Halfway point, Christmas, pictures

Okay so I wanted to post this last week, but I never got the chance. BFF was in from Denver and it was a crazy busy week. It was a great time with great friends though. I was sad to see them go! B/c once they left....then it was just the family. Ahhh....I love my family to death, but sometimes you need them in small doses this time of year, ya know?!?

Last Sunday (the 16th) was 20 weeks for me. So now I am 21 weeks...only 19 to go! YAY!!! I am so darn excited right now. Superjayman took this picture of me while she was here and I was 20 weeks and a few days. I hate taking pictures of myself right now. I know I should, thus why I do it, but I feel like I look so FAT! I can't wait to take pictures of me shrinking again!!! Speaking of...I've decided I am not cutting my hair again (I will keep it trimmed up--I'm not gross!) but I won't cut it short again until I hit 159. That is my goal right now so once I get there, the hair will get chopped and donated! YAY!!!! I feel this little one move every day and he/she is a late nighter and an early riser. It's quite comical to me anyway!


Christmas was a blast and we had so much fun. All of my family was here on the 22nd for Christmas. We had a great time and lots of good food--too much, but I'll get to that later! There were games and movies watched. I spent all of Saturday night on the couch with an ice pack on my back b/c I was so sore from being up all day. Tile floors and cooking all day and being pregnant were not a good combination for me this year! But that's fine too. Here's a shot of my sister and her dog and my dog. Her dog is Tank--a miniature long haired daschund. He weighs about 8# and is 16 weeks old. He's freaking adorable!



On Christmas Eve, my dad and step mom (CC) came to visit and we baked and baked. We made monkey bread, cookies--3 different batches of sugar cookies, and muddy buddy mix/puppy chow. OMG! By that night, I couldn't even walk into my kitchen b/c the smell of all the sugar made me want to vomit. Oh it was gross!!!! But we had a blast. CC took this picture of us in front of our tree so this was a first and I just love it! DS is standing on a chair--just in case you were wondering! :)

Christmas morning was a BLAST! This was the first year DS really had any idea what was going on and he made it so much fun. Here’s a shot of him with all of his presents. He has LOVED everything Santa brought. Santa was pretty good to me this year too. I got a new necklace and a new Bluetooth for my cell phone (I washed my last one—OOPS!) and some pjs. Dh did pretty good but he always takes the easy way out with jewelry, which is fine with me! My brother got me a Coach purse. That’s a first for me so I was pleasantly surprised. How did everyone else do??

I am SOOOO glad Christmas is over though. I have ate so much CRAP this last week it’s not even funny. And I can feel it too. Yuck! I made dinner last night and it was so nice to eat healthy. I think all the junk is gone now, so it should be easy to get back on track with healthier than what I’ve been eating. ;) We even took our tree down Christmas night! And I had the rest of the stuff down on Wednesday.

DH got some really good news on Saturday. He bid on a project for the state of Washington (he has 2 other people he is working with). He got a call on Saturday that they are in the final 5. He has to make it through one more step and if they do that, then he has to go out there to demo it on February 8^th. And if he wins this contract, we are talking mega bucks! The money doesn’t even matter to me (it’s a nice bonus, don’t get me wrong) but this would be his dream realized. He would have to hire a staff and really grow his company. I am praying he makes it that far. I really am. He wants this one bad too, I can tell. But you know what this means? I had to forego my trip to Cancun. We had decided to go to Cabo San Lucas instead and now that won’t happen. If my doctor says it’s okay, we might go at the end of February, but I will be 30 weeks, so I’ll wait to ask her when I go back on the 9^th. I’m not sure I WANT to go being that pregnant, but we’ll see. It may be our only shot! I told him I would be happy with a weekend in Chicago (we’re in Indy) so who knows. He promised me we would do something, so we’ll see what happens.

We don’t have any major plans for New Year’s. DH just informed me tonight that he has to work on New Year’s Eve so there went any plans we had for the day. DS is going to CC’s house Friday night (we’ll meet her then and I’ll meet her again on Monday morning) so DH and I can go to the Colts game on Sunday night. We are so pumped! Then on NYE, we are going to hang out with our neighbor’s and let all the kids play. It should be a good time.

I think I’ve rambled long enough tonight. I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas and I wish you many blessings and happiness in the new year!

Testing a video post...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Ahhhh...Christmas!

We are snowed in this weekend and I LOVE it!!!! I have to work on Sunday, but today (Saturday) I got so much accomplished. I am so proud! Let's see....

wrapping...done (with the exception of one for DS --I was afraid he would wake up while I was wrapping)

Baking...done for now and enough to make DS happy.

House...clean and all decorated (that part was done a few weeks ago).

Christmas cards...done and sent out this week.

Shopping--ALL DONE! YAY!!! That was done before this week.

Let's see what else?? I think that's it. So now, here I sit...needing to go to bed so I can work tomorrow. Oh one more thing...favorite Christmas movie watched...check! What's yours? Mine is Home Alone. To me, it's not Christmas unless you watch that movie. I just love it!

Friday night, we went out to dinner then had to hit the store. Remember the aforementioned snow? Yeah, well apparently everyone and their mother decided to hit the Super Wal-Mart last night. I waited in line 45 minutes to get checked out. It wasn't that bad b/c by this point DH had taken DS home and I got to be in the store BY MYSELF!! How awesome was that!?!? So since I had to be there and I had eaten, I was patient and waited until it was my turn in line. And yes, they had EVERY register open. So that wasn't the issue. Just the massive snow storm that was headed our way. Oh and Christmas. Add those 2 together and you get MADNESS I tell ya!

I haven't been up to much this week just super busy. Monday BFF Superjayman and her crew will invade my house. :) DS is so excited. He can't wait to play with her boys and "share all my toys". We have plans for lunch nearly every day next week so I am quite excited about that. Ruby Tuesday's is on the list and although I was just there on Friday for lunch with DS, I can't wait to be able to eat my entire salad all by MYSELF! :) Next Friday night (the 21st) we will have 11 (yes, that says ELEVEN!) extra people in our house. OY!! I am just thrilled to pieces that we have the room to accommodate all these people. Even parking won't be a problem b/c our driveway is big enough for 5 extra cars. I love entertaining and having people visit, but this will be the most we've had overnight EVER! Superjayman and her crew will head out sometime Saturday and then my family and I will have Christmas. SO EXCITED!!!! Can you say a prayer that my back pain eases by then so I can at least ENJOY doing all the stuff I want/need to do?? It's been bothering me again. I have a massage scheduled this week and I think I am going to head back to the chiropractor to loosen things up.

Man, I am long winded tonight. I have my thoughts all to my self and see what happens?!? :)

Oh...DH put my elliptical together tonight. I am going to TRY to get down there to use it one day this week....just depends on how my back feels. I am sure it would help me feel better but on the other hand, I don't want to over exert myself either.

I had quite a bit of blog reading to catch up on...I am all caught up but I didn't comment on everyone's like I usually do...please forgive me. :) But I did read. We are all a bunch of busy women these days!

Well, I think that's all from me for now. I hope you are all safe and warm and having a GREAT weekend!!!

A picture as promised!

The ultrasound pictures won't scan b/c it's too black. So again I had to take a picture of the picture. You would have thought I learned my lesson the last time! So b/c of that, you just get the one picture. I know, it sucks, but I couldn't get the picture to turn out b/c of the flash on my camera...even with the flash off it still did something funky to the shot. So here you go: One of the 3D shots we have of our precious little bean!


I just looked at the pictures I had taken and thought this one came out pretty good too. Another shot!

The bottom one is the same as the first one I posted. Little thing wouldn't take his/her hands away from their face whenever the tech would switch to 3D. We have one profile shot where there are no hands at the face, but it's not 3D. Oh well. Still some pretty awesome pictures.

There are no shots of the lower genital area b/c we didn't want to know AND baby wouldn't open it's legs for us to know. The heartbeat on Friday was 137. At my last appointment it was 160. Yesterday it was over 140...I didn't get an exact number. So it's been all over the place. With DS, he was always quite high the whole time I was pregnant. So those old tales about it being higher for boys or whatever...I take them with a grain of salt. ;)

Have a great day!!!

I held tough....AND.....

We do NOT know the sex of the baby!!!

WOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I stayed strong all morning Friday morning. As we were being walked back to the room by the ultrasound tech, I was saying to myself (and to her) "I don't want to know the sex, I don't want to know the sex" repeatedly. The tech was so great and tried so hard to stay away from that area. I was so grateful for that!!! DH was trying so hard to see if he could see a "flagpole" but NADA...

Baby had it's legs crossed!!! We couldn't have found out even if we wanted to! Baby is already on mama's good side b/c she/he knew mommy didn't want to know what he/she is. Although everyone that we've told that has a girl said they had the same issue---their girl was modest and it took quite a few ultrasounds to really see what was there. So I'm thinking it's a girl. :)

I finally got confirmation that I've been feeling the baby move. He/she moved all day on Saturday while we were at DH mom and dad's. I got the confirmation on Friday during the ultrasound b/c baby was head down and before we went back I had felt something at the top of my uterus. I've had soooo many gastrointestinal issues I didn't know if that's what it was or not, then during the u/s the feet are right in that area so it was the baby. YAY!!! Made me feel so much better!!!! I can't wait until DH and DS can feel it. That will be the most awesome part.

Someone (Tina, I think) left a comment about the nursery and not knowing the sex. DS nursery was done in Noah's Ark so I am going to keep it the same (it's already painted a very neutral color). The comforter that goes with the crib set is hung on the wall and has navy and red in it. I got some new sheets that are red and another set that is "mocha" that will match the comforter and the bumper pad. So it won't take long to "decorate" the nursery. I will wipe down all the furniture and clean the carpets and wash all the covers for the car seat, bouncy, etc... I will leave out the container of boy clothes before we go to the hospital and if it's a boy, I'll have my mom wash all of that stuff for me before we get home from the hospital. If it's a girl? I'm going to start a secret "stash" of money and if it comes out a girl, I'll send my mom, my sisters, my step mom, and my MIL shopping for some girl clothes and towels. :) See? I've got it all planned out. And if it's a boy, I'll put that money in an account for him.

At the u/s on Friday, I was measuring a little big and by those dates I am due April 29.

Did I tell you DS birthday is April 28?!?!? Yeah. Could be an interesting week!

I go to the doctor tomorrow for my regular check up so I will ask then if she is going to officially change it. I doubt it b/c I measured big the entire time I was pregnant with my DS. This also means I have to get on the scale tomorrow. Yuck. I got on there a week ago this past Friday and was up 4#....in 4 weeks so that's pretty good. I'm right where I should be with the weight gain, so that is good!

DH and I talked on Friday and I am going to call tomorrow to get prices for us to go to Cancun in February for a long weekend over Valentine's. Ahhh...how sweet, right?? I know, he's the best! BFF Superjayman asked if we were going to take DS.

HELL NO!

That's exactly what I told her too. ;) Don't get me wrong, I love my son to death and I would jump in front of a moving train for him, but sometimes you just need a break! I know all the mom's out there can sympathize with me. DH and I love Cancun and have been there 4 times. We went on our honeymoon in 2000, January 2003, October 2003, and September 2005. We are so due for a trip there this year. We have a favorite resort...as long as it's a Palace Resort, I am a happy camper!!! I really want to go the Aventura Spa Palace, but I think we've decided to go there for 8 days for our 10 year anniversary. I could get a massage and a facial EVERY DAY!!! WOO HOO!!!! Dh wasn't sure if we should go or not with all the issues I've been having--GI and back mainly. But I think 4 days in the sun without a child to just relax would do me a WORLD of good! Last time I went to the doctor, she told me she thought it would be a great time to go, so I'll see what she says tomorrow.

I'm down in my back again so I plan to ask her about it tomorrow. I was fine until I wrapped presents on Thursday. I only did it for about an hour and a half but it still threw me for a loop. It's not nearly as bad as it was, but it's still sore. Traveling for the weekend didn't help either, but I couldn't help it. We had a surprise party for my grandma for her 75th birthday. And yes she was totally shocked. It was a great night for her!

I think that's it for me for now. This is long enough. I'm watching my boys play football (GO COLTS!) but it's been kind of a boring game (with us winning of course). ;) Have a great night!

Oh and I will get those pictures up hopefully tomorrow. Dh is at the computer that has the scanner hooked up to it. We have some GREAT 3D shots. :)

Tomorrow is our ultrasound!

So tomorrow is the big day. The BIG ultrasound. Wow. I can't believe it is finally here. Sorry to tell ya, that as of now I am still holding strong to my resolve to NOT find out the sex. DH wants to know so bad, but he got his way the first time around...this time I really don't want to know. I've always wanted that surprise and to hear him tell me when this child comes out that it's a boy or a girl--how magical would that be!?!?! And the doctor would be excited b/c they never get to deliver the good news anymore b/c everyone always knows in advance. And to have DH go out into the waiting room and tell everyone it's a boy or a girl--how wonderful!!! I just have this picture in my head of how awesome it will be and to be surprised and I love surprises! Now...if only I can hold out my resolve until we get there. Last time I caved as soon as we got in the room. I vow not to this time...but you never know..... Unless it's highly obvious. :)

So anyway....we are leaving for the weekend shortly after the ultrasound. I will post pictures once we get back. We are getting a 3D ultrasound so I hope to have some good pictures.

I've gotta cut this short...I still have to pack and get a shower. Gonna be a late night tonight and an EARLY day tomorrow!!!

Have a good one!

Christmas Tag!

I got this from Kendra over at Measure My Weigh. She is so sweet and I love reading her blog. If you want to do it, fine, if not, that's fine too. I thought it was fun! :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper--I love to wrap. Gift bags are for pansies! :) Totally kidding.

2. REAL OR FAKE TREE? Fake--I grew up with fake so it's all I know and DH hates real trees. But my fake looks real...and it's 12 feet tall.

3. When do you put up the tree? First Sunday after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? No later than New Year's Day...this year probably the weekend after Christmas.

5. Do you like eggnog? No, yuck!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My very first Cabbage Patch Doll!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes

8. Hardest person to buy for? My grandma--she has EVERYTHING but she will complain if she doesn't get anything either. ARGH!!!

9. Easiest person to buy for? This year, my DH. Usually my brother, but we drew names this year and I didn't get him.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? One of those coffee cup sets with the hot chocolate packets.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone--Just the first one

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November this year...I like to start in October though.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No...gave the previously mentioned coffee cup set to Goodwill.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Baked Potato Salad, Noodles, Monkey Bread, Cauliflower Salad....I could go on and on....

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear--it's pre-lit. :)

17. Favorite Christmas song? Trans Siberian Orchestra Carol of the Bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home for the 2nd year in a row! YAY!!! I've traveled every year since I got married and decided last year that we wanted our own Christmas traditions with our kids at our house on Christmas morning. And I LOVE it!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes.... Do you know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and
Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen? But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? RUDOLPH the red nosed reindeer! You know you are singing it too!!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People are rude.

23. What I love most about Christmas? I love seeing it through the eyes of a child. It's so magical.

Belly shots and randomness

Hello 18 weeks!!

WOO HOO!!! Almost halfway there. We have our ultrasound this week and I can't wait. I am really tempted to find out if this is a girl or a boy just b/c of all the different symptoms I have had over the last few weeks. Then I can say "Little girl, you are making mama feel so bad, QUIT IT!" But I am still holding strong and don't really want to know. DH wants to know desperately...DS wants the surprise.

Update on the sciatica and migraines--both have fizzled out slightly. On Friday, I went to the chiropractor and I had a massage (she was sick on Wednesday). Both of them worked on me HARD. I am going back to the chiropractor 3 times this week AND I am going to get another massage on Wednesday so I can be loosened up. Both the chiro and the massage therapist said I was so tight--the MT almost couldn't massage my lower back b/c it was so tight. But I took it very easy this weekend and have had NO PAIN at all. WOO HOO!!! I had a slight migraine yesterday, but I think the massage and taking it easy really helped. I got some shopping done and have a clean house so it was a pretty good weekend. My OB prescribed Vicodin for the migraines...I got Darvocet when I was pg with DS. I hate taking either one b/c they KNOCK ME OUT. I can't take them during the day b/c I have to work. Saturday and today I've dealt with acid reflux. It feels like my esophagus is on fire. Tums help but I hate them. I sure hope the 2nd half is better than the first half of this pregnancy. I don't want to sound like all I do is complain, but this is my blog and my personal thoughts...this pregnancy has been sooooo different than it was with DS.

Here is a belly shot DH took tonight. I thought I looked big before, but this one I think it makes me look bigger than I really am.


My ass looks huge! ARGH!!! I gotta get on that elliptical!

Speaking of the elliptical...it's finally made it's way to the basement. I didn't say it was put together yet...it's just IN the basement. Dh said it's going to take a while to get it all put together.

We took DS to see Santa today at the mall. For the first time since he was a baby, he sat on his lap by himself! I got a great picture too.


We wrote a letter to Santa before we left and then DS gave it to Santa. It was soooo sweet!!! I just love this time of year and seeing it through the eyes of a child. It's so magical. I can't wait to have 2 kids in that photo with Santa next year!!

I think that's it for me tonight. Sorry for the lag in blogging...but last week I tried to stay horizontal as much as I could to ease the back pain. Let's hope for a better week this week!! ;)