girls' night in

This is the night Drew has his elder meeting so Sarah and I get to watch America's Next Top Model, eat pizza, do pedicures and pig out on whatever we want. I've been looking forward to it!
Feeling fine today...still drooling more than usual and definitely not wanting sweets or even coffee. I need to buy more juice. I do crave that. I get tired more easily, too. We play "boo" at work--meaning when we're outside playing, I run and hide behind the bushes and the kids come look for me and I jump out and go "Boo!" Andrew'll come up to me and say, "Mommy, do boo." His new thing is wanting to hold Tuesday's hand (that's the little girl I watch) as they come to look for me. She likes it about half the time. I need to take a picture of them, it's adorable.
I think I'm feeling better with this pregnancy because I've been napping every afternoon with Andrew for about three hours. That's gotta help, right??? His bedroom is dark, cool and quiet--divine.
I just updated my blogger profile to include "and with #2 due at the end of the year." Pretty exciting!!
I also set up a sort of "rough draft" for an on-line gift registry at Amazon.com, just to keep track of stuff I think of that I'll need for #2. Thankfully, I don't need much. Well, unless it's a girl, of course, then I'll need pretty much EVERYthing in PINK!! I need an exer-saucer (we were loaned one then got a junky one at a yard sale), a play mat/gym, nursing covers...the list goes on.
Oh! Sarah's home, better put the pizza in and get my foot bath filled!!

5 weeks

Yes, the positive pregnancy tests just keep coming!! I finally found my camera today, just tucked inside a drawer, and got to take a REAL picture of a positive test!! It makes me feel better to see it, so obvious and...PINK. It's the line on the right that spells p-r-e-g-n-a-n-t. When you've seen several negatives, you feel like it's a trick of the eye or something. But, no...it's pretty clear!!


ANYway, I've now completed five weeks of pregnancy and still feel fine. I'm sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop because it seems strange to still feel this well. With Andrew, I was exhausted and nauseated every night from about 6pm on, up until month 3.5! Maybe I won't get that this time??? Every pregnancy is different, they say! I feel a little icky off and on all day but nothing major and I have been napping, but just as a preventative measure. Food still tastes good but sweets and coffee, just like last time, have lost their appeal. I did treat myself to a hot fudge sundae with nuts at McD's today! Mmmmm. Besides that, I'm being quite good, nutrition-wise.
We're still working through the doctor vs. midwife question but I am in contact with our midwife and have an appointment set up for mid-June to be checked out and hear the heartbeat. That was really exciting last time--we even recorded it as my voice mail message for people to hear!
We celebrated with my parents on Saturday. They got me a lovely card and a new maternity top. Yeah!! Thankfully, regular clothes look like maternity these days so it makes it easier. I just want to be comfortable and if people assume I'm pregnant--well, I am!! So what's the difference? I love being pregnant and love my growing belly so I'm going to make the most of it.
And my official "month one" belly shot, even though it was really five weeks. Don't even THINK about commenting on how I look three months along already--not OK. I carried Andrew to 41 weeks and he weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz. so give me a break!!

Here's week 5 from Andrew's pregnancy. That flat pre-baby belly. Siiiggghhh....Hey, I just got de ja vu. Weird.

That's about it for this week although I'll also add that Andrew's "terrible twos" have been in full effect this week--it's like he can sense my tiredness or something. We're dealing. At least he still naps.

I'm pregnant!

OK, we're back on-line. Who knew the modem had a power button?? One phone call and one push of a button and we're back in bid-ness.
So!! I'm pregnant!! We've been a little busy the last week or so but here's the latest and greatest.
First of all, here's my official "last non-pregnant photo." No emphasis on the belly and a great starting point for the large amount of growth to come. This was at our church luncheon on Saturday.

This is Sarah and I (Drew's sis' that lives with us). We're told we look alike--I don't see it here too much.

I had gotten a faint positive Saturday morning but didn't tell anyone. I got another faint (but better) positive on Sunday morning. I then purchased a more expensive test Sunday and took one Sunday night (positive) and Monday morning (very positive). We couldn't get the camera to focus on the lines--can you see the pink line on the left??

I felt much better about it then, especially in conjunction with continued high temperatures and no appearance by AF. We're women only here, right?? :)
So Monday, we started spreading the news. No, we're not the "wait until..." types. I just can't do it. And I want the prayers.
We called Drew's mom first, then I talked to Nannie later, just briefly. I sent texts to my old teaching buddy, plus Drew's sisters, who were both helping me decipher the tests. All of them were, of course, thrilled. I had some fun little note cards announcing our news so those went out to my aunt and uncle in Florida, my brother and SIL here (who I knew would get it within a day anyway), two old Florida friends of twenty years (who ended up finding out from the blog first, oops!), Drew's aunt and uncle and a few others. Then I headed over to my parents' house to tell them and Andrew fell asleep in the car, so I used the opportunity to call a few people who were awaiting news. Everyone was very supportive and happy, naturally.
So here were the top five questions I got (and their answers):
1. due date: depends on the way it's calculated, but early January is my best estimation, based on multiple factors. My cycles are very long BUT I know within two days when I ovulated so that helps. With Andrew, I counted 266 days from ovulation to Nov. 20, then he was born 6 days after that. Using that calculation, I'd be due about Jan. 3. I wanted to be due well into '09 but never dreamed it would take the first time, but--I'm not complaining!! Drew would like me to shoot for '08 for tax purposes and Mom has put in her request for barely post-Christmas while she's still on break. I'll see what I can do. Any other suggestions?? :)
2. Names: for a girl, Kate Annelise. Kate cuz I like it and Anne is mine and my mom's middle names, and a family name. For a boy, Ethan Ryan. Ethan would've been my name had I been a boy and Ryan is my mom's maiden name. We think we're having a girl. Drew had a strong sense of it being a girl and I asked God for a dream last week and dreamed about having just had a baby girl. Oh, how I loved her.
3. Doctor or midwife: This one is tricky. I absolutely want to labor and birth at home for about a zillion reasons. I didn't get anything I wanted out of Andrew's birth except it was drug-free and he was healthy. I'd like to try again. But, there were issues last time. Would they occur again? I don't know. There's risks associated with either choice, it's just a matter of which option is LESS risky for baby and I. It will be heartbreaking for me to go to a doctor and birth in a hospital. It's not what I want. But I want what's best. These two things conflict so resolving that is my #1 priority. I'm calling my midwife today as a starting point. Our insurance kicks in June 1 so that will be my starting point on that option. There is a chance I could find a great, female doctor and use the midwife on call at the hospital--but we'll see. Our local hospital is notorious for being "full," too, which is scary. It's all scary!! But I will not let fear rule my decisions. We're praying about it.
OK! On to how I told my parents. Mom was a hoot!! I put up this banner at her house. It says "CELEBRATE"!

She came in from work and saw it and asked, "What are we celebrating?" I said, "Earth Day! It's tomorrow, right??" Heehee. I told her I had a gift for her, too. For Earth Day! It was a pocket tissue holder. I then handed her the card announcing our news. It said, "This is the day we get to say, that a baby is on the way! SURPRISE!" She was so teary, she couldn't even read my note on the inside. She started crying and freaking out, saying, "Really? Oh, Tab! Really?? You're pregnant??" Then I told her to look at Andrew's shirt. It said "Big Brother." Then she started hollerin' and kissing him and going nuts.

I said, "Where's those tissues??" Then she got the connection and just laughed. Good thing we had tissues!! After we all calmed down, she read the card again and I told her all the details. It was fun. My dad got home a little later and we told him we were celebrating Earth Day and I had given them a card. He read it and just chuckled. Then kissed me. He was happy. They're going to be Nana and Papa times 3!
Here's Andrew in his shirt. We're telling him there's a baby in there but he just pokes my belly button and says "Be-be button." Hmm. Not quite getting it yet. He's got time.

So that's the gist of it. Hope you feel caught up.
I'm at 5 weeks currently. In the "critical period" for brain development so I'm focusing on eating well, resting and staying hydrated. I've been a little tired off and on but not that "evening sickness" I had with Andrew, but it will probably start soon. I'm eating a lot now to balance it out when all I want is grape juice and spaghetti o's. Heehee. Stay tuned for more updates and pictures of our growing family! Praise be to the Lord!

God said it was good

We believe that God withholds nothing good from us. "No" answers to prayer mean our request was not good. A "yes" means God deemed it GOOD. We've been praying to get pregnant at just the right time...
and on our first try, we got pregnant!! He said it was good!!
We're very, VERY excited. And relieved. And a little scared.
So pray for my health and the little life inside that isn't even as big as the period at the end of this sentence.
Thank you, Lord!!

My 151st post!!

WOW--150 posts, that's wild. Phew!!
So...I'm thinking I need to figure out how to cut back my...how shall I say..."activities." Reason? I feel like I can barely recover from one event to the next and like my entire week is a blur and the whole weekend is over in a blink--all of which leaves my plenty of housework and chores all piled up to tackle inbetween meetings, plus I feel like I hardly see Drew AND I'm tired!!
This month was and is more wild than usual--baby showers and luncheons EVERY weekend, leaving Drew home with Andrew and us getting to Sunday and night and going, "Ahh...how are you?"
Let's start with the necessities.
:: I work Monday through Thursday, 7:45am to about 12:15am. We get home in time to eat lunch and take a nap (often me, too, since I was up late the night before) then by the time he wakes up, it's time to start dinner.
:: My home-based businesses. I haven't even been going to meetings or doing shows lately because I feel like I'm gone so much as it is!! I'd like to get them going again, though, especially the jewelry. Even two shows per month would be a nice boost. It does take time--hostess coaching, sorting and organizing the jewelry, actually holding the show, filling orders, etc. But it's good money and FUN. And it affords me more jewelry!!
:: Church. I am on the women's leadership team (meetings once/month plus occassional events to plan and attend)...I head up the moms group (it's a one-woman show at the moment so I plan and execute all events including advertising and e-mails)...and I serve in the two-year-olds class every Sunday, second service. I want to start a moms' Bible study one morning per week so knowing I'm ADDING something, I've already asked to be assigned to the twos class every-other week. OH! And Drew and I go to Financial Peace U every Sunday AND head up a home group every Sunday! I almost forgot that! Our Sundays are completely shot--we have about an hour in the afternoon but the rest of the day is aaaaallll church.
Then, the "fun stuff."
:: Bunco the third Monday of the month. I've been in this group for about four years now and it's fun to go and not too bad to host. I host twice/year now because Sarah is a premanent player as well.
:: Red Hat Society. Mom and I head up our group but the ladies take turns planning events. I usually only go once every two months or so.
:: Blogging. I love it. It's my writing outlet and a way to "meet" new women, and get inspiration for everything from home decorating to parenting issues to crafts. It's like a hobby. It's what I do after Andrew is in bed at night. It's almost like going out with the girls--only from my computer!
:: Entertaining. You know I love to play hostess, so I usually host something here twice/month minimum.
And y'know...that's about it. I haven't done a craft in...gosh...many, many years. I miss it. I miss singing and acting, too. I miss friends. I miss going out alone and reading with a cup of coffee.
I feel like...I have a lot of obligations. I will always, always want to be active at church. I feel like that's the biggest priority (after Drew and Andrew, of course). So that stuff is almost non-negotiable...although I do debate about where I can best be used and whether I'm right where I need to be. What is I gave up the twos class and really poured myself into the moms group?? That's a whole other ball of wax, honestly. I love the people I serve with and enjoy it all--but it is kind of a lot, especially with a hubby who serves as well. FPU isn't forever, though, and we feel home groups are essential...but when Saturday is taken up with a million things to do, plus doing errands and chores we don't have time to do on Sunday AND Sunday is shot...well, that's not exactly a weekend, especially for Drew. I'm not a big fan of the go-go-go lifestyle--it stresses me out. I like some down time! And plain ol' family fun time.
So the little time not taken up with the above mentioned is spent cleaning and running a home and dealing with an energetic toddler.
I'd also like to spend more one-on-one time with the ladies at church...do an in-depth Bible study...start sewing...really learn how to cook...the list goes on. But how can I fit it in??
I don't know. Is this just...life?? And this is with one kid!! This isn't even home-schooling or gymnastics or hanging out with neighbors or persuing a favorite hobby...it's just sort of getting by, activity to activity, and making the most of it.
So...thoughts? Insights?? Do you feel this way, too? Like there's no enough hours in the day?

Embrace the feeling

Lesson for the day: having a hard time drumming up the motivation to get a job done? Imagine the feeling you'll have with the end result. This is why I set out my clothes and jewelry the night before--because I know how much better I'll feel in the morning, not worrying about it. It's why--despite being tired and feeling icky--I tackled cleaning up the living room and kitchen and even mopped tonight at midnight!! I have an old teacher friend coming to visit tomorrow and at first I did the whole, "Oh, she knows me, she won't care. I have a two-year-old, what do people expect??" BUT...then I thought about how much better I'll feel, inviting her into my home when it's neat and clean. I'll be able to focus on our visit and not be preoccupied with the dirty dishes.
This is why I choose to wear make-up, even when it seems like a waste of time. Like going to a women's ministry team meeting or to Bunco--it's just a bunch of women! So I think about how much more confident I feel when I know I look decent. Without make-up, I feel like everyone's looking at my pores and red spots, so I can't even focus on the conversation because I'm so self-conscious.
It's why Fly Lady is so genius. Her whole thing is to clean up before bed, have everything ready for the next morning and leave your sink clean and shiny. It's not always fun doing your routine at night after a long day. But, oooooh, the feeling of waking up the next morning to a clean home and a fresh, sparkling kitchen!! Totally worth it.
So that's my thought for the day. Andrew's stuff is ready to go to work tomorrow, my bag is packed, I've got my clothes laid out, breakfast is under control...all I have to do is make coffee and get dressed! It's a nice feeling.

Pray!

I'll only keep this post "up" until we know...but for those of you who read this in the next week, pray for us. We're "trying" for a baby and will know by next weekend whether it "took" this time. The waiting is excrutiating!! And of course we'll be very disappointed if we're not pregnant.
Pray for patience and good health, and that it will happen in God's timing. Thanks!!

Delightful!!

Drew brought roses home yesterday!! Aren't they beautiful?? I much prefer wild ones in an assortment of pretty colors to the "dozen of exact same red" variety. What a nice treat!

Mother's Day...

...is just over a month away!! What are YOU getting your mom??
When it comes to birthdays and Mother's Day, I like buying things that the recipient wouldn't buy for herself. Something frivolous, pretty and maybe a little impractical!
I love what headtotoe2007 has on Etsy. Gift baskets!! The contents are handmade and the basket is reusable.
Here's her site:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5250233
Here's what my grandmother in Florida is getting from my Mom and me. "Headtotoe" is shipping it to her directly--how easy is that??? Besides the beautiful basket and liner, it includes a pillow case for the travel pillow she uses with her favorite chair (the larger one is pictured, but I wanted you to see the print called "peony"), hand soap and a reversible tissue box cover WITH tissues.


In a word? Delightful. No, she doesn't NEED a pink tissue box cover or a fancy pillow case for her pillow--but won't she LOVE it?? What a treat, right?? I think she'll adore it.
There's also THIS basket available with kitchen items. How cute is this stuff??? It includes the basket the liner, the reversible tissue box cover, a kitchen towel and a pot holder. I love the polka dots!!


The BEST part?? You can purchase it and have it shipped--all for under $40. Go in on it with a family member!!
This one's for my mom. She had to OK it because I had such a hard time choosing between all the gorgeous totes from "baffinbags" on Etsy.
She's at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5119794
It's flip flops--perfect for my mom--with the matching mini-wallet. Her bags are amazing, with all these pockets on the inside. The quality is fantastic.

As for my mother-in-law in another state, she's getting this mini-wallet and tissue cover in the "pink acanthus floral" fabric. Depending on my budget, I'd like to slip a gift card into the wallet as an extra treat. Somewhere she CAN'T buy something for her kids!! These are from "Sew Gracious" on Etsy and she has a lovely assortment of affordable items, many with free shipping!! She's at
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5084340


I've purchased multiple times from these ladies and they are wonderful. Hop on over and check them out!!

Saturday revelry

A good day, indeed. Started with breakfast and coffee by the pool at my folks' house. Here's Dad and I, so relaxed.

This was my view--plenty of birds to watch and a nice breeze. A leisurely breakfast on an Arizona spring morning is glorious. Plus, no Andrew to have to watch around the pool or drag my mom away to play!

This cracks me up...this plant (some type of succulent??) looks like an underwater coral of some sort so my mom found this little fishy to go with it! Heehee.

Then Mom and I did some shopping. I got new sunglasses!! I'm wearing contacts now so I finally get to wear cute shades again!!
We also spent well over an hour at Mom's nearby Goodwill. It's HUGE and must get a lot of volume cuz they do a half-price sale every-other Saturday. I haven't "thrifted" in forever and we could've spent all afternoon there. BUT, I did score what I set out for--crafty items (I found thread and embroidery hoops), new skirts (all $3.50 or less)...


...and some children's books. This is one of the charming illustrations:

And this one of some yum-yums. I love the colors!!

I even found set of red pegs for Andrew's room. Woo-hoo!! I got a few coloring books for about 35 cents each, too, which he dug right into. He's enjoying a Cheezit in this shot.

OH! And I found an over-the-seat car organizer (I think that's what it is) for all his goodies. He liked putting things in the pockets.

THIS is a hoot...my home-based jewelry business is called "Cookie Lee" and there's this brand at Mervyn's with Cookie in it's name--so I found this hat! It even has bling!! Andrew had to try it on, of course.

After that, I headed BACK across town to a baby shower for my friend, Tiffany! This is me and the mom-to-be.

She's full term and could literally go at any time. We're looking forward to meeting little Max!! The shower was very laid-back and pleasant--and I even won a prize (a mini rose bush) for guessing her favorite lullaby!!
All in all, a fine day. A day much-needed.
How was yours????

me and my booter

HEY! The computer is being weird--not letting me open the file with new pictures to upload--so I uploaded this one based on nothing but a number...and it's so cute!!! That's us!! I love the blue Arizona sky!
Andrew and I went to the store today (thank goodness for graham crackers I found in my bag for him to munch!) for a few last-minute items. I was hoping it would help me avoid going out over the weekend. Alas, I forgot to get chips.
So!! First of all, this is our first month officially on a budget. I've got my little cash organizer where I record and track what I buy and spend. It was slightly nerve-wracking, making sure I took the cash out of the right category, putting the change back, writing it down--more work than zipping a debit card through!! But good. I'm definitely more careful with cash, thus the graham crackers and not a meal at McD's. I had to think, "OK, kiddy meal today when we have perfectly nice stuff at home for lunch OR a pleasant meal with my mom on Saturday??" Hmm, hard one!! :)
I think it'll be good. And I will admit, it "feels" better to spend cash than wonder if the money is in the account, y'know? There's a certain freedom there.
AFTER the store, we went to the park for a bit, then returned home to get ready to have the carpets cleaned. Four years in this house and we've never had them cleaned. Then again, it wasn't an issue until Andrew came along, either. But, WOW, what a difference!! It looks amazing. I spruced up a little while I was at it, and even made dinner AND baked a cake!
And now I feel like I'm ready for a weekend. It's been a long week, mostly cuz I've been home all day AND every night this week--unusual for me. I feel like I haven't had much time to myself and I've got all these ideas for crafts and projects I want to do. I need a weekend!!! Drew's gonna let me stay the night at my mom's Friday so she and I can have breakfast by the pool, then go shopping in the morning. I've got a baby shower after that, so I'll have a nice stretch of time without Monkey. Not that I don't enjoy being with him!!!!! BUT...he's two! Energetic. And saps all MY energy. Coffee can only do so much.
So. I'll be at the zoo Friday, then over to friends' for dinner--then off to Mom's. I'll take the camera, of course.

Andrew's artwork

Springy, isn't it?? He painted this March '08 at 28 months old. A budding artist, perhaps?? :)

GOR-geous!!

Yep, "all things blog" is my new hobby. This is a wedding blog and she posts THESE. They are...amazing. These colors are delightful!! She does a new one every couple of days. Mark it as a favorite, OK? :)
It's on http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/

Here's the credits:
Top row from left: photo by Meg Smith, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, photo by Anna Kuperberg, photo from Laurie Arons
Row 2: car and flowergirl both from Martha Stewart Weddings, menu tag from Artfool, Reem Acra dress from Brides, lemonade with "I do" tags from Rebecca Thuss
Row 3: Perfect Endings cake via Bliss* Video Productions, invitation by Prentiss Douthit, croquet photo by Suzy Clement, English roses and lady's mantle from Jupiter Images
Row 4: champagne from Allure Wedding Consulting, ring pillow photo by Elisa Cicinelli, bouquet by Ariella Chezar, parasol photo from Kathryn Kenna

NEW blog!!

YES, this blog got some new colors and fun!!
BUT...more importantly...allow me to introduce you to...
"Roots & Wings"
www.proudgrits.blogspot.com
Check it out!! This is my public blog, all about healthy living, crafting, shopping...and anything else I come up with! It has my brand new BANNER, which I adore!!
Never fear--this will still be THE PLACE for family news and pictures!!
BUT...this other one will be fun, too! :)