Holiday Week!

You all know how I love celebrating holidays all week long. Independence Day is right up there on my list of very favorite holidays. Okay, so I don’t love fireworks. My husband thinks I’m a grumpy old woman. I glare out my window on work nights when kids are still setting them off at midnight on work nights, but I will do better this year – I will try not to glare.

 

But I absolutely love celebrating our freedom, praying for those who are fighting for it (and their amazing families), watching “coming home” videos, and cooking out.

 

I received the usual text first thing this morning from Sister #2. We share any good stations we can find that coincide with our holiday weeks. It helps keep me in the right frame of mind while at work.

I turned my Pandora on as soon as I logged in and started the day with this goldie.

And of course, Miss Belle, will have five days (at least) of 4^th of July outfits. Day 1 (and my adorable husband). 

 

15 Weeks

I can’t believe I’m already in my second trimester. I would have said I was feeling a little bit better but this has been a pretty rough and vomitty week. I think it’s because I haven’t been getting enough sleep or rest.

I have a doctor’s appointment next week so I will know more, but I read the baby is the size of an apple. And I have felt some fluttering. At first I wasn’t sure that’s what was happening, but now it has been four times, the exact same feeling. The first time I was in the bathroom at work, washing my hands and I stopped and held really still. The next three times were while I was holding little miss Belle. I think the baby loves his or her big sister so much already!

I have been living on this little treasure lately! I put it on everything! Bagels, apples, carrots, really anything I can find!

This picture is from June 26, 2012 and June 26, 2014. I am definitely sticking out quicker this time! But I love it!

Ice Cream Sandwiches

One of our favorite sweets is ice cream – anything ice cream!  My mother in law makes this delicious little ice cream sandwiches and she gave me the secret weapon to borrow.

They are so simple. You just need cookies and ice cream. We switch up the flavors. I am keeping this idea on the back burner too for when I’m nursing. With Annabelle I couldn’t eat dairy, but I can make these with dairy free cookies and coconut milk ice cream!

You put a cookie in the bottom:

Put a big scoop of ice cream:

 

And a swirl of chocolate syrup if you are my husband:

 

Then add the top cookie:

 

And smoosh:

 

Soooo yummy!

Snacking

I am thinking that over the next few months this title will keep reappearing. It seems like all I do is snack. But when you've been sick and vomiting for ten weeks and you find something yummy, you just have to share.

Today I am snacking on these chips while running from meeting to meeting. I might have to go back for another bag! 

Yum!

Reading

At my sister’s this past weekend I begged her for a good book suggestion. She didn’t have one. We both admitted we haven’t read a really great book for quite a while. The last few I’ve read I have been just okay with. Reading is a commitment to me these days. I feel like I don’t have any time. 

Or, I guess I have time, but I fall asleep. It takes months for me to get through a book that would have taken me a week or so. This pregnancy has been so wonderful, but  gosh, I am so very tired. Annabelle goes to sleep between 7 and 7:30. I have this wonderful to-do list of odd jobs I need to get done. I do a very organized thing and even label it at the beginning of the week so I know what I should do eachnight. Monday – clean out my car, wash Annabelle’s bath. Tuesday – Clean out garage, clean downstairs toilet. Etc. Ask me how many things I’ve checked off the list….It’s sad. I am completely exhausted, but I am hopeful that now at 15 weeks my energy should start coming back.

 

Anyway, a few weekends ago Sister #4 had a garage sale to raise funds for a mission trip she will soon be on. She was selling books! Something I never do. So of course I bought the entire box. These books range from some childhood kids books to chapter books she has recently read. One of my favorite finds was the Anne of Green Gables series. I have to admit, I have never read these books! I don’t know how. But I am excited to start.

I was a little less excited when I saw the age group this series is intended for, but hey, I figure maybe I am at a 10 year old reading level these days anyway. I sure have a ten year old girls bedtime.

Goody Good Stuff

I love chewy candy. I can polish off a bag of Twizzlers or Starbursts in a day. I know I shouldn’t eat this stuff but I love watching a movie or reading a book of having something like this.

 

I know these are still not “good” for you, but at least this brand is gelatin free, dairy free, and no artificial colors.

I just recently tried this brand called Goody Good Stuff. Sorry about the picture, I already opened the pouch and had a couple before I remembered to take a picture.

I really liked this flavor. Today I had the Cola Breeze. I want to try Summer Peaches next.

 

http://goodygoodstuff.com/en/

 

Monday Cravings

 This weekend I woke up craving some healthier meals! This is SUCH a relief to me. I have wanted nothing but horrible, horrible foods, and I’m so glad to be able to stomach the idea of some healthier options and actually be craving them.

It started Saturday when I surprised myself after getting sick at a restaurant by craving and ordering a salad. Now, don’t get me wrong, it was still a fried chicken salad, but still. My body was so happy to have some vegetables and keep them down.

The streak continued and I’m on day three of wanting some healthy snacks. In fact, this morning I opted to flood my body with carrots for my snack.

Have you tried this brand? I was in Lee’s Summit visiting my sister and we found these at a Price Chopper. I tried the Better Beets one first and didn’t love it. While it was much better than straight beets, I don’t think I would drink an entire bottle. But this Carrot Lemonade one. Let me tell ya. I’m obsessed with it right now. Sister #2 loves it too. I sent her a picture of mine this morning and she sent me one right back saying she stopped at Price Chopper to grab some more on her way to work.

 

Happy, Healthier Monday, friends!

 

14 Weeks

This week I started feeling a little bit better. There were two mornings that I woke up and didn't get sick or even feel that sick. It was magical. I got sick with Belle daily until around 21 weeks so this is great that it's already letting up a little. 

I am officially wearing maternity clothes and loose dresses lately if I want to be comfortable. I tried wearing my regular pants one day and was so uncomfortable!

I have still been drinking milk non stop (so gross!) and wanting corndogs or pizza almost every day. I'm hoping that as I feel better and better my healthy habits will come back.

My mother in law today said she has a feeling this little baby is a boy. It's so fun for me to think about either way. I looked at some baby bedding today. I get giddy thinking of rocking this tiny new baby.

Be prepared to see lots of bathroom selfies throughout this pregnancy.

Today was the YWCA Women of Excellence lunch. I had some friends nominated and it was a wonderful time celebrating some powerful women in our community. 

I am so excited for our weekend. We have some fun things planned. Have a great weekend friends! 

Clearance Addiction

I have an addiction to walking around Hobby Lobby's clearance aisles on my lunch break. 

BTW, I walked in today and almost cringed when I saw these Fall decorations out already. You all know how much I love Fall and all things pumpkin, but I am loving my summer nights in the pool with Belle. Too soon, Hobby Lobby, too soon.

Anyway, here are my favorite finds today.

This treasure is only $11:

And look at this fun piece for Annabelle's shelf for $12:

I love, love, love decorating with different vases. And you read that clearance sticker right, $7:

I think something like this would be so cute in Annabelle's little school/reading area I am designing in our downstairs:

I might be using turquoise as an accent in Annabelle's room:

Okay, okay. Back to work.

Pottery Barn Chandelier

I spend a lot of time looking for ideas and daydreaming about miss Belle's big girl room. 

Annabelle says her favorite color is yellow so you know I have been scoping out yellow accents. 

One item that I think would be an adorable addition is this lovely Pottery Barn chandelier.

(http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/lily-chandelier/?pkey=e%7Clilly%2Bchandelier%7C23%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules)

Am I crazy to be considering a DIY copy cat? I think this is a reasonable price, but I also love the idea of making some pieces myself. And if I made it, I could use yellow!

13 Weeks

I am excited to get back into blogging and recording little details about this pregnancy. I have had so much fun already looking back at my pregnancy with Annabelle.

I recorded a lot in a journal for her, but this blog is a quick and easy way for me to look details up by date. I know I will appreciate it for this pregnancy too someday. So here it goes. Now is the time you might want to stop following me if you are not interested in all this baby/pregnancy stuff. No hard feelings, I promise.

We had our 12 week appointment a little bit late - On Tuesday June 10th (I was 12 weeks on Thursday the 5th). So far, we've had two appointments. At 8 weeks we were able to see the baby on a sonogram. I couldn't get over it. We were giddy. And in true David fashion, he got too excited and accidentally bumped the doctor's arm and she had to work to find the tiny baby again. He is just always so beyond excited and it's so sweet to me. 

At almost 13 weeks we heard the heartbeat of this precious one. The heart rate is in the upper 160s. I don't know if any old wives' tales are relevant yet (I guess they aren't ever truly relevant, but you know what I mean). I think that's an average rate when they are this small.

I have been pretty sick with this baby, but not actually vomitting as much as I did with Annabelle. I was sick with her all day every day and with this baby, it's maybe just a few times a day.

I have been eating horribly! I mean absolutely embarrassing. All I want is pizza, cheddar bites, chocolate milk, nachos, etc. It is so funny to me that I am so unhealthy with my food cravings when I'm pregnant, because if you know me, you know otherwise I eat pretty healthy. I was also craving fish tacos like a mad woman there for a while, which was perfect because we had a beach trip and I had my fill.

I am so excited to keep updating and sharing details. Wish me luck and please say a prayer for this tiny little baby.

Sorry about the horrible picture:

I'm Back!

I am really back to blogging and have some exciting news! 

In case you hadn’t yet seen it on my husband’s Facebook or my Instagram, we are so excited to announce that we are pregnant and due in December! This baby’s due date is just one week after Annabelle’s due date. These two will be two years apart.

 

We have had a blast daydreaming about Annabelle’s little brother or sister. I don’t think she truly knows what is going on, but when you ask Annabelle about the baby she points to my stomach. And she is totally obsessed with babies, just like most little girls I think. I think she will think this baby is the best present ever!

 

Belle sharing the good news with Bobo:

It’s fun being due at almost the same time as we were with Annabelle. It’s easy to compare the pregnancies. And I absolutely loved having Annabelle around the holidays.

12 weeks and 12 weeks!

This picture is a comparison of me 14 weeks pregnant with Annabelle on June 12^th, 2012 and 13 weeks pregnant with Baby #2 on June 12^th, 2014. So much fun!