Happiness

I didn't do too much today.  That will be the tale for the next few days, seeing as we have nothing planned.  I got some sewing done.  Did a couple of loads of laundry.  (Including all of Luke's bedding, seeing as he fiddled with his diaper before going to sleep, exposing parts that the diaper is meant for.  I wondered why he wouldn't get out of bed when he woke up, he just kept calling for me.  Now we've had our first "we don't pee pee in bed" talk.)

While I was taking it easy, I looked around and realized all the little things around me that make me happy.  I enjoy taking stock of these little things to remind myself how blessed I am and how good life is.  Thought I would share them with you now.

1.  My lunch (this would be right after I finished, it was that good!)

I had the best lunch today.  And to make it better, I made it myself, no drive throughs required.  It was a hot ham and cheese with avocado, tomato, and lots of mayo.  The only thing that would have made it better was some fresh spinach.  Also, I really only like to drink my beverages with a straw.  Straws make me happy.

2. Nap time

I think anyone who deals with children in any way shape or form relishes nap time.  I love my baby.  Love him.  Most of the time I even miss him when he's asleep.  But nap time is MY time.  Whether I want to sleep, eat chips without sharing them, shower for extended periods of time, study the bible (which I'm ashamed to say has fallen by the wayside since getting pregnant.  I would fall asleep every time!), whatever I want.

3.  Cella's

These are the only chocolate covered cherries I'll eat.  I don't buy them very often, but when I do, I hide them so no little fingers (or big manly ones) sneak my treat.

4.  BBQ Baked Lays

This is another reason my lunch was so stellar.  I've been hooked on them lately!  I think this is my third bag in a row.  I appreciate how crunchy baked chips are without being greasy.  Thank you Jesus for giving someone this idea.

5.  Coke in the fridge

I never buy coke, especially in cans.  If I buy it, it's in a 2 liter.  But the grocery store had their 12 packs on sale for buy 2 get 3 free, so how could I pass that up!  I mixed it up by getting 2 cherry Cokes, 2 Dr. Peppers, and a vanilla coke.  Just seeing them in there makes me so happy.  These are my favorites!  I know I talk about DP the most, but I really do love cherry and vanilla Coke.  I REALLY love to pop open one of each and mix them together!

6.  After night night ritual

After I put Luke to bed it's really my time to unwind.  I turn off all the lights in the house except for the Christmas tree, make hot tea or cocoa, curl up in between those pillow with my softy blanket, and watch whatever bad tv was DVRed that night.  Oh, it's just wonderful.  Cody is off in the computer room playing his game, so I can guiltlessly watch Gossip Girl or Glee or Private Practice.  I have done this every night for the past week, although the last couple of nights it's been warm enough to forgo the blanket and exchange the hot beverage for peppermint ice cream (which also makes me happy).  I don't think a spa would be any more relaxing than my home is in those moments.  Tonight it's cold again, but that ice cream is still calling my name....

7.  This face

How could I write a list of things that make me happy and not include this little face in it?  He makes me happy every day.  Today I was sewing and I hear "Mom.  Mom.  Mom.  MOM!"  I look over and this is what I see.  Oh boy.  Awesome.  He does keep me on my toes.  I love seeing his little smile, hearing his little laugh, and don't even get me started about how angelic he looks when he sleeps.  In that picture up for nap time, he isn't really sleeping.  I took that today through the door knob in the TWO AND HALF HOURS he played instead of sleeping.  That picture was preceded by my saying "Lay down!  Close your eyes!  Be still!"  Luckily my crouching there forcing him to "sleep" got him still enough for long enough that he did finally go to sleep not long after that.  But he is his daddy's son and had a pillow over his head when I peeked back in.  Don't worry, it wasn't in a dangerous way. 

So there you have it.  The little things I'm not taking for granted these days.  I know that most of them revolve around food, but what can I say?  It's who I am. 

13 weeks

If I hadn't skipped last week's photo, I totally would have skipped tonight's.  See.......I..........uh......... didn't get to shower today.  I was too busy cleaning (most of which I also skipped last week) and I just figured I would  right before I get in bed.  I love getting in bed all warm and clean.  But I forgot that today there would be a picture taken, and as much as I wanted Cody to just chop my head off of the photo, I didn't.  So here I am in all my pregnant grimy glory.  You're welcome.  And just for kicks at the very end of the post I've added a photo of my 13 week picture from Luke.  Yep, I'm definitely out there a little more this time around!  Also, I spent about 45 minutes trying to get them side by side but I failed.  Sorry.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 13 Weeks

Size of baby: a medium shrimp (doesn't this seem smaller than a lime?) (also, Cody asked me yesterday what the new size for this week was, and when I said shrimp, he laughed.  He admitted that he doesn't really think of the baby in terms of a baby per se, but as what ever the food thing is for the week.  So according to him I've got a little shrimpy swimming around in there.)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I forgot to weigh at Mom's this weekend, but I have a dr's appointment on Friday so we'll just have to wait till then.  Since this is the last week of the first trimester, and the target weight gain is 2-5 lbs, lets pray it's stayed under 5!

Maternity Clothes: Well, I already shared how I allowed myself to wear maternity pants on Thanksgiving so that I could comfortably stuff myself full of food.  But other than that I don't think I really wore any maternity clothes this week.  That's changing fast though.  Sunday morning while I was getting ready for church I tried on 3 different skirts and not one of them would zip.  Looks like I'm gonna have to make the switch there, and unfortunately all of my maternity clothes are much more casual than I care to wear to church.

Gender: I had a dream this week that it was a boy, so there goes that theory.

Movement: I think I did feel a couple of little flutters, maybe!  But, most of this week I wasn't feeling good in the area of digestion, so maybe not.  Please kick me soon baby!

Sleep: Good.  I can still sleep on my tummy so I'm a happy gal.

What I miss: I really could have gone for some sushi this week.

Cravings: hmmm, none really.  I thought I was craving queso, but then I got some and....not so much.

Symptoms: Probably just all the tummy troubles this week.  My face has been looking pretty good, but the acne has moved to my shoulders.  Yikes!  Good thing it's winter!

Best Moment this week: Thanksgiving food.  Do I really have to wait a whole year to eat it again?

Where's the water?

Yesterday was a whole lot more family.  See, we spent Thursday with my dad's side of the family (along with my mom's dad, Grandy, who came into town Wednesday afternoon).  They all left Thursday night and then yesterday morning mom's whole side of the family came into town to celebrate Grandy's 79th birthday since he was still here.  Yep.   I've seen every member of my extended family in the last three days except one cousin and two cousin-spouses (as in my cousins where here but their spouses were not).  Last night we had a giant fajita dinner, and I'm hopeful that we got our Christmas card photo.  Maybe?  I'm not 100% sure I want to send them out this year but I didn't want the lack of photo to hold me back.  I'm not thrilled with my hair, we started so fast due to Luke's incapability to take decent photos, that I didn't get to fix it so it looks super flat and make my ears stick out.  Whateves.  I'll post the finished product later either after I decide not to do it or after they arrive in mailboxes. 

After church this morning the whole family went to lunch before they all hit the road to go home.  I had the best. hamburger. ever.  Lets skip the rest of the day to get to tonight.  It's the reason for the title.  Luke gets a bath every night.  No exceptions.  Sometimes he plays in there, but mostly he just calls for Daddy or Momma to come in there with him and wash him.  He's not a fan of sitting in there alone, but I take advantage of the time and clean the kitchen or something.  So tonight when he called for me over and over and over and over again I didn't think much of it.  Nothing new.  Except this time when I went in there I found the tub in this state. 

When I asked him where the water went he did this.

Smart boy.  I don't know if the drain wasn't properly covered or if he took the cover off himself, but somehow all the water went bye bye.  Oops!

Word explosion

Over the last few days it seems like Luke's vocabulary has really blossomed into something more recognizable.  We are so excited!  Some of the things off the top of my head that he's been saying lately:

-Up
-(Momma/Daddy/Nana/Papa) home! (which he always says when Cody comes home from work, and sometimes when I walk into a room.  I just laugh and tell him Momma's always home!)
-(insert name here) come
-Daddy work
-Daddy work (but this one means Daddy's truck.  You'll know cause he says it in the driveway pointing where the truck either is or is supposed to be)
-I home
-Where Momma go
-ni ni (night night)
-puppa naket (puppy and blanket)
-jace (juice)
-Dai-Say (Daisy)
-wite (light)
-I wock (I wanna rock)(I love this one!)

Some non-verbal yet supremely cute things that he does now:
-fake snore when he's fake sleeping
-hiding in the couch cushions to "scare" me
-share his puppy and blanket when I'm laying down
-signs "car" whenever I put real clothes on (as in, "We're gonna get in the car and go somewhere now right?  Please?")
-anytime there is something wrong with his shoe he says uh oh
-when pointing to parts on his bath toy sting ray he pointed to the horn part and I said "I don't know, I guess it's a horn." and he said toot toot!  lol.  Yes, horns say toot toot.
-anytime he sees an animal he makes the noise they make.  Like today we were walking through the parking lot at the Shops of Highland Village and all of the sudden we heard him neigh.  Sure enough we looked around and there were statues of a horse!
-wraps his little arms around my leg when I'm standing up and squeezes for a hug (and sometimes burying his face in my leg)
-random drive-by kisses on which ever of my body parts is closest to him

So that might have been boring to most of you, but I really wanted to remember when these things happen.  Doctors always ask stuff like that and I never know what to tell them!  I'm horrible at remember when things happen.  I can't even remember what happened yesterday, much less something that happened months ago no matter how important it is!  Except for Luke's birthday.  That's burned into my brain.  ;) 

I just have to add that today I did end up partaking in a little Black Friday shopping.  Ashley had to work Wednesday night and tonight, so she stayed up last night and went out so that she could keep on the same sleep schedule.  Mom ended up going with her and they tried to sucker me in but I was like heck no!   But then Mom called me this morning at 9:30 and said she and Grandy were getting back out and asked if Luke and I wanted to come.  I caved since I really had nothing better to do.  It was either tv and laundry or get off my touckas and do some browsing.  It's a good thing I did because at Old Navy I finally got a new coat for 50% off!  It's the cutest thing, and I haven't had a new coat in years.  Seriously, probably not since I've gotten married.  Yikes.  Plus she got Luke a bunch of new clothes for part of his Christmas present, plus I was able to pick out what Grandy would get him for Christmas too.  That little stinker made out big time today and he didn't even know it.  When we got home it was nap time for both of us (not before a little lunch at Freddy's though.  Oh, they have the best fries.) and then as expected we watched tv and did laundry.  The movie Elf was on tonight, and I could totally tell the hormones were a blazing because I cried at the end.  I cried at the end of Elf.  Yeesh.

Thanksgiving

This morning Luke didn't get out of bed until 8:30 again.  What a way to start off a day to be thankful.  I could get used to this!  Once again he didn't come into our room, rather he shut our door and then went into the living room where he started talking/playing/something with himself.  I went ahead and got up to make us some muffins, then after breakfast we settled in and watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  What a sweet time to cuddle with my boy and watch the bands and floats.  He really enjoyed the marching bands and every time an "air ship" float came on he would starts pointing and saying "wha tha? wha tha? wha tha?"  I guess if I was 2 and had never seen a giant inflatable cartoon before I'd be a little confused too. 

By about 11 I decided it was time to get off my bum and start on my kitchen projects.  It's a good thing I did, because I barely made my 3:00 dead line to have us over at Mom's for the feast.  I made rice crispy treats (which I let Luke have some marshmallows from, I do spoil him every now and then!), home made chocolate chip cookies (and don't think I don't spoil Cody- I made the first batch without chocolate chips, just like he likes), and a different cranberry sauce than the one I took to Tara's last week.  It was SOOOO much better!  Anyway, I felt like such a homemaker standing there for hours mixing and chopping and baking and cooking.  Being a homemaker takes forever though.  I only made the three things, but between dealing with Luke period and trying to get myself ready at some point, it took a long time. 

Finally we were out the door a little after 3, and it was COLD.  I mean COLD.  Yesterday the high was in the low 80's.  Today?  Today the high was 42.  Brrrrrrrrrr.  Good thing we weren't going far.  Yet, when we got there we were the last to arrive.  Oops!  My aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandmother all beat us there.  At first my little guy was shy around the family he doesn't see often, but that didn't last long.  Soon he was running around like a banshee, keeping everyone on their toes.  Some of that might have been his lack of nap though.  The child was in his bed from 12:45 to 2:45 and I'm pretty sure he didn't sleep a wink.  By 4 we were all gathered around the table(s) chowing down on one fantastic meal.  Oh, I stuffed myself silly.  I guess this is the point where I should fess up and mention that I broke down and wore maternity pants today.  Hey.  I figured with all the eating I'd need the give of an elastic waist.

Turns out I was right.  It was 2 hours before I was able to even have dessert.  By then we were all gathered around the tv watching the Cowboys play.  Not even going to go into that came.  Let's just say the Saints deserved the win for the way that they played, even when Dallas almost came back from behind. 

So, obviously  it was a very successful Thanksgiving.  And I have so much to be thankful for.  I'm thankful for the little boy who is the light of my life, and for the new life that will be coming our way in about 6 months.  I'm thankful for a husband who lets me stay home to raise our baby and doesn't complain about the sacrifices.  I'm thankful for family, who takes care of us when we can't take care of ourselves.  For our home that is cozy and comfortable.  For the millions of other little things God has blessed me with, even though I have done nothing to deserve them.  For  the Savior who gives them to me, loves me, and saves me every single day.  Without Him I would be nothing.

It was warm

It was another warm one in the good ole state of Texas today even though tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  It was warm enough to do this.

And this.

And a little of this.

It's been warm all week.  Tomorrow that will change, but as for today and the previous 3 days it's been warm enough to need the ceiling fans on to sleep.  My tummy hasn't been feeling good these days either, so I was bummed that we didn't really get to take advantage of the nice weather.  Oh well! 

Last night Luke's new bed got delivered!  That's right, delivered.  Long story short, they screwed up and ended up bringing it to me.  Yay!  I was thrilled.  He slept really well in it.  His head is flipped in the opposite direction, so as I excepted he turned got turned around once the lights were off but I flipped him the right way after he fell asleep and it was good.  This morning he slept in until 8:30!  I was shocked that he wasn't up when Cody left for work so I went and peeked in on him.  He had tried to turn again in his sleep, but only got half way, which left him perpendicular to the mattress with his feet almost hanging off the front.  Silly boy.  And then you know what that stinker did?  He didn't come into my room when he got up, he sneaked into the living room to mess with the Christmas tree while no one was around.  I didn't think I would have a hard time with him this year because last year it was a breeze. He could have cared less.  This year he loves it.  The lights and the sparkle have caught his eye and draws his little fingers in.  He managed to tell on himself this morning when one of the balls came off and he brought it too me.  Oh to be in the mind of babes. 

On a totally different note, my 10 year reunion is coming up.  Yikes.  Last night they had a meet and greet where anyone in town could meet up.  I can't believe it's all starting.  I thought about going but the mattress thing threw a kink in it, plus it was at a bar and being pregnant I didn't know if I wanted to do that.  Just now I was looking at some of the pictures from last night and man, my palms got all sweaty and my heart started to race.  I don't know if I can actually go to any of those things!  Just seeing pictures of those people instantly brought up such strong feelings of being a nerdy, shy, no body and I wondered what I would talk about with those people.  Plus the one girl that made my life miserable was there and I have no idea what I would do or say to her.  Why do I still care what those people think?  I so wish I had a best friend from high school that could go with me, be my side kick, and be the one person I could talk to.  Unfortunately in high school I was pretty obsessed with a boy named Cody so I didn't invest too much in other peer relationships.  He didn't go to the same high school so there's no way he'd be caught in a place like that.  He didn't even like his own high school, much less that of someone else's.  Anyway, maybe there won't be another one for a long time, which I can pretend not to see and not have to deal with it.

12 weeks

Sorry, no picture at this time.  My tummy has had the rumblies all day and I'm just not in the mood.  Maybe if I feel better tomorrow I'll take one and add  it.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 12 Weeks

Size of baby: a lime

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I'm guessing I'm up a pound by now.  When I weighed at the dr the poundage was actually 112.4 and when I weighed last week at Mom's it was 112.8, and I'm pretty sure I've packed on that last .2 and am up to 113.  Besides, when I was at a friend's  house on Saturday night her mom asked me if I was expecting (okay, so it's obvious to people who don't know me that well) and then she asked how far along.  When I told her 12 weeks she said (I kid you not) "Oh wow!  You are really showing for only 12 weeks!"  Thanks lady.  Good thing I didn't say that I was actually 11 weeks.

Maternity Clothes: I do enjoy my maternity shirts when they aren't to baggy on top, even though I don't really need them.  A couple of my oxford shirts looked a little strained around the middle buttons, but that's it.  Haven't buttoned pants in weeks.

Gender: So this week I had a very vivid dream about going to the sonogram and finding out it was a girl.  My main thoughts were "Crud, now I have to pick between the two girl names I like."  But it was very real and very weird.

Movement:  I keep thinking I feel a little flutter, but then either it turns out to be a bubble or I can't quit focusing on the pulse in my abdomen, so I'm not really sure.

Sleep: This past week the sleepies came back with a vengeance.  It's been so hard to wake up!

What I miss: My tummy not hurting.  Either the nausea is coming back or I'm fighting off a tummy bug.

Cravings: Food is blec at the moment.

Symptoms: Well, I've told you about the tiredness and the unsettled tummy.  Can sounds  be appalling in pregnancy?  I don't really have smell aversions, but sometimes certain sounds really make me feel bad.  Like last night when Cody's tummy was all gurgly as we laid in bed.  Gag.

Best Moment this week: Putting up the Christmas tree!

Holiday Spirit

As I sit here in my rocking chair, computer perched on my lap, this is my view of the living room.

(I can't believe this time next year I'll be stitching another person's name on that fourth stocking!)

And if I were to turn around, directly behind me it looks like this.

What a great feeling.  I know some people have been fussing about how people are starting Christmas too early and skipping Thanksgiving all together.  I'll be honest, I've never put up the tree before Thanksgiving.  But for me, unfortunately, Turkey Day is just that- a day to eat turkey.  Sure I'm thankful.  Sure I've played the game of going around the table and saying what you are thankful for before beginning to eat.  BUUUUUUUUUUT.....the day it self has never been a big deal to me. 

This year though, I feel like it's a holiday.  Yes, the Christmas tree is up but it evokes such a feeling of joy and peace and all those warm fuzzies that even Thanksgiving seems extra special now.  I'm ready.  I'm ready for a good holiday meal with my family. 

Anyway, that's why I went a head and put up the tree.  I waited until nap time to minimize breakage, turned on the tv to holiday music and got to decorating.  I would have really liked to enjoy a hot beverage while I toiled away, but it was 78 degrees outside.  This made it 81 degrees in the house and Cody vetoed the idea of turning on the a/c at all, much less to blast it down to 60 just to keep in the spirit of things.  So I got a little sweaty, big deal.  We can just pretend there was a roaring fire in the fire place and that's what was heating me up. 

Now I just need to wrap up Luke's presents and we'll be all set!

Dinner Party

The last few days I've really had nothing to say.  We've stayed home.  We've stayed comfortable.  And while there is nothing wrong with that, it's great for the wallet actually, it's not so great for the blog.  We've played cars, we've colored, we've run laps around the house while screaming like a banshee, we've watched tv, we've shopped online, we've eaten at home. 

But last night Cody and I got all gussied up for a dinner party.  And by all gussied up I mean he didn't change out of the clothes he wore to work and I put on eye shadow (a big deal after days of only slapping on mascara).  We were invited to Tara and Drew's for a Thanksgiving Potluck, and Tara plays the hostess very well.  There was turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, two kinds of cranberries (my bad!), homemade bread, salad, sparkling grape juice for yours truly (sweet lady to think of the pregnant gal), and finally pumpkin pie and pecan pie with these fantastic hot drinks for dessert.  To say I left the table with a bit of indigestion from over eating would be accurate.  She even knows how to keep the dinner conversation going since everyone wasn't completely familiar with each other.  There were fun questions like "What was your craziest job?"  and "What happened on your wedding day that didn't go the right way?"  While I love the play the hostess myself, I'm definitely not in her league of having the mostess.  In fact, my fear of a lull in the conversation has prevented entire evenings from happening to being with. 

So, we had fun.  We stayed out past our bed time, and came home to sleep in.  Luckily Luke was with two very capable babysitters who didn't save Christmas presents until Christmas time.  Ever since Dad found out Luke was a boy he's had visions of a fancy Hot Wheels track in his head (poor guy only has one sister, then had two daughters.  This son business was new to us all).  When we went to Toys R Us last week they picked up just the track that Dad "thought" Luke needed to had, while we teased him on whose name should go on the present- Papa's or Luke's.  Well, turns out that's a decision that didn't need to be made because before Cody and I even left for Tara's I saw on Mom's facebook status that the boys were having a grand time zooming Hot Wheels around the track.  Hmm.  As long as they had fun!

I guess I should mention the other big thing that happened yesterday.  I didn't have Kayden, so I took Luke to lunch to Cracker Barrel (we shared the blueberry pancakes and sausages, and it was obvious by the blue smeared all over his face how much he loved it) and then we went and bought Luke his new mattress!  YAY!  We'll go and pick it up on Tuesday.  I'm so excited!

Not so busy

After last week's business and working my butt off yesterday to get things back to normal around here, I was finally able to sit and relax for a long time today.  It's a good thing too, because my DVR had gotten up to 98%.  Eek.  That just tells you how my time has flown lately!  I enjoyed my (decaf) coffee, my multiple tv shows, and reading about a million books to Luke.  Later this afternoon I got around to sewing up a couple of things for Luke's up and coming new room, things that have been brewing in my head for a while. 

It's been a while since I've been able to label a post "something I made"!   Too long.  I'm super excited about the throw pillow for his bed, and the banner to spruce up the plain curtains (which I need to look for....).  Now all we need is that mattress (and a new curtain rod.  Details details) and we will be good to go.  I bought his Christmas presents yesterday, I can't wait to wrap them up and put them under the Christmas tree.  I'm thinking I wanna put the tree up on Monday or so.  I know it will be slightly before Thanksgiving, but it's close enough right?  I didn't do ANY redecorating for fall or Halloween or Thanksgiving (read- put out these pumpkins and dish towels) so I'm ready for a change. 

11 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 11 Weeks

Size of baby: a fig.  Not really sure how big that is either!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I ran over to Mom and Dad's tonight to see their new kitchen table, so I weighed myself and...........hallelujah I'm still at only 2 lbs gained!

Maternity Clothes: Well, I already told you about the maternity shirt I wore Wednesday night.  I went to Target today for my weekly grocery trip and was SUPER disappointed when I couldn't find them any more to get another one.  People, get ready to see that shirt a lot!  I have a pair of jeans that are a size bigger than I normally wear (I didn't think I'd ever go back to my regular size after Luke so I broke down and bought a pair of jeans a size up, which are now my "fat girl" pants).  I put them on the other day and was pleased that they are still falling off.  But I'm still not buttoning my regular jeans. 

Gender: Did you see the picture from yesterday?  Can you blame me for wanting another little guy?!

Movement: *sigh*  still waiting......

Sleep: Last night was the first night in a very long time that I slept through the night, without having to get up to go to the bathroom or blow my nose.  I felt so much  more rested than I normally do this morning!

What I miss: I'm good this week!

Cravings: Yesterday I had the sudden urge to make my own applesauce.  I didn't have any apples, and have not made it since I taught kindergarten (in our apple unit each fall I would have each kid bring in an apple, which we would use to study and graph in the morning then cook them the rest of the day in a crock pot and have our own applesauce at the end of the day for a snack.)  It was a very odd "craving'?  Otherwise I'm very susceptible to advertisement and status updates on Facebook featuring food.  Ha!

Symptoms: I'm tired of my chest being so sore and the pimples get really old really fast.  But I don't recall any true nausea this week.

Best Moment this week: Seeing that boy of mine in his little sweater and tie!  Ha!

He's all mine

That little boy is all mine.  No matter how cute he is, you can't have him. And that picture isn't helping, is it?  Oh man I love him.  And it's a good thing too, cause he was a stinker in church this morning.  Cars thrown everywhere.  Stretched out on the pew singing and kicking his feet.  Didn't want his snack, then wanted it, then didn't again.  Whined.  Went limp noodle.  But eh.  He was cute.  And he would occasionally give me that sweet and sly smile that said "I know I'm pushing it..." that just makes me laugh. 

After church we went to lunch with Mom and Dad to Roadhouse, then came home for a nap.  I didn't really mean to take a nap, but it happens.  I think I was subconsciously was continuing to put off the massive amounts of housework that has piled up.  We didn't end up going to small groups tonight since the weekend recovery process was still going on and I needed to get the laundry under control.  There were 4 loads of clean clothes in the laundry room and Cody was dangerously close to going to work naked tomorrow.  If he worked from home that wouldn't be a big deal (ha!) but I don't think his bosses in the office would appreciate that.  Plus winter is here!  My love would be cold. 

Yes you read that right, winter has come!  This past week it was WARM (as in, I'd already turned off the a/c yet every afternoon it would get to 82 in the house) but Friday afternoon a cold front blew in and winter has come.  Yes, it changes from "fall" to winter in one day.  I mean, a couple of days this week it's supposed to get back up into the 70's again, but mostly we're done with that.  I think the high today was 61.  Woo hoo winter!  I've had hot tea every evening and I'm currently wearing house shoes and a shaw-blanket.  I could put on a warmer shirt than the cami I have on, but nothing says "cold weather" like wrapping a blanket around your shoulders and pinning it with a clothes pin, right?

Where have you been?

I know this is what you are saying.  I can hear you now.  Where have I been?   Home.  What have I been doing?  Sewing like a mad woman. 

See, Tuesday morning I told my friend I would be in her craft fair that was TODAY.  I'm crazy.  Not only did this mean I had the anticipation of my first craft fair, but I had to whip up the inventory to go with it seeing what I had here was woefully scares.  So this meant Tuesday I was running around town gathering supplies, Wednesday and Thursday I was cutting/pinning/sewing and nothing else (I mean nothing else.  No toys got picked up, only one dinner was barely made, and I only took one bath.  Yikes), and Friday I piddled around in the morning and afternoon which left for hardly any time to get things wrapped up and packed up (Mom and Dad took the day off to do Christmas shopping, so we met them for lunch [conveniently at Olive Garden that I JUST HAPPEN to be craving. ;)] then we went to Toys R Us to find Christmas presents from them to Luke).  My back hurt so bad from hunching over for days on end, and I was not a fan of letting my house and little boy get so little attention.  But we all survived, and then it was sell time

The fair officially opened at 9 this morning, so I got up this morning at 6:30 to get myself ready, run to Wal Mart for a power strip, Chick Fil A for breakfast (something I haven't had since I taught school!  Not because I don't like it, I'm just never out the door in time in the morning!), and then to the place by 8.  Good thing I got there so early, it took me the whole time to get ready.  I wish I had a picture!  If I do say so myself, my booth looked pretty dang good.  There were onesies and t shirts and burp cloths and crayon rolls and paci holders sweetly placed in various baskets and a little toy wagon (that may or may not all belong to Luke).  My business cards were primed in the front and middle of the table.  My sewing machine was set up to keep my hands busy during the long day.  Bring on the people.

I am so. glad. I had my sewing machine.  Not only was I able to finish up some projects I hadn't been able to, due to my dilly dallying and a certain little boy who likes to place books and toys in my lap when I sew, but I was able to pass the long hours of not selling things.  That's right.  Between the hours of 9 and 5 I only sold three items.  Three.  I barely covered the cost of renting the booth.  Barely as in, I technically only made $2.  I handed out a lot of card and got tons of complements, but I just couldn't seal the deal on anything.  Not even to the two very pregnant ladies who came by.  Another way I passed the time was with my visitors.  Mom came up to sit with me twice (the first time bringing me lunch and the second time bringing me shoes and shirts she bought for Luke!) and Cody brought Luke up to visit.  Plus a friend from church had a booth too, so we visited off and on (she said it was a slow day and didn't do very much business either.  At least it wasn't just me!) 

When Cody came to visit me, I told him I would probably call him when I was all packed up and ready to put stuff into the car to come help me move the card table (he was sweet enough to get up this morning and move it into the building for me).  I found some nice people who also had a booth that was willing to help the poor pregnant lady, which made me relieved that I didn't have to call him and make him load Luke up AGAIN and come up to the place AGAIN.  Just as I was getting into the truck to head home, who comes pulling up into the parking lot?  My dearly beloved with my babe.  What a guy.  I didn't even call him and he still was coming up to make sure I was okay and getting things moved.  It made me feel so loved. 

Speaking of my two loves.  Anyone wonder what they did today? Apparently they ate a lot of sugar.  Cody said he and Luke had Twix and Three Musketeers for breakfast, and after nap time he gave Luke so many Smarties that Luke was jumping up and down on his chair screaming like a banshee and wagging his head for THIRTY MINUTES.  Oh me oh my.  But you know what?  He survived.  He's not going to be any worse off for it, and it's just one day.  Plus I'm hoping the sugar rush will cause a sugar crash that helps him sleep tonight.  Like right now. 

So all in all, it was an interesting day.  I'm glad I did it, it's one more experience to add to my list.  Will I do it again?  I don't know.  The prep was much more intimidating than the actual selling part, and I'm not much of a gambler when it comes to will I or won't I make money this time?  I enjoyed getting to sit and visit with Mom and Cody, and it was nice to get some fairly uninterrupted sewing time.  As I was packing up my machine, I told myself I was done sewing for a little while since I pushed myself so hard this week.  Then I remembered the things I want to make for Luke's room, and it got me excited to now have the time to get going on them.  I'm a little disappointed that not only did I not make enough to pay for Luke's new mattress, but I wasn't even able to make some money for another one of those Target shirts.  Maybe if I post some of these things in my store I'll get there eventually!

As for right this very minute?  I'm ready for a hot cup of tea and some mindless tv. 

I've got enough hormones for you and you and you.....

Woof.  What a day.  This morning after breakfast I loaded the boys up for what I was hoping would be a quick errand.  I was already warring the path with my hormones and had gone from "Hey, we've got things to do today!" to "Grrrrrrrrr."  Angry Irritated Pregnant Lady came out from hiding.  It wasn't pretty.  Then, when I got to Walmart to stock up on some burp cloths and onesies to embellish for Saturday I found out that they don't really carry Gerber any more.  Oh, I was so annoyed.  Don't they know how difficult it is to get two children in and out of the car, up to the store, and down to that isle?  Didn't they know I was in a rush because I needed to get to sewing?  Not helping AIPL people.  Not helping at all. 

So we left Walmart with not a one purchase (amazing, right?!) and went down the street to Target.  Thankfully they had what I was looking for (although, later I realized I managed to get different, more expensive, burp cloths than I normally get.  Again, not helping with the AIPL.) I got my burp cloths and onesies, as well as a new maternity top on clearance.  Whoo hoo!  The ole tum tum's not quite ready for shirts of this maternity caliber, but I wore it to church tonight just because I love it.  In fact, I'm gonna ask Cody if there's any extra money for me to go get another one in a different plaid.  LOVE!

By the time we got home it was lunch time then nap time.  For lunch I did not want another sandwich, so  I thought chicken fingers would be nice, and that a heaping side of mac n cheese would be fantastic.  *sigh* Only I realized, staring into the pantry, that I had no more mac n cheese.  20 minutes after coming home from the store.  Here comes AIPL again.  I decided the chili cheese fries from last week would be a good alternative (although, Luke just got the fries, not the chili, and the cheese was one of his cheese sticks put the the grater).  It was good, but sat heavy in the belly.  FINALLY I was able to put the boys down and get to sewing.  I got 3 sets of burp cloths cut and sewn, but that was it.  I had to shower for church, and then there was actual church.  At one point I took a break and watched Parenthood from last night.  I went from Angry Irritated Pregnant Lady to Sobbing Bumbling Pregnant Lady. 

At Wednesday Night Bite they served Frito Pie with a half a baked potato.  Of course there would be chili after I'd had some for lunch!  But the potato was so good I went back for another one (which I kinda regretted during bible class).  Like the tacos last night, this potato was way better than it should have been.

Now we come to real time.  Right now I'm sitting and enjoying a cup of Sugar Plum Spice tea (holy moly it's so good, I'm going in for another cup in a moment) and watching the new Psych.  I'll try and get some more cloths cut before bed, but for now I'm just gonna soothe the hormones. 

Fingers crossed they won't come back tomorrow.

10 weeks

Sorry I skipped out on the weekly update yesterday.  My tummy didn't feel stellar after dinner so I took it easy on the couch.  Then around 10 the uneasiness turned to growling and I was starved.  What is that?!  I was really hoping that it was the pregnancy and not the flu shot I got yesterday morning.  Did you catch that?  I VOLUNTARILY got a FLU SHOT.  At the GROCERY STORE.  Oi.  I was so nervous.  But a Momma's gotta do what  Momma's got a do for the bun in her oven, and I didn't want a high fever from catching the flu to damage my Flicker.  And you know what?  It wasn't bad at all.  Seriously.  I actually said to the lady who did it "I'm gonna be honest, I was very nervous about getting a shot at the grocery store, but that was nothing.  You did a great job."  For real. 

Anyway, back to the pregnancy update.

I  don't think anything looks different. 

 Sorry if it's weeks on end of the same tummy.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 10 Weeks

Size of baby: a kumquat?  I think it's a little bigger than a quarter, if that helps.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Didn't weigh this week.  So I'm staying at 2 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Well, I haven't buttoned a pair of pants all week.  While the bump hasn't really gotten bigger, I thinking it's getting very slightly firmer.  Hoping isn't not my imagination.  The give of the rubber band when I sit down is so much more comfortable.  On Sunday I wore my very favorite skirt for the one and only time this season.  It's a brown wool skirt that I look forward to wearing every fall and winter.  Sunday I STUFFED myself into so I could wear it at least once.  But I did it!  Yesterday I since I was only going to the grocery store I did end up wearing that brown maternity shirt I mentioned last week.  So I guess I'm up to two instances of maternity wear.

Gender: Boy please!

Movement: Still waiting......but I think we are getting closer!
Sleep: I'll have to post about my nap issues another day.  To much for this little space.  But I will say I've been trying not to nap, and it's not helped the racing mind at night, or the feeling like I've slept really lightly the night before.  But a part of me wants to say I slept lightly last night because a Mr. Someone slept in the very middle of the bed.  Very.  Middle.

What I miss: Shiner and Landshark

Cravings: I can't really think of too many this week.  I didn't ever make those chili cheese fries.  Still got the stuff though!  Oh, wait.  Tonight I made tacos for dinner, and I think they tasted better than I've ever made before.  Yet I didn't do anything different....

Symptoms: Still the boobs, and just nauseous is getting better and better.  My forehead is a land mind though.

Best Moment this week: Is it terrible I can't really think of anything?  But in my defense, I can't really remember anything from this week.  Yikes.

*edit* Okay, I just had one.  (although technically I guess this should go on next weeks update...)  After publishing I was sitting here watching TLC when I heard a little voice calling Momma?  I went back and poked my head into his room and asked him if he was okay.  He didn't say anything, so I moved in next to his bed and asked him again.  Then he barely whispered "wock?"  Be still my heart.  Of course I will rock with you.  As we sat there in the dark rocking, it occurred to me that these few months are a rare time that I get to rock with both of my children at the same time.  Oh, it's going to be so hard when I redo his room next month and the rocking chair gets moved out of his room. I'm thinking Flicker is going to have a rocking chair in his room until he's 5 just in case.  ;)

Sunday reflections

Yesterday Luke didn't nap at all.  As in, I put him in bed at 1 and when I got out of the shower at 3 he was still just laying in bed talking to himself.  At that point I just went in and let him get out of bed.  We weren't going anywhere so I figured if the end of the day was terrible no one would really have to deal with it but me.  The good news is that he didn't get grumpy (except for taking a bath, which he screamed all the way through) and he feel asleep very quickly last night.  But falling asleep quickly last night, coupled with daylight savings time, meant that he was up at 6:30 this morning.  Esh.  6.  30.  The only saving grace was that I needed to be at church early this morning anyway to get things ready for my bible class.  This is one of my months (and sadly, due to the baby, my last month) to teach the special education gals that go to my church so it all worked out. 

After bible class I ran into......Joby!  I totally forgot that Shae said that she and Joby were gonna be in town today and I'm so glad they were.  I've missed her!  After church Shae, Joby, Cody, Shae's brother and his girlfriend, and I (with Dakota, Mikah, and Luke of course) went to Potbellies for lunch and I am so glad we did.  It was great to catch up with them. 

Then my little family and I just came home, and home we've been ever since.  This morning at church Mom gave me the Target and Walmart holiday toy catalog circulars.  I didn't really think Luke would care about those, he doesn't seemed to get too jazzed when we walk down the toy isles, but he sat 3 different times on the couch flipping through the Target one.  At one point tonight was was watching Two and a Half  Men on tv, and two of the characters were "praying" (about a football game one of them had bet big money on).   All of a sudden there was a little boy standing in front of me clasping his hands together.  I asked him what he was doing, and he just shook his little clasped hands at me.  Finally it dawned on my that HE was praying too!  Oh my sweet boy.  I learned that a.) he's paying more attention to the tv than I realized and I need to censor more and b.) us praying together every night is sinking in.  Yay!

Just a peek

A couple of nights ago I took a really long, hot shower right before getting into bed.   It led to me sitting in the bottom of the tub picking at my toe nail polish.  Which led to my toes looking like this.

Oh, my momma's gonna have a heart attack when she sees that picture.  Don't worry, I'll have freshly painted toes by Sunday morning. 

The last couple of days were pretty boring.  Kayden didn't come yesterday so I got out with Luke to do a bunch of errands that are easier with just one kid.  I wore us out so much we ended up taking a nap from 1:30ish to 4:30ish.  YEAH.  I was worried that he wouldn't (or I for that matter) sleep last night, but luckily he fell asleep pretty quickly.

I counted myself lucky too soon.  At 2 AM there was a little face at the foot of my bed tellin us all kinds of stories.  This time he wasn't sleep walking.  He was wide awake, with Puppy and Blanket, ready to start the day.  Oi.  I took him back to his room, tucked him back in, and hoped that was that.  Nope.  At 3 I woke up to a "Mooooooooooom.   Mooooooooooooom."  Not in a panicked way.  Not in a scared way, more in a bored way.  So I got up, made sure he was tucked in, and laid my head down on his pillow for a few minutes.  All he wanted to do was tell me more stories.  So I left his room and went back to bed.  Please let that be the end of it.  Nope.  At 4 I heard the bored voice again.  This time I made Cody get up and go see him.  When he came back into the room his response was "He can't tell me what he wants to I just brought him with me."  Mmmmmmmmm, not what I had in mind.  For an hour the three of us tossed and turned, shushing the boy of his stories, all the while I was fighting a little body off my face.  FINALLY at 5 Cody threw in the towel and took him back to bed.  Thankfully that really was the last we heard of him until day light. 

Except when he woke up, YOWZERS, was he in a mood.  I have never seen him that grumpy/upset/whatever in his life.  After a couple of hours he calmed down, but by then I was pretty frazzled.  I'm really hoping we don't have a repeat tonight. 

All this to say, Cody and I are pretty tired tonight.  When he got home from work he laid on the couch.  Luke was not so tried.  He was in lap running mode.  These pictures pretty much sum up our Friday night.  (even Daisy was asleep on Daddy)  I promise promise promise I did not pose a single thing in these, I just happened to have the camera to take a picture of my toes and when I looked up:

We are so cool.

Just love

My dearest little boy,

Yesterday after lunch you took off.  A few minutes later I heard "Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!"  When I went to go see where you were, you had climbed up in my bed on Daddy's side and were patting my pillow saying "Momma?"  Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love you any more, you ask me to take a nap with you and I melt a little more.  We did take that nap by the way.  But not before you made several trips back and forth from my room to yours' bringing to my bed everything in your bed but the mattress.  Your pillow, your puppy, 3 blankets, and the little car pillow Great Grandmother made you last week.  We were quite cozy.

A little Christmas talk

Today turns out to be the perfect day to talk about Christmas.  It was cold and rainy today.  I mean cold.  Sunday it was so hot kids couldn't wear their entire Halloween costume for the sweating and today it was in the 50's.  And it rained all day.  Perfect weather to say in bed.  But we couldn't, cause a little someone had an appointment at the pediatrician's for his flu shot and 2 year vaccinations (we were just a couple of days early on his 2 year well check and he couldn't get them then).  Oh, I hate making him get shots especially when I generally don't get them myself.  And seeing him struggle against the anticipation and cry cry cry just broke my heart.  But it was over quickly and a sucker and lunch from Chick Fil A made the world right again. 

Okay, now onto Christmas. I want/am redoing Luke's room for a majority of his Christmas present this year.  He still doesn't really care about presents or get the concept of Christmas/Santa yet, so I'm taking advantage of one more year.  Sure he'll have a few little things to open on Christmas morning but this will be most of it.  Or more accurately, the mattress will be most of it.  Holy Moly I'm not looking forward to that.  Anyone wanna go in and split it with me?  Ha!  If only it were that easy. 

See, what I've decided (not what I had wanted, but I'm making do) is instead of converting Luke's bed up to the full size, we are going to convert it back into a crib and put it in the new nursery.  I will put just a twin size mattress and frame in Luke's room while the baby uses the bed.  Once the baby is ready for a big bed I will switch them- baby gets the twin (a full size will NOT fit into his room) and Luke gets the crib converted to full size (which WILL fit in his room).  Since Luke will only have the twin for two or three years before getting an even bigger bed, I've picked some cheap bedding that won't hurt the pocket book when he gets more.  Now on to the good part!  Here's what I've found:

the comforter and sham ($13 and $9 respectively!)

the bedskirt ($12!)

the sheets (ideally I would love two sets of these!) ($20 each)

The theme of the room will be vintage cowboy stuff, and a lot of the decorations are red.  I want to make a decorative pillow with Luke's name on it using different cowboy fabrics to top off the bed.  I'm hoping these red curtains that used to hang in our room will match close enough, and I've already got the pennant cut for a cowboy pennant banner to go across the curtains.  I'm so excited about his new bed!  I can't wait to be able to lay down with him without feeling like the whole thing is going to come crashing down.  I can't wait to redecorate with all the cute things I've collected over the last few months (plus the things Mom bought at Canton!).  It's just that darn mattress......any takers on my offer?  ;)

*edit- the bedding has been bought!  Very thankful for generous family, so now it's down to just the mattress and my boy has a brand new room!  Wahoo!

9 weeks

I really want to talk about what I'm wanting to do for Luke's Christmas present, but I'm gonna make myself wait until tomorrow when I won't have much else to talk about.......if only I don't forget!  

(sorry about the awful tee shirt from high school, but at least I changed out of the black fleece pants I was wearing.  In my defense, I didn't go anywhere until at quick grocery trip after dinner.  Just keeping it real.)

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 9 Weeks

Size of baby: a grape (which I just bought a the grocery store tonight and may or may not have held one up to my belly)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Went to the dr on Friday, I've gained 2 pounds.  That's almost half of my allotted weight for the first trimester.  :(

Maternity Clothes: Pants?  No, but I'll be honest I've started rubber banding it.  Not because I can't button them at all, but it's just more comfortable when I'm sitting to have a little give.  I did try on a shirt last week that I remembered only getting to wear a couple of times with Luke before my belly out grew it.  I thought I might be able to start wearing it and get a lot of use out of it, but I just looked fat not pregnant.  Although, I did wear a new maternity shirt on Sunday that Mom just bought me.  It too was too big, but a strategically placed safety pin and the knowledge that I was gonna wear my jean jacket the whole time made it look okay. 

Gender:  Still itching for a boy.  And I'll probably find out at the sono in January.

Movement: Still waiting!  I pause every day and wait to see if I feel anything, but nothing yet.

Sleep: Allergies have been keeping me up most nights, all night, but the last couple of nights have been better.  I'm gonna put the humidifier on tonight to see if that helps more.

What I miss: Eh, I've been doing okay.

Cravings: At the store I bought some fries and some chili, I already had the cheese.  I'll see if I can make my own chili cheese fries.

Symptoms: Still the boobs, and just nauseous is getting better and better.  With Luke the ONLY symptom I had was painful acne, and I am thinking it's starting to come on.  I've got a place next to my nose that hurts SO BAD and I can't stop touching it. 

Best Moment this week: Seeing my little Flicker at the dr's on Friday!  She did a quick sono because she wasn't sure if she would be able to hear just the heartbeat this early, and I wasn't complaining.  I was THRILLED to see a bigger blob on the screen, and she said (without taking measurements) that it looked about the size of an 8 week (I was still 8 then) pregnancy.  Whoo hoo for growing!  Also, unrelated, just now Luke was calling for me from bed, and when I went in there to see what was wrong he just rubbed his pillow saying Momma?  What a sweet boy who simply wanted me to lay down with him!