misc update:

23 weeks pregnant. Most women tell me I'm not showing much at all, but a couple men have asked. I don't expect men to know better when it comes to asking about age or pregnancy or whatever. A man once asked my mom when she was due (I think she was 53 or 54 at the time). She seems to only gain weight in one spot. I gain it everywhere.

Naomi's gardening class focused on soil yesterday. She got to plant flowers in the school garden. She also touched an earthworm, roly poly, and a grub (beetle larva). I was so grossed out, standing there stiffly and trying not to gag. You know I detest bugs. I must not have washed her hands well or quickly enough, because she's been having the runs since last night. It looks to be improving, but I feel terrible for her. Her zinnia died over the weekend as I suspected it would, but there is one cosmo flower that germinated. Naomi accidentally broke the other two sprouts. We also came home with a lavender plant, but once I told Manny we needed 30% cactus mix from a nursery, we both knew it was doomed. I'll try for a while to grow it, though.

My current medical transcription schedule, the final module, puts me right at July for completion! Cutting it close with the baby's arrival at the end of July.

I finally did launch the Moms Group at our church. A couple other moms will take it over once I have the baby. Despite some logistics questions (the farthest moms live over an hour apart), we decided to move forward. I was thinking of getting this booklet for anyone interested--has anyone read it? Also, we have a couple structured activities to help the kids put service into practice. Any ideas out there for young children?

I forgot to mention in the last post that when Manny came out looking all dapper in his suit, Naomi said, "Papi, you look kind of ugly. Take that outfit off." When I asked her later why, she said, "Because that outfit is for older people." I used to wear gray all the time, but Naomi tells me to change because "...gray is for Papi. It's for a man." Not that I'm giving in to her, but I guess she's sort of right. Once in a while I could stand to wear something other than gray and black. She also likes to tell me I don't match.

*cough*

The last time I had an extremely itchy throat, apple cider vinegar and honey was enough to soothe it for a length of time. It seems tougher to stop coughing this time. I've had 3-5 hours of broken sleep the last couple nights due to not being able to breathe or having a very itchy throat. Better than the chills and aches from the first night, though.

I've tried soup, tea, Ricola, grape juice, organic lollipops, lemonade, the aforementioned vinegar and honey, gargling with Listerine, but the relief only lasts a few minutes. Does anyone have any other suggestions for a natural home remedy? I'm trying not to take any medicine because of the pregnancy. I also can't use my tried-and-true method of jamming a toothbrush down my throat to scratch the itch (don't worry, I change out my toothbrush after an illness) because it makes me throw up. There used to be this herbal loquat syrup that was like a miracle cough cure for me as a kid, when I had bronchitis and a slew of other things, but apparently it can cause heart trouble in some folks, so I'm abstaining from that right now as well.

christmas survey:

From rice bowl journals, via cyn:

5 - Name 5 favorite Christmas songs?

"O Holy Night," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Christmastime is Here" (the one from Charlie Brown), "O Come O Come Emmanuel." Also mentioning The Carpenters' "Christmas Portrait" album and New Edition's "Christmas All Over the World." ;)

4 - Name 4 gifts you plan to buy for others.

Music, books, gift cards, food (purposely not being specific).

3 - Name 3 things you would like for Christmas.

A good day with my side of the family, for no one to get sick, safety in traveling.

2 - What 2 places do you plan to be during Christmas?

Manny's parents' house and my parents' house.

1 - What is 1 important person, place or thing you love about Christmas?

Jesus Christ

gift advice:

I'm supposed to get someone a simple Thanksgiving present (it was part of a bridal shower activity). I think I'm going to go with a book of some sort because I am not 100% sure what the newlyweds' tastes are. Do any of you have recommendations for excellent Thanksgiving dinner cookbooks or Christian Thanksgiving books? I was looking at this one because I've heard the author before, but I haven't read the book. I know it's early, but I really want to give time for research, shipment, etc. Any suggestions?