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.