My midwife was here today for my 28 week visit, and she had to draw my blood. Yuck. I am a huge wimp when it comes to needles. I declined the tests for glucose and anemia and whatever else there was, but we still had to do it to test for antibodies. We were sitting on the couch and as my midwife was tying the stretchy thing around my arm at the beginning, Emma quickly pulled up a chair, sat down, actually rubbed her hands together, and said, "Ooh, this is going to be exciting!" She watched the whole process intently, then was fascinated with the vial of blood and after my midwife showed it to her, she even asked if she could keep it. At least somebody enjoyed the experience, because I sure didn't! I am just glad that it's over.

Note that this picture has absolutely nothing to do with this post, but I can't have a post without a picture.

Mary Beth tagged me! This is not actually the meme for which I was tagged, but she did this blogging one awhile ago and I'm taking it upon myself to do this one instead.

1. Why did you start your blog?
For over two years I held Emma for all her naps, which meant a LOT of time sitting at the computer. After awhile I grew bored of hanging out on forums all the time, so when Emma was nine months old I started this blog to give me something else to do while she slept. And, as I said in my very first post, "I'd love to have a diary of sorts to chronicle these wonderful days in my life."

2. How did you come up with your blog name?
See No. 1. I came up with it pretty instantly, and I wish I'd put more thought into it because I don't really like it much. I've thought about changing it to something else, but now that I've been using it for so long that seems sort of silly.

3. Do your friends and family know about your blog, and what do they think?
Everyone in my immediate family (my parents and brothers - not Steve) reads my blog and some people in my extended family as well. My brother David was the first person I told about my blog and for a long time he was my only commenter. I also have friends who read it. Sometimes I am surprised when I meet someone for the first time (usually through a friend or through my local AP group) and she tells me she reads my blog. There have also been times when I've been told by completely random people (strangers at my brothers wedding, or people at my high school reunion whom I haven't seen in years) that they read it.

4. How do you write posts?
These days, very slowly! I come in and write when I get a chance, but it often takes me several days to write a single post because of all the interruptions.

5. Have you ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments?
There have been a couple times when someone with nothing better to do but go around and be randomly mean has left a comment that I've deleted. Something like "u r stupid and ur kid is ugly" Whatever.

6. Do you check your stats or care how many people read your blog? If you care, how do you increase traffic?
I used to check the stats all the time, but I don't much anymore. My readers have dropped quite a bit in the past few months, but that's okay with me. I'm sure it is mostly to do with my not posting as often, and I know there were people who came here looking for crafty stuff who probably gave up reading once they realized my crafting became (sadly) pretty much non-existent. At one point I was up to something like 70 hits a day, whereas now I get about 40. It's still amazing to me that 40 people every day think the stuff I write is interesting enough to come here and read it.

We joined a CSA for the first time this year and I am so excited about it! Monday was our first pick-up day and I was really pleased with the items we received - honey, rosemary, a baguette, tofu, tomatoes, salsa, eggs, and a free range organic chicken. Aside from the obvious benefits of eating fresh, local foods and supporting local farmers, I love the CSA because it gives me a starting point for meal planning each week. One task with which I really struggle is planning our menus and making our grocery lists. There are a bajillion possible meals we could eat - I don't know why it's so hard for me to come up with a few at the beginning of the week, then plan for them and still actually feel like making and eating them when the time comes. With the CSA, I can see what we get every week and then plan meals around those items - the most difficult part is eliminated!

My brother is moving to South Korea to teach English for at least the next year and his plane leaves tomorrow morning. Good luck, Andy!

Wow, it's been awhile! My available time for updating this blog seems pretty non-existent lately, but I thought I'd stop in and let you know we are still alive.Noah is not walking or talking yet, but he will take a few steps here and there so I think he'll be a real walker within the next few weeks. His face has changed somehow and he suddenly looks much older to me. He eats and eats - more than Emma on most days - so I guess his rapid growth is understandable.Emma hit a pretty big milestone on Friday - she spent the entire night away from me for the first time in her life. We all went to my brother's house for dinner, but then Steve and Noah and I left and Emma stayed for a "sleepover" with my brother and his wife and my parents. She shared a bed with my mom and dad, and apparently they didn't get much sleep because of it. They were quick to point out the next morning that she is a big time wiggler and kicker. Yeah, no kidding.