While this front over the entire Southeastern part of the country moves its way down over my little city, bringing with it a ginormous migraine (ugh), I thought I’d bring up some thoughts that I haven’t really addressed lately. A sort of collection, if you will.

1. Elliot has thrown some “tantrums” lately. I wouldn’t say “we’re having a tantrum problem” because for about 90% of the time, there is no problem. However, I’ve experienced a couple times with him when I took something away he shouldn’t have (guitar pick, rawhide, gardening shoe) and he has gone into melt-down mode complete with ear-shattering cries that are unlike his normal whining. I’m sure all toddlers go through similar phases and this too shall pass. Though with the recent teething, the whining is at an all-time high. Yay us.
2. It is November 13th, which means that I have roughly one and a half months before I’m going to purposely NOT take birth control. That’s right: we’re going to try again and hope for kidlet #2 to appear sometime about 1-2 months after Elliot turns 2. In a lot of ways, this scares the ever-living crap right out of me. Though in others, I am relieved to know that we only want two children and this could be my last time being pregnant. That last bit there makes me say “oh thank god” and “hmm, really?” at the same time. For one, I actually enjoyed most of pregnancy. But now that I know what I’m in for, I sort of dread it. Though I look forward to seeing the differences/similarities in the two pregnancies, I absolutely do not look forward to sleepless nights, carpal tunnel flare-ups, gas, heartburn, strecth marks (how many more can I fit on there, anyway?)… the list goes on. But perhaps at some point I will look back and actually revel in the miracle of creating another human being. Though, I doubt I’d regret the decision.
3. EDITED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT.
4. I usually start Christmas shopping when December begins. I find it hard to be motivated otherwise. And yet, I totally bought this for Ash yesterday while on my lunch break. I can tell you this because I am pretty positive he doesn’t read my blog. This is the ideal gift for him because he’s A.) always forgetting to charge his HD cam and when Elliot goes and does something Extremely Cute or Genius, there’s no battery left and B.) his Blackberry has a tendency to, uh, disappear. I have never met anyone who misplaces their phone and subsequently freaks out as much as Ash does.  In my defense, it’s on sale and I didn’t want to miss the awesome sale price. So I admit that I got a head start on my holiday shopping. The problem now is that I can’t seem to stop. I feel compelled to go out Right Now and buy buy buy. It’s true; I was even looking at chairs for Elliot. Can you believe someone would pay nearly 300 dollars for a prissy little pink couch for their toddler? I was hoping to spend 40 so he could sit with us like a big boy.
5. On Saturday, Elliot will be spending a few hours with his Godparents so that Ash and I can go see Quantum of Solace (where I just might drool as much as Elliot, though for an entirely different reason) and then have a nice lunch together, alone. (Aside from the other restaurant patrons, of course.)  I would be lying if I didn’t say I was totally excited about it but then, I just remembered that my mother and father are – suppsoedly – coming through town this weekend. Well, it’s up in the air. My dad needs to go to Dothan to tend to more probate crud and my mother mentioned possibly coming with. There’s something I hate about my mother and it’s her way of avoiding things like this until the moment when it can wait no longer. I think the only reason she said she might come with my dad is that any day now she’s going to break it to me that they’re not going to come for Thanksgiving afterall. My grandmother has gall stones which need to be operated on. And since it’s risky business operating on an elderly person, my mom’s in freak out mode. I wish she would just tell me already instead of assuming I have no clue and I’ll be ok when she drops it on me. Which I will but only because I’m on to her. She’s frustrating me and I’m just trying to Whoo-sahh my way into calmness about it all. If they don’t come for Turkey Day, no biggie. Less food I need to prepare. But if they do come – either tomorrow and/or Turkey Day – well, I’d like some GD notice, you know?

That’s all for now. I needed to throw that stuff out there. It had all been weighing on me for some time, especially the thing about having another kid. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression; I’m totally stoked about having another baby. And I’m also scared to death.