Another baby??

While I was brushing Jaden's hair as she sat at her vanity, we had a little chat:

Jaden: "Mom, do you have another baby in your tummy?"
Me: "No, I only had two babies in my tummy; you and Taylor." 
Jaden: "I think you do."
Me: "Why do you think that?"
Jaden: "Because I heard it talking. It said 'Oooh oh ooooohhhh.'"
Me: "No honey, that just means Mommy's hungry."

I'm just happy that she thought I was pregnant because of the sounds, not the shape ;o)

9 months pregnant with Taylor

Celebrating with FRIENDS!!

Summer wouldn't be the same without friends!  On August 7th, we had a full day of friends and parties!!

My lovely, lifelong (well, since we were like 12) friend, Amanda, is pregnant with her first baby... a sweet baby girl to be named Rosalie Pearl :o)  She lives in Nashville so I don't get to see her as often as I would like but her wonderful family had a baby shower for her in Indiana!  My day started with a real life tea party at The Kimmell House Inn!  Amanda looked gogeous with her sweet baby bump...

Amanda and her mom, Chris.
This lady was pretty much my second mom during junior high!

After Amanda's shower, I hurried home to grab the fam and we all headed to Colton and Dylan's Toy Story birthday bash!  Colton was turning three and Dylan was turning one.

I was so impressed with the Buzz Lightyear rocketship cake!

Dylan partied in true first-birthday style!

There was lots of swimming... my girls love summer parties!

Jaden got to play with Colton...

and Taylor got to play with Dylan!

THEN (yes, the same day), we took the girls home for a nap, got a sitter, and went to Nix's for his 30th birthday!

I made him a corn hole score board to match the boards I painted for him.

You KNOW I partied with my "summer girls" all night :o)

It was a super busy but FUN day!

I'm Pregnant!

hehe :o)  NOT!  But MODG is so go tell her congrats!

You know what though, I feel like there are tiny ghost babies with tiny gigantic ghost knives inside my stomach stabbing the crap out of me and killing me from the inside.  Yeah, I have a stomach ache.  I feel like I drank five pots of coffee or something.  Not fun.  It hurts.  If I go home and lay in bed, will you bring me some chicken soup?  No wait... food is bad.  Bring me flowers and balloons.

I think my blog needs a face lift.  Any suggestions?

This, That, and the Other

Yes, I'm still pregnant. I had a Dr. appointment on Tuesday and he said I am 2 cm, 50% thinned out, so the contractions I've been having AREN'T just a pain in the you-know-what! TMI alert: I lost my M.P. in the shower last night (sorry, Mom... don't ask, Shane). I won't go into details on that one... you're welcome. Dr. said that IF I am still pregnant at my next appointment (next Tuesday), we can make an appointment to get this kid outta me! My last day of work is tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited! Wish me luck... the day is quickly approaching!!

Jaden is SO ready to be potty trained! We have put this off for this long only because she is going to 5 different places, 5 days a week. I figured it would be hard for her and not consistent so have held off until I can get her into a routine. We have been having her sit on her potty before she gets in the bath but up until Tuesday night, she had only went once. On Tuesday, she refused to get off the potty. She kept saying she had to pee. I sat there and waited... and waited... and waited... and FINALLY heard a tinkling sound! Mike just happened to be standing in the doorway at that moment and naturally, we both got super excited for her! We were clapping, cheering, offering high fives, and what does little miss modest do??? She yelled "STOP!" and started to cry! Apparently she was a little embarrassed :o) She was excited to dump it in the big potty though. Last night, she told us again that she had to pee. She sat on the potty for, not joking, 20 minutes!! Not a drop. I finally convinced her to get up and get a diaper on because it was definitely bed time. About a half hour later, she called us in her room and was in a fit of tears, "I pee! I pee!" I get her up and take her to the potty only to find she went in her diaper already. She still insisted on sitting there. So, we've realized that she is definitely ready to give it a serious try. I've got the Pull-Ups. I've got the Baby Legs (thanks again, Amanda!). I've definitely got the time! Time to catch the train :o)

I read on AOL last night that my man, Danny Gokey, has signed a country recording deal?!?! Country, really? I'm a little bummed but have high hopes that he'll be more Rascal Flatts-country and less twangy-sob-story-country. What he SHOULD do is remake some great classics in a country style. His version of Endless Love (that I have been known to repeatedly listen to on my iPod for hours at a time) STILL gives me goose bumps! Either way, I'll definitely be buying his CD!

I love my house right now. The best thing that has come from this pregnancy (so far... obviously the best thing is still waiting to show her pretty face!) is this funny little thing called nesting! I have transformed two of my least favorite rooms into GREAT living spaces (still have a foosball table for sale), turned a closet that WAS a room, back into a room, and made a ton of super crafty, not to mention SUPER useful little projects to make life a little easier! I LOVE IT! If it wasn't for the whole crappy feelings, getting bigger, and of course, producing a child, I'd want to get pregnant again!! Not a chance though :o) I still have pictures to post but time just seems to be getting away from me...

One last thing... HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY JUDE (and Lucy)!!! I'll have birthday party pictures to post at a later date :o)

Have a safe holiday weekend, everyone! Baby pics are coming soon, I PROMISE!!!

Squishy on the Outside...

...Hard on the inside! That is how my tummy feels now. It's so weird! I am used to a rock solid belly with feet and elbows poking out. Now that baby has dropped, it's a little squishy on top! Last night I was laying in bed with J watching cartoons and I felt my tummy and was shocked!! I could press on my belly (around where my bellybutton "was") and it squished down! I was all excited, thinking that this would mean it would be easier to sit up and bend over... nope. She is still in there and making the inside hard as a rock. I can definitely feel the effects of her dropping though!

I went to the Dr. yesterday... I have 2 weeks left until he will induce. He said I am measuring smaller (even though I feel 10 times bigger) and since baby is NOT getting smaller, that means she is heading down (swim down! swim down! --Nemo), getting ready to greet the world! Dr. said everything seems to be progressing naturally and in great time. He said that he does not induce before 39 weeks unless medically necessary. I am fine with that. I have waited 37 weeks, what is a couple more? Besides, it is kind of fun to think that it could happen any day, without any warning. Yes, it would be EASIER if we knew an exact day and time, but whatever! I told my boss to plan on me taking off a week earlier than expected... after all, I'm not totally nuts! Dr. said that my mucus plug is in the process of being released (sorry, I know that sounds SO disgusting... I agree) which means my cervix is thinning and dilating more. He said believe it or not, the horrible, painful BH contractions are actually a good thing! He said they are helping to thin and soften my cervix. In a way, I feel like this is my first time because I never went through any of this with J. He did take notice of "Puff the Magic Cankle" though... how could you not? He had slight concerns about my swelling. "Drink plenty of water and keep those feet propped!" My BP was still a little high (for me) again but still not too high to make him worry; 118/78. So, it's just a waiting game we are playing! Don't worry, you will be one of the firsts to know! I can see it now: "Mike, my water just broke!" "Ok, let's go to the hospital!!" "Wait, I need to blog and facebook it first!!"

One Down, Nine To Go...

I went to the doctor yesterday. It definitely looks as though we are going to have an August baby instead of a September baby! I've been having a lot of contractions (so painful they made me cry on Tuesday night), lower back pain, and a lot of pelvic pressure. The dr. put me on medication to help relieve the contraction pain. He said that he would like to wait at least another week and a half. He said at this point, I am early, but not critically early. Ideally, he wants to wait until I'm past 37 weeks BUT he is not going to try to stop anything that may be happening naturally. I am one cm dialated at this point. I could sit here for another couple of weeks, you never know!

Mike and I are starting to get anxious! We have everything ready! The car seat is in his car, the bottles are washed, the room is done, the cradle is ready. Jaden even helped put books on Taylor's book shelf last night :o) She is being too cute about the whole new baby thing! On Tuesday night when my contractions were starting to become more painful than usual, I was putting her to bed and was on my knees on the floor. I started to get a lot of pain so I leaned over onto her bed. She came up behind me, covered me with her blankie, rubbed my back, and said, "It's ok Mom. Don't cry." Of course that in itself made me tear up :o) She then knelt down beside me and laid her head on the bed like I was. She has also been walking around with her belly pushed out saying, "my baby hurts too, Mom." At night when I am tucking her into bed, she gives Dad a hug and kiss, gives me a hug and kiss, and gives baby (my belly) a kiss. I'm so excited to see her when the baby is actually here! I'm sure she'll be a little momma :o)

So... we are just waiting! This is all new to us because when Jaden was induced, I was not dialated at all. To have this all happening naturally is a neat experience on one hand, but it makes us nervous too. Mike and I are both EXTREMELY scheduled and routined. To be waiting on something to just happen kind of freaks us out. To have the best of both worlds and have labor progress to a certain point, THEN schedule a time to go into the hospital and finish everything would be ideal. I am exhausted all the time now, I feel like I could throw up at any point all day long, and the contractions knock me on my butt at times, but I know this is an experience I will never have again and is completely natural so it excites me! My next appointment is next Thursday. Dr. will check my cervix again to see where I'm at and we'll go from there! Until then, we sit and wait... It looks like my little brother got his way AGAIN! His birthday is 9/28 and said from the VERY beginning that he did NOT want to share his birthday month. By the looks of things, Maxmas Day may be a double holiday now :o)

All My Bags Are Packed, I'm Ready To Go...

No, I'm not leavin' on a jet plane... I WISH!


My bag is packed for the hospital! With only a short 5 weeks left, I thought it was about time to get prepared... especially with the WONDERFUL contractions I've been having lately! I've also stocked up on all of the necessary items that I will need post-labor. I had NO CLUE about these beauties after having Jaden and had to send Mike out to get them. Poor guy :o( I did save him SOME embarrassment by calling ahead and having an associate (female, of course) gather everything I needed so all he had to do was go in and pay. This time, I am prepared! I also got some more formula. We only had one can at home and I KNOW we will need way more than that. Bottles are coming out next week and going in the dishwasher! One month will fly by and before you know it, we'll be home with baby!

I'm Next!!

Remember WAY back when I said I knew someone having a baby every month (except November) through the end of the year (now into the beginning of next year)? Well, Miss Leanne had her sweet little baby boy yesterday! Congrats Franks family!! That means I am next on the baby list :o) I went to the doctor yesterday and everything checked out great! My blood pressure was a little high (for me) at 120/78. I know that is pretty darn close to normal, but I am always super low... I mean like barely alive low. Dr. wasn't concerned since it is a normal blood pressure. Baby's heartbeat was a strong 144. I asked him if there was ANY chance he got my due date wrong and I was actually farther along than we think... nope. Still on track for September 12th!

Jaden is feeling better! Her nose is barely running anymore. She only gagged once during dinner last night but didn't throw up... good thing considering we were out for dinner!

All is well for now! I'm dreading the mid-90s heat expected for this weekend... I think J and I will hang out in the basement on Saturday :o) Have a great weekend and keep cool!!

A Little De Ja Vu... Without the Drunk Husband!

The date was March 17, 2007. It was St. Patrick's Day and one month prior to my due date when I was pregnant with Jaden. Mike and I went to the legion with a bunch of friends to celebrate and I started having regular contractions. I was nauseous and uncomfortable. Every living person in a 10 mile radius of me was drunk on green beer. I had plans to pack my hospital bag that weekend, thinking I still had plenty of time! I subtly complained to Mike that I wasn't feeling well and needed to go home. I should've known that it was near impossible to reason with a drunk person. Especially when it involved them putting their beer down well before everyone else and leaving the oh-so-fun party. He just kept telling me, "Just tell me when you want to leave and we can go." Uh... I think that is what I was trying to say... never mind. I was in the bathroom half of the night "praying to the porcelain god" as Dad would say. Finally, it was completely obvious to me that I NEEDED to go home so Mike had no choice. We made it home and I hurried and threw some clothes and stuff in a bag, sat it by the door, and got Mike to drink as much water as possible just in case Miss J wanted to come a little early. I was timing my contractions, waiting for them to be 5 minutes apart. Mike was passed out. I eventually fell asleep and woke up feeling great the next morning! Mike, of course, doesn't remember this evening.

Friday, July 31, 2009... I was at work and started to really feel like something wasn't right. I was hot and clammy. I was having contractions all afternoon. I felt like maybe I was just hungry but felt worse after lunch. I was half tempted to leave after lunch but was actually kind of busy so I stayed. I figured there was nothing I could do at home that I couldn't do at work. It sucked. I would be walking down the hall and all of a sudden, double over in pain from a contraction. They weren't close enough to be concerned about yet so I just kept on truckin'. After work on Friday, I picked Jaden up and went to Bisque It for a little bit. I was feeling ok, but definitely not great. On the way home, I almost felt like I had to pull over a couple of times because I felt like I might get sick. I had the AC blasting and was literally sweating (not glowing, Dad... I was sweating). I had planned on fixing enchiladas for dinner that night but knew that if I did, I would truly be sorry. I sent Mike to KFC, threw a "cardboard pizza" in the toaster over for J and fixed myself a bowl of soup. It was a long night. I woke up a couple of times and contemplated running a bath for myself to relax my muscles. I decided against it when I realized that I would have to somehow get OUT of the water at some point... not a task that I can easily accomplish. I made it through the night and woke up feeling perfectly fine on Saturday morning!

It's now Monday. I am 34 weeks pregnant, due in 40 days. I was sitting at Starbucks chatting with an old friend this morning (don't even say a word... I HAD to have a mocha) when I totally lost all track of what she was saying because my uterus decided (like it is at this very second) to start painfully contracting. Women in my family are cursed with short waists, making pregnancy naturally a little more uncomfortable than the average long-waisted mom-to-be. With six weeks still left to go, I am already miserable. Cut me some freakin' slack here! I have lots to get finished at work. I still have a few things to do to get ready at home. As much as I am ready to have my little T in my arms rather than in my belly, I know it is still a little early. So, I guess until then, I'll just have to swear by Tylenol and lots of water to get my through these last awkward weeks! Mike is hanging out with the guys on Saturday for Nix's birthday... I'll bet I can guess when my next miserable night will be!!

Busy Little Bee!!

Gosh, I have been totally slacking on my blog! I have been SO busy lately! Work has been completely crazy and by the time I get home, I'm too exhausted to try to blog. Don't worry though, you haven't missed much. I went to the Dr. last week. Everything checked out fine! I go back on August 6 and then EVERY WEEK after that until "D-Day"! Time is flying! Only 6 ½ weeks left! I'm feeling ok... I have good days and bad days. I've started out sleeping in the sitting-up position now because of the increasing lower back pain. I always wake up laying on my side though. Taylor is head-down and LOVING to poke her little feet in my ribs. I'm getting REALLY nauseous at night now too. Other than that, I'm good to go... just waiting it out!

Speaking of little feet, Jaden does NOT have them! Holy crap! That kid's feet are huge! We went shoe shopping and measured her little pigs... 10 ½ folks!! My 2-year-old daughter will most likely share shoes with her dad when she gets older... not me :o(

So, what are you doing tonight? Me? Well, I'm GOING TO SEE MICHAEL BOLTON!!! I'm so over-the-top excited, it's sick. I blame my MB obsession on my old dance teacher. She was as much of a dork as me apparently, because we always listened to Love Is a Wonderful Thing and Time, Love and Tenderness during our jazz warm-ups. Leaving class with those wonderfully beautiful songs stuck in my head lead me to make Time, Love and Tenderness the first CD I ever purchased. Oh, I'm SO excited!!

That's about it... See, you weren't missing much :o)

Don't Let the Man Get You Down

Just in case you were wondering, Jaden was ready to go on our walk right when I got home from work yesterday! She had Baby Carebear in her stroller and ready to go! So, take that, Mike! It was a good "incentive" after all! Today: "If you're a good girl for Gramma Karen and take a good nap at her house, then we'll go to the TOY STORE!" She doesn't even need to buy anything to have fun at Toys 'R Us. Of course, sometimes we give in and get her something anyway just because we can :o)

So, I was in tears leaving work yesterday. I work with the most inconsiderate, sorry excuse for a human being on the planet. I'm almost to the point where I can not even stand the sight of him. In the past, he has told me I smell like puke and stale cigars (come to find out, it was my coconut lotion that he didn't like). Once when we all went out to lunch, he said, "I don't mean to be unsocial, but I really can't stand the smell of her," as he squeezed in on the other side of the booth. Embarrassing? Yes. Thanks, jerk. I tried to not let those two little things bother me considering the source. On another occasion, he asked me how much weight I've gained. I was a little offended but ended up telling him. He responds by saying, "That's it? I would've guessed more." Strike two, buddy! Then, I walked past him to go to the lounge to get my sandwich one day and he made a comment, "Wow, that was fast." I stopped and kinda looked at him funny and showed him my sandwich. He said he thought that I was in the restroom because "pregnant people pee a lot." I'm not talking about my pee with you, thanks. I kindly explained that even though it was none of his business, sometimes I get up just to stretch my legs. I don't always go to the restroom. Well, yesterday was (as Dad would say) the "straw that broke the camel's back." I was walking out the door and he says, "I don't mean to be nasty, but you are really looking heavy." WHAT?!?! When on earth is that comment EVER appropriate? I don't care if the person is pregnant or not, it is just plain rude to tell a person they look heavy. It hurt me. I am naturally a self-conscious person as it is (I can't even change my clothes in front of Jaden) and being pregnant makes it a little worse. I try to make myself presentable and not look like a fat slob and to have someone say that to me just broke me down. After talking with Mom, Kelly, and Mike, I feel a lot better. I'm going to try and not let him get to me. This is the last time I will be pregnant. This is the last time I will get to feel the little baby moving around inside my body (as uncomfortable as it is sometimes, I truly believe it is a miraculous thing I am doing). I only have about eight weeks left. I'm going to do my best to enjoy them and appreciate the changes my body is going through in order to bring another beautiful little girl into the world. Screw you, lonely old man!

Sorry, but I have to...

Typically, I can not stand complainers, but seeing as this is my blog and you are CHOOSING to "hear" me complain, I feel that it is ok to do so... every so often. I AM MISERABLE, PEOPLE! The doctor has cut me off from pop, coffee, anything except milk, juice, and water. I'm dying here! I NEED my morning caffeine! I'm chugging ice water like it's my job in hopes that the coldness on the inside does the same thing for waking me up as coldness on the outside. Also, I'm on a medication now to fight off a bladder infection and it makes me drowsy and nauseous. I have nine weeks left. 61 days. Just one day short of two months. I am so ready to be tired and worn out with a baby in my ARMS instead of in my BODY. When I complain about being exhausted in about three months, remind me of how miserable I was with 61 days to go. My legs and feet hurt. I can't sleep at night. Call me selfish if you will, but I want to go shopping and buy cute clothes (including jeans with a button!) and have a freakin' margarita! Mike bought me a new pair of heels and I can't even wear them because my feet hurt and my toes look like miniature hot dogs. I really might cry now... My toenail polish (red, not the pink I would normally wear in the summer) was chipped and I really needed a new paint job but since I can't bend over long enough to remove/repaint them, I had to just do touch-ups. I'm laughed at because by the end of the day, I sort of waddle due to my hips taking the afternoon off. I'm laughed at when I accidentally drip toothpaste on my shirt and think that I get it all cleaned off, only to have it re-appear after the water dries. I am tired of being asked how much weight I have gained. Last night, Mike and I were doing yard work and I was talking about what I want to do to the yard next summer. I made a comment about how it will be easier because I won't be pregnant. He said, "You hope you won't." He almost lost his life. 61 days... 61 days... 61 days... 61 days... *sigh*...

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Thanks to Mom for finding these adorable decals for me!

Mike keeps telling me that when people comment on "how big" I am, they are not being mean. He tells me that I shouldn't take their words to heart because I am pregnant and am going to get even bigger yet. He says I can't help my growing tummy and it should be a reminder of good things to come. He is totally right and really, it doesn't bother me THAT much. I actually don't mind my tummy that much. I like feeling the baby move around and watching in amazement the way she kicks so hard, you can see the movement. It's just the WAY things are said. I don't feel that it is appropriate to call a pregnant person huge or fat, or to bulge your eyeballs out of your head when you get a glance at the growing babe inside of me.

While I'm on my soap box, may I just say that I can't stand when people touch without asking! I don't mind you feeling the baby kick, but please, please ask first! Hey Mom, find a decal for that one ;o) Otherwise, I may just return the favor and feel your tummy too!

Another thing that bugs the heck out of me is the personal questions that come AFTER the birth; "How's your crotch?" YES, that has been asked WAY TOO MANY times! "Do you have hemorrhoids?" "Do your boobs hurt?" Seriously people! I appreciate your concern, but a simple, "how are you feeling?" would be great! I love the reaction I get from these people when they ask these questions and I respond, "my crotch is fine, how is yours?" The look of shock and offense that is on their faces cracks me up!! I'm sorry, was I being inappropriate?

*sigh* Ok, I'm done complaining for the week :o) Just keep in mind that pregnant women are a little self-conscious (especially in the summer), and after giving birth, we like to keep what dignity we still have!

Happy Friday everyone and don't forget to come to the FREE Ice Cream Social benefiting Kate's Kart tomorrow at the Parkview North family park from 12-4!! Have a great weekend :o)

There Is DEFINITELY A Baby In There!!

Well, the picture is pretty much self-explanatory! Baby Taylor is moving around SO much! She did flip and is in the head-down position and let me tell you, that was a VERY uncomfortable flip! I'm feeling good now though. This pregnancy has been pretty easy so far.



I got a package in the mail today...

This is the little onesie Miss Taylor will wear home from the hospital and the matching shirt for big sis! I ordered them from Etsy and am SO happy with how they turned out! Now I need to get some cute little baby legs to match :o) We only have three more months left! Our mini-miss will be here before we know it!

Holy Hundred Days, Batman!!

Look up at that ticker! Only 100 days left until we get to meet little Taylor! Mike and I were talking about it last night and we can NOT believe how fast this pregnancy has gone! We have summer left and that's it! Once summer is over, we'll have a new baby! Crazy to think about. I find myself daydreaming about what she will be like. Will she get my curly red hair like her sis or Mike's straight black hair? Blue eyes or brown? Will she be big like J? Will she be fussy? Will she spit up a ton like Jaden did? What will her voice sound like? Will she be as outgoing and dramatic as Jaden or one that stays out of the spotlight? Will she be a picky eater? Do I need to stock up on Karo syrup again for constipation or will we go through wipes and diapers like it's our job? Who knows? All I do know is that I can NOT wait to meet her :o)

Mike isn't looking forward to the late night feedings or the crying. Honestly, I haven't really thought about that part too much. It goes by so fast! Yeah, it will be exhausting having to get up every four hours or so, and yes, I dread the nights when I have to walk the floor with her because she can't stop crying. But when I look at how much Jaden has grown and how fast it has happened, I'm kind of looking forward to starting over again and savoring each moment because it may be the last. We are not PLANNING on having any more kids after this one... we can't have them outnumber us... so those late night rocking sessions are numbered. She will wake up at 3 am one night and it will be the LAST time I get to wake up in the night to feed my baby girl. Yeah, she is getting a lot of her sister's hand-me-downs, but it will be the last time we get to look at those TINY outfits and have a flood of memories come back to us... "remember the time Jaden wore that and..." It's crazy to think of how life changes so fast!

100 days... 100 days AGO was February 24th. That was the week of the Home and Garden show. That seems like yesterday! These next 100 days are sure to fly by. We still have lots to do to prepare. I've started stocking up on diapers and even have a couple cans of formula. I need to get some more fall/winter clothes still. I want to redo the basement so Jaden has more of a play room to be loud in instead of the room right next to a sleeping baby. We need to get a new mattress for the cradle since Ty decided to ruin the one we had. Other that that, I think we are pretty much prepared! It's a lot easier getting ready for the second one. We were CLUELESS the first time around and Jaden turned out ok :o) We are trying to "tame" her a little bit. She tends to be very loud at times and I know it will frustrate the crap out of me to have her wake Taylor. On the other side, I will feel horrible every time Taylor's crying will wake J in the night. I guess that is just all part of having a family!

How will Jaden react to having a new baby in the house? We really don't know how to prepare her. She knows that baby Taylor is in mom's tummy. She knows that Taylor's room is just that, but does she REALLY grasp the concept of having a baby sister? It makes me nervous because we show her SO MUCH love and are constantly playing with her and giving her our full attention. Will she feel like we love her less if we have to split our time? Will she want to help out or will "that's mine!" become her new favorite phrase? Jaden isn't one to play with baby dolls... she is more of an animal girl. I am planning on getting some baby doll diapers and clothes for her to have so she can "help" with the new baby on her own toys. I see her being a little mom to Taylor :o)

I don't think I will have the same first-time-parent worries with Taylor as I had with Jaden. There is a whole new set of worries :o) I'm sure it will be fine. I'm sure it will be easier that I think. I'm also sure that my heart will double in size the day I meet Taylor, just as it did the day I met Jaden. Only 100 days to go...

The Coolest Thing I Have Ever Heard!!!

So, with a recession going on, people are trying to think of cost friendly activities to keep themselves busy! That must be the reason that I know of 8 people (including myself) that are going to have or have had a baby this year!! At work alone, there are three of us expecting! One girl brought in the NEATEST thing ever today!! I am SO going out and getting one of these!! At her OB appointment, the nurse recorded the baby's heartbeat from the doppler onto a little recording device. Then, you take the heartbeat to Build-A-Bear and actually put it inside the bear so when you press it's paw (or wherever you put it), you hear baby's heartbeat!!! How awesome is that?!?! The recorder is only like $8 and you can make a bear for I think $10 at the cheapest... that is a special little gift for baby that is totally unique and SO personal for UNDER $20!! If you've ever heard a baby's heartbeat on a doppler before, you know how that little "wah-wah-wah-wah" sound is SO special. I SO can't wait to do this :o)

Did you watch Grey's last night? Did you bawl like a little baby? I lost it. Kelly and I were digging for happy things to talk about at the commercial break afterwards...

BUSY BUSY BUSY!!

Holy cow! April is halfway over already! (Did you get your taxes done, Dad?) I can't believe how fast this month is going. I was just looking at my calendar for the coming weeks and I am swamped! Tonight after a quick post-work Wal-Mart stop (I've found that the Wal-Mart at Jefferson Pointe is less trashy. Don't get me wrong, you still have your toothless wonders floating around in their ripped sweat pants and Nascar shirts, but the hardwood floors kind of give it a nicer touch!) to find big-girl curtains for J's room, I'm headed home for a big birthday celebration!! No, we didn't move Jaden's party... today is Ty's birthday!! We have a fun celebration complete with kitty birthday cake. Nobody is left out in the McClure house!

I have another OB appointment tomorrow afternoon. I really think they have the due date wrong. I am feeling her kick and squirm so much! I didn't feel Jaden until 20 weeks, and even though I'm already 18.5 weeks along, I've been feeling this little one for a couple of weeks now. What was is Shane said on Easter? Oh yeah! He said he would completely shave his goatee if I would have the baby before September 1st. He doesn't want to share his birthday month :o)

Saturday is a busy, busy day getting ready for Jaden's birthday party! We have major housework to do. I've been getting a lot of stuff done after work this week. I got the furniture moved in Taylor's room last night. Tonight, I hope to get a little more decorating done. As far as painting goes, I just have a second coat to trim on the door and the closet to paint. I am dreading the closet... any volunteers?? I am SO close to being done though! You will be so surprised! It is NOT anything you would picture a baby's room to be :o)

Sunday is party day!! Jaden will have so much fun! She LOVES presents so she should be a little more in to it this year. PLUS, I know a couple of gifts she is getting and will LOVE!! I think Gram & Gramps on both sides really hit the nail on the head this year!

Monday is Jaden's actual birthday. Mike and I both took a vacation day from work to do something really special with her. We HOPE to go to the zoo... (No rain! No rain! No rain!!!) Does anyone have a rainy day fun thing we could do as a back-up? We do have a zoo membership so even if it was just a little drizzly and we could only do the indoor exhibits, we might be ok. It's not like our money would be wasted, you know? Do you think I could get J to carry an umbrella?

Wednesday, J goes for her two year check-up. The doc will probably wonder why we haven't enrolled her in kindergarten when he sees how big she has gotten! I swear she is the size of a 4-year-old!

Thursday night we have Marissa's spring program at school. I'm really looking forward to this! I love going to kids' programs :o) I still remember singing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy in my fourth grade concert. I can't wait for Jaden's concerts!

Next Saturday is our monthly Scrappin' the Night Away party! I haven't really been in the mood to scrap at the past couple parties, but I am ready to go this time! I want to stay caught up on Jaden's 2-year book and then go back and fill in the blanks of her 1-year book when I have time.

Next Sunday, we are visiting the lake for the last time :o( Ron and Karen's cottage on Wawasee sold in less than 24 hours! When they told us they were listing it, we figured with the way the housing market is going, we'd have at least half the summer to hang out there. As luck would have it, they listed it last Friday afternoon and accepted an offer the very next morning. So, we get to have one last hurrah there on the 26th. We'll laugh, cry, and maybe even try out the torture chamber one last time... Last summer was so much fun with Jaden on the boat. I'm so glad I took millions of pictures and will have those memories for her forever.

THEN, April 29th through May 3rd is what, ladies?!?! THE VERA BRADLEY OUTLET SALE!! I'm decorating Jaden's room in Raspberry Fizz colors, so I will be in search of anything fun and cute in that pattern for her. Oh, and a few new handbags for me! OH! I'll also need a new VB diaper bag too! I forgot, I need to find a cover for my iPod! I wonder if they'll have zip-around wallets this year? Not that I'll have anything left to put in it after the show though ;o) It's SO worth it though! I'm a hard workin' lady... I deserve a few fast trips up and down the many aisles of brightly colored quilted fabric! I could count it as exercise since I'm practically running :o) I really want to take Jaden because I feel that she needs to be exposed to this kind of thing at a VERY early age, but I think I am going to pass this time. I took her to the past two sales and frankly, she slowed me down a little! I KNOW! I'll get a VB leash and start training with her, running up and down the street in a harness so she will be set and ready to go come the October sale ;o) The day I set her loose in the coliseum and she meets me with a fuller pink garbage bag than I have will be a proud day for Maw!

I hope you all enjoy the last couple of weeks of April showers! Let's hope they really do bring May flowers... and some stinkin' sunshine!!

YIKES!!!

There is something about Mondays that just wears the heck out of me! Last night, I barely made it through Dancing With The Stars and was SO looking forward to crashing! Well, little miss had other things in mind! Kelly and Marissa stopped by last night to check out Taylor's room and Jaden was beyond happy to see her buddy!! She was so wound up... not from playing, just from the fact that Marissa was at her house! Pretty much as soon as they left, Jaden started to wind down and get ready for bed. We read a few stories and I tucked her in. This was at like 8:30-8:45. I checked on her before I went to bed around 10:00 and she was just sitting up in bed! I went and got her a drink and told her it was night night time. She laid back down and I thought all was good... A couple of hours later, I hear, "MAW!" I go in there and she's awake! I again tell her that it's time for bed and she again lays down. Another couple of hours go by and we're at it again! Off and on ALL NIGHT LONG!! Finally at like 5:15, I sent Mike in there. Usually I go in there because she knows that if Dad comes in, it's time to get up. I didn't care though. I was exhausted and wanted my last 45 minutes. Well, Mike never came back and all I could hear was Miss J reading The Foot Book. SO... I went in there and Mike is sleeping in her bed with her and she's just reading to him :o) I told him to go ahead and go to our bed with her. There was no way I was going to fall back into a deep sleep for another half hour. Mike turned cartoons on for her and by the time I left at 7:00, they were both sound asleep! Needless to say, I stopped at Panera for some caffeine :o) I felt like I had a newborn again! Maybe she's just getting us ready :o)

Speaking of getting ready... I get to take my 4 month belly pic this weekend... I've seemed to really pop out this month! Last time, the biggest difference was between months 4 and 5. I also think I started wearing maternity pants around 4 months. I have noticed her moving around earlier than I did with Jaden! Last night, she was flipping around like crazy!

Flurries are in the forecast AGAIN for today! I am seriously falling into a seasonal depression! I want the sun and warmth and to be able to get Jaden's pool out! I want to grill out and go to the zoo! My skin is seriously the color of glue. I need some sun!!! This morning, I found that my sock had a hole in it. Instead of getting another pair, I wanted so bad to throw the flip flops on and head out the door but sandals and sweaters don't mix :o( Yuck, yuck, yuck!!!

Thanks so much to Shari, Mom, Kelly, Tia, and Jackie for participating in my fun little game!! Email me your addresses, #1 and #4! My email is shannon.mcclure@fwcs.k12.in.us. I've already started thinking about what fun things I can make all of you! I just have a couple of questions... Shari: Favorite colors?? Tia: Ellie's shoe size?? Jax: In your house, do accessorize in black or brown, and what year did you and Aub get together? I think that's it!! Happy Tuesday (really like Wednesday) everyone!

It's A........

......nother GIRL!!

Check out this picture of HER little foot!

Isn't it the cutest little thing ever?!?!

Everything went well at our appointment today. I had some lab work done to rule out downs and CF. The US was a little difficult. She wouldn't get in the right position! She had her legs tucked up and was blocking our view. Once, we were looking at her profile and she just turned her little head toward us :o) It was cute but a little scary... She is still a little alien-like in the face. Eventually, we got her to move so we could sneak a peek!! Leeann said she definitely saw girl parts! Mike is just wondering how we are going to pay for two weddings :o) Now, we can start deciding on a name (I think we pretty much have...) and GET THAT ROOM STARTED/DONE!!

Oh Happy Day!

Happy SPRING!! Finally, it is officially warmer weather season... though you would never know since the high today is only 42! Anyway, Mom always told me it's the thought that counts, so I'm thinkin' SPRING!! Here are some fun spring pictures (from Tuesday).

Another reason to be happy today... Dr. appointment!! We're going to try to sneak down to US after our OB appt. to get a quick gender check. It would be so horrible if Mike accidentally stepped on the tube of slimy stuff and it squirted on my bare belly. The surprise of that might cause me to trip and fall on the US wand thingy and accidentally see if baby is a he or a she ;o)

I have been battling a HORRIBLE sinus headache since Monday. It is FINALLY gone (knock on wood), but it will probably come back because Grey's and Private Practice were on last night (I haven't watched ER yet so don't blow it, dear blog friend!). I'm sure you are re-reading this and wondering how those two shows could cause me to get a headache today... Well, normally I am a night shower person. I have taken showers before bed for my entire life... UNTIL I started getting headaches during my pregnancy. I'm only allowed to take Tylenol and thanks to Mom, Tylenol is like candy to me; it does NOTHING for me. So, to relieve my headache, I've been taking extremely hot showers in the morning to clear my sinuses and kill the headache. Only, this morning I pressed my snooze button TWICE because I was up so late last night and overslept 20 minutes!! I have yesterday's mousse still in my hair so I had to throw it in a ponytail which will most definitely cause a pounding headache. I'm ok with it though because I know it will remind me to ask the doc for a Tylenol 3 prescription to kick these headaches to the curb for good! BUT, Grey's was AWESOME last night! **You absolutely HAVE to catch up, Kelly! Next week will be AWESOME!!**

Everyone needs to pray for NO RAIN this weekend!! Jaden's new thing is sidewalk chalk and she does NOT understand why we can't draw outside when it is raining. Our driveway has become a huge canvas for her and I to doodle our little brains out! I LOVE it! I think I have just as much fun and get just as messy as her :o) I've been to busy with my masterpieces to take any pictures, but I'll try to get some this weekend. It was funny because yesterday after her and Mike got home, she just wanted to go outside. We went out and JUST as I was getting into my drawing, she said, "I cold, Maw!" I felt bad because I was secretly thinking that maybe I could distract her long enough for me to finish drawing. Truth was, I was getting a bit chilly too. Plus, I had to start dinner, so we went inside! This weekend, I also need to make some headway in baby's room. I wanted to get it done last weekend but Miss was cutting her last two teeth and was really grumpy. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done this weekend!!

Oh! Guess what!! Last night, Jaden LOCKED HERSELF IN HER BEDROOM!!! I panicked for like half a second... the time it took her to unlock her door. Mike just laughed and said it wouldn't be the last time she locked me out of her bedroom :o) Maybe those drinks will be sooner than later, Kel!

Well, happy Friday and HAPPY SPRING everyone! Have a great weekend!!