Enna Burning

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because I liked the first Book of Bayern.  This one wasn't as good as The Goose Girl.

I enjoyed the story because it was captivating and interesting.  I got a little tired of Enna's personality, but only because she was a whiney teenager.  It got on my nerves after a while.

The book is thought provoking because Enna is able to start fire with her mind.  It is definitely a cool thought.  I enjoy books that stretch the imagination.

The story was a little predictable, but overall a good read.  No sex and no swearing.


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12 Days

12 more days and I am having this baby!  It is time to do a final update.

I have to say overall this pregnancy has been easier than my first, but I wouldn't call it easy.  Pregnancy is not for wimps!

It has been easier because I have felt better.  I didn't have morning sickness as long or as severe.  I haven't gained as much weight.  I have gained about 30 pounds this time around.  I gained about 45 pounds with Grant.  I also am not retaining as much water.  My feet get puffy if I do a lot (like move), but my hands and face are not nearly as bad.  I can still wear my wedding ring.  Whoop whoop!

I don't know if she is smaller than Grant or just in a different position, but this little girl is not making me as uncomfortable as Grant did.  I am interested to see how much she weighs.

Then the not so easy parts.  I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in March.  I was hoping I had just failed the first glucose test because I did it in the middle of the day.  I had eaten a little bit before and didn't go into the test fasting.  I had to do the 3 hour glucose test, which is about the meanest thing to make a pregnant woman go through, and failed.

I have gotten used to the diet for the most part.  I haven't had to take any additional medications because I have been able to maintain my blood sugars by watching my carbs and sugars.  It isn't easy or fun!  I hate it and I hope it goes away after I have this baby.

I also have had this funny rash on my face.  I hate it!  It is aggravated by dairy products, which really puts a kink in finding food at times.  The diabetes nurse suggested high protein foods like string cheese, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt.  Yeah, not going to work.  It is frustrating.

I have been really nervous about having this baby.  The nervousness has over powered the excitement until just the last few days.  I am getting more uncomfortable every day and it has changed my mental state.  I am ALMOST to the point where I am ready to just get this baby out of here!  I think it is really interesting how that works.  For almost the whole pregnancy I was uncomfortable or not myself, but not miserable.  The thought have sleepless nights, a c-section, and everything else didn't out weigh the discomfort of being pregnant.  There is something about the last few weeks that changes a mother's mind.

Personally I think it was part of the Lord's plan because let's be honest labor and child birth are not fun. No one would just willingly go through any of it for kicks and giggles.  However, when you are packing around a 30 pound bowling ball, can't eat, can't sleep, etc. you get to the point where you would do ANYTHING to get the baby out.

Grant Birthday Party

Granny and Evy brought Grant a few birthday presents.  Grant got the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t.v. series from the 1990's on DVD.  He was so excited!

Evelyn gave him a hide and seek game.  She was so excited to give him the game because she has it and loves to play it.  

Kyle made Grant's cake.  I was very impressed with how well the cake turned out.  Kyle did better than I ever could!  

The kids loved the cake because it turned their mouths green!  

We had a great birthday celebration!  We were so glad Granny and Evy could come celebrate with us!

Greenbelt

After we went to the Jump House we asked Evelyn if there was anything she would like to do.  She wanted to go and throw rocks and sticks in the river.  It was a little cold, but we had a great time walking to the river.  We really miss living so close the river.

Evelyn insisted on finding the biggest rock ever!  The funniest part was watching her try and throw it. 

We tried to get a cute picture of the cousins with their Granny.  This is the best picture I got.  Grant is squishing Evelyn.  Evelyn is smiling like a zombie.  

On the way home Grant found a puddle.  He was worried about his pants getting wet so he hiked them up...as high as he could.  I couldn't stop laughing.  It was hilarious that he had his pants rolled up so high in such a big puddle and in frigid temperatures.  

The kids also of course found sticks to pretend they have antlers.  They get the idea from the Dr. Suess book "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet." 

Indoor Camping

Grant and Kyle had a father son camp out in Grant's room.  They made a tent out of sheets and chairs.  They slept on a twin mattress, actually let me rephrase that...Grant slept on the mattress and Kyle attempted to sleep on the mattress.  Kyle said some time in the middle of the night Grant pulled down the sheets.  Kyle was a good sport about it and overall they had a great time.  I have to say losing sleep is a pretty selfless act.  Kyle is a great dad!

Art Door

Grant loves to bring home his papers from preschool and give them to us as presents.  He then expects us to hang every single one of them up.  I am a terrible mother and throw quite a few of them away.  The special ones we hung up on his door.  He kept wanting to hang up more pictures on other doors and walls.  I finally convinced him we could take a picture of all the special art projects so we never forget how wonderful all of his art is.

The Black Tower

The Black Tower by P.D. James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is not my first P.D. James book nor is it my first Adam Dalgliesh book.  I have LOVED them in the past.  I don't know if I was just not in the mood for this type of novel or what, but this book wasn't all that great.  I read the audible format and the narrator wasn't bad.  I just think the story wasn't the best.
It felt like 4/8 hours was a debate about whether or not Adam should get involved with these three somewhat mysterious deaths.  2/8 hours was building up the other characters and plot.  1/8 hours was explaining the mysterious deaths.  1/8 hours was amazing and nail biting mystery.  The sad part was it was the last hour that was the best part.  All the rest I could have lived with out.  The last hour also went to fast.  I felt like the author was getting tired of writing and just hurried through the best part of the novel.  I was really disappointed.


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