26 Weeks!

Here's the belly at 26 weeks along~ so crazy to me that I only have a little over 13 weeks left until this baby girl is born! A-MAZ-ING how time flies when you have another kid to take all your extra time and energy!
Ali is finally starting to point to my belly and say "baby"... we're still not sure if she REALLY knows what is going to happen come May and this baby becomes a part of her world, but it is so sweet that she is kissing the belly and recognizing that her momma's belly is growing!
As for how I am feeling- I feel tired. Maybe too tired for 26 weeks along. I am OUT COLD every night by 8:00, and I almost feel myself getting depressed over what being tired has taken away from me. Remember, I am a clean freak, and letting my house get messy really messes with my emotions (I know that sounds weird, but I am who I am people). So I am finding that I am feeling depressed in the past week or so at the fact that I just simply do not have the energy to get the daily activities that I want to get done accomplished, and that my house looks and feels gross.
I am sad that my huge belly (I mean seriously, I carry babies big!) restricts what I can and cannot do with Ali. I LOVE to get down and play with her on the floor, it is our time to be momma and daughter at the end of a work day, but lately the thought of getting down on the floor with her to play, and then having to get back up again, just drains me. It also does not help that she also does not get that jumping on the belly is not a pleasant experience LOL.
I have a doctor appointment February 10- so I am for sure going to make sure my iron counts are too low or something crazy like that. I'm sure it's just part of the package... and it's just preparing me for being a mother of two!

Win Some Stuff!

don't forget to enter my giveaway, if you haven't done so already.. you have until this Saturday.

and check out this site to enter to win 20 pairs of Baby Leg Warmers- adorable!

A Giveaway! Whoot Whoot!

I am hosting my VERY FIRST giveaway! CSN stores contacted me and asked me to participate, so I thought, what the helk? Everyone loves going to their mailbox to find a fun package... especially something FREE!

So here are the TWO OPTIONS you could possibly win for this giveaway:

First option: This super fun mini-muffin tin from Rachel Ray's line of products... Remember, I am not the cook in our family (thank goodness) but I do like to do me some baking (especially since I've been prego) and I love Rachel Ray's stuff!

This tin comes from http://www.cookware.com/.. check out the link here for all the details about this product!

The next option you have is this super cute beading kit made my Melissa and Doug. I LOOOVE me some Melissa and Doug- their toys bring me back to the good ole days, plus their stuff is guaranteed safe from toxins if your kiddo chews on it!
Check out http://www.toysandgamesonline.com/ for more great deals on Melissa and Doug, and click this link for information on the bead set!

So all that you need to do to enter this giveaway is comment on this post with your name, email address, and which product you want to win and why. Also, if you want an extra entry, link this giveaway on your own blog- then send me a comment with the link from your blog!

You must enter by Saturday, January 31st- one winner will be announced Monday, Feb 1st.
Have fun!

Biter update- 24 weeks pregnant- and angel baby

Good news on the biter front: After having an honest conversation with his mother (who is also my friend) I encouraged her to be proactive with our daycare provider to work together to find a solution. As of this week, we have gone almost 5 days in a row with no incident! I think the boy is finding other ways to show his frustration- and Ali is bite- free- thank goodness! The kids' teacher is also keeping a very close eye on him for signs he is ready to chomp; and I think her being able to divert his attention should the need arise has helped immensely.

And, believe it or not, I am already 24 weeks pregnant! Let me tell you, having another child around to keep you busy (oh yeah, and working full time) really makes the time fly. It is hard to believe that in a little over 3 months- we will have a household of four- that's madness I tell ya! (but in a good way)

I am still feeling good- I need to post an "amazing growing belly" picture ... the baby pops so much faster the second time around!

I have only gained 10lbs, which for me is soo surprising, as I tend to be an pound magnet, especially when I'm pregnant.

And This little girl is a mover and a shaker- she rocks and rolls in my belly all day long! I definitely know she is there... all the time day or night! I hope this doesn't mean she won't sleep when she is out in the real world!

I will take my glucose screening test next month- soooo not looking forward to that ( I failed the first round last time with Ali, and had to do that horrible 3 hour test, only to pass the 2nd round). So I'm praying big time I pass !

Otherwise, all is good and super duper busy in our household.

..and before I go I wanted to post a picture of my sweet, sweet Angel baby.

What a precious baby I have been blessed with- she's gotta be sent straight from heaven!

The Biter

We are having a little problem with one of the boys in Ali's classroom at daycare. The boy also happens to be Ali's best friend- he lives right behind us, and we are pretty good friends with his family. The problem is, the boy is a stinkin biter! He bites Ali, as well as the rest of the kids in the class, on an almost daily basis. He bit Ali's arm last week to the point of bleeding, and yesterday he left another huge welt on her shoulder.
I feel so bad for his parents, because they feel helpless to curve the behavior. They are starting to blame the daycare, because how they discipline him at home (spanking) is not how the daycare does or can discipline him. The kid does not respond to being put in time-out, and his mom is getting frustrated that no other option has been presented. She has met with the director of the daycare numerous times- who says it is simply a phase he is going through because he is teething- that it will pass. But that answer isn't good enough- because in the mean time, my daughter, as well as other people's children, are bearing the brunt of this nasty habit. Of course we are upset, but I also feel for my friend- she is at such a loss. I suggested sending hot sauce with him, and asking his teacher to give him a drop when he bites. I also told her to make an appointment with his doctor to maybe get some tips and tricks.

This whole situation just puts our family in a tough spot. Yeah, we are pissed that this kid keeps diving into Ali's skin- biting is not only a very physically painful problem, it can also be very dirty and infectious. I am not mad at our daycare teacher, because her hands are kind of tied legally on how she can handle it. I just wish EVERYONE involved (i.e. his parents and the director of the daycare) would be more proactive in figuring out how to curb the behavior.... so I'm asking you, dear, smart mothers out there- what is a good solution?

Happy 101

Hoorah for Froggity!, she gave me a bloggy award! Haven't got one of these in a loooong time, and it MADE ME HAPPY :)

So what I'm supposed to do with this award is list 10 things that make me happy, then tag 10 people that make me happy. So here ya go (and these are coming off the top of my head, so they are in random order of happiness)...

1. My Alison Elizabeth. She makes me so happy that I get tears in my eyes telling her so. She is such a blessing to my life- my little piece of angel heaven! I love so much to play with her and listen to her little babble talk when we play babies. She is amazing- a little butterball of sweet sweet love.

2. My sweet baby girl in my tummy. At this moment, I cannot imagine how I will love someone as much as I love Ali Bananas... but I hear it happens, and my heart hurts with happiness to think of having two baby girls to squeeze and play with- and they will forever be mine.

3. My hubby and #1 man, KK. Man, I love him. He sure makes me happy. Of course I have we have our moments... but he is the beginning of it all for me. He has made me one happy camper, and we have a pretty dang good life, and that makes me happy, and thankful. I am so happy that God gave me KK as my husband- I am happy that he will be my man for all times.

4. My momma and daddy. Man, they make me happy. Talk about great people- I'm so lucky they are my parents!

5. A clean house makes me reeeeeaaaally happy. I love that feeling of accomplishment- those brief moments of happiness when your whole house is clean, and smells good, and feels good to be in. Those moments are brief, but cherished.

6. Reality TV makes me happy. I'm a sucker for it. Maybe it's because it is filled with drama- something that I cannot much relate to- sitting in bed at 8:00 watching it :) ... American Idol starts tonight, BTW- woot! woot!

7. A good cup of tea in the afternoon makes me happy. However, I do not have a tea pot, and this does not make me happy... must fix that

8. Sleeping makes me happy. Mostly because lately I am suffering from a lack of sleep~ see, I am a belly-sleeper, and this growing baby in my belly poses a huge sleep problem for me.. only 16 weeks left and then I can sleep (hahahahahaha, that joke made me happy!)

9. Spring time makes me happy. I love how the world comes back to life after being frozen for so long, and I love how that change of season makes people in general, happier. Can't wait for that!

10. Reading all my dear bloggy friends' blogs makes me happy! I love the blog world- seriously, I would not be able to parent/vent/live without you all! You all help validate me more than you know. Muah!

So... I just blanket tagged anyone who is reading this- THAT MEANS YOU! Add this to your blog, make your own list... it'll make you happy :) I promise!

SO Glad That's Over

Poor Ali caught a nasty stomach bug and was home sick last Wednesday. Little kiddos are just funny when they are sick- she would play and play, projectile vomit, cry a bit- and be back to her normal daily routine. KK had to stay home with her as I am saving my sick days for the impending baby ... nasty little bug had her vomiting for about 6 hours.

... and then HELL began... KK and I both caught the bug and were vomiting out both ends from 8:00 Thursday night on. After 12 hours of me not being able to keep a thing down, I started to worry about the baby. I called the doc, and ended up at Labor and Delivery with IV Fluids and (thank GOD) medication to stop the nausea. Let me tell you, this was the WORST I've EVER felt- and the most I've ever thrown up in my life. HORRIBLE- and so terrible that KK had it as bad as me... we are so thankful that our neighbor came over and took care of Ali on Friday, she was a lifesaver! (don't' know if ya knew this- but kids don't care when their parents are almost dying they are so sick LoL).
So this weekend was spent trying to recuperate and get some sleep back- we both were feeling better by this morning- and are happy to say we can now keep both liquid and food down! Baby is fine in my belly- just probably a little miffed at been so thirsty and having to deal with some serious thrashing about on Thursday/Friday! Thank goodness it was a 24 hour bug!

Don't borrow your troubles

I don't know if I've mentioned this before- but this year I got involved in being on the leadership team for a teen mom/pregnancy support group at my church. We are called Beauty{full}, and we meet every other Monday with teens from the community who are either pregnant or have children. We meet and always give them a cooking demonstration, and every other Monday we provide a boutique for them to use bucks they earn from the meetings to buy different baby items. We also have a topic each meeting that we discuss in round table groups, or by having a guest speaker.
I have absolutely loved being a part of this group and team.. I learn so much from meeting with these young girls and hearing their struggles and just general outlook on life as a mother in a world that does not always make it easy or acceptable for them to raise their children. Some days break my heart, and others live me feeling so filled and thankful for what I do have.
Anyway, last night we talked about stress and what makes us worry in our everyday lives. The topic and discussion I had with my group really struck a chord with me... and led me to my focus for this year= I guess my "New Year's Resolution 2010": I will not borrow trouble and spin my wheels on worrying.
A big stresser for me is money and the fact that, being a teacher married to a teacher, we never seem to have an abundance. We always make ends meet, but it seems we never have extra money for anything other than necessities. But you know what? I'm thankful for that. I'm thankful that I live simply and focus on the important parts of life. I am thankful that I have a nice home I can be proud of, and that we have never paid a bill late or missed a payment on anything. I am proud that we work hard and earn our living- and that we can say WE have worked to give our family everything we have.
I forget this fact sometimes, and I am guilty of laying awake at night, spinning my wheels on things that are totally out of my control at the moment, and things I cannot change or worry about. For example- I have found my self stressing numerous times about how we are going to pay for full-time daycare for both girls next year. While I think it is important to have this part of our budget be on the radar... we won't have to pay for both girls to go until September! So when I rationally think about it- I 've got plenty of time to spazz out (LOL) and figure it all out; until that point comes, why stress?
So I'm learning to Let Go and Let God- give up my worries in prayer, and live in the today :) focus on what's important. And knowing that, and feeling like I have a good hold on it, makes me feel happy and refreshed!
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~Matthew 6:34

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding.Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

A GREAT Winter Break

The fam and I have ENJOYED the past 2 weeks together... let me say we took FULL ADVANTAGE of spending time together and utilizing our time off: we got to do fun stuff as a fam; we found out about Ali's baby sister; and we (I) got what I wanted to accomplish done around this house!

Christmas was wonderful: KK and I decided last year to put our foot down on holidays and not spend them appeasing our families, but rather spending it relaxed and ENJOYING it. So we did not split either Thanksgiving or Christmas this year- we spent Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve with his side of the family- and Christmas Day with mine. It was so nice to not rush around and have to worry about making people mad for leaving early, etc. We loved it- enjoyed it- and remembered it! So worth it... although I think KK is STILL having to explain it to his mother- as she insisted we open gifts at her house- which we had to do 2 days AFTER Christmas, but that is neither here nor there...
BACK ON TOPIC- I got the guest bedroom cleaned out for Ali's new room to be... we still have to wait to move her in there because:
#1 last year Jack dug up the carpet in there and we have yet to replace it- new carpet is being installed as soon as our tax return is deposited
#2 My mom ordered Ali bunk beds! And we have to get them put together - so excited!!!
#3 The furniture we have to match the bunk beds needs to be repainted- so hopefully we can get her all transitioned in by spring break to her big girl room!

I also mucked out and organized our unfinished basement. I ordered a 125 sq. foot foam play mat kinda like this one to put down on the cement floor. We've already moved all of Ali's toys down there and she absolutely LOVES her new play room! Momma loves it too, because now I don't have to spend 1,000 lost hours cleaning up after her every night in the living room :) I will take pictures of her toy wonderland as soon as the mat arrives and is all set to go!

So yeah, in a nutshell, we had a great break, relaxing, fun, productive... and as always- too short. I think Ali misses her friends at daycare and it will be nice to be back on a routine, but man I love being home with her and playing all day!
So here's some pictures to recap the fun we've had over the holidays:

Ali all dressed up in her Christmas outfit. Sorry she was not looking at the camera: Elmo's Christmas Countdown was on!

Ali did great with her first encounter with the great Santa Clause! She even smiled and told him she wanted Elmo for Christmas- super cute!

Here is Ali with her FAVORITE Christmas gift... her very own stepping stool!

We also went to a birthday party at a place filled with jumping castles- it was Ali's wonderland! She was on this slide almost the entire time... this shot of her and daddy together is a rare one; big girl insisted on sliding down by herself!

I am trying to catch up on all the bloggy world happenings that I have missed these past few weeks... here's wishin you and yours a blessed 2010!