and she was relieved. I don't think she enjoys my examinations! :-) However, when I told her she was going to a man doctor this time she cried the whole way there. It ended up being fine, but she did have another ear infection. I think her picture must be in the encyclopedia under the description of ear infections. We usually have 3-4 every winter. The best part of the experience was when she took her antibiotics and realized she got the "yummy kind." They make Amoxicillin taste so good that I think she would drink the whole bottle in one dose if I let her.

Bathroom Humor

Last week I took Gracie with me to get my hair cut. She usually stays in the waiting area where there are some toys. This particular day, she was there alone. There were 4 hairstylists who were all busy cutting clients hair. About 10 minutes before I was done, Gracie approached my chair and said, "I have to go poopy." The stylist told her, "It will just be a few more minutes." I added, "I think you can hold it a few minutes." Well, she walked away and the hairstylist fired up the hairdryer and began to dry my hair. After several minutes, the stylist shut off the dryer and we heard Gracie in the waiting area talking to herself loud and clear singing, "I really don't want to poopy in my pants. They think I can hold it but I don't know if I can hold it. I really hope I don't have to poopy in my pants." I jumped up and said, "I think I'd better take her now." Everyone died laughing. When we got in the bathroom Gracie said, "I didn't know you could hear me." Well, I think everyone heard her!