30 Weeks and Counting….

I'm 30 Weeks!

Size of baby: Baby O weighs around 3 lbs. and is about 16 inches long.  We are both growing like crazy.  It’s amazing how much my stomach has grown in the past few weeks.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: ? I'm trying to avoid the scale :)

Maternity Clothes: Oh, yes! I can still wear quite a few of my pre-weight loss tops from Lane Bryant, but the pants have to be maternity.  

Gender: Girl!  We have a name picked out, but I will wait to reveal it on the blog in a few more weeks. 

Movement: Yes! She is a very active little girl, and I love it!  I don’t remember Mackaylan ever moving this much, but it has been over 5 years…hmm?!  :)

Sleep: Sound sleep is slowly becoming a thing of the past.  It feels like it takes forever to roll over and I am trying to sleep on my side instead of my back and that is hard for me.  I have also found that when I wake up in the middle of the night my mind starts racing and it is hard to get back to sleep.  I guess it is just my body’s way of preparing for the sleepless nights ahead, right?!

What I miss: Nothing! We have been praying for this baby for so long I feel nothing but blessed!

Cravings: Lately my only craving has been Chocolate Chip Pizza from Pizza Inn. 

Symptoms: I have definitely been more emotional with this baby, but some will argue that has nothing to do with pregnancy! *wink*wink*  I consider myself to be an avid American Idol fan, but usually I do not like the audition episodes.  However, this season I have cried bawled at every single one.  Some of the stories just tear my nerves up.  I also love the new judges.  I think it is going to be a wonderful season!

Best moment this week: Nothing really out of the ordinary.  I just often find myself in awe of our Creator and how He has blessed us with this new little life.  Mackaylan is so excited and we are both looking forward to my shower at school next week. 

Update/Extra information: On Saturday I went to BFing class at the hospital and walked away feeling pretty empowered.  I didn’t BF Mackaylan, but it is really something I want to do with Baby O.  I am a little anxious about how the first feeding works when you have a c-section, but I am sure I can get some tips and advice from my Chista, right?!

It’s official….

Guess what finally arrived?…………..MY PINK BOX!

It’s official.  I am now a consultant for Thirty-One Gifts!  I received my start up kit this week and have spent a lot of time pouring over the training guide and other consultant materials, the new Spring/Summer catalog, and planning my “Debut Party!” 

I know you may think I am crazy to be adding one more thing to my plate, but this is something that I have always wanted to try and Thirty-One seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I LOVE their products, prices, and what the company stands for- to celebrate, encourage, and reward.

If you live in my area and are interested in hosting a Thirty-One party just let me know. Thirty-One offers great hostess rewards and customer specials every month.  I have some fun ideas up my sleeve to make the parties fun and entertaining.  However, I think the products speak for themselves and you and your friends will automatically fall in love!  

I can’t believe this week is almost over.  Only one more day until the weekend!  Yippee!

Friday Funny

Last night Mackaylan and I were sitting in the floor reading a few books before bed when she looked up at me and said, “Mom, why is your brain so wrinkly?”  I went on to explain to her that it wasn’t my brain.  It was my forehead!  She then wanted a tutorial on how to wrinkle her “brain” too!  We both got so tickled by the expression on her face as she was attempting to tackle this task.  Oh, how I love this little girl!!!

I hope you had a fantastic Friday!

Project Life- Wk. 1 and 2

This year I am attempting to take a picture a day for the entire year- aka Project 365. I started this task last year, but about 5 weeks into it, I fell off the bandwagon. However, this year I was given the Becky Higgins’ Project Life kit, and I am hoping it will provide the needed inspiration and accountability to keep me on track. I have read a few tips on the internet from people who have successfully completed the project and their best advice is to keep a camera with you at all times and take a picture everyday no matter what! So, for those of you who know me in real life and think I am the mamarazzi now, 2011 is sure to be worse. Ha! However, I ask that you please bear with me, feel free to offer any photography tips that you may have, and most importantly smile if I want to take your picture!

Here are my first two layouts:

So far so good! I am hoping that between this documentation and our blog book that I print out each year, I can release the guilt I feel for not scrapbooking. I am documenting life, but in a way that works for me, right?! I am so excited about completing this journey and can’t wait to sit down with my family at the end of the year to share and reflect on all of the memories that we have made.

Happy Monday!

One Little Word

photo taken from http://aliedwards.com

This year instead of making new year resolutions, I am trying a different approach.  I have decided to join hundreds of other people in the One Little Word concept.  I stumbled upon this idea from Ali Edwards and fell in love.  It adds such a creative spin to this often mundane January tradition.  So, without further ado, my word for 2011 is balance. 

2011 is sure to be full of many changes.  In just a few short months we will be adding a new little baby girl to our family, I am hoping to graduate with my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership,  and I am planning to become a consultant for thirty-one gifts… just to name a few.  However, through all of these changes, it is important that I remember what is most important- my relationships: with Christ, my husband, my daughter(s), my family, and my friends. To keep all of this in perspective it is important that I remain balanced.  All too often, little, insignificant things can eat up so much of my thought life and to-do list.  However, this year I am committing to the one little word concept.  To put first things first.  Prioritize.  Balance.  In doing this, I am sure 2011 will be a year to remember!

What is your one little word for 2011?

My 32nd Birthday

Yesterday I celebrated my 32nd birthday.  Despite beginning my morning working on our will (something we have been putting off for a while), the day definitely got a lot better!

As we were bundling up to go out sledding in our neighborhood, we received an invitation from our pastor/friend to head over to his house to go sledding.   Even though the roads were pretty icy we ventured out anyway.

We arrived a little early, so we stopped by Mickey’s parents for a few minutes before heading over to “the hill!”  While we were there, Mickey’s mom snapped a family photo for us. 

Being 7 months pregnant, I didn’t do any sledding, but captured lots of photos of all of the others having plenty of fun!

It’s hard to tell from these pics, but this hill is very big.  It was so big, it only took a few trips up and down until we started using a 4-wheeler and Gator to take people back to the top. 

After a few hours of sledding, Mickey and his dad went up to the church to help shovel the snow off the steps and sidewalk.  Mackaylan and I spent the afternoon with Grams eating lunch, playing board games, and taking naps. 

When the guys returned home, I was surprised with a dozen red roses.  Aren't they beautiful?  I am not someone who always receives flowers for birthdays, holidays, etc. so I was very surprised!

After that, Mackaylan spent the night with Grams and Pop O so Mick took me out on a date for my birthday.  I loved being able to get dressed up after being in “snow clothes” for a few days, and was even able to wear my new outfit that Mickey bought me for my birthday, which included my new pair of black boots. 

We enjoyed a delicious meal at Outback and then came back to the house to watch a movie.  We didn’t want to be out too late because the roads were expected to refreeze, and we didn’t want to risk it. 

It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Daddy’s Little (Snow)Girl

“The first man a little girl falls in love with is her dad.”  -Unknown 

“Her tiny hands stole his heart. Her little feet ran away with it.” -Unknown

“Someday I will find my prince, but my daddy will always be my king!” –Unknown

“Any man can be a father.  It takes someone special to be a dad!”- Unknown

Spectacular *Snow Day*

What do you do on a snow day in South Carolina when the snow is too soft for sledding?

Measure it…multiple times!

Eat it!

Shovel it for exercise!

Run!

Make snow angels!

Wrestle!

Take pictures!  LOTS OF THEM!

Just have fun!

Birthday Bash #2

Last night had yet another birthday celebration.  My wonderful sis-in-law, Betsi, and I share the same birthday so she was able to come into town so we could all celebrate together!  We always have a fun time together and tonight was no exception.  I am very blessed to have in-laws who love me unconditionally and have always considered me one of the family. 

The laugh of the evening definitely revolved around the cake. 

My precious mother-in-law worked very hard all afternoon preparing a birthday cake (and icing) from scratch.  However, you can tell that the Food Network will probably not be contacting her anytime soon to be highlighted on Cake Boss! Nonetheless, I will say that even though it didn’t look the best, it tasted delicious. 

After a delicious steak dinner and a round of cake we opened presents.  You can tell from this picture that we are both spoiled rotten.

Betsi received jewelry and a sweater from Mackaylan, Mickey and myself, some exercise apparel, a ring, and a pair of diamond earrings from her parents! Needless to say, she was thrilled!

As for myself, I received some clothes, a hat, the curtains (which are on backorder), crib sheet, and lamp that match the bedding we have purchased for the nursery, and my Becky Higgins Project 365 kit! Woo hoo! 

And, of course, Mackaylan just loved all of the boxes! 

Today we are home for a snow day so I am looking forward to digging into my Project 365 kit and getting started.  Thank goodness, I think I have a picture for everyday so far this year.  Now, I just have to get the pictures out of the computer and into my binder.  I will keep you posted on how this project is going…

Happy Monday!