Speaking of...

Just returned from another 2-week check-up. It's so much better when Ben goes with me so that I have someone to talk with during the wait as the Dr. is fixing up an emergency elsewhere. In fact, we had a good financial chat. Speaking of finances...

...they've been on our minds a lot lately. We approached our financial advisor (F.A.) about how much to save for college, how to, what to use, and so on. Theoretically, if we save $400/month, we'll have around $90,000 guaranteed in 18 years. Theoretically, we won't have to contribute after 16 years. Theoretically, this is our best option since it's guaranteed and we'll have some life insurance in the process. Theoretically, we were looking for an option that didn't require forgoing saving anything for the next 16 years. Granted, eventually we'll get paid more and this will be an easier contribution a month, and on and on and on. But right now, realistically, this is a lot of money, especially when I'm not going to be paid for a few months coming up pretty soon. So if anyone knows of an easy, legal way to procure vast sums of money in the next 18 years that doesn't require me driving the same car for the next 18 years and giving up all hopes of any vacation in that same amount of time, let me know, eh? Speaking of cars...

...we're now going to be the proud owners of three cars. No car loans, thankfully. However, each vehicle will be at least 8 years old, but no more than 11. Which is a bit old. And there's quite a bit of milage in that mix, also. But when trying to save for college while also faced with the possibility of replacing an old fridge, some concessions must be made. Speaking of fridges...

...I'm worried that our fridge is on it's last legs, which it's been dancing on for a few months now. Either the fridge is too cold and things are freezing or the freezer is too warm and water collects in the fridge. This isn't a good situation for my ice cream. Speaking of ice cream...

...I was given 4 coupons for free ice cream at Culvers (mmm) today. I was willing to pay for them in a "silent" auction, but got outbid at the last moment for a special ed aide who has given ice cream up for Lent (so he says). I'm not sure why he outbid me. I guess he just wanted to be nice and make a contribution to the cause since I still got the ice cream. But in the next 2 weeks, the days I want to go are days that we'll be out of town. Ironic. I'm going to have to wait on that one. Not that my ever-increasing girth wouldn't mind if I stopped chugging down the dark chocolate and sugar so readily. Speaking of my girth...

...at my last appointment 2 weeks ago, my doctor said that I was measuring just fine regardless of how huge my school secretary keeps telling me that I am. Today, however, she says, oh, you're actually measuring about 3 weeks farther along than you should be. The signs of a big one? I was a large baby; who knows about Ben since his mom doesn't remember. I'm just sighing and mentally preparing for some good amount of agony as my body tries to disgorge a veritable bowling ball that has many nooks and crannies. If everyone just keeps looking at my ponderous girth, then maybe they won't be noticing other things. Speaking of other things...

...why are nearly all maternity shirts cut with such a deep V front? Really, must I have to show all? Why can't we have a wee bit more fabric? For that matter, I'm highly skeptical that these shirts are really going to last through 9 months. Some of them are really not long enough as is. Please please don't make me go buy even more clothes. I can just feel the extra weight on me around my face and hips. I know that it's largely vanity, but it really makes me uncomfortable to look and feel like this. I really thought that it wouldn't be a huge deal to gain this weight knowing that I was gaining it for a reason. But no, it's been heartwrenching every time I've stepped on a scale for the past 7+ months. Maybe I should have really tried to give up vanity for Lent. But then again, maybe I should try to give that up for always and not just Lent. Now there's a novel idea...