Rewind

HAPPY HAPPY 4 MONTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO MY OTHER HALF!

Weekend Events

Saturday was a fun day full of all things prego!  Three other prego ladies and I spent five-ish hours at the Edamame Spa in Scottsdale, which is connected to Destination Maternity.  This store had all 3 maternity stores in it...including A Pea in the Pod.  Fun!  There was only one massage therapist, so it took a little longer than we all would have liked.  BUT we all got to relax for 50 min with a $20 discount.  They made us a cheese and meat platter and brought us cupcakes.  Ginger, my massage lady, told me that with the energy she was feeling from me, we are having a girl.  Yeah, so what, right?  What does this crazy woman know?  Just for the record, she knew what the other two pregos with me were having without knowing previously.  And the third, she guessed a boy and they'll find out in 2 weeks.  Kinda crazy.  I tried on the pair of Hudson's that I want to/will purchase once I'm a tad bigger and really need them.  Come on now, I'm planning on at least 3 more pregnancies...I will get use out of these suckers!  It was fun b/c I put on the 'tester' 9th month belly with my jeans...check out this bump:

Aren't these jean a must-have??  They're amazing :-)

Better visual with a shirt on!  It's a biggin.

Here's Nicole and I messin around.  I'm due 4 days before her and she has on the 7th month belly.

It was a nice getaway.  We went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner...I had a burger, fries, and a slice of Snickers cheesecake...only a few bites were left.  Man, was I hungry!  Once I got home, the boys and I headed out for Mike's going away party with his work friends.  They always take the guy out downtown and drink a lot.  I drank some caffeine at 9 pm, so I could stay up and take them home when the time came.  I did great.  And I was proud of myself.  Early in the night, our friends had their 6 week old boy, Tucker, present.  I was in heaven:

After a couple of bars and several beers later, we headed home at 1:20 am.  I was singing away in the car and all of a sudden heard snoring...all three boys in my car were sound asleep.  The next morning was glorious for me, reliving the evening with the boys who didn't remember much towards the end of the night.  No hangover for me- yayyyy!  I was just completely EXHAUSTED.  2 am bedtime is not cool for baby B and I...I tried to sleep in, but it didn't really help.  Nonetheless, Sunday night's sleep was glorious.  Sleep deprivation may very well be a pregnant woman's hangover.  Sunday was filled with football and more friends saying "good-bye" for dinner.  Here's two pics of hubby from the weekend.  Two different friends told me each of them were my future:

Ha ha ha.  First, Mike being a goof while I take care of the child.  Although, I am making quite a face.  Second, Mike checking out the computer with Nicole's daughter and our jealous dog, Gracie!  It going to be so very interesting to see how she reacts to baby B's arrival.  Poor G is jealous of anyone that takes away our attention from her!  Loved my 2nd to last weekend with my man before he's gone for 2 months-ish.  Time with him is perfect.  He's been a great father-to-be lately.  Barring with me through my moody times/days and really just being there for me.  I'm one (dare I say it, Caitlin?)  LUCKY DUCK!

OH- and how could I forget!  Thanks for the responses on the last post about diaper bags.  I was thrilled when all three of the polka dot bags were at Destination Maternity.  And, Caitlin and Angie, the first one has you completely fooled.  Don't worry, it fooled me too.  It's adorable, don't get me wrong, it's big and fashionable, but honestly, that's about it.  I almost felt like it was cheaply made.  The inside looked like and felt as if it would rip right open if handled slightly rough.  The changing pad is lame beyond measure.  The material felt like the old couch you never sat on at home and I doubt it comes clean easily.  I'm SAD!  I thought it'd be great b/c it's more purse like.  Since Miss Amber is correct, inevitably a diaper bag turns into your purse.  She also brought up a great point about practicality...it's easy to manage stuff with a bag that's not going to make it all worse.  *ah* What to do.  I did really like the last polka dot bag.  I just am not sure if it's what I really want to be stuck to my side for the next few years.  I dunno.  Maybe just keep looking, it's not like I don't have time or anything...lol.  

Diaper Bag Delima!

Alright folks, I know this might seem somewhat premature, but those who know me, know I'm a planner. Sorry in advance for being on top of things.  (Side note:  I say this now and I felt real prepared for the wedding and still found myself scurrying around until the day of...interesting, eh?)  I want a "cool" diaper bag...for the lack of a better adjective.  A bag that's practical, with interior pockets, stroller straps, an over the shoulder strap for me, a changing pad, trendy, not too pricey, an easily cleanable surface, and gender neutral, of course!  I also want to purchase this for myself since I know there's a boat load of other things we will be in desperate need of.  Here are the three I have come down to:

#1  The Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote in Pewter Dots or Charcoal Dots

Click Here for Details

Click Here for Details

#2 OiOi Diaper Bag- Black floral Jacquard Carry All

Click Here for Details

#3 OiOi Diaper Bag- Dot Hobo

Click Here for Details

Thursday: Things I'm Lovin

Sweet Home, CHICAGO!!!!  I must admit that we've had Chicago on the brain this week.  Since I couldn't blog without mentioning our HUGE news, the city made the list!  Michael "heard from a little bird" that he's ranked 5th in seniority by birthdate in his ground school.  Which means, that since there are 6 spots open for New York and 6 for Chicago, we will get our pick!  Chicago it is ladies and gentlemen, unless something goes terribly wrong.  Lets hope the birdie he heard from isn't messing up...the poor thing has no idea what's on the line- lol.  We really have no business being in NY, in fact, the thought scares me.  Our little world is coming together.  I feel like everything is falling into place at just the right time.  Although, I know there are some things I'd prefer to have happen...ie. Mike be present at our child's birth (big BIG thing), I know we are blessed with life thus far and gotta stick to it.  We truly do love this city.  I can't wait to explore.  One day, we'll be Chicago Cubs season ticket holders attending every game (probably in the bleachers). 

CrossFit, Inc.  As most, if not all, of you know, I CrossFit.  I have for two and a half years now and don't see quitting or leaving an option.  I will never go to any other workout routine.  And that's an impressive statement.  I workout 3-4 times a week.  I kick my own booty willingly and have gained muscles in places I never thought possible (me? biceps? no!).  I work hard for those muscles and will show them off when I feel the time is right.  I will get a shot of me and my 38 week pregnant belly doing some sort of CF movement.  I love it.  I feel strong.  CF is much like a cult...and everyone who does it will admit that.  The cult-ish atmosphere has probably pushed some people away and that's OK.  We are a tight knit community that truly believes in being fit...not just some fad diet or a boot camp class taken a couple times a week.  We are a team.  We challenge each other, push each other, and want the best for everyone.  A competitive side has come out in me...one that I knew kinda existed, but now it likes to shine.  I like to win...to be the best.  But I am far, far, far from it and congratulate the girls that beat me at any workout or lift.  It's a family.  Many tears have been shed and dried in the gym...over workouts, over life, over an ice cold beer.  It's seriously a lifestyle.  I preach and preach to all our friends...do CrossFit, just do it, you'll love it.  One day, we will own our own gym.  Probably out of our garage for free b/c that's what both of us see in our future.  But then we will be able to share the love of fitness with those around us (since the guy down the street is too expensive).  

more to come...off to work!

Preggers

Here are two girlfriends and I in Tempe "tailgating" for the ASU game we attended a couple of weeks ago.  It was HOT outside, I'm pretty sure we are all sweating here.  And this pic was taken with my iPhone, so it's not the best quality.  I forgot my camera and wanted documentation of this day...good thing I remembered before dark!  Ashley is on the left, pregnant with Harper due November 16th (so so so cool having someone due on MY birthday!), then me, preggo with baby B due in March, and Nichole, not preggo in this pic.  WAIT...WAIT...Nichole found out about a week ago they're expecting.  Yayyy!  So excited for them.  Now, get this...she went to the doctor on Monday to find out via the internal ultrasound, she's 15-16 weeks pregnant.  So, YES, in this photo she IS preggers too!  Yayyy!  Ha ha ha...craziest thing ever.  She skipped her whole first trimester and will find out more details Saturday at an external ultrasound.  Nichole might even be able to know what she's having already.  Just thought I'd post how grand it is to have such good friends paddling the same canoe you are :-)  

And 'POP' Goes the Weasel

EIGHTEEN WEEKS!!!

(in gender neutral yellow, of course)  

For some odd reason, I have been itching to get to this point.  My friend, Devon, is also prego with her first.  She's 6 months along, so a little further than me.  BUT she told me awhile ago that she finally looks prego AND can feel the baby girl move.  She was at 18 weeks.  I felt like if I could make it to 18 weeks, I've pretty much made it the whole 40, ya know?  So the countdown began and the day has come :-)  Baby B and I have made it to my mini finish line.  Drum roll please....here's the belly:

I believe it has popped!  Baby B is growin like a weed, I'm sure!

And when I push it out, there's definitely something there.  Although I've always been able to stick out my gut, this look a bit different :)  It's not just my organs I'm pushing out...poor baby.  lol.  I have two sites that tell me interesting info about the baby.  And I'm not sure which one is more accurate.  So, now it tells me baby B is a sweet potato.  Five big ol' ounces and five and a half inches!  The other site says he or she is a maximum 7 ounces and 6.5 inches.  Baby B can yawn, kick, roll, punch, hiccup, and swallow.  We have an ultrasound on the 22nd (we moved it from the 26th, so Michael can attend), which will be amazing b/c hopefully we will see all these things happening.  Plus, who doesn't love an ultrasound when pregnant?  Another chance to look at the baby that's growing inside of me, duh?!?!?  

Hubby and I spent Saturday cleaning out the garage.  I feel SO much better.  We know where all our stuff is and how much we will have to move with us come May.  Next step is cleaning out the spare/junk/guest room.  I figured we needed to clear out the garage in order to move what's in that room out.  Once that process has started, I will feel better.  I believe Papa has started on the furniture.  Well, I know he just got electricity so all his machines will work...exciting!  I'm thinking those will be finished post holidays...just around busy season (sorry dad) and will really make me feel like a baby is coming to live with us.  ha ha ha!  Now, if only we owned this home and I could really decorate.  Oh well.  There will be a better time for that.  

Change.  It's still goin on around here.  Gracie seems much better though.  That I am extremely grateful for.  I am dealing with the fact that my other half is leaving me for seven weeks straight.  I will surround myself with my fabulous friends (ie. lots of trips to Phoenix).  It's just those hard times that worry me...and I'm 900 times more emotional.  Confession:  I cried doing laundry yesterday.  Why?  I don't know...maybe b/c I don't want to be alone, I love MJB and miss him when he leaves for a night, and I absolutely don't want to sleep alone for that long.  Nighttime scares me.  It has since I was just a little girl.  I'm ready to stop anticipating him leaving and start the countdown to his return.

Not much planned for the weeks ahead.  A good-bye for Michael with the work ritual and lots of us time, which is exactly what I'm needing right now.  I want to fill up my bucket, overflow it with M so that I have enough of him until he gets home :-)  Positive vibes coming from this end!

G'day

Shout Out to Hubby

I am going to brag in this post.  Beware.  I am SO very proud of my husband.  Meet Michael James:

This is on our honeymoon- livin the dream!  For those of you who don't know this whole story, I will try my best to sum it up quickly and not make this a marathon post.

M started attending college in the fall of 2002 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (when we first met, I said, "huh?" like I'm sure most of you are).  At first, he thought he wanted to be in the Air Force, but changed his mind upon entering Riddle.  He worked his butt off for four years completing his Aeronautical Science degree, minors in Flight Meteorology and Safety Science, and working as a server at Outback.  Once he graduated, all the airlines were furloughing their pilots (laying them off), so he chose to be a flight instructor.  While this wasn't that bad of a choice, it wasn't what he ultimately wanted to do.  M has been flight instructing at Riddle since 2006.  He has been building his hours, taking leadership opportunities, and working his butt off to bring home a good paycheck for us.  Eventually, explaining to people that he's a flight instructor was bugging him.  He's a pilot- he worked hard to be one and was looking forward to the day that he could respond to the quesiton, "What do you do?" with "I'm a pilot for _____ airline."  Well, folks that day has come!!

CONGRATULATIONS 

MR. BUTTENOB!

Michael went to an interview for American Eagle at the end of August.  It was an interesting process but received a 'conditional' job offer.  He had to pass a background check and a medical in order to be offered a job.  He passed those, as well as, the Captain's board.  His ground school date is October 25th (aka. rigorous job training).  He will be working his butt off again to learn the rules, regulations, and ropes of a whole new airline.  After several tests and being away from home for 7 weeks straight he will officially be a pilot for American Eagle.

What's more exciting is that we will be moving from Prescott, AZ!  I've enjoyed our 3.5 years here thus far, but have been looking forward to a move closer to family.  Turns out M will have a choice between Chicago and New York.  While we know there's a chance he gets based in New York, we will be able to live in Chicago near family (he will just have to commute)!  I was hoping for Dallas, as it's a place we can actually afford to live and it'd be nice to be close to my side of the family for a period of time, but we have family in Chicago as well and ultimately that's where we wanted to end up.  It will be great to get settled and prepare to raise our family there.  I will be looking for a job and hoping to find a good sitter for baby B.  Although, it kills me b/c I'd love to stay at home for a few years...there's just no way we could survive off a first year pilot's salary (it's sad how much they make).

Look out, Chicago.  The Buttenobs are coming  in the spring of '11!!  We are elated...our life is changing in more than one way.  Change is good.  Change is what we wanted (and still do, just now, we have it).  We've just gotta get this prego to tame those emotions :-)  I'm not looking forward to the unknown- that's just not my personality type.  Nor I am looking forward to the 7 weeks straight of no hubby around.  But I couldn't be happier for him.  He's growing up and entering more of a 'real world' lifestyle.  Michael James, I am so very happy for you and all you've accomplished.  You deserve this spot as pilot and I cannot wait to see where this next year takes us.  I love you.  xoxo, Your Proud Wife

Thursday: Things I'm Lovin

This grill from Crate and Barrel was a wedding gift from my boss.  And...I LOVE IT!  It has a gas starter, so I don't worry about 'explosive things' and lighter fluid (nor losing my eyebrows and eyelashes).   Plus, we still get that charcoal taste.  Once Michael taught me how to use it, it's super easy.  The best part- is that it's GREEN.  My favorite color.  Naturally, I bought the matching doormat on sale so everything fits together.  We will be ready for grilling anytime.  I wanted to list this before grilling season leaves us.  Here in AZ we still have a few more weeks for it especially on Football Saturdays and Sundays, but it's getting chillier by the day :-)


Eventually, I hope to get better with these items, so they can be things other reads will use.  Yes, maybe you will purchase that grill at the end of the season sale or whatever...BUT my next few probably won't do much for ya.  However, they are the things of the week for me!  FLAVORED TOOTSIE ROLLS.  OMG- I avoid the Halloween candy aisle at the store b/c I know good and well that if I buy any now, it will NOT be there come time for trick-or-treaters.  I made the wrong turn, if you will, and entered the sugar overload, carb haters hell, prego lady's heaven.  I found the world's largest bag of flavored tootsie rolls.  Usually, they are in some kind of mixture with other candy that ultimately makes them taste funny.  (has anyone else ever noticed that candy does that? sick)  But, no, not this year.  AND they have new flavors.  It took all the power in me to not buy the bag (even though it was in my cart not once, but twice! lol)  Then, we attended a friend's son's 4th birthday party Sunday.  He broke open the pinata and lo and behold...there they were. Calling my name.  Since there were only 3 little boys attending the party, prego moved her way in and grabbed a handful of the delicious, chewy, sugar bits.  It was awesome.  Now, if only that curbed my craving...

And not playing favorites, BUT check out these little loves.  These boys are my nanny boys:

Meet Troy and Hunter.

And look at them before:

Man, how time flies.  In the individual pictures, they're almost 18 months (and I just realized I told someone this morning they were 16 months...sad face!).  I have to guess in the picture of them together that they're no more than 3 months.  They were born in May and my iPhoto says this was taken in August.  *sigh* Times flies.  I got teary eyed the other day thinking about them going to kindergarden, then driving and dating, and playing football...I love boys.  I could also go on FOREVER about these two.  They're SO opposite, but are twins.  Hunter has a mouth full of teeth, is rambunctious, tough, loves balls, hits, bites, runs, loves to be tackled, and has a terrible temper.  Troy is more reserve, although he does everything Hunter does, he does so more cautiously.  He has a two for one tooth we love and is a 110% momma's boy.  I think I'd be fine with 4 boys.  I know I say this now and may regret it later.  Michael will die with 4 girls.  So, I'm willing to go the other extreme.  They're fun.  While I love bows, dance class, dressing up, and girly things...they're just SO high maintenance!  (coming from me, right?)  Everyone tells me baby B is a boy...and all my life everyone has told me I will have all boys.  It's great.  I want hubby to have his boy and if I can bring FOUR of them into this world for us...even better!  I might even have that wild hair that tries for a girl on #5...why not?  (again, I say this now)  We shall see.  I am SO excited for March to come so I can see what's growing in my "lovely lady lump" now!

Those are my loves this week...until next time...

I mean- REALLY????

I think I've mentioned Gracie 'acting out' since I've been pregnant.  I haven't divulged the truth to that statement.  I'm not embarrassed..well, not as much as I thought I'd be.  I had heard of people's dogs freaking out when things change (ie. when the mom/wife is pregnant).  I always thought and even voiced that I don't see Gracie as that kind of pup.  She's been such a good dog for years now.  She's no lab...duh, she's a husky.  She doesn't particularly listen, it's more like she listens when she wants to or you better know how to get her to listen, which we do for the most part.  Or I guess Michael does.  When she thinks she's owed something, like a walk, she will not leave you alone until you do it.  She's vocal when we are around, but doesn't bark around other dogs (she'd rather quietly wine).  She's stubborn and will run away if you take her off her leash.  She's overly friendly and will definitely "welcome" you into our home by goosing you or straight up pouncing you.  Again she's a husky and we knew what we signed up for.  However, I didn't know how she'd act when the pregnancy hormones hit us!

Where do I begin?  I take you back to last Monday...I left the house like I do 4 times a week to workout.  I was gone for the typical hour and a half.  Since we were at a friends house on Sunday watching football and eating junk food, I hadn't taken the time to put away our leftovers.  After my workout I came home to a bag of chips exploded on the living room floor, a dozen chocolate chip cookies devoured, and half a bag of Mike&Ike's eaten.  Really?  I've left numerous things on the kitchen table in a standard grocery store plastic bag and not once has she eaten anything.  I would have taken a picture if I wasn't in tears, screaming, and calling Mike to make sure she wasn't going to die.  I left her out of her crate when I went to work, so for 6 hours she was fine.

Now come Tuesday mornings workout.  Gracie didn't get a walk b/c of her incident yesterday (Monday) and we were gone over the weekend.  I knew this was going to be a rough morning, as we go for a walk every day together.  This was one of those things that she feels owed so she gets naughty quick.  Nonetheless, I took her for a walk before my workout thinking she'd behave while I was gone.  When I returned from the gym on this day, Gracie had chewed her water bowl and a cardboard box that was in the entryway.  I mean...really?  It's just so out of her character.  When she's hot she likes to literally dig the water out of her bowl, but I'm there to stop her.  It looked like this is what had happened.  Then upon noticing she had no more water left, I'm sure she got pissed and decided to show that bowl who's boss.  STILL.

We put her in her crate the rest of the week...we actually say, "Gracie, can you go to your office?"  Stolen from my sister-in-law's family, the office refers to her crate.

Friday morning I felt lazy, didn't sleep well the night before, and wanted to stay cozy in bed.  I go up to let G out and went back to lay in bed.  Our roommate, Doug's, wallet just so happened to be on the kitchen table.  Gracie has tried to chew it once before, but I was around to stop her.  This time she was sneaky and quiet, I didn't hear a thing nor did he in the shower.  SO...his cards and such were dumped out and a nice hole chewed on the corner of the wallet.  I wanted to drop kick the brat.

Sunday morning we came back from a fun, friend filled weekend in Phoenix.  We walked in at about 7 pm and G had obviously gotten ahold of something and it was all over the living room floor.  I didn't get a pic of this either, as Michael was extremely pissed and not in a humorous mood.  I did get a pic of the aftermath.  She had chewed a Pizza Hut box to shreds.  AND got a very special, important photo album off the shelf that has been there for months now to chew out every page.  Jenny, brace yourself, I only need a few pictures so I have the complete collection.  But the album of all our wedding photos from my dad and Jenny got chewed apart.  Exhibit A:

   

This was special b/c there were so many pictures in there that Michael and I didn't have or had never seen.  It sat in the same spot since we received the gift and what possessed G to chew it, I have no idea.  SO very frustrating.

Bottom line, she's a daddy's girl.  She will do anything to please Mike.  I feel like she can sense my hormones and is reacting b/c she doesn't know what to do.  Yesterday, G and I had a great day.  She was so sweet.  She cuddled up next to me when I got home from work and slept on or near me all night.  We even shared a pillow this morning.  Hopefully, this is her wanting forgiveness and will be THE END of the naughty madness.  Keep your fingers crossed for us :-)

FOUR and a HALF MONTHS

Happy October!

I do love this month...it seems to be a great 'transition' month.  Summer to fall.  Pool parties to holiday festivities.  And it just to happens to be my little sister, Caitlin's, birthday month.  Fun.  In fact, her b-day is 10-10-10 this year...SO cool.  There's my shout out to you Caitor!

Here's the 'lump' we've all been waiting for...ha ha ha...I had to say it, it made me literally laugh out loud:

Looking a little 'puffier.'  Sorry this image isn't as clear as some of the others.  How about a close up?

From a higher angle I look more prego.  Still waiting on the full 'pop,' but Mike even tells me I look less chubby now and more prego.  Thanks babe!  Baby B is the size of your hand now.  Either a large yellow onion or a sweet potato!  How they're the same, I don't know.  About 5 cm long and more than 3.5 ounces.  It makes me freak out to look at my hand and think the 'thing' that was once the size of this period . is now HUGE.  He or she has started gaining body fat this week, which will continue throughout life.  It's just starting now- how cool.  Also, lil baby B has it's very own finger prints...so in a way, some identity.  I read that the baby can hear the dog bark and may even be startled, which is good to hear now b/c when he or she arrives they'll recognize that noise and will hopefully not freak out.  That will be an interesting adventure- crossing my fingers it goes smooth.  The article also said, he or she will sleep right through the dog barking once delivered since the exposure happened in utero.  22 days until our ultrasound, which will probably be the last one for awhile.  boo.  

I like that I can laugh now at my small lump.  Everyone tells me I don't even look pregnant...I was told all weekend how tiny I am.  But folks, I eat everything...and that's really unlike me.  Most of you know, I follow (or followed) the Zone Diet.  I loathe that the word diet is even in it's name b/c it's truly a lifestyle.  I loved it.  It gave me energy and a truly healthy body.  Then I started CF and gained the muscle.  Anyways, the gist of the eating habits I had were mostly protein with a balance of carbs and fat.  Keeping sugar at a bare minimum, if I even ate it at all, and focusing carbs on fruits and veggies.  I have let the sugar gates down, if there's such a thing, kicked the Zone out the window and I eat what I want.  However, I am proud to say this is all in moderation.  Since I have the Zone background, I try to play catch up and give my body what it needs (usually protein since meat sounds sickening) and not what I want : )  Oh the fabulous life of eating while prego.  (sense any sarcasm?)

We might be having a delayed monsoon season.  There have been several storms rolling through Prescott the past few days.  Full on thunder, lightening, random downpours...and black clouds.  I love it.  It makes me feel lazy.  Wish I could cuddle up with a good book all day kind of lazy.  If the pics I took with my iPhone ever came out as cool as they seem..I'd share a pic with you.  Maybe one day.

I am TERRIBLY homesick!!  I need to see my family.  I want to be closer to home SO bad.  Then I could just go out for a visit and maybe not even have to worry about a flight or taking off too much work.  Ugh.  On the other hand, I am VERY thankful I get to go home for a week in November.  The weekend after my birthday, for an early baby shower, to see family, over Thanksgiving...AND hubby might be able to meet me there.  So exciting!  I am also very thankful that Michael knows I am a family girl and understands I am homesick to the max.  Such a lucky girl.  

I've got SO much more to say...probably should have written over the weekend, but I will be good for the rest of the week no doubt.  Gotta get going with my day though...later gators.

Thursday: Things I'm Lovin

My friend Amber made this button and I decided I/we could put it to good use.  I'd like to list the "Things I'm Lovin" every Thursday...therefore, wait for it, wait for it...Thursday's Things I'm Lovin.  ha ha!  Clever- eh?  I might run out of things and if that's the case, then maybe I could go to an every other Thursday kind of deal.  But here we go...for the first time ever!!  Whoo hooo!

• Coupons!  I have registered myself at coupons.com and other baby related websites (Huggies and Pampers most importantly) and have become a coupon hoarder.  I am not sure if other people have known about these sites all along and I'm the last to jump on the bandwagon, but I thought it was worth sharing.  I used to trash them or just ignore them altogether b/c what's 25 cents on a tube of toothpaste...but now I love adding up my total savings at a store (whether it be Target, Walgreens, Fry's, or Safeway).  Those 25 cent deals add up!
• Bio Oil.  So this is for those pregos out there...or maybe for those that have scars and stretch marks in general, but I'm only 26 and really don't want this first baby to "ruin" my tummy.  So I try to be anal about applying bio oil every night.  It's not too nasty- no funky smell, no weird residue, but it is an oil.  It hasn't stained my clothes or anything crazy either.  I usually wait awhile to get dresses though- just so it has time to soak in before my t-shirt does the job for it.

• Blogging.  I know this seems silly.  Our good friend, Doug, who is actually now a roommate, told me to start blogging about the wedding.  He was probably the only one that checked it (and maybe my dear friend Joanna), but he told me it was boring.  Too wordy, not me, unoriginal, and plain...it lacked pizzaz. I didn't post enough pictures and I wasn't good at retelling stories/life events.  I think I've finally got the grasp of it, although it's far from perfected, but I feel friends and family know what's going on with us.  Who knows where this will lead our family, but I love that soon we will have a little bundle of joy to share with everyone.  Granted, I don't want creeps on my blog...especially when we are talking about baby B here, but I feel it's less 'drama' filled, more personal, and unique to oneself.  It kicks facebook out of the water.  That's just my opinion.  

And much like Amber always loves her little man...I will always love our Gracie Goo: (pic of Gracie's rather new sleeping position...she's pretty much sitting on the wall, but laying down.  Freak!)

A is for Avocado

HAPPY 16 WEEKS :-)
Here's the bump at 16 weeks and 1 day (forgot to take one yesterday morning):

The lump, as I call it, is growing daily.  I decided I'm going to take pictures that are more of my side, so you can see the lump growing.  That'll start next week.  I don't want to give you all a false sense of my growing belly.  I'm anxiously waiting to feel that first kick or movement.  Hoping 18 weeks seals the deal...only 2 more to go.

Baby B is the size of an avocado. As I walk through the produce section next time I go, I will surely go by the avocado and pick one up just to hold in my hand. How awesome! He/She is getting SO big.

They baby can now hear my voice and his skin.  Little hairs are growing, so he/she will have eyebrows.  It's funny b/c both Mike and I were born with a head of black hair.  I can't help but wonder if baby B will too.  The difference was that mine stayed and lightened.  Mike's completely fell out and he turned white blonde...then go darker over the years.  Interesting to see how that works.  And fun to imagine what our little bean looks like.  I pray that if I have a girl, she's born with lots of hair and keeps it.  Mike's hair is SO thin.  Fine for a guy, not so cool for a girl.  However, I will love 'it' no matter what.

I really hate using it when referring to our child.  But we don't know the gender and aren't going to till March.  So...it is an it.  Ugh.

**Don't mind the web page construction that's going on.  I don't love what my blog looks like, so I am determined to find something else.  It will probably change a couple times until I get it just right.  Sorry if it confuses things for awhile!***

I am excited b/c I think people are finally reading my blog.  Although, I sucked at blogging in the beginning, I think I am getting better.  I am happy friends on facebook are visiting my site.  And if you want to be super cool, you can become a follower.  I only have 3 currently- lol.  I'm still 'new.'  However, it's an addicting 'new thing.'  I still haven't started a pregnancy scrapbook, but I think I still will.  I dunno.  We'll see.  I like having a physical record of these 40 weeks rather than solely a digital copy.  Hummm...what to do?  What to do?

Absolutely None

On my way home from my workout this morning, this dirty, skanky Ford Explorer flew past me in order to turn onto the highway. This fellow, as I learned, cut me off and took an extremely dangerous, sharp turn too quickly. Now, I know I'm not always the best driver...I tend to follow too close to the car in front of me. But this one corner in particular has caused accidents, some even resulting in death, so being cautious is necessary. Plus, he's driving a car that tips...easily. As this dude and I make this turn, I see an infant seat handle sticking up over the seat through the back window. SAD. I'm hoping and praying that little bundle of joy wasn't in the car...I know several folks who leave the car seat in the car and prefer taking the baby in and out itself. I get over it, but notice his over aggressive driving. And I am pregnant and sensitive to pretty much everything around me. I think to myself, "It could be worse. The guy could be smoking in the car." I have my cruise control set (I usually always do as I tend to have a lead foot and no money for a ticket), so I pass him in the right lane mind you b/c how dare this cool dude get over...only to see HE WAS SMOKING. Three windows were cracked. But that poor baby was inhaling his cigarette smoke. Sick. I was livid as I glared at him through my sunglasses. Jerk. Oh AND, his seatbelt wasn't on.

It kills me. I hate thinking about the children who are brought into this world and know no other life. The mom who used meth her whole pregnancy and is on such a bad trip that she can't care for her children, let alone purchase anything nutritious b/c the money was used on drugs. You see several parents around this area like that. Apparently, Prescott is known for meth. I had no clue as to what this drugs is, does, or what people look like who are users. It's SICK. I've been to the park on Gracie and I's daily morning walk watching kids fight on the playground as their mom sits in the car, messed up on something, unbathed, unpresentable, unfunctionable, yelling from the car window at her kids too many times to count on one hand. It's sad.

So, ABSOLUTELY NONE of that in my house...or in my life. If you're a friend and you smoke, don't come over after you've smoked a pack and expect to hold my child. Sorry. Don't expect to be allowed to smoke in the car b/c the window is rolled down. Not going to tolerate it. It makes ME nauseous, think about how a being 1/16th of my size feels. No offense folks. Just being honest :-) We don't have friends or family that classify in any of the above. I'm just venting, sharing with you my thoughts today, and voicing my opinion.

M-I-L-K

The single thing I could be content with all day everyday. Maybe this is why cereal sounds good. I am happy with my new obsession with milk b/c I know it's great for baby, BUT it is SO SO SO SO SO strange for me. I've gone years without drinking a single glass. This might be my one major pregnancy craving. Can't wait to see what happens once he or she arrives. AND what's weird is that in college I'd randomly buy 1% or skim b/c that's what I liked in my cereal...now it's 2% or nothing. I mean I guess I'd drink 1%, but everything else seems sickening. A gallon around this house lasts a maximum of a week. 3-4 days is standard lately. Costco here we come!!

Other than milk nothing seems weird...I "crave" all things terrible for me. I usually eat them and try to counter act what they are going to do in my body with some protein. No lie- I eat wayyyyy too many carbs :-) But they're oh so yummy and right now I have NO CONTROL over turning them down. I will drive out of my way to get whatever it is that is on my mind. Those of you who knew me before know for a fact that that's not me! Especially right before the wedding. Ah!

I also got a lecture about CrossFit...and it makes me cranky. Real cranky. So I probably won't elaborate much. I've been CrossFitting for 2.5 years. My body doesn't know what it's like to not workout. I've made great gains in those two years- I'm proud of the weight I can 'throw' around and the movements I can do. I am good friends with the barbell and pull-up bar, which I've never touched before these 2.5 years. There are a lot of CrossFitters world wide. There are also a ton of CrossFit haters. And I hate them in return...no jk. You have to be extremely careful CorssFitting while prego. You also can't be stupid. Using common sense to me seems legit. As long as I understand why I can't do certain movements, I will know which movements to stay away from. It is a whole new world. And it's frustrating. I can't be competitive, I can't set PRs, I can't always do what the class is doing...it makes me sad. I know I am doing it for a fabulous reason- to keep mommy and baby healthy and safe. I'm not one to ignore what the docs tell me. And I won't start now. But it's cramping my style. Thank heavens for CrossFit Mom. They have saved my workout life thus far :)

Off to enjoy my 3 day weekend. Wishing Michael James was home with me now though...missing his company, as always!

15 weeks and counting...

It's all good from this end of things. Baby B is now the size of a navel orange!! That would be aproximately 110 grams and 120 mm. He or she is getting bigger every day : ) What is more fun for me is knowing that in a little over 4 weeks I will be five months and that's halfway..whoop, whoop. Not that I don't want to be pregnant or that I am wishing for the end (although having my very own child in my arms is pretty much one of the biggest dreams of my life and all the more reason to want the end of pregnancy), BUT that I will be officially showing, cleaning out the now "office/spare room to store our junk" for baby, and deciding on the decor of the room.

I've been thinking LONG and HARD about this issue...buying stuff for a gender neutral delivery SUCKS. However, I will know the gender of the rest of our children and there will be absolutely no holding back on going blue or going all out pink at that point in time. That makes me rest easy. So I am giving myself some more time to think about what I am looking for in a nursery. It's a toughie folks and I will save that for another post.

And, my friends, this is THE bump at 15 weeks and 2 days. This IS a bump for a girl 3 and 3/4 into her pregnancy. OK?



Leave me alone...it IS bigger. Mike can vouch for me on this...I came home from work the other day and both he and Doug were like, "Whoa! There's your belly." I must say it was the shirt I was wearing b/c when I lifted it up to reveal the "bump" they said, "oh" as if they were let down. I can't keep these guys happy for nothin...I'm either too fat or not fat enough. JK! I think Mike is as anxious as I am to be finally showing...maybe this will all seem more real to him?? Not sure. But anyways...just for the sake of my sanity, I stepped on the scale Tuesday morning and saw a typical # as of lately, at the doctor 4 hours later, I was 2 pounds up from last month and from my at home reading, and at the end of the day I was 1.6 pounds up from the reading at the doctor. I literally feel out of my element at the end of the day. I can't breath b/c there's pressure ALL OVER my stomach. No food sounds good- NOTHING. And I swear I weigh 9 times what I do in the morning. It's SO weird. That's why I wanted to see what the scale said. Out of curiosity.

As I type, here's my furry baby laying at my feet:


I can't help but wonder what she is going to think of all the changes that will come in March. What will she think of the baby? Will she be mad at Mike and I? For some reason, I can see her "blaming/hating" me b/c she is a serious daddy's girl :) But we will have to wait and see. She's still waking up once a night to go outside (ugh) and making sure she barks loud enough to wake at least one of us up in a panic. Little booger. Nonetheless, Mommy loves you to the moon and back G!

Another fun highlight about reaching 5 months (I guess there isn't too much cool about 4 months- ha!) is feeling the baby kick/move. I cannot wait till I/we can feel he or she moving. Before our doctor's appointment on Tuesday (the 21st), I was nervous for some reason. I don't feel any different, so I guess I feel as if I haven't progressed. I had nightmares about not hearing the heartbeat at the appointment (terrible). But we did. The doc put the thing-a-ma-jigy up to my belly and heard it right away. "Oh, that's great" he said, "Nice and strong." We were excited. The whole 30-40 min we were there were great. He's a great doctor...knowledgable and caring. I feel like he truly wants what's best for us...Mike, the baby, and I. It was a much needed appt since I don't know much about him...let alone any doctors in this town. It just clicked.

I'm a little bummed- I had SO much to say on Tuesday, but didn't have time before work and went to bed an hour after I got home from work, so ran short on time. Next time I will write a rough draft no matter how tired I am. Lesson learned.

Until next time...enjoy the beginning of fall, as the first official day was yesterday and take is easy!

Moving right along the produce section

The 'bean' is in fact, no longer a bean and is the size of a lemon. Odd to me b/c I imagine a lemon fairly small in comparason to a peach, but whatever. It's what they say and it makes this waiting game much more fun : )



Come on...now you've got to see the bump growing. It's there. No I don't look prego. I still look like I just ate three meals at home with my mother or father cooking. *Side note: ALL I think about is food...I plan my day around what my next meal will be and I usually have a flashback of what my choice was/will be. So going home sounds ah-mazing! Anyways...we will get there with the belly showing. Once it's "pops" I will post SO many pics, I promise. I cannot wait for that day/week...or whatever. And- just FYI I don't always wear the same thing like a sicko...I am trying to get the same type of pic at each week, so you can see the growth. They're taken weekly and I do laundry on the weekends : )

We're at 14 weeks now. THREE and A HALF WHOLE MONTHS! Yippee!! I am starting the phase of 'round ligament pain.' Not so fun. It pretty much just means that my insides are stretching, which is why you start to show in the 2nd trimester. They're growing pains...and I do feel them. Sometimes worse than others...usually worse on my left side. Strange. And what's rad is the only recommendation for making them feel better is RELAXATION...yeahh buddy! Just gotta get Mike some palm leaves to fan me and some new grapes (I just ate the last of them this morning) and we'll be set.

Interesting fact: your (or my) uterus expands 14 times in size and 20 pounds in weight. Pretty cool huh? All because a woman can carry a baby inside it. SO fun to know. I'm getting more 'sentimental' about my tummy, the being growing inside it, and eventually bringing that being into the world.

What baby can do this month: thumb sucking, toe wiggling, urine making, and breathing the amniotic fluid...it's a busy lil thing. Oh, and it's growing HAIR!!!

Other fun things...Mike is FINALLY home. He went to an air show in the boonies of IL over the weekend. 4 whole days without him were long and lonely!! And he flew himself there in a school plane, which always has me on edge. Even though he's an outstanding pilot. We also got two cool gifts this week. One from Kyle Mays and Alyssa Garcia (Kyle was a groomsman, obviously both attended the wedding and got engaged about a month ago I wanna say)...the Cherish Willow Tree figure. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I cannot wait to add to our 'family' collection as I know there are so really sweet ones out there. Exciting. (Pic to come) And our trainer's wife, Andrea, bought us some bottles, binkies, and nipples on sale...and even threw in some hair gel for Mike : ) The bottles were $1.79 each, nipples 89 cents, and binkies $1.19. Crazy bargains and a great gift!


Alright, off to shower before lunch and work- cheers!

We've Got A Peach

And the bump @ 13 weeks



Not much is new this week. Feeling much more normal now and very, very, very (did I say very?) excited that we have officially crossed into the Second Trimester. All my email this week were saying "Welcome to the Second Trimester" and "Welcome to the trimester most women claim as their favorite." All kinds of positive vibes coming our way! Yayyy! Finally. I know it was only 3 months...but it was a LONGGGG 3 months.

Labor Day Weekend

Yesterday was an awesome day. We went down to Scottsdale for a 'nuchal translucency' test. It's a non-invasive test for Down's Syndrome. We are not at risk by any means, but our insurance covered it and we thought, why not? Better to be prepared! So, we got a Level 2 ultrasound and I got a lovely finger prick. Let me tell you...the stupid needle stabbing your finger hurts worse than getting your blood drawn. Stupid, yes? Why, I have NO freaking clue! But my little index finger is still sore. Ggggrrrr.....

Level 2 ultrasound is really cool. I guess they're just more in depth than a normal ultrasound. And this place had 3D machines in every room...so everyone got a 3D ultrasound too! We saw SO much. Two legs, two hands, two eyes, a heart (all four chambers developing- really cool to see), the brain (you could see the different sections, or lobes?), stomach, umbilical cord, nasal bone, jaw, and then placenta and my ovaries. The 3D part was really, really, really cool. BUT it freaked me out. Sorry, baby B, but you look funny in there. The black and white ultrasounds look much bigger...and the 3D shows this tiny little scrawny thing! It was awesome to see you moving though. Arms and legs going hog wild in there. Too bad I can't feel you yet. We've still got a few more weeks for that fun to begin!





I must say I feel 99.9% better. Maybe it is in part b/c I know we got passed the highest percentage of miscarriages. Maybe it's b/c I've let myself know it's the beginning of the 2nd trimester and things are going to be different. And maybe it's b/c I so desperately wanted to feel all around better. I know, I know...I didn't ever feel that bad. However, mentally I was a basket case! I am not as tired. I am more positive. I am anxious and eager to get everything ready. I am beginning to finally show (although, it's small...it's there!). No weird 'cravings' but when I want something...I best get it, soon preferably. Poor Mike : ) For example, last night I saw an image of something that looked like a green Mike & Ike and it was downhill from there. Mike & Ike's it was for me while watching The Last Song...good movie. Sad. I absolutely HATE watching movies where the Dad dies (and moms too, of course). I refuse to ever think about that...and as far as I am concerned, nobody else in my family is going to pass away. Anyways..before I get all teary eyed again. Geesh.

I am still an emotional basket of fun. I snap at Mike w/out meaning to and when he responds (however, I must say he could react differently), I cry. Ha ha. Help us all.

Matt Lyons is coming into town to hang with us this weekend. Although, we have nothing planned. Well, the boys have a football draft tomorrow, but that has nothing to do with me. It was great b/c I got my fill of my hubby yesterday...now he can have "man time" the rest of the weekend. I don't have Monday off either...bummer! But we never see Matt, so it should be fun just hanging out. So, it's a low key prego holiday. Yippee! What I would give for a Z Tejas Chambord margarita with a Patron floater...you don't even know : ) Oh little baby...I can't wait until you come out! Yes, I will survive though.

Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe Labor Day! Cheers!