AGGGHHHH--

I am sooo bored...someone come visit and rescue me....
That is all...

What If...

As you read this, I am afraid it is going to come across wrong so let me preface it by saying I am ABSOLUTELY 100% HAPPY with where I am and with my family and 150% in love with my husband and son...but, what if...
Still, I don't know of a little girl who doesn't dream about their wedding when they grow up. About the beautiful white dress they will wear...about their daddy walking them down the aisle and giving them away...about seeing their soon to be husbands face when he sees her all in white for the first time...about the first kiss and the first dance...about the cake. Lately, I have been thinking a lot, recently, about what I missed out on...what if...
When Nick Lachey's wedding came on tv, I started crying and had to change the channel. I can't watch "Say Yes to the Dress" or even "Bridezillas" without feeling disappointed and crying a few tears. I don't know what it is. I do not regret anything because I COULD NOT imagine my life without Ryder. He is my life and I love him to death...but what if...
What If....
I believe that God works out everything for the good of those who believe in Him and He definitely has. Our "situation" has brought me closer, not only to God, but to my family. I have had to rely on Him and them more than ever as I went through my pregnancy without Pat. I think God had planned for us to get married...but our decisions led us to that marriage without a wedding...and sometimes I can't help but feel like I missed out...

Just Another Thursday

And it is a little boring around the Fry home. Pat is upstairs sleeping (he is working midnights this week-tonight is the last night:) ) I am downstairs with Ryder-lacking a shower. I've cleaned the kitchen and done a load of laundry. I'm just waiting for Ryder to let me put him down so I can unload the dishwasher and fold the laundry...It takes so much longer to accomplish things now than it use to HAHA. My first priority is Ryder and making sure he is happy and not crying, so most of the time he is sitting in my lap looking at books or in one of his activity seats, or we're on a walk.
I am so excited to start the application process for nursing school. I have to take the TEAS exam still, but I test well so I don't think that will be a problem. (My problem is memorizing science lol) Yesterday, at the AMAZING going out of business sale at Borders that Ryder and I went to, I got a practice exam book for CHEAPO! I love going out of business sales:) I've requested my transcripts and I am in the process of trying to get "proof" of my high school graduation-though I don't really understand why I need to prove that when I have my bachelor's degree---isn't a diploma required for college? Yea-I thought so.
Anyway, I'm excited. 
I'll be really excited when Pat is back to normal hours. I love being able to actually see him during the day and not just as he walks in the door and says "goodnight".
I'm off to do laundry and unload the dishwasher---who wants to come help?

There's A Lot of Fish in the Sea...

...and I won't eat a single one of them.
As I mentioned earlier, Pat and I have started eating healthier. We bought some red snapper at the grocery store. I figured that this would be a great time to start branching out and eating fish since everyone is always raving about how awesome the Omega-3's are. I researched some recipes. I wanted a simple/easy one since this would be the first time I have cooked any kind of fish before. I found one that had an orange glaze and thought it would be a great one to ease myself into eating fish. This is the recipe we used.
Orange Glazed Red Snapper

• 2 red snapper fillets, 1 pound
• 1/8 cup orange marmalade, can sub apricot if desired
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. Place filets on an ungreased shallow baking pan.
2. Broil 4-6" from heat for 5-6 minutes.
3. Combine marmalade, butter and mustard; spoon over filets.
4. Broil 3-4 minutes longer or til fish flakes easily with a fork. *Do not turn!
5. 4 servings.

It smelled AMAZING. I thought this was it! This was the time I was going to eat fish and actually enjoy it!
I WAS WRONG! Don't get me wrong...the recipe was great and Pat really liked it. He ate it all and is taking my half for dinner tonight at work. However, to me, it was still fish. And fish-I don't like. So...for all of you who do like Red Snapper-or any kind of fish for that matter--this is a GREAT and easy recipe that you will love...for those of you who don't like fish--this recipe doesn't make it better--it's still fish.

He Keeps Growing and Growing

Well, today was another rough day for Ryder-screaming ALL morning. I couldn't do anything to soothe or calm him. He didn't want a paci, he didn't want a bottle, he needed sleep but just couldn't do it because he felt so bad. Finally, I just laid him down and, in about 15 minutes, he passed out. I called our doctor to make an appointment to see her for the second time. While I was showering off from a spit up attack, the doctor's office called back and set up another appointment for 6:40 pm. (I was supposed to have my meeting for nursing school tonight at 6 but now I am going Wednesday at 10am).
When baby bear woke up from his nap, I had a bottle ready for him and he was happy. I thought things were getting better and his teeth weren't bothering him so much. After his bottle, I put him in his stroller and we went for a walk. He was laughing and smiling so I walked into the NEX. All hell broke lose and he screamed at the top of his lungs. I tried rubbing his gums and that seemed to help and he quieted a little bit, so I bought some infant Orajel (AMAZING by the way) and as soon as it went on his gums, he calmed down and I was able to get him back home.
At home, while waiting to get ready for his appointment, we got to Skype my Aunt Pam and Nana. Whew-he got fussy all over again. I fed him and let them watch him lay under his "Space Mat" and listen to him coo. They wanted to see him roll over but he was too tired to since he hasn't been sleeping very well at night.
A little late on, right before we left for the doctor, we got to Skype with GranJan. Everytime I can videochat with a family member, it makes it seem like they are a little bit closer and makes me a little less lonesome and homesick for all of them.
Well, we left for the doctor (after a quick dose of infant tylenol and orajel) and Ryder cried the ENTIRE way to the doctor.

 It is only about 15 minutes away but it seemed like an hour. He was happy to be out of the car but fussed as soon as we got inside the building, all the way upstairs, and while we waited in the "sick child" waiting area. When I took off his clothes to weigh him he smiled (it was BLAZING HOT so I think it felt good to be almost naked) We weighed him and he was a little bit under where he should be at a 13lbs 14 oz. When I got his diaper back on, he was dussy again. I walked with him and bounced him and nothing would calm him down. I was afraid the other baby would get upset, too, by hearing Ryder cry.
Well--we waited in our room for about 10 minutes before the doctor came in (the whole time Ryder was fussing) and AS SOON as Dr. R walked in the room, Ryder got a HUGE smile on his face and started laughing----
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?  What is this magic she possesses to quiet the unquietable?
Well-he checked out all clear. No ear infection, no red throat, no congestion...Just two tiny "teefs" that are just now appearing and "shouldn't be bothering him very much yet". (I am still going to use the orajel because it DID work to help calm him down and I do think his gums are irritating him right now.)
So the verdict of the $50 doctors appointment? a GROWTH SPURT

"All the Better To Eat You With"

Well...we figured out what is making Ryder make all the fuss. He is starting to cut teeth. EARLY....WAY EARLY!!! He has just been so upset all the time and there isn't anything we can do to calm him down. I looked in his mouth and what do you know--little baby "teefs" are coming up through his bottom gums.
I've tried to get pictures for everyone to see but Ryder is so young that he is still pushing his tongue forward and I cant get him to lift it. However, I am not giving up and will be posting pictures as soon as I can get them. (It will probably be when he is crying because that his when his mouth is open.)
Pray for us PLEASE! I don't think either of us are really prepared for teething yet--or the screaming--and Ryder isn't big enough to hold on to teething rings yet. (If you have any suggestions PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave them for me)

Dinner and a Crying Baby

Today was a rough day for my baby bear. His tummy was hurting all day and even now, at 9pm, he is crying. My poor baby would have a few minutes of smiles and laughs but he seemed to cry more than usual. He even cried while we ate. Poor baby was hungry, too. Hopefully he will be able to get a good night sleep tonight.
I started a diet yesterday that is pretty strict. My sister has done it before and saw amazing results. Pat took me and Ryder grocery shopping and got lots of healthy, fresh veggies...When we went to check out I pulled out my coupons that I absolutely love to cut out :) and...all in all...I saved $80!!!! WoooHooo I stocked my fridge with lots of veggies, chicken, some steaks for Pat, Soy milk (ya...I can't have milk on this diet so I bought soy milk and I love it).
I made a roast for Pat. I started it a little later than I should because all I had for it was carrots and the roast. Pat went and bought the rest of the ingredients for me and I began the process of .... well .... waiting :)

In the midst of my new Emeril slow cooker (THANK YOU NANA) is the following....

• 3 -4 lbs chuck roast
• 2 onions, sliced
• 12 ounces chili sauce (I use Del Monte brand)
• 1 envelope lipton dry onion soup mix
• 12 ounces dark beer (I use Guinness Draft in the can)

Directions:

1.  Put onions in bottom of crock pot.
2.  Place meat on onions.
3.  Sprinkle contents of dry onion soup mix over meat.
4.  Pour entire bottle of chili sauce over meat.
5.  Pour beer around meat.
6.  Cover crock pot and cook on high for 1 hours and then on low for 6 hours. (or cook on low for 6-8 hrs).
7.  Serve.

It was the easiest thing I have ever made and it was delicious!!! Well, I couldn't eat the potatoes or meat but I did eat the carrots and onions and they were really really good. Hubby did eat the meat and potatoes and he LOVELOVELOVE-d them:) It makes me so happy to know that he likes my cooking. I feel like a good wife. Like I am contributing something since I am not workin :). I made myself some baked chicken and ate it with a salad of fresh veggies I had just bought. All in all...I was really happy with tonights dinner. Now, I just have to clean it up haha.

It was about 8pm and Pat was READY for his dinner haha

Look at all that steam!!!

This was my dinner--it was delicious

We bought some red snapper today at the grocery store and I am going to make it tomorrow. Does anyone have any suggestions on recipes? I have never even eaten fish before, much less made it. I'll post more tomorrow.

PS- I have another meeting tomorrow with Kaplan College. It is the nursing specific meeting where we will go over EVERY STEP and will start the financial aid process and TEAS testing sign up...SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!