Friday, March 18, 2011

Be Not Afraid...

This happened upon me today...


Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still. 
~Chinese Proverb


                                                      I also have seen it read this way...

I'm not sure which way is correct, but I like it both ways.  The first thing I thought of was my setbacks, or shall I say my "challenges" with pursuing photography.   And it inspired me to not feel as discouraged about my current position, and having to hold off on pursuing photography on the level I am desiring. Going slowly or Growing slowly is better than not all.  I think I may hang it where I can see it and be reminded everyday.  My desk, our fridge, our office, our bedroom, our bathroom, Nik's room, etc.

Hope it inspired your life in some way(s) as it has inspired mine.

 



Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh!



Irish Eyes are smiling!
Have a Green Beer for Me, ha!



 




Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday to my husband who turns 31 today.  And what a Beautiful day for his Birthday.  Gorgeous.  Couldn't have asked for a more perfect Spring day compared to the weather we have been having lately.  He requested Chicken + Noodles.  He wanted hand rolled noodles, but I told him a working expecting mama does not have time for hand rolled noodles like Grandma used to make.  I have been taking off work just to clean in order to have people over to the house.  And to grocery shop and make the dinner and dessert.  I have a day and half of vaction left till next June. I hope I make it till then, ha.  I have to use my vacation when Nik is sick, and thus those days become my vacation.  I stayed up till 4:30 am last night, and made it till about 8pm today, and then the tiredness hit me. 

I love to plan parties and entertain family and friends though.   Love it!  And I LOVE having a clean house.  I hope I can maintain it this way till Nik's Birthday party, or else I'll be doing this all over again. I get so giddy having a clean house. 

I am so excited for her 2nd Birthday, wait till you see what I have planned. A French Poodle Party, and if I can pull it off, I will feel a huge relief when it's all over.  I'm also excited for my niece Bella's 1st Birthday party this weekend!  I miss my brother, sister-in-law ans nieces terribly since we live about two hours away.  And I know Nik wil have a blast at the party.  She had so much fun with her triplet cousins at Daddy's party tonight.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Come In...

Come in, but don’t expect to find
All dishes done and floors that shine.
Observe the crumbs, cereal, and toys galore.
The smudgy prints upon the windows and doors.
The little ones we shelter here
Don’t thrive on a spotless atmosphere.
They’re more inclined to disarray
And carefree messy play.

Their needs are great and their patience small.
All day I’m at their beck and call.
It’s Mommy come! Mommy see!
Mommy change the channel on TV.
Wiggly worms and scraped knees.
Painted pictures and blocks piled high.
My floors and house a mess, the days go by.
Some future day they’ll flee this nest,
And I at last will have a rest!
Now you tell me which matters more,
A happy child or a polished floor?

I found this on Christinia's Blog 365 Days of Grace and just loved it!  Christinia is also pregnant and is about 1 week behind me. I found her blog a while back, and jsut fell in love with it!  She has a beautiful little spot there, and a beautiful daughter, Gracie, go check it out!  I love Christinia's photography as well:)

Also, prayers and thoughts go out to the people of Japan and surrounding areas during this time, and pray that the people and their country are able to pull together through this crisis: You can see more HERE.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Pregnancy:Week 26

DATE: March 10, 2011

How far along: 26 Weeks

Total Weight Gained: Unknown, never weighed myself before baby (insane I know)

Current Weight: 134.8


Weeks 25-28 (Month 6): Eggplant

Average size: 13.6-14.8 inches, 1.5-2.2 lb.
Immune system is preparing for the outside world...

Your Baby: Month 6
Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.


Maternity Clothes: I did purchase a pair of maternity jeans as I mentioned in a previous post:

My other jeans fit, but the zipper kept sliding down, and the button began to get uncomfortable.  I have heard of the Belly Band and all those gadgets to wear out your current pair of jeans longer, but I just decided to give in to Maternity and buy a pair. They are skinny afterall. The only thing I don't like is the elastic over your tummy, and it looks strange folded over, but I'm sticking with the one pair for now. 

My last pregnancy the only Maternity clothes I purchased was a pair of jeans, a few long sleeve tees from Targee and the hubs purchased a winter maternity coat for me.  I usually just wore what I already had to save money or bought something clearance in a larger size in the Junior dept.  I was trying to stay away from Maternity clothes, and just wasn't happy with the selection we had at our one Maternity store and Targee.  But this prenancy, our Maternity store had some cuter things, and Heidi Klum has a Maternity line now as well. I figured, I should just buy something that fits my body type pregnant rather than clearance Junior clothes, and embrace being pregnant.  I bought a short black raincoat, a few tops, a black pair of skinny dress pants, and a pair of black stretch pants. I have a couple wedding showers for my sister-in-law to attend, Easter, and my 31st Birthday, and Maternity pictures soon, so they will be put to good use, and I didn't break the bank on the purchases.
Sleep: Good.  Sleeping on my left side, which I always do anyway.  A pillow between my legs is most comfortable, but I usually wake up and it's somehwere else in the bed or on the floor.  Last night though Nik woke up several times, and then I couldn't get back to sleep.  The baby was then moving non stop for a couple hours. Eventually I went and got Nik, gave her some milk and we snuggled till she fell back asleep, and then I moved her back to her crib, went back to sleep for about 1hr and got up, and actually fixed myself up a little this morning for a change.  I usually just put my hair in a bun or hat and rush out the door with usually whatever is hanging in my closet clean, and my jeans or leggings that are thrown on the floor.

Best Moment of the Week: My Prenatal Appt today.  I got to drink the orange sugar "gatorade" juice for the blood lab/Diabetes/Glucose test today.  I actually think it tastes good, or at least my office's does, ha ha.  I enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed playing hooky for an hour while I had to wait before I could get my blood drawn.  My obgyn came in and I talked to her, she took the baby's heartbeat and she said in the 130's so she is guessing a boy.  She said I was measuring 25/26 tummy measurement.  Then I walked down to the Hospital Gift shop while I waited for the hour to be up, and got to look at all the tiny cute fluffy soft adorable baby items and dream about our baby and his/her coming into the world, and those heavenly first couple days in the hospital with ourt new little bundle of joy, boy or girl. And saw these adorable Mud Pie silver rattles for a girl or boy that were about $7 and decided that I will have to have my mom pick one up after we find out what sex the baby is.  Eeek, can't wait! 

Food Cravings: Oranges. Vitamin Water ZERO. Organic Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Food Aversions: None, but staying away from Caffeine and Soda.

Gender: Still don't know yet, we are waiting to find out. Hubs wants to know badly. Saw our Sono Tech today who asked if I had changed my mind about finding out and I said, "No, I still don't want to find out."  I mean I do, but, I don't.  Hubs still wants to though.

Symptoms: Big belly!  Getting harder to sit in shower and shave legs, bend over to pick things up, etc.  Try not to lay on my back too much, bc of the loss of blood flow, and I hear is uncomfortable for Baby bc he/she competes with your backbone/vertebrae.  Though I sometimes wake up on my back.  Heartburn, Heartburn and more Heartburn!  From anything: juice, fruit, vegetables, fish, rice, pasta, you name it, it gives me heartburn.  Zantac is my saving grace!  Looks like I am carrying a basketball, so I am thinking, "Boy" based on the heartbeat and tummy, but still think this little one is a Girl.  I've heard people say the heartbeats predicted the opposite sex many times, so I'm not sure that is a positive indicator of the sex of the baby, and the Chinese lunar calendar sais it was a Girl, so we'll see!

What I miss: I would love a good glass of wine!

What I'm looking forward to: Decorating the Nursery.  Maternity pictures.  And, I can continue to say, finding out the sex of the baby!  And, also, really getting excited to meet this little bundle of joy!

What I am loving: Feeling that baby kick.  My 15/20 min walks at work on my break.  I love reading Nik her Big Sister book!   Also, enjoying my quality, special time with Nik before she has to share Mommy-Lots of giggles and snuggles hugs and kisses!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Big Sister.


I bought Nik this book this weekend....I LOVE it, and she does too!  It is such a sweet book.  It really captures so much in such a short book, and the illustrations are so sweet!  We read it over and over again. She is so excited about a baby and being a big sister....she will be the best big sister ever!  They make one for Big Brothers too.  I want her to be prepared and excited for this new addition to our lives and family.  Can't believe we only have 3 1/2 months to go....where did the time go???

XOXO Love.