ABCs of Me

Yes, I owe you a belly post....it's coming.

Yes there are lots of other things I should/could post about....but I'm uninspired.

...and yes, there are lots of other things I could/should be doing around the house...but I don't wanna.

So instead I will follow in the steps of my friends Ameringlish and Wiley and share with you the ABC's of Me
(You should do the same and link back here just for giggles!)

A. Age: 29...YIKES! When did that happen? 30 is sneakin' up quick
B. Bed size: QUEEN
C. Chore you hate: Truthfully? All of them. I find cleaning the bathroom and dusting particularly lothesome.  And my hubby insist that I don't do laundry correctly. Is there anyone out there that LOVES doing chores? Has a favorite? I think not
D. Dog(s): A Boston Terrier named Marciello
E. Essential start to your day: a coke....don't judge me!
F. Favorite color: depends on my mood...right now I'm loving Dark Pink & Aqua
G. Gold or silver:  Silver or White Gold
H. Height: 5'2"
I. Instruments you play:  I took piano lessons for several years and played flute in Jr. High band.  Not sure I would claim to possess the talents to play any instruments these days.
J. Job Title:  Wife, Mommy, SAHM, Domestic Goddess
K. Kids: Alyvia (Lyvi) Leigh - 18 months, Sadie Clair - Due in May (2 under 2 - YIKES AGAIN!)
L. Live:  I try to live everyday to the fullest! Ha!  I think this means WHERE - in that case TEXAS
M. Mom’s name: Denise - She ROCKS
N. Nicknames: La or Lolli 
O. Overnight hospital stays: Hmmm...when I was born, when Lyvi was born, and a few more when Sadie gets here
P. Pet peeve: people who talk on their cell phones in the restroom
Q. Quote from a movie: As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again. ~ Gone With The Wind
(first one that came to mind)
R. Right or left handed: Righty
S. Siblings: 2 younger sisters - Hailey & Chelsea
T. Time you wake up: It depends on when Lyvi does.  Normally around 7:30a
U. Underwear: That's a bit personal don't ya think?
V. Vegetables you dislike: English Peas...Ewwww
W. What makes you run late: See K...actually I am most likely what makes me run late (I dawdle), but kids are a handy-dandy excuse that I plan to use until they can deny it.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes...j/k lots of my knees and ankles though
Y. Yummy food you make: I love to cook/bake so there is quite a lot of yummy food in my arsenal. For further proof have a look at mrsdrecipes.blogspot.com
Z. Zoo animal: Kanagroo

*Edit: Had to fix the spacing. It was making me batty!

Photo Friday {These Boots Are Made For Walkin'}

31 Weeks

Another week down....Yikes! After gettting my pregnant behind kicked last week I have been extra careful to listen to my body and to stay off my feet as much as possible.  Easier said then done while chasing Lyvi, but I managed pretty well this week and other than feeling tired (particularly at the end of the day), I feel pretty good.

Sadie weighs about 3 pounds now and is around 16 inches long.  She can hear and responds to loud noises and enjoys kicking me in the diaphragm and doing sommersaults and various other gymnastic moves while I try to fall asleep.

30 Weeks

Let me start by apologizing for the tardiness of this post.  Pregnancy, hormones and allergies have been kicking my bootie this week...it's not pretty but it's true. I finally feel humanish, so on with the updating and such...

Miss Sadie is approximately 16 inches long and around 3 pounds. A recent ultrasound revealed a head full of curls...seriously who sees curly hair on an ultrasound (us, that's who!). She is definately starting to run out of room as indicated by the rolling (and kicking) that I feel regularly in my belly. I am feeling a lot more downward pressure these days and I'm certain that my bladder is Sadie's new favorite toy. I have to be honest, while I love being pregnant and I am very excited about our new addition, this second pregnancy is kicking my patootie! The second trimester burst of energy, short lived though it was, is now long gone and the mental and physical requirements of baby baking coupled with caring for my family is zapping what little is left.  My hormones are raging and I fear that my hubby has been at the receiving end of more than a few mood swings.  Discomfort or not, I'm hoping that Sadie will stay put a little longer than Lyv did so I have time to get a little more ready for her arrival.

Photo Friday {Helping Daddy}

*sorry for the poor quality cell phone pics

Sacrifice

I grew up participating in Ash Wednesday services at church and participating in the practice of Lent. Over the years I have given up a variety of things for Lent in an effort to learn a lesson about the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. I'll admit that giving up sweets or sodas or even TV was challenging, but along the way it almost always became more about the countdown to Easter and the day I could be reunited with the sacrifice du jour and less about the lesson at hand...not so much the point of the whole excercise.

Tonight we missed Ash Wednesday services at Tree of Life tonight. Lyvi wasn't feeling well, and as a result she was out of sorts and we just didn't feel right handing her over to the nursery workers in such a state. This year I am not planning to give up anything (more on that later), but this year more than ever, I think I am begining to understand the meaning of sacrifice...real, genuine, sincere sacrifice...Being a parent has taught me this lesson better 40-days without chocolate or Sweet Tea ever could. I would give up anything for my girls. I will do whatever I can to improve and enhance their lives, to ensure that I can give them everything they need. I would lay down my life if it would prevent them from feeling a moments anquish.
 
I am not saying that I have a complete understanding of the depth of the sacrifice made for me, just that I feel more connected to it.  This year instead of giving up something, I am choosing to attempt to further my learning and improve myself as a wife and mother with daily devotional. I am praying that this will help me to grow in faith and help me to develop a habit that will continue long after Lent.

~ 29 Weeks ~

My baby is about the size of a butternut squash.

....and this is what a belly caring a butternut squash looks like.

Her skeleton is starting to harden (bring on the calcium) and she is hearing well. In fact, she may even startle at loud noises. Her movement is a lot stronger lately and I am feeling a lot of stretching/pulling in my side muscles.

Photo Friday {Walking with Pop}

Thankful Thursday {Hello Again}

It is far too easy to get wrapped up in frustration, disappointment and not-so-positive minutia. I think that with the hustle, bustle and diaper changes of daily life it's far too easy to overlook the good things, the little things, the things that make each day worth living and enjoying. I need to make an effort to focus on those things...to take time each day to be Thankful.

Blogwise, this means a reintroduction to Thankful Thursday.

Things I'm Thankful For:

1a. My sweet husband who made me Chocolate Chip Cookies last night
(all in the name of cravings)

1b. Chocolate Chip Cookies for breakfast :)

2. My baby bump & feeling Miss Sadie wriggle and kick

3. Listening to Lyvi talk to herself and her toys when she first wakes up

4. Walking into her room and getting to see the 'first morning smile' everyday

5. Sesame Street Time! (whether it's cuddling with Lyvi on the couch or accomplishing housework while she watches)

What are you thankful for today?

~ 28 Weeks ~

Let's start with a Thrid Trimester Happy Dance!

I can't believe that we are already in the third trimester....this pregnancy has gone sooooooo fast. This week Sadie weighs about 2 1/4 pounds - about the weight of a Chinese Cabbage.

She has eyelashes! Cute flutterly little eyelashes on her eyes. Eyes that she can blink! Eyes that can see light! Her little brain is developing, developing, developing at this point.

Speaking of developing, I have developed quite the waddle in recent days and my darling hubby says I look like I swallowed a basketball. Truthfully, I feel a bit like I swallowed a basketball... a great big heartburn inducing basketball. TUMS are my friends. I would also like to point out that I am doing my part to jump start Lyvi's potty training by taking her with me on each bathroom visit, of which there are many. Sadie is helping to by inceasing bathroom visits by regularly punching, kicking, or jabbing my bladder throughout the day.