Hey Baby

Im 17 wk 1 day pregnant.

N/V gone, but my desire for cooking is still non existant. Which is proving to be costly.

Cravings are cereal, Bobe's pep sticks, pasta, and chips & salsa. This is completely different than with my girls. Which all I wanted was apples.

8 pounds gained- which is clearly explained by my cravings. I keep trying to figure out where I was at this point with girls.

We had an apt Monday, its amazing what hearing that little heartbeat will do for me.

Md playfully asked, "so I bet you wanna peek?" and we declined. I am currently riding this wave of possibly not finding out the gender. Not sure whats wrong with me? So, out of my norm.

I wish I could insert belly photo here... but 1. comp still dead and 2. I haven't taken one.

Technical Difficulties

Seriously.

It stinks to not have my computer at moment's whim. I will be the first to admit that it was probably a God-thing, as I found myself researching for dance, purusing FB, or reading emails when I could have been snuggling, reading, or playing with my babes.

I can at times use my old laptop that is ancient and some keys stick (sorry for gram. errors). While my laptop has been on "rehab" software trying to save my harddrive-- or at least the important stuff-- for well over 14000 hrs. Im serious.

Do you ever feel like when you are studying more or really into God's word that you feel the most tempted or troubled. Geez. I say this every time I get into a new book or bible study! I started a wonderful Beth Moore study at the beginning of this month. It is wonderful and can definitely changes. BUT my kids want to be the death of me, my cell phone works 50% of the time, my computer crashed with 2 yrs of precious memories not backed up and all my dance stuff, along with pregnancy ups and downs....

I am feeling kinda beat up.

But, I know who will win overall :)

I will definitely have alot to catch up on. Life is moving as normal. The girls are busy as ever. Dance season is starting. Fall is definitely here! And I am 17 wks pregnant today :)

I will do a baby post soon. I don't really want to dl any pics on this un reliable computer, so no belly pics, but I am def getting bigger!

Give Back

We started Ay's give jar a couple weeks ago.

Its going wonderful.

She can earn 2 coins a day by completing chores (making bed, feeding pets), being helpful, and no time-outs. She gets to choose what to do with the coins... give both, save both, or split them- 1 in piggy bank,1 in give jar. Some days she earns more. And she always chooses to put at least part in her jar.

I feel like we are teaching her so many lessons in one jar.

Sharing, Saving, Self Control, Decision making, Earning & Losing a reward.

PS. a joint effort of my littest one and myself one morning led to dropping my laptop on its belly. and its gone. please pray for the contents of 2 yrs of our photos on there... posts will come when its working....

Busy Weekend

Fall festivities are picking up for our family now. No more "what are we doing this weekend" because it seems we're bookin' up again! ha This weekend the girls rode in the parade and then went to the homecoming game with Jeff and myself.

The next morning we got up bright and early to go cheer on daddy and mimi. They ran a 10k at French Lick. They both placed well. The weather was gorgeous! We walked around, shopped at the fall festival going on, and hung out with family :)

My mom is awesome

So is this hottie :)

That evening was Leah's buddy "bop" (belle)'s birthday party

Aren't they sweet!

Big Stuff

Last Wednesday was not only Ayla's first day of school, but it was Jeff's 32nd bday!

The next day was Ay's first day of dance 2011!

10 years ago...

Ten years ago today I was just starting my freshman year of college at USI. It was a Tuesday, I was new. I walked into my nursing lecture normal. But, walked out changed. When I came out of the classroom (just minutes after the first plane crashed), I found piles of students around tv carts in the hall. I didn't understand why the tvs were there or why people were sobbing.


I hurried my walk home and turned on my tv. I couldn't turn my head. I couldn't blink my eyes as tears streamed down my face. I couldn't believe I watching a real life horror film... fathers, mothers, daughters, brothers, friends trapped, knowing they will not get out alive. I literally fell on my knees praying aloud inches away from the screen in disbelief.


I felt sick as the news coverage panned to other attacks... the pentagon, the field (meant for the white house), then the 2nd plane smashed into the tower live. live.


This was life for so many people. Someone was taking a vacation or coming home from a business trip caught in chaos thousands of miles in the air. Someone was going to a job interview or dropping off their children in daycare while they went to their 9 to 5. So many people not realizing God was calling them to be a hero or it was thier turn to go home. It was also that day that reaffirmed nursing was the right profession for me.


Its still hard to swallow when I think about the emotions of that day for me. Watching the images of the plane, the soot covered firemen/policemen risking everything, the normal joes pulling strangers from wreckage, the people jumping from the building in desperation. But, I watching from the background. I can't image the nightmares of the victims, those who lost loved ones, citizens of New York.


Thank you to all who risked your lives to help others.

9/11/01 will forever be etched in our memories. I pray we can be one nation under GOD and never forget...

Wonder Lab on Labor Day

After having some awesome fall weather my family is kinda sick of the heat SOO when Labor Day weekend was 100 degree weather we were less than thrilled. ha I grew up with a pool and always swam and spent that last weekend in the sun. But, we were ready to move on.


I have heard some really good things about the Wonder Lab in Bloomington. We decided to venture over for the afternoon and I am so glad we did :) The whole weekend ended up being just what we needed.

Mold of Ay's lil body haha Cracks me up!

Leah loved making music. I feel like she is bound to do something with music when she is older. She loves to dance and sing! We are hoping to find an old piano for the house sometime soon.

The bubble room was awesome!

All in all it was a great day! So much better than getting a sunburn.
PS. Leah is going through a scardy cat phase. And she would not come anywhere near this dino statue!

The In Between

The days in between first day of school were eventful. Prep, snuggles, etc.
We decided to start a tradition of family night before school starts. We had a back to school dinner. Ayla picked baked spag! Yum! We ate slow (key word: slow), cleaned up, played playdough etc. It was much needed!

The girls got a bath and curlers in for the big day! They are really into sleeping in curlers right now. They never complain about it. I remember being a kid and totally disliking it ha.

Then Wed came....too quick.
Here she is my preschooler. She is actually on her second day as I type!

Like I said before Daddy stayed for the event and it was really nice having him here :) Ayla loved her first day and gave us details in increments. I think she's gonna have a great year.

Next Post: Wonder Lab over Labor Day

We made it :)

We had a great morning. Jeff stayed in for the morning to "be a part of the excitment" (his words). We all got up early and routine went really smooth. Probably too smooth bc I know it won't always be that easy! She was so excited and we had to keep ourselves occupied for a bit until it was time to go. She loved her class and I love her teacher! Its gonna be a good year :)

Fighting my Emotions

I wish I was as strong as a super hero... but I am not. Who am I kidding? I wish I was as strong as I "pretend" to be. Though most who know the real me know I am a true softy. emotional. a crier. worry wart. imperfect.

If you look closely my oldest is growing up at lightening fast speed! In fact, preschool starts tomorrow.
I know she is super tough, super smart, and definitely ready. But, I am kinda sad. I am not emotional she is going to school. Its really hard to explain. I am just emotional about her growing up, I guess? See its a new feeling to me.

Jeff and I made a decision before we were even married that I would be a stay at home mom. period. It was just the right decision for us and its not always easy. Time has been flying by. I have been able to see every development, celebrate all the milestones, not get sleep or breaks, teach real life lessons, and snuggle on my kiddos every day.

I can't stop them from growing up. I am not sure I want them to. Each day is different, and each age is fun. I just feel myself fighting my emotions with not being there for every moment with my oldest.

On to a new chapter....

And so it begins...

Ayla had her Meet The Teacher night at preschool and we start next week....

I said "we" because I am going to school with her. Is that weird? If it is, I don't want to be normal. My baby.
Sigh.

Now on to my perfect girls... I am starting to wonder if my family pictures will have another girl or perhaps a boy?

Look how sweet they are! Don't you just want to eat them?

Wrapping up

We're wrapping up the summer with alot of playing outside and fun together.

The girls love being in the driveway. Ayla loves riding her bike and I'd love to get Leah to work on peddling, but she really doesn't show much interest in it. Pretty sure she's too busy!

But if you check out those babies in the back. They have been with her everywhere. Maybe she's practicing to be a big sister?
Here's my big kid-- who loves her helmet! ha

She is being very safe during her construction project ha

And Gus is loving his invisible fence... now he runs free like a crazy dog! ha But, this prego likes not having to walk the dog 10x a day!