The Princess and Her Knights....

Today we found out that Isabella will be the only granddaughter for my parents. That means Michelle and I are both having boys. Yep, Michelle will have three boys and I will have one of each. That means Isabella will be the princess of the family. And boy are those big shoes to fill! I have to say, this will be fun to have both our boys practically the same age, her boy will most likely come early, he's measuring 2 weeks ahead and both her other boys had to come early for one reason or another. Now I have so much girl stuff to get rid of and gosh, I am so sad that Michelle couldn't use it. But it will be very, very fun for us to shop boy stuff for each other and ourselves. So, now it's time to find a name, one with a "M" letter for the first name and the other, we'll he can have any name out there. I am still stumped on naming my boy. Brian likes Ethan, but I think it may be too trendy. UGH. I'll keep you posted.

So Proud

Isabella went upstairs for her 3 o'clock nap today as I was getting her milk sippy ready. I then went upstairs to do our usual routine. But to my surprise, she was in her toddler bed, which is set up ready to sleep in, in her bedroom next to the crib. So, I gave her her sippy cup (which she just holds and doesn't drink!) and covered her up and told her night-night. There would be no rocking and cuddling, just straight to sleepy town. I am so excited. The toddler bed has been in her bedroom for two months, all ready for her, for when she decided to jump in and be a big girl. I am so proud of her.

Thankfully we have a wonderful night vision camera that shows what she is doing in her bedroom from our bedroom television, so I am able to rush downstairs and watch her at any time, which I have been watching her for over 30 minutes. She has done so well. She hasn't gotten out of the bed once!!! This is huge, especially since my sister will have to have her crib back and I really, really want to get Isabella's full size bed and her bedroom completely finished soon!

Now were have to tackle potty training!!! EEK!

Jewels

I have this amazing dog named Jewels. She is a very, very good dog. I've had her for over 10 years, she's a black pomeranian. She was my dog before marriage and you can tell she's "my dog". I feed her, I take her to the groomers (not that Brian hasn't or won't), and I truly take care of her in all aspects. She is potty trained since she was a puppy. When we married and while she and I lived at my parents house, she has always had a doggy door to go out side and potty. But with this new house, we can't put a doggy door in. There is not a good place to put one in, The back door is glass, the laundry room has our back patio gas line running throught the wall and it would be a pretty big step/jump down or back up to get into the house. And with her age, she's going going to be able to jump down or jump back up as the years pass. But, she has been fantastic in this new house. KNOCK ON WOOD, she has yet to have an accident in the new house. I have been really good about making her go out, sometimes when its cold, I have to push her out the door, but she goes does her business and then stands at the back door until I let her in. I have forgot she was there (I'm training myself to let her out and back in) and she'll just bark to remind me. She really is a great job, the best dog I have ever had.

But, the past few months I have been "over" her. I just didn't want the responsibility of having her to take care of. I'm taking care of a toddler and myslef. I have been very selfish. She has really gotten on my nerves. I really can't say why or what, but I just couldn't handle her. So I sent her to Honey and Poppy's for a few weeks. And boy did I miss the dog! Isabella and I really did miss her! Isabella would call for "Jues" and ask me "where Jues"? I hate it! So after a few weeks at the grandparents house, Jewels finally come home. She is sitting right next to me as if she knew I needed a break. She is a very loving dog and cares for me (really I can tell she cares for me!). All this to say, a dog will really be your friend and won't stab you in the back like humans can/will. I am so greatful for this dog, and I'm glad Isabella has the chance to have a really great dog as her childhood pet. Once Jewels goes to meet her doggie family in heaven, like Lady and Booger, I will not want another dog! She is the best dog/friend and there will be no way to replace her.

It's been a long weekend....

Mural Complete!

This is the finished product! Isabella's bedroom look magical! I am beyond thrilled with the whole process and can't wait to do baby boy Corr's bedroom next year! The final cost was $750 for the mural, but to me its priceless! Isabella loves her room and can't wait to smell the flowers and touch the trees.

Now we just have to buy the new big girl bed and bedding, then it will be finished!

Naming Our Baby Boy!!!

Naming a child is such a tough job. This is going to be the name YOU as a parent give them to live with for the rest of their life. You are the one that tagged this child and there is a lot of pressure for the parent. So, this is the list I have started and we'll it's only getting longer. Give me your honest opinion, please!

Cooper Michael
Spencer Michael
Jett Johnston
Jager Michael
Perice Johnston
Maxwell (Max) Johnston
Kaden Michael
Benjamin Michael
Landon Michael
Ian Michael

We're having a....

Baby BOY!! Our baby boy is growing right on schedule. He is very active and gave us a good show today. We are still scheduled for April 17th c-section. Isabella can already say "brother"! We can't be more happy that our little baby boy is doing so well.

Now the tough part, naming our Baby Boy Corr....

Still Trying...

I'm still trying to figure out how to post pictures and still make the layout look clean, like all the pretty websites out there. So I'm going to try now...

This is me in my beautiful bathroom in the giant bathtub, this is the one place I love the most in my new house.

I guess if you post the pictues this way, you can write in this area. I think I'm catching on now. This was T-giving Day, I was trying to get bella to stand still and smile, fat chance, she is such a dancing queen.

Let the Painting Begin

Today we have painters in the house painting two rooms, our media room and Isabella's bedroom. We chose a brown for the media room with a lighter brown for the trim, it will look pretty sharp once its complete. Brian has ordered and is receiving his media room equipment, he couldn't wait a minute longer. And Isabella's bed room is going to be a nice light yellow walls and very light blue ceiling. I sure hope it turns out nice. I wasn't crazy about the ceiling being painted yellow, but Brian and our painter said it would look nice. And for some reason I trust them.

This is to show you the yellow stripe in the corner and the blue ceiling.

This is more of the ceiling and yellow stripe.

I'll keep posting pictures when they finish and while the murlist is painting on Saturday and Sunday. Oh, it's gonna be a long weekend!!!

Holiday Pictures

I love the holidays!

With our big Thanksgiving holiday lunch, I wanted to take some pictures with Brian and Bella so we could use them for our holiday cards. But my sweet husband forgot to do his hair and get dressed. So my sweet family didn't get to the shots I wanted. But my sisters family did get some good shots, and Isabella wanted to get in their shots. I love my sister and her family, the shots turned out great and Bella is a camera hog! Gotta love it!

Baby Names

I need to start a record of what baby names I like so here goes a few. I think I'm having a boy, just my gut, but I'll know soon enough! The names all depend on what my sister has as well. Since she has all "M" names she's going to keep that going with this one. So we both have some of the same names in mind. And since I'm not IN LOVE with any of these names, she gets first dibs! Tell me what you think...

Boys
Cooper Michael
Spencer Michael
Jett Johnston
Jager Michael
Perice Johnston
Maxwell (Max) Johnston
Max Johnston
Kaden Michael
Benjamin Michael
Landon Michael
Ian Michael

Girls (clueless on middle names)
Caroline
Madeline (Maddy)
Olivia
Alison
Ashlyn
Paige
Kayleigh
Caitlin
Savannah
Kingsley
Keegan
Chloe
JulieAnn

Pregnancy Again

With this pregnancy come a lot of comparisons, and in the beginning I thought this pregnancy was identical to the first one. But I have been wronged around every corner. I was sick with Isabella for the entire first trimester and it let up around 14 weeks. But I am still just so very sick in the mornings. I'm 20 weeks tomorrow, the halfway point, but oh my this has been the longest 20 weeks so far! I'm not as big as I was at this same point with Isabella. I just look fat, and the maternity clothes look stupid on me. I have been wearing my normal shirts with maternity pants, it's really strange. I do feel the baby move ever so often, which is a funny feeling, usually at night when I first lay down, I've usually just drank a ton of cold water. It is a unique butterfly feeling, I enjoy it! Thursday after a huge Thanksgiving lunch, we were watching the Cowboys and the baby really and truly kicked the tar out of me. It shocked me, but that was a very awesome feeling. Other than the sick feeling every morning and the butterfly movements, I really don't feel pregnant. I guess that is a good thing, because soon enough, I'll feel huge and hurt all over. I'll gladly take this feeling I have now!

Pregnancy & Birthday

I haven't posted much about the new baby lately, so I thought I would update. I'm 19+ weeks pregnant now and we will find out the sex of the baby on Dec. 6th! I have scheduled my c-section for April 17th, this date works best for me. My due date is April 21st, but since I'm having a repeat c-section, I can schedule it as early as 10 days. But that would pose a problem with my niece Megan's birthday, hers is April 11th. This niece we see all the time and will be going to many, many of her birthdays. So, I don't' want a conflicting birthday for this baby. Especially, since Bella already shares a birthday with my cousins baby (we don't see them very much). Both Catherine and Isabella share the same day, and that side of the family did not meet Isabella until she was 19 months old. I'm still bitter, it is my mother's brother!!! My Uncle! Anywho, I do not want this baby to share the weekend/week with my niece, so I opted for April 17th and pray this baby can hold out that long.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I just finished the wonderful task of decorating our Christmas tree. Every year, Brian fluffs the branches and I decorate. It takes him just about two hours to fluff, he's very good at it and takes it very seriously! And it takes me just about the same amount of time. Luckly, Isabella was asleep when I decorated this year, I'm sure I won't be as luck in the years to come. I'm pretty anal about the whole process, thats why it takes me so long. I put every single ornament on the tree this year. In the past I would make sure it all matched, and last year I put non-breakable ornaments on the tree incase Isabella wanted to grab hold and shake. But this year it is a hodge podge of everything and anything. When I worked for Hallmark, I started collecting then back in 1999, and I really never stopped. So I have Barbie, trains, first of anything and everything in the past 5 years and many, many more. It really done look good and it brings back memories of all the travels Brian, Bella & I have been on. I am waiting until Bella wakes up to put the Angel on the top. My mom always makes us sing Silient Night when we put the beautiful angel on top, so I started that last year with Bella. I know she will get a kick out of looking at all the ornaments. I can't wait until she wakes up. We put the tree upstairs this year, there are three giant windows that overlook a ledge downstairs and we put the tree in front of the windows. We have tinted windows on most of our windows so I'm not sure anyone will see the tree, but it sure is pretty.

Thanksgiving turned out wonderful and we all enjoyed each others company. I'm glad my families get along.

I'll post pictures of the tree, as soon as I take some.

Gearing Up To Give Thanks

I am really excited about Thanksgiving this year. I have to much to give thanks for in my life. We have 10 adults and 3 kiddos that will be here this year. One of my SIL's will be with her husbands family and my neice and nephew will be at their dads, so we'll be missing 7 family members for the day. But we're going to have a wonderful time fellowshipping and eating and reading the sales ads and eating again and watching the Dallas Cowboys play football. Love the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving day and I always watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I have watched it for many, many years. I have fond memories of watching the parade at my grandparents house and going nuts with Santa Clause appears at the end. I am going to try to get Isabella to watch the parade, we'll see how that goes. Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special was on tonight and I tried to get Isabella to watch it, I have fond memeries of this as well at my grandparents house and I want her to have the same memories. But she wasn't too interested, maybe next year.

I'm giving thanks this year to many things. I am thankful for my sweet little family. Brian is truly the most amazing, giving, caring, loving and hard working husband on the planet, I give him thanks. Isabella is a sweet, loving, independant and giving 22 month old ever, I give thanks to her. I also give thanks for my extended family. All 14 of them. Most of all I give thanks to God for giving me this life and keeping all of us happy and healthy. God is an Awesome God!

The Chosen One

I have finally decided on a muralist!! I have chosen the lady that was less expensive. I'm confident that she will do a great job with my vision and hers. She is coming to start on Dec. 7 and should finish that weekend! I'm so darn excited! We found a bed at RTG that we really like and with the comforter set I want to get, it's going to be a beautiful room for our little princess! I'm post pictures of the before and after.

Cooking Class

I have decided to look for a cooking school to take some classes. But this has become quite a task. I can't find a school that isn't a college. There are classes at two grocery stores, but I really want to have some hands on experience. I'm asking for this as a Christmas gift from hubby, so I'm really taking this to heart. We'll both be so much happier if I can learn to cook something besides spaghetti or baked chicken. UGH.

Never Say Never

I got that title for my friend Amberly. This is so true!

I always said I would never let Isabella just watch tv all day long. And she doesn't watch tv all day right now. But she has been waking up at 6am every morning for the past 2 weeks and I just can't entertain her on my own. I am exhausted at 6am and I am so not a morning person!! I turn on the tv and she is excited to watch whatever is on. She goes back to sleep at 8:00am usually and then again another time or two during the day.

Since I have been sick with the cold the past month, I got over that then this past weekend come down with a horrible tummy bug. I have never, ever in my life had that much pain in my tummy. Even after my c-section, I don't remember my tummy feeling so awful. I have finally recovered from that and I'm feeling better, but 6am is just too early to function in the mornings. I just don't know how I'm going to do this with no sleep during the night, feeding an infant and waking up with Bella so early in the AM. My little angel used to sleep in until 8:30am, what on earth happened?

Needless to say, since Bella has been watching so much tv in the early morning, she has a new favorite. Wow, Wow Wubbzy! I guess every parent goes through this, but I know every episode by heart now. I set a season pass on this program, so in the evening when she throws a terrible two's tantrum, I can calm her down and she can watch WWW. She goes to sleep saying "Night, Night Wubbzy" and wakes up in the morning saying "Wow, Wow, Wubbzy" over and over again. It was Elmo, but I guess Wubbzy won her over.

I guess I should have waiting until I knew how my daughter would react to tv before saying I would never let her watch tv. It has a calming effect and at 6am I need a calm child.

Moral decisions

I posted below about the mural moral issues I'm facing. It just seems dumb to ponder over this to me, at times. I am actually loosing sleep over this.

So tonight I sent all 4 ladies a message. The two I don't like so much, I sent a thank you for your time message. The other two, I was honest with. I told the less expensive lady that she was on the right track, that we should talk. I did tell her another lady has a great design, but is asking a lot of money for it and I just can't see hubby paying that much, now that we have her bid that is much less.
Then I told the expensive lady, that I have a lady that is much less expensive and with all the expenses we have facing us in the coming months, I can't spend that much on the mural. I told her I am still pondering on the two designs and I would get back to her on a decision in a few day. I do not plan on showing either one the design of the other, it just seems wrong.

I think that made since. I'm just really over this mural desgin issues. I need sleep!!

Pictures from the past...

I finally downloaded two cards from my camera, it has taken over an hour. UGH. But I finally have some pictures to download. First will be of the house, our new house. I think I have some good front shots. Here goes...

This takes too long to download, I'll post again later. I still have the little pumpkin to show off!!

Halloween 2007

Tonight was a first for our little family. Isabella was able to walk and talk this year, so we took her to 5 neighbors houses. She loved it! When the neighbor opened the door, she would just about welcome herself into their home. She "talked" but her Trick or Treat was hard to understand. She did tell each of the neighbors "BYE" as we would leave. Next year she will have it down pat. She was a sweet pumpkin with black stockings and a cute black hair bow. We sat outside the house from about 6:30 - 7:45 and passed out candy. Since our end of the neighborhood is still under construction we didn't have a huge amount of kiddos. It was very nice to meet our neighbors! Needless to say, I bought way, way, way too much candy! I have 4 gallon bags full of candy left over. I'm going to keep the Whoppers for potty training Isabella in a few weeks (I think were going to do it Thanksgiving week, while she home from MDO). She loves the Whoppers and they aren't just full on chocolate. The other 3 bags will be going to work with Brian, TOMORROW!!

Murals Final Call

I have finally see all four designs. Now comes the hard part. I love one and like another one. The one I'm kind of iffy about is good, but not knock your socks off, like the first one. The major problem here is somewhat ethical. The so-so one only cost $500. I'm not sure why, not sure how she come up with that price, but I consider it mainly because it cost much, much less. Now the ethical part. I want the $500 lady to do the $1700 design. That would mean I would need to send her the design of the $1700 lady which has the name and email address of the $1700 lady.

What am I suppose to do? Suggestions?

Mural Round 2

I have now seen three mural sketches. I'm not impressed with the other two. One lady sent me pictures from a book, not very professional. She said this is something I was thinking you might like. As in the design, and to be honest, it was way, way to "pretty". So I'm waiting for one more lady's design. I really hope she gets it to me soon.

Brian asked me last night if I would rather get furniture for our down stairs guest bedroom or Isabella's mural. Mainly because his friends from Fredericksburg are coming to town. (one of the weekends he's out of town, oh, joy) COME ON DUDE. That is a no brainer. I want her room done before her birthday. So I really need to get this set and done and over with!

Brian's Schedule

My amazing, hard working, generous husband is going to be working very, very hard this next few months. It actually started this past weekend with him traveling to Fredericksburg, Texas to pre-wire a home and install media equipment at another home. This week he is working every evening except Wed, since this well be Isabella's first real Halloween. Then he's working this weekend here in Dallas. Then the following two weekend he is traveling to Houston to pre-wire and install 30 flat screen tv's in a retirement home that a client here owns. Then in December the retirement home owner has another place in Austin that will need about the same amount of tv's and the pre-wire. Then early January there is another retirement home in (I think) Texas City. He is going to be so darn busy and I'm really going to miss him. But he's doing what he loves and I love him for that.

Common Cold...

I have never had a common cold like this. I am so over being sick and feel like I have been hit by a train every night and morning. I was running a fever all weekend. Brian was out of town, so I was at my moms. I wasted a wonderful weekend of free 24 hour babysitting, stuck in a bedroom sick. I'm very thankful I was at my moms!

Murals

I decided when we got to this new house I wanted to make Isabella's room magical. And I just can't wait to get started. I have talked to 3 muralist and I'm going to talk to another one tomorrow. I had a design I choose from a kids room designs magazine. I loved it, it was simple but had a statement, a girly statement. But after talking to one of the ladies and seeing her design, I want something completely different. OMG, it is just more magical than I could have ever thought of. I've only seen one lady's design, but it was amazing. I am talking to another lady tomorrow and then I'll need to see everyone designs and bid prices. But I just don't know if anyone can top this first lady. The bid price for the one I have seen and love so far is $1700, its a lot of money, but when Brian saw it (he was thinking very childish looking) he was blown away as well. He asked me if she took credit cards. He was excited too. If I knew how to put her design on here I would, I just have it on email and it's a power point, I have no idea how to post that.

My sister loved it too. She was excited for me and Bella. I will keep posting about our decision.

Oh, No, Not Again....

Last July 4th weekend I was so ill and it was so strange, I could feel it coming on. I sat on the couch while Brian made us breakfast. As I sat on the couch, I could feel the fever rising, my throat hurting worse and worse and my head and body hurting more and more by the minute. It was the worst summer cold ever. I never run a fever and my body, every inch hurt. The worst part was I had invited my nephews over to spend the weekend. My sister arrived early afternoon and she felt my head and we took my temp. and it wasn't that bad, but boy was I not good. I told her to just leave the boys and once I woke from a nap, I was sure I would feel much better. We had huge plans that weekend. UGH. So after saying all that, I am sick again, this time I can't just take all the medicine I did last time, because I'm pregnant. The worst part is Bella is coming down with something as well. I could tell last night she coughed all night long, it even woke Brian up and he went to check on her room temp (it's finally cold here) making sure she want cold. After today's nap, she was so clingy (she never want s to cuddle) she wouldn't let me put her down and she wouldn't sit on the couch next to me, she wanted to be in my lap. I loved it and hated it at the same time. I knew she want feeling well and gosh, what do I give her? All the medicines to give children under 2 have been recalled and are off the counters. Sure I have a stock pile I bought a few weeks ago at Costco, but do I give it to her or not. Make her feel better or suffer? I broke down and gave her a small amount of the over 2 years old stuff, its for cold and flu. I put it in her sippy cup, so I'm sure she didn't get a good dose, but I feel better. I just hate that she is sick, and I sent her to MDO today. Ugh, I am one of those mother I hate. But, I really didn't know she was this sick, Brian got up with her this morning and get her ready to go and I dressed her. I only saw here for a few minutes. I guess if they thought she was sick, they would have called me or sent home a note.

On a lighter note, Brian has been really great. I didn't even ask him to stay home today and he's already told me he would stay home tomorrow, especially since Bella is sick. We have about 6 different contractors coming to the house to do our 60 day warranty repairs, its not much, but its not something I want to deal with being sick and with a sick child.

Beautiful day

Today is such a beautiful day. We are sitting out in the back yard, with the TV on the back porch and Isabella is playing on her slides. The wind is blowing, the Cowboys game is on the TV and I am sitting here typing away. I love this house, I love this day and most of all I love my sweet little family. Bella is playing with ice and Brian is annoyed that she want him to play, but he's watching the game. I love to see her "get" her daddy. If he is around, she is all about him. She is a true daddy's girl.

Before the game, Bella and I went to Ashley Furniture and Rooms To Go to look for big girl beds. I am shocked that the cheap stuff is still $1000 for the bed headboard, footboard and mattress and boxspring. OMG, that is alot for a little girls room. I'll have to check CraigsList.

Oh My Sweet Brian...

My friend, Amberly, tagged me on her blog. So, here goes:

1. Who is your man? Brian

2. How long have you been married? 4.5 years

3. How long dated? Exactly 1 year

4. How old is your man? 36, I think

5. Who eats more? He does, but sometimes I can!!

6. Who said “I love you” first? I did, of course.

7. Who is taller? He is

8. Who sings better? That is a toss up, neither one of us can sing! So I think I sing better in a bad way.

9. Who is smarter? Oh, He is for sure.

10. Whose temper is worse? That again is Brian.

11. Who does the laundry? That's my "job". One of many.

12. Who takes out the garbage? Both of us, but I wish he would do it more. I hate to take out the trash.

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Right side facing the bed, I do.

14. Who pays the bills? NOT ME! OMG, with my background, not me.

15. Who is better with the computer? Brian, again.

16. Who mows the lawn? Brian

17. Who cooks dinner? UGH, that is another one of my jobs.

18. Who drives when you are together? He does, I hate to drive.

19. Who pays when you go out? He does, (ref. #14)

20. Who is most stubborn? He is.

21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? I do, just to shut him up.

22. Whose parents do you see the most? Both sets, we are very, very lucky.

23. Who kissed who first? I'm sure he did. But I would have!!

24. Who asked who out? He asked me out.

25. Who proposed? He did, but I almost had to.

26. Who is more sensitive? Me, he's has no sensitivity at all. I have to prompt him.

27. Who has more friends? I think we're about even. But true long time real friends, he does.

28. Who has more siblings? Both even.

29. Who wears the pants in the family? He does, I wouldn't like to have that job.

Thanks Amberly, that was fun.

Mac & Cheeeeese

Isabella is so darn cute, I had to get the camcorder out this evening to tape her. She ripped off her diaper and sat in her daddy's lap to be spoon fed her mac & cheeeeese. She says it as if she is singing it, mac & cheeeeeeese, it is so cute. For dinner tonight she ate, a banana and a half, some mac & cheese, 2 tiny boxes of raisins and quite a bit of daddy's rice. She has a huge appetite. But she won't eat most of the time for dinner, so I was happy she ate tonight.

We have been playing with the idea of the big girl potty. She sits on it with diaper on and off. She tells me when she has tee teed in her diaper, she tells me when she poops in her diaper and she tells me when she needs to poop but it won't come out. I really think she is getting ready. I bought her some Elmo panties to wear, but she's not sure what they are for. As soon as I am feeling better in the morning and no so darn tired, I'm going to give it a shot. If she's not ready, we'll stop and play with the potty some more. I just don't want to ruin my brand new carpet. The dog hasn't even messed in the brand new house yet, and she doesn't even have a doggy door. I really, really want Bella to be potty trained before the new baby arrives, so I have until April. Let's hope it works. I'll keep posting about it.

New Hair Color

For my birthday I asked to have my hair colored the same as my roots. Since getting pregnant, my hair has grown alot and has gotten darker, like much darker than my usual dirty blonde. So, I was excited to get my hair colored brown. It is really dark for me. But it is exactly my root color. So that being said, my natural hair color is no longer blonde. I'm sad about that, but I don't look like TPT anymore. I am now a medium dark headed.

On another note, my hair is so wild! Before I got pregnant with Isabella, my hair was very straight and I dreamed about having hair with a little wave in it. Only thing I didn't do was dream of ALL my hair to be wavy. Now I have some parts of my hair wavy, some parts straight as a board. My stylest laughts her butt off at how crazy my hair is, it suck. I HAVE to fix it to make it look decent. By fixing it I have to wash it daily, blow dry it and use a hot flat iron on it to make it straight and decent to be in public. But, needless to say, I don't get to wash it daily, I don't blow it dry and I don't us a flat iron on it every day. I hate my hair. That was all with the first pregnancy. I am praying that it either goes back straight or ALL becomes wavy, dark is fine! I'm dealing with that, but this crap I am putting up with for the last 20 months really does suck. I don't have time to fix my hair. If I had time and energy, that would be great and I would fix it. UGH. I'll stop now.

Isabella's Hand...

Isabella stayed at my parents last Friday night so Brian and I could go to eat dinner and not run home to fetch her from a sitter. My mom's kitchen is not practical and they have the toaster on the kitchen table. My sweet, adventurous and curious daughter wanted to check things out and climbed on a chair (she's been climbing since she was 9 months). Mom should have known to watch her, but she and dad were getting ready for dinner. So, she climbed up on the chair and put her HAND on the HOT toaster while it was toasting bread. OMG, I was so mad when she told me, I mean come on, Honey!! Anyway, she then told me she calmed down after a while and started playing and forgot it was hurt. She told me this Saturday afternoon while we were at my nephews 8th birthday party. Isabella was at Honey's house taking a nap and Poppy would be bringing her as soon as she woke up. When she got the the party, she was happy and I had forgotten about the hand. When we got back to Honey's I took a look at her hand and it was all red and bubbles had formed. I was even more mad. Her sweet little bitty hand was really bad burned and she didn't even put anything on it. So, her little hand has had blister on it and they keep popping, and it's red in the creases of her palm. I need to take pictures of it and post. I'm so sad for her to have to feel that pain at her young 20 month old little life.

Yesterday

So, Yesterday was my birthday and boy was I surprised with what Brian got me. Very surprised!! I got Halloween decorations. Yep, you read it correctly, Halloween decorations. I think I may be still in shock. He was so darn happy, and it was a very cute idea and Bella and I had fun watching him put it up, but Halloween decorations for my birthday. That's alright, he will get 4th of July decorations for his next birthday, since his birthday is July 1st!!! HA, HA, HA, I just can't wait!!

Tonight he is taking me to my favorte resturant in the world, Javier's! I could just eat the salsa and chips all night but I think I'll try my favorite steak and pray I can actually eat it and not get sick. This morning sickness, that last all day long, is still alive!!

Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is my 32nd birthday and the things I want, I can't have because I am expecting. This time around I can't even go get a pregnancy massage, because I have 3 more weeks until I'm out of the first trimester. UGH. I would love a new designer purse, but I have to get a new diaper bag in just a few months, I would love some new clothes, but I have to wear tents and big wasted pants for the next few months. I would love to take advantage of the Mother's Day day at the spa Brian got me this past Mother's day. It's a 5 hour spa treatment. Boy do I need that! I'd love a pedicure and manicure, but I've heard that manicures can cause spontanious abortions. So that's a no go as well. I have no idea what I will actually get, but I have a few wants that I won't get. I'll let you know what I get tomorrow.

Brian did get me two plants tonight to plant in our backyard. I don't even remember what they are called, but I am always happy with a new plant that flowers.

It's a.....

So today, hubby and I went to a gene specialist for a new first trimester screening for risk the baby may have. Everything is fine on the sonogram and I was measuring a due date of April 17 instead of the 21, that happens. The baby' heart rate was 167, pretty good rate! The baby was very active and cooperated with what the doctor needed to do to make the assessment that this baby is going to be without defects.

This is a new sonogram since I was pregnant with Isabella. So the technology was really great to watch on the screen and see the baby's heart beat and everything else. This doctor has been doing these screenings since they came out and has been pretty accurate on guessing the sex of the baby. So of course we wanted him to guess.

Before the told us he said, I'm only 80% sure and I do not want you to go buy anything until this is confirmed at a later date. Then he went on to tell us he was 80% sure we are having a baby boy, as he drew a line around the boy part. I was so excited, I was almost in shock!!!

I have been expecting a little girl, just because I have been so darn sick, and every aspect of this pregnancy has been identical to Bella's!! So, I am so excited and have an idea of what I want to do in the nursery. I just can't hardly stand it. We have 6 more weeks to find out the sex for sure and I am just going to go crazy not being able to plan until then. I have to buy everything new anyway since Sister is going to have a baby too!! Lord I just hope she's having a baby girl!!!!

BTW, this has been the longest pregnancy in history. I feel like I should be 20 weeks by now, the time is just slowly passing. I guess I need more things to do. I would love for the morning sickness to be gone so I would feel like doing more.

So, for now we think we are having a boy, can't wait to confirm this!!!

Who's In For a Shocker!!!

OK, So Michelle is Pregnant!!! I had to get that out of the way so I could tell you everything else. That is the Shocker!!

So, My beautiful, talented sister, who is a mother to two boys ages 8 and 6, just found out she is pregnant. And wow this was a big, huge, giant shocker to everyone. Especially Michelle! She has been on continous BCP for many months now and when you are on them you don't have a cycle, so she didn't. After not feeling good for a few weeks and seeing a few doctor in between who all said she was find, nothing wrong with her health. She tried on a pair of pants one morning and they didn't fit! She started thinking, I've been throwing up, my boobs hurt, and now my pants don't fit!! What the Heck! So she took a PG test on Tues of last week and it was positive. She completely freaked out and told her boss, who laughed in her face, because it's not the end of the world. She went to the doctor on Thursday and got it all confirmed, she is indeed pregnant with #3! She finally got the courage up to tell her husband on Friday night and he was shocked and excited at the same time. She told our parents on Thrusday night after she went to the doctor and it was all confirmed. She told me on Saturday (yesterday) and just knew I was going to be mad, she is crazy, I am so happy and excited for her it is unreal. She has always wanted to have children, the same age as mine. And now we will. She is around 3 weeks behind me. Meaning our parents will have the closest thing to twins, than anyone ever expected.

So, that's my shocker and we can't be more excited. Now the wait to see what our babies will be!

Mother's Day Out

Isabella has been going to MDO for the past few weeks at McKinney Fellowship Bible Church and I love it. She is there from 9-2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It has been great for both of us. She is able to interact with children her own age and I get to go shopping, to the gym or run errands or come home and sleep for a few extra hours. She is always sad to see me go and happy to see me pick her up. She is learning quite a bit, too. Spanish words, colors and numbers and the alphabet. I'm so glad we are doing this for her.

Past Few Weeks...

What a difference a few weeks make, I am still sick, but only if I don't wear my sea bands. It's the bands you wear when you are going on a cruise. My doctor told me about these last time I was pregnant and the worked wonders then too. I haven't had to take any mediciation and I am glad about that!! I'm feeling better and I think my belly is about to start showing. I am now 10 weeks and 6 days. I have a long way to go!!!

Moved In, WOOHOO

We have been in the house for a week, today. I am so excited about this house, it is beautiful and I love everything about it (except that we can't the AC to cool the master, but that's just minor, were working on it!) We got the new furniture and it looks so beautiful in the house, the kitchen table is a bit too big, but it will work! My chaise lounge will be here in a few more weeks, I'm sure that will be Jewels bed. She's not home yet, I need to get her a cage/crate and figure out where we're going to put the doggie doors for her to go out side, but we're working on it.

Isabella has adjusted really well with the new house. I actually just RAN around the house trying to catch her. She had paper in her hands and trying to put it in her mouth. Little rascal. She loves to run and dance and play around, she loves this house and I am do glad!

We still have some items in the storage building we rented and at my MIL & SIL. But we'll get it all soon and be completely here, unpacked is a different story.

Morning Sickness

I've already started getting sick in the mornings! It's much earlier than with Isabella, but at least I don't have to be dressed and ready for work, or on my way to work. I can just go lay down with Isabella. Or just not brush my teeth after eating breakfast. I think I can handle it this time! Lets pray so.

We're having a baby!!

I'm pregnant and it is very exciting. The second time around was so much easier than the first. I tried for 9 months before conceiving Isabella. So we worked really, really hard to have her! But this time we weren't really trying. I got off the pill in June and we have been so busy with the sell of our house and then building a new house and living with my inlaws that we really never tried. It just happened! And wow did it happen quick. I thought I would have to "try" for a few months. I have no idea when I was ovulating or when my last cycle started. I know when it was over, but I really am clueless how it happened so smoothly. This is the kind of "trying to conceive" I wish it was for everyone. You just wake up one morning and think, "um, I should have started my cycle by now." That is exactly what I did on Tuesday morning.

I told Brian I was late and he wasn't surprised, but a bit caught off guard. I went to the Dollar General Store in Anna, and got a test for a Dollar!! One buck! And it was positive right off the bat. I told Brian, and then the next day Thursday I bought 2 more test and tried again and both were positive. Gotta love the digital ones "pregnant" in the line. Can't mistake that can ya? So, were on the cooking baby #2 who will be born in April. I go to the doctor on Sept. 10 at 1:30 to see how baby is growing and such. How fun is that? Wow, I'm still comprehending all this.

I'll keep you posted.

New Furniture for New House!!!

I am so excited to finally have all the big new furniture bought for the new house. I have been shopping for new furniture for WEEKS now. I have worn Isabella and myself out! I hate shopping, and for furniture is even more boring than clothes or shoes. UGH! But, Brian and I were able to narrow it down to one store and we got everything there!!

We bought a new dinning room table with 6 chairs, and new kitchen table with 6 chairs, a new sofa and love seat for the down stairs living room AND a beautiful chaise lounge for our master. I don't think there is one piece I am more excited about than the other. I am so Happy about it all. Huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Now we'll have a place to eat shortly after we move in. One of my pet peeves is eating out of my lap, I just can't do it, my lap is too small or my belly is too big or my mouth isn't big enough or my arms aren't long enough. I have no idea, I just can't make the food go into my mouth. Oh, yeah, we also bought new bar stools.

6 more days...

We have been living with my inlaws for the last 3+ weeks and it really hasn't been that bad!! I do still feel like a guest, but its not bothering me as much anymore.

My family had a reunion this last weekend. My grandfather's side of the family. Not too many were able to make it due to the 100+ temps in Weatherford and all the sick kin-folk. It was so great to see my PopPaw. He is getting older and his wife is getting worse (she's my step-grandma). But Pop is doing great all things considered. I love him and I am thrilled he is able to see and get to know Isabella. I just pray he'll get to see and know my next baby. That way he will have been alive to see all his great-grandkids. That will make it easier for ME to let him go when time comes.
Each year another grandchild offers to coordinate and organize the next reunion. My cousin GiGi did this last one, and my other cousins have all done it. So I offered, it should be fun and fairly easy. I look forward to it.

18 Months

Yesterday Isabella turned 18 months old. I can hardly believe it. She and I went to get her picture made, of course and then today we get her feet stamped in paint on a platter for my new kitchen. I can't wait to see the finished product in a few weeks.

When Brian saw her photos last night he said he can't believe she is his daughter. He was very proud of his baby girl.

Day 2 of our adventure

Well, this is how it goes. We sold our home on July 20th and started packing all our belongings into 5 large pods to move into storage for 1 long month. Our new home will not be finished until August 20th, so we move in with Brian's parents in Anna, Texas. Wow, the fun has already started. I have had a migraine for the past two days and feel a bit out of place. I look forward to being in my new home and not spread out across the metroplex.