20 Months

Ella is now 20 months old. I keep thinking...in four more she'll be two and have a new sister already! I am trying to cherish these last months of it just being the 3 of us as I know our lives will take on a new busy! She is such a joy to me. I often find that when I put her down for her nap, I am so ready to see her again when she wakes up! Don't get me wrong I love nap time...but also am so glad to love on her when she wakes up! She is growing so big! I was looking at her in her crib last night while she was sleeping. She was all stretched out and looked so long! She is really starting to talk in more phrases rather than single words so this has been fun! She is always calling things...for example..."Mommy, where are you? or Bunny, where are you?" She always surprises kevin and I am her memory! She doesn't forget much! We are working on learning to sing our ABC's and she is getting pretty good at filling in the missing letters when we sing it! We count a lot too...when walking up the stairs and putting on her clothes (we count fingers and toes to make sure we still have ten!) and she is learning them too! The teacher in me is really excited about this! She is really getting the I'm sorry thing too which is so sweet to hear her apologize! Ok...enough of my 20 month update!

I also feel bad for complaining about gaining weight and pregnancy issues in my last post. It is a little sacrifice to pay for such a great return!

24 Weeks and Thoughts

Well I have made it to 24 weeks in this pregnancy. It really seems like the weeks are flying by! So far I am feeling pretty good and still at the "enjoyable stage" of pregnancy! I have gained the most ever so far in this pregnancy...and for some reason I keep doing like 3 pounds a week instead of one...and let me tell you that can add up fast! I am just thankful I had lost a good bit before I got pregnant this time! I hate gaining so fast because this will be my third time to have to lose 30 plus pounds of preg. weight in the past 3 1/2 years. I know it does come off but I also know how that frumpy stage feels and it is not so fun! I know this sounds like complaining...and I guess it is a bit...but it is also a reality of having a baby! The body does a lot of changing and growing all over!




This was at 22 weeks. I've always loved this shirt! It is my sister Joy's and collectively I think we've worn it through 4 or 5 pregnancies. It may need to be retired soon but it always makes you feel small in all the right parts!


I was telling my mom just today that it is different being pregnant with a little one already. I am so excited about having another child but my days seem pretty busy chasing after the one I have! Thankfully, eliza gives me lots of little kicks each day to remind me that she is there and growing too! There are definitely different feelings too with expecting another child. I felt this a little with ella (just feeling like I was giving my heart away some from Samuel...if that makes any sense!) This time I am thinking lots about how ella will adjust to sharing mommy and daddy, what she will do while I sit and nurse for forever each day, how I will manage them both, will we ever make it to church on time with 2?? and on and on! I know it can be done! I know these are all "normal" feelings! I also know many moms who do this with many more kids!





I am ready to start preparing "my nest" for this baby! I tried to remind Kevin tonight that this is really a normal part of pregnancy! I am naturally an organizer and so I know I probably take this up a few notches as well. I made us a huge "to-do"list today! We both like list and work better if we have one. It includes everything from things to clean out to things to buy before the baby comes.





I have also completely changed my idea for eliza's nursery. I think I want to do something very different this time instead of keeping it similar to ella's nursery! I'll post pics when it starts coming tog. ...but it will be a while yet!

A little bathroom make-over!

When we found out that we were having another girl, I decided it was time to re-do our spare bathroom. We had an old off-white shower curtain, some monkey picture frames (not quite sure what I was thinking when I purchased those but maybe they were "in" at the time), and it really need some color! I found a cute shower curtain at Target, a matching hand towel and rug, and a cheap basket at Ross. I bought 2 canvas' at Wal-mart and painted them in coordinating colors. I think I didn't spend more than $45 on everything...and I spread it out over 2 weeks so my hubby wouldn't realize I was spending a lot at Target! SHHH! :) I think it looks much better and is def. ready for two little girls to share!

Happy 6th Anniversary Kev!

The Last 6 Years!

Hilton Head Island

Pumpkin Carving

Vacation!


Tuscon, Arizona

Disney Cruise!

San Diego, CA

Bahamas Work Cruise!

Our Little Boy!

I thought I loved you before Jan. 31, 2006 but I love you so much more after!
I would not have made it without you by my side!

You were an awesome daddy to your little boy!

Finally!

God is so good!

I will never forget looking at you with tears streaming

down your face! You were so thankful for your little girl!


One happy family!

I love you!

Tomorrow Kevin and I will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. I guess at times it seems like these 6 years have passed rather quickly and then at times it seems like we've spent a lifetime together already. In fact it is hard to remember him not being a part of my life. I have been thinking a lot these past few days about what I wanted to write...esp. since I know he reads my blog now! :) I have said before that he is a much better gift giver and Fri. he surprised me with a watch I have wanted for a while now. I have been watch less for well over a year so I am so thankful to have a new one...and it's really cute too!

As I thought about Kevin, our marriage and our life together I kept thinking about how God has granted the desire of my heart for a husband through Kevin. Long before I ever met Kevin, I started a Journal for my future husband (yes I was a hopeless romantic back in the day!) My first journal entry was on September 26th, 2000. It became mostly a prayer journal and a place to jot my hopes and dreams for the future...esp. on those days when there was no prince charming anywhere in sight or even a mere possibility! I gave this journal to Kev at our rehearsal dinner along with my true love waits ring! (I thought he'd run home and read the entire thing...reminiscing over what a wonderful wife he was getting. Boy did I have a lot to learn about my husband. As the weeks turned into months I stopped asking if he'd read it all! I began to realize that this journal was more for me. It was my thoughts and times with the Lord!) On Feb. 24, 01 realizing that I had no clue what I was even looking for in a husband and somewhat frustrated over pointless dating I made a list of 25 very specific things I wanted in a husband. I went back and looked at my list in the journal, the other day, and once again it amazes me at how specifically God knew the desires of my heart and how uniquely Kev matches my list. I see this even more as the years go by and we grow together and in the Lord. If you know Kev I think you will understand what I am talking about! Here is my exact list:

1. Believes that Jesus is the only way to eternal life and has trusted in His Death alone for his salvation.

2. Is actively and daily seeking a deeper more consistent walk with the Lord.

3. Seeks to know and understand the Word and scripture.

4. Encourages, teaches and challenges me to know more of the Bible.
5. Is a servant...at home, in the car, out shopping, with his family, in sports, in lines, opens doors for others...not just me.

6. Takes initiative in situations, knows what needs to be done and does it before being asked...is a leader.

7. Is seeking to serve the Lord in some area of ministry.

8. Being with him makes me want to know, serve, and love Jesus more.

9. Is giving with his money, sacrificial, tithes, helps those in need.

10 Is humble...can be behind the scenes. Befriends those who are lonely, weird, hurting and outcast.

11. Is kind-hearted.

12. Is joyful and thankful-looks for the good in situations.

13. Likes to laugh and makes me laugh.

14. Doesn't talk excessively..realizes that silence is golden at times.

15. Is not a big complainer.

16. Interested not in the things of this world- expensive cares, possessions, etc/

17. Is laid back-can relax, can adjust to change. Is comfortable with my family.

18. Is encouraging...reassuring of his love for me, approval and fondness of my physical appearance which may not always be so fond!

19. Is larger and taller than me.

20. Takes care of his body, enjoys being active...helps to keep me active.

21. Is a hard worker and will work to support a family.

22. Wants to have children...hopefully several if the Lord blesses.

23. Loves people...talking to them, helping them, invest his life in others.

24. Is silly, loves life and wants to make the best of everyday...and spontaneous to some degree!

25. Will be trustworthy and faithful to me alone...forsaking all others.

So this was the list I wrote exactly 11 months before I ever knew Kevin existed and to be honest if I had to tell you 25 things about my husband I couldn't come up with a more accurate list! They are all so true about him.

I am thankful for where these 6 years have taken us. Through valleys and mountain tops...lots of ups and downs. There is one thing for sure...I am so glad God picked Kevin for me. There is truly no one else I'd rather share this life with. I can't wait to see what this life holds for us!

This and That!

This will probably be a very random post! I seem to have a mixture of picture and topics to include. Last Saturday I talked kev into going to garage sales! This is something we actually enjoy doing as we both like finding good deals. I had seen a garage sale advertised on Craigslist earlier in the week that sounded like my kinda sale. We headed out early Sat. morning. I don't think ella had a clue as to what her mommy and daddy were doing with her up and out that early. She was a trooper. I found some really great deals that I thought I'd share with you. I am not someone who wants to bring home more junk but when you find things like this it makes it so worth it. If we'd only pulled up 3 min. earlier I could have gotten a ton more but a lady beat me to it. I was very thankful for our finds for both ella and eliza. Ella has already gotten some wear out of several of them this week!

Lots of cute smocked dresses, bubbles, and sundresses!


Cute Danskos for $3.00! It will be a while before they
fit but that is fine...they are worth saving!



New dresses for Eliza! :) Every 2nd child needs
a few new things right!


My mom and dad grilled out on Memorial Day and we joined them along with some of my other family members. My cousin and her husband and new little girl were also in town and joined us. We got some cute pictures of the little ones together.
Ella looking so big with the babies!

Papa and Titus!

Ella getting some "big sister" practice! She let him sit for about
one minute and was done. Titus is such a good baby and such a
cutie. We may not let them go back home!

And finally...ella and mommy's favorite indulgence right now...
Oreo pudding! Yummy!

Jon and Kate have proved one thing right...

money can't buy happiness! If you've ever been a fan of the show you probably were tuned in last night. I am sure their show ratings were off the charts as many are ready to know what is going on! Last night when the show went off I felt sad...sad for them, sad for their kids, and sad that the "world" is taking over another marriage! I am pretty sure that most of America saw them heading for a pitfall as I have..but I don't think they saw this coming! I think for them they thought they were climbing the ladder...wealth, a bigger house full of new things, tummy tuck, hair plugs, white shiny teeth, good tans, cute kids, fame, and did I say lots of money! They have everything plus some that the world would say should bring them happiness yet it was completely apparent that they are not. Jon seems done. Kate seems angry and sad. I think they lost their focus! I think they may one day realize how good things were back in that small house when they had little money. When Jon had a job and was working to support his family. When Kate still had some "baby fat" and Jon was losing his hair. When they had friends and family who loved them. When life seemed crazy busy with babies and family! Maybe it wasn't all that bad after all. This should serve as a reminder to all of us!

Help with Eliza'a Nursery!

I am bored at home again today (can you tell...two posts in one day!) Ella is still running a fever from her ear infections. I am praying it will be gone by tom. and we won't have to switch to another antibiotic like we did last time she had an ear infection.

So I am getting excited about beginning eliza's room. I have been looking at bedding sets for months and I think I have it down to two. I am pretty sure that we are just going to buy another crib for her. Ella is still very happy and right now not attempting to climb out (do I even dare to type that because she prob. will start tom.). Her crib converts to a toddler bed so we will just keep it for her and convert it when she is ready. We also will have to buy a dresser and a double stroller! We have been looking at those but so far have only found one that our Chico carrier will attach too. (Wish I'd known this when we bought it!) Thought I'd share some of the pictures of things I like and ideas for the room. Right now it is painted a buttery/sunny yellow. I will probably keep it this color as both of the bedding sets will match! (I also thought this would give my hubby a good visual and heads up of what my mind is thinking. I am sure he will really appreciate it!)

A simple white dresser! This one is from Pottery Barn and we won't be paying that much for one but you get the idea!

A simple White crib! I do not like them on wheels and I like to have slats all around so the bumper will attach around the entire crib! I like this one. It is from Babies R Us! It is a good bit cheaper than ella's was! Kev is really big on them being really sturdy and solid! He will have to check it out first!


This is my top choice for bedding right now. It is from Pottery Barn and I love the colors and little birds. We bought ella's bedding from there and it has held up very well through lots of washings! It is pricey so I also have a few other options...but I think this is my favorite!


This is a mural painted by the art teacher at my old school. She has a business where she paints kids rooms and etc. It is sweetaspeas.com and she has some cute ideas. I know we won't be painting a mural but I like the ideas I have gathered! She does great work!

This is another view of the bedding blanket!

This is a canvas from a site called Small Words. I love this for over the bed except with ELIZA and I will probably attempt something similar on my own!

This is my bedding choice #2! It still has the birds and the polka-dots. It is from Target and is a good bit cheaper! It's cute and has some brown but I am pretty set on a white crib and furniture. Not sure if it would look as good on white!

I just found this bedding from Target too and I really really like it too! Almost better than the Target birds from above! We'd def. have to paint because the yellow wouldn't work! Okay...What do you think! Bedding #1 from Pottery Barn, Bedding #2 Target Birds or Bedding #3 Pink Damask and polka-dots!