One little change...

So I did forget to mention one change in this week's update...  HEARTBURN.

I don't remember it starting this early last pregnancy, but it has arrived.

I haven't gotten to the worst part, acid reflux, which I suffered from GREATLY with Jase.  And I'm hoping it can hold off for a few more months (or possibly the whole time).

We'll see.  For now, I'm eating TUMS.  Hoping it brings some relief.

Week 13 Update

No questionnaire this week... as NOTHING has changed.  How crazy, right?

Weight is still holding @ 2-3 pounds... and I'm SO very proud of myself for that.  Like I've said before, I had probably gained 15-20 pounds at this point with Jase.  And I'm proud that I haven't let myself "over indulge."

Everything else is exactly the same.

So here's an update on baby...

Baby this week:

Fingerprints have formed on baby's tiny fingers.

Veins and organs are clearly visible through its still-thin skin.

Finally, its body is trying to catch up to its head.... no more bobble head. :)

Baby is almost 3 inches long and weighs nearly an ounce.

I promise I'll have a picture of my growing belly next week. :)

Official

Last week, the same day I posted about our home renovations that we plan to tackle (b/c we decided to take our house off the market), we had a promising showing.  Our realtor's words when she called were, "I'm going to sell your house today."

Hmm......  I was a little torn.  We had already been talking about all the fun things we wanted to do here, to make it our "little" dream home.

But we went with it.  

And it went nowhere.

So we're back to square one... for real, this time.

Our house is OFFICIALLY off the market.  And we're excited.  

Time to get busy & get this house in order before baby comes in March!!

Early morning love

My favorite part of each morning....

to hear little footsteps pitter-pattering down the hallway, climbing into bed with me.

And the VERY first thing he does?  Wrap his little arm around my neck.

I could spend all day cuddled in those covers with my little man.

Not too much longer and we'll have another little buddy to cuddle with!!

Nothing fancy...

This post is definitely nothing fancy.  I haven't had much going on this week, as I've been resting a LOT since my little ordeal this past weekend.

But from here on out, it's going to be a busy weekend.

Today, we're chilling out.  Jason decided to take a "sick" day, so hopefully we'll be spending some time with him.  We're also planning to swim... we need some play time in the sunshine.

The rest of the weekend will be a wash.  Friday and Saturday nights, our church choir is putting on a dinner theater.  We usually do one every year.  The past few years, it's been Great Ol' Opry.  This is the last year for that shindig.  We're retiring the Opry for a while and taking some time to rest.  It's a lot of work to put together, but it is a lot of fun to see it come together.

We have lots of great singing acts, skits, and a great dinner cooked by choir members.  And we always have an excited/sold out crowd.

I'll try to post some pics from the performances.... you'll need to see Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson make their appearances. 

:)

I hope you're able to make it through the last few days of the work week all in one piece... and have a great weekend!

Week 12 Update

This week's post is a little lacking.... but it was a rough weekend.

I had a scare Saturday, stayed in bed all day Sunday and waited anxiously for my doctor's appointment Monday afternoon.

But everything turned out fine!  Got a good report and heard baby's heartbeat - of 170!

I'm not answering any questions today, since not much has changed... the only difference is weight gain.  I've actually lost a few pounds, putting me back at my starting weight.

Other than that, everything's good.

Baby this week:

-The biggest development this week is reflexes.  Fingers, toes, eyes, and mouth muscles are all working and moving.  Baby can also feel (and respond) to poking at Mommy's belly.

-Nerve cells are developing rapidly in baby's body and brain.

-From crown to rump, baby is just over 2 inches long, about the size of a lime, and weighs half and ounce.

Good Read

I LOVE LOVE LOVE James Patterson.

I'm not much of a reader... never have been.  But I can read his books with no problem!

If you like crime-type stories, you will love his books.  He's easy to read, VERY short chapters, and great story lines.  He'll keep you on your toes.

His most recent book is called Now You See Her.

I finished it last week, after starting it while on vacation.

I promise, if you like to read and have time to devote to it, you can finish his books in a few days.  They are so easy to read, and you will not want to put it down.

If you haven't picked up his latest book, you must.  It's one of the best I've read... and I've read LOTS of his books.

Also, for future reference, if you like books in a series, you should definitely check out The Women's Murder Club books - also by J.P.  They rock.  There are 10 books in the series, with the last one released pretty recently.  The books follow a group of friends, women who work in the field of law enforcement (a cop, a lawyer, a medical examiner.. just to name a few).  They are great murder solvers.  And a hoot to read about.

You'll love them!

No luck.. on to Plan B

Well, we have decided to take our house off the market.  After more than 2 years without a single offer (or anyone interested enough to make an offer), we feel that time is up.

We've been through every emotion:  anger, sadness, frustration, and we're finally to excitement.

We have so many things to look forward to in the upcoming year.  So we aren't going to let this hold us back.  Yes, we would've liked more room before the baby gets here, but that's just not gonna happen.  I've had to remind myself that MANY PEOPLE live in 3 bedroom homes, with no basement, with 2 children.  My sister and I didn't have a "playroom" growing up.  That's what our bedrooms were for.  So I've realized that we can make this work.

It might be a little tight (since we don't have a basement or garage for extra storage, and now all of our closets will be used strictly for clothes) but we'll manage.  We are still blessed.  I have to remind myself of that.

So now, we've moved on to Plan B.  Renovations.  There are several things we want to do before the baby gets here to make our home look more "up-to-date" and modern.  I not really looking forward to spending the money to do it, but hopefully it won't cost a fortune.  We've done a pretty good job over the past 6 years we've owned the home, it just needs a few little touches: hardware, light fixtures, paint, those sorts of things.  The thing I'm MOST excited about - FLOORS!!  My kitchen and bathrooms are so old, scuffed, and ugly.  I cannot WAIT to have them replaced.  Only catch: Jason thinks he wants to do porcelain tile.  That's fine, but he wants to do it himself (with help from a friend).  I would rather just pay someone to do it. :)  But I think it'll be great once it's done.

Now, if I can just make him get a move on... he's so busy these days, and I know he doesn't want to spend his weekends doing stuff around the house... but it has to be done!

I'm making a list.  I'm definitely a list person, and I'm going to teach him to be one, too!!

Wish us luck on this journey and new chapter of our lives.

e.l.f. purchases

Monday, I made a trip to Target (after fixing my craving for Chili's chips & salsa) and bought a few new e.l.f. beauty products.

If you have never tried e.l.f., you definitely should!  It's sold at Target, and I'm sure some other drugstores, but I'm not aware of them.  I've only personally seen the products at Target.

They range from $1-$3 (there may be a few products on their website for more, but I've never seen anything in the store for more than $3).  They are great products, but they won't break the bank.

Here's what I picked up:

 I bought 2 Essential Color Sticks - top is Pink Lemonade, bottom is Golden Peach.

These are great for a quick pop of color on your cheeks (or lips) to give a natural flush.

Golden Peach is also a great highlighter!

This is e.l.f.'s Eyelid Primer.  I have a couple of eye primers that I've purchased from Ulta and Sephora, and I honestly like this one just as much, if not more!

I would buy this over Urban Decay's Primer Potion ANYDAY.  It's got a slight color, to help conceal darkness.  I love it.  And it was $1.  Can't beat that.

I needed a new powder brush.  I picked up the Complexion Brush in the studio line.  Even though this one is not as large as what I'm used to, it was $3.  You can't buy a powder brush anywhere else for that price.  So I figured it was worth a try.  I really like it.  It's very soft and gives good coverage.

Another brush, the Bronzer Brush... it comes in at $1.  I figured I can use it for blush OR contouring... either one.

And finally, the studio Contour Brush for shadow.  It's a medium-sized, dome-shaped brush great for applying crease color.  I love this brush!!!  Not sure how I ever lived without it.

Hope you get a chance to try some e.l.f. products very soon!!!

Week 11 Update

Here goes... even though there's not much change in my answers.

Weight Gain:  not sure... don't think too much.  Maybe a few pounds.  But I haven't been around a scale in a while... will check soon and let you know.

Maternity Clothes:  Yes... pants.  I can still wear my shirts, thankfully, so I haven't had to buy many things.  I'm hoping I can keep it that way for a while.  Not wanting to spend extra money on clothes I'll never wear again!

Sleep:  A little better since getting back from the beach... our mattress wasn't the most comfy.  But I got a new pillow at Wal-Mart Sunday and it has made a world of difference.  LOVE IT.

Cravings:  the same.... and anything I see at the moment that looks good.  I drove to Chili's yesterday just to get some chips & salsa. :)

Movement:  There have been a few times I've thought I felt something, but I think it was my imagination. 

Symptoms:  I was hoping the nausea was gone, since I didn't have too much of it on vacation.  But since we've been home, I've had a few bad afternoons.  yuck.

Baby this week:

-Baby is just over 1 and 1/2 inches long - the size of a fig - and almost fully formed!

-Tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under it's gums.

-Some of it's bones are beginning to harden.

-Some of it's activities: stretching, kicking, and hiccupping.

Mommy this week:

Happy Tuesday!

Oops...

So, I haven't done good this past week.  I had great intentions of blogging during vacation, which I did a little of, but not enough!

AND I forgot my Saturday inspirational post. :(  But I'll make up for it.

Today, it's washing clothes... all day long.

I'll be back tomorrow with my 11 week update!

Week 10 Update

I'm a day late, but better late than never.

Question/Answer time!

Weight Gain:  not sure.  but I don't think it's been much change.  But I won't have a chance to weigh until I get home, so I'll let you know then.

Maternity Clothes:  Yes.  still the same.  I can wear a few things, dresses and shirts and such, that are not.  But the maternity ones are MUCH more comfy.

Sleep:  not too good.  But part of that could be the situation.  I usually don't sleep well on vacation.  And our bed now is kind of a killer.  I've woken up with a major back/hip ache every morning.  But I'm not complaining.

Cravings:  Still cold things... and just whatever I see that sounds good.  I can't really decide what I'm going to eat for dinner until the last minute when I see the menu.  Whatever jumps out at me is what I'll have.

Movement: not yet

Symptoms:  They've actually gotten a little better since we've been here.  I was hoping for that.  I've been a little weak at times (it's so hot, and it's a long walk to the pool chair), but other than that, just normal pregnancy feelings.

Baby this week:

-Baby is the size of a kumquat - about 1 1/4 inches.

-Tissues and organs are rapidly growing and maturing.

-It's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm.

-Tiny nails are forming on fingers and toes.

-Peach fuzz is growing on tender skin.

-Baby's limbs can now bend and move.

Mommy this week:

So far, so good...

We're having a great time so far... and it's only the first full day!

Beach, pool, and stuffing our bellies... that's been the jist of our daily agenda.

A little seaweed, but it hasn't stopped us from having a fun time on the beach!  Hoping it's cleared out tomorrow, and hubby will be able to catch some fish.  That'll make for the perfect day!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Week in Pictures - To Do in Destin

This week, I plan to do these things:

Here's just a few of the places we visit every year for dinner.

We're gonna race it up!  This year, Jase will actually be big enough to enjoy a Go-Kart ride and Bumper Boats.

These are cool places to visit, walk around, shop, and kill time.

Baytowne Wharf

Harborwalk Village

And lastly, I plan to spend most of my time at these 2 places...

I hope you have a fabulous week.... I know I will!

I'll try to blog as much as possible, but I'm not making any promises. :)

Free Gift

There's a GREAT gift going on now at Merle Norman.  It began about a week or so ago, so it should be available for a few more weeks.  You must check it out.

Available with 2 cosmetic purchases (each individual store may differ).

Also, the Fall 2011 color collection is available and it's got some really pretty products!  Check them out!

Hope you get a chance to check out this great products!

MAC dupes

I don't own many MAC eyeshadows.  Frankly, the couple I've bought, I wasn't pleased with.

But I do like the colors of their eyeshadows.  They have a wide range of unique colors.  I love finding dupes for their shadows, especially when they're affordable!

If you've read my blog for a while, you've probably heard me mention Wet 'n' Wild eyeshadow palettes.  They are available at places like Walgreen's.  They are CHEAP!!!  And such great quality.

If you would like to try one that's so pretty, and really natural, here's a good one to start with.

And even better, it is an exact dupe for 3 very popular MAC shades.

Emilynoel83 - from BeautyBroadcast - on YouTube and Facebook does lots of videos featuring high end vs. drugstore makeup products.  About a week ago, she did one all about MAC shadows.  This was one of her finds, and I couldn't wait to pick it up!  It's become one of my new favorite color combinations.

Wet 'n' Wild Trio in Walking on Eggshells

Week 9 Update

Time for a questionnaire!

Weight gain: 0-2 pounds.  It depends on what time of day I weigh.

Maternity Clothes:  Unfortunately, yes.  Well, they are pretty comfy, so it's not that bad.  I have started showing MAJORLY in the past 2 weeks.  So I resorted to buying some shorts and capri pants, in order to be most comfortable.  Nobody wants tight pants around a pregnant belly.

Sleep:  Good, most of the time.  Just have a hard time getting comfortable.  And I have a LONG way to go!

Cravings:  Not really.  It depends.  If I see something that sounds good, I have to have it RIGHT AWAY!  I've actually been eating lots of cold things: salads, fruits, veggies, and of course, ice cream. :)

Movement:  Not yet

Symptoms:  Just blah-ness.  I was lucky enough to get a prescription for my nausea, which has helped tremendously!  Now, it's just that "yuck" feeling all the time.  Some pain and pressure, too, I'm sure from my insides stretching and shifting.

Baby this week:

-According to the books, baby is almost an inch long.  However, in my ultrasound 2 weeks ago, it was measuring small.  So maybe not quite an inch.

-Essential body parts are all accounted for, and baby is looking much more human.

-Teeth are forming.

-Organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear.

-Now baby is ready for rapid weight gain... oh, boy!!

Mommy this week: