Special Birthday

I blinked!

I blinked and all of the sudden she was 5 years old!

My sweet little niece, has gone and grown up on us!

One of her special birthday presents this year was to get her ears pierced.

She was SO excited. 

And they look beautiful!

Today is her party and we are off and running.
Lots of pictures to come later.

Have a Happy Saturday! I hope the weather is nice in your area.
And I hope the weather clears up here in the next few hours.

Let it snow ... Let it snow ...

Now, I know it isn't Christmas.

 

So why do we keep waking up to this?

Can you see the snow flakes?

Not the greatest picture, taken from my phone.

This was taken outside my office window this morning.

I know it isn't sticking... at least downtown...
But I know it is sticking up north. My grandparents got over 1/2 an inch yesterday. And I am sure it is piling up at my parents house. They are only 15 miles north of us.

Sad -- We are so ready for Spring!

Gender Test #4: Swet and Sour

Good Friday Morning!

Did anyone stay up and watch the Royal Wedding??

Not me... I was out cold by 8:30... I can't wait til my body lets me stay up late again. I have stuff to do.

So on with the test this morning.

Sweet and Sour
Craving Ice Cream every single day? Some people believe this means it's a girl.
If you have to have salty or sour stuff, then it's a boy.

Here are my cravings:
Orange Slushes from Sonic
Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles Potato Chips
Sour Patch Kids
Apples
Peanut Butter
Deep Fried Pickles

Verdict: More salty and sour than sweet.
BOY

Score
BOY: 4
GIRL: 0

Only six more tests left.
Join me again next week and we'll see if we can get at least one vote going the other way.
Of course, I keep thinking it will be funny if all these tests come out boy, and it's a girl.

14 Weeks

According to Planning Family I am at week 14. I like that week. It means this time is flying by.

How far along: 14 Weeks ... I have 188 days to go before we get to meet our little munchkin. It seems like so much father away when you look at it in days.  So I have 26 weeks to go... almost half way there.

Baby's Development/Size: The baby is now about the size of a lemon. I think it's funny to measure it in relation to fruit :) Ryleigh thinks that's about the size of a hamster, and that is a little freaky so we'll go with lemon. It is weighing in at about 1 1/2 ounces. I can't believe how much it has grown in the last weeks. 

The baby is also busy making facial expressions by week 14. It can squint his eyes, and its lips can turn into a frown. Its neck has grown longer and the chin starts to take shape. The kidneys can produce urine and the liver has begun to produce bile. The spleen has even begun to help in the production of red blood cells. It's a growing machine in there.

Movement: Still nothing :( a few more weeks to go yet.

Changes in Me: I have gained a little bit more weight. I hate using numbers... When I started with the whole procedure it took us to get pregnant, I weighed about 155. Which for my height of 5'8" is not so bad. By the time I got pregnant I was about 165, I blame the birth control (long story that I'll share later). At my appointment last week I was at 174 (the heaviest I have ever been). I am only counting the 10 pounds from conception. The rest can suck it!

I am not so tired anymore and am starting to get some of my energy back. I haven't fallen asleep at work in a couple weeks and that is good. I feel like I have more energy to get things done around the house and I like that.

Cravings: Sonic Slushes. Orange Sonic Slushes.  And let me just say that Sonic is NOT close to my house. But I manage to go by there on my way home from work... Funny. I can't get enough of these things... I love them. And they have to be the Sonic ones. 7-Eleven Slurpees are just not the same thing.

What I miss: I miss a Med/Rare steak. I know that sounds weird, but I am a protein girl. Last fall we bought a half a beef cow and most of the steaks are still in our freezer (I went through the roasts and other crock-pot-able meats early). I've been told and have read that you should cook your meats fully. That is just not good to me. I was raised a rare-steak girl ... bring me a steak still mooing and I'm a happy eater. But I can't do that right now. So I am forced to eat a dry med/well steak (I know ... I know ... it's supposed to be well-done). At this point I should just avoid steak all together because all the sauce I have to slather on it to get it down probably isn't that good for me anyway. :(

What I am looking forward to:  Decorating the nursery... but first I need to find out the sex of the baby. I can't wait for both of those things. I have so many good ideas and have been following lots of design blogs for the best ideas to start the nursery. As soon as the upstairs bedroom is cleaned out I am getting started... Hopefully in the next couple months, have to wait and see.

That's all for today... More next week.

Happy Birthday Maci-Moosa!!

Today, my niece Maci turns 5!

I can't even believe it.

It feels like she was just arriving and we were celebrating her birth.

Have a Super Fantastic 5th Birthday Maci~
I love you Moose!

Happy Birthday Spud!

Today is my brother JC's birthday!

The Big 2-6!

Happy Birthday Little Brother!

We love you!



Good Morning Sunshine

Good Saturday Morning!

We saw something miraculous this morning!

Truly Miraculous!

SUNSHINE!

Mr Sun, Sun. Mr Golden Sun. Please shine down on me!

Remember Raffi??

Anyway... This is Dixie!

This morning, she found the only patch of sun on the only dry spot in the back yard.

I hope we see more of this today... I could sure use the vitamin D.

Gender Test #3: Even and Odd

Thank you all for being so paitent!

I am back from my (much needed) massage. And although I returned to work with marks on my face and didn't fool anyone... I am feeling pretty good.

Even and Odd

Legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby's sex by looking at the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If both are even or odd, it's a girl. If one's even and one's odd, it's a boy.

My Age (gulp): 30

The Year: 2011

Even AND Odd

BOY... again...

Of course, I'm not really sure about the Mayans...

I saw Apocalypto!

Those people were crazy... sacraficing humans, kidnapping entire villages, killing for sport...

and the little fact that they are now extinct :(

There's also that prediction they had about the end of the world coming next December. I watch the History Channel, I sure hope they're wrong.

But for today:

BOY: 3

GIRL: 0

Sorry Ryleigh, I know you want a baby sister.

But the odds are not in your favor at this time.

Friday!!!

I know... I know....

I haven't been here all week!

I'm sorry; I've just been busy.

I've had a lot on my plate...

Some of those things currently on my plate include

but are not limited to are:

Dr. Appts

Baking

Work

Helping at my Husbands Business

Grocery Shopping

Stopping at Sonic to get Slushes 3 - maybe 4 times :o)

Planning my Niece's 5th Birthday Party

Planning Easter for the kids

Planning Easter Dinner for Sunday

Cleaning my house... cause I just can't stop ;o)

Did I mention Baking??

Anyway... I have been busy and my plate is full...

BUT: I haven't forgotten about my predictions for today.

They are just going to be a little late.

Before I can finish writing that post,

I am getting a massage this morning.

My boss had to go out of town and gave me his appointment.

I think he did it because he feels bad for calling me 'Fatty Patty'...

but that's a whole other story.. for now, I get a massage.

I am so excited, I could really use it.

Anayway, I'll be back in a couple hours with more.

Thanks for standing by...

Gender Test #2: Chinese Birth Chart

This ancient method uses your age at conception and the month you did the deed to determine gender.

This ancient method uses your age at conception and the month you did the deed to determine gender.

Calculate using my age at conception and the month of conception:

Age: 30

Month: February

Result: BOY

Now, I am not entirely certain I can trust this chart. I found several charts online and the results were not always the same.  I guess we'll have to wait and see if the Chinese are right in this too... cause we all know they got it right when they brought us their food -- and fortune cookies :)

SCORE

Boy: 2

Girl: 0

80's Day

Ryleigh had 80's Day at her school last week.

The week before Spring Break her school always does 'Spirit' activities.

This year, they went with 80's Day.

Like the outfit?? It looks a lot like what girls are wearing today... wait a minute... that outfit is from her closet, the hair was the only thing that needed an 80's make-over. Love the side pony!

When did the 1980's become so far in the past that we use it as a model for playing dress up?? I'm not that old am I?

When I was elementary school we had 70's Day!

Now that, was a long time ago! (just kidding)

I think I know how my mom feels now :)

Boy, time sure does fly when you're having fun!

11 Weeks

The time is going by so quickly. I can't believe it has already been eleven weeks and yet, I almost want it to slow down a little. On one hand I want this to go so slow because I know that this will probably be my only pregnancy.  On the other hand, I am so excited to be a mom that I can't wait for this part to be over. I am so excited to meet our little monkey and see where this new journey takes our life.
I don't any bump pictures yet, all I have would be considered fat pictures. I'm not exactly in my best physical shape right now, but I just can't pass on the milkshakes and tater tots. I try SO hard, but I just can't. say. no! Next week... I promise.

Here is a little bit of what is going on with me and the baby this week.

How Far Along:As of today we are eleven weeks along. That is also day 77 days, leaving us with 203 more days to go. Wow! When you think of it in days, it seems so far away.

Baby's Development/Size:
This week the baby is officially developed enough to be called a fetus. No longer an embreo. The most critical parts of the baby's organ system development is over. Its ears are moving to the side of the head and its finger and toe nails are forming. The baby will grow very rapidly and will double in size by next week. It is roughly 2 inches long. About the size of a sugar packet, how cute is that... it's already sweet :) 

Changes in Me:
I've had a few headaches over the last week, I've read that this can happen. I just wish it didn't happen to me. I'm not big on headaches and whoever said tylenol works "tough on pain" lied through their teeth. Tylenol doesn't do anything but give you something to swallow. Sorry Tylenol, I'm not your biggest fan.
I've gained a few pound in the last few weeks, closing in on 10 pounds heavier than I was. And, as much as I would love to blame it on the baby, I can't :( It is solely the fault of my eating habbits. I need to practice some self-control, something I used to pride myself on before.

Cravings:
Don't worry, I am still eating lots of fruits and vegetables and getting my full servings of proteins every day. I've just been filling in the blanks with tater tots, vanilla milkshakes, and homemade chocolate chip cookies.  There may have also been a few girl scout cookies in there too, but we can't blame those girls just for trying to raise some money for their troups; which I may have helped a little more than I should have.
Other than that, I can't go too long without some citrus of anykind. I've been drinking a lot of juice (which contains more sugar than I have had in the last year all in one container) and I 'may' have eaten more than my share of Sour Patch Kids. In my defense, the sour candies help my tummy when I'm feeling a little quesy.

Movement:
No movement yet, it's only 2 inches long. Can't wait though.

What I miss:
Coffee. Good coffee. I know you can have a little caffeine a day, and I know that I can drink decaf. But it just isn't the same. I want to buy a bag of really good German coffee and have it shipped in for Christmas. It will be such a nice treat.

What I'm looking forward to:
Finding out the sex/gender of the baby. I am really excited to get decorating and clothes shopping.

That's it for this week! Pictures next time, I promise.

Gender Test #1: Queasy Does It

Here is the first gender test! I am so excited. I am going to try and do one test every week until we find out the sex of the baby. I hope you all enjoy playing along!

My cousin, Julia who lives in Germany, recently emailed me. We were chatting about my pregnancy and she is convinced I will be having a boy. She had a boy, and my other cousin had two boys...

Here is her reasoning:

In Germany, they have a saying

"A boy gives you beauty, a girl takes your beauty"

I found the same thing online:

"Sick as a dog during the first trimester -- or still? Signs indicate you are having a girl. Little or no morning sickness points to a boy."

This is what I know right now:

1. My sister had a girl: She was Sick Sick Sick through her whole pregnancy, and she didn't look so hot either. (Sorry Kimmy, I still love you) And we won't even get started on her attitude ;)

2. My cousin, Elisa: has had two boys: She was never sick and she glowed throughout both of her pregnancies.

3. My cousin in Germany, Julia: had a boy and felt wonderful throughout her pregnancy.

4. My friend, Amy: A Girl! Sick as a dog, although she still looked really good, didn't even gain any weight. Ahh... the joys of being young.

On the Contrary:

My sister-in-law, Netty: was never sick. Only tired, like I feel. She had a girl.

Me:

I have had no morning sickness. In fact, I really don't feel ill or nauseous at all. Unless I am hungry, then I feel a little queasy. So as long as I keep myself well fed, signs are looking toward having a boy.... signs are also looking toward gaining a lot of weight (yay).

Score

Boy: 1

Girl: 0

This is fun! Come play again next Friday :)

Extra! Extra!

I have an BIG ANNOUNCEMENT to make!

I have been keeping a BIG secret!!

You wanna know what it is?

We are expecting!
Our first baby is coming November 1. I could not be more excited.

I can't believe I made it this long without spilling the beans.

So there you have it. The secret is out and a HUGE burden has been lifted.

I don't have an ultrasound pic that shows anything other than blur right now.

So this is what our baby looks like right now.
I am 10 weeks along.

Funny Picture Huh?!? I liked it :)

Bets have started as to what we are having.

We have 10 weeks until we find out the sex, and I can't wait!

Before we find out though, I was thinking we should follow some old wives tales to see if we can figure it out for ourselves. Anyone else want to follow along? Once the 10 weeks are up, we'll see if we were right. Should be fun. I'll post the first test shortly!

Ziva...

For those that haven't met her, Ziva is my dog. She is a two year old Chocolate Lab... That may never calm down.

Has anyone ever told you that??

"Oh Labs, they'll calm down when they're about 2."
LIARS!!!

I don't think this dog has the ability to calm down, no matter her age! But that's what I love about her. She's got kiddos to keep up with and there are more coming down the line! She's going to need all the energy she can muster.

Our Ziva... Or Ziva McKiva or Ziva Las Vegas 

as my husband likes to call her.

Last weekend we went on a LONG walk. Near our house is Riverside State Park. It is huge, and down by the Spokane River there is a very nice walking trail. Holds great memories for us.

Being alone on the trail, I let Ziva off her leash. She is a very good dog and has never run off. In fact, she seems afraid to let us out of her sight. She'll run about 50 yards ahead of us on the trail - stop - turn around and make sure we are still following her. This goes on for the entire walk, every time we go.

 So as we walked, on this particular occasion, my husband says to me, "Watch this, it'll be funny."

Ziva runs ahead of us, Zach grabs my arm and pulls me behind a tree! I can see her.... she runs within her normal range, stops... and FREAKS OUT! I have never seen her act this way. Her head was bobbing back and forth like she was watching a gruelling tennis match.  It's like she is talking to herself, "Did they pass me? Did they leave me? Where'd they go? Where'd they go?" (You've gotta say it fast like Lab)

Then, she takes off toward the car... RUNNING at FULL SPEED!!! Poor thing... scared her to death. So I jumped from behind the tree just as she was passing us - That poor dog flew into the air! She seriously jumped about 4 feet up she was so startled... or maybe she was just so excited we weren't lost. She was so excited to see us. And even though I felt really bad for freaking her out, I could not stop laughing.

She stayed a little closer from then on.

Where have I been???

I haven't been on here in a while.

Between work, my husbands business, kid issues,

and not feeling 100% ... I have been absent.

For that I apologize.

I have posts and ideas around here somewhere, I promise.

They are mostly in my head, and not on paper;

but I'm getting there.

Finding the time and energy to get them all out has been harder than I would like to admit.

Today I am stopping by because

I wanted to write a special note to Kristine. 

Your message this morning made my day.

Actually, it made my week!

I have had an incredibly hard week/month, dealing with life and receiving your note has turned my attitude around. Thank you so much for thinking of me!

I'll be around more in the future. Lots to share, and now I will get off my behind and get it all out there.

Don't worry girl, I've still been following you and your beautiful family.

The beautiful pictures of your little Maggie always seem to make me smile.

So! You all can expect to see a lot more of me lately.

I hope you're ready for it because I am holding myself accountable.