Only When I'm Pregnant - 27 Weeks

My sister texted me this week to ask if I was on blog strike... And the answer is no! My options when it comes to blogging are #1 use my iPhone,or #2 borrow a computer. Neither are very convenient, so that's why the posts are slow for the time being.

On to my pregnancy. Last night was by far my worst nights sleep. I started thinking about it, and 5 hours of sleep will be considered a good night once the baby gets here! We've been trying to walk a few nights during the week. It's mostly so TJ and I can get our exercise, but the whole family enjoys going. My new niece should be arriving soon and it makes me anxious for September! I guess having baby fever when you are pregnant isn't a bad thing! It's hotter than the dickens here. The forecasted high tomorrow is 107*. You can bet I'll be spending the day inside, with the AC blasting!

No crazy food cravings this past week. I have not had any heartburn yet so I've been wondering if this baby has any hair (like Allie did) or will be pretty much bald (like Hayden was). I have an ultrasound next week and I'm hoping baby is not camera shy because I want more pictures of him/her! Will post next week with an ultrasound update :)

Cute Jammies

When I was cleaning out Allie's "old" room, I found a pair of pjs I had bought for her about a year ago.  They were huge a year ago, but now they fit her well.  I think they are just about the cutest things ever - but of course I'm partial to anything panda!

 I started unloading the dishwasher and turned around to see this.......... Kevin questioned my parenting skills when didn't immediately rescue her, but she wasn't going anywhere!  She does stuff like this ALL day long!  She is her mother's daughter, I guess.........

Only When I'm Pregnant - 26 Weeks

I'm definitely feeling a difference between the 2nd and 3rd trimester!!!  One day I turned our AC down to 69 because I was burning up!  I have a feeling I will be freezing everyone out of the house this summer.  I also am struggling to get up off the floor once I sit down.  And that darn sciatic pain is back and isn't being very nice.  Monday I gave myself a huge to do list and I wasn't going to let anything slow me down.  Well, my back did slow me down, but I kept moving and going (maybe when I should have stopped) and yesterday I had to spend the day recuperating. 

I'm up 25lbs.  I'm still hoping to not go over 40lbs but my cravings have been a little nuts lately.  This past weekend I had a bad chocolate craving.  Overall, Kevin has had more cravings than I have!  He will wake up and tell me he has to have Hacienda, or he will die if he doesn't get a snow cone.  I don't think he got the memo I'm the pregnant one!

Baby is continuing to move 24/7.  I don't think this child ever rests.  Not only do I feel the kicks a lot more, but I can see my belly move when the baby decides to move.  It's pretty cool :)  So, other than being hot all the time and having to slow down, life is pretty much normal.

Oh yes, I do need to mention one more thing.... I spent about 90 minutes one day picking out the best of the best fabric for my bedding I planned on making.  I put it all in my online shopping cart and it totaled $108.  I was a little bummed it cost that much, so I just decided to check on eBay to see what some of their sets were going for.  I found an adorable taupe/white/giraffe print that made me say aww.  It was a 9 piece set for $109.99 shipped.  I thought about it overnight and decided to just buy the one on eBay.  My sister and I discussed the best accent color and narrowed it down to red or yellow :) Kevin and I decided on yellow.  Time to start painting and decorating!  (I've almost got all of Allie's old stuff cleaned out of her room!)

Father's Day 2012

I had been asking Kevin for the last couple weeks how he wanted to spend his Father's Day.  He decided he wanted to go fishing.  My parents had made plans to go to Christmas Lake and cook lunch, so we decided to join them, and my brother and his family, and do some fishing. 

We got up there before anyone else did (we went to church the night before) and I'm glad we got there when we did!  The fish were biting!!!  I caught the first fish - a small bass.  Shortly after, Hayden screams, "I GOT ONE!"  He says this about every 2 minutes when we're fishing so I just looked back and was going to say "Oh yea, keep reeling it in," BUT his pole was all the way bent over and I said, "Kevin, I think he really has one!!!"  Sure enough, he did!  It was a good size one too.  Then he caught another one, just like the first one.  We think they were rock bass.  Never heard of them, but Kevin googled them and it's what they looked like.  Then Kevin caught his one and only catch of the day, a little sun fish.  Then I caught the biggest fish of the day, another bass, about 2 1/2lbs!  It was a fun Father's Day and I hope we make fishing a yearly tradition on that day! 

Hayden with catch #1

Hayden with catch #2

Kevin requested strawberry pretzel salad - his favorite dessert!

My Little Turtles

We have been home a lot more this summer than we were this past fall and winter.  The kids keep playing funny things - for example - they like to pretend they are going to the beach, or Hayden likes to find pretend fishing poles and make Allie play a bass and he tries to catch her.  My favorite is when they play turtles.  I just think their little minds are hilarious!  Who would have thought pillows made good turtle shells?!

What Do You Think I'm Having?!

I'm 2/3rds of the way through my pregnancy and I still don't know what I'm having!!!  I thought for sure I'd have a good guess, but I don't.  Here are some reasons why I'm so confused....

Things Baby #3 has in common with Hayden's pregnancy:

• My gums have bled throughout the pregnancy
• I am anemic (due to being pregnant) and have to take an iron supplement
• I've loved mac n cheese just as much as I did when I was pregnant with Hayden
• I'm carrying low
• Frequent headaches

Things Baby #3 has in common with Allie's pregnancy:

• High heart beat
• Slight obsession with Chinese food (I couldn't even look at Chinese food while prego with Hayden).
• I was very nauseous my first trimester (was never nauseous with Hayden)
• No heartburn
• My hair is less oily than usual

Hayden thinks it's a brother; Allie thinks it's a sister.... What's your guess what I'm having and why?!

June's Mid Month Update

Outside my window . . .It's dark and pleasant.  A nice summer night!

I am thinking . . . I need to get my rear in gear and start working on baby stuff.  I still feel like I have so much time, but I know September will be here in a flash.

I am thankful for . . . the friends I've made in the last year. 

In the kitchen . . . I've made lots of sweets this week! 

I am wearing . . . my pjs.

I am creating . . . Father's Day gifts from the kids.

I am going . . . fishing this weekend.

I am wondering . . .if we should add on or move.  It's been the topic of conversation lately between Kevin and I.  We both love our house and neighbors, so we're going to look into the expenses of adding on before we decide to sell.  And we're talking +/-5 years down the road... we just know we want to start saving $$ if we'll be adding on. 

I am reading . . . a little bit of everything - sometimes it's just my Proverbs 31 daily emails, sometimes it's the bible... just whatever I feel the need to read!

I am hoping . . .to get a prenatal massage SOON!  It sounds lovely.

I am looking forward to . . .getting the next few weeks behind us.  Lots of big expenses coming up

I am hearing . . .TJ bark, and it freaks me out when he does that and it's dark outside! 

Around the house . . . well, I brought our barstools back in from the garage.  I have had them outside for probably 6 months because Allie wouldn't stop climbing them and falling off.  So far this week, she hasn't fallen off, but she did sneak up on the counter and eat a section off the top of my sock-it-to-me cake!

One of my favorite things . . .is having a clean house.... now if I could get the other three people that live in my house on the same page.........

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .celebrate Father's Day, probably make more sweet snacks, maybe facetime with my sis since she got a new iPhone, and take at least 1 walk by the river. 

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Have you ever grilled your corn on the cob?  I think it's pretty common to do, but I have always boiled mine.  We grilled out this week and I suggested to Kevin that we give it a try - so we did!  (Hey, it  was one less pan to wash!  I'm all for it!) It's just as tasty as when it's boiled, so give it a try!

Place the corn on foil.  Add butter, salt, and pepper.  Wrap up tight.  Grill for 30 mins rotating occasionally.

Before & After

Scrapbook VS Photobook

I love scrapbooking.  I love seeing a whole finished album.  I don't love the process of making one though.  My entire kitchen table gets consumed by paper, stickers, pictures, paper cutter, and trash.  It also takes quite a bit of time and lots of money.

I knew I wanted to put our Destin vacation pictures in an album.  Conveniently, I got an email from Snapfish and remembered they offer photobooks.  I started thinking about taking the easy way out and making a photobook!  With the right coupon (there are always a bizillion online), I could make a 12x12 photo book for just over $30.  I knew a scrapbook would cost closer to $100.  So, based on the price alone, I opted to make a photobook.

I spent about 4 hours arranging photos, writing titles and captions, and proofing my work.  Last Friday night I placed my order.  I'm very anxious to get the book!  It should be here late this week, or early next week.  If I love it as much as I think I may, the kids may not get any more scrapbooks out of me!  (Other than Baby #3's 1st year scrapbook!)

Kevin's Hidden Talent

If you didn't know, Kevin is quite the welder.  He's built a lot of random things throughout the years, but his latest project was a back bumper/tire carrier/and bike rack.  He put a lot of time into researching angles and pieces and way more information about bumpers than I could ever want to know.  It all turned out pretty neat!  Here's a picture...

Sock-it-to-me-cake

This recipe is my moms - I've just made a few slight changes!  I remember her making this some mornings and I LOVED it!  Now my kids get to enjoy it :)


Sock-it-to-me-cake
1 package Duncan Hines yellow cake mix (or butter cake mix if you like that, but I don't)
1 C sour cream
1/3 C oil
1/4 C sugar
1/4 C water
4 eggs
Filling:
4 Tbsp reserved cake mix
4 tsp cinnamon
4 Tbsp brown sugar
chopped peacans (option, but delicious!)
Glaze:
1 C powdered sugar
2 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 375*
Combine the filling ingredients and set aside.  (If you don't do this now, you'll forget to take out the 4 Tbsp cake mix!).  In a large bowl, blend cake mix, sour cream, oil, sugar, water, and eggs.  Beat at high speed for 2 mins.  Pour 1/2 the batter in a greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle half the filling over batter in pan.  Spread remaining batter over filling and top with remaining filling.
Bake for 35-45 mins.  (Mine baked for 38 mins).
Take out of the oven and let cool for 10-15 mins.  While cooling, make glaze.  Once the cake is not longer steaming hot, pour the glaze on.

This cake is delicious hot or cold. :)

Only When I'm Pregnant - 25 Weeks

I'm guilty of eating 2 Roy Boy snow cones this week.  I also made caramel corn.  Oh, should I even mention I bought a gallon of lemonade from Chick Fil A?  This baby definitely got his/her fill of sugar this week!  I did eat lots of fresh fruit to try to help balance out my cravings.  Sams had a good selection for cheap and I stocked up!  The other thing I craved this week was salami.  I planned on getting some ham from the deli counter at Walmart and then I saw the salami and it just spoke to me.  I've actually gone back for another bag of it!  Not sure why that's hitting the spot. 

My lunch a few days this past week - salami sandwich on wheat bun and fruit!

This was what I wanted to do when I saw the salami...

Kevin can attest that one day this week my hormones went a bit crazy and I was a crying mess for a couple hours.  Darn the hormones!  Minus my little melt down, the week was great.  I purchased fabric for crib sheets.  They are a work in progress.  I will post pictures when they are done.  (Unless I fail and/or give up - and if that's the case, I'll let you know that too!)

The baby is moving a ton these days!  I know I said that last week, but it seems like every day there is more movement!  Allie was a non-stop mover in my belly and I think #3 is taking after their sister.  At my last doctor's appointment, I had my glucose test, which came back just fine, but they said my iron was low, so I'm taking a supplement.  I had to do that with Hayden too.  My doctor also said she wanted to do another ultrasound at 28 weeks.  I'm excited to see my baby more filled out and hoping this baby cooperates for some good 4D pictures (Allie never did)!

Hayden is slightly obsessed with my belly.  I actually think it's cute.  Every day he talks to me belly, gives the baby hugs, and rarely forgets to give the baby a kiss goodnight.  None of you other creepers have permission to do any of that!  :)  Hayden has gone with me to my last couple appointments and he seems to enjoy them.  I have all my appointments scheduled until 39 weeks - I also am going to do my pre-registering soon.  Can't Wait For September!!!

Kids + Kittens = LOVE

This weekend our neighbors daughter-in-law brought her kittens over to visit with Hayden and Allie.  She found all 3 of them and has taken them in.  If you know me, you know there isn't anything I love more than a baby kitten - and my kids are the same way!  Poor Kevin better get use to the idea of having 10 cats because I have a feeling as the kids get older, daddy will have a hard time telling his sweet little Allie, who is wrapped around his little finger, no!  Here are some pictures from their visit... (They just melt my heart and make me smile!) :)

  Saving the best for last.................. kisses for the kitten.................

The Action Bible

Two Sundays ago, our pastor at our church recommended a bible for children - The Action Bible.  He talked about how much his grandson loved it and our church was selling them at cost ($15).  Hayden loves being read to, but we already have 2 children's bibles.  I thought about it during the sermon, and decided to go ahead and get one just to see what it was all about.

I was surprised when I opened it.  All the stories are told and illustrated like a comic book.  I've never been in to comic books, but I thought, "Oh bummer, Hayden isn't going to like this."  Boy was I wrong!!!  He asks to read "his bible" multiple times day - how can you say no?!  And anytime someone comes to visit, Hayden proudly gets out his new bible and asks our guests to read it (You're all warned now). 

Allie doesn't sit every time I read the bible to Hayden, but she has sat more and listened to this bible more than any other.  I'd highly recommend it for you and your kiddos!

Sick Day for Allie

Allie got sick last Thursday.  Her temp was at 103* half of the day.  We kept trying things to get her fever to break.  Some things (like mommy making her cupcakes) were just to make her happy! Hayden was really into helping out his little sis too and it was the sweetest thing to watch!  At one point she told me she wanted bubby to hold her and not me! 

 

I knew an ice cold bath wouldn't be her favorite thing, so I filled up the little pool with cold cold water and let her (& Hayden & TJ) play.  Her fever went down right away!  She was a happy girl!

The next morning (Allie was feeling much better) we did baths.  I was doing dishes and saw Allie rubbing Hayden's back.  I'm glad they love each other!'

Hall Closet Makeover

One of the bigger project I had given myself lately was to clean out our hall closet.  It's a huge closet, and it is one of the "catch-all" places in our house.  When I don't know where to put something, or if I need to clean up piles in a hurry, it gets taken to the hall closet.  I had taken a few more before/after pictures on my iPhone but I can't get them to rotate (and un-rotated pictures bother me) so I decided not to post them.  I'll save myself the embarrassment of everyone seeing the horrible mess it was..... here's one before/after picture though...

 These were the top shelves in my closet... iron, baby stuff, boxes of serving pieces....

uff

Ahh this feels so much better!  Everything is neatly organized!  Those plastic containers on the top shelf were from our Florida trip!  Glad I could reuse them :)  Since taking the picture, I removed the clear rubbermaid container and I'm storing extra cans of food there. 

New Diaper Bag

There are a couple things I buy new (or make, or am gifted) every time I have a baby.  One is crib bedding.  Another is my diaper bag.  I hadn't put much thought into my diaper bag this go around, but I knew I wanted a new one.  Last week, my mom went into TJ Max and they had discounted Vera Bradly diaper bags.  My BFF Amy raves about the VB diaper bags and it's all she's ever had.  After telling my mom I'd love to have one, she surprised me and bought it for me!  I LOVE IT!!!!  This is the 3rd thing I now have for baby (#1 was the green and white blanket, #2 was the crib bumper, #3 is the diaper bag).

It's very large and zips shut.  Both are major pluses!!!  It also can pass for a purse which I love.

Close up of the detail...

The inside is gender neutral AND lined in a plastic liner!!!  So functional!

The back zipper pocket has a diaper changing pad that matches the inside liner!

I couldn't be more thrilled or pleased with this diaper bag!  Thanks, Mom!!!

Pretty Toes

I love that my little wild child / tom boy still loves to get her toe nails painted!  She sits perfectly still and lets me paint as long as I want....

Me & Allie with flowers on our toes.

They need baby toe separators!  The wadded up paper towels aren't cutting it!

And while she has all the patience in the world when I'm painting - the drying is a whole different story!  Both flowers on her big toes were rubbed off about 30 seconds after I finished - so I tried to retouch them - and the second attemp ended the same as the first.  Better luck next time!

Sweet Potato Chips

While we were in Destin, we ate at the Cheeseburger In Paradise.  Our server was telling us about the sweet potato chips and I assured him I wouldn't like them because I don't like sweet potatoes - and I ordered fries with my meal.  While we were waiting on the food, our server brought out a small bowl of chips he just wanted us to sample.  It was free food, and I was hungry, so I tried one, then another, and I ended up eating every one he brought out!  They were SO GOOD! 

I was excited we had a Cheeseburger In Paradise here because I thought it may become one of my new favorite snacks.  Well, I was majorly disappointed when I tried Evansvilles.... they didn't have the seasoning on the chips like they did in Destin.  (I'm thinking I'll give them another try and maybe ask that they add the seasoning to them?)  But in the meantime, I got out the mandolin cutter my SIL gave me, bought some sweet potatoes, and tried to make some myself!

I sliced the sweet potatoes as thin as I could, laid them out on a baking sheet, sprayed them with olive oil and sprinkled them with sea salt and Mrs. Dash table blend.  I baked them at 350* for 15 minutes.  Then, I took them out of the oven and sprayed and sprinkled them again and baked them another 10 minutes.  The ones that didn't burn were a bit chewy.  They had a good taste though.  Kevin thinks we need to try the recipe again but put them in our fry daddy.  He likes frying things so I'll leave attempt #2 up to him! 

The things I used - minus the Mrs. Dash - that was a last minute idea.

Before baking.

After the first round in the oven.

All done... some were a little too brown to eat!

Four Wheeler

For over a year, we've had a 4 wheeler lined up to give Hayden.  My motherly instincts were saying no no no, but another part of me knew how much he'd love it.  So, last week was the big day.  Kevin went and picked it up and we surprised Hayden with it. 

Kevin was pushing it out of the garage for the big reveal!

Allie ran over and jumped on it before Kevin could even get it out... she's fearless.

Thumbs-up from Hayden!

Getting his helmet on.

Kevin was explaining the brakes and throttle. 

After a couple laps around the yard, Allie wanted a ride.

"Hi Mom!"

Standing up riding on just the first day... not good...

Overall, Hayden has been really safe on it.  He asks to ride it frequently but Kevin has to fix a small gas leak in the carburetor (I think that's what he said).  Hayden is getting faster on it, so I'm glad it's out of commission for a little bit. :)