Dog Help is the Best Help

Woke up to a ton of housework to do, including laundry. Beans does her part to help. (Note the huge pile of clean clothes behind her. They are actually not "clean" now. They are covered with her "thirs" or dog hair. Hmmmm, wonderful.) Also, she is sure to climb directly on the pile of laundry as I'm folding. She is always wanting to be involved.

I attended my friend Betsy's baby shower last night. She is expecting her first, a boy, in March. It was great catching up with friends I rarely see---the old Winding Ridge Elementary School posse. Hilarious ladies----when I first met them, many of them were single or recently married. Now, they are married and working on 2nd babies. I love how we have new things to talk about. More importantly, they haven't changed a bit.

Snowpacalypse?!

Ok, so the Northeast got its 675th snowstorm of the season. Where is the snow for Indiana? Hello?!??! Apparently the weather gods I pray to aren't listening. (Maybe it is because I listen to Journey too loud in the car.) I have to wake up to clouds, puddles, and brown/black piles of what once resembled snow. Egh.

Support your local economy

My friend Kady runs an Etsy store that sells her handmade creations for babies. I highly advise a quick visit and possible purchase:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kabe7

Furthermore, she is super artsy fartsy and looking to expand her artistic horizons. I am SERIOUSLY considering having her design my sister's wedding. Holler.

Somebody's Getting Maaaarrrried!

Somebody's getting married!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFw4L7-AFdw

I highly advise a quick view. It'll make your day better.

So, Jennie's getting married....to Chris. Their dog, Kasia, is super excited because she will no longer be a dog out of wedlock.

Here is one of many pictures I will begin entering into the blog. People have been asking about my belly. There she is. Baby Norton is cooking nicely in there, at approximately 98.6 degrees.
(**Note Beans in the background. I came home later than normal tonight and she did not like it. She will follow me around like crazy thinking I almost did not come home. I swear she has a puppy alarm clock somewhere in the house that tells her when I am suppose to be home.)

Superbowl Hysteria

The Packers are playing the Steelers in the Superbowl. Who do I cheer for? My Steelers (Cowher's Steelers)? Aaron Rodgers' arm?

Public Enemy #1

THIS IS WHAT THE FACE OF AN ENEMY LOOKS LIKE:


BE WARNED. THESE ANIMALS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. THEY CAUSE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR IN MAMMALS OF THE CANINE VARIETY.

CASE IN POINT:

PLEASE NOTE BISCUIT IN THIS PHOTO. THAT IS HER 5TH KILL OF THE WINTER SEASON, SOLO. DAVE WAS ON THE CLEAN-UP CREW. BISCUIT WAS EXTREMELY PROUD OF HERSELF ON THIS DAY. SADLY, SQUIRREL #5 WAS THROWN OVER THE FENCE, LATER TO BE ESCORTED OFF THE PROPERTY BY A RACCOON.

Delay of Game

Ok, so I am home AGAIN with another "self induced snow day." Usually, I get excited to a see a forecasted storm heading our way. Well, not today. For the first time in a long time I actually have some work to do at school. I feel guilty about not attending today, but since I am carrying precious cargo, I am a bit hesitant to brave I-37. Here is what it looks like right now:

As you can see (according to the picture) the road have NOT been plowed and our street is still suffering from 2 inches of snow. While 2 inches is really something to laugh at, there is ice underneath. No one is laughing now (especially on the interstate). So, I made the brave decision to stay home, again. I am kinda feeling like a slacker today. However, I love waking up to snow. It is quiet, peaceful, and nice to look at. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.



**Note to readers who are affiliated with I.D.O.T.:
Having a million plows in Indianapolis DOES NOT help people south of Marion County. Therefore, please advocate for more money for the state to purchase salt trucks used for areas surrounding Marion County.
Love,
Carrie the Monforton Norton




We had a special visitor this weekend: AUNTY DANA! Beans and Biscuit were super excited to see their Aunty. Aunty Dana loves her niecelets so very much. Dana had such a hard time saying goodbye to them, she stayed for another day. Hopefully in the future, she can find a job that is close to us so our visits are more regular.







Baby Update:
Now that we know "it" is a "she," we are settling into the idea of our future daughter. We have started discussing her nursery, really enjoying the name we picked for her, and what her future holds for her. Dave is no longer scared about raising a female. We've gotten some great advice from friends about their experiences. I think Dave will do just fine. I also felt the baby move/kick/dance/hiccup/fart for the first time. VERY WEIRD. Like Alien, but much less stressful. Now I really know something is cooking in my belly. I feel good (kinda tired). I am officially unable to fit into normal pants. By normal, I mean those that require a fastener, button, zipper, belt, snap, etc. I am now venturing into what I can gracefully call, "Mom Pants." I love elastic. Elastic is a great invention. I am also loving maternity fashions----While I was sworn off leggings after seeing a million pairs worn by all of the sorostitutes in BTown, I understand the craze. Comfy, remotely flattering, cheap. I'm in. So, I went with Dana and we purchased my first pair of leggins. Holler. I go back for another ultrasound at 24 weeks to make sure I am no longer pre-previa (not so good). Hopefully, my uterus and other parts will be cooperating by then. I'm not worried. She is fine--She has a bladder and 2 kidneys. Hopefully, the rest of her parts will in place the next time I see her. I will be posting some "belly" pics soon. It is no longer an illusion. I have a belly.

Think Pink!

It's been a while since my last post. Lots of updates:

1) Dave's brother, Kyle, has safely arrived back to Florida from Quatar. He spent about 8 months in the Middle East doing weather analysis for the Air Force. He is done with all of his deployments. I am so proud of him! He will be finished with his duties in about 16 months. Though he was never in harms way, we are happy to have him back on U.S. soil.

2) Momma and Dadda Mofo are in Maui. Yep, their one-month tour of Maui started on Dec. 30th and will continue until the end of January. I am incredibly jealous that I am stuck in Indiana. Doug has sent "nasty" texts messages of how great the weather is. Some texts include "graphic" pictures of Maui sunsets and him on the beach. Whatever.

3) Dave and I had our 3rd ultrasound on Monday. IT'S A GIRL! Needless to say, we were both very surprised. I was convinced, with every fiber of my being, that this Horton Norton baby was a boy! Well, he's a she. I am very excited. Dave is a bit nervous. BUT, I wouldn't have married him if I didn't think he's be an amazing father. This girl will, God willingly, be very smart and very athletic. However, if she wants to be in Glee club, that is ok too. Again, we are very blessed and very happy.

I'm sure 2011 will bring much joy to us.

The Beginning of an Era, Hopefully

Rich Rodriguez, coach of Michigan's football team, finally got the ol' can today. Praise God! He sucked! I am looking forward to a new era of AWESOME Wolverine football, just like the old days (think Bo, Lloyd, etc.)

On a lower note, John Boehner was sworn-in as House Speaker. Tear. (The tears belong to me, not him for once.) God help all the pro-choice voters out there, as well as the education people. Ugh.

And finally, after some research and television watching, Dave and I have come to the conclusion that Biscuit is part Karelian Bear Dog. Yep, she is no longer a baby cow mutant.
See for yourself:

New Year's Resolutions and Revelations

We have begun yet another year (and we are all still on the planet----I heard today Armaggedon was approaching. Well, Fox News still exists and Van Halen is not back together. Therefore, no Armaggedon yet.)

In lieu of this joyous event, I decided to take a stab at some resolutions for the year. I gave these resolutions much thought today---I feel I often set myself up for failure when I "bite off more than I can chew." So, I am going to be reasonable. I am not going to wish for a 25 weight loss, because I'm prego and that just wouldn't be good. I am also not going to wish for job security, because well, that went out the door when I decided to become a teacher. Here we go:

1) Try not to be so judgmental. Yes, this is a biggie. However, I do think I can improve greatly in this area. I am a pain in the ass, and this extends outwardly how I view others. I am going to try very hard to give folks a moment to make a way for themselves. If they say something totally stupid many times, well, then, there you go.
2) No texting while driving. Yes, Oprah! I am guilty of this! 2011 will be a year dedicated to responsible driving. Oh, and no speeding tickets. Right now, I'm due for one about every two years. I just "earned" one before Thanksgiving, so I'm good.
3) No more wishing for things. I am majorly guilty of this...wishing things away, wishing things to come my way...blah blah. One of my favorite quotes is from a cheesy novel, She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, "If you want your prayers answered, get up off your knees and do something about them." Words to live by, seriously. If I want things to happen, I have to make them happen.

That is it. I feel like 3 resolutions is a healthy amount.
I have a few revelations from 2010----Christmas decorations are way more fun to put up than take down.
The Detroit Lions CAN improve. Really.
I am an excellent "do-nothing-all-day" person. I am very proud of this. I'm sure there will a lot of this in the next 6 months.
I miss Michigan the longer I am away from it.
In the words of Luann De Lesseps, "Money can't buy you class." Well said, sister.
Here are some pictures of my Christmas/Festivus decor (and a Beans for good measure):