A Page Is Turned

Our Newest Valentine...

2012-02-14T10:29:00.000-05:00

Our sweet boy has arrived! William Edward (Will) was born last night at 11:37 pm. He weighs 7 pounds, 5 ounces and is 20.5 inches long. So far he has been so, so sweet. He cried when he was born but has been very content (as long as he has a finger to suck on!) since then. He's been
A night owl the entire pregnancy and he definitely continued that last night. He was awake from birth until about 4:30 AM. We have some work to do there! I'll try to get pictures up tomorrow - all this technology and nothing will let me upload! Thanks for your thoughts!

Love,
Lauren, Eddie, and James

The Last Week As Three...

2012-02-11T15:49:00.000-05:00

This has been a much different week than I pictured it. With James being so, so sick this week (and now Eddie being sick as well) things have not been nearly as busy and fun as they could have been. BUT...my house has been clean{ish}, I've gotten some things wrapped up, James has rested {a LOT} and we've just had a quiet week.

Here's how it's looked from here:

(This was in James' Easter basket at some point but he was really too little to play with it so I put it aside. He has thoroughly enjoyed watching the lizard hatch this week. I think Dollar Store toys like this will be FUN for Easter this year!)

We've been a pitiful bunch, but I've gotten a good bit done while James has taken some AWESOME naps. I got one last haircut yesterday (I assume it'll be right before Easter before I get another!) and I think we're pretty much ready for a baby! As ready as one can be anyway!

Three years ago TODAY (maybe at this exact time, actually!) I found out that we were having our first baby and called Eddie at work to tell him (in what was a very nervous sounding voice, probably!) that he needed to come home from work as soon as he could! I thought it would be funny if we had another baby today but so far it's not looking promising. No big action today at all. Just lots of lounging around, folding clothes, and trying to clear off the DVR. (There's never any catching up on the DVR!)

I'll keep you posted on here as things happen! Will my next post be THE post introducing you to our newest little man? Maybe so!

It's Friday!

2012-02-10T18:04:00.001-05:00

*** Just to answer the anonymous comment I got tonight about not inducing if there's not a medical reason...I didn't realize I needed to tell all of the details of my pregnancy on my blog, and maybe I don't. Anyway, there IS a medical reason I am being induced. I was induced the first time around and had a textbook delivery with James. It was perfect. Do I think that everyone should be induced? Absolutely not. But I do believe that the decision for whether I am induced needs to be made by me, my husband, and my doctor. Please just know that it is the best thing for us to do in our situation. Does that mean it will be a perfect delivery? Not necessarily. But in our case the risks for NOT inducing outweigh the risks that come along with an induction. ***

We're still here! :) I continuously ask myself, "Is today the day? Is tonight the night?" I think if I hadn't made any progress, I would feel a lot better about the "when" part of all of this. (Remember, I am a type-A control freak who likes to know the PLAN in advance.)

James seems much, much, much better today. He is still coughing like crazy, but he doesn't seem to feel bad this morning. The past two days he has been pitiful. Last night he just wanted to be held and rocked. And poor kid has hardly eaten anything all week. We're almost finished with the steroid. There's a tiny bit left at the bottom of the bottle that I'll try to get into him in the morning. The cough syrup, though, is still plenty full! I'll keep on with that until his cough has disappeared.

We spent the early part of the morning watching - what else - Mickey Mouse and I pulled out his photo albums from the hospital and right after he came home. We've been talking about how tiny Baby Brother will be and how careful we'll have to be with him. I'm sure he won't "get it" until we're home and settled in, but I wanted to talk to him about everything before-hand.

Nesting is still in full-force. Where I haven't cleaned, picked up, or put away for the past nine months I am now cleaning like a crazy person. I've made a to-do list every day and gotten it checked off for the most part. I really thought this would be my last week to have any alone time while James went to school, but that obviously wasn't in the plans. :) It has helped that he hasn't felt like playing, though. It's kept my house a little cleaner!

James and Eddie are both guessing that I'll have Baby Brother on Monday. I'm all up in the air about when. Of course, the planner part of me comes out and says, "But if I have him this day and we come home on this day then blah, blah, blah." I know it won't work that way.

Baby Brother...39 Weeks!!!

2012-02-09T13:26:00.000-05:00

We've had a great morning! (Well, I have...James is still SO SICK. He's pitiful.) I have on REAL clothes and makeup. Not yoga pants. :) I left the house today for the first time since Monday! Woohoo! My doctor's appointment went well. We went to Target (although, I didn't find the cute little Converse that I was looking for for James' Valentine's Day gift...the colors were wrong). AND I just stuffed my face on the most delicious lunch from Panera and James was asleep so I didn't have to share. :) Is that terrible or what???

I am 39 weeks, 2 days pregnant! WOOHOO. I actually can't believe I have made it this long. I was CONVINCED that I was going to have an early baby this time around. I'm not sure why, but I had a feeling. Obviously, that's not a concern anymore!

My appointment this week was later than normal...but it was my LAST appointment. I will show up at the hospital to be induced next week if I don't have him between now and then. I was still 3 cm dilated like last week. The midwife saw me today because my regular doctor is out of town but she mentioned that I may have a baby this weekend. We'll see! I'm sort of set on the other "birth" day that they gave me, though. Guess I have no control...his birthday has already been picked out by someone else! If I don't have him before his "birth" day I'll go to the hospital early next week and get things rolling! It has been mentioned many, many times that this will likely be a very quick delivery! I am hoping it is also uneventful and pain free. :) I can dream, right?

We are SO ready to meet him!

Size of the Baby: A watermelon! He’s probably between 18.9-20.9 inches and 6.2-9.2 pounds. Obviously, it varies at this point. James was 8.2 pounds and 21 inches

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +12 pounds.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around. He’s still trying to push and stretch. Little legs must be getting cramped.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc. Fresca! Sugar, sugar, sugar. Fortunately, eating all of this sugar, sugar, sugar hasn’t made me feel too bad.

Symptoms: I’m VERY uncomfortable. I have also had reflux from you-know-where this week. It has been horrible. One night I thought I might have to sleep sitting up and another night I woke up with horrible reflux. Yuck.

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Confession: Eddie’s been tying them for me when he’s home. If James could tie, I’d enlist his help as well! Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: James’ Big Brother outing!

And just for fun, this boy perked up at the end of my appointment and wanted to have his baby checked out, too:

Still Here...

2012-02-08T08:16:00.000-05:00

I've got nothin' this morning but I thought that if I didn't check in someone might think we'd had a baby overnight. Last night was a full moon and I'm here to tell you that that myth about babies being born on the full moon is BOGUS. I lasted through the one last night AND one with James right before my due date. Or maybe my babies just like to stay warm and cozy. Who knows.

We're still here! James skipped school yesterday because I thought I might get some dirty looks from other mamas if I dropped off my sounds-like-a-smoker child. He has gotten so. much. worse. since our doctor's visit on Monday. We've been spending our time not eating (him, not me) and drinking a LOT of Gatorade. I haven't given him any milk because his typical behavior is to throw up anytime he's even remotely sick. Gatorade has been a happy replacement.

Last night Eddie had rehearsal so he was gone until around 9. He came home and ate supper with us and gave James a bath and then headed out again so James and I did the bedtime routine by ourselves. We laid down around 8 and when I got up at 8:40 I had to tell James to stay in his bed. He could not sleep for all of the coughing. He'd cough, take a sip of water, and flop over into a new position. Then repeat every two minutes. Because of all the coughing and water drinking there was a mandatory diaper change at midnight. Fortunately, he slept through it.

We did a lot of laying around yesterday. He just feels terrible. We watched a Mickey movie over...and over...and over. Fortunately, I got a TON done around the house. But that poor baby moved from his bed to his booster seat to my bed and back to his bed by 10 AM. Maybe we're on the mend, though? I've read that the first two days are the worst...

I'm hanging in there! I haven't had contractions lately, but lots of pressure and uncomfortableness. Baby Brother settled himself in somehow last night (or the night before?) that made my hips and back and legs HURT. But still, no baby. So far, three people I knew who were pregnant and due either the day before me or up to a week after me have had their babies. I have one more pregnant friend due right after me and she'll have a C-section on Friday. Jealous much? :) It's such a fun waiting game.

We have a long list of things going on today that I hope to conquer and then I have my fingers crossed that James can go back to school tomorrow. I have my very last doctor's appointment tomorrow morning as well. An induction date has been scheduled so if we don't have him before then.... :) And if I make it until Friday I have another list of things to get done and appointments to go to! Busy, busy!

Croup-y Day...

2012-02-07T09:20:00.000-05:00

Well, after yesterday morning's wake up call of a horrible tummy mess and a bath, we thought we might spend the day in our jammies. Apparently, the universe had other plans for us (as is usually the case around here). James woke up in the middle of the night Sunday night with a barking cough. You other mamas are nodding your heads, "Yes, I know what that means!" He had no other symptoms at all, but like I mentioned before I want to nip illness in the bud IMMEDIATELY this week so I put in a call to Dr. W.'s office. When I talked to Nurse S. later in the day she asked me to bring him on in so we headed to the doctor's office at 2:30 yesterday afternoon.

We went through the usual business of temperature, weight, pulse, etc. before we spent a few minutes playing the monkey game on my phone while we waited. I think there was really only one other patient in the whole office. It was fabulous. Dr. W. came in and listened to him quickly and immediately said, "Croup!" Exactly as I thought. That barking cough can't hide from me! We got loaded down with a prescription for Prednisone and a cough suppressant. I did ask while we were there if I had a baby and he still sounded like a seal if the hospital would let him visit. His answer was, "Yes!" Woohoo! (Our doctor is wonderful at not being overly dramatic about anything. He realizes that second babies can't be shielded from germs like the first can. I realize that the hospital has to take precautions but the minute you let us go home James is going to be all in his face!)

While we were there Dr. W. asked that I please go ahead and have the baby today. He'll be out of town for the remainder of the week. Ha! My doctors need to get on the same page since my OB is out of town now and will be back next week. Oh well. The full moon is tonight so it might still happen!

As we were leaving, I chit-chatted with the lady parked next to us about James and the new baby, etc., etc. I think I learned her life story - I even know how old she is, her daughter is, and her grandson is! She had short, white hair and was definitely on the larger side. As I got into the car James said, "Mama, is that Ho-Ho-Ho?" SANTA! Oh my word. I am so glad our doors were closed. I guess we've entered the they'll-say-anything stage. I'm sure my face was red even though I knew she couldn't hear. Whoops!

This morning's wake-up call was better than yesterday, but still no fun. Medicine is a two-person project around here. One of us has to hold James and the other has to squeeze his mouth and squirt the medicine down his throat. We do so much better with chewable anything. (The doctor and pharmacists are shocked by this!) The steroid he has to take is TWO TEASPOONS once a day. Thank goodness it's just once a day. That's two whole squirters! He also has to take a cough suppressant four times a day. Miserable for everyone. *Sigh* I'm getting this medicine in him, though!

The list continues today! I am 39 weeks pregnant today and Baby Brother could make an appearance at any time! We have a whole list of things to do, appointments to go to, and visitors stopping by just this week if I don't have to go to the hospital. If I make it through this weekend it will be the LAST one with just the three of us. That is so strange to me!

Everyone keeps asking how James is taking everything. It's obvious that he knows that things are changing, but he's actually acted a LOT better lately. Maybe we're getting past the terrible-twos hump? I keep hearing three is worse, but so far the second half of two is MUCH better than the 17 months-2.5 years stage. :) He is SO excited about having a baby. I know he has no idea (none of us do!) but he asks to go in Baby Brother's room several times a day and lately he's been very insistent that he needs to "see" Baby Brother and "hode" (hold) Baby Brother. "I needa hode him!" is a common statement these days. I let him help me pick out two wubbies yesterday while we were out and about for him to give to Brother when he's born. He was really excited about that, but he did ask to keep one for himself. Guess I need to get them monogrammed! :) I know there will be challenges, but I'm enjoying the excitement for now!

Weekend Update: Big Brother Edition!

2012-02-06T08:24:00.000-05:00

We had another great weekend!

I need to back up to Thursday to share the CUTEST pictures. Thursday, Lauren and I went to a party at a friend's house. Lauren's husband had a soccer game so Eddie, my knight in shining armour, volunteered to keep BOTH littles for us AT BEDTIME. Poor man. We left at 7:30 and didn't get back until 9:30. Bless his sweet heart. He said they were excellent. Anyway, all that to say that James ate dinner way before us on Thursday night so that he'd be fed by the time that AM arrived. I snapped this sweet, sweet picture of him that was totally unprompted. We say the blessing every night at supper, but he's started saying it on his own some as well!

Then Eddie snapped this picture on his phone of James and AM snuggling. Sweet babies.

Friday afternoon Cacky and Anna stopped by for a little over an hour to play. I didn't feel great so I didn't get out and about with them, but James had the most fun playing with Anna.

We didn't do anything fun or fancy on Friday night. In fact, Eddie was asleep in James' bed by 8:45. My only excitement was picking up and watching Sweet Home Alabama on CMT. :)

Saturday was FUN. We had a Big Brother Day! We told James how exciting it was going to be a big brother and really tried to make the day all about him. Aside from a horrible naptime meltdown late in the afternoon, we had a really fun day! We took him to a local aquarium that has lots of information about our state and the fish found in it. It was lots of fun!

On Sunday morning, I sent the boys to church without me. I got a good bit of "nesting" done around the house before they got home. In fact, it was pretty much all I got done yesterday. The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing around. James and Eddie spent some time playing in the backyard and then James ASKED to get down from his chair at lunch to go and take a nap. (More on that later...) Eddie and I watched a little television and I was just lazy.

We had some friends over last night for the Superbowl and I took not one picture. I blame the fact that I was having some contractions and just sort of felt yucky. We had a good time, although the halftime show and the commercials (all that I care about) were lacking in a BIG way this year. Just my opinion, though. I guess if you actually watch for the football game, it was good to see it come that close at the end. :)

Unfortunately, this post is earlier than usual going up because as of 8:20 I have already given a child a bath AND cleaned a bathroom. Awesome. Someone is having some tummy troubles this morning. He's drinking some gatorade and he's had a Pepto Bismal in hopes that we're past it, but who knows. Please, please, please pray with me that he'll be well when this baby decides to come into the world. He is SO excited to meet him and I want him to be the first "visitor" that we have. I know that if he's sick they won't let him. In addition to an upset stomach he has a cough this morning that sounds, unfortunately, a lot like croup. *Sigh* I know that if this baby waits until we're all well and the house is clean that he'll be waiting forever, but I want James to be able to go to the hospital! (And yes, I'm aware that I can't keep the germs away from him once he's home but I also know that the nurses at the hospital CAN keep the germs away from him.) Just pray that we'll be over this quickly, please. :)

Other than the sickness this morning, we had a great weekend! Wonder if it's the last with just the three of us???

January Books...

2012-02-03T08:18:00.000-05:00

This post is being written "live" on Friday morning at 8:04. I am still pregnant...no baby news yet! Maybe Monday that would make a good Weekend Update? :) I had LOTS of contractions early in the evening last night. Not Braxton Hicks, but REAL, hurting contractions. That's a little bit different from what I'd been having. I was bent over with my arms and head on the counter in the kitchen at one point and Eddie asked if I felt okay. Ummm, I feel like I'm having contractions! Ha!

I read a handful of books this month (mostly ones that had been started and not finished in December). The reading has slowed down a good bit. Most of my reading takes place in the tub so if I don't take a bath at night, I don't read that day. I feel like it will probably completely diminish after Baby Brother is here. I still read after James was born, but I think one child is *slightly* different from two. Just slightly.

Aside from two Hardy Boys books :), I read:

Inconceivable by Carolyn and Sean Savage

You probably hear their story on the news. This couple had three children (one that had been conceived naturally {or maybe two had...} and two that had been conceived through invitro fertilization). They had one shot at invitro left (I can't remember how many embryos) and after they'd had their procedure done, they were told that Carolyn was pregnant...with someone else's baby. The clinic had mistakenly implanted the wrong embryo. The story is amazing. It is so true to how they must have felt! I read it very quickly and was very impressed with them.

What Women Fear by Angie Smith

Oh, this one was excellent. Angie took each chapter to write out ten very common fears that women have and related it all to the Bible. It was a great, great book and I recommend it for any woman! You'll find yourself in at least one or two of the chapters!

Night by Elie Wiesel

This is one I've had sitting on my bookshelf staring at me and I'd never read. Amazing, amazing story about concentration camps during the Holocaust. It was so different than other books I've read on the Holocaust because it was a first-hand account. With some of the books, you know what happens to them before the concentration camps but they don't tell their stories after that because so many didn't live. Or there are stories about other family members and friends being relocated, but they get missed. It was a tough read, but I so enjoy learning about this time in history. It's a great account! (Oddly enough, one of the other books I'm reading right now by Max Lucado included an interview with Elie Wiesel in the book. I love it when things cross over like that! It was meant to be!)

I have another handful of books that I'm working on right now - a Max Lucado book, one of Tori Spelling's books (I know, I know), a book for Book Club on the off-hand chance I'll be able to go, and a Bible Study. I realize my days are numbered so I may never finish them, but I'm enjoying them right now! Maybe in a few months I'll get to really start reading again!

Recipe of the Week...Pork Chop Casserole

2012-02-02T07:57:00.000-05:00

I didn't make a menu this week (mostly because Sunday was sort of busy) but I DID send the boys to the grocery store (best boys ever!) and we did eat supper each night. I guess that counts for something, right? In case you're wondering, we had spaghetti on Monday night, Pork Chop Casserole on Tuesday night, and Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings are on the menu tonight. We had leftovers last night because I wasn't feeling well!

The pork chops were FANTASTIC. I'd made this recipe before but it had been a long, long time.

Ingredients:

* Pork chops (I used four boneless)

* Red potatoes (I used Idaho...I feel a little like a rebel now)

* One packet of French Onion Soup Mix

* One can of Cream of Mushroom Soup (we're not fans, but it's all I had...I'll do it with cream-of-something-else next time so Eddie doesn't have to pick out all the teensy pieces of mushrooms)

* 1/2 cup of water

1. Place potatoes (VERY thinly chopped) into the bottom of a sprayed casserole dish. I used three potatoes. Word of caution. If using a mandolin slicer, be careful! :)

2. Place pork chops on top of potatoes.

3. Sprinkle packet of French Onion Soup over pork chops.

4. Mix can of Cream of Mushroom with 1/2 cup of water and mix. Pour mixture over top of pork chops.

5. Bake at 450* for 60 minutes while COVERED. Then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.

They were delicious!

Baby Brother...38 Weeks

2012-02-01T19:04:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe I'm posting the above picture. My hair and makeup...whoa. It was taken at the end of the day today, after I'd been to the doctor and hospital (just to register) and then laid on the sofa the remainder of the afternoon. I feel bad, I hurt, and I look terrible...but LOOK HOW BIG THAT BABY IS! Whoa. Someone has grown.

I saw my for-real doctor at my appointment today. She checked me and I have made lots of progress in the past two weeks...like, WAY more progress than I ever made with James on my own. She said that she can't make a guess about when he'll actually be born, but things are looking promising. We did schedule an induction should I make it a bit longer. In my gut, I doubt I'll make it to my induction. I really have felt all along that I wouldn't make it to 40 weeks and after today's visit, coupled with lots of contractions lately, and feeling so yucky all day today, I really am feeling like we'll be having a Groundhog baby or a Super Bowl baby over a Valentine's baby. But I could be completely wrong!

After my appointment, I went to the hospital to pre-register so that some of my paperwork would be taken care of ahead of time. (I've been told to get myself to the hospital asap should I go into labor...probably not much sitting around and waiting this time around!) We mentioned to a nurse in the elevator that I had an induction date and then told her about my check up and she said, "Oh, we'll see you before your induction then!" Ha! Makes me a little nervous to think that I may not have a "planned" delivery, but I have a lot of my to-do list done, and honestly I guess it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things anyway. So we'll see!

Size of the Baby: The size of a pumpkin! Yes! I can tell! He’s probably 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weight about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. Obviously, this just varies baby-to-baby now! James was 8.2.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +12 pounds. I ate and ate and ate this week. I was STARVING.

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around. He’s still trying to push and stretch. Little legs must be getting cramped. He still has a party from 10-12 every night. Sometimes it lasts even longer. We are going to have fun working that out when he gets here. James almost always starts waking up around 1:30 so by the time I fall asleep from the party in my tummy, someone else is screaming. Fortunately, Eddie is AWESOME about getting up with James (mostly because James wants nothing to do with me in the middle of the night), so I've been able to wake up and go right back to sleep.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc. Fresca! Sugar, sugar, sugar. Fortunately, eating all of this sugar, sugar, sugar hasn’t made me feel too bad. Lots of Crystal Light. :)

Symptoms: Contractions over the weekend. Just VERY uncomfortable lately. I suddenly feel very big. Some nausea, but not too much. Lots of pressure at the top of my tummy lately, too. I don't know if maybe he's dropped and because all the weight is now down that the bottom my poor upper stomach muscles (ha!) are being stretched, or what. At Monkey Joe's on Sunday I walked around feeling like I needed to carry my tummy. Not painful, just uncomfortable!

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Confession: Eddie’s been tying them for me when he’s home. If James could tie, I’d enlist his help as well! Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: Baby shower!

My 101 in 1001...January 2012

2012-01-31T10:26:00.002-05:00

I started this list on November 1, 2010 and will give ongoing updates.

Those that have a ~~strike-through~~ mark are complete. Those in pink I'm working on or they are on-going goals. These have to be completely by July 28, 2013 (so those of you who have said how worn out you get by looking at this, it's all about the baby steps! I still have almost two years!). I know that it may get annoying that I post this (almost) once a month, but I think it's a good way for me to evaluate what I need to be working on. Skip if you wish!

For me...

1. Try a new recipe (and blog it!) at least once a month. (Most recipes can be found in the recipes tab.)

~~2. Take a sewing class.~~

3. Buy an embroidery machine.

4. Take a photography class.

~~5. Buy a new car!~~

6. Keep up with our Shutterfly photo albums.

7. Join MOPs or another "Mommy Group."

8. Go on another girls' trip to the beach.

9. Enjoy a "me-night-out" at least once a month.

10. Go see a movie by myself.

11. Go to two states I've never visited.

12. Take more pictures with me in them.

~~13. Buy a Cricut or Silhouette.~~

14. Get a new pair of "good" jeans.

~~15. Buy a new cellphone.~~

16. Learn to decorate cookies and/or cakes.

17. Go to Callaway Gardens to see the Christmas lights.

18. Continue working on our family trees.

For My Mind...

19. Read 10 nonfiction books (and blog about them!). (Extras will fall under the next category.) (See the Books tab if you're interested in what I've read.)

(1.) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

(2.) The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren

(3.) Decision Points by George W. Bush

(4.) In the Garden with Billy: Lessons about Life, Love, and Tomatoes by Renea Winchester

(5.) Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure

(6.) Better Photo Basics: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Taking Photos Like a Pro by Jim Miotke

(7.) The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond

(8.) Bossypants by Tina Fey

(9.) Life Lessons with Max Lucado: The Book of Genesis

(10.) The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers by Suzanne Riffel

20. Read 101 fiction books (or extra nonfiction) (and blog about them!).

(1.) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

(2.) Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

(3.) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

(4.) Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson

(5.) Ape House by Sara Gruen

(6.) The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

(7.) The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

(8.) Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich

(9.) The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon

(10.) Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

(11.) The Missing Chums by Franklin W. Dixon

(12.) London Bridges by James Patterson

(13.) Hunting for Hidden Gold by Franklin W. Dixon

(14.) The Shore Road Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon

(15.) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

(16.) The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

(17.) Potty Training Boys the Easy Way - Helping Your Son Learn Quickly, Even if He's a Late Starter by Caroline Fertleman

(18.) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

(19.) Hardy Boys #7 by Franklin W. Dixon

(20.) Hardy Boys #8 by Franklin W. Dixon

(21.) The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

(22.) Jaws by Peter Benchley

(23.) Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

(24.) Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

(25.) Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Paschal

(26.) The Secret of Redgate Farm by Carolyn Keene

(27.) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

(28.) Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosney

(29.) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larson

(30.) Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts

(31.) Hardy Boys #9

(32.) Hardy Boys #10

(33.) Hardy Boys #11

(34.) One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

(35.) Christmas in the South

(36.) 100 Days to Christmas

(37.) The Soloist

(38.) Night by Elie Wisel

(39.) Inconceivable

(40.) What Women Fear by Angie Smith

(41.) Hardy Boys #14

(42.) Hardy Boys #20

21. Read 10 "Classics." (Extras will be included for the above.)

(1.) The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

(2.) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

22. Write more for myself...even if I don't ever share it!

~~23. Join a book club.~~

24. Begin working on my masters. (Have I lost my mind?!?)

25. Learn more sign language.

26. Write snail mail letters to my friends - one friend a month. Who wants to be my pen pal?

27. Learn to crochet or knit.

28. Draft a will.

~~29. Keep up my teaching certification.~~

For My Soul...

30. Make attending Sunday School and Church a priority.

31. Transfer our church memberships.

32. Do a Bible Study with Eddie.

33. Complete the Beth Moore "Revelation" study with my small group.

34. Tithe 10% of my Willow House earnings.

35. Memorize two new Bible verses every month.

36. Read the Old Testament all the way through. (I've read the New Testament more than once but I get bogged down in the Old!)

* Genesis

37. Complete Beth Moore's "Daniel" study.

~~38. Buy a Bible timeline book.~~

~~39. Get over my "no Christmas before Thanksgiving" rule and start listening to Christmas music in November. It makes me happy! Decorate the house the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving.~~

For Others...

40. Send out Christmas Cards (on time!) 2010, 2011, 2012.

41. Take meals to friends who have babies, are ill, or have a death in the family.

* I took a meal to Eddie's co-worker and his wife, who broke her leg in March '11.

* Took a meal to a friend who just had back surgery in November '11.

42. Volunteer at the church.

* Spring Bible School - March '11

* Vacation Bible School - July '11

43. Volunteer at an elementary school.

44. Throw a party/shower for friends or family members at least five times.

* The Perry's shower with the Lunch Bunch.

* Co-hosted a shower for Kate in February.

* Shelley and Samantha's Sip 'N See in April.

45. Volunteer to teach (children's) Sunday School.

46. Send Birthday cards to friends and family.

~~47. Sponsor a Compassion child.~~ We didn't sponsor, but a donation was given at Christmas this year!

48. Help another family buy Christmas gifts for their children.

We will probably do this every year. I love it and want to use it as a learning tool for when the boys are bigger.

49. Bake homemade Christmas goodies for friends and family at the beginning of December.

50. Deliver teacher goodies to school at least once a school year.

For My Marriage...

51. Go on a planned date once a month.

We've gotten better at this as I've learned to send James off for weekends when we have big things going on. We do what needs to be done, but we've also snuck in a date or two!

52. Pray for my marriage daily.

53. Take a "just us" trip for more than a weekend.

54. Go on a 5 year anniversary trip back to the Caribbean.

~~55. Go away for a weekend together.~~

* Went to Atlanta for our shopping trip - one night away.

* St. Simons in June '11 - two nights away.

56. Encourage Eddie.

57. Turn off the TV and computer at night.

~~58. Eat dinner at the kitchen table.~~

59. Read The Love Dare together.

60. Start exercising together.

61. Be intentional about becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.

For My Child...

62. Pray for James daily.

63. Read to him daily.

~~64. Put James in preschool.~~

65. Pray out loud with James.

66. Take James to the library once a month.

~~67. Start a savings plan for college.~~

~~68. Take James to the zoo.~~

69. Take James to Disney World.

70. Start our at-home preschool time each day. (Fell off the wagon once sickness with Baby Brother started in. Need to re-start!)

71. Go to Burt's Pumpkin Patch. (Another one I'm re-thinking. We liked the one we visited this year!)

72. Begin to teach James about spending, savings, and tithing.

73. Begin the Jesse Tree Devotions at Advent each year. (We didn't do this last Christmas and it makes me sad. At night is just not the best time to do it so I may have to do it with the boys during the day before Eddie gets home from work next year.)

For My Health...

74. Complete Couch-to-5K

75. Run in a 5K.

76. Get back to wedding weight.

77. Drink 2 thermoses of water daily.

78. Take my vitamins daily.

79. Go to the dentist twice a year. (I'm horrified that I haven't done this. The thought has made me want to be sick, though. Morning sickness + disgusting toothpaste flavor = yuck.)

80. Go to the eye doctor once a year. 2011 2012

81. Start cooking with more fresh fruits and veggies.

82. Eat fewer processed foods.

~~83. Floss every night for a month.~~

84. Get a massage.

85. Do Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred for THIRTY DAYS! (At least 3x per week!)

86. Do yoga once a week.

For My Wallet...

87. Organize and use my coupons at every grocery trip.

88. Set up our budget and stick to it.

89. Continue menu planning each week.

For My Home...

90. Paint the dining room.

91. Curtains in the ~~kitchen~~, den, dining room, and master bedroom.

92. Rugs in the kitchen, ~~den~~, dining room, and ~~foyer~~.

93. Complete my weekly cleaning list!

94. Hang pictures!

~~95. Recycle! Set up recycling bins in the garage.~~

96. Organize office.

97. Organize garage and PARK IN IT!

~~98. Complete the swingset building project.~~

99. Decorate another Christmas tree in our dining room at Christmas.

100. Frame and hang more pictures of our grandparents and great-grandparents.

101. Commit to completing this in 1001 days!

Weekend Update...

2012-01-30T09:26:00.001-05:00

Still here, still with child! :)

A video from Friday morning:

Friday afternoon was long. Lonnnng. Someone in this house was bored and didn't want to cooperate with his mama. My pregnant self was worn out and upset and James knew it. Poor thing told his daddy, "Mama uptet!" when he came home. He's sweet...most of the time.

Because I was exhausted from just the toddler-mama struggle, we stayed home on Friday night. I can't even really remember what we did. That's pretty sad. I do know that when Eddie put James to bed he told him that his tummy hurt and that he needed a towel (I give him a towel and a bowl when he has a throw-up sickness). Of course, when Eddie told ME that he'd said that, I panicked. I just knew he was going to get sick and I started feeling nauseated and thought that maybe we all had a bug and just didn't realize it. I'm nothing if not a rational human being. :)

Around midnight, James woke up and I rushed in there expecting the worst. Fortunately, this wasn't a throw-up weekend, but it was the weekend from Night Terror You-Know-Where. The child has had at least 20 wake-up episodes from night terrors in the past week. It is exhausting for everyone involved. I put him in bed with us on Friday night (I know...horrible...but when he has one, he has them all night and it's hard for me to roll over in the bed and waddle in there to get him...and he just sounds so darn pitiful!) and realized that he was warm.

So...I spent the next hour and a half taking his temperature every 15 minutes while he and Eddie snoozed. It only ever got up to 99.8, but I was worried that it was going to be another round of illness for us. And THEN, I started having contractions. So, to recap, a throw-up scare, night terrors, fever, contractions...and my mama went to the beach this weekend and she was worried about being 5 hours away instead of 1.5. Friday had to be "the" night, right?

Fortunately, it wasn't! (I am driving Eddie with my worst-case-scenario possibilities. For instance, a child in the nursery threw up yesterday so now I think we'll all wait until we have a stomach virus and then I'll go into labor. Driving. Eddie. crazy.)

Saturday was a fun day! I woke up with a start at 9 o'clock when someone knocked on my bedroom door. I got up, wondering why the door would be locked, and it wasn't! No one was there. I looked all around the house and Eddie and James were no where to be found! I was a little concerned that the rapture had taken place and I'd been left behind! :) I finally called Eddie and he said he was at Publix. So...what of that knock? Then, it occurred to me that initially I'd thought it was a knock on my window but at the time that didn't make sense! I'm convinced now that someone DID knock on the window...weird and spooky. Just glad it was during broad daylight instead of at night! (And I definitely know that this weekend I'm coming off as a crazy person. I'm still blaming the pregnancy!)

After I got up and we all got showered and dressed, we headed out in search of church shoes for James. Eddie thinks that James has expired the little-white-shoes time limit and that he needs a new pair of real little boy church shoes. He does need something that will go with khakis and cords, so off we went. When we got to the recommended shoe store (20 minutes away), it was going out of business! There was NOTHING there. Ha!

We headed back toward our house and ran a few errands. Then, I got the bright idea (at 1:30) to go out to lunch. I should've never said it out loud because once James heard that, he wouldn't let go of it. We wound up eating at Buffalo Wild Wings again and I'm sad to say that it might be our last time for a while. Our waitress was sweet but it was SLOW and there was a major lack of communication between the servers, the kitchen, and the management. There were some very angry people sitting nearby us. AND when we got our check we learned that the people next to us had already accidentally paid ours which left theirs with us. The waitress didn't want to tell her managers about it and she insisted that the totals were very close. Oh well. Lesson learned on that place!

Saturday night a few friends got together to give us a diapers and wipes shower. It was SO much fun to get together with everyone. We had the shower at a Mexican restaurant nearby so I had to keep the list teensy, but we had a great time! Our nursery is stocked with diapers sized 1-3 and a TON of wipes and other little goodies. It was so fun! James had the best time walking around the table and talking to everyone. I'm pretty sure he sat with almost every family that was there and soaked up the attention! He is his daddy's child with that outgoing personality!

Please note the icing smeared across James' face in this picture. He LOVED the cupcakes Mrs. Lauren made. He told me he had, "one, two, pree, fo-wah, pive!" of them.

All of our goodies!

James demonstrating Baby Brother's new paci. :)

After church yesterday, I went with Lauren to get a manicure and pedicure. It was SO nice. If I'm still pregnant in two weeks I am going back! (And maybe even if I'm not I'll go back...but probably not, realistically!) It was fun to get out of the house and sit and talk to her and get pretty painted nails.

James was THRILLED with our plans last night. We'd signed up to go with our church's children's department to Monkey Joe's. James hadn't ever been before, but I guess the name sounded awesome because it was all he talked about all weekend. "After chuch...I take nap...go MONTEY DOE'S!" It took him a few minutes to warm up...especially after an incident of getting lost/stuck inside one of the inflatables (a friend's little girl was with him but I don't think she was strong enough to help him get out)...but he had a fun time. He finally convinced Eddie to take his shoes off and go with him. I'm not sure Eddie was technically allowed on the things, but he did stick to the slides and not the jumpies. :) We laughed and laughed at him because he was like the Pied Piper on the big slide. There could be NO ONE around and Eddie would start up the ladder with James and Mary Charles and suddenly there would be fifteen kids behind him. Ha! I think they BOTH had a fun time.

Aside from the lack of sleep, we had a GREAT weekend. I'm hoping to get a few more things done today and tomorrow before my 38-week doctor's appointment. My due date is two weeks from tomorrow so we'll see how much I can get done between now and Valentine's Day! I have a lonnnng list, but most of the things should be easy to get done (or get someone else to do!). Hope everyone's weekend was wonderful!

Getting Ready...

2012-01-27T08:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I thought last night that Baby Brother might want to be born on my Baby Brother's birthday. (Or the day after {today}, depending on how long it took.) He wiggled and pushed and wiggled from about nine until midnight. I was so uncomfortable. But you know what? MY HOUSE IS A MESS. I cleaned frantically last night just in case I needed to go to the hospital. Ha! I'm sure that helped, right? I would clean something and stop and sit in Eddie's recliner for a bit and then clean some more. I was having teeny, tiny contractions...nothing that you could call regular contractions...but they weren't comfortable!

Nesting is in FULL FORCE. With James, I didn't feel like cleaning. I had horrible sciatica from the time I found out I was pregnant. This time around, I've had it off and on, but nothing terrible. The problem has been nausea and headaches...but the past two weeks they've been gone! And since I think I'm almost 100% recovered from bronchitis, I've been cleaning up a storm!

My list is dwindling a little bit, but maybe not as quickly as it needs to. I've gotten EVERYTHING in that I've ordered. Baby Brother now has crib sheets, a Nap Nanny (I bit the bullet on this one because it was on sale...if you have one you'd be willing to loan me, I'd love it!), four yards of minky fabric for a bumper and wubbies, and the other fabric for the bumper.

I got so tickled yesterday when James walked in my bedroom and saw the infant carseat on the floor. He shouted, "YEA! Baby Brother comin' today!" Whew! No, not today, but soon.

We have tentative plans for the next several weekends. Tentative, because I realize my time is growing short. This weekend, we have a "sprinkle" (a small shower! ha!) with a few friends and some Mexican food. We're also trying to figure out something that we can do with James as a last hoorah with just the three of us. That will probably have to wait (hope it can!) until next weekend because we have Saturday and Sunday plans this weekend. (I have no reason to think that Baby Brother is making his way earlier than his due date, I've just worried about it this entire pregnancy. I am nothing if not a very detailed planner. I like to know the WHEN and HOW and WHERE details of ev.ery.thing. And pregnancy doesn't afford that luxury.)

Slowly but surely we're getting there. I do wish that I could hire a cleaning lady for the next two weeks. I also wish that I could strap James in a high chair for more than five minutes at a time so that the things that I clean don't get pulled right back out. Ha! He has no interest in coloring in his high chair or sitting still at all for that matter. His interests include GOING FULL SPEED AT ALL TIMES. Good thing I actually have more energy this time around!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! See you on Monday with (hopefully) some pictures of a fun weekend!

James Says the Darnedest Things!

2012-01-26T14:14:00.000-05:00

I haven't done one of these in a while and because James' vocabulary is currently BOOMING, I thought I might need to spend a week or so thinking about some of his funny sayings lately!

* If you mention the time he says, "It pive (five) porty (forty?)," or "It pive pirty (thirty)."

* After school the other day I brought him in from the car (asleep) and put him in his bed. If you transfer him like that he does what I refer to as the alligator death roll. He'll flip himself over as soon as he realizes he's been put down and then scream and cry that he doesn't "needa" nap. The other day he did the death roll and I said, "No, baby. It's naptime. Please lay down." And he said, "Mommy, I needa new diapa." So I changed his wet diaper and then asked him to climb up on his pillow. Then he said, "No, Mommy. I need pants on." I'd just left his jeans off but for whatever reason they were a naptime necessity!

* This happened the other day:

and I got SO tickled about it. I came in and he told me he needed some "toffee." We gave him just the teeniest bit of milk in that cup for supper and he sipped it very carefully (only a few spills) and "ahhh"-ed after each sip. Ha! Silly!

* He told me one night this week that his food was hot. "Wook at da steam, Mama! It hot!"

* I asked James to hold my hand in the car the other day and he said, "No, hode (hold) Daddy hand." So I held Daddy's hand. Eddie's thumb was over mine and I could see the wheels turning in James' head. When we got out of the car he held my hand - and made sure his thumb was on top! Ha!

* He can count to TWENTY! I had no idea he'd learned this. He still struggles with 14, 15, 16, and 17, but he almost has it!

* Have I mentioned his "GLORY!" and "HALLELUJAH!" before? There's a sweet man from our church in Tifton (who some of you may or may not recognize *wink*) who, after the choir sings on Sundays, will shout "GLORY!" or "HALLELUJAH!" We LOVE when he does this and Anna and I used to get so tickled in church about it. James heard me say it one day and now he'll say it on command or whenever the mood strikes. It is hilarious to hear (from another room) "GLORY!" I'll try to video it soon.

* "Be careful, Mommy!"

* The other day when I was sick James had a little accident in his big boy underwear (more than one tee-tee accident) and we decided he needed a bath. Mom asked if I'd hand her a washcloth so I threw it and it landed on James' he. He shouted, "Mooooooom! No prowing!"

* "Mooooooom!" is big right now in our house. Not Mama or Mommy. Mooooooooom.

* Eddie teasing told James that we're naming Baby Brother "Little James" and that we'll start calling him "Big James." Sometimes it's accepted, sometimes it doesn't go over very well.

* He pronounces his name "Dames Presh."

* He heard Mrs. Krissy from church talking to me about a friend one day and asked "Way-uh May-wee Tarles?" (Where is Mary Charles?) Krissy looked at me and laughed that she didn't speak the "code."

* Eddie picked James up from school recently and he was asleep when Eddie brought him inside. He woke up but was GRUMPY. I asked him if he had a good day at school and he said "No." Several other questions came up and he was just a grump. Finally, I said, "James. You didn't have a bad day, you had a GOOD day at school!" and he banged his hands down on the table and, with LOTS of frustration, said, "NO MAMA! A BAD DAY!" Ha! Just wait, little buddy!

* When we say the blessing, pray at night, or pray on the way to school he always makes sure to say, "Mind Mommy Daddy." We've been working with him on listening and minding so he's been diligent about asking God for help in that area. ;)

* A neighbor's roof is being worked on and when James saw a worker on the roof he was shocked! I think it worried him a little but now he wants to "Go wook at da woof," all the time.

* James is well aware that Baby Brother is in my tummy. He felt him move the other day and thought it was really neat. He sometimes talks about having a baby in his tummy. The other day he told me that I have Baby Brother in my tummy and he has a baby sister in his tummy! We're having TWO babies!

* A few nights ago, James and Eddie were "wortin'" (workin') in the garage while I was finishing supper. I came out to find this:

He is TOO BIG! No longer a baby! I ask him all the time if he'll still be my baby and he says, "No, Daddy's baby!" I assure him that he can be both of ours and he'll concede and say, "Okay, but Daddy's baby, too." In case I try to steal him away I guess. (And no, he's not cross-eyed in real life. Maybe he was looking at the hat?)

Baby Brother...37 Weeks!

2012-01-25T15:32:00.000-05:00

Guess who we saw today? NOT the doctor. :( I was told by a doctor two weeks ago (not my own...haven't seen her since early December) that's it's VERY important now to see the same person each visit. Too bad they don't seem to take that seriously. When I checked out she gave me the appointment and I said, "Now, this is WITH Dr. W.?" and she said it was. I get that they have to run out to deliver babies, but not every single time I'm there. I've been a LOT and have seen MY doctor maybe 4 times and another doctor only once. IF we ever have another baby, I may be looking for a different practice...which is a shame because I really like my doctor when I see her. *Sigh*

So, what did we learn today? My weight is still good. My blood pressure was 110/62 today and Baby Brother's heartrate was 159 (I think). I measured fine. They didn't check any progress this week so it was a pretty quick appointment.

I've been rehearsing in my head what I'm going to say next week at my appointment to SEE a doctor. Pretty sure I'll ask the nurse as soon as I'm called back who I'm going to see and insist that it be the doctor. Last time I was induced so I'd rather talk to her about it beforehand this time around. I'm down to 20 days until my due date so I'd say it's time to have a chat with her about it. I know it will all work out but it is stressful!

James and I got several errands run after my appointment and got a few more things marked off my list. Thankfully! It's sloooowly getting shorter, which is fantastic! He and I even had a picnic in the car today while we were out. He thought that was funny. I've eaten out twice with him now - Chick-fil-A (which he calls "Chicken Day") and Sonic. I've downloaded an app on my phone that tells which foods to avoid at fast food restaurants and it's made me feel a little more at ease. I'm still a little panicky out and about with food.

Size of the Baby: Probably around 7 pounds by now!

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +12 pounds. Can you tell my appetite is in FULL FORCE? I cannot stop eating. I eat a little bit, get full, wait, eat a little more!

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad (that’s a good thing, huh?) most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc. Fresca!

Symptoms: Sciatica this week. This is how I felt my WHOLE pregnancy with James, though, so I’ll tough it out for three weeks.

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

Best Moment This Week: Nursery progress!

The To-Do List...

2012-01-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

I felt like a champ yesterday. I've been moving a little bit slower this morning, but yesterday I felt like I got about 100 things knocked off my to-do list!

Mama came up yesterday morning to play. Eddie had a lunch meeting and Methodist Men last night and that usually makes for a lonnnnng day. I called in for reinforcements for entertainment! :) Usually when she's here I get a little bit done but I really just sit and visit for the most part. Yesterday, I was on top of my to-do list!

I...

* went to the bank. (Funny story, we pulled in and James yelled, "Yea, Mama! You made it!" Hmm...think I'm a bad driver? ;) Ha!)

* went to Target to get swaddles, a new memory card for my camera, and Sunbutter (the sunflower seed version of peanut butter...I'll let you know how it goes!)

* went to Hobby Lobby to look for wubbie fabric for Baby Brother. Unsuccessful.

* charged and packed all of my cameras for the hospital.

* ordered thank you notes with Baby Brother's name on them.

* ordered minky fabric for the inside of the bumper and one side of his wubbie. James is going to flip when he sees four yards of this stuff. ;)

* ordered crib sheets, a changer cover, a Nap Nanny (I bit the bullet because it was on sale...if I find one to borrow from someone I'll just return it), three allergy books, and an Arthur allergy movie for James.

What? That doesn't sound like much? Well, for someone who has been out of commission with a sick child and/or a sick body for the last two weeks, I felt great! (I assure you that when the credit card bill comes in, Eddie will feel like it's a lot!)

So far today I've finished completely cleaning the nursery. I've done everything I can do for now. Just waiting on the things I've ordered to come in. Hopefully I'll find some curtains, frames, and art for the walls soon, too!

I have a roast in the crockpot. Smells delish!

I've watched Sweet Home Alabama (the show) and Alcatraz (the premiere). Is anyone watching Alcatraz? I LOVED the first episode. I think it's going to be good!

All the baby laundry is officially washed and put away! I need to wash our carseat cover tonight and then install carseats tomorrow and that will be marked off my list as well!

I need to get a little more cleaning done before James comes home from school and then I think I'll crash and take a nap when he does. Little man did NOT let me sleep last night. I'm not sure if he felt bad or if he was overly tired, but he woke up probably five times screaming with night terrors. I put him in the bed with us instead of having to get up and down all night (usually if he has one, it's an all-night event). Eddie didn't even hear him! So between screaming, having to potty every 15 minutes, and Eddie snoring away I don't think I slept at all. If it happens again tonight, I'm changing beds!

I'll leave you with a picture of this silly boy:

Weekend Update...

2012-01-23T09:44:00.000-05:00

If I make it all the way to my due date, that means that this past weekend was the fourth last weekend until he's here. Wow! Only three left!

We didn't have any plans this weekend and it wound up being a pretty lazy weekend at home because of some nasty weather in our area. I can't even remember what we did Friday night. It must not have been very exciting, huh? Gosh, what did we do...?

Saturday morning I slept late. Ahhh. I'm not sure whether Eddie likes it or not, but he's sweet to let me sleep in when he's home. He and James got up and did a few chores on the list around the house. (His list, not mine...I don't give him a chore list. Just wanted to be clear.) Once I got up it was clear that we might not be going anywhere because of rain and possible storms.

Daddy Jungle Gym during the storms while we watched the weather:

Eddie did have to go to a variety of stores in search of something. I believe he said his route was Lowe's, Home Depot, another Lowe's, and back to the original Lowe's in order to complete his purchase. I think it was probably just an excuse to get out of the house. :) While he was gone the weather got BAD. I didn't hear tornado sirens, but I didn't go outside. Several friends said they heard them from their houses. Eddie swears he saw a funnel cloud from the Lowe's parking lot when he was leaving the last one. I'm glad I didn't see it.

We spent some time in Baby Brother's room this weekend. His crib is back to the highest height and his crib skirt is in and on his bed but I'm going to take it off and iron it. I just wanted to see how it looked! I have almost everything washed and ready to go. A few things weren't pulled out of the clothes boxes and a few things have been snuggled with by a little boy who had pinkeye, so I thought it might be best to re-wash those. (Specifically, the Boppy. He thought that was the coolest pillow. Wiped those nasty little eyes all over that clean cover! Ha!) I also got all of the other clothes organized. We have 0-6 month clothes in his closet right now, but I had to do some sorting in our 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-24 month boxes. It's been fun to pull everything out! Little boy is SET on clothes. Not only does he have The Boy's clothes (been a while since I called James that!), but he also has clothes from Charlie and John Michael!

I think one of the tornadoes hit the nursery! :) I've been opening the door and just throwing things in for a while now. I got some of this straightened out this weekend. It will be CLEAN by the end of the day today so I'll post a new picture soon.

His closet is pretty much ready, though! Look at those tiny clothes! If I hold something up James says, "Awww!"

The plaid is what we're doing his bumper in. It's Pottery Barn and called "Kingston." It's been discontinued so I had to buy a duvet cover. Leta is going to make the bumper for me and the plaid will be on the outside, navy minky on the inside. I ordered a sheet today and it's just solid navy. I also went ahead and bought the twin duvet cover for when we go to a big boy room. I know that's a LONG time from now, but I didn't want to not do it and then not be able to find it. Hopefully, in the spring I'll be able to make a trip up to Pottery Barn Outlet and see whether any of it has made it there.

And here's the skirt! Again, it's Pottery Barn "Kingston." They do still have the skirt so this is exactly what I bought.

Yesterday we were finally in town and well enough to get ourselves to church! Eddie and I have gone once since Christmas but James hadn't been to church since the beginning of December! I'm pretty sure that the Sunday School lesson was written for me yesterday. One of the key verses was this:

"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, The Message

The whole lesson was on illness and how that even though we often find ourselves in situations that seem unbearable, we can take heart that this life, and these problems, are only temporary and are just a tiny, tiny, tiny part of eternity. It was a good one!

After church we came home and had lunch and everyone took a nap! Glory! Hallelujah! It was fabulous! And it never happens anymore! The boys ran to the grocery store for me and then when they got home James told us that, "I needa wuk {work} in Baby Bwubber's woom." He thought that was so much fun! So he and I picked up toys and moved a few things around in there.

And here we are around 8:30 last night. I was 36 weeks, 5 days. I feel like he's grown a little lately, right? :) I've still only gained about 10 pounds which both thrills and scares me. I'll tell you a little secret...with James I gained THIRTY pounds by the time I checked into the hospital. 30. But I lost every bit of that weight (unfortunately, no more) within about two weeks after he was born. These 10 pounds? I bet they stick. I bet I have to WORK to make them go away. We'll see!

All in all, it was a lazy, but successful weekend. I managed to make a HUGE list of to-dos for the week that I'm hoping I can get completely crossed off. Major things on it like - wash and install carseat, finish packing hospital bag, charge cameras, etc. It's a LONG list. Hopefully, I'll get most (all!) of it finished! Y'all have a good one!

What's For Dinner?

2012-01-22T15:50:00.001-05:00

How about a menu today? :) Don't count on this every week yet, but while food is actually TASTING good again, I thought I'd meal plan. (Eddie is ecstatic! He's tired of chicken nuggets and cereal!)

Sunday, January 22, 2012:

Pioneer Woman's Stuffed Shells

Salad

Garlic Bread
*** Edited to add: We had this tonight and it was FANTASTIC. I made it with Italian sausage and actually cheated and just used jarred sauce. Next time I'll try with turkey. It would be great with just marinara or veggies and marinara, too! ***

Monday, January 23, 2012:

Eddie has Methodist Men tonight so James and I will eat leftovers.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012:

Crockpot Roast

with Potatoes, Onions, and Carrots

(I thought I had a recipe on here for this but I don't so I'll post that this week sometime.)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012:

Sloppy Joes! Haven't had these since I was little! (I can't remember how much I like them but they sounded good this week, so they're on the list!)

Roasted Potatoes

Green Beans

Thursday, January 26, 2012:

Eddie has rehearsal for a church play so leftovers for us!

(Don't get too excited about his acting debut - he only has one line. He's looking forward to it, though. {Feel free to ask what in the world he was thinking saying yes to this just before, during, and after we've just had a baby.})

Friday, January 27, 2012:

Homemade Pizza

Saturday, January 28, 2012:

We have a "Sprinkle" (a teeny shower! ha!) that some friends are hosting for us. Yummy Mexican food! (I believe I'll be eating my weight in Tums before and after this one. This boy must have a lot more hair than James because the spicy foods have been killing me!)

I Seem to Remember Being a Little Bored...

2012-01-20T08:56:00.000-05:00

This has been the longest week. The longest, toughest week. I am overwhelmed and sad about what is ahead of us in this severe allergy diagnosis. Way, way overwhelmed. I'm certain it doesn't help that I got this news at 36 weeks gestation. :( Hormones galore! I'm going to try my best not to whine and cry about it, but there's not a ton of information out there so I am going to post things I learn every once in a while. There's information, but not the daily life kind...and that's what I'm looking for right now. I'm not going to lie, this stuff TERRIFIES me.

I've been running through all the stupid "what ifs" in my head. "What if we forget his EpiPen at home?" "What if someone doesn't read a label and he has a reaction?" "What if someone tries to 'test' his allergy?" (Y'all, the amount of stories I've heard about family members "TESTING" a severe food allergy is remarkable. Let it be known that mama bear will HURT someone who does that.) "Will we ever be able to travel out of the country with him?" "What if a restaurant doesn't have their ingredients listed somewhere? Can we still eat there?" See? Overwhelmed. Suffice it to say that my sweet family is in for it in the next few weeks. Those of you who are around James all the time are about to be BOMBARDED with information and dos and don'ts.

A family friend was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy when she was three. Her mama and my mama have known each other practically since they were born so she's probably going to be my sounding board for a while. Yesterday, she mentioned to Mama that she STILL has to remind people around her daughter that she cannot have peanuts in anything. Her daughter is twenty-one. Y'all. This is lifelong, here. I texted another friend last night who's been dealing with MAJOR health issues with her son for about a year now. I asked her if she just felt like she was in the pit of despair when they first found out. Thankfully, she told me it was normal! :) She said I just have to get used to our new normal. I think instead I'll put James in a bubble and we'll stay home forever. Y'all feel free to visit, though! :)

Okay, I'm making this post way longer than necessary. More about Baby Brother, less about James now!

I've mentioned before that the first go 'round of pregnancy was way different than this one has been.

For one thing, I worked (outside the home) through week 20 of my pregnancy with James. Because I taught school, summer began WAY before I would've begun a maternity leave and I was free to lounge the day away (inside, with air conditioning) weeks 21-40. Now, I'm sure I wasn't lounging all the time, but I wasn't doing much! This time I, of course, have the job that never ends. I (mostly) love it, but it is work. Eddie has been FANTASTIC when he's home from work, but between 8-6, James and I are almost exclusively on our own.

At home isn't as big a deal as being out and about. I have a HUGE mama bus and he has a HUGE toddler carseat. Some of you know what I'm talking about. I need the running board to easily get into my vehicle. I have to lift James to about chest height to get him into his seat. At the doctor's office last week he weighed 30.5 pounds. You'd think my arms would be way more toned by now. Lifting him and carrying him makes my arms and back ache. Last time I carried a purse...and that was it. And if I sat my purse down for a second it didn't run screaming into another direction. :)

Another difference has been the time of year of these pregnancies. Last time I was HOT all.the.time. It was the hottest summer of my life. Hottest EVER. Our house was hot. The car was hot. Outside was hot. It was hot everywhere. The only relief I ever got was in a swimming pool. And we don't have one.

This time, obviously, hasn't been in the middle of the summer. And it also apparently hasn't been in the middle of the winter since we're having one of the warmest winters I can ever remember. (If you're from the north, feel free to laugh at me. It's 70-something* today and I'm wearing jeans and long sleeves. I'm not cold, but it ain't hot!)

Last time, I had the nursery completed by Week 36. I really had it completed before then. I got my bedding from my aunt as a baby shower gift at with exactly one month to go until James' due date. The only thing not completed were the letters I had painted for his room and I think I got those about two months later. No biggie!

This time, I couldn't ever find bedding that I liked so I broke down and bought pre-made. I don't have much against pre-made but the skirts never seem to fit just right. I've ordered his skirt and I've ordered a duvet cover that matches so that my aunt can turn it into a bumper. (The pre-made bumpers that matched this set are all sold out.) We've sort of started leaning toward a theme. We're not all gung-ho about a theme, but we have something that we'll probably do anyway. I'm going to have a canvas painted with his name on it (yes, he has one; no, I can't tell you) to hang over his crib but I'm in no rush on it. I still need to clean his room out.

Last time, I washed clothes as I received them and had them hanging sweetly in his closet. I'd go and peek in every once in a while and think how BIG they looked!

This time, I scrambled the past two weekends to pull clothes out of the attic. Some of them are hanging, some are in the dryer, some are piled in the rocking chair in his room. I keep walking by the sofa (where some of them are folded) and thinking how TINY they look! Surely that's not 3-6 months! It looks like a newborn outfit! :)

We were excited then and we're excited now but last time the last four weeks dragged along like they'd never end. This time I actually told a friend that I had my fingers crossed that I wouldn't have made any progress at my 36 week appointment. :) What pregnant woman thinks that way?

I know that a lot of it has to do with having had a child already (and knowing just enough to be terrified) and that a lot of it has to do with how sick we've been lately. I'm not making progress while I'm sleeping and trying to recover. BUT...the good news is that I do know that Baby Brother won't care whether his room is finished. He won't care whether my house is clean. And he won't care whether I've stocked my freezer with meals. He's going to come when he's good and ready (or when Dr. W. is good and ready to induce!). We're excited and can't wait to meet him!

Chicken Noodle Soup...

2012-01-19T10:31:00.000-05:00

To say that I'm overwhelmed by our news from yesterday about James' allergy is probably the understatement of the year. Eddie made me get off the computer last night so I'd stop freaking myself out. BUT DO YOU KNOW THAT TREE NUTS ARE IN THE MOST UNUSUAL THINGS?!?! *Sigh* We'll learn. The most disheartening part is that when I dropped him off at school this morning I told his teacher that he has an Epi Pen in his bag now and she said "I don't know what that is," and blew it off. Awesome. Thanks for taking care of my kid. (We've been less-than-impressed with her this year. Not just for this.) *Sigh again.*

So, today I'm trying NOT to focus solely on allergies! :)

I made this chicken noodle soup on Monday night. I had chicken noodle soup on the brain since I'd been sick all weekend and Eddie agreed to have it for supper. It's a Cooking Light recipe that my friend, Callie, tweeted to me and then I changed it up for what I wanted. I'm just giving my version, but you can probably find the original on Cooking Light's website.

Ingredients:

* 8 cups chicken stock or broth (I used broth and added a little extra)

* rotisserie chicken (I picked ALL of the white meat off and added a little of the dark meat but not much. The recipe called for 20 oz. of chicken.)

* 2 cups diagonally sliced carrots

* 2 cups diagonally sliced celery

* 1 cup chopped onion

* 6 oz. medium egg noodles

1. Bring broth to a boil. Turn down to low and add all vegetables. Cook 10 minutes or until tender.

2. Add chicken.

3. Add egg noodles and cook until tender. (This is where I would change it for next time. Cook and store your egg noodles SEPARATELY. Otherwise, they get gummy and you'll regret having leftovers. Or maybe that's just me.)

Serve with bread. (And the rest of the rotisserie chicken if your name is Eddie!)

We enjoyed it! It was super easy and quick!

Baby Brother...36 Weeks! (And an Allergy Update)

2012-01-18T15:47:00.000-05:00

I saw a nurse practitioner at my appointment today. They were running so behind that I didn't care WHO saw me. She called in a Z-Pack for me since I'm still sick...eight days now. I sound horrible and my throat is so sore it hurts to talk. She also did my Group B Strep test and checked my progress. Baby Brother is head down (although, I think he goes into a transverse {sideways} position sometimes...) and I'm not dilated at all yet.

I ran from my appointment to James' allergist appointment. There is good news and bad news on that front. The good news is that James is NOT allergic to peanuts. The bad news is that he is allergic to all tree nuts. We're going to have to learn to read labels, he has his own Epi Pen, and we'll be doing our research on what to avoid. We asked lots of questions about Baby Brother just so that we'd know. Chances are NOT in his favor that he'll outgrow it, but they'll re-test him in a year and again five years after that to see what shows up then. Oddly enough, his bloodwork came back negative and they decided to do a skin test just to be on the safe side. Poor little man!

Size of the Baby: Still about the same! I know the thing on the sidebar says differently. Make your best guess. (Actually, maybe we SHOULD have a guessing post!) He’s about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out he won’t get much longer, but he’s plumping up. (Funny, since I had a 21 inch baby the first go ‘round!) He’s now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he’ll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. I have felt all along like he might be smaller than James (he’s measured smaller, James measured a little bigger), but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +10 pounds. I had a little scare on Saturday where I stepped on the scale and had lost 4 pounds. I assume it was the whole only-taking-in-liquids thing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They’re back.

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.

Symptoms: Oddly enough, I’ve had NO pregnancy problems in the past week. I’ve felt great! If only I hadn’t had a fever for four days, no appetite, body aches, a throat and lungs that feel like they’re on fire, and a cough that won’t quit!

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

Best Moment This Week: Ha! I enjoyed my weekend with Eddie, but I wish I’d felt better! I DID make nursery progress, so maybe that was my best moment!

Weekend Update...

2012-01-17T10:51:00.001-05:00

*** I'm giving away one of the new Willow House items over on my friend Amy's blog! Click here and enter to win! It could be one of you! ***

Eddie and I had BIG plans this weekend. BIG plans. A date to a restaurant in Macon. A date to the movies. A few things that needed to be finished up around the house. I'd planned to cook and freeze a few meals. You know what happens when you have full-blown bronchitis (self-diagnosis but I am certain I'm right because I've had it about 20 times in my life)? Nothing. Nada. No dates. Nothing productive gets done. Nothing. Boo!

So James had big plans this weekend with Papa and YaYa. He told me that they were going to go see the baby goats, play outside, and play with bubbles. I think they accomplished all of his goals. :) YaYa picked him up on Saturday morning and he was off for a weekend of fun. I tried to convince him that they don't know what fun is and that he should stay home with me because we were going swimming and fishing at the lake and to the toy store (LIES! all LIES!), but he thought Papa and YaYa could probably be convinced to do all those things as well. (I can't wait for him to be able to say, "Papa, take me to Six Flags, please!" Mwahahhaaha!)

When James left Eddie and I worked around the house and then because I was feeling okay, we headed out to run some errands. I had a list of pre-baby things that needed to be bought so we tried to tackle that on Saturday. It's amazing how much I've forgotten. What do I need for a baby? Overwhelmingly, the answer has been diapers, Mylicon, Desitin, and wipes. I think I can handle that. :)

After our errands we tried a new restaurant in town - Buffalo Wild Wings. Eddie dropped me at the door so that I could put our name on the list and the girl told me she had no idea how long it would be. Ha! Because it's a sports bar and because we're currently in the NFL playoffs the tables might turn over quickly or they might not. We wound up only waiting for about twenty minutes or so for a place. The food was good but it was LOUD. We enjoyed it, though. I'd probably go back again...but maybe at lunch when there's not a game. The good news is that if we ever take James it's so loud that he could be bouncing off the walls and it wouldn't bother anyone.

Saturday night we flipped between NFL and Miss America. I was a little disappointed with Miss America this year. I know it's been this way for a while, but I HATE how they cut girls now. I don't like that they have everyone sitting out on stage. I don't know. The whole thing was disappointing for me. I liked the formality of the pageant a few years ago and it isn't like that anymore at all!

Sunday morning I did NOT feel well. I woke up at 5:30 and stayed awake until 7 feeling as though my tonsils and lungs were on fire. I took some Tylenol and watched TV for a while. The Tylenol must've kicked in because the next thing I knew it was 9:45. I don't think we went anywhere at all on Sunday. I'm pretty sure that I showered and put pajamas right back on at one point. The only thing I can think of that I did do was watch the Golden Globes. Another disappointment.

I did get this sweet picture of a boy having a lot of fun:

Yesterday I didn't feel great, but I did get up and take a shower so that we could run a few errands. We're giving our fireplace a little makeover with gas logs instead of real wood (I fought this at first but now I'm wholeheartedly on board...no more smokey smell in my house!) so Eddie needed to go see someone about that. I sat in the car and talked to Mama the ENTIRE time he was in the store. We solved a few world problems such as organization for my home office.

After that one errand, it was time to head home to meet James and YaYa. Little boy was sleepy when he got there but eventually perked up. Eddie and I usually dread the hand-off because he's never happy to leave his grandparents but he was unusually clingy to me after YaYa left yesterday. I suspect he knows that something big is brewing. He wants me to hold him all.the.time. now. I don't mind it much!

We had to go to WalMart and Publix after YaYa left to buy a few things - namely a new wireless router so that I could be back in business on the internet. Eddie joked that had I not felt bad and had an iPhone I would've had the shakes all weekend for the Internet being out. Unfortunately, he might be right. Yikes. Last night we had chicken noodle soup for supper. It was GREAT and I'll post the recipe later in the week.

So, definitely nothing fancy. Hopefully by the end of this week I'll be feeling better. I have my 36-week appointment tomorrow and James has his allergy appointment. We will know the results of the nut allergy test tomorrow! Bless his heart, if you say something about peanut butter he says it makes him itchy. Pitiful!

Two videos to include today that I thought were sweet and funny. Both of these are from last week. The first video is for the Harry Potter fans. He and Eddie make fun of my love for Harry.

A Random Assortment...When It Rains, It Pours

2012-01-13T20:22:00.001-05:00

Y'all. This week has been ridiculous. I would love to post the videos and pictures that go along with the week but currently our Internet is out (after the rest of the week you'll realize it's not surprising at all...things are just falling apart!). Let's recap, shall we?

Sunday: Eddie and I went to church but skipped Sunday School because I didn't feel well. We came home and waited for James to get home from his grandparent weekend.

Monday: We had a successful day of potty training. James and I had a few errands we needed to run but we stayed home because potty training was going so well. Monday after Eddie got home we realized James was running a fever.

Tuesday: James still doesn't feel well and mopes around most of the morning. I called Dr. W's office because his eyes were yucky. The nurse thinks it's pinkeye and an ear infection and wants to see him. Dr. W confirms nurses suspicions. Gives us eye drops and calls in amoxicillin. James and I get rained on as we go from the doctor to Publix for medicine. The medicine was a ridiculous fight.

Wednesday: He's healed! Wild man won't slow down today! His eyes look better and he must feel great. Knowing he's still contagious we stay home. After James is asleep I take a bath and realize I feel achy all over.

Thursday: Still no school for pinkeye and he is STIR CRAZY. I feel yucky all morning and have a very sore throat. I sleep when Eddie is home for lunch. At 2:30 I hold up my white flag and call Eddie in for back-up. I have never felt so sick in my life. I call the obgyn to see if they think it's pregnancy related. I am hurting everywhere and am terrified it is infection that will send me to the hospital. I AM NOT READY! Nurse thinks it's the flu and sends me to the quick care for treatment. I sit in a waiting room with someone holding a trash bag and someone with a face mask. Terrified, I try to hold my breath. Thankfully, they call me back quickly. Blood pressure was so high they have to take it twice. It winds up being 153/68 but it has NEVER been that high. The doctor orders a throat swab and a flu test. Yuck and yuck. Both come back negative and I am told to take Tylenol and gargle with warm salty water. My mama could've told me that. Back home to monitor my temperature (I have to go to the hospital if it stays above 101*). I feel awful for the remainder of the night.

Friday: Mama comes to watch James so I can sleep and Eddie can go to work. I sleep a good bit of the day. James is an ill pill most of the day. Mama makes potato soup and brings lots and lots of fluids.

In addition to all the above:
- James refuses to take liquid medicine but there is a miscommunication about chewables between us, Dr. W, his nurse and the pharmacy. We finally got that worked tonight.

- Last night James broke out in a rash. We suspect the medicine but Dr. W thinks it's viral. We'll still mention it to the allergist on Wednesday.

- James has slept a portion of every night since Sunday in our bed. It's either that, or lots and lots of screaming. We're not sure what to do.

- We think Eddie has pinkeye.

- I have only left the house since Sunday morning to go to the doctor and the pharmacy. Yuck.

So! That's our week! As soon as the Internet is back up I'll add pictures and a few funny videos to the post. There have been SOME funny moments!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Join My Team!

2012-01-12T08:58:00.000-05:00

I've tried to steer clear from posting about Willow House all the time on here, but I posted this on my Willow House Facebook page yesterday and had a few people email me about it so I thought I'd mention it here, too.

Right now Willow House has an enrollment special going on. Normally, it's $199 to become a Consultant. Until January 31st it's only $99. It's a great deal! You get all of the things shown below, plus catalogs and all the business essentials you need to get yourself started. And $99 would be a BREEZE to make back within your first month! They have a few other enrollment incentives going on right now, so email me if you'd like to hear about everything! I've really enjoyed being a part of this company and getting myself out of the house every now and then to visit with friends and meet new people. I'd love to share more with you and have you join my team! If you're interested in hearing more, send me an email at fresh{dot}lauren{at}gmail{dot}com.

MORE Medicine...

2012-01-11T09:24:00.001-05:00

*** Lauren posted about our New Year's Eve "party" over on her blog today. If you'd like to read and see the pictures, click HERE. ***

Well...I thought things were fine at home with James. I really thought we had another cruddy cold or whatever it is that he gets and we'd just ride it out...not so much. Since his eyes were goopy, I decided to call the nurse at the doctor's office yesterday to just see what she'd say. Usually when James is sick he has a really runny nose and then the cough comes later. He's not really had much of a cough this time...but he has had a fever and the goopy eyes.

When the nurse called back she asked if both of his eyes were draining and I said they were. She then asked if he was tugging on his ears. Ummm....I didn't mention ears, but no. Runny nose? Check. Cough? No. And her over-the-phone-diagnosis? "He probably has pinkeye and an ear infection." Ummm...what? He's never had an ear infection so I didn't know what to look for there anyway. He says his ears don't hurt (until Eddie washed his hair tonight and suddenly they did). He does cry when I wipe his eyes and he says they hurt. Other than his eyes and nose, he's had the low-grade fever and has been SUPER calm. (If you know him you know this is not his normal personality. He doesn't sit back and watch...he participates!) He also wasn't eating great.

So...to the doctor we went late yesterday afternoon. James was a really sweet boy at Dr. W.'s office, especially considering how long we'd waited. He was mostly entertained by my phone (thank you, Eddie, for the best birthday present EVER) and watching videos of himself over and over and previews of movies on iTunes. Ha! He did keep shouting, "I need to see Dr. W!" over and over but I actually didn't mind that.

When Dr. W. came in, he confirmed that the nurse's suspicions were correct - pinkeye and an ear infection! Nothing in his chest or throat. I guess to have gone for two years and almost three months with NEVER having an ear infection was a pretty good record. It had to be broken at some point, right? We left with eye drops and a prescription for amoxicillin.

On our way home we grabbed his medicine from the Publix pharmacy and he seemed very excited about taking everything. I knew what was coming, but encouraged him that it'd be FUN to take the medicine. (Probably shouldn't do that, but I hated to say, "Nope. You'll hate this!") When it came time for meds tonight, I gave him the amoxicillin in the bathtub because he has a gag reflex like I've never seen. Our usual method of giving him anything liquid is to cut a tiny piece of a straw off and have him sip his medicine through that. So far, it's the ONLY thing that we can find that he doesn't fight. Until tonight! He dug his heels in and was adamant that he wasn't taking it. I promised him five M&Ms. I "called" Dr. W. to encourage him. We brought Scout in to watch. Nothing worked. So I was the mean mama and squirted it way back in his mouth with the syringe. I hate doing that. He wasn't a fan, but it all stayed down. His reward (his choice) was to have Scout stay in the bathroom while he took a bath. Sure! Whatever keeps you from crying, Bud! :)

After his bath it was time for his eye drops. I knew this would be even more fun. We "practiced" on Daddy and Mama's eyes and showed him what we'd do. Then the screaming began. Eddie wound up holding him in a straight jacket position while I pried his eyes open to put the drops in. It was one of our finest parenting moments, I assure you! Another M&M for that round. And THEN we watched the Dinosaur Train opening sequence on my phone. THREE times. I think we'll just start with that tonight!

Whew! Parenting the sick is not fun, folks! He has, at least, been very lounge-y and snuggly and sweet. That's been nice. Yesterday he took a morning nap on my bed and a great afternoon nap in his own bed. He spent a lot of his waking hours in Daddy's recliner. He wasn't a great eater yesterday, but maybe he'll start feeling a little better and eat more than waffles, yogurt, and applesauce...and cookies.

Pitiful boy!

Baby Brother...35 Weeks!

2012-01-10T10:41:00.000-05:00

I got a reminder today that His plans are not MY plans. :) James (who usually goes to school on Tuesdays) is currently asleep in my bed with a yucky nose, gunky eyes, and a low-grade fever. Pitiful. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my days for getting lots of things done and I don't have many left. BUT...sometimes we need a wakeup call to slow down, don't we? Being thankful in everything...I'm thankful this is the first time since November that he's been sick. We've had a good stretch of health for a bit and that's nice! Let's get it out of our systems NOW instead of everyone getting sick in February and March!

Size of the Baby: He’s about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out he won’t get much longer, but he’s plumping up. (Funny, since I had a 21 inch baby the first go ‘round!) He’s now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he’ll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. I have felt all along like he might be smaller than James (he’s measured smaller, James measured a little bigger), but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +10 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.

Symptoms: My legs are restless, my back is achy. I’m exhausted all the time. I’m still nauseated a lot. I can’t breathe. I have a little bit of sciatica. I am running back and forth to the bathroom all the time. So fun! Someone feels like they start break dancing at 11:30 every single night. It’s hilarious how on schedule he is already! We’re going to have to work on those days and nights! All normal, though…it could be much, much worse! I’ll take it for the next five weeks if he’ll stay put!

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: An entire date weekend with Eddie!

Weekend Update...

2012-01-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

With just over five weeks to go - unless this boy comes early - we spent the weekend getting several projects finished up! James actually went with Mama from Albany to her her house on Thursday evening so Eddie and I had a long weekend without him. I love him and miss him when he's gone, but it was SUCH a help to have him spend time with Poppy, Cacky, Grandmama, AND Granddaddy this weekend! The break was nice and he thoroughly enjoys himself. And just because he has a busier social life than we do, he's carrying on the tour of grandparents next weekend and going to Papa and YaYa's house. Whew! He's a busy boy!

Eddie and I didn't do anything on Thursday night after I got home. It was late and I was wiped out. We watched Bridesmaids and it was HORRIBLE. It was ridiculous and not funny to us at all. And we don't mind trash! We liked the first Hangover. This one just pushed the limits of what should've been funny and it didn't work. Don't waste your money.

On Friday I spent the morning pulling things out of the nursery that don't belong in there. We'd made that the catch-all room over Christmas and it was WAY out of control. After I pulled everything out it was time for me to go and get my haircut. That took all afternoon! After I left there I ran by TJMaxx to see if there was ANY baby bedding, etc. (No luck.) And then Eddie and I had mexican for supper.

We came home and began the fun task of pulling everything out of the nursery closet and organizing what to keep, trash, give away, and what needed to be washed. That took a pretty good long time. We stayed up past midnight organizing.

As we went to bed I started feeling yucky. I've stayed pretty nauseated throughout this pregnancy so I thought maybe that was it. The longer I laid in bed, the worse I felt. I actually made Eddie get up and get me a phenergen and some water. I think I was pretty sick for about an hour before I finally fell asleep.

Because of the effects of that medicine, I slept until almost 10 on Saturday morning. I woke up feeling a LOT better and we accomplished a LOT on Saturday. Eddie moved James' curtains from the nursery to his big boy room, he hung curtains in the kitchen, and I must've done 1,000 loads of laundry and put them all away. I also worked on our bedroom which is typically the most neglected room in our house. We worked and worked and worked. There are several things we didn't get to - getting baby clothes out of the attic, putting the Christmas remnants into the attic, etc. - but for the most part we got a LOT done.

We headed out around 6:30 for dinner. I was a whiny pregnant person on Saturday night and didn't want to go anywhere that had a wait. But NOT fast food. That makes sense on Saturday, right? Ha. Fortunately, Eddie was patient with me. We wound up at Cracker Barrel (boring) but we were able to sit down immediately and it was nice to talk while we waited for our food. Afterwards, we ran a few errands and headed home. (Side story...we went to Old Navy after dinner and I was waddling through the store and a little boy caught my eye. He was alone so I had my eye on him as I looked around for a parent. I finally saw his dad round the corner and the dad looked at me and laughingly said, "Are you ready for that?" I told him I already had one so I was aware but since that child wasn't much older than a year I almost asked him if he was ready for what's heading his way in the next few months. Ha!)

After dinner we came home and watched The Help. Eddie had resisted watching it but said he really enjoyed it. I think he was worried it was too chick-flicky. Not so, my friend! If you haven't seen it - this is a winner!

Sunday morning we got up and went to church for the first time since the beginning of December! I struggled to make it through church and we didn't stay for Sunday School. I have definitely hit the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy. Sitting for long periods of time isn't fun for me. (Short waist = no room for baby to move around! I need to be able to stand and lay down and stretch out!)

After lunch, naps, a little tv, and some picking up, James came back home yesterday afternoon. He wasn't thrilled to be back home, but he's here. He was a grumpy grump last night and this morning but we've worked through some of that. He's worn big boy underwear since he first got up this morning and has only had one accident today. Unfortunately, it was a BIG accident - one that required a bath. He's in his bed now and is supposed to be sleeping but I'm watching him play. Guess I'll have to go in his room and reiterate what "nap" means.

Have a great week!

December Books...

2012-01-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

My friend Bridgett especially looks forward to these posts each month so I read as many books as I could just for her. HA! Not! Feel free to skip, Bird!

I read a TON in the month of December. Apparently I, too, was on Christmas break. It is insane how much reading I did. I think it was a combination of resting while James was napping, being in the car a few times, and taking a lot of baths at night. Needless to say, I'm betting this will be the last month for a while that I get a lot of good reading in! (I also started a lot of these in previous months and just got around to actually finishing them.)

The Soloist by Steve Lopez
I LOVED this one. Maybe you've heard of it or seen the movie, but I totally missed it when it first came out. It's a true story about a homeless man who is battling schizophrenia. His illness became very apparent in his twenties and caused him to fall off the map with family and friends. He's discovered by a journalist in L.A. who is intrigued because he (Nathaniel) plays a violin on the corner every day. The journalist (Steve) begins writing columns about him and develops a friendship with him. He realizes there must be a story behind a homeless musician and finds out that he was once a student at Juliard. Awesome, awesome story about this man. Can't wait to rent the movie!

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
I am certain this is one of those books that I'll refer back to 1,000 times. I have talked and talked about this book with people around me. He gives such great wisdom on raising boys. It was fantastic! And helpful!

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
I'll be honest here. I didn't love this book. I love the idea behind it - finding things to give thanks for in all circumstances - but her writing grated on my nerves just a bit. I think that she's a blogger and she wrote in a less formal way and that, for me, was difficult to get through. I WILL be applying it to my life, and I DO recommend it, and I have friends that have LOVED it...I was just a bit put off by the writing style, I think.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Whew! I'm done! :) I needed to mark a classic off my list and I've been working on this one for.e.ver. I liked it, but it was lonnnnng and slow. I know, I know...my English teacher friends are shaking their heads at me. Can't wait to rent the movie now! (It really was a great story!)

The Official Guide to Christmas in the South: Or, If You Can't Fry it, Spray Paint it Gold by David C. Barnette
This was a stocking stuffer from Mom at Christmas this year and I read through it pretty quickly. It was cute and if you're from the south it will make you laugh. If you're not from the south it will leave you going, "Huh?"

100 Days to Christmas 2011 by Jennifer Tankersley
This book started way back in October and gave a daily task to get prepared for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I really liked this book because it was such a quick read and had cute ideas, but I didn't do nearly everything it recommended. I didn't do much entertaining, I did no cooking, and I did no baking. It is one that I'll probably use in years to come, though!

I'm working on a few more for the month of January. I have a Book Club pick to finish, a book for some spiritual guidance, and a few parenting (having a baby who SLEEPS) books in the next few weeks. Then I'm sure I'll slack off for a while. I did read a lot when James was born...but I'm not sure I'll be able to do that with a newborn AND a toddler this time around. I'll probably be doing great just to get a shower in a month!

Baby Brother...34 Weeks (And a Nursery Update!)

2012-01-06T11:36:00.000-05:00

34 Weeks, 2 Days

Can you tell how high he is? He is no longer low, low, low like before.

I had a REAL doctor's appointment yesterday. I saw a FOR REAL doctor. Not my doctor, mind you, but a doctor! Ha! He said my EKG looked fantastic. I have no heart problems that they could see. What a relief! Would you like to know what he thinks my problem is? The fact that the baby is all up in my ribs (see picture above) mixed in with a lot of heartburn and reflux. Did you know that can cause nausea? Hmm. I think it's probably a combination of that and the baby getting on that vagus/vagal (?) nerve. He's just running out of room and wearing my body out. Hopefully he'll stay put for at least three more weeks, though! I measured at 33.5 cm (from the bottom to the top of my belly - it's supposed to align with the number of weeks gestationally). A teeny bit small, but not much. In two weeks I'll go back for my 36 week visit (and then every week after that) and they'll check my progress then. Hopefully I'll see my real doctor one of these days. The great news yesterday is that he's flipped and is head down, butt up. I was excited about that until I realized at 11:30 last night he was transverse - butt on one side, head on the other side of my stomach. Apparently he still has some flipping room. Mrs. Bobby (who delivered Eddie breech) says not to worry too much about beforehand position - Eddie was apparently head-down just days before he was born. Oh well. Hopefully he'll be right where he needs to be when the time comes!

Size of the Baby: He still weighs between 4.2 pounds and 5.8 pounds and measures anywhere from 17.2 to 18.7 inches. I have felt all along like he might be smaller than James (he’s measured smaller, James measured a little bigger), but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +10 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad (that’s a good thing, huh?) most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc.

Symptoms: I was so uncomfortable last night. I know it’s because I was up all day long but I felt terrible. I feel like I have restless leg syndrome at night these days. I can’t breathe. Sciatica has kicked in (thankfully much, much later than with James!). Someone feels like they start break dancing at 11:30 every single night. It’s hilarious how on schedule he is already! We’re going to have to work on those days and nights!

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: We had a great New Year’s Eve and a fun time watching UGA’s bowl game with friends on Monday. And James is back in school so he’s excited about that!

So the nursery update...Mom and I went to Albany again yesterday to look at fabric for this boy's room. I cannot find ANYTHING that I want. NOTHING. Yesterday was the same old story. I would find fabrics I liked, but nothing I loved. So I've been looking online for alternative ideas. I found something today from Pottery Barn Kids - which, of course, is sold out. SO...I'm improvising and ordering a duvet cover in the same pattern to see if Leta (Sonny's sister) can work with that. We'll see. Worst case scenario is I have to send it back. But this nursery needs something in it! It's pitiful and empty! :)

A Few Goals for 2012...

2012-01-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

Because we're expecting Baby Brother sometime in the next six weeks, I feel like my ultimate goal should be to survive the year with two children two and under. Just survive! And maybe take a shower a few times a week. Ha! Other bloggers have been really big on their word for the year so I guess I'll join the crowd and say my word is survive. But I also feel like I should have a few bigger goals.

Obviously, I'm still working on my 101 in 1001. This entire year will fall under those 1001 days. I think it ends sometime during the summer of 2013. So I'll be working on all of those.

Eddie and I have decided to make some eating and exercising changes in March (giving myself a few weeks to recover and get out of the first few weeks of what Eddie calls the "Baby Haze"). I'd like to lose some baby, baby weight. :) And we'd probably be less tired and feel better if we actually quit eating so much junk and exercised a good bit more than we do now. I don't need to lose weight so much as tone up what weight I'm carrying around. 10-15 pounds of weight loss would be nice, but won't look good if that's all I do. I'm going to work on getting back into Couch to 5K and The Shred by myself every day and Eddie is hopeful we can start a routine on the Total Gym that just takes up space in the garage for now.

I'd like to try to start back on the Bible verse memorization train. I started that last year and lasted a few months before just becoming a major slacker about it. Two verses a month. I think I need it!

I really would like to see my Willow House business take off this year! I'm really pleased and excited with the company, I enjoyed doing parties to get myself out of the house on occasion, and it would be nice to help contribute (just a bit) around here. I have some big goals after April 1st for Willow House. Hopefully it will all pan out!

I'd love to take more time for my marriage. Eddie and I often seem to just float by one another. Mothering and fathering takes a lot of time and energy and by the end of the day we're just wiped out. We need to spend more time together, even if it's not getting out of the house!

I am hopeful that I can really dig my heals into becoming a Proverbs 31 wife. I've been a complete wife slacker since I've been pregnant. Eddie has been a champ and has picked up a lot of my slack, but that's not fair. It certainly won't be fair after this baby is born. We need a routine and we need some order in this house!

I also want to be a better mama for my boys. James is really reaching an age where he's soaking in everything and learning a ton and I need to take advantage of that. He's wild, but he's fun and he really, really, really needs a lot more activities during the day that will help him learn and grow. Bless his heart, we've watched a lot of television since June and the sickies began. Hopefully I'll feel a lot better soon and we'll be able to focus more on schooling him in a fun way!

I need to work on being a better friend. I have just fallen off the face of the earth in a lot of my friendships and that's not great. I miss talking to a lot of my girls and I need to work on that as well. Friendships are so important!

Our family needs to really make an effort to put God first. It is crazy how much James picks up and is learning from us and we really need to make a better effort to put Jesus first so he'll pick up on that instead of worldly trash. We have such a responsibility with our boys and I don't want to drop the ball - especially where it comes to our faith in the Lord.

Hopefully I'll be able to make a big effort in all of these goals for 2012. I think they're all doable and obtainable. And very worthwhile!

2011 in Review...

2012-01-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

Just for Eddie, I decided to join the crowd and recap our year. (I'm not sure the links will show up on the blog, but if you hover over them, you'll be taken to the blog post!)

In January, we went to James' first ever sick visit at the pediatrician. I'd debated about whether to take him in and I am so glad that I did because it turned out that he had RSV and Croup. Poor baby was pitiful!

Also in January, Mom, Anna, and I went to see Beauty and the Beast at the Fox, we started wedding dress shopping for Anna, James spent the day with Cacky and Poppy and visited MaMa at the nursing home, we had an ice storm at our house, and Baby Samantha was born and visited us a week later!

In February, I left James overnight for the first time ever. Eddie and I took a trip to Atlanta to do some furniture shopping and Cacky and Poppy came to our house to spend the night with him. We also had a visit from Melly and Bobby and Aunt Melly brought James a really special quilt that she and Cousin Paddy made for James!

In March, we spent a day at Zoo Atlanta with Papa and YaYa. James also had his first haircut. We went to the beach with Cacky for a few days and he LOVED the water. We had a visit from Sarah Beth Guest and her mama. James had his first haircut from Daddy. At the end of March we lost MaMa very suddenly.

At the beginning of April I got a NEW CAR. I still love it so much! We had a storm that knocked down one of our three bradford pear trees and I'm still pretty sad about it. We went strawberry picking with friends from Tifton. James saw the Easter Bunny for the first time and HATED him. We also had an egg hunt at the church. At the end of April (or the beginning of May?) we had a makeup baby shower for Baby Samantha since we'd had to cancel one in the fall.

In May Anna and Lance got married! We also had allergic reaction #1 to who-knows-what. (Hopefully we'll know in two weeks!)

In June, James went to Lake Keowee with the Smith family. We also had Anna's engagement party and Eddie and I went to St. Simons Island for a few days. AND we found out we were having another baby, even though I didn't blog about it until August.

In July, we went to the lake for the 4th. We also celebrated our 3rd anniversary!

In August, my baby boy started SCHOOL. Holy cow! We announced our baby news on the blog. At the very end of August we found out we'd be having another boy!

At the beginning of September, we went on a trip to Palm Coast for the week.

In October, James ran in his first 5K and Eddie and I moved James from a baby room to a big boy room! We also took a really fun day-trip to Chehaw and the pumpkin patch with the Trains. James turned two and we had a Mickey Mouse party! We had a GREAT time with all of the Halloween festivities!

In November, we celebrated Thanksgiving in Atlanta this year.

December brought our elf, George and we visited Santa! We kept some of our traditions and added in new ones!

I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!

Weekend Update...New Year's Edition

2012-01-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012! Can you believe it? I feel like time is just FLYING by these days!

We had such a fun weekend!

Friday night after Eddie got home (and after we'd spent the day with Cacky and going to get my heart checked out) we made plans to go out to dinner and run a few errands. I started feeling yucky not long after we'd been in the car so "errands" turned into "errand" and we wound up driving through Zaxby's to get the boys something to eat for dinner. I passed out in our bed and slept until after James was asleep for the night. I hate feeling yucky but I know it has to just be pregnancy. I am so thankful for anti-nausea medicine this time around. With James I took NO medicine but this time around I've really depended on it.

Saturday morning we started tackling the undecorating of the Christmas decorations. Whew! What a process. It's definitely not nearly as much fun as putting decorations up! Eddie firmly believes in having everything put away before the new year and typically we're pretty good about it. Not so much this year. The only thing left out is our Christmas tree...but everything else is piled in the dining room waiting for me to put it into boxes and back into the attic. I didn't want to just rush through and throw everything in helter skelter so I didn't. Hopefully that task will be completed by the end of the day today.

Saturday evening some friends of ours, Lauren and her little family, came over to ring in the new year with us. We had a hodge podge dinner of chicken nuggets and appetizers and the littles ran around and enjoyed playing together. James was SO excited that AMT was going to be joining us. He talked about having her over all day long.

The Trains brought their Pack 'N Play and put AMT in the extra bedroom and she and James both went to bed around 10pm. We woke Eddie up in James' room a little bit later and enjoyed talking and hanging out. We'd planned to play some games but never actually got around to it. Strangely enough, we were watching the ESPN motorcycle jump (or whatever...) and Lauren's husband, CT3, looked at his watch and said, "Oh! It's 12:02!" Ha! We totally missed the new year! And not from sleeping through it! We flipped over to ABC where they were airing the ball drop and hoped for a replay. THEN, when we flipped back to ESPN, we'd missed the motorcycle jump! Ha! I felt like we needed a New Year's Eve re-do! Obviously, we were having a great time! We drank "champange" (sparkling cider) and enjoyed some more visiting. James woke up around 1am and joined in the fun and the Trains headed home around 1:45. Thankfully, James went right back to sleep in his bed and we weren't up all night!

*** Lauren has pictures and I'll add them as soon as I can steal them from her. ***

On Sunday we had "Special Secret Visitors," come to our house. I knew if I told James that Papa and YaYa were coming he would bounce off the walls so we kept their identities top secret until they arrived. We had lunch with them at Longhorn and enjoyed an afternoon of playing at the house. James is always thrilled to show off for grandparents! They even "played" a few games of Candyland with him!

Today was still part of our weekend as Eddie had the day off from work. We had friends over for lunch (I was fancy - we got Pizza Hut!) and to watch Georgia's bowl game. I think I was the unlucky person. I hardly watched any of it and the parts that I did pay attention were the times we didn't do so hot. We lost. :( Oh well. We had a great time visiting with Spencer, Andrea, and their son, Reed. Reed is exactly two years and 3.5 months older than James so it's fun to watch them. James will be that much older than Baby Brother if he stays put until right around his due date. We kept looking at them and thinking that that will be us in two years! There's obviously a big difference between them, but they played together well! I can't wait to meet our new boy! (I mean, I can wait 6 more weeks. But I'm excited!)

We had a fun weekend! James is back to school this week and hopefully life will resume some normalcy. Ha! I have lots and lots of nesting to do. I'd like to get lots of things in my house organized, put away, or thrown away before our new family member makes his appearance. I'm feeling a little better about not having his nursery done just yet, but I would like to have the ball rolling on it before he's here. I'm going to try to convince my mama to go fabric shopping with me again on Thursday or Friday of this week. Hopefully I'll just get some decisions made! Then I can sit back and wait for things to be completed!

Farewell, 2011!

2011-12-31T15:18:00.000-05:00

Last night we were watching television and a recap of 2011, the E! version, came on tv. Eddie, who was already in a pretty grumpy mood since I made him stay up until MIDNIGHT to help me nest, looked at me and said, "I am so SICK of seeing stupid 2011 recaps! It is ridiculous. Why do we need to see this? WE WERE THERE!" Ha! I looked at him, tried not to laugh, and said, "So I shouldn't recap on my blog? Because I was thinking of doing that?" I'll let you just guess what his answer was. HOWEVER, I'll be recapping despite his curmudgeon attitude...it just won't be on the last day of the year.

I am in the midst of a nesting frenzy. FRENZY, my friends. I am hoping that the norm for me (it looks worse before it looks better) holds true for me because the current state of things is mass chaos. We have a few friends coming over to ring in the New Year with us (James' girlfriend, Anne Margaret and her mama and daddy) and if they weren't such good friends I would be horribly embarrassed to let them in the front door. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have her sign a waiver saying that any pictures of my house that wind up on her blog better go through some major editing to get rid of all the nastiness. We're also having a visit from Papa and YaYa tomorrow and that applies to them as well. Not the blogging and picture taking, but certainly they're not even allowed to THINK about how messy my house is.

If ever you are able to PLAN when you have a child, do not try to have that child in the months of November-February. Just from experience, it totally changes how much fun it is to decorate for Christmas because they whole time you'll be saying to yourself "I'll be THIRTY-FOUR weeks pregnant when I'm picking all of this up! Grr!" I mean, that's just what I've heard. I'm totally pleasant to be around and not at ALL grumpy right now. :) Just call me Susie Sunshine!

I skipped out on blogging yesterday because I wound up having to have an emergency trip to the doctor's office. Baby Brother doesn't seem to be trying to escape just yet, but he is wreaking havoc on my body. In the middle of the night Wednesday night my heart began to race and I couldn't breathe. I laid in bed for two hours trying to decide whether to wake Eddie up or not so that we could make a quick trip to the women's center. I decided not to and I finally fell asleep sometime after 2:30. I called and got an appointment to see the doctor (who apparently no longer works at my obgyn...I have seen hide nor hair of a doctor in WEEKS) and we went yesterday just to be checked out quickly. She (the midwife) ordered an EKG at the hospital. We're hoping that what happened is that Baby Brother got snuggled up on my vagus nerve, thus resulting in a "fight or flight" stimulation for my body. We do, however, want to rule out an underlying cardiac issue. I'm sure that my normal reaction to scary situations (read: PANIC) didn't help anything when it occured. All seems to be well, though! Don't worry!

Alright, all this was to say HAPPY NEW YEAR! We'll see you in 2012! I'll recap (just for Eddie - in case he doesn't remember what happened!) on Tuesday of next week. Look for an update on my pregnant body and Baby Brother on Thursday after our doctor's (ha! midwife's!) appointment. Hopefully he'll stay warm and cozy over the next few weeks...but off of that nerve. Okay, I must get back to the CLEANING! and ORGANIZING! of EVERY! NOOK! CRANNY! and CABINET or DRAWER! IN! MY! HOME!

We're praying for blessings in your home in the coming year!

Christmas Crafts...

2011-12-29T15:34:00.000-05:00

Now that Christmas is winding down and we're packing up all of our decorations, I thought I better include the two cute things that James and I did while he was out of school! My intention is to add a little bit more to this - probably Rudolph lyrics to the reindeer one and something else to the Christmas tree - but in case time gets away from me I didn't want to post these in mid-January! :)

These were really fun to make. James almost couldn't stand the paint going on his feet. I put it on with a paintbrush instead of just dipping them on a plate with paint and he was DYING from the tickling. Ha! Poor little man has HIGH arches like his mama. I tried and tried to push those feet down!

Christmas Morning Recipes

2011-12-28T08:50:00.000-05:00

These are the two simplest recipes in the world, but in case you've never made them, here you go!

Monkey Bread
Ingredients:
4 cans refrigerator biscuits (I got the small cans that came in a four pack)
1.5 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar

1. Cut biscuits into four pieces and place in a Ziplock bag.
2. Place cinnamon and white sugar into the bag and shake until biscuits are covered.
3. Place pieces in a greased tube pan.
4. Bring brown sugar and butter to a boil. (I just melted them together in the microwave.) Pour over top of biscuits.
5. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes.

Hashbrown Casserole
Ingredients:
1 2-lb. bag of hashbrowns
2 cups Corn Flakes, crushed
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (my onion got left behind at the grocery store so I used minced onion and it was fine!)
1 stick butter (save 1/4 cup of butter for end step)
2 cups cheese
1 pint sour cream (Anna made it recently and substituted Greek yogurt)
salt/pepper

1. Mix soup, cheese, onion, salt and pepper, sour cream, and melted butter.
2. Pour potatoes into a large casserole dish and top with soup mixture. Add crushed Corn Flakes on top. Drizzle 1/4 cup melted butter over flakes.

3. Bake at 350* for one hour, uncovered.

Baby Brother...33 Weeks!

2011-12-27T20:55:00.000-05:00

It's okay if you think I look exhausted and in need of concealer. I am and I do. :)

Size of the Baby: A honeydew! (I feel like I’m carrying one!) He weighs between 4.2 and 5.8 pounds and measures 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +8-9 pounds (I forgot to weigh but it's somewhere around there. Wonder if we're going to have a smaller baby this time? I'd gained 19 by now with James and he was 8.2.)

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front. I wound up having to order two more dresses last week to make it through the next two months. Ha!

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes, but I can tell he’s slowing down a little bit. He must be running out of room!

Cravings: I’m back to feeling a little puny about food. Nothing sounds good to me anymore. My favorite thing right now is a Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart with peanut butter. Healthy, huh?

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I have officially hit the uncomfortable stage.

Sleep: It’s taking me a lot longer to fall asleep now. And usually I wake up a few times in the middle of the night.

What I Miss: Deli meat. And blue cheese. And yes, I know it’s okay to eat pasteurized blue cheese, but I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet. (I also know that to miss blue cheese is WEIRD but my favorite restaurant salads have it on there.)

Best Moment This Week: Christmas!

Weekend Update: Christmas Edition!

2011-12-26T18:11:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! I know it's a day late but I stayed far away from the computer yesterday! We had a different Christmas this year but lots of fun anyway!

Typically, we see EVERYONE at Christmas. We have generally gone between Tifton and Roswell for our Christmas break. It's really, really fun but really, really exhausting and now that we have a child old enough to sort of "get it," we made the executive decision to travel before Christmas this year and be at our own home on Christmas. We realize this isn't for everyone, but it's what made sense this year and will probably make sense for us for the next few years with small children.

On Friday afternoon we loaded up to head to Tifton. We had several things to do in Tifton so we decided to drive down for the day. We stopped by the Perry's to pick up a few baby items - a bassinet being one thing - and to visit with them since we hadn't seen Nurse Shelley since James' birthday party!

We went to Mama's after stopping by the Perry's and had a visit with Lib! We were so excited to see her! We couldn't remember if it was February or May when we last saw her, but it's been too long either way!

That evening I had my annual high school girls' Christmas Party at the Bowers' house. We thought it was our tenth year but turned out to be the ELEVENTH year. How did that happen? We SO enjoy going to it each Christmas. I have the best time visiting because a lot of the people that come I only see there! It's so nice!

When I picked Eddie up at his mama and daddy's house after the party he and James were both asleep. Apparently, they'd had a lot of fun hanging out with Grandmama and Granddaddy! We got home around midnight and James never woke up - HALLELUJAH! :)

Saturday was spent running lots and lots of errands and getting last minute Christmas stuff done. I had all of my shopping done but I needed to get a few stocking stuffers for Eddie. My husband was sweet enough (and brave enough!) to go to Publix for me on Christmas Eve afternoon. AND he took James with him. I think he deserves an award! They ran a few gift-buying errands, too, I think.

James and I had a fun afternoon activity while Daddy was making hamburgers for lunch. He and I decided that if Santa gets cookies, the reindeer should have something, too! So we whipped up some reindeer food. (This was a great distraction for him. He was having a HORRIBLE day and we needed something to stop the whining and fit pitching. We are going through a really, really rough stage at home right now. I am almost 100% certain it is the storm-before-the-storm because there's been a LOT of talk about Baby Brother lately. He's fine when he's with other people, but he is NOT fine for me. He's having a really hard time understanding that he must mind me or there are consequences. I hate the consequences as much as he does.) The Reindeer Food recipe is as follows:

Step 1: Hand toddler a bowl and spoon.

Step 2: Make him pose for the camera.

Step 3: Add oatmeal and cranberries to the bowl and have him stir, stir, stir!

Step 4: Add one tablespoon of sugar. Reindeer LOVE sugar.

Step 5: Walk outside and pick your sprinkling place.

Step 6: If you're two years old, sprinkling means DUMP IT EVERYWHERE.

Step 7: Get excited 'cause ("TANTA TOMIN' TONIGHT!") SANTA COMES TONIGHT!

We planned to go to the 6:00 Christmas Eve service but everyone laid down for a nap and slept until it would've been time to leave. Whoops!

After James' bath we put on jammies and made Christmas cookies for Santa! He had the BEST time doing this. He was so excited about Santa coming!

Soon after putting the cookies out, two Christmas Miracles occurred: 1. James fell asleep without complaint, and 2. Eddie did NOT fall asleep in the bed with James and I didn't have to wake him up an hour later!

Santa and Mrs. Claus worked hard on putting toys together and watching Christmas Vacation. They have learned that there is a need to put toys together ahead of time. I think this must be something that all parents learn as they go along. :)

I got up at 6:15 to get breakfast in the oven so that we could see what Santa brought, eat, and get ready for church at a decent time. I made two things this year for our breakfast - monkey bread and hashbrown casserole. I'll post both recipes later in the week because they were GREAT.

With all of the noise in the kitchen, the boys woke up as well. James had gotten in the bed with us earlier so after a quick diaper change both guys were ready to see what Santa brought!

James racked up on the loot this year. He has enjoyed almost everything that Santa brought him!

A Magna Doodle (BIG hit!), a tee, bat, baseball, basketball, and football, a GRILL (the biggest hit!), a doctor's kit, Elmo costume (the flop - he asked and asked for this for Halloween this year so I got it on clearance and he says, "It tary!" (It's scary!), the Uno farm game, a cow puzzle, Dumbo, and The Lion King.

A little mid-morning blood pressure check!

After breakfast I started feeling horrible. I'm still battling nausea if I don't eat quickly enough after getting up AND if I don't have enough protein first thing. I obviously missed both of those. I made the executive decision not to go to church feeling awful so we stayed home. We took a little break for me to lay down for a while and then we opened our presents to each other. James got some preschool DVDs, a Tag Junior, big brother books, and a few other odds and ends from us. We all enjoyed our presents!

After more naps we had a visit from Poppy and Cacky and Grandmama and Granddaddy! Little man was WILD about this. He ran around like a crazy person trying to show them everything. It's too bad that it rained all day because he needed to get outside!

We enjoyed visiting before having an early supper with everyone.

James was wiped out after everyone left. He ASKED to take a bath at 6:30 when everyone was gone and then ASKED to be put to bed at 7:30. Crazy! I fell asleep while Eddie was giving James a bath and woke up at 8:30. Eddie and I had a snack and watched TV. He was asleep by 9:30 and after a bath I was in bed by 10:30. This is just way unusual behavior for all of us!

We had a great Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it! I'll share a little more later in the week! We hope you and yours were able to share Christmas with your families and enjoy celebrating Jesus' birth!

'Twas Three Days Before Christmas...

2011-12-22T16:04:00.000-05:00

I have NOTHING to write about today of any importance, but I felt the need to blog today because we'll be BUSY from now until Monday so this may be the only time it gets done. Because I don't have great stories to tell, I'll make a list of things instead.

1. We are POTTY TRAINING at our house. For real this time. It was for real last time, but then someone had a stomach virus and I wasn't about to compete with that. So far, so good! We've done three afternoons (we've been out and about in the mornings - hope I'm not messing up by doing it this way) and he's only had one accident. He has not, however, pooped in the potty. I'm not all that concerned because he does it on his own often enough, I just want to be sure we know that in big boy underwear we cannot forget to tell mama!

2. I've been done with Christmas shopping for a while but a few things are still trickling in. I need to get Eddie's things wrapped up this afternoon.

3. I co-hosted a Willow House/Stella & Dot party at my house at the beginning of December. Lauren is a Stella & Dot rep now and I'm thinking I like it. (Eddie may not!) So far, I've purchased a BUNCH of new jewelry. :) It's also trickling in now for Christmas gifts from Eddie. I have to say that one of my favorite things about them is their boxes! They are so pretty!

4. I have been a reading machine this month. So far I've read four books and I'll probably finish two or three more before the end of the month. Woohoo! I guess I need to read while I can, huh?

5. I am still so uncertain about Baby Brother's room. I want it to be so cute but I just can't decide on anything. I'm praying he'll sit tight the next 7.5 weeks so that I can get a few more things ready for him.

6. James and I made a Christmas craft yesterday that I'll post a picture of soon. We're going to try to do one more today. I had to paint his feet for the craft yesterday and I thought he was going to come unglued. Someone is TICKLISH! Ha! I made him count to 10 about three times just to get him to sit still!

7. We ARE going to church on Christmas morning as long as there is a nursery for James. I think we'll get up, see what Santa brought, get ready for church, go to church, let James nap when we get home (Eddie and I may swap gifts then), and then finish gifts when he wakes up and before we have guests over.

8. My house is a wreck. A WRECK. I have not felt good in probably a week (until today - hallelujah!) and it is showing.

9. I got my new Willow House catalogs last week. Let me know if you'd like me to mail you one!

10. I cannot believe that it is Christmas Eve Eve Eve and it's in the 70s today. YUCK.

11. I ordered two new dresses from Old Navy this morning. I only have one "church dress" that fits for the remaining weeks of pregnancy and I was getting tired of it. I have my fingers crossed that they fit because they are SO cute. I want them to be here today!

12. Tomorrow night is the annual high school friends' get together at Kate's house. I am so excited! It's the TENTH year and I've never missed one. We're not spending the night but we have to go down so that I can go!

13. I'm on my potato soup kick again. It is seriously all I could eat right now. I could also be vegetarian and have been known to order off the vegetarian menu at the Mexican restaurant lately.

14. I don't really have anything else worthwhile to say, but I hated to end this on #13. Merry Christmas, y'all!

Baby Brother...32 Weeks

2011-12-21T11:53:00.001-05:00

Can you hear that? It's the sound of me hyperventilating since I've realized that I am down to 8 weeks...EIGHT WEEKS...to my due date. I've finally made a little nursery headway (I think). We may have come to an agreement on the name (maybe...). We just have to get through Christmas and putting all of the decorations away and we can focus a lot more on getting the baby stuff ready! I am excited about pulling out itty bitty clothes!

I had a doctor's appointment today and all was just fine. According to my home scale I've gained about 10 pounds, not just 8 like I recorded Monday when I wrote this. However, I blame the Christmas goodies that have taken over my kitchen. :( My blood pressure was 120/82 and Brother's heartrate was 163. I measured exactly as I should - 32 cm. We saw the nurse midwife again today. I'm going to have to be ugly and ask to be scheduled to see a doctor, I guess. At this point I've only seen a doctor probably half (or less!) of my eight visits. It puts Eddie in a HORRIBLE mood. I am sure they're billing me for seeing a doctor when I'm not. *Sigh* All looks great but I have to say that I felt like today was a wasted appointment, especially since a certain toddler was ugly while we were there. (And then felt the need to ask for candy when we left. No sir.)

Size of the Baby: By now, Baby Brother weights about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long. Supposedly, I’ll be gaining about a pound a week for the next 8 weeks. That would double my weight gain! He’ll gain a third to half his birth weight during the next seven weeks. He has toenails, fingernails, and real hair. His skin is becoming soft and smooth!

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +8 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! Lots and lots and lots of it. He enjoys sitting right on top of my bladder all.the.time. He is still super low, although I can tell his legs have grown because I feel punches and/or kicks up almost in my ribs now. He wiggles all the time now! I can almost be guaranteed a show right when I lay down to go to bed. I woke up Saturday morning and thought he was trying to flip to a head-down position. His head was resting on my hip bone (ouch!) and his feet were at the other hip. I had my fingers crossed but when I got up and moved around his head went right back up to my ribs. Mrs. Bobby said it doesn’t make a bit of difference because Eddie was head-down just days before birth and he suddenly flipped right before he was born. He was a breech baby!

Cravings: I’m back to feeling a little puny about food. Nothing sounds good to me anymore. My favorite thing right now is a Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart with peanut butter. Healthy, huh?

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I told Eddie last night that I have officially hit the uncomfortable stage

Sleep: It’s taking me a lot longer to fall asleep now. And usually I wake up a few times in the middle of the night.

Best Moment This Week: All of the Christmas activities!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-20T11:43:00.000-05:00

Almost all of our cards have finally gone out! I think we have one or two that I'm waiting to get addresses, but for the most part they're either in the hands of those we sent them to or will be by this afternoon! We used Shutterfly again this year for our Christmas cards and I have to say that I really LOVE how they turned out!

We sort of rushed around to get our pictures this year. We'd had pictures made for the purpose of Christmas cards but then I couldn't ever decide what I wanted to do and I didn't own the rights to the pictures (and therefore wasn't able to really do my own thing) so we wound up not using those. Then, we had a friend take pictures and they turned out cute but James, who is in LOVE with our "photographer's" little girl, kept making silly faces at the baby in all of them. Ha! I thought we'd give it one last try after church and before Santa a few weeks ago. So I set up the tripod in the backyard, and this is what we got!

This is my second favorite Santa picture of James. He wasn't nervous at all and he really was whispering with Santa! :) Here's the bigger version:

Merry Christmas!

Christmas, Part 2...

2011-12-19T12:52:00.000-05:00

We had Christmas, Part 1 with Dad and Laura last weekend. This weekend, we had Christmas, Part 2 with Mom and Sonny, Mrs. Bobby and Mr. Tommy, Kelly, and again with Anna, John, and Lance. Whew! Why do the holidays seem to fly by at lightning speed?

On Friday night James and I stopped by to visit the Trains' on their way out of town and to make a delivery to them. "Anne Marmot" was asleep, but James visited with Champ and pulled out all of AMT's toys. When we left there it was just after six, so I called Eddie and asked him to meet us in the driveway so that we could grab dinner and make a quick Publix run.

I spent several hours after dinner wrapping gifts. I actually only had a few gifts left to wrap but for some reason it took for.e.ver! Got that done, picked up the house a little bit, and Eddie got to bed around midnight. I carried on with packing and cleaning for a little longer.

Funny story, at around 12:30 I heard the pitter patter of little feet. I asked James what he was doing up and he told me he was "wookin' for {his} daddy." I let him snuggle with Eddie while I finished what I was doing and then tried to move him to his bed around 1:30. He woke up so I climbed in with him, but he told me he needed his daddy and just left me in his room! Stinker! Eddie climbed in bed with him and I went to sleep in our room. I'm not sure what went on between 2-5, but around 5:30 Eddie put James in our bed. He said he'd gotten up and almost stepped on him asleep in the floor. :) Sweet thing!

We got going Saturday morning and after what felt like forever to get showered, packed, and our stuff to the car we left to run errands around 11. (There's nothing like being an hour behind, right?) James napped almost the whole time we ran errands and then the whole way to Tifton. Thank goodness! The days when we travel and he doesn't nap are NO FUN.

We spent the afternoon visiting grandparents in Tifton before heading to Supper Club at the Bargerons' house. I did not take the first picture, which is a shame. All the kids had a GREAT time and I am happy to report that everyone behaved and the only tears shed were over getting knocked down during a game of chase. :) They were all sweet to one another and played well!

Sunday morning we had Christmas at Mama's house first thing. We dragged out gifts for a long time until everyone started getting hungry and a few people headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. Present opening was fun and breakfast was FANTASTIC. I ate too much!

Since everyone had coffee, James started calling his milk his "toffee." He'd hand out a few gifts (he was our elf) and then stop and say, "Where my toffee?" After a few sips, he'd get back to work!

A radio flyer racer. It's sort of like a Big Wheels like we had when we were little but this thing makes all kinds of sounds! Can't wait to try it out!

John got speakers for his iPod and my little music nut was OBSESSED.

Two videos of dancing to the music:

After breakfast and showers, we went to have Christmas with Eddie's family. It was also Mrs. Bobby's birthday so we had "birthday lunch" with them. Oh my word, we were STUFFED after this. But not too stuffed for birthday cake and chocolate pie, I guess. (James had NO desire to eat anything until the dessert came out. Then he was magically hungry again!)

Christmas with the Freshes was fun, too! James got this gift and I was SO tickled about it. Eddie told me I couldn't get him one. When I responded that HE vacuums at our house a lot of the time he told me that he wanted better for James. Ha! Little stinker! Can't argue with Grandmama and Kelly, though! James LOVES it.

After all of the gift opening, James told me he was sleepy. When he admits it we know he is EXHAUSTED. Look what happened about three minutes later. He slept almost an hour being held. This NEVER happens anymore!

We had a great "Christmas" weekend! We're so thankful that everyone was sweet enough to be flexible about when we could celebrate. We may do things differently next year, but it's worked out fine this year!

More parties and gift buying this week and then the REAL Christmas next weekend! James really is starting to "get" the gifts and Santa and that it's Jesus' birthday. I can't wait for Christmas morning!

Christmas Decorations 2011

2011-12-17T00:30:00.000-05:00

I've had my Christmas decorations out since the beginning of December and I am just now getting around to actually taking pictures of them. Guess I've been a little busy with two parties at my house and a wild toddler/hurricane running through! :)

You're going to laugh, but I have nowhere near all of my Christmas decorations out. About halfway through the decorating process my 31-week pregnant body asked me if I was crazy since my 33-week pregnant body will be packing them up. I decorated our den, dining room, and foyer, James has a tree up in his room (forgot to take a picture of it), and my stoop has topiaries on it with a wreath on the front door and that is it. I didn't get out my Advent wreath this year, I didn't put out any of my Christmas cookbooks, and I didn't get out all of the Christmas ornaments. It is plenty, though!

I have a *few* more things that I need to take pictures of and add, but here are a few pictures of our decorations this year!

My basket with ornaments that are safe for little hands and James' BIG stack of Christmas books!

Probably my favorite decorations! Almost all Willow House! The hurricanes came from my outlet section on my website. The bowl in the middle is from the Villa collection. The metal ornaments are also in my online store - they're called the Holiday Hanging Trio. I just bought ornaments from Hobby Lobby to fill it all up!

More Willow House. My Jolly Holiday Table Runner and a hurricane filled with more green and red! I do usually have the table runner stretched across the table, but we had company on Sunday and I wanted to use placemats instead.

My china cabinet doesn't have much, but I love my Christmas china from M. Bagwell!

In my foyer we've hung a Willow House mirror and I just tied one of our door buckets (Willow House!) on top of it and filled it with some greenery.

I used mesh on my tree for the first time this year and I LOVE it. I think I'll use more next year now that I'm brave!

Candles, real frasier fir cuttings (I could NOT find garland anywhere for the second year in a row!), Willow House stockings, James' Little People nativity, and my Santa gourd.

Baby Brother has one, too...unmonogrammed for now and waiting in his bedroom.

My nativity that Sonny brought back from Israel several years ago. I didn't put all of my nativities out this year and I actually missed taking a picture of one that is out!

That's all for now! Maybe I'll get around to adding a few more pictures soon! Thanks for visiting our home!

James' Christmas Program

2011-12-15T20:44:00.000-05:00

James had his very first "performance" today at school. His class, along with the other three classes (it's a teensy school) sang a few songs for parents at the end of the day today. He was SO excited about singing and has been practicing for us at home for a while. We weren't sure what songs he'd be singing, and actually thought his class would only be up there during Jingle Bells. Surprisingly, he did really well for a two-year-old. His class sat down at the front (they did better that way during practice) and while he never sang one. single. word., he DID dance at the very end. I was proud that he stayed up there the whole time!

Doing the motions to "Away in a Manger"

Santa stopped by at the very end! (He wasn't the real Santa...he had on TENNIS SHOES! Ha!)

And two videos of the day. It's TINY and Eddie couldn't figure out how to zoom on my iPhone, but he's the third from the right sitting down. My apologies to the mother in front who chose to sing and dance along. :)

After the Christmas program, James loaded up with Mama and me (I'd enlisted her help) to run errands and go to the hospital for what is *hopefully* our final blood draw for a while. James slept in the car while we ran around town for a few things and while we ate lunch and then we went in to the lab. I had the GREAT idea to take the stroller with us and let me just say that for my toddler who RUNS all the time (away from me!), it was a lifesaver. He wasn't the most perfect child while we were there, but he was sure close! We needed EIGHT vials of blood today to test for all the different things and he was a CHAMP. The man doing the blood draw was excellent and I wish I knew his name because I'd brag on him to the higher ups at the hospital. We've always (the four times we've been) had good experiences with the people in the Same Day Services lab (except that they're not super excited to see a kid coming in). Today, James sat sweetly in my lap and talked to the three people working on him. He squirmed a little bit when the needle went in, but the man got a vein on the very first try! Woohoo! James was praised by everyone and we ate cookies when we got home.

Showing off his red bandage!

Allergy Update...

2011-12-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've updated about James' allergy issues. We just weren't really sure where we stood on things. After the possible reaction to cashews back in May, we had bloodwork done that came back clear. I wasn't convinced that we weren't dealing with a nut allergy, though, so we've steered clear since then. At school and at church James is labeled as a child with a nut allergy. We've not offered peanut butter or anything else containing nuts at home. He did have Reese's Pieces at his birthday party when another parent (unaware of the issues) opened a package for him. He had several before I realized what he was doing. (And while it is NOT FUNNY at all, the parent turned completely white and looked sick when he realized! I felt horrible!) (His nose and forehead turned red and swelled a teensy bit, but we had been outside all day long and he's been known to react to outside allergens as well.)

So...we had an appointment with an allergist today. I have to say that I'd asked another parent about this doctor and a mutual friend of ours didn't like him (according to the friend I asked) but we were very impressed! We were only in the waiting room long enough to fill out paperwork and then we were moved to a room in the back where the nurse asked lots and lots and lots of questions about our home, his diet, our allergies, etc. After she finished she moved us to another room. We might have been there waiting on the doctor for 10 minutes.

When he came in he went through a lot of the same questions. We discussed the three reactions we've seen (two were definitely on the same day as nuts, one was not) as well as how sick he's been since August. He listened to his chest and back, looked in his nose and ears, and declared that he definitely has inflammation in his nose. James has been rubbing and rubbing his nose for about a week but it hasn't been runny so I've not given him anything for it. The doctor thinks we are definitely dealing with some seasonal stuff. He gave us a four week trial of Singulair to take at night. We'll go back in four weeks to see how that's worked.

He then talked to us about the food allergies. I showed him the pictures on my blog of the first reaction and he said he really, really doesn't think it's outdoor allergens. He's definitely leaning toward a nut allergy. :( He ordered more bloodwork because he said that often times when you do bloodwork right after a reaction it gives a false negative. So...more bloodwork at the hospital testing for LOTS of things. Everything from cashews and peanuts to dust mites and cockroaches. (YUCK!!!!) If the nut allergies come back negative again then he'll do a skin test for those. If not, then we'll know it's a nut allergy and go from there.

Eddie and I were both impressed with the doctor but I definitely am hoping that we don't fall into the weekly or even monthly visits to the allergist. Please pray that these tests will show NO food allergies and just the regular old seasonal stuff. I sure would love for him to live without the really super dangerous allergies.

Baby Brother...31 Weeks!

2011-12-13T08:23:00.000-05:00

Size of the Baby: Baby Brother is about 16 inches long now, and weighs about 3.3 pounds (three navel oranges). He’s also apparently about to head into a growth spurt. I can’t wait to see how much he really weighs. James was 8 pounds, 2 ounces when he was born.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +8 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front.

Gender: Another boy!

Cravings: I’m back to feeling a little puny about food. Nothing sounds good to me anymore. My favorite thing right now is a Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart with peanut butter. Healthy, huh?

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I told Eddie last night that I have officially hit the uncomfortable stage. I am so glad that we only have one weekend of spending the night away from home between now and his due date. I am uncomfortable in my own bed so I know it wouldn’t be fun trying to sleep somewhere else. (I’ve hit the part of pregnancy where it’s hard to sit up but I still have to sit up to roll over in the middle of the night. It’s a process and probably looks similar to a turtle who has been flipped over on its back.)

Sleep: It’s taking me a lot longer to fall asleep now. And usually I wake up a few times in the middle of the night.

Best Moment This Week: Our two dates this past weekend!

Weekend Update...

2011-12-12T14:43:00.000-05:00

We had a FUN weekend but it absolutely FLEW by. Don't they all? Especially this time of the year? Especially with children?

On Friday afternoon, James and I loaded up in the car and drove south to meet Grandmama and Granddaddy. James was having a spend-the-night with Grandmama and Granddaddy on Friday night and staying with them almost all day Saturday while Eddie and I had a date.

When I got home from dropping James off, Eddie and I went to a local steakhouse/asian place that we like a lot. We realized we hadn't ever been there by ourselves! We've always either had James or another couple with us! The food was just so-so, which is a little unusual, but we had a fun time!

Saturday morning we spent our time cleaning the house and working in the yard. We needed to get it shaped up a little for company on Sunday afternoon. We didn't have a ton of time, as we needed to get showers so we could meet some friends for lunch and the highlight of the weekend.

I convinced Eddie a month or so ago to go to Macon with me to see some friends' little girl dance in the Nutcracker at the Grand Opera House. Mwahahahaha. :) He was actually (while not totally excited about it) okay with doing it since we'd be with the friends and since we'd be able to see Lauren dance. She was SO cute. We met them beforehand at Ingleside Village Pizza and had lunch. Delish!

The Nutcracker was great! We had seats in the balcony (I picked those because I felt like we'd be able to see better AND I wanted aisle seats.) and could see everything. I made sure that Eddie read the story in the program before it started since I knew that otherwise he'd be going, "Ummm...what?!?!" He still felt that way a little bit, I think. He kept leaning over to me and saying, "So, is she dreaming this? This is still the dream?" Ha! He did live through it, though! I have to admit that I haven't seen the Nutcracker since about the third grade when a friend was in the Atlanta Ballet's performance of it, and since I've seen lots and lots of musicals and plays since then I kept wanting them to talk or sing. :) We enjoyed it, though! (Eddie did say we won't be making this a yearly tradition!)

Saturday night we picked James up from Grandmama and Granddaddy and awaited the tantrum that usually follows. Fortunately, he stayed awake the whole way home (and made me sit with him in the back and hold his hand since I couldn't hold him) and going to bed was made easier.

Sunday morning we had my dad's entire extended family over at our house for Christmas lunch. I think I counted 19 people in attendance. An aunt and uncle were not there and we were missing several cousins, but overall it was a great turnout! We enjoyed having it at our house!

After the Hasty family left we had Christmas with Dad and Laura. It was certainly different this year since we hadn't spent the night with them, but I think we enjoyed it just the same! James got a Hot Potato game from Anna and Lance and kept us entertained for a LONG time as he laughed hysterically at it! :) Pretty sure the rest of us were just as excited about our own gifts. :) It was a fun visit!

We had a great day until everyone left. Once Eddie laid down with James he started feeling bad and was a sick puppy for several hours last night. Hopefully it was just something he ate and not a stomach virus. James and I have our fingers (and toes) crossed that we won't be fortunate enough to share those germs. Yuck. He got up and went to work this morning, though, so hopefully he's feeling much better!

We have another two rounds of Christmas this coming weekend before the real deal on the 25th. I'm excited about all of it but I have to admit that this transition to Christmas at our own house is weird. I know we'll get traditions going and get all the kinks worked out, but in the meantime, it's weird. Ha! I'm sure we're not the first to feel this way!

Baby Brother's Room

2011-12-08T17:16:00.000-05:00

Poor Baby Brother. We've not spent nearly as much time this pregnancy agonizing over decisions that need to be made like we did with James. Part of the reason that we haven't is that we have almost everything that we need. I do have a wishlist of a few items I'd just like to have...and then there are things that were in James' nursery that are now in James' big boy room that I need to replace (trashcan, sound machine, etc.)...but most of the things that we need we already have. BUT...I'm re-doing the nursery itself and I have not put much thought into it at all.

Mom and I met in Albany yesterday at our favorite fabric store and I must've made 100 laps around the place. I pulled and cut everything that I even remotely liked. Today, I went to Hobby Lobby while James was at school and pulled and cut even more fabric. I am drowning in fabrics and I can't make up my mind.

The result is this:

A ~~mess~~ hodge-podge of prints, solids, and stripes!

The cowboy pile. The red AND blue prints are exactly alike except for the background color. I like the idea of cowboy, but I don't want to overdo a theme. I don't want his room to look like Longhorn. Tasteful!

A better picture of the red. The Hobby Lobby girl scares me. She only cut a piece that was about an inch wide. She did NOT like that I was asking for so many pieces.

And a cowboy idea that I saw on Polka Tot Designs. They have the cutest stuff!

This is another combination I like but I'm not sure Eddie is sold on it. It is definitely LITTLE boy. It wouldn't grow with him. So I'm sort of stuck on it.

Another from Polka Tot Designs using the above (or very similar) fabrics.

And then, just a few more that I like but probably don't stand a chance against Eddie's opinion. I love the blue/green combination especially in sort of a preppy way. Like a man's dress shirt or tie. Is that weird, or what?

Alright, who wants to come over and design the nursery for me???

Baby Brother...30 Weeks

2011-12-07T20:43:00.001-05:00

*** I feel like I should put a disclaimer here that there is a lot of pregnancy talk here. Nothing gross, just a lot of pregnancy stuff. Carry on if you feel like it! ***

I had a great check-up today! I can't believe I'm going every two weeks now. Time is just flying by!

My glucose test from two weeks ago was fine. I think she said it was 83 which is fine. Anywhere between 70-125 is normal (I think).

I mentioned that I'd been having nose bleeds. They haven't been terrible but I did have an embarrassing time when we were out shopping after seeing Santa on Sunday. We just rushed to the bathroom quickly. Dr. W. said that sometimes low platelets can cause nosebleeds but that mine were fine two weeks ago. She said she'd be glad to order more testing but I declined. They're not THAT bad. More than likely it's just broken capillaries inside my nose since pregnancy causes you to grow so many more of that. That, combined with whack-o temperature changes and dry air have probably caused them to occur.

I asked if she could feel to see how he's positioned. I've mentioned before that he doesn't feel like he's in my ribs at all. I told Mama not too long ago that I am convinced he's breech. Well...he is. :) She barely touched the top of my belly and said, "Oh! That feels like his head!" Ha! She seemed surprised! She said his head is right up under my ribs so more than likely all of the pain and discomfort that I'm feeling (like I'm carrying him low) is just a result of his little feet and legs doing all their kicking down instead of up. I couldn't breathe with James and that hasn't been an issue at all this time. The symptoms I'm feeling this time are that my stomach might rip open - it literally feels like it might some days - and an early waddle. :) She mentioned that often the higher the baby is the lower he feels. Weird. Not sure why. She said he has PLENTY of time to flip before he's born (Eddie was a breech baby - yikes!) and that if he doesn't she'll flip him manually by pushing on my stomach to turn him (an aversion). (Although, I'm not sure whether I'd rather take the aversion route - which can be dangerous to the baby - or the c-section route. Let's pray this little boy turns!)

Everything else looked fine. My blood pressure was 122/70 and Baby Brother's heartrate was 153. My weight still looks fine and I'm measuring fine. He's growing and healthy and all is well!

Then she showed me how to turn the apps off on my iPhone. Ha! I really like her a lot. She is WAY laid back which helps me. :)

I drove to Albany today to pick up my other baby from Mama and to go to the fabric store there. I think I brought back 20 swatches to test out. Options, options! With James I knew exactly what I wanted...I don't even know what COLORS I want with this boy. No name, no nursery, no nothing. Poor second child!

Here's the other pregnancy stuff...

Size of the Baby: Baby Brother is about 15.7 inches long now, and weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage).

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +7 pounds (By the way, I looked to see how much I’d gained with James at this point because with him I just felt HUGE and I’d gained 17 pounds by now. Ha! I WAS huge! I wasn’t chasing anyone around then, though, so I’m sure that has something to do with it.)

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front.

Gender: Another boy!

Cravings: Still feeling really, really good food-wise. I am still really craving sugars but trying to eat enough protein that I'm not crashing-and-burning.

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I think I probably wouldn’t be feeling quite this pregnant this early if I wasn’t hauling a toddler around all the time. He’s walking a lot, but I still have to heave him into the car and up on high things. Whew!

Sleep: Still ok. I’m actually falling asleep and staying asleep all night long, usually. Hope I don’t regret saying that! Someone has decided that our bed is more fun to sleep in, though, and he keeps me awake more than pregnancy does. It is taking me longer and longer to actually fall asleep, though!

Best Moment This Week: All of our Christmas fun! The decorations are up, the elf has been to visit, and we’ve seen Santa! James and I have also been reading a lot of Christmas books and watching lots of Christmas movies!

November Books...

2011-12-06T08:40:00.000-05:00

*** My 30 week appointment (30 weeks, y'all!!!) is tomorrow so I'll post then about Baby Brother! ***

I'm a little embarrassed to tell you that the only book I finished in November was Nora Roberts' Carnal Innocence. It's not her typical trashy read, though. (I mean, it might've been a little trashy, but not nearly as some I've read.) I found it on my bookshelf one day when I was in need of a non-thinking book (I'm reading a few nonfictions right now) and decided to try it. (Bess, I think you might've loaned it to me...in college?!?! Want it back?)

The book was actually a murder mystery with a little romance mixed in. It's set in Mississippi and at first I thought the "accents" and the Southern good 'ol boy routine were going to drive me crazy. I got past them, though, and really enjoyed it!

I'm still working on a few of the same that I've been dragging through the past few months. I have just not had time to read! James keeps me SO busy during the day and at night I'm exhausted. I think I'm forgetting how pregnant I actually am. (I had to be reminded I'm in the THIRD trimester.) Hopefully I'll have a better update at the end of December. :) Ha!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2011-12-05T00:16:00.000-05:00

Oh my heavens, what a FUN weekend! This was our last weekend where we had no other obligations on our calendar...and I left it that way on purpose. We had lots of fun Christmas traditions to get started on and I couldn't WAIT.

On Saturday morning our Elf on the Shelf, George (so named because James wanted to name Baby Brother "George"), was here!!! This is, if you can believe it, the THIRD year that George has been our elf, but since James wouldn't have gotten it before this year, Santa asked if George could please continue his work in the North Pole. OF COURSE, we permitted him to stay there but we are thrilled to have him here this year!

George pulled out all the stops on Saturday morning. We had a breakfast casserole, doughnuts, and hot chocolate waiting for us when we woke up (bright and early!) and he even brought everyone a gift!

He put out my Christmas china and I was thrilled for an excuse to use it!

The customary North Pole gift is, of course, Christmas tree ornaments. James got three new ornaments - a Santa pirate, a pirate ship, and a UGA snowman. George brought me a camera ornament and a popcorn ornament and Daddy got a toolbox ornament. All very cute on our tree!

James got a few other goodies from George to thank him for being sweet and to remind him to listen and mind! George brought reindeer antlers, a snowman apron, an elf that can be played with (George will lose his magic if we touch him), and a microphone. I'm not sure how George knew, but the microphone has been the BIGGEST hit!

I'm still pretty sure James doesn't understand, but he DID get very excited to look for our elf Sunday morning. It was SO cute. (And George came a little early on Friday night and set our table before James went to bed. I wish I had his reaction to that on video. He yelled "Happy Day!" over and over. Ha! Sweet boy!

Sunday after church we made our annual trip to Bass Pro to see Santa!

2009:

2010:

James was SO EXCITED about sitting with "Ho Ho" this year. He kept saying, "I sit Ho Ho's wap." I assumed he'd get up there and not do it or burst into tears but he was SO BRAVE.

After he chatted with Santa for a while he walked off and asked to see the boats and the fish like it was all no big deal. :) Later, we saw Santa (another one) at Dillard's and he chatted with Santa like they were best buds! SO funny! I am thrilled he wasn't scared this year!

He was, however, scared of this bear when Eddie plopped him down in front of it. This picture was after a minute of explaining that the bear wasn't real (yes, I know it is but that was easier than saying it was dead!). He still wasn't thrilled to be there and wanted to be picked up quickly!

And looking at the fish!

Big boy was SO sweet this weekend. He was on his best behavior (most of the time) and was just a joy to be around. I told him over and over how proud I was of him and I hope we have more days like we had this weekend!

As a funny sidenote, on Sunday night Eddie laid down with James (bedtime ritual) and asked that I come wake him up at 9:00. When I walked in Eddie was snoring away and James looked up at me and just grinned. Ha! Poor thing was having to try to fall asleep to the sound of his daddy sawing logs! Bet this happens every night!

Hope y'all had great weekends as well!

My 101 in 1001...November 2011

2011-12-02T08:33:00.000-05:00

I started this list on November 1, 2010 and will give ongoing updates.

Those that have a ~~strike-through mark~~ are complete. Those in pink I'm working on or they are on-going goals. These have to be completely by July 28, 2013 (so those of you who have said how worn out you get by looking at this, it's all about the baby steps! I still have almost two years!). I know that it may get annoying that I post this (almost) once a month, but I think it's a good way for me to evaluate what I need to be working on. Skip if you wish!

For me...

1. Try a new recipe (and blog it!) at least once a month. (Most recipes can be found in the recipes tab.) (I obviously need to work harder at this. I AM making a new recipe tomorrow night.)

~~2. Take a sewing class.~~

3. Buy an embroidery machine.

4. Take a photography class.

~~5. Buy a new car!~~

6. Keep up with our Shutterfly photo albums.

7. Join MOPs or another "Mommy Group."

8. Go on another girls' trip to the beach.

9. Enjoy a "me-night-out" at least once a month.

10. Go see a movie by myself.

11. Go to two states I've never visited.

12. Take more pictures with me in them.

~~13. Buy a Cricut or Silhouette.~~

14. Get a new pair of "good" jeans.

~~15. Buy a new cellphone.~~

16. Learn to decorate cookies and/or cakes.

17. Go to Callaway Gardens to see the Christmas lights.

18. Continue working on our family trees.

For My Mind...

~~19. Read 10 nonfiction books (and blog about them!).~~ (Extras will fall under the next category.) (See the Books tab if you're interested in what I've read.)

(1.) The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

(2.) The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren

(3.) Decision Points by George W. Bush

(4.) In the Garden with Billy: Lessons about Life, Love, and Tomatoes by Renea Winchester

(5.) Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure

(6.) Better Photo Basics: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Taking Photos Like a Pro by Jim Miotke

(7.) The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond

(8.) Bossypants by Tina Fey

(9.) Life Lessons with Max Lucado: The Book of Genesis

(10.) The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers by Suzanne Riffel

20. Read 101 fiction books (or extra nonfiction) (and blog about them!).

(1.) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

(2.) Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

(3.) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

(4.) Pop Goes the Weasel by James Patterson

(5.) Ape House by Sara Gruen

(6.) The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

(7.) The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

(8.) Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich

(9.) The Secret of the Old Mill by Franklin W. Dixon

(10.) Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

(11.) The Missing Chums by Franklin W. Dixon

(12.) London Bridges by James Patterson

(13.) Hunting for Hidden Gold by Franklin W. Dixon

(14.) The Shore Road Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon

(15.) Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

(16.) The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

(17.) Potty Training Boys the Easy Way - Helping Your Son Learn Quickly, Even if He's a Late Starter by Caroline Fertleman

(18.) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
(19.) Hardy Boys #7 by Franklin W. Dixon
(20.) Hardy Boys #8 by Franklin W. Dixon
(21.) The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
(22.) Jaws by Peter Benchley
(23.) Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
(24.) Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
(25.) Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Paschal
(26.) The Secret of Redgate Farm by Carolyn Keene
(27.) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
(28.) Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosney
(29.) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larson
(30.) Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts

21. Read 10 "Classics." (Extras will be included for the above.)
(1.) The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

22. Write more for myself...even if I don't ever share it!
~~23. Join a book club.~~
24. Begin working on my masters. (Have I lost my mind?!?)
25. Learn more sign language.
26. Write snail mail letters to my friends - one friend a month. Who wants to be my pen pal?
27. Learn to crochet or knit.
28. Draft a will.
~~29. Keep up my teaching certification.~~

For My Soul...

30. Make attending Sunday School and Church a priority.
31. Transfer our church memberships.
32. Do a Bible Study with Eddie.
~~33. Complete the Beth Moore "Revelation" study with my small group.~~
34. Tithe 10% of my Willow House earnings.
35. Memorize two new Bible verses every month. (I'm going to be starting fresh in January.)
36. Read the Old Testament all the way through. (I've read the New Testament more than once but I get bogged down in the Old!)
* Genesis
37. Complete Beth Moore's "Daniel" study.
~~38. Buy a Bible timeline book.~~
39. Get over my "no Christmas before Thanksgiving" rule and start listening to Christmas music in November. It makes me happy! Decorate the house the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving. (And this year the Monday, Tuesday, etc.!)

For Others...

40. Send out Christmas Cards (on time!) ~~2010~~, 2011, 2012.
41. Take meals to friends who have babies, are ill, or have a death in the family.
* I took a meal to Eddie's co-worker and his wife, who broke her leg in March '11.
* Took a meal to a friend who just had back surgery in November '11.
42. Volunteer at the church.
* Spring Bible School - March '11
* Vacation Bible School - July '11
43. Volunteer at an elementary school.
44. Throw a party/shower for friends or family members at least five times.
* The Perry's shower with the Lunch Bunch.
* Co-hosted a shower for Kate in February.
* Shelley and Samantha's Sip 'N See in April.
45. Volunteer to teach (children's) Sunday School.
46. Send Birthday cards to friends and family.
47. Sponsor a Compassion child.
~~48. Help another family buy Christmas gifts for their children.~~
We will probably do this every year. I love it and want to use it as a learning tool for when the boys are bigger.
49. Bake homemade Christmas goodies for friends and family at the beginning of December.
50. Deliver teacher goodies to school at least once a school year.

For My Marriage...

51. Go on a planned date once a month.
We've gotten better at this as I've learned to send James off for weekends when we have big things going on. We do what needs to be done, but we've also snuck in a date or two!
52. Pray for my marriage daily.
53. Take a "just us" trip for more than a weekend.
54. Go on a 5 year anniversary trip back to the Caribbean.
~~55. Go away for a weekend together.~~
* Went to Atlanta for our shopping trip - one night away.
* St. Simons in June '11 - two nights away.
56. Encourage Eddie.
57. Turn off the TV and computer at night.
~~58. Eat dinner at the kitchen table.~~
59. Read The Love Dare together.
60. Start exercising together.
61. Be intentional about becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.

For My Child...

62. Pray for James daily.
63. Read to him daily.
~~64. Put James in preschool.~~
65. Pray out loud with James.
66. Take James to the library once a month.
~~67. Start a savings plan for college.~~
~~68. Take James to the zoo.~~
69. Take James to Disney World.
70. Start our at-home preschool time each day. (Fell off the wagon once sickness with Baby Brother started in. Need to re-start!)
71. Go to Burt's Pumpkin Patch. (Another one I'm re-thinking. We liked the one we visited this year!)
72. Begin to teach James about spending, savings, and tithing.
~~73. Begin the Jesse Tree Devotions at Advent each year.~~

For My Health...

74. Complete Couch-to-5K
75. Run in a 5K.
76. Get back to wedding weight.
77. Drink 2 thermoses of water daily.
78. Take my vitamins daily.
79. Go to the dentist twice a year. (I'm horrified that I haven't done this. The thought has made me want to be sick, though. Morning sickness + disgusting toothpaste flavor = yuck.)
80. Go to the eye doctor once a year. ~~2011~~ 2012
81. Start cooking with more fresh fruits and veggies.
82. Eat fewer processed foods.
~~83. Floss every night for a month.~~
84. Get a massage.
85. Do Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred for THIRTY DAYS! (At least 3x per week!)
86. Do yoga once a week.

For My Wallet...

87. Organize and use my coupons at every grocery trip.
88. Set up our budget and stick to it.
89. Continue menu planning each week.

For My Home...

90. Paint the dining room.
91. Curtains in the kitchen, den, dining room, and master bedroom.
92. Rugs in the kitchen, ~~den~~, dining room, and ~~foyer~~.
93. Complete my weekly cleaning list!
94. Hang pictures!
95. Recycle! Set up recycling bins in the garage.
~~96. Organize office.~~
97. Organize garage and PARK IN IT!
~~98. Complete the swingset building project.~~
99. Decorate another Christmas tree in our dining room at Christmas.
100. Frame and hang more pictures of our grandparents and great-grandparents.

101. Commit to completing this in 1001 days!

Thank You!

2011-12-01T13:54:00.000-05:00

*** This was supposed to be posted at the beginning of November but got lost in the shuffle somewhere! Enjoy! ***

Well, I guess it's only appropriate that James FINALLY learned to say "thank you" in the month of Thanksgiving. I taught him sign language as a baby and he was EXCELLENT at it. He signed up a STORM...but he didn't speak. He babbled, but he didn't speak real words. Finally, about three months ago he just started talking up a storm. I spoke the "code" a long time ago but no one else did, of course. So grandparents were thrilled when they could actually understand him! (He still speaks two-year-old, I'm not saying he's going to be making speeches anytime soon.)

Well...the last of the words that he knew to say in sign language was "thank you." You have to put your hand to your mouth to say it and people always thought he was blowing them a kiss. I gave up trying to explain a long time ago and just let them think he was flirting. On Wednesday night, though, I said, "Say 'thank!'" and he did! Then I said, "Say 'you!'" and he did that, too! We got him to put it together and he was so pleased with himself. So here, for the first time for the public, is James actually saying, "Thank you!" Now I need to get "Yes, sir!" on tape. It's very cute.

Sweet Little Prayers...

2011-11-30T09:04:00.000-05:00

We have been working with James on prayers. We say the blessing, we pray on the way to school for our friends and a good day, and Eddie does bedtime prayers when they're trying to fall asleep. So far, they've been pretty "generic" prayers. You know, the "God is Great" kind at the table, etc. He doesn't get it yet, but he knows the routine and he's consistent at reminding us.

On the way to school two weeks ago we started our prayer and thanked God for our friends and teachers and prayed that he'd have a good day and be sweet and helpful while he was there. I wrapped up and said, "Amen," and he said, "Mo, Amen?" (Translation: More prayers?) So I let him tell me who/what to pray for. It was the SWEETEST thing and I can't wait for more of this. I'd apparently left out things and people he thought needed prayers or we'd forgotten to say thank you for!

It was quite a moment as I realized that that's all God wants, just those little child-like thank yous while we're talking to Him. The lessons I have learned as a mama!

Since then, I've witnessed even more times where HE leads me in what to pray. It's the most precious thing! This morning, I overheard him say the blessing while he was alone at the kitchen table eating breakfast. The faith of a child!

Baby Brother at 29 Weeks

2011-11-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

Size of the Baby: Baby Brother now weighs about 2.5 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +7 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! Lots and lots and lots of it. He enjoys sitting right on top of my bladder all.the.time. It was confirmed last week that he is super low and that’s causing some pain. He wiggles all the time now, though! Over the weekend I’m not sure he slept at all!

Cravings: Still feeling really, really good food-wise. I am still really craving sugars.

Best Moment This Week: I have been looking forward to Week 29 since we found out we were expecting again. I visited a baby in the hospital a year and a half ago that was born at 29 weeks. Although I don’t want him to come anytime soon, I feel a little safer now that I’ve made it this far. I know that sounds silly, but I’ve been waiting and waiting! (Now if things will just SLOW DOWN. With James I was ready for him to get here, this time around it is flying by so quickly!) I also really enjoyed our Thanksgiving trip!