What will it bee? The Big Reveal!

Yesterday was the day of the big reveal. Finally. The hours of waiting were coming to an end. P&S wouldn't have to worry about me being a brat (about not knowing) anymore. I would know. My friends & family would know. I was counting down the hours. 

B&K has flown in from Cali late the night before and have very conveniently for me, gotten in very close to the same time as Hubby (saving me from a midnight zombie drive to the airport). I promised B that I would wait until 8 to wake her up. At 8:15 I couldn't wait any longer. It was time for her to be awake!

She helped me and hubby clean while I stuffed random crap in the office a bedroom so that we could fill our little house with people. We were just finishing up when P arrived to finish with the decorating. Soon after S & her hubby D arrived to get food all ready. 

I helped P hang up decorations, occasionally stealing D away for his tallness. It didn't take long for the upstairs to smell delicious and look awesome. We decided the basement needed some love also. 

With decorations hung & food close behind, I went looking for real clothes (I don't think footy pajamas are appropriate clothing for a party). I was thinking about a dress that I had bought months before with the intention of a girls night on the town with P, but had never got to wear. Just my luck, it still fit with my bump & was just the right color for the party, even if I was planning on wearing a yellow bee. (Yellow was for girl, teal for boy. Since I dislike pink -  something I am going to have to get over). All dressed, B, as she has done many times in the past was tasked with making me pretty. In no time at all she had my hair curled and my make-up done. I was ready to party!

My amazing friends / party planners!

Our parents had already shown up at this point, and it was pointed out that we did a horrible job of coordinating with the ferry schedule. It was either show up an hour early or 15 minutes late. Oops. Note to self for next time. 

People started trickling in and S pointed out that we couldn't eat cupcakes (which were locked in the car so neither me or my F-in-Law could poke our fingers into them to find out early) until everyone had eaten. I started the parade of delicious food & drinks. It was so great to have so many family members there!

Finally as the food was winding down & the house was stuffed (so much for the basement decorations). We were all comfy & cozy upstairs or outside (thank you sunshine). S finally announced it was time for cupcakes!!!! I frantically tried to get my childhood BFF KP on skype as well as a few other people. We ended up giving up on multi-call video and putting a few people on speaker phone. Able to join in even from far away. :)

It was very hard to coordinate 20ish people to not eat their cupcakes before the "big reveal" but it worked out. 2 yellow cupcakes were found! Even though, apparently S accidentally slipped just before while explaining and said just a few feet away from me "There are two cupcakes with yellow frosting inside." The important part was neither Hubby and I or F-in-law heard.  

Congratulations went around, pictures were taken, fb posts were made, texts sent & smiles were abundant. It was a joyous frenzy! 

I couldn't stop smiling, despite the fact that my face hurt. I finally knew. The little wiggle worm is no longer an it. She is a she. 

She is my little Amelia Mae Woodward. 

Week 19 - What baby wants, baby gets.

19 Weeks with Ultrasound :)

Tuesday I had my appointment with Dr. O following my Ultrasound. This was the first time that I went to the doctor without a feeling of panic following me. It was pretty sweet!

I had seen my baby & been told that it was developing perfectly. 

Of course, this appointment involves lots of waiting, but I was able to sit and enjoy being there amongst other pregnant women in all stages.

Here are the stats:

The heartbeat was in the 150 range, and it was wiggling around so there were big woshes that interrupted the beats. 

I have gained my recommended 6 lbs thus far, and can expect to gain about a pound a week from here on out. Of course, making heathy food choices is very important. 

I am measuring in the 45th percentile. 

Peek - a - boo

My feet are definitely slowly disappearing, and putting on my shoes is becoming difficult. I'm  having to do the sideways foot on my knee rather than bending down. It makes the bows on my shoes crooked. It has been a really weird adjustment to get used to. 

You can barely see the really awesome green detail on my new shoes! ... well, I can't. 

And then. THE ARE ALL THE FOODS. 

When I have to go to the doctor, I have to drive past 2 Wendy's.  Every time I have to convince myself that I do not need it. This usually involves holding my breath and white knuckling the steering wheel. 

On the way home Tuesday, I was really close to stopping. It would be an early diner, but Sean was out of town... but I had left over stuffing from the stuffed peppers that P and I had made (an late homage to week 18's veggie of the week) and we had had used the extra to make meatballs. All I needed was some sauce and I had a easy diner...sigh. 

After passing Wendy's I started to dream of McDonald's french fries... and It was right next to Thriftway...I could get my sauce and have spaghetti & meatballs for lunch...

But P reminded me that French fries do not make diner... Although S thought it sounded like a plan. She pointed out that P has not been pregnant before & doesnt understand. I should have listened to her. MMMMmmmmmm

After picking my sauce, I might have somehow ended up in the candy aisle...which is also home to the chips. After a quick perusal of the fruity candy options, I turned around and saw something that made me instantly drool. Puffy Cheetos [Insert Homer drool here] - despite the fact that I have always, well, up until this point, found crunchy Cheetos to be far superior. 

I didn't even make it to the car before the bag was open. And I might have sat in my car and Nom-ed on them for a good 5 minutes before going anywhere...And I might have ended up having spaghetti for lunch the next day... It was worth it. 

This has not been my only 'successful' shopping trip. When I went to the grocery store with P to get more party things I might have put some of my own things in the basket. 

First it was the kiwis... mmmmm. I haven't had it in a long time, and it's just so delicious. And healthy. 

Then it was the Red Vines... and the Twizzlers  I had an experiment to conduct! AND they were both on sale. 

Next came the Cheetos Puffs. Two bags. They are 2/$4. And Hubby was coming home. What if he ate them?

Then the were the bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs. Totally necessary. K is coming into town, and there is history side trips to purchase & nom on them. 

The piece to resistance was the Peanut Butter Panda Puff cereal. There was no way I was not leaving the store without then. I didn't care if the were $3 for a little box & glueten free & wheat free & probably tastes like cardboard. It would all be worth it for the look on Hubbies panda obsessed face. 

Not long after the Panda cereal addition, P looks in the shopping basket & notices all of my additions. Looks at me. Looks at the basket. Looks at me and says "You realize that your groceries consist of Red Vines, Twizzlers, Chocolate Eggs, 2 bags of cheese puffs, Panda Cereal & kiwis. Right?"

I couldn't help but smile and laugh. Loudly. Enough to turn heads. But i don't care. They were all necessary. Plus, they weren't hunger purchases. We had just finished lunch. :)

Thursday, on my drive to work I was very aware of the 2 sets of golden arches I passed by... and the delicious prospect of a sausage McGriddle & deep fried hashbrowns. I spent the morning completely unable to focus because it became all I could think about.

It was decided that I P would stay over & we would carpool & have McDonalds  as a birthday breakfast. I was sold.

In the morning while I was waiting for zombie P to turn into a real person I was sorting though the mail when fate gave met the reassurance that I was destined to have McDonalds for my B-day breakfast. 

I was amazing. I had the happiest mouth ever. My stomach did not agree. Tums might have been required, but it was still worth it. :)

The size of my lunch box has increased, as well as the amount of food that goes in it. Bringing a variety of snacks has always been common, although by the time lunch rolls around I typically only pick and choose from what I brought. Typically now, my lunch box is either empty or close to it. 

Each day I bring:

A Mason Jar of OJ (which is purchased at Costco)

2 breakfasts - Typically a bagel & cream cheese (varieties change weekly) & either fruit leather or currently cereal... which means an extra mason jar with milk. 

Lunch - Includes a decent sized main course and at least one snack. I have been making sure that there are leftovers when we cook & typically have a variety of fruits thrown together. 

Calcium fortified Emergen-C - Tastes like gross kool-aid, but I'm I want to make sure I'm getting enough calcium  and since milk and I are no longer friends anymore... gotta get it somewhere. 

Afternoon snack - I typically pack 2-3 fruit leathers for the day. For whenever I get a little bit hungry or need something sweet. They aren't jelly beans or skittles, but they are acceptable. 

Waiting & Scheming

Waiting sucks. Really really sucks. It would be one thing if no one knew... but knowing that someone knows & me not being on the list is not awesome. 

Despite the fact that it was Hubby's fault that we had to wait longer, it was a good thing he was thousands of miles & a 3 hour time difference away. I think that if we had to wait together, we would have driven each other crazy with our guessing. Instead, I got to work on driving P insane. I kind of behaved myself... I could have been worse. MUCH worse. 

P&S were very diligent about keeping their secret. I knew up front that P was never going to be an easy nut to crack BUT S had possibilities. I might have be able to get it out of S... If I had face to face time... I came close to convincing myself after my dr appt on Tuesday to just show up on her doorstep. Lucky for her, I had the dogs stuck at home waiting for me & lots of traffic between me and the wilderness and I might not do traffic well...

I figured I had one chance with P and I blew it too early via text message. I figured my best and only chance would be to bring up the name war & see if there were any twinkles... A very innocent mention of Amelia Mae or Elijah...but there are no twinkles visible on my phone & now she was prepared. Darn my impatience!!!

I did get something out of them. P was planning on going out to S's house in the wilderness, but T came down with the plague, so they had to divvy up the tasks. S was responsible for the reveal & P for decorations & such. After much convincing, P agreed to let me help with making the bee's that would be used for guests to cast their votes (but only because S told her that it was not a question of can... I should be helping). 

Our adventure started with the gathering of supplies & decorations (she convinced me that we only needed one confetti -yellow bees won over teal 'baby love's- & I convinced her that we needed both ceiling hanging decorations...). Supplies in hand, we got to work. Both being perfectionists, it took us a long time to get started. Lots of tests & experiments then refining...before production could even begin.

During this whole thing I kept hearing *do-doop* *do-doop* often times followed by a smile & laugh. After lots of sighing and looks on my part I had to take matters into my own hands... They were killing me!!  

Group Message: S&P

K: Your killin me smalleses!!

S responds to P only: Ugh! I feel so guilty. (Which P relays)

K: You should feel guilty! No talking your way out of that one girls...

S: I do (crying face)

K: Good

After this, P&S have a side conversation debating on what they can show me... going back and forth about what & how & who. It is finally decided that they are going to tell me about the reveal, I get to see a picture of the reveal cupcakes, but S gets to send it to me. 

It wasn't the gender... but it was something. 

That night I dreamt of cupcakes, and woke up with the overwhelming feeling of girl... and hunger. 

I was not the only one out there fishing for information. My F-in-Law, D, was convinced that he could get it out of P. I knew that it was a battle he would lose, but it would definitely provide good entertainment. 

His attempts included:

Monday - Sending her manager to her to relay the message that "D says that you have something very important to tell him."

Tuesday - Post-it note from D: I was here. I will be back. You have information.

Response post-it from P: 5 more days. You have to wait just like everyone else. I will not cave.

D: Challenge Accepted.

Wednesday: Reprieve

Thursday - P goes in for the kill...

D: Have you come to to confess?

P walks past into his office, writes on the board "I know something you don't know"

D: Now you're just being mean.

P: You can thank Krissy for that, she told me I don't have to be nice to you.

D: Ya. She's right. I'm convinced that you don't really know, I think you have a sealed envelope & your just pretending to know. 

P: If that's what you think to make yourself to feel better. You tell yourself that. 

D: I'm great at keeping secrets.

P: No your not.

D: How do you know. You should try it. Right now.

P: I have it on good authority that if you know everyone will know.

Friday - 6:30 AM: Email from D's OA, N.

Subject: Just an idea...

It wouldn't be such a bad thing if he was having a granddaughter or grandson just one day early.

The suspense is killing him.

N.

Later an IM Conversation follows...

D: I sense, that you feel the need to share.

P: Sure, let me about my day. First I woke up, then I got ready for work, then I came here and started working on drawings...

D: What color is the frosting on the cupcakes?

P: I don't know you'll have to wait and see.

D: Ah-Ha! So there are cupcakes! 

P: That was not a secret. 

Scheming Fail. Boo. 

Perfectly, Perfect

Pretty much every time I go to the doctor, I freak out a little before hand. It is hard not to after a disastrous first trip. So far with this pregnancy I haven't really had anything to worry about, but that has done nothing to stop me. 

My first 8 week ultrasound went perfectly, measuring right on schedule. The second, at 16 weeks I was extra freaking out. I had finally given up on my fear of taking baths, but after the second dip I couldn't hear it... Luckily for my sanity, my appointment was the next day, and I would get to hear the baby's heartbeat. Despite my fears, there it was steady and strong. Nothing to really fear, besides being a paranoid mommy-to-be. Yesterday was my anatomy ultrasound at 18 weeks 6 days.

P was coming along with the Hubby & I to collect the secret record of the gender (grumble, grumble, grumble). Having the two of them in the car, at least outwardly calm, really helped me out. Our common place banter, and random hilarious topics made for much better state of mind. 

We got there early - one of the topics in the car- (and got a primo parking spot too). We headed upstairs to check in. P kept me perfectly distracted while we waited (threatening not to return my awesome red plaid skinny jeans she is keeping from being lonely for the coming months. Lucky for her we are the same size person... ). Since Hubby had a work trip rescheduled  we were only having the ultrasound. I would be coming back the next week for to meet with Dr. O, which is what always takes forever. It also means we have to wait over a week instead of 3 days to find out what it is... (grumble, grumble, grumble)

We got shuffled into the room, and this time it was the ultrasound you always see on TV, except the gel wasn't cold... it was very warm! I have to hand it to the ultrasound tech's out there. I couldn't really tell one grey blob from another, with the exception of the obvious ones. She worked her way around, checking and measuring. Pointing out what each oddly shaped grey blob. 

We saw the top of the skull & its developing brain. 

We saw its face, well the front of the skull.

Arms (one thrown over it's head like it's cool). 

Of course we saw the profile... With its GIANT head & little nose.

She zoomed in and checked out its little beating heart from all angles. 

The kidneys were shown. 

Its legs & arms were measured. 

Little feet. Little wiggly feet!

She checked out its spine.

And then she was doing some peeking... I most definitely saw a butt... but I'm not an expert at these things to know more than that unfortunately!

Everything was perfect. :) Measuring perfect, developing perfect. :) :) :)

The whole time she was pushing a prodding my bump working the angles and chasing around the wiggle worm. It's crazy to know its moving all over in there... but I don't know if I'm feeling it.

There are times when I lay there focusing on my belly for odd sensations. But mostly all that does is make my heart beat all the more obvious... every once and a while I'll feel something weird. But I don't know. It's not always the same weird, so I can't tell. 

I'm sure if it stays as wiggly later as it is now and is playing soccer with my bladder, I'll wish to go back to the time when I could lay there and wonder about each sensation. 

Or maybe not. 

Getting Out & About

S's hubby had to work the weekend, so she decided that she needed to take the boys and get out of the house. A day in Seattle seemed to be just the ticket. We thought about the zoo, the aquarium, the children's museum, or maybe a ferry ride. 

She also informed me, right before I was leaving, that we were going shopping for bras that fit. Great. But I guess I could grab cash & a gift card from the money jar...

Her boys love the zoo & with season tickets, it made an easy choice. We decided to meet fairly early Saturday morning & to carpool to save on parking. After picking me up we jumped on 99, we popped open Google maps, since she is used to coming from I-5. With me as a navigator, we got there the Woodward way (AKA the long way. We don't get lost, just like to take the scenic route sometimes). After driving past the exit we thought we should take, despite what Google said, we decided to stick to the directions. Which took us to the north side of the zoo. After cruising through the parking lot, to see if the gate on that side is open, we ended up leaving the parking lot before we planned on it. We decided to say screw it, we'll find our way to the part of the zoo we know. After meandering, we finally made it back into where it looked familiar, and the road we should have taken in the first place. 

We decided not to wait in a line to pay for parking. So we went to the farther away machines. The first one wouldn't take cash, so we tried the second. Just before I was about to put it in, S picks up a ticket from the ground and goes, 'Why don't we just use this one?' We checked the date - it was for today, we checked the time - it was bought an hour ago, they probably wont be coming back for it, we looked around - no one searching for lost things. Sweet!

Giggling, we decided, we were supposed to get lost, then find our way back, then be impatient, then have the machine not take cash... so that we could save our monies!

We headed into the zoo and it didn't take long to realize that it was really not warm. There was a reason that the parking lot was pretty deserted. Sane people did things indoors when the weather was under 50. After 2 hours of wandering, many snacks, and a purchase of gloves, T announced that he was ready to leave. S and I didn't complain! After wandering our way back to the car (and gifting our free ticket to a new comer to the parking lot) we decided it was time for lunch & shopping. 

Since we were pretty far north we decided to go to Northgate. Then I pulled it up on the map. It was a decent amount farther north, and we had no clue where anything is. We made the adjustment to go to Southcenter instead, except finding the on-ramp seemed to pose a slight dilemma. After a few circles, and a 'trust me, it's that way' we made it onto I-5 South. 

On the way A, got a much needed nap and we decided on BJ's. We got seated quickly, but the food took forever. The boys were definitely coming up on their breaking point. When S's special order salad came out wrong, she decided screw it, I'll eat later. Our time is running out. 

Nordstorm was next. We both got fitted for bra's. You know you need new bra's when you say you've grown a little and the lady goes 'Oh my, Yes you have'. She helped me find something that would suit my needs better for the coming months, but advised me against nursing bras, because I will get bigger. BIGGER. As if I wasn't big enough already. jeez. I thought my new letter was heart stopping enough. She said 2 weeks before I'm due I should come back, since I should be at my peak. Also, I should eventually go back down to my pre-pregnancy size, which is good. I just bought all those damn bras. 

I decided to reward myself with new shoes, and stopped at footlocker on the way out to spend a gift card that I had been hanging on to for a while. The selection of converse isn't Journey's but it wasn't to shabby. AND they had several pairs on sale. Including black ones with florescent green details. Yes please!! I also bought my long awaited white ones. :) It made for a good end to the day. 

All that activity wore me out. As soon as I got home (about 5:30) I crawled in bed. I couldn't fall asleep like a really wanted so I read for a while. I think about 7:30 I passed out for good. I used to try and stay up until 8. I have given up on that and decided that I might as well sleep while I still can!

Week 17 & 18 - Naming the Bump & A Growth Spurt

17 Weeks

The hubby and I have been duking it out over names. 

The girl name is settled. It has been decided for a while now. I love Amelia Mae (steal it and die). 

It a boy name that has been hard for us to decide. We have 2 names that we are each partial to. I like Elijah. It reminds hubby of the hobbit... He likes Oliver. I don't hate it but I don't love it. I just like Elijah better...
I need to look up the meanings. Maybe that can provide some sway (hopefully my way).

17 Week top shot

The upcoming ultrasound / party should help with the decision.

It will also help decide the nursery colors. There are going to be frogs. That is an obvious decision. I just need to know what to put with the green. Purple or blue. 

Waiting is over rated. 



Heartburn has been a constant plague for me. Especially when I eat too much. I have gotten really good about listening to my body & knowing when I need to stop & have snacks in between smaller meals. 

Apparently, growing genitals is a seriously strenuous process, because I find myself scarfing down food. I get done eating and look down and my plate and go 'holy crap, I ate it all!' My lunch box, has gone from bringing lots of choices, that I usually pick and choose from to empty (including 2 breakfast & my daily 'moonshine' jar-o'-OJ). 

Apparently, this is a normal thing. One of my co-workers is due one day later than me, and she is doing the same thing! Plus, my weekly Baby Center Emails were giving me the details. 

It's no wonder from here on out its not unusual to gain a pound a week!

Week 15 - The Baby Bump

I have finally decided to stop being lazy, and start going to Yoga again. It will not only be physically good for me & the baby but good for my sanity as well. I started up with a prenatal class. I figured it would give me a place to connect with some other soon to be mommies & show me how to modify my regular practice (since ya know, laying on my belly is just a little out of the picture...)

I have had several lunches that S likes to call "Pregnancy Lunches." Which pretty much consists of some of the randomest things. I'd say the best would be the day that I brought all breakfast foods. I had a bagel & cream cheese, yogurt & granola, french toast & fried potatoes, OJ, and just because... chips. 

My obsession with fruity gummy candy has not waned  Luckily, despite her "I should be doing this" P has continued to supply me with surprises (especially watermelon sour patch kids. mmm)

Top down. Watch those toes disappear.
(And proof that I need to buy new bras)

From the side.

Week 16 - Responsibly Conspiracy

The weekend after clothes shopping S&P were not done torturing me. 

I liked the idea of a hip-trendy gender reveal party, especially since my wedding was pretty traditional.  A lot of progress has been made in 8 years... I mean now colors like yellow and purple are normal, wearing converse is acceptable and non-standard cakes are the rule, not the exception. At the time, I was just quirky & weird. Apparently, I was just ahead of my time. 

S&P made the executive decision they are throwing a gender reveal party for us & our family. This meant that I would not get to know at the ultrasound (if the bell pepper would cooperate - fingers crossed), but would have to wait to be surprised with everyone else. (I like this idea... for someone else. Seriously. I like knowing things, how am I supposed to wait LONGER. ugh.)

For the party, despite the fact that I don't really have to DO anything, I have to make decisions and do responsible things (without the ability to procrastinate). I hate decisions. I save them for special occasions, I save the daily stuff for my Hubby (I prefer the role of veto-er). Procrastination on the other hand, I can support. 

ANYWAY, I had to make decisions about when, where, how many people, etc. I had to be responsible and make a list of names & collect addresses. Worst of all, I had to make a baby registry. I had to decide on ALL THE THINGS!

It was decided that Saturday would be when it all when down. S prepped me with all kinds of things to think about. Disposable diapers or reusable? Will you run with the baby? On an on. Getting me thinking before I stood in Babies-R-Us and just stared at things.

It was also the plan to P & I to finish my shopping. In theory we were going to go downtown and get tank-tops & bras, since there is a Nordstroms & the Gap actually has a maternity section (of all the stores, I didn't expect to find it in this one!) Luckily, this is one plan that fell through. Too much collaboration that was not panning out. Besides, a girl can only stand so much shopping in one day. Instead, despite me being a complete brat refusing to make a decision on lunch (I didn't want to use up my powers too early in the day), P brought me amazing roast beef sandwiches, Tim's Sour Cream & Onion chips AND surprise (starbursts - cuz the baby gets what the baby wants). 

Finally, on a fully belly & a few surprises in my purse for a just-in-case pick me up, we headed south to do some shopping. We met up with S (gotta have some guidance, or I would just stand around and stare), and I was off to get my scanner. 

We started with the major purchases. Car seats (testing for weight & handle type), strollers (need one that will be small enough to fit with the dogs in the back but sturdy enough for sketchy sidewalks), Swings, playpen, mattresses, & high chairs. I was doing pretty well. Making decisions left and right (apparently I am a fan of multi-purpose items). It helped to have a gun that I could use to *pew pew pew* at S&P when necessary.

At some point (somewhere between playpens & mattresses) I had a realization  My belly was hard. Not like a hard spot here and there but the whole thing. The WHOLE BUMP! It was weird. And I couldn't stop touching it. 

We moved on to some of the smaller stuff like baby gates, backpacks & diaper bags. I was still making decisions, but I could feel the tiredness creeping in and with it the grumpy bear. By the time we made it to the bottles all I could do was scowl at the display and push buttons. Luckily, P noticed this and S&P conspired that we would have to return another day.

I thankfully handed over my gun & we left the store. But not before a pit stop at Ashley furniture so S could scope out some bedroom sets for her new (MASSIVE) master. It was a good thing that there were beds & that I had stashed away a couple of starbursts. 

The best part was, my M-in-Law decided that she wanted to be able to buy gender stuff for the baby, which meant after the reveal. So, now I had months to finish off my registry. Score 1 for procrastination!

Craving

I had my first craving.

I felt the need for candy. Not just any candy. Fruity, gummy candy. 

After lunch I went and grabbed 2 dollars. Intending to go the the vending machine and get some skittles or starbursts. Mmmmm. 

But I was thwarted. Apparently, whoever make the decisions on what to stock is a chocolate lover. The best there was, was red vines, fruit snacks or gum. P & I decided to check another floor. No success. Same crappy chocolate filled snacks. 

We decided to go to the cafeteria. We had only a couple minutes to spare so we went down, and snuck in just under the wire. Not that it did any good. Apparently the person that makes decisions on candy selection the likes chocolate better too...

With 2 dollars in my hand, and P with keys in her pocket it was decided that it was a dire enough situation to go down the road to Arco (why not? the alternative would be actually working. lame).

We were headed down the road, when P realized she only had her keys. No wallet. Oops! Luckily, it was only 1/2 mile away. We figured we would be worth the risk. 

The thought of blue tropical skittles made me drool. I love the yellow ones. Plus, they are one of the best flavors to mix & match the colors to make delicious flavor combos (and it takes me WAY back to the days of church camp & getting my two packs of skittles- one purple, one blue - a day from the Canteen). 

Fate was not on my side though. Despite the huge selection. The one thing absent was blue skittles. That left a hard decision. What would give me the most bang for my bucks & the most satisfaction. After staring and drooling & wishing I had more dollars, I decided I would get the purple skittles instead (still have the ability to mix & match, unlike regular). 

Purchase in hand, we headed back down the road. We tried decide the best flavor combos (red & blue or pink & green) and agreed that purple is only OK (and is really not very good on its own at all but decent when properly paired). 

Then we sat in the parking lot until the bag was empty. Cuz, parking lots are better than work. Even if you are in the work parking lot.