Ode to an Italian Husband

So, my 100th post was a waste. I didn't even know it was my 100th; I knew I was getting close, but boo. Needless to say I spent it on whining (of course). So, since I don't count that post, I'm making up for it with an ode to my husband. Don't be fooled by the poetic title. This post has nothing poetic about it. No rhyme scheme, no figurative language, or vivid imagery. I wrote this in my head as Ben and I were driving back from his parents this weekend. It's just a random collection of things that I love about the man I married.

1. He loves Jesus.
2. He rolls his eyes when I give him a compliment (that's how I know he appreciates the compliment).
3. He gets moody when he's hungry (just like me).
4. He's smart with money (unlike me).
5. He looks good just about every second of the day (even when he wakes up in the morning).
6. He looks really good when he is scruffy.
7. His laugh makes me laugh.
8. I still get butterflies when he holds my hand.
9. He rolls his eyes when I start singing in the car.
10. He plays the air drums, guitar, trombone when we're listening to the radio in the car.
11. He's got the most gorgeous brown eyes.
12. He could eat McDonald's for every meal.
13. He indulges my somewhat obsessive love for pizza.
14. He's one of the most altruistic people I know.
15. He's protective (but not in a after-school movie kind of way).
16. He's musically inclined.
17. He's not afraid to try new things (a trait I'm trying to learn).
18. He likes to fix things around the house.
19. He makes me laugh.
20. He is wonderful with kids.
21. He encourages me.
22. He makes me accountable.
23. He loves Chinese food.
24. He's been great with me during my pregnancy (except when he rolled his eyes when I told him I had to stop to go to the bathroom again on the way up to his parents :)).
25. He gets excited when he buys new toys.
26. He gets excited when he gets new clothes.
27. He gets excited about the little things (like buying Electrasol tabs for our dishwasher or a new toothbrush).
28. Whenever he has a headache, he asks me to feel his head to see if he has a fever (which he never does).
29. He's level headed
30. He has one of the best work ethics.
31. He wants to be friends with Doug Heffernan and Barney Fife.
32. He loves Saturday Night Live.
33. He's a firefighter.
34. He's an avid Tiger's fan.
35. He looks good in jeans.
36. He couldn't stop talking about preparing for our son (when we found out we were having a son).
37. He loves hanging out with his dad.
38. He's the best son, grandson, brother.
39. He loves looking for new cars.
40. He's a great driver.
41. He held my hair when I threw up during my pregnancy.
42. He tells me I look pretty right now (even though I don't feel pretty).
43. He has movie star eyelashes
44. He's very smart (even though he doesn't think so).
45. He thinks outside the box.
46. He becomes giddy when he hears sirens.
47. He bought a stuffed dog (like one he had when he was little) when we found out we were pregnant.
48. He owns 8 million gagillion hats.
49. He has really straight teeth.
50. I never question that he loves me.

Wanted: Motivation

Young, pregnant teacher searching for dedicated creative, motivated energy.
Must be able to endure hours of grading.
Must love early mornings and long drives.
Should be able to deal with multiple mood swings from various teenagers on an hourly basis.
Must be able to handle multiple projects at the same time without loss of memory.
Additionally, should be able to maintain a clean household, classroom, and car.
And finally, must be able to dish out a sarcastic comment at a moment's notice.

Interested applicants, please send applications immediately, as pregnant woman is quickly losing her mind.

Miscellaneous

Just some random randomness (I'm an English teacher; I have license to make up words and sell them as truth...kind of like a politician).

-Went to the dentist, no cavities. But, while I had the nicest dental hygienist, the question remains--Why do they ask you questions when they have that torture device in your mouth (you know the one used to scrape off accumulated pizza and jujyfruits)? I'm sure they get bored. I would just listen to my Ipod, but I guess that takes away from customer service.

-We were at the SAU Homecoming game the other night. I was standing for the National Anthem when little Karate Kid here starts marching to the beat in-utero. What a patriotic little man.

-Had a dream the other night that I was feeding baby (after his exit from womb) and he looked at me and asked, "Can I have a hot dog?" I just remember thinking in the dream, my kid is a genius and sounds a little like Marlon Brando in The Godfather.

That's all.

Introducing the Future Cy Young Winner

Many of you who read this blog (please stop the fan mail...it's becoming overwhelming) may already know this, but Ben and I are expecting a little testosterone-charged bundle of joy at the end of February. This past Monday, we got to see our little guy for the second time. This time he didn't look so much like a grain of rice:


Baby Boy Parker

This next picture is one of my favorites. Our ultrasonographer (who was amazing)commented that it looked like he was flexing for us in this picture (hence the title of this post):

Incredible Hulk?

We are beyond excited and elated and overjoyed and thankful. Everything so far looks great. He's a mover and a shaker. I'm sure this means he'll have his mother's mad dancing skillz (that's right...skillz).

Thank you to everyone who has kept the three of us in your prayers. The Lord has truly blessed us with this little guy. We can't wait to meet him.

My Name is Jeanette, and I'm Good at Watching TV on DVD

I love that I have friends who use their time constructively (usually to the advancement of the human race). I have friends who make apple pies for their students. I have friends who work very hard at being some of the most amazing parents. These people inspire me for many reasons, one being that they possess creative faculties.

I, on the other hand, am currently in the process of searching for a creative muse. I don't cook because I hate cleaning up the mess (oh, and I'm not very good at it). I don't sew because I've never tried. I don't paint because that would be wrong. I don't garden because I don't know what I'm doing. I don't make curtains (or clothes or makes clothes out of curtains a la Maria VonTrapp). I like photography but feel stupid doing it, because we all know I'm not artsy. When people ask what I do, I usually give them a blank expression and frantically search my cranial archives for any thing creative I might have done in the past. I usually end up saying that I like to read. Nerds of America unite. I used to tell people that I like to run and rollerblade (prior to my "condition"), but that doesn't really involve much talent.

I began thinking about what I'm good at; what do I like to do. And it dawned on me that I don't do these creative things b/c I'm addicted to T.V.--namely, TV on DVD. I don't know what modern Einstein thought of this, but it is my contention that he/she needs to be knighted. I mean a whole season right there for my viewing pleasure. No commercials, no cliff-hangers, just hours of TV viewing enjoyment. It's amazing! I recently purchased Felicity, Freshman year on DVD. I used to love watching this show in high school and college. The other day, I saw it super on sale on Amazon, so I decided to indulge my love for TV and purchase it, knowing that my weekend would be consumed by watching the entire season, breaking only to go to the bathroom and order a pizza.

When I'm not watching Felicty, it's Gilmore Girls or Friends or the Office. My husband jokes (laments) that whenever he turns on the TV it's always set to Video1 (the setting for watching DVDs). Honestly, I think I might have a problem. I should be making cakes and pies and other various baked goods. I should learn to play the guitar or sew. I should be outside doing something with a shovel or hammer (preferably something constructive). But I don't do these things. I plop my lazy butt down in front of our beautiful TV and contribute nothing to society.

So, I could write that I'm turning over a new leaf. I'm heading to JoAnn's tomorrow to pick up my "Knitting for Dummies" starter kit. I'm going to invoke my inner-Rachel Ray and start baking up a storm. But, let's be honest...I'm currently busy growing a child and grading an endless mound of papers. I think that my relationship with the DVD industry is safe (for now).