Loving and Missing

Things I am LOVING right now:

*Feeling my sweet boy move all the time now. It's crazy how much more he is going to town now. I guess he is getting bigger and more active. He's probably about to run out of room!

*Luna bars-lemon zest flavor.

*Pedicures-it is soooo induglent to me to have someone wash, clean, scrub, scrape, and paint my toenails. Plus, the massage of the legs is to die for. I would get one every week if I could!

*Chips-of any flavor-I am seriously in love with kettle chips right now though.

*My Kindle! But, I feel really bad about the HUGE stack of books I had set aside before J bought me the Kindle. They must be read before I can buy myself any  new books. Maybe I will compromise with reading one real book, then reading a Kindle book? Thoughts please.

*32 days of school left!!!!!!!!

*This growing belly-even if it is uncomfortable sometimes.

*Husband (duh). When Emma and I got home from our travels, he had cleaned the whole house (like REALLY cleaned), gotten me tulips, and Emma a puzzle. Such a good guy! I told him that he shouldn't have let me see how well he could really clean, because now I will expect more help! Haha!

Things I am MISSING right now:

*Wine-particularly zinfandel. No clue why. I typically end my pregnancies craving some type of alcohol. That's crazy!

*Sleep-seriously. I cannot get comfortable for having to turn my giant self over 3034 times per night. And getting up to tee. And hearing a noise. It's the mom radar built in for crying babies. I just want to sleep through the night. :) I guess I'm getting ready for little to no sleep again. :)

*Regular pants-I love maternity panel pants, but I am tired of the same FOUR pairs that I wear on a weekly basis. Although, over Spring Break, I rotated between two pairs of jeans. Yeah. I'm scared to show my white legs in my preggo shorts. Plus, someone might pass out if they see my ankles.

*Being on/playing with my phone all day long-can't do that now that I'm back to work.

*Not having to cook/clean up. When I was out of town, my mom did all of that, and it was super nice to just chill.

*Having all of that free time to do laundry and other household chores.

*Did I mentuion sleep?? :)

What things are you loving and missing right now?

Spring Break Plans!

I cannot WAIT to blow this pop stand of a town on Friday at 3:01 pm! I'm jetting out of work and heading North! After, of course, I go home and let the pups out and feed them. THEN , I'm getting the babe and we are heading to Nashville to see LG and Grannie!!!

LG has some awesome, special, once a year consignment sales for us to hit up this weekend. I am hoping to find some clothes for this child, lest he come out and have nothing to wear except the daygown my momma is making him.

Then, we are going to play with my awesome grannie. She is fitting us into her busy bridge schedule. Girlfriend is 88 and practically plays bridge as a job at Vandy.

I am much anticipating some shopping, eating, gossiping, and generally just hanging out with our babies!!!

Then, on Monday, I get to go see my parents and sissy and brother and niecey Nash!! I haven't seen them in over a month!!!

We are going to play, eat, cook out, and shop! I plan to get my awesome rad stroller recommended by LG and Nicole.

(A little blurry, but still rad nonetheless!)

Then, I'll pick up my awesome two way monitor, thanks to my in laws!

(I know you've seen these pictures before, but I really can't handle blog posts without pictures.)

I have been stockpiling Buy Buy Baby coupons and HOPE I can use some on the stroller. I know I can use some on the monitor.

I'm just super excited to leave town and do something not in my routine. I am in a major rut-this is a super late spring break for us.

Plus, I need to rejuvenate before standardized testing and more conferences!

Husband will be staying behind to work on month end stuff (financial life!) and start getting Emma's big girl room ready. He will be building her shelving in the closet and hopefully setting up the criblet and other room stuff. We only have about 10 more weeks, so we have to get it together! No more traveling or entertaining after I get back-gotta get the crack down!

What all are you doing for a spring vacay?? If not a vacay, then a break? (I know, most people don't get spring break.............but your kids do! )

I'll update with pictures and stories over the break!

Conglomeration

I'm alive!!

Sorry for the blogging silence. I am almost to the end of this "tunnel" of March. I have to do my state writing assessments (mucho paperwork!) and finish conferences, then it's off for a weekend of debauchery with Brown Eyed Girl and Mrs. Ruby Turtle Hippie Times in Michigan. CAN.NOT.WAIT!

In the meantime, I've got a HUGE random conglom of "stuff" to share. Let's begin with some pictures, shall we??

I got this gem from a friend yesterday (the recipe and picture). It is a chocolate cake made in a coffee cup in the microwave. Seriously. I have not tried it yet, but girlfriend knows me too well to be sending me chocolate/dessert ideas.  Recipe is at the bottom of this post. If you have tried it or do try it, please inform a sister on how it turns out! 

Oh my sweet baby Jesus. Look at my girl at 8 weeks old. Another friend emailed me this picture-this is Emma and her friend Harper. Are they not God's gift? Precious angel babies. They are now 19 months old. I teared up, then thanked God for letting me be pregnant again to see another sweet face like this. Which one is Emma? :)

Girlfriend is doing SO WELL with the glasses. It's been 8 days and she doesn't take them off! I am so relieved and so thankful that God answered my prayers on making this transition easy!! She is adorbs, duh. Here she is puttin' down on a Frosty.

This cracks me up! We went to Buy Buy Baby (superior store) and were looking at cribs for Emma's new room. We put her in it and told her to go, "Night Night" and this is what she did. Then, she proceeded to CRY when we took her out to move on to other things.

 

Love the Elmo she janked from the shelf and toted around!

Aaaaannnnd, said Elmo came home with us. She is seriously obsessed with him. I'm not sure where she picked this up, because we don't watch Sesame Street or have really anything with Elmo on it. She says, "Melmo." Be still my heart. He has a little mouth opening, and on Saturday she was stuffing it with banana nut cheerios. Priceless.

Reading with her Great Aunt Ginger. She calls her GiGi. Is this not presh??

 

Eating snack. I just have to show you how the glasses are just no big deal.

She is just my love nugget. Sorry.

 

Moving along, we're in week 26, almost 27 with Mr. HME. I'll do a little meme for you all, but I'm too slack inconsistent to keep up with it every week!

 

Frontal

 

Side

 PS if ONE MORE PERSON says I'm huge, I'm not going to make it all the way, etc, I'm gonna bash their skull in. So STEP OFF. Damn! How Far Along: 26.5 weeks

Total Weight Gained: I really prefer not to say. But, it starts with a 3 and ends with a 0.
Shut up or I will stab you.

Sleep: I'm sleeping okay. With earplugs. And a beanie pillow. And getting up at 4 am to pee every night.

Best Moment of the Week: When HME wigs after I eat sweets and does little karate movements in the belly.

Food Cravings: Cheez its, Edy's fruit popsicles

Food Aversions: Eggs

Symptoms: Nothing really. I've been tireder (is that a word?) this week.
Movement: He moves a lot during the early morning hours and after dinner. After school I'll feel him banging around. However, I have an anterior placenta and don't feel a lot of his movements. This makes me a little sad b/c I felt EVERYTHING with Emma.

Gender: Boy-HME

What I miss: Alcohol lately-not sure why? Seasons changing?

What I'm looking forward to: Getting to the 3rd trimester on Saturday.

And finally, here is the cake recipe:

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE COFFEE MUG CAKE!!


4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla essence
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to your largest mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using), vanilla essence, and then mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (This can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now you are only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!




What's been going on with you all? I have 75 items in my google reader right now-from yesterday and today. So, I'll get around to reading/commenting. Thanks for all your sweet comments and such on my last post-it's just "that time of year!"

xoxo

Sickness and Compassion

So, I got the nasty sickness from Jason on Tuesday. I was feeling foul all day, then all of a sudden (while sitting in my director's chair at work, teaching from a chair) I got super hot and decided I may need to go to the bathroom and hurl.

And hurl I did. And continued to do. In the OB waiting room for my check up, at home, in Emma's bathroom, and in bed that night. Puking at six months pregnant sucks. So does shivering from fever.

A day of "rest," six loads of laundy later, and six pounds down, and I'm back to work.

Moving on, the other day our assistant principal sent this video out to the staff. It really got to me. I normally don't watch videos or things like this, but it's short and it's from Chick Fil A. It really reminded me to think about other people and how "Every Life has a Story."

Not gonna lie, I was crying. It's not pregnancy hormones either. Watch it and maybe next time someone acts a fool, you can dig up some compassion for their "story."


Every Life Has a Story from Dan T. Cathy on Vimeo.

Love ya all!

Life Lately

We have been crackheads busy lately!

I am really going to work on not blogging once a week. However, life happens. I have not updated you all since last Tuesday. Sorry friends!

Last Wednesday, the pediatric ophthalmologist checked Emma over. She has a case of moderate farsightedness. Nothing major, praise the Lord! I am still worried and sad that it took us this long to discover it. I feel so bad for her little eyes. I hope there is not too much damage done from not knowing until now. Note to self: if your child ever has crossed eyes after infancy, please get their eyes checked. She will most likely be in glasses/contacts until her early teen years. From there, it could get better and begin going away, or she can have lasik if she wishes. There is no way to know right now.

On Saturday, we took Emma to Windward Eye Care to get her prescription filled. All of my visions of cute glasses went right out the window.

First of all, as I expected, Emma was NOT a fan of glasses being on her face. Nor did she care for the optician helping us. Bless his heart. She was ripping off every pair I tried on her. Finally, he suggested going with "plastic" glasses until she gets used to the sensation of actually wearing glasses.

Then he pulled out these puppies. And, I cried. Full on tears in the eye care center.

Emma's new glasses

They are so NOT what I pictured or wanted for my baby's first glasses. I wanted these precious Disney tortoise shell glasses with wrap around things for the ears. Y'all.

I realize this could be so much worse on so many levels. I am so thankful it is "just" farsightedness.

I have been trying to talk myself down from the vanity ledge for 3 days. I am starting to come off of it.

I feel like a douche for even getting worked up about this.

I am super worried about people making fun of her. I just want my baby to not have any problems in life.

So, I'm getting myself together and steeling myself for next Saturday, glasses pickup day.

Jason keeps trying to impress the fact that the wearing of the glasses is going to be super difficult. I'm trying to not worry about that. I've heard both good and bad glasses wearing stories. I'm just praying for her to "like" them because she can see. Y'all say some prayers for my sanity. She has to wear them all day except when bathing or sleeping.

I have read that at first you should ease them into wearing the glasses for an hour or two at a time. Do any of you all have experiences with toddlers or young children wearing glasses? I would like to hear if you agree with this "easing" period.


Moving on, we've had the stomach sickness up in here. Emma and Jason have both had a sicky puke virus. That has been interesting. I've been banished to the guest room so as to not get the sicky germs. The maids come Wednesday to disinfect, so I can go back to my room! I'm not sleeping in there till they strip/bleach/boil the sheets. The thought of puking/pooping at 24 weeks pregnant makes me nauseous!

Another thought I've been having is regarding a vBac. I would love to hear from people who have had a vBac. I am nervous about the thought of total foof destruction, however, I am also nervous about life after a second c section with Emma. I think recovery will be harder and it will be more difficult for me to care for her. I know I will have family here to help, but still. I want to hold and snuggle my boo and won't be able to do as much. My first c section was a SUPER easy recovery. As in, I was doing laundry/vacuuming about 7 days after coming home. I was good to go. So, any thoughts, advice, or past experience with vBac? Please share!!!

Finally, someone tweeted this blog the other night, and now I've been stalking it NON STOP. She is my blog life partner-I mean organizing, cleaning, etc. Really, when can you move in? CHECK IT OUT if you like to clean/organize/have OCD. Even the name sounds clean: A Bowl Full of Lemons! J'adore!

The rest of this week holds an OB check up, dental appointment, parent/teacher conference (gag me) and normal life "stuff." I cannot WAIT till the weekend (already). I was super busy with sicky husband and all my other emotional dramz last weekend. I am planning NOTHING and can't wait! I will however hit up Gap to return the ripped crotch maternity jeans and Sephora for some new Korres!

I hope life finds you all well! I'm about to hit up my Google Reader and see how you are!
xoxo

Hey Y'all!!

Let's play catch up, a la bullet points and lotsa pictures, shall we??

Sure, we've been eating Mexican on a weekly basis. Heck, our kid probably thinks dinner comes from a restaurant after this weekend. A high chair is her second home.

Here she is LICKING the salsa off of tortilla chips.

And my dessert: the Chick Fil A ice dream cone. What? I'm pretty sure it's low fat.

SHUT UP. Seriously. It is good.

                            Awful pic of me, but how cute is my girl in her purple/green toile dress!

Ummm, my girl Shannon from work, dressed as Ariel for a birthday party.

Oh darlin, let's keep our day jobs, shall we? :) It was a hoot though!

Again, SHUT UP. Godiva has my heart (part of it anyway). Salted caramel milk chocolate. This was husband's chocolate part of his V Day treat. I ate half of it. The other was so so. The salted caramel ruled.

Emma's Valentime's Day treats: an Auburn dress, a monogrammed bow (not shown),

some puzzles, a book, coloring book, and a raspberry peep (not shown cause she ATE IT!)

On a side note, we went to Applebee's last night for dinner. I got the Oriental chicken salad and Emma actually ate like 4 pieces of chicken from it! Holy cow, this is big people! Even though she is 18 months old and eats LENTILS/lasagna/pork, etc at her babysitter's house, she eats hardly ANY real people food in front of me. I am at the point of, "You eat what I give you, or else..........." She just finished her Augmentin for the ear infection, so it's on. I bought her some gluten free, organic "chicken nuggets" to try out. They are real chicken. I was scrutinizing that label fo sho! She also ate about 1/4 of a banana this weekend. I am so envious of those people (ahem, Sarah) whose kids will eat ANYTHING! It's got to be so much easier/cheaper than still buying/feeding them BABY FOOD for the love of 18 months. End rant. 

J's Valentime's treats: Auburn shirt, Auburn SI, cards, he had a Reese's heart, peep, and 2 Godiva bars, but those were removed when junkie Emma discovered chocolate was divine.

I do have to mention that my husband got Emma and I a GIANT, beautiful bouquet of yellow daisies! Soooo pretty! We did Valentime's a day early because his parents were here, and I wanted to be able to see Emma's reaction to her goodies since I don't see her in the morning. Who knows, he may have something else up his sleeve. No pressure, right babe? :) I'll let you all know how that goes!

OMG-22 weeks. I look like I'm 32 weeks. Have mercy.

And let's see what else. I have a MASSIVE on going to do list for Emma and the new baby. I am so overwhelmed right now trying to get a lot of stuff done. We are going to Birmingham this weekend, so I've gotta get all that together. I'm looking for black out curtains, a new crib, booking Emma bear pictures from our photog, setting up HME newbie pics, Easter baskets from PB, daybed for new playroom, a storage unit for all of our CRAP that has to come out of our house, etc. The list is huge! And then I need to deal with everyday life.

The awesome CSN giveaway is going to end this Friday, February 18th!! I will put the entries in random.org and post the winner that weekend. If you entered and your email is not available, I will have to choose another winner.

Thanks for entering, by the way! I have "met" some wonderful new followers and am so glad you came by, even if I did lure you in with a giveaway!

More random will be following this week for sure. Lots going on! I miss you all! Let's chat. What have you all been up to? How was your *Valentime's Day?



*coined by Laura in college!

Our Week

So we have been pretty lazy this week. Granted, it's only Wednesday, but still-I have been a major slacker in the housekeeping department. It's like my exercise and shopping must take the front seat-hmm, wonder why? This week Emma and I have walked twice a day, every day. We have also gone shopping twice. Yesterday we went to walk at The Avenues, an outdoor shopping center. It's like The Summit in Birmingham. Well, I got in about a mile before she had a meltdown. So, we went shopping/coupon redeeming in Bath and Body Works. I got 3 freebies with my coupons-a 4 oz candle, plug in refills, and an antibac soap! We had to stop by Publix for some dinner items, and she continued the meltdown! It was a rush to the house to just strip her naked, change her, feed her, and soothe her. Pitiful I tell ya!

This is her attitude today. Whatev-I am chill. And I am still in my PJ's-don't judge.

Stop flashing my eyes out! Dang mommy!

Yesterday's outfit after the meltdown-her shirt says, "Daddy Tweets Me Nice"

And, I freaking love her in pants! She looks 90 years old! It's hilarious!

Yes, she was 8 weeks old yesterday! I CANNOT believe it-time is flying by. I have one more month off then I have to go back to hell school. Her two month post is coming up on October 4th! So many new developments.

After this morning's exercise with our dear friend Jen, we went to Dick's-momma got some new shoes. Thanks to Brittany Ann at Living in the Moment-she recommended some shoes for me-I got a kick a$$ pair of Asics. I also decided to get some socks and yoga pants-I'm now in 2009 instead of 2000. Then, we bee bopped (is that a word?) over to Old Navy and got some tank tops, more socks, and a THREE DOLLAR PAIR of yoga pants. Stop! Emma was chilling in my baby sling the whole time-passed out! Everyone kept noticing there was a baby in there and flipping out. I guess we are not in a hippie enough area for people to realize WHAT goes in a sling. It's not potatoes folks. :D

Now we are just relaxing-we will go on our second walk after dinner. It's so fabulous outside-I love this weather! Tomorrow I am going to Birmingham. I am about to FLIP OUT with trying to pack for all this! Any suggestions, advice, etc?

Hope your Wednesday has been as fun as ours!