Hurry up and wait

Well, I am still waiting, and waiting, and waiting. I don't think this kid is going to make his appearance until January, but I suppose he could surprise us all. All my preggo pics are on my mom's computer, since she is the one that takes them. Raymond and I haven't been very good at capturing my belly moments. We did buy a new video camera, so we will be sure to post some pictures and video when the b-day comes. Until then, we will just continue to sit and wait.
I am expecting my birthday/Christmas gift today though (yeah, a few days late) from UPS. Raymond got me a Cricut machine. For those of you who don't know about the Cricut, it is a machine that cuts out letters, templates, and all sorts of designs for scrapbooking, cardmaking, and those cool wall sticker things. So, I guess I get some kind of delivery today!

Still pregnant.....

Well, with one week and one day left to go, I am still baking this kid in my belly. Went to the doctor this morning, and I am dilated a little over 1 and still about 70% effaced. Will this kid make his appearance in 2008 or will it be a 2009 baby? I need to take some pictures......I know, I know, I know. So as of now, we are just waiting, and the waiting is really not fun.

7 Random Things About Vanny

I got tagged by Shayla, so here are my random things......

1. I choked on a Gobstopper, on the school bus, and was saved by Shayla. I have NEVER had a Gobstopper since. I was in elementary school, but can't remember what grade.

2. I lied to a cop about my age, got caught when he asked for my ID. Whoops!

3. I can bend my thumb backwards so it lays on top of my hand.

4. I have a fear of dark basements.

5. I played a private detective at the Skinner house with Chelsie, Shayla, Odie and Darren. We chased a mysterious driver around the neighborhood.....that was so dumb.

6. I was mooned by my old neighbor that lived behind me.

7. I fell out of a moving car when I was 6 and ended up with a black/red/bloody eye. I was so excited to go play with my friend, I didn't wait for the car to stop.

That was hard.

Baby Shower

Baby Shower, this Saturday, 2pm. This is for you, Shayla. It's a virtual invitation! Baby Shower for Baby Boy Dondlinger, be there, or be square.

My dog, the pig!

Here is our dog, Daisy. She wants whatever we eat and then some! She is quite the begger and because she is cute, she usually gets a bite of whatever is on our plates! So, we found the pig costume to be quite fitting as her Halloween costume this year. (Yes, we dress our pet)

More Belly

These pictures all range from early August, to just a couple of weeks ago. I can't remember how far along I am in each of the pics. There is a belly with a baby inside, good enough.

Crazy Dreams

I had a dream last night, that Shayla and I decided to rob a random house because we wanted a flat screen t.v. While we were in the process, the people came home, so Shayla came up with the idea of kidnapping one of the kids. She told me it would all be a joke because she really knew the people we were trying to rob. I told her I couldn't because I would lose my job as a teacher because they frown on those sorts of things. Then, we decided we needed to go to Star Lumber to get some connectors that they use for PVC pipe. Then, the cops showed up at our house (who's house, I don't know, just a random one) and told us to give the kid back and get rid of the PVC pipe connectors. That's all I remember of the dream. It was very random.
Pregnancy dreams.........are whack! What kind of influence are you, Shayla? HA! HA!

Short Update

We've been waaaayy busy these days! Raymond and I bought a new house, and are hoping to be in it around the 14th of October. I am still coaching cheerleading, which is keeping me really busy, and I continue to grow in the belly and I am gaining weight!
I went to the doctor on Tuesday, and gained 9 pounds in one month! Wahoo! I guess I'd better watch what I eat, instead of watching it go into my mouth. One too many ice cream cones.

And the Sonogram Says...............

Click on the pictures to get a closer look!

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, my own prediction was correct (for once, and finally). I think I guessed wrong on the last few babies, although, I did guess Max correctly!

Here are a few pictures! There is definately a turtle head no hamburger buns.

The Belly

These pictures show me at almost 21 weeks. Tomorrow we will know....PINK OR BLUE!!!

I am still pretty small, as everyone likes to point that out to me on a daily basis. The doctor said I am measuring right on track and that I am lucky to be tall, because tall women usually have easy deliveries and pregnancies, and have more room for the belly to spread out. Yeah, we'll see about that. I think she was just trying to comfort me. No more sickness, hasn't been for quite sometime. I don't mind being preggo too much, I can't say it's my favorite thing though. January 1 can't come fast enough, I am ready to post baby pictures, and wear regular clothes!! Yes, those are maternity clothes for those of you thinking and saying...geeze, she's so small, she doesn't need maternity clothes (yeah, I hear that daily too).

Time is ending to cast your vote!

Monday, August 18th.....I get my sonogram at 4:00pm Kansas Time! So, if you haven't come to a decision yet on what you think doodledinger is, make sure to vote or leave a comment of your guess! I'll try to post some pictures of my belly this weekend, so maybe it can sway your vote. School starts tomorrow, so I am busy procrastinating getting stuff set up in my classroom. HA!

The baby is gonna be a socca playa!

I have a little belly now, so I will get some pics posted soon, I promise!
I am feeling this little doodle kick like crazy! I think it's punishing me for all the mexican food I have eaten. I love mexican food these days, along with anything cinnamon (not like the spice cinnamon, but cinnamon candy). I even found cinnamon toothpaste...mmm! I also like cucumbers and peaches these days. I am starting to enjoy being pregnant now, only because I love to eat, and eat, and eat some more. Bacon is good too. :)
School starts August 13th, but I have to report to school this Thursday and Friday (Aug. 7-8). So only 2 more days of living it up! We are also in the process of moving, our house should be on the market in just a few weeks, so we're moving to a bigger, better house. My mother-in-law has also graciously volunteered her services as our daycare provider when I have to return to school. Yea! So, that's my update, for now.

Cast Your Vote!

I added a poll to my blog! We should know in about 4-5 weeks what the baby doodledinger will be! What do you think, boy or a girl! Cast your ballots, we'll see who wins!
Oh yeah, went to the doctor and the heartbeat this time was between 130-140. Couldn't quite get an accurate beat because the little doodle was moving around so much. My doctor said according to the old wives tales, it's a boy. HA!!

In case you haven't seen this commercial

Follow this link and be ready to crack up, especially if you have ever changed the diaper of a little boy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjadKyx10ro&feature=related

Here's one for you China kids!

Follow this link and check out the toilet themed restaurant. You can take a load off as you sit and dine!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/
Toilet-Themed-Restaurant-ice-cream-dessert-dining-chairs
-Hangzhou-Zhejiang-province-June-29/ss/events
/lf/063008toiletrestaura/im:/080630/ids_photos_wl/r537140368.jpg/

First Glimpse at "what" baby Dondlinger is.....

I was in my cousin's wedding in Kansas City over the weekend. While eating at a chinese restaurant for rehearsal dinner, we of course ended our meals with the typical fortune cookie. I took my cookie from the bowl, set it aside, and almost forgot about it. Everyone opened theirs and then I opened mine to fine that I had a two-sided message on mine. Before I tell you what it said, no one else at my table had a two-sided fortune.
So..........one side was the fortune, it wasn't that interesting. The other side said.....GIRL, and that's all it said. So, maybe those chinese folks are good predictors. Hopefully I will know in about 6-8 weeks what baby doodledinger really is. I can't wait until b-day to find out what the baby is. I don't know how some of you folks do it. And for those of you wanting pics, I don't really have a belly yet, so keep holding out, it will come soon enough.

Seems more real now

I went to the doctor this morning, and I heard the heartbeat! Yea! It was 150/bpm. Raymond thinks it's a girl, I think it is a boy. My nausea is really starting to subside. I introduced myself back to meat last week. It's a slow process, but so far, so good. I even managed to have a steak on Sunday. We grilled out for Father's day. My mom gave Raymond a father's day gift and he said he wasn't a real dad yet. Then we managed to coax him into promising to change the first nasty tar diaper. He doesn't know what merconium is (and I am not sure how to spell that word either). Boy is he in for it! I also can't button my jeans anymore. Well, I can, it just digs in a bit. Cotton, elastic waist shorts......don't knock 'em, they are stylin' !!!

Here's a gender predictor, see if your baby was correct! According to this one, I should have a boy. http://www.bestbabyproducts.com/chart.html

I survived the Manhattan, KS Tornado!

I took a bunch of freshmen girls to Manhattan, Ks this week for cheerleading camp at K-State. Wednesday evening, 6-11, we were huddled in the basement of our dorms for over 2 hours. When we woke up, here is what we saw. I said a big time prayer, and I am very grateful that no one was hurt. The building I was in, was unharmed, but everything around it was totally destroyed, including all the cars in the parking lot. Luckily, our Goddard Van was parked in a different lot, and was untouched. I was definately counting my blessings after this.

The building in the background is the dorms that I was staying in. My room was on the top floor.

The Wal-Mart lady

Have you had a hard day? Well, the Wal-Mart lady STILL exists, I saw her today! I am not much of a Wal-Mart fan, more of a Target kinda gal, but I had to stop there today. I didn't recognize her at first, but as soon as she asked me how I was, and talked about the weather, I knew immediately I had found her! I was trying not to bust a laugh out, as I was by myself and would have looked like a fruit (but then again, it might not have been noticeable with all the other fruits around). As soon as I got outside, I giggled.

Typical Kansas Folks

All day storms have been brewing, and of course the weather man has been on TV all day telling us these storms are coming. The tornado sirens went off, and what do we do? That's right! We go stand on our front porches and look into the sky! It's really a great way to visit with your neighbors and catch up on all the latest news. So, the wind blew really hard, it rained heavy, and then it was done. The whole thing lasted about 15 minutes and it was nothing. Sorry I don't have any pictures, as the storm was pretty boring. But the weather man sure hyped it up.

You were right

The morning sickness snuck back up on me. That's what I get for bragging. I will learn....maybe.
I felt yucky last night, I thought I would attempt another sandwich, it made me gag. Today, I have a headache and I am not feeling the best. BUT, I do feel better than I had been, so that's a plus. Chelsie, you were right. I guess mom's always know best.

Not Bragging...BUT

I am on day 3 of feeling pretty good. I had an Arby's Roast Beef sandwich on the way home from the doctor! I went for my check-up today, all is okay, but I have to go back in 2 weeks again because they couldn't hear the heartbeat. I didn't have a sonogram, just the doppler sound machine. The doc said it was okay not to hear it, still a little early, and it was like trying to find a peanut M&M in my belly. My intestines were very loud though, I must be rumbling and ready like little Madden Waldmann. Look out! I do hope that I am not being tricked on my feeling well though, that darn sickness could sneak up again.

Feeling Better........

Okay, so I am two days into feeling A LOT better! I hope this morning (all day) sickness is starting to subside. I made great strides last night. But I have a short story first. I actually wanted some mexican food (no meat yet), so I had my heart set on some rice and a bean tostada. Raymond and I decided to go to my mom's and get Cholita's take-out. We called, and called, and they didn't answer, so we drove up there to find that the shopping mall was on fire. So, needless to say, I was bummed. But not for long!! Chinese food was across the street, and not on fire! So, I had a big salad, crab rangoon, and some fried rice. Boy howdy, it was great! I am still hoping for a bean tostada today.
We're off to look at a new house tonight too! Things are looking up!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know!

For those of you wondering, "How is Raymond?", he is just great! He eats what he wants, he can go into the kitchen without gagging, he jumps right out of bed in the mornings, and of course, incase I forgot to mention, he eats what he wants! He does make food for me, and pack my lunches, so that I am grateful for! But most important......HE DID THIS TO ME!

Okay, I changed my mind

Those remedies are NOT working. I am still not having any fun. Uhhhh

The Baby Blues..............

or greens I should say. Morning sickness sucks! It's not just mornings, it's morning, noon, and night. No barfing, but just feeling like I have the flu 24/7. The doctor said, "It's a sign of a healthy baby!" WHATEVER, it's not fun. I know I get a prize at the end but for now, this is not fun. I do thank Chelsie for her list of remedies. I would have to say that quite a few of them helped...it was probably all in my head though. That's okay, because I will take anything at this point that just might possibly work.

New Job Title....

Well, I was getting frustrated with deciding who was having a boy, who was having a girl, yada yada yada. SO..........I decided to let you all hound me now! My new job title is MOM!
Yes, it is true, the Dondlinger's are having a.................BABY! Let the guessing begin. Although I don't really have much of a belly yet, but those pictures will come later.

The Great Asparagus Debate

I actually just ate some steamed asparagus this evening. So far, it has NOT made my pee-pee smell. I will make sure to let you all know(okay, really just the Waldmann's) if it makes a turn for the worst. So far, I am good.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

I've become a fan of asparagus. It is mighty tasty with bacon wrapped around it and grilled.

Asparagus
Bacon (sliced down the middle of each slice)
Wrap around asparagus
grill or saute in pan until bacon is done.

Correction Notice

It was Harry The Hot Dog that is missing, actually stolen. Everyone is just outraged on such a senseless act. Who would steel Harry?

Wichita Headlines.....puh-lease!

Okay, so I am watching the evening news, and the HUGE stories in Wichita just crack me up!
Here are the major headlines of Ta-Town on Monday, April 21st, 2008.............

• Marge Simpson died, no, not the cartoon.
• A water main broke
• They're searching for a missing hotdog, and the news anchor said, "It's on my grill."
• Somebody didn't have school today because of the water main.
• Oh my gosh, a water main broke!!
• Hey, did you know a water main broke! It was a mess, there was water everywhere.

Living it up, Bachelorette Style

My cousin, Laura, had her bachelorette party last weekend. We celebrated at a restaurant and got to wear these cute little bridesmaid jackets. It was fun hanging with the girls!

Changing my name..........

I decided to follow some advice, I think I will change my name to chinese.
Here it is......
du wu ning
www.mandarintools.com/chinesename.html
Or maybe not.

Going out of Business...........

So, I thought I was pretty good at determining the sex of babies. I was wrong. I decided to give up and let Adayla Kuehne be the master! I think it all started with a sick april fools joke. Now my sonar baby radar is outta whack. Geeze.

Ground Beefers

Some of you might have tried this, but I thought I would share. I bought a 5 pounder deal of ground beef at Sam's and was going to divide it out into smaller slabs. Except, I decided that I would just stick the whole thing in the crockpot and the divide the cooked meat into smaller portions and freeze. I must say, it worked GREAT! I cooked the meat on low for about 8 hours and put one beef boulion (sp?) cube and some water in. Today we had some of the meat for tacos.....it was very crumbly and moist....DELICIOUS! Try it, you will like it.

New Recipe!

Sometimes when I try new things, they don't always turn out the best. We have Pizza Hut on speed dial just-in-case. Today, we did not need to phone the pizza place. This recipe is for Hawaiian Meatballs. If you like sweet and sour chicken or sweet and sour chinese food, then you should like this. I should have taken a picture!!

I used frozen meatballs, but you can always make your own. Microwave your meatballs for about 3 minutes, then add them to your sauce (below).

sauce
1 can (16 oz.) pineapple tidbits
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1 T. Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
2 T. cornstarch (a little more if you want it thicker)
1/3 cup of water (I added a little more here and there)
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Saute these veggies in oil (or any veggies you like), then add to the sauce along with meatballs:
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion
mushrooms

Preparation -Drain the pineapple tidbits and reserve the juice. In a large skillet, combine the brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in the vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook until smooth and thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside. Pour the oil into a small skillet. Add the chopped bell pepper and other veggies and saute tender. Stir the green pepper/veggies, pineapple tidbits and meatballs into the prepared sauce. Cook for a minute or two to heat through. Serve over rice for a meal.

My Visit to Lawton

(Vanessa, Max, & Shayla)

Max wasn't the happiest camper, but we took his picture anyhow.

Shayla and I had a great visit! It was complete with ice cream and mexican food. I even changed a diaper without getting a squirt in the eye!!

I was taking Max for a flight.


Ha, ha....I tricked you Max! No milk from my fingers....but I tell you, this boy can eat!!
I had to pretend to be Brig for a moment....."gooze froba." It works better when Brig does it.
Obviously it works better when Brig does it. I think I made him mad. Actually, Max is ready to eat...go figure.
Needless to say, Max got passed to momma, she can "gooze fraba" all she wants, this kid needs to eat!

Call me Coach Dondlinger

Well, I am now coaching freshmen cheerleading at good 'ole Goddard High School, Goddard, America! I am in for it.

Of Course I did!

So, I got to hang out with the Udall's today, all three of them....Brig, Shayla and Max. I put my camera out so I wouldn't forget it, thought to myself...oh yes, I can put some pictures on my blog. And of course it happened.....I forgot my camera! So, I will wait and post some pictures of my upcoming trip to Oklahoma this weekend to visit the Udall's again. Maybe I will just take random photos of myself and the dog and put up here for now. Hopefully I don't forget my camera again.

New Style

I found a new style for our blog! I am still working on posting pictures and adding different things. Check out my 80s music playlist!

Just getting started....

I decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon along with everyone else! Although I don't have any kids, or baby news, I thought you might like to know what happens in the exciting world of the Dondlinger's. I was talking with Shayla on the phone tonight, and she inspired me to start my blog. So here I go! Shayla and I exchanged some stories and had a few laughs about how I am the 9th Skinner kid. So, maybe I will add my blog to the Skinner Clan as the long lost 9th child.
I hope this blog will help me take pictures too, I am terrible about using my camera, I hope I can even find it. So wish me luck on my blogging adventures.