Happy Days.

I can't believe how quickly 2010 has come and almost gone. This year has been filled with so many blessed days. Don't get me wrong, I am not perfect, my family is not perfect, and I definitely had days this year when I wanted to pull out my hair, lock my daughter in her room, or just cry uncontrollably over something probably super ridiculous! I didn't actually do these things, but I'm sure their were a handful of days when the thought had crossed my mind. The thing is, days like these are so few and far apart, that I never actually remember how they started or how they ended. The days I remember are the ones that made me either cry from laughing so hard, or cry because just when I thought I couldn't possibly love my daughter more than I did that very second, she goes and tells me for the first time out of the blue, "Momma, I love you". Or the time I stubbed my toe really hard on the coffee table, and she bent down, kissed my foot, hugged me, and said "I kiss your boo-boo. I sowwy momma".  (I might get worked up just thinking about it again).

I remember as 2010 rolled in last year thinking no year could ever possibly beat how great 2009 was. Man, I was naive. Yes, getting married to Jason was wonderful and having a perfect 6lb 3oz baby girl placed into my arms was, at that moment, the happiest, most joyful thing I had ever felt. But it's a random Monday morning or Wednesday night when the feeling usually hits me hard. A wedding ceremony is great, but the moments I love most are when we're laying in bed cuddling, reflecting on a day's end, or walking hand in hand at the park trailing behind Gracie as she chases pigeons. The birth of my daughter is a day I will never forget, but it's when she comes up to me when I'm on the computer and grabs my hand insisting that I play 'tea party' with her right that very second. Or when she simply wants to share her cookies with me.

I know some years will be better than others, and some might be especially trying, but I feel like bad days, bad weeks, and even bad months are just here to remind us how wonderful all the good ones really are.

It's a New Day.

The smell/look of Mac & Cheese. Changing Gracie's diapers. Simply looking at the toilet. Watching the same Mickey Mouse episode with my daughter for the umpteenth time. Brushing my teeth. Hot shower. Reading a book. Seeing dirty dishes in the sink. Someone grilling outside...

This is just a very short list of the things that had contributed last week to my 'I think I'm going to be sick...' routine. I do not remember morning sickness coming on this strong with Grace. I was miserable, and I felt as bad as I look, which was NOT a good thing! Thankfully the weekend brought a much happier note. I felt about 70% better, which was enough to satisfy me. I can deal with the nausea, as long as it isn't handicapping me.

Now that I got that out... this is where my complaining stops! I will enjoy this pregnancy (like I did my last) and I will not complain about backaches, or weight gain, or the slow, painful shift of my hips the week before labor starts (ooouch!). I will enjoy the heck out of this experience, because, while not in every single physical aspect, this is a beautiful thing!! And I get to do it again!! =)

Let me change that just a little. I will only complain a tad when Jason & I are watching a movie and I see that he's got two free hands to give foot massages...

We're Got a Secret to Share...

Ok, so I'll get straight to the point...

I'm Pregnant!!!

Yes, those are my dollar store tests, and they work!

And we're thrilled! We started trying in July, and after a few negative tests, and some super unreliable periods, we decided to stop trying so hard. Instead of 'making appointments', we decided to stop tracking Aunt Flo, and just 'have fun'. And it worked, fast!  I'm not very far along, and I had a few doubts about telling people right away, but I don't like keeping things like this to myself, so I'm talking!

This will be our second, and last, child. I know this for sure, because I'll be scheduled to have a hysterectomy probably six weeks post-labor. I'll get into details about that later, but just know that its good news, because we've never wanted more than two kids (and no periods for the REST of my life... uhh, yes please!).

Anyways, from my calculations via the internet (and they were right on target with Gracie), I am due July 31st 2011, and am currently 6 weeks along.

We don't care if the baby's got hot dog or hamburger parts! I got my one girl and will be happy with whatever God throws in our direction.

Oh, and I can't forget...

These are from Jason. He came home early from work with these in hand! =)

 

It's Christember!

I guess I forgot to mention. I put my Christmas stuff up, the Monday before Thanksgiving. I was feeling good that morning I guess. I'm not one to get overly excited for the holidays, but I can definitely see that changing over the next few years. I'm getting to experience Christmas as a child all over again, through the eyes of my daughter. Pretty neat.

Gracie picked out pink garland, knowing Jason wouldn't be a fan, we settled on purple.

I made this xmas banner last weekend on a very lazy Sunday. Little did I know it would end up taking the whole entire day to finish! This is the mantle right above our fireplace. Our fireplace which no one can see, because of our TV stand that sits in front of it. (Our living room is set up super funky, so it made sense.) All this stuff will be coming down in the next few days though. We're putting up a 58" flat screen TV on the wall. I'm so excited for the fireplace to be exposed for Christmas!

I also just ordered Gracie's new toy box from amazon.com. Target wanted $59 plus $15 shipping. I got it bought and shipped for only $57. I'm feeling kinda savvy right now.

You Might Not Want to Read This...

I'm trying to throw 4 essay questions together this morning for a soc class I'm taking, but it's not easy when I can't get the smell of puke out of the carpet. Ok, rewind to last night 2am. Gracie is hacking and coughing for an hour straight! I get up to try and console her the best I can. Her cough is crackling and sounds painful (my poor baby)! I give her a little bit of Tylenol. It obviously doesn't sit well, and she starts coughing again. Then, as I'm holding her, she throws up. Just a little bit on my shirt. I hurry up and face her to the floor, so that, one: it all comes out and she doesn't choke it back up, and two: grosssss. She never spit up much as a baby, and when she did, it smelt like brand new baby, a smell I actually enjoyed. But toddler throw up is the worst! It's not like when I've had to take care of a drunk Jason throwing up, on an empty stomach, all acid and juices (and alcohol too) coming up. Sure it's gross and violent and projectile, but at least it doesn't make me want to join in. (btw; I've only had to take care of a that-drunk-Jason once in my life, and that was a pre-baby, pre-time-to-grow-up stage in our lives.) 

I love my husband very much. He woke up, cleaned the floor, and febreze'd the house while I cleaned up Gracie and myself. Then he rocked her to sleep. He emailed me from work this morning.

"I love you so much. I am sorry Grace is sick and not sleeping well. I'm glad I got to rock her last night though. I love her so much, she is so cute. Its fun to watch her turn into her own little person."

A couple nights ago.

  He's a really good dad, very patient and relaxed, he doesn't get stressed out easily, and he's not one to raise his voice and get angry. All in all, I think I did pretty good! =)

Now go eat lunch or something.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

Happy Thanksgiving! (And Happy Birthday to my beautiful little sister, who turns 24 years old today!!) Jason works until 3 this afternoon, so it doesn't quite feel like I'm waking up to Thanksgiving day when he's not here. I'm having Thanksgiving with my side of the family this afternoon (like a Thanksgiving lunch!), then when Jason gets home we're headed to his parent's house. I love living so close to both of our families, even if it does mean we're stuck in Phoenix for awhile. Today is a day to be especially thankful, so here are just a few things I'm thankful for.

 

My daughter - She's at the top of my list.

My Jason - He's right up there next to Grace.

My WHOLE entire family!!

God in my life!

Living close to family.

Memories.

Long weekends.

Giggles from Gracie.

Romance

Encouraging moments. 

Books.

Apologies & forgiveness.

Hot showers.

My health & family's health.

Being an American.

Having all five senses & all my limps intact. =)

Facebook -keeping me connected to family&friends.

Emails from Jason when he's working - Love him!

My Contacts - glasses give me headaches.

The Epidural - that's right!

Agreeing to disagree.

My caring, sweet little sister - who is 24 TODAY!

Gracie's naps.

My mother & motherinlaw's helping hands!

The digital camera - so many pictures of Gracie!

My boobs - hey, a girl can be thankful for whatever she wants!

Gracie's farts - They don't stink too bad, and they make everyone laugh! =)

A thousand more things! I mean, this list really could go on forever. I feel that blessed!

Random.

My daughter napped today. Her naps are becoming a little more infrequent than I'd like. Strangely though, today she asked, begged, & demanded that I put her down for a nap. You win! If you're going to force me to enjoy 2 hours of alone time, I will concede and put you down! Pshh.

So today while she slept, I caved and did one of those 'random list thingies' that facebook has going around. You know, ## random things about yourself. Well, after completely this, my daughter woke up, and I immediately regretted not using my alone time to take a nap myself. Ugh, so here it is. 30 of them!

I can’t stand dirty dishes in the LEFT side of the sink. They have to all be on the right side, or in the dishwasher

I have completed over 1000 sudoku puzzles within the last year.

My hair grows soo slooooow.

I hate the whole ‘everyone get out and vote!’ idea. I say only vote if you have an educated idea of what is actually going on in politics.

When I was little, like 5 or 6, I so literally thought I was the most beautiful girl in the entire world. That’s good parenting on my parents behalf, and a lot of gullibility on mine.

After years and years of denying it, I will finally admit, I like my handwriting too!

My first experience with constipation was around 7 years old. I cried, begged, and pleaded for my mother to call the ambulance. She didn’t. And I lived.

I procrastinate everything!! Horrible habit.

I read every single night before I got to bed, no matter how tired I am.

 I’m guilty of channel surfing, a lot! And it bugs my husband, a lot!

My hair is naturally wavy. Naturally a pain in my butt!

I know all fifty states, in alphabetical order. I thought this was pretty neat, but apparently so do a lot of other people…

My daughter was born sunny side up.

When we’d finished bible study at church we used to play ‘heads up seven up’. I dominated. I also cheated EVERY time…

 I still dance around the house like I’m putting on my own concert when no one else is home.

The very first time I kissed my husband (rather, HE kissed me) was on a Valentine’s Day.

I got married in Vegas, surrounded by the people I love most, and it was a BLAST!

 I HATE the idea of snuggies! You know the blanket with arms? You know, the BACKWARDS ROBE!!! Ugh!

I take really, really, REALLY hot showers. And usually come out really red!

 I love being Gracie’s mommy. And Jason’s wife.

Sometimes my mouth starts hurting from smiling so much.  I'm a happy, positive person!

When I was born, they switched me & another baby by accident. Seeing as how much my mother & I look alike, I’m pretty sure they straightened everything out correctly.

I'm not mentioning things I've never done in this list, because until I'm dead, I still might do them.

My blood type is O positive.

When my ‘big girl’ teeth came in, they came in huge! Thank God I grew into them!

 I like to watch American’s Funniest Videos on MUTE (because that dude is not funny!) and I laugh out loud (mostly at the baby & animal stuff), and Jason looks at me like I’m crazy!

 I love when my undergarments match each other!

I don’t like having conversations over text message. My touch screen cannot keep up with my fingers.

My hubby says I look best without makeup on, but I think he’s full of it!

I don’t like when people say ‘I have no regrets, it made me who I am today’. There is nothing wrong with regretting bad decisions!! It’s accepting you were wrong, and taking responsibility.

Green with Envy.

Well, I definitely haven't gotten much done today, but I did manage to make it to the bookstore, Target, & a quick visit with my momma at Hobby Lobby. Picked up 5 books (for just $11!!) and 4 nail colors that I'm very excited about: Crushed, Purple Potion, Blue Me Away, & Green with Envy. I love funky toe colors. Bad timing I'd say on my part, since I've just started breaking out the boots. At least I will be set for next summer. And Gracie is digging her blue fingernails right now.

This weekend's agenda.

My little list of things to accomplish before the weekend's over (aside from the SEVEN essay questions due tonight. Eek!)

• Go to the half price bookstore & get some books. I got a couple titles in mind I'm looking for, but very open to the idea of seeing whats in the $1 section!
• Target for a single new nail polish color. Something spunky.
• I got $5 Khols cash & 15% off everything if I use my Khols card.
• Get some scrapbook paper with my 40% coupon at Michael's.
• Take a walk. It's amazing outside today!!
• Stop by my momma's to rummage through her scrapbook room & let Gracie visit with her papa!
• Maybe a load of Gracie's laundry?
• Get a redbox (scary/corny) movie & snuggle up on the couch with my hubby (as soon as Gracie goes to bed).
• Try to fit in all that schoolwork in between. =)

My own genes in own her jeans.

"I'm a hug waiting to happen."

"...And a tantrum right about the corner."

My Anti-drug #2345

Ahhh! This is what my afternoon looks like, at least while 'grumpy pants' takes a nap. (This is her first nap of the week btw, thank God I got her down this afternoon!) I've got a to do list, but of course I'm on the couch watching In Her Shoes. I just needed a break... desperately! Kudos to Jason, who brilliantly reminded me to pick some  of this good stuff up! Now, if I could just get around all this ice cream, I know there's cookie dough chunks in here somewhere

Coooookies.

Monday's not too bad I guess. Gracie woke up at 6AM this morning - way too early for me on a Monday! I decided to make the best of it and make cookies! I think they came out perfect, but I'm starting to think Gracie was switched at birth, because she wants nothing to do with them. Whaaat!?

November 7th

Another good weekend flew by. Last night Jason & I had 'date night'. We drove around all of Phoenix, Scottsdale, & Tempe for an hour just talking and listening to music before finally deciding where to eat. It's really annoying sometimes just how indecisive we both are. Today we watched the Cardinals play another disappointing game of football at the Rubenstein's new rental with them and the Trembulak's. Looove that our kids are all so close in age!

I'm dead tired this evening. I'm putting off school work to lay in bed and read a book. I can't believe the week is starting all over again already!

On a super random note; I have the most amazing husband ever! No explaining, he's just amazing! Oh, and Grace is 21 months old in exactly 5 hours. Sheesh! Where has the time gone?

2010 Update...

I checked my 'stats' the other day, and found out that a good amount of people are still browsing my site. It even freaked me out a little it to see that a few times I've had my whole name searched in yahoo's search browser, and that's how they ended up here. Freeeeaky. Makes me wonder why, and mostly WHO!?

Let's see... a little updating from January? Gracie celebrated her first birthday. (now nearing her 2nd!) Jason & I celebrated birthdays (We're getting old.) We also celebrated our anniversary, & went to Vegas a couple times this year. And, Jason graduated from Grand Canyon University with his Bachelor's in Christian Studies. So, we've had a lot to celebrate this year.

This year we decided to add another kiddo into the mix. We 'tried' for a couple months, and after seeing a few 'negative' tests, we decided to not 'try' so much as to just let nature take it's coarse. If for some reason Gracie is all we get, then I think we scored pretty big the first time!

Also this year we decided to buy our first home. We decided this about a month after we renewed our lease agreement for another 13 months. Our lease is up August 2011, so we're planning on closing in on a home around early summer. 

So that leaves us to today. Gracie is 20 months going on 16 years! She's so smart, so cute, and soo sooo stubborn! She recently just started saying 'I sowwy momma (or daddy).' when we tell her NO! I've been big on teaching her good manners. My dad made a big deal about it when my sister and I were little girls, and I'm so thankful he did.

She's growin'

It's freggin' scary how fast they grow! Physically & emotionally. She walks into my bedroom (where she knows she's not suppose to be) and turns around on the way in, waves, says bye, walks in, and starts to shut the door. What!? She's not even a teenager yet, & she's already pulling the 'I'm gonna do it & you can't stop me' routine? This girl has personality & I'm definitely in for it. I'm hoping Jason & I can raise Grace the same way my parents did.

"Looofffuuu"

My daughter slept through the whole night, which is rare, & I thought to myself when I woke, ' Could this be a new beginning? Has she finally decided to sleep through the night?" Well, I don't think so. I woke up to a sad, hopeless looking face, covered in snot. I've been running a humidifier all day, which seems to help. She hasn't been too backed up, it's all just running out her nose. I have to be there every 4 minutes with a tissue to keep her from licking it up, like a dog. Go figure. On a cuter, much happier note, Gracie's vocabulary is really starting to widen. She says; dog, up, daddy, mama, bye, & hi. She's waving, clapping, putting her hands in the air on command, giving hugs & blowing kisses. And today I stared trying to teach her to say 'Love you', at which she says, "Loooooffuu" I've never been a huge baby person. Of coarse I was going to love and adore my own, but I've been so excited for the day that her & I can actually bond in more then just a 'heres your milk, be happy. momma loves you.' kind of way.

AZ Sports Day.

Today's the first game of the playoffs for the Cardinals, playing the Packers, & I'm not going to lie... I don't think the Cards have a chance today, but I'm hoping for a good game. I got my jersey get-up on anyways. If I recall, this jersey has seemed to carry a bit of luck this past season. We're going to my in laws today to watch ASU Bball, then the Cards.

Last night was 'date' night. We went to Padre Murphy's. (I ate too much fried food.) Came home at 8:30, and like an old married couple, we rented a redbox, & was in bed by 10pm. Don't get me wrong, we had a good time! That's what I love about us. We can have the same amount of fun being out & about on the town as we can sitting on the couch making fun of each other & just laughing at stupid stuff. If you can laugh together at dumb things & make fun of each other (in a loving way), I think you're set for a great marriage. I mean, I know I am. :-P

Walkin' Baby Feet.

Ok. I'm going to make a point to blog more, I've decided. Not because of the new year, but because I had some extra time to put this little diddy together. I'm expecting my mother be to be knocking on the door any second now. She's coming over to witness the beautifulness that is Gracie Jo. And she's walking! She took her first steps on Monday, and has been walking around like a maniac ever since. Falling, trying to run, tripping over her own feet. It's so cute to watch, and so sad sometimes because she gets soo frustrated at herself that she starts screaming and crying. She'll be a year old next month, & it's amazing how fast this first year has gone by, & so very, very sad to see the first year leave us.

Jason's team won last night, by 30 points. He cancelled practice tomorrow night, and we're going to Hooters to use our gift card, & then going to watch Texas kick some football butt.

Life has been really good lately. As it has been for a really long time. Jason told me that for the longest time he didn't understand what married people meant when they said they loved each other more and more everyday as the years went by, and that he now understands because he loves me in bigger, better, different ways all the time. It was nice to hear him share the same feelings with me that I have for him. It made me feel all warm, and... girly inside. =)

2010

It's a new year. Maybe I'll blog more. Maybe I won't. I don't do New Year's Resolutions, so I guess we'll just have to see how these next 12 months pan out with that one. =)