27 weeks - Goodbye 2nd trimester!

How far along? 27 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 14 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yep

Stretch marks? no new ones

Sleep: just dandy

Best moment this week: Getting a surprise gift in the mail from my friend Heather!

Movement: Yes, and he's finally starting to be a little less shy around his daddy.

Food cravings: Salad

Gender: Boy!

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? still in

What I miss: I really can't think of anything at the moment.

What I am looking forward to: Taking Steven to Almyra for the first time this weekend.

Weekly Wisdom: Do not wait until you are actually hungry to start cooking or making something for lunch. If you think you'll be hungry in 15-30 minutes, start something. By the time I actually had lunch ready today, I was starving. Not good. Apparently my kid goes from not hungry at all to starving to death in less than 5 minutes.


Baby's Development:

"This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle." - babycenter.com

"Got a sudden pain in your rear? That's just baby, settling into place for his upcoming debut. His head might be pressing on your sciatic nerve, which can cause pain and numbness down the backs of your legs. Don't worry -- it'll ease up soon after labor. For now, your aching back deserves a pat. You've reached trimester three!" - thebump.com

My favorite things

I was recently tagged by my friend Bev over @ Running along with my husband and dog to participate in this fun little blog game.

Here are the rules:

1. Mention and link back to the person who tagged you.

2. List 6 little things that make you happy.

3. Tag 6 other bloggers and let them know they're "it".

6 of My Favorite Things

1. My hottie of a husband, who also happens to know how to operate a vacuum and cook a mean egg sandwich (You're jealous, I know.)


2. Feeling flips, flops, and kicks from the little guy to whom these belong

3. My animals. I have to cheat and put all three of these as one.
Our adorable yet spoiled (and dare I say a bit deceiving?), cocker spaniel Emerald



Our lovable red heeler Minnie Pearl who has an odd habit of sitting like this and watching television. I think it's a bit sad/odd that she watches more tv than either of the people in this house.



My fat kitty, Roush and his crazy ways.
Notice the little stream of water in the bottom right corner of this pic. He pretty much refuses to drink water that isn't fresh, as in currently running. He also has no problems with being wet. Very strange cat...


4. Looking out my kitchen window to see this


5. Sno cones. I'm pretty fond of those red shoes too. :-)


6. Funyuns!
(And my adorable husband who brought back this full size bag when I requested some -expecting a snack size bag- at a gas station on a recent trip out of town.)


I'm tagging:

1. Courtney @Adventures in Travel Nursing

2. Jamie @The Life of Molly and Sarah

3. Andrea @Wright where we want to be!

4. Shaila @The Creekmore Four

5. Kim @Newlywoodwards

6. Becky @Our Sweet Peas

Works For Me Wednesday - Free Chocolate!

I love Snickers bars. They are definitely my favorite candy. I'm also a fan of M&M's. Snickers though, are my first love. They keep this pregnant girl sane after a crazy day. Strangely, I don't usually eat a lot of sweets though. However, sometimes I just need a Snickers. How about getting some of these (or other Mars chocolate candies) for free? Go to www.realchocolate.com every Friday through Sept. 25 and you can register to receive a coupon for FREE chocolate. Yes, it works. I've been participating for the last several weeks. I'm going to be very sad when this offer ends.

Free chocolate is what Works For Me. Do you have a tip that works for you? Join us at We Are That Family, and share your tip!

26 weeks

*Andrea - please note that the baseboards still haven't been put up. :-)

How far along? 26 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 12 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yep

Stretch marks? no new ones

Sleep: just dandy

Best moment this week: When Steven left on Sunday. He rubbed my tummy and said, "I love you, Lincoln." Then when he walked out the door he turned and said, "I love y'all." Somehow I held it together, sitting there at the dining room table, but it sure makes me teary-eyed to think about it now.

Movement: Yes

Food cravings: Grapes

Gender: Boy!

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? still in

What I miss: drinking lots and lots of Sonic sweet tea - stupid caffeine...

What I am looking forward to: Getting Lincoln's bedding! We ordered it this week.

Weekly Wisdom: Yard sales are a pregnant girl's friend.


Baby's Development:

"The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days." -babycenter.com

25 weeks

How far along? 25 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 11 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yep

Stretch marks? no new ones

Sleep: just dandy

Best moment this week: Steven FINALLY getting to feel Lincoln's kicks!

Movement: Yes

Food cravings: None this week.

Gender: Boy!

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? still in

What I miss: having more wardrobe options everyday

What I am looking forward to: Going to eat Cajun food tonight!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't take life too seriously. It's ok to laugh - even at yourself.


Baby's Development:

"Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes." -thebump.com

"Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture." -babycenter.com

Must be comfy!

This bouncy seat was given to us by a sweet lady at our church. (Thanks, Ms. Pam!) It has been sitting in the kitchen floor for about a week now, and none of the animals have seemed at all interested in it - until today.

At least we know it's comfy! I just hope Roush doesn't get too attached.

Warning! Being frugal can backfire!

It can lead to a spoiled husband asking you to spend lots more time in the kitchen! That's not good considering my stove and I really aren't bff's. In fact, I'm not sure I'm even on a first name basis with any appliance in my kitchen other than the fridge. While I really try to be a good housewife, sometimes I feel like I should be in one of those pictures in my apron with the big red "FAIL" written across it.

Anyhoo...

A while back I had frozen some strawberries that were on the verge of going bad but I didn't know what I wanted to do with them yet. I sure didn't want to throw them away though. One thing we go through quite a bit of at our house is jelly and jam. We're big pb&j fans, and we also eat biscuits with jelly or jam for breakfast fairly often. (And I tend to cringe every time I buy it. That stuff's not cheap.) While reading some blogs doing some research to better my home-making skills, I came across a recipe for freezer jam. I thought it seemed fairly easy (i.e. Emily-Proof). I bought some Sure Gel pectin and made strawberry freezer jam using the recipe in the box. I ended up with 6 half-pint jars of the concoction. I put one in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. (I even had enough crushed strawberries left over for a batch of strawberry pancakes, and boy were they good!)

Yesterday, my husband pulled the jar out of the fridge, dug in with a spoon and said, "You're not allowed to buy that other (mass produced) stuff ever again if you can make stuff like this. I could eat this whole jar by itself." Good thing I bought a whole case of jars. I think I need to invest in some nice, cushy mats for my kitchen floor. I'm sure my feet will thank me. I see lots of time being spent in the kitchen in the next few months.

And as if that didn't teach me my lesson, I spent the afternoon making wheat bread. Maybe he won't like it. Yeah right. However, he's such a sweetie that Mr. did offer to help me make several loaves of bread once a month so that I don't have to do it every week. Yes, I think I'll keep him.

24 weeks

Sorry for the cruddy picture. I'll get a better one put up when I get home - hopefully.

How far along? 24 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I have no access to a scale at the moment and no desire to step on one.

Maternity clothes? Yep

Stretch marks? no new ones

Sleep: Awful, thanks to the stupid bed I've been sleeping on this week. I took a nap on the couch this morning and wondered why I hadn't been sleeping on it all week.

Best moment this week: I don't know about "best," but feeling my first Braxton Hicks contraction was quite interesting.

Movement: Oh yes, there's movement, but only when his Daddy isn't trying to feel it - little monkey.

Food cravings: None this week.

Gender: Boy!

Labor Signs: nope

Belly Button in or out? still in

What I miss: my bed

What I am looking forward to: seeing my bestest friend, Lauren today!

Weekly Wisdom: I think I'm all out of wisdom.


Baby's Development:

"Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon." -babycenter.com

Not me Monday! Ooohh, Jingle bells! Jingle bells...

Well, MckMama hasn't posted a Not Me Monday lately, as her littlest one has been battling his heart problems again. He's a fighter though, and according to her most recent posts, he is currently doing much better! Yaaaay God! So, in honor of Stellen's great news, I'm posting a Not Me Monday.



Christmas has NOT been on my mind lately.

Maybe I went in Hobby Lobby several weeks ago and saw the Christmas merchandise already out? No, I didn't do that. I do not get extremely giddy every time I walk into Hobby Lobby and see all the wonderful Christmas decorations out. Please note, if you see a redheaded girl wondering around Hobby Lobby with glazed-over eyes, giggling, clapping, and quietly squealing with delight - that's NOT me. Might be my sister. Or maybe my friend Courtney? :-)

Then I went into Target last week to get some photos developed and overheard a lady mentioning they had toys on clearance and she was stocking up for Christmas. I did NOT think that was a brilliant idea.

Then over lunch on Sunday, my husband decided to poke fun at me for my love of all things Christmas - including music- because he came home on Friday and caught me listening to it. It must be inherited because my dad rolled his eyes and pointed a finger at my mother, declaring that he had recently gotten into her SUV to discover Christmas cd's in the cd player. Oh wait, none of that happened either.

This morning, when trying to decide which topic to blog about, my love of Christmas did NOT enter my mind. I was NOT getting ready to post about the awesome deals I got at Target last week. Then, I saw THIS post by my friend Kim, over at The Newlywoodwards.

Oh, and my iTunes did not just randomly pull a Christmas song out of the depths of my song list.

So, even if I were to think about Christmas in July and August, it would not be my fault. Everyone else is doing it. I don't have to worry abou that though. I love Christmas, but I can restrain from thinking about it, even when everyone else is thinking about and talking about Christmas.

So now I'm NOT dreaming about these little guys.

Nor am I excited to see how cute they look in my newly painted kitchen.

And this on my front door...

Or this in my living room.

No, I'm not obsessed with Christmas at all. Not looking forward to the cooler weather, the lights, the parades, or the thousands of times I'll hear Jingle Bell Rock.

But since we're on the subject of Christmas, I'd like to say that Christmas will be even more exciting with a little one around this year. Also, having a baby in November has it's perks. We get to put up Christmas decorations early! Usually my husband refuses to help with any kind of Christmas decor before Thanksgiving. Ok, who am I kidding? He doesn't help with them after Thanksgiving either, except for unloading them out of storage. If I want anything up before then, I have to dig it out of storage myself. This year, however, we have a baby due to arrive the week of Thanksgiving. That means, my tree will be going up at the beginning of November! Woohoo! And this pregnant chick WILL get outdoor Christmas lights this year. We already have them, but a pregnancy-induced hissy fit may be needed to actually get them put up. I hope not though.

Did you know there are 143 day until Christmas! But whose counting? I'm not!