My Day Off...

Yesterday, I took a wonderful and much-needed "day off" from potty training my kids. Well, not really, but I only did "light duty" with it. I let Hubby handle the bulk of it throughout the entire day. So, what did I do?

I went to the grocery store, which is something I never do. It's usually Hubby's job to stock the house with food; when I go, I spend too much money, so he says. Well, yesterday was no exception. And, honestly, I needed to get out of that house. After potty training two very stubborn children for 32 hours over the course of four days, I was emotionally drained. So, I took a "me" day, in a sense.

The kids actually did a great job for Hubby, which I knew would happen. They needed to show off for him and make him proud. Liv was especially receptive, too, and earned many rewards for being dry and for going on the potty. Jack also did well and earned his rewards, too. Sure, both kids had their share of accidents, but there were many, many successes to be celebrated, as well. Let's see if the momentum keeps up today while Hubby's at work. At least he's home until 11am.

While Hubby took over the potty training for the day, I also pureed everything under the sun. I've been reading Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld and The Sneaky Chef by Missy Chase Lapine. They have some really great recipes and ideas for getting good foods into my kids by masquerading them in things they already like to eat. So, I'm going to try my hand at it and see how it goes. You name it; I pureed it today:

Blueberries, strawberries, bananas, peas, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, butternut squash (after I roasted it), pumpkin...each frozen in 1/2, 3/4, and 1 cup servings for quick and easy use. The only thing I didn't puree yet was the sweet potatoes, which I'll do today, if I have time. I have a colorful assembly of ingredients at my fingertips. Now, I just have to USE them creatively. The first thing I'm going to try is brownies (secret ingredients: blueberries and spinach). I'll let you know how it goes (with the kids AND with Hubby).

I'm excited about trying some new recipes. I don't think my blender has ever gotten this good of a workout. I really want to get some healthy foods snuck into my kids' diets without them knowing. Maybe they'll be surprised and actually like it. Wish me luck.

Boy, this sure feels like I'm nesting...

Despondent...

I'm too depressed to write right now. Everything is one step up and ten steps back for me lately. I can't even write about what's really on my mind on this blog anymore.

So, the one place I used to feel safe (this blog) is now another place where I don't. It figures.

Nothing and no one is ever truly safe. Remember that.

No Time...

I don't really have much time to write a real post right now. I've been very, very busy potty training Jack and Liv so they can go to preschool next month. So, I've been setting timers for them both. Consequently, it leaves me very little time to write here because if I haven't got one on the potty, then I've got the other one on the potty.

Progress is slow, but it's progress, nonetheless. And I'll take whatever I can get right now. Keep your fingers crossed!

Hormonal...

Does anyone else see the humor in this sign? Or is it just my raging hormones because I have two placentas?

Motherhood...

It sure feels that way sometimes.

The Youngest Ones...

My nephew (7), Jack (4), and Liv (3) were checking out the noises of the fireworks outside this weekend. These are the youngest members of our family right here until the twins arrive. I love this picture because they are so happy to be together.

Forever Siblings, Forever Friends...

My brother, my sister, and I.

I love them so much.

By The Dawn's Early Light...

Have a very safe and happy holiday!

Short & To The Point...

My Sister is here for the weekend! Must go cause some trouble now. Heh.

Totally True...

This is completely true for me (and I still have about 14 weeks to go). It's so hard to paint my toenails, it's not even funny. Don't even get me started on how in the world I'm able to shave my legs. Ugh.

Good times, people. Good times.

(SIDENOTE: No Nummies, Night #3 went just fine. If I say anymore, though, I may be judged harshly about my parenting skills again by a certain someone giving unsolicited advice in the comments and to my email. Personal attacks on my kids are not cool. WWJD?)

No Nummies, Night #2...

Last night, I told Jack he could suck on his blanket to help him fall asleep. After about 5 minutes, I took it out of his mouth and he fell right to sleep without any fuss at all. Livie took about 20-25 minutes to fall asleep, unlike the hour+ it took her the night before. When I had asked her what she'd done to get herself to sleep the night before, she told me she'd just sucked on her shirt. So, last night I also told her she could suck on her blanket just like Jack. And I stayed with her until she fell asleep. She tried sucking on her shirt, then her blanket, then several fingers. However, it just wasn't the same and she decided to just roll over and go to bed without trying to fight it. Not bad.

All in all, the absence of the nummies hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. We've had worse nights with nummies. Both kids are pretty smart. They're trying out different techniques to soothe themselves to sleep and they're going with whatever works for them. I couldn't ask for more.

Jack woke up his regular 2-3 times, but it wasn't any different than what he was doing when he had his nummy. It took maybe 5 more minutes to settle him into the fact that we don't use nummies anymore. Neither kid has put up much of a fight about it, really. Both kids wake up before 6am and are dancing and doing handstands in their room at an ungodly hour. They're happy, though.

I expected the worst and have been surprised by how mature my kids have been about it, considering they've had nummies their whole lives. I guess they knew it was time to say goodbye to their nummies. Smart kids.

No Nummies, Night #1...

Well, both Jack and Liv went to sleep without their nummies last night. They've never kept them in their mouths the whole night, anyway, so I didn't think it would be too big of a deal to take them away at this point. They've only ever really used them to soothe themselves to sleep. Sure, Jack would wake up a few times looking for it, but so would Liv. It was simply a matter of taking it away and saying no more. Cold turkey.

Jack fell asleep in 20 minutes, which proved to me he really didn't need it anymore anyway. Liv, on the other hand, had a much harder time. She tried negotiating, saying that she would really, really miss it. She tried crying and found out that it wouldn't work. One comment she made was, "Well, if you get to take away my nummy, I should get a lot of presents for this." And then she rattled off about fifteen Princess items she wants. That's typical Liv for ya...always negotiating a deal. After an hour, she still wasn't able to put herself to sleep. She tried sucking on various fingers quietly and could only look at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen. I just kept telling her that she was a big girl now and that I knew she could do it and that it wouldn't be as hard as she thought it was going to be. Even though she couldn't fall asleep instantly like she usually does, she most certainly didn't make a fuss that would wake up her brother, which was nice. She was trying with all her might to do it.

Since I'm writing this post while she's trying to fall asleep and it will be posted in the morning, I can't possibly predict what the nighttime will bring for either of them, nor can I tell you how long it took Liv to finally fall asleep. I left their room before she fell asleep and relied on her to soothe herself. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be as bad as I anticipate. Let's hope I'm right. And let's hope it only takes a few uncomfortable nights.

Once they take a few days to make adjustments to the No More Nummies rule, then they can go cold turkey on the pull-ups. Yeesh.

Just Hold Me...

*Since I am carrying twin girls, theoretically I have three uteri (uteruses?), six ovaries, and more eggs than I'll ever know what to do with. And don't get me started on the hormones racing through my body. Yeesh.

*Jack and Liv need to get out of pull-ups this week. They have to use the potty in order to go to preschool in a couple of months. While Jack is more than willing to pee, he won't poop in the toilet. And Liv won't do either at all.

*The nummies (pacifiers) are being taken by the Nummy Fairy tonight. Cold turkey.

*This is NOT going to be an easy week at all. And being six months pregnant, I don't know how I'm going to do it at all. Toileting, pacifiers, a twin pregnancy...I'm going crazy and I just can't stop crying when I think about how overwhelmed I feel. I've never felt so vulnerable in my life and no one could possibly understand or even try to.

*I've never felt so big in my life. Despite pregnancy being a beautiful thing, I feel like an ugly fucking cow.

*I love being pregnant, but I can't wait until this particular pregnancy is over. I'm so tired of checking for blood every time I pee. I'm so tired of worrying about all the complications and what if's involved in it. I'm so tired of wondering how the hell we're going to do this financially without killing each other and retaining our sanities. I'm so tired of being uncomfortable and it's not even close to being over yet. I'm just so tired. And no one understands. There just isn't anything easy about a twin pregnancy.

*Nursing twins, having to go back to work before and after delivery, sleep schedules being out of whack for the whole house, Jack and Liv starting school for the first time, my unpaid maternity leave, finances and lack thereof, preschool tuition, pregnancy/delivery complications, recovery from another C-section (3rd one in four years), being of advanced maternal age with a high-risk multiple pregnancy, fear of miscarriage, getting the kids to and from school but not being able to drive for a month, having to buy a new car we can't afford just to accommodate all the children, the unwanted advice I keep getting, TWINS, in general...Shall I keep going? Is it any surprise why I feel so overwhelmed? I just don't know how or if I can do this.

*If we didn't need my income and the health insurance that goes with it, I would suck it up and just stay home with my kids. However, that is impossible and the guilt I feel because of it eats away at me. I would love nothing more than my husband or I to be able to stay home and care for our children, but it just isn't feasible. And I hate that it can't be done.

*I would love a drink and a smoke right now. And I can't have either. I wonder if I can have a beer at the hospital after I deliver...Ha!

*Just hold me, people. Just hold me.

Activities To Avoid During Pregnancy...

• Amusement park rides: Waterslides and other rides at amusement parks are a no-no, since a forceful landing or sudden start or stop could harm your baby. Um, yeah...I don't see myself heading to any of those anytime soon. Duh.

• Bicycling: Cycling isn't a good idea for newbies, but experienced riders may be able to continue until their second trimester, when a shifting center of gravity affects balance and can make cycling dangerous. You mean I can't compete in that triathlon I've been dying to do?

• Contact sports: Soccer, basketball, and hockey put you at a high risk of injury from a ball or puck, a collision with another player, or a fall during play. I guess I'll have to tell my hockey teammates that I can't make tomorrow's game.

• Downhill skiing: ACOG advises against downhill skiing anytime during pregnancy because of the risk of serious injuries and hard falls. If you choose to ski, stick to gentle slopes and be aware that you may have problems with balance as your belly expands. A safer choice is cross-country skiing, which is also much better for building cardiovascular fitness. Avoid skiing at altitudes above 6,000 feet, where there's less oxygen for you and your baby. Everyone knows the mecca of downhill skiing is Chicago. What will I do for fun now?

• Gymnastics: Same risk of falling and increased chance of trauma to your abdomen. What about rhythm gymnastics? No? I guess I'll retire my ribbons.

• Horseback riding: Even if you're a good rider, it's not worth risking a fall. Since I'm allergic to horses, I guess taking a handful of Benadryl before I go riding is out of the question.

• Post-sport tubs and saunas: Soaking in hot tubs and Jacuzzis or sitting in a sauna can be dangerous to your developing baby because overheating has been linked to birth defects. And i was sooooooo looking forward to sitting in a sauna until I pass out.

• Running: If you weren't a runner before you got pregnant, now's not the time to take it up. Otherwise, it's fine in moderation. From your second trimester on, when the risk of falling increases, you should run with caution. As with all forms of exercise, avoid becoming overheated, and drink plenty of water to replace fluids lost through sweating. Two words...ENORMOUS BOOBS...yeah, those could pretty much get in the way of my running routine. Plus, they'd give me black eyes with each landing. Not pretty.

• Scuba diving: This is an absolute no. As you surface, air bubbles can form in your bloodstream, which can be very dangerous for both you and your growing baby. Again...the mecca of scuba diving is in Chicago...I'm so bummed about this.

• Snowboarding: Same risk of falling and increased chance of trauma to your abdomen. See my response for skiing. Apply it to here, as well.

• Surfing: Same risk of falling and increased chance of trauma to your abdomen. We get some killer waves in Chicago. Not being able to surf here is totally uncool.

• Tennis: A moderately paced game of tennis is okay if you played before you became pregnant. But you may have problems with balance and sudden stops, so watch your step. Most women find that it's hard to keep up their game as their bellies get bigger in the second and third trimesters. I guess I'll postpone my doubles matches until after I deliver.

• Waterskiing: Another activity that puts you at risk for falling and increases the chance of trauma to your abdomen. Shit...I just got new waterskis on clearance and I can't take them back. What am I going to do now?

Source

What NOT To Stress About During Pregnancy...

"Don't stress if you can't get everything done that you had planned each day. The baby won't know if the housework isn't done!"

"It's okay to tell co-workers that you're not interested in their advice. Every pregnancy is different."

"Remember, every problem has a solution, and confiding in someone who's close to you or who you think can offer help or support is a step forward. Don't be afraid to talk to your partner, OB, or midwife."

"Don't stress about how you look. You're performing a miracle — growing a person inside of you — and that's a fantastic accomplishment."

"If you trust your OB, let her do her job and follow her recommendations; if you don't, find a new doctor who you do trust. You should never be afraid to call your provider with big and small problems."

"Don't stress about tough times with your partner. A baby tests any couple's relationship."

"Don't stress about things like food or weight. Just be sensible. There's no need to give yourself an anxiety attack over the pint of ice cream you just finished. Take it as your special reward for everything you've accomplished so far in your pregnancy, and move on."

"If you're doing everything in your power to make healthy choices, don't worry so much. Women have been having babies since well before we knew what to do and what not to do."

"Mothers-in-law don't know everything!"

"Don't stress too much about things in the environment you think might harm your baby, like standing too close to the microwave or pumping gas. Remember, the vast majority of babies are born healthy."

"Don't worry about labor. It is what it is. Just educate yourself on your options, and be ready to make informed decisions. Beyond that, just take a deep breath and go for it. It's not as bad as you think it'll be."

"Don't stress about how the baby is fending in the womb. It's a roll cage, but your baby is probably comfortable in there."

"Every little twinge doesn't mean something is wrong."

"No matter what decisions you make, someone will always disagree. Try not to let the negative comments upset you, and if you're really worried about something, talk with your doctor or a nonjudgmental friend."

"There's no such thing as a stupid question, especially for first-time mothers. Being pregnant and birthing a child are unique experiences, and a woman will never know what it's all about until she's actually done it herself."

"It's okay if you don't have everything ready for your baby. Newborns don't need a whole lot in the beginning."

"When I accepted heartburn, back pain, lack of sleep, and moodiness as a normal part of pregnancy, they didn't seem to bother me as much anymore."

"If you're worried about being a good mom, you probably have nothing to worry about. My husband keeps telling me that bad mothers don't worry about whether or not they'll be good moms."

"I had never really been around children, and I made mistakes, but as long as you love your baby and are careful with the important stuff, you can't harm him or her with small mistakes. You'll soon get comfortable with the routine."

"Don't stress too much over all the "rules" pregnant women now have. A bath warmer than lukewarm won't lead to disaster. If you accidentally eat a soft cheese you're not sure is safe, there's no use worrying after the fact. Our mothers had fewer restrictions than we do, and we turned out fine."

Source

Good To Be Home...

We had a great vacation in the Northwoods this year, as usual. It was busy and tiring, but we made it there and back safely.

I am exhausted. And now, I consider the rest of this week and weekend to be a vacation from my vacation. Anyone who has ever traveled with young children understands exactly what I mean.

It's good to be back.

Fuck Secrets...

We're having twin girls!

Fuck secrets! Hubby didn't want to know, but I did, so I found out at my ultrasound yesterday (which was a fiasco I'll save for another post). When I got home, he said it wasn't fair that I knew and he didn't. He wanted to know, after all, so I told him. And then we told the rest of the world.

Twin girls. Wow. I'm still trying to process that. Jack is my only son and Liv will get to pass on her Princess crown and dresses, if we can ever pry them out of her grasp.

Twin girls. And all is well. Happy, healthy, extremely active babies that measure exactly where they're supposed to for their age. What more could I ask for?

And now, folks, I'm going on vacation to the Northwoods (Minocqua, WI). I'll see you next Thursday.

Twin girls. Wow.

20 Weeks & 5 Days...

I'm all babies.

Only 15 weeks & 2 days to go. Ha!

I was just about this size when I had Liv one month prematurely.

Who Knew?...

Who knew this alternative way of peeling potatoes was this easy? Check it out.

And just how did Dawn Wells from "Gilligan's Island" make it into that video? She's known this about peeling potatoes all this time and is just now sharing it? Grrrrrrrr.

And now back to packing for vacation for the family and me...We're leaving Saturday morning and I've got to get some shit done. It seems as though every time I turn around, I'm adding one more item to the ever-growing list of Must Bring's.

Gah.

I Feel Big...

I am so very pregnant. I'm pretty sure I was this size when Liv was born a month prematurely. And I've got to make it to October 1st to get to 36 weeks? Um, okay.

I'm all belly. All of it. Mah belly. Oh, and my boobs, too. That reminds me...I need to post another picture soon, right? Yeah, yeah. I'll get to it as soon as I can find a camera big enough to fit all of me into one shot.

I know the middle trimester is supposed to be the most exciting, but I'm sooooooooo tired still. Perhaps that's because I need more rest. Ha! YOU try resting with two daredevil preschoolers in YOUR house and tell me how that works out for ya.

Round. Just draw a circle and that is me.

It's Only Been One Day...

So far, I've been on summer vacation for one day and already I'm exhausted. I've come to realize that there won't be anything easy about being the vessel for these twins while I'm running around after Jack (4) and Liv (3).

Both kids are testing me to the nth degree, to see what I'll put up with and what I won't. And the process of it all is tiring. I must say the girl is worse than the boy when it comes to stuff like this. It's not like I thought it was going to be easy, but I honestly thought they'd let me sit down at least once without having to worry about who got into the knives, who found the matches, or who was playing with broken glass. You think I'm kidding, don't you?

It's only been one day. Nevertheless, I am dreading the rest of this summer, if it's going to be anything like yesterday was. Ugh.

Hurry Up...

I have my routine OB appointment on Friday at 11am and my 20-week ultrasound on Friday at 1pm. I wish that day would get here quickly. You KNOW why. If the babies cooperate, I get to see their genders.

And then I'm going to keep it a secret from everyone, even my husband (he doesn't want to know anyway). It'll be just my little secret from the rest of the world. That is, of course, if I don't change my mind. Heh.

Then, on Saturday, we leave for our yearly vacation to the Northwoods. It should be relaxing and fun, I hope.

I just want Friday to get here...NOW. Aside from the sexes of the babies, I just want to know that everything is okay still.

Hey, Troll...Yeah, I'm Talking To You...

Have you ever really, really wanted to say this to someone? Well, go ahead and do it. What have you got to lose?

Colors & Their Meanings...

I read some information about colors and their meanings and found it to be fascinating. Much of this, I didn't know. Perhaps you will learn something, as well.

Colors often have different meanings in various cultures. And even in Western societies, the meanings of various colors have changed over the years. But today in the U.S., researchers have generally found the following to be accurate.

Black
Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.

White
Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Red
The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

Blue
The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

Green
Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

Yellow
Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.

Purple
The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Brown
Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

Colors of the Flag
In the U.S. flag, white stands for purity and innocence. Red represents valor and hardiness, while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for, while the stripes emulate the sun's rays.

Food for Thought
While blue is one of the most popular colors it is one of the least appetizing. Blue food is rare in nature. Food researchers say that when humans searched for food, they learned to avoid toxic or spoiled objects, which were often blue, black, or purple. When food dyed blue is served to study subjects, they lose appetite.

Green, brown, and red are the most popular food colors. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.

Source

Ahhhhhhhhhh...

The last day of school is finally here! I thought it would never come. Now, the REAL work begins! Third trimester, here I come!

Source of photo

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings...

Just one more day and I'm free. Shall I do a happy dance? Judging by how VERY pregnant I am, I bet you'll be able to feel it.

No need to call USGS. It's just me.

Summer break never smelled so sweet. It's the one thing that will get me through these all-day end-of-the-year meetings.

Did you feel that? Yup, that's me dancing.

It's More Than Just Hump Day To Me...

Today is our eighth-grade students' graduation. It's a day to rejoice for many of my students. I am very happy for them as they begin their journey toward more responsibility, greater deadlines, and maturity.

Tomorrow is a day of meetings and Friday is the day all of the students show up for an hour for their paperwork and goodbyes.

And then...it's a much-needed summer break for all of us. The light at the end of the tunnel? Oh, yeah...it's shining brightly and I couldn't be happier. It's been a very difficult school year and I am glad to put it to rest.

Now, it's time to watch my belly REALLY grow. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All For Crossing Into Forbidden Territory...

This news is absolutely insane, but not shocking, since it IS North Korea. My heart goes out to the family members of these women who were just doing their job, but accidentally stepped into the "wrong" territory. The sentence seems way too harsh; the punishment most definitely does NOT fit the crime.

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea convicted two American journalists and sentenced them Monday to 12 years of hard labor for crossing into its territory, intensifying the reclusive nation's confrontation with the United States.

The Obama administration said it would pursue "all possible channels" to win the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for former Vice President Al Gore's San Francisco-based Current TV media venture.

There are fears Pyongyang is using the women as bargaining chips as the U.N. debates a new resolution to punish the country for its defiant May 25 atomic test and as North Korea seeks to draw Washington into direct negotiations.

Washington's former U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson called the sentencing part of "a high-stakes poker game" being played by North Korea. He said on NBC's Today show that he thinks negotiations for their "humanitarian release" can begin now that the legal process has been completed. Other South Korean analysts also said they expect the two to be freed following negotiations.

The journalists were found guilty of committing a "grave crime" against North Korea and of illegally entering the country, North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said.

North Korean guards arrested Ling and Lee near the China-North Korean border on March 17. The two were reporting about the trafficking of North Korean women at the time of their arrest, and it's unclear if they strayed into the North or were grabbed by aggressive border guards who crossed into China. A cameraman and their local guide escaped.

The Central Court in Pyongyang sentenced each to 12 years of "reform through labor" in a North Korean prison after a five-day trial, KCNA said in a terse, two-line report that provided no further details. A Korean-language version said they were convicted of "hostility toward the Korean people."

The ruling — nearly three months after their arrest on March 17 — comes amid soaring tensions fueled by North Korea's nuclear test last month and signs it is preparing for a long-range missile test. On Monday, North Korea warned fishing boats to stay away from the east coast, Japan's coast guard said, raising concerns more missile tests are being planned.

Over the weekend, President Barack Obama used strong language on North Korea's nuclear stance and said his administration did not intend "to continue a policy of rewarding provocation."

Verdicts issued by North Korea's highest court are final and cannot be appealed, said Choi Eun-suk, a North Korean law expert at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at South Korea's Kyungnam University. He said North Korea's penal code calls for transferring them to prison within 10 days.

The United States, which does not have diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, was "deeply concerned" about the reported verdict, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in Washington. He said officials would "engage in all possible channels" to win the reporters' release.

At the White House on Monday, deputy spokesman William Burton said in a statement: "The president is deeply concerned by the reported sentencing of the two American citizen journalists by North Korean authorities, and we are engaged through all possible channels to secure their release."

The families of Lee, 36, and Ling, 32 had no immediate comment, spokeswoman Alanna Zahn said from New York. Gore also had no comment, spokeswoman Kalee Kreider said.

Lee is Korean-American and speaks Korean, but it is not clear how well. She lives in California with her husband and 4-year-old daughter Hannah. Ling is Chinese-American and a native of California. Her sister is National Geographic "Explorer" TV journalist Lisa Ling.

Kim Yong-hyun, a professor at Seoul's Dongguk University, said the 12-year sentence — the maximum allowed under North Korean law — may have been a reaction to recent "hard-line" threats by the U.S., including possible sanctions and putting North Korea back on a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

But he predicted the journalists' eventual release following diplomatic negotiations.

"The sentence doesn't mean much because the issue will be resolved diplomatically in the end," Kim said.

Just weeks after arresting the women, North Korea launched a multistage rocket over Japan in defiance of international calls for restraint. The U.S. and others called the launch a cover for a long-range missile test, and the U.N. Security Council condemned the move.

The U.N. censure enraged Pyongyang. North Korea abandoned nuclear disarmament talks, threatened to restart its atomic program and vowed to conduct nuclear and long-range missile tests if the Security Council failed to apologize.

The North followed through with its threat and staged its second-ever underground nuclear test. U.S. officials say the North appears to be preparing another long-range missile test at a west coast launch pad.

Some analysts called the arrest of the Americans a timely "bonanza" for Pyongyang as the impoverished regime prepares to negotiate for aid and other concessions to resolve the tense standoff over its nuclear defiance.

"North Korea refused to release them ahead of a court ruling because such a move could be seen as capitulating to the United States," said Hajime Izumi, professor of international relations and an expert on North Korea at the University of Shizuoka in Japan.

But now, "North Korea may release them on humanitarian grounds and demand the U.S. provide humanitarian aid in return," he said. "North Korea will certainly use the reporters as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the United States."

Their release could come through a post-negotiation political pardon, said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at Seoul's University of North Korean Studies.

The sentence is "a terrible shock for all those who have repeatedly insisted on their innocence," Reporters Without Borders said in a statement, noting that North Korea is ranked as Asia's worst country for press freedom.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists urged South Korea, Japan, Russia and the U.S., the five countries involved in the stalled disarmament talks with North Korea, to work for the journalists' release."

The sentencing comes a month after Iran released Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, who had been sentenced to eight years in prison for on a charge of spying for the United States. An appeals court reduced that to a two-year suspended sentence and she was freed May 11.

Little is known about prison conditions in North Korea. But Rev. Chun Ki-won, a South Korean missionary who helped arrange the journalists' trip to China, said inmates in North Korean labor camps frequently face beatings and other inhumane treatment while being forced to engage in harsh labor such as logging and construction work.

Chun, however, predicted the North would send the journalists to a labor camp.

Source

Tick, Tock...

This is my last week of work before summer break begins. NO ONE is happier about this than ME! This school year has felt like an eternity. I'm more than happy to put it to rest.

I'll be home for a week. I see my OB on the 19th and also get my 20-week ultrasound done that day, too. Then, on the 20th, we leave for our vacation in the Northwoods. It'll be hectic and fun. Plus, it'll be the last vacation we go on with just two children and the dog (using one car). Next year, it'll be FOUR children and a dog (using two cars). Yeesh.

So, I'm really looking forward to this week being over. I know, I know...it's only just begun. I'm hoping it doesn't drag as slowly as the entire school year has. I need a break and I'm getting it just before the twins arrive.

Come early October, I'm going to be busy with four kids under four years old. I need this summer to last a loooooooong time.

Solve My Dilemma...

My car just turned 17,000 miles. It's five years old. (You can stop laughing now. Yeah, I don't have far to go to get to where I need to be.) I only have room for two carseats in it, so I'm going to have to get a bigger car. The problem is that I need a car that I can fit four carseats in that ISN'T A MINIVAN (I'm still too cool for one of those, thankyouverymuch.). Plus, I realize that if I buy a used car, it'll probably have more miles on it than what I'm trading in, which sucks.

I'll be on maternity leave for a while, so I can't really afford a car payment, whether it's a used car or a new one. I'll have to bite the bullet, though, and buy a car that can accommodate my growing family. I would rather buy a foreign car; the Honda Pilot is what I like. The 2009 model seats eight standard. Plus, I'd be trading in my Honda CRV. I know American cars are cheaper, but there's more maintenance involved than with foreign cars.

I'm so stuck. And I'm avoiding making any decisions right now, but I really need to figure out sometime soon how I'm going to cart my defensive line around. There's no easy fix for this situation.

Any ideas?

She Was The Best...

Yesterday, my brother took his beloved dog, Little (8 years old), in for surgery on a mass that was inside her ribcage. Bloodwork showed that it wasn't cancer, but could've been a broken rib that had healed, was calcified, and sticking out. Unfortunately, a blood clot traveled to her lung after surgery and she left this world abruptly.

Little was the best dog ever. I trusted her with my children's lives and valued her gentleness, her playfulness, and her protective qualities. She will be missed and mourned by the entire family. Little was not simply a dog; she was The Best Dog That Ever Lived. You can read about her here, too, because she deserves your time.

We will miss you so very much, Little.