Introducing...

Asher Lane born May 18th at 9:55pm weighing in at 6lbs. 7oz., 22 inches long! Praise God for a healthy boy!

Hospitals and Epidurals

Today I went and toured the hospital where I will be delivering. It is such a nice hospital, complete with valet service and spa treatments! They also have some nice accessories, like birthing balls and jacuzzi tubs. Oh and I can't forget to mention the Starbucks served on the first floor! The hospital was nice and quiet, due to double insulated walls-- for me, peace and quiet in a hospital is a must. I've fainted twice while visiting hospitals, so it is important to me that I find one that feels modern, clean, and spacious-- for some reason, the more condensed the space, the dizzier I get until I wind up on the nasty hospital floor! I did get a little dizzy on the tour, but as we continued to walk around those feelings subsided and I was able to ask all of my questions. Now if I can just make sure that they give me the epidural in time!

Easter Candy and Blogging...

Boo-hoo, today was my last day of MOPS until September. I don't know what I am going to do without my bi-monthly break from Elon and chance to get together with other adults! If you are not involved in MOPS, get involved! I just cannot say enough about how much I love being a part of my group-- in fact, next year, I plan on being a table leader so that I can be even more involved.

As a parting gift, I recieved a jar of coconut oil that I plan on applying to the small stretch marks around my belly button. It probably won't work, but a girl can dream can't she!

Last night I thought I might be in labor. The baby was moving and pushing and balling up so much that I could barely walk! And this went on for 3 hours! Afterwards came the hiccups which I could not figure out-- Nathan thought they were the baby's hearbeat which gave me a good laugh :p Can you believe that I have forgotten what contractions even feel like! My conclusion on the baby's strange activity: I think I did a little too much cleaning and a little too much Easter candy... Obviously I WAS NOT in labor because here I sit in my living room, eating more Easter candy and blogging!

What To Wear When Expecting...

Old Navy Dress: $10
Vera Wang Shoes: $6
Total not including jewelry: $16


And just in case you are wondering about my girth...

Whoomp! There it is! {Remember that song?}

Today my MIL is treating my SIL and myself to pedicures. Unfortunately, I cut my toe yesterday so I'm not sure I'll be able to get my toes done-- you would understand how unfortunate this really is if you could see the heels of my feet-- SCARY!



Tomorrow is the baby shower for my SIL, Marie, my husband's aunt, Katheryn, and myself. Katheryn's mom is hosting it at her house and they flew Marie in especially for the occasion. It is her first baby, my second, and Katheryn's fifth! I think it will be lots of fun! Well, I better be off to work on that list.

"I've finally joined a gym but have decided to ease myself in - so I've booked a twice monthly pedicure."

So Much To Do, So Little Time!

I've been so caught up finishing projects and starting new ones :( that I haven't had time to post. So far, Nathan and I have finished painting the dining room table and chairs and also painted a set of wicker I found. I've also rearranged and redecorated Elon's and the guests' rooms. As for cleaning and organizing, here is my list:

• pack up baby clothes
• scrub vent-a-hood, ring around burner
• clean out freezer and refrigerator
• clean blinds in kitchen, living room, den, dining room, master bed/bath, guest, office, nursery
• finish gifts for shower
• reorganize master closet, laundry room, coat closet, reorganize guest closet
• sort through boxes in Elon's closet
• clean under kitchen, master bath, guest bath cabinets
• clean baseboards in k, dr, den, lr, office, guest, nursery, and master
• hang picture in living room
• upholster dining room chairs
• rearrange patio
• finish patio cushions
• edge Elon's curtains with ribbon
• sew coordinating dust ruffle for toddler bed
• change bedding to spring/summer colors in master
• continue weeding out items for yard sale
• sort through boxes in garage for baby items
• construct crib

So as you can see, there is a lot to be accomplished before the baby comes... I pray my energy doesn't fizzle out!

What I Wore Sunday

~My Outfit~

Shoes: $12

Shirt: Motherhood via yardsale, .50*

Skirt: Motherhood via yardsale, .50*

Total: Approximately $13

~Elon's Outfit~

Shoes: Vans via yardsale, less than $1*

Shirt: Old Navy via yardsale, .33

Jeans: Osh Kosh via yardsale, less than $1*

Socks: Dollar Tree, .33

Total: Approximately $2.50

{*These came in a group of clothes for a set price, this is the approximate average}

Angelcare Monitor

I've been thinking about a special item I'd like to purchase for this new baby. I'm considering a device called the Angelcare Monitor. Supposedly it detects the baby's movement and alerts you whenever there is no movement for 20 seconds; thus alerting you to any breathing complications, reducing the risk of SIDS. At $100 for a brand new monitor, I really want to do my research to make sure the thing really works and can help prevent SIDS. Do any of you have any experience with this type of monitor?

A Practice Shoot...

6 Months; 2 Years, 6 Months...

What To Wear When Expecting...

Poorly Lit

Belly Shot-- Still at 5 months!

Shirt: Motherhood via Yardsale $1
Pants: Liz Lange via Goodwill $3
Shoes: ? via Yardsale $1
Total: $5

Loving these new to me pants from Goodwill. They have the adjustable waistband that can be buttoned to accommodate growth-- what a great idea!

What To Wear When Expecting?

Hmmm....

This was supposed to be an Victorian-equestrian look but the jeans are all wrong-- fit and color wise. I knew it could be better with some darker denim or brown pants this morning. So I'm frantically searching through my closet for my dark brown trousers when I realize-- I outgrew those things two months ago. Hence, the light colored denim. Clinton and Stacey would have my head for this fashion faux pas.

And here with a blazer-- still wrong; I'm all washed out in these colors and the length of the shirt combined with the worn out jeans just isn't doing anything for my shape. Oh well, I'll try it again when I have some better pants options. At least my necklace is pretty!

Shirt: Motherhood via Rag Bag-- free!

Blazer: Yikes, too old to remember!

Jeans: Calving Klein via Yardsale-- $2

Boots: Target-- $22

Total Without Blazer: $24

What To Wear When Expecting...

~5 Months~

Velvet Jacket- Goodwill, $3
Satin Cami- Goodwill, $2
Skirt- Motherhood via Rag Bag, Free!
Sandals- Mervyn's, $12

Total including Shoes= $17

What To Wear When Expecting...

Well, he's just too cute not to post!

~ Smart-Casual~

Shirt- $Free$ {rag bag}

Sweater- August Silk, Steinmart 6 Years ago-- I can't remember the price!

Pants- Ann Taylor Loft, Goodwill, $3

Shoes- Nine West, Yardsale $0.25

~ Formal Wear~

Sorry this picture is blurry and dark, it's the only one I had!

Dress and Shawl- Motherhood, Gift from Mom, $18

My Rant On Chips Ahoy Cookies...

Ok, procrastinator that I am, I stayed up until 12:30am the night before the cookie exchange making my jam thumbprints. Next morning, I put on a cute dress and leggings and get Elon looking his cutest. Even though he and I are getting over colds, I brave the rain thinking to myself, "It will be so nice to have a variety of cookies for my Christmas party without having to be responsible for baking them." I get to the party, Elon starts to play and I set out my cookies-- excitedly looking over the selection... you can probably see where this is heading.



I wonder to myself, "Did someone actually bring Chips Ahoy Cookies to exchange for homemade ones?" I'll admit, I was a little disappointed. One lady said she made the simplest fudge she could, something you microwave in a container and mix with nuts. Speaking of her sugar coated won ton noodles, a lady happily confessed that her husband had made them, and another brazenly took off the packages of her Chips Ahoy to spread amongst us.



Honestly, I know that they are busy moms. And simple recipes really don't bother me, nor do helpful husbands, or the fact that I actually ate the Chips Ahoy cookies first. What does bother me is that sometimes it seems like I'm one of the few who is actually trying to put out an effort in what I deem "womanly pursuits." Like dressing a little more special for a MOPS party, or trying to make the tastiest cookies that I can. Does that make any sense? I realize that I'm from the South where things are done a little differently and I am often overdressed. I realize too that these women excel in many other womanly areas-- such as mothering, charity work, giving, and that they are kind Christian women. I like and respect the Chips Ahoy lady, but when she pulled out those cookies that she had put absolutely no effort in, it really felt like she didn't respect me-- or the couple of other women that made handmade cookies.


Maybe it's just pregnancy hormones, but that just really struck a nerve.

If you are a party-going, sweat-pants wearin', ponytail bearin' mom, please don't be offended. I realize not everyone likes to dress up and wear makeup and that's ok-- just don't ever bring Chips Ahoy to a cookie exchange at my house ;p

If You Skip Breakfast...

...you might be tempted to eat 4 slices of turkey bacon, 2 hashbrowns, 2 waffles, and a coke for lunch!

What To Wear When Expecting...

Sunday, Week 14 of Pregnancy-- wearing non-maternity clothes. Not my favorite outfit, but it's slim pickin's right now. These pictures all turned out so dark. Can't see the shoes in the first photo, but a little clearer in the second. I have gotten the most wear out of these red heels and red necklace!

Road Trip!

This weekend, Nathan, Elon and I took my brother, Matt, on a road trip to see Grand Canyon West, Las Vegas, and Hoover Dam. We had so much fun and the views of the canyon were STUNNING. I could just imagine what the discoverers of the Grand Canyon must have felt like coming upon it for the first time. What an awesome Creator we have! Sadly, Matt left this morning. I am sure Elon and I will be having withdrawals by this time tomorrow :0(

The new bridge they are building at Hoover Dam... it's a long way down from there!

Angel Over Hoover Dam

All the bright lights made my camera go cuckoo. Suffice it to say that even CVS sported blingage. The only one that turned out is this of the beautiful Venetian.

Are we there yet?

Yes! Finally, we arrive at the Grand Canyon!

Matt, standing a little too close to the edge for my comfort.

This is as close to the edge as I'm getting!

An obsolete Guano mining facility.

The Grand Canyon West is owned by the Hualapai Indians.

Elon enjoyed exploring the Indian village.

We enjoyed majestic views of the Colorado River.

The only way Elon could see the canyon was atop Nathan's shoulders. There were dropoffs EVERYWHERE and a view not marred by guardrails!

The amazing Eagle Mountain spreads it's wings.

We were surprised that we had to pay for a mandatory tour, parking, and even a $9 fee! It was $120 for us three to walk around the Grand Canyon and an additional $11 per person for food and water since no outside beverages of snacks could be brought in. I will have to say though, that Grand Canyon West was beautiful and worth every penny!

Pregnancy Update:

I went in for an ultrasound on Thursday. While I still have that pesky blood clot, and it appears to have gotten larger, the baby was growing fine and was measuring at 13 weeks. Yay, I'm one week closer to holding that precious bundle than I thought! Then I watched as the baby jumped, throwing his/her hands in the air! It was amazingly clear-- I could see the baby's head, body, arms and legs, even fingers! And the sonographer said she thought she saw a little something extra sticking out as well! Looks like Elon may have a partner in crime-- keep me in your prayers-- I'm going to need all the energy I can muster to keep up with TWO boys! However, the sonographer did tell me not to go out and purchase all blue-- yet! If you think about it, please pray that God would cause this clot to absorb so I can resume normal life and not have to worry!

Recovering Is Fun!

This past Saturday, I was in the ER for food poisoning... again. This is my 3RD bout with food poisoning and I'm beginning to feel like I have very bad luck. Last time, Marie had it with me. This time I was alone and I am so thankful! I can't imagine watching Elon or Nathan suffering like that. I lost 6 lbs. from being sick and am down to 103 lbs. I don't remember EVER weighing 103 and believe me, it ain't pretty! My eyes are sunken in and my pants are falling off. Hopefully, my face will begin to fill out from the pregnancy-- this sickness has aged me! In the meantime, I am happily eating everything in sight! Thankfully, I am at least feeling 100% better. Recovering from this makes me so thankful that I am usually always in good health, a blessing I so often take for granted.

I sure do hope I don't have any supermodel readers!

Ranting and Reminiscing...

I am soooo happy to be spending a lazy day at home today. Yesterday I had my foster care life safety inspection-- someone from the state inspects my house to make sure it's safe. Nathan was a little perturbed by the fact that not only did his guns need to be locked up in a safe, but also trigger locked with the ammunition stored in a separate locked box. Picture this, an intruder is rattling the front door, you run to find the key for the gun safe, open it and grab a gun, run to go get the key for the trigger lock, fumbling around as you try to quickly unlock the trigger. You finally get that finished, so you run to get the key for the ammunition safe-- all the while holding keys for a gun cabinet, trigger lock, and now the ammo safe-- plus the gun. You grab the box of ammo, throw down the keys, and hastily begin loading the gun-- only to find that the thief has already finished robbing you and is half way across town! Hee-hee! Oh well, I guess we don't get much of a say in what we think about their "gun safety rules." By the way, we didn't pass the inspection because our water temperature was 125 instead of the 120 maximum. Guess my candy thermometer isn't as accurate as I thought!

I spent the whole morning browsing my old photos on the computer. Such happy memories! I know this won't interest anyone by myself, but humor me.

I loved the way he woke up all puffy eyed and cow-licked!

That hairdo wasn't like that because of the breeze, that was his 'do.

Awww, mom, enough pictures already!

Even at the age of 6 months, he was already sporting a 'hawk.

Elon's first Christmas-- dressed as a prep, to Nathan's chagrin :}

Is that a Calvin face or what?

My favorite snow angel!

Those cute little legs!

Smelling his sweetest right after a bath.

Behaving his sweetest-- sleeping!

I loved him in his lumberjack outfit.

Not real sturdy on his feet yet.

Brrr... that fresh Colorado air!

We often couldn't get shoes on his feet; when we tried, he scrunched his toes making it impossible!

Dancing in the streets!

Nathan wasn't real happy I made him wear that shirt so we'd match-- can you tell?

Tasty!

My belly at two months pregnant with Elon-- things have definitely changed since then! To prove it I'll post a belly shot later this week. Enough reminiscing, it's 10:00 and I'm not even dressed!