Happy Marcus Monday!

It was a shade wearin', Jeep ridin', pool loungin' kind of weekend. 

Happy Monday!

Week 23

Week 23!

It's crazy to think in just one week we'll be about 2/3 of the way through this pregnancy. 

Size of Baby // According to My Pregnancy app, M² is the size of large mango, or over 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound.

Cravings // There haven't been too many cravings. But, just yesterday I had a hankering for a cream filled chocolate Long John. A) I don't particularly care for chocolate. B) Never in my life have I ever wanted a Long John. So random. Needless to say, I didn't cave to that one. Who knows what kind of downward spiral I would be headed if I gave into that one.

Symptoms // The peeing. The crazy emotional outbursts (sorry, Scott!). The belly. The boobs. The usual. 

Movement // Yep. So much movement all the time. And those kicks and jabs are strong enough that they can now be felt easily by my guys. If I'm being honest, the movement is about the only part of pregnancy I actually like.

Miss Anything // Besides a good beer when the days are really hot I honestly haven't been missing too much. 

Sleep // If Marcus didn't wake twice a night to pee, and I didn't wake twice a night to pee, I'm sure my sleep would be amazing.

Clothing // Mostly maternity and the comfy workout stuff. However, the pants in the above photo are non-maternity, and are actually the first time I've really ever worn them (of course I had to secure the button with the trusty hair tie trick, but I'm still kind of pumped they fit in all other regions!). 

Best Part of the Week/ Looking Forward To… //
1. Yosemite was simply fabulous. I can't wait to share all about it. However, after the trip I was just exhausted and needed a few days to recoup and get back into the swing of things. I'll have a few posts up about all the fun and beauty next week.
2. Marcus and I took Grandma Kathy to Disney last week and had about the best time ever.

3. I have the "BIG" ultrasound this afternoon. I'm really hoping for a good 3D shot of M², and just taking a peek at her sweet little self is exciting in itself.

Have a great weekend!

Two Step DIY Book Shelf

There are so many thing I really want to post, but this has been sitting in my drafts for some time, and I feel the world's easiest DIY book shelf just needs to be shared.

While taking Marcus' room from nursery to big boy it quickly became apparent I needed a new way/place to store all of Marcus' books. For the last three years the books have been sitting on a shelf in Marcus' closet. That shelf needed to go to create more space to hang clothes, and the books were quickly left without a proper home.

There are several really cute and creative ways to hold books, but most that I found required hanging things on the wall. I knew I didn't have the time or patience to measure, level, and then put holes in the wall. I needed something easier and faster.

Insert these ridiculously easy book shelves that took me all of 15 minutes to 'make' (4 hours if you include time for the paint to dry).

What you'll need:

1. Can of spray paint , your color preference (I went with Rust-Oleum's Antique White)
2. Dish drying rack (I used this one)

How it comes together:
1. Spray paint dish rack, make sure you get all the nooks and crannies.
2. Allow to dry.

Seriously, that's it.

I understand the book shelves aren't huge, but they're perfect for what we need right now. And, the shelves are just the right height for Marcus. Each book is easily accessible and easily seen. Some of these books had been sitting in a dark closet, unopened, for a loooooong time. Now not a book goes unnoticed or unread.

Perhaps what I love most about these book shelves is that now Marcus has a designated reading area that encourages him to grab a book. Almost each and every time we are in his room he is quick to grab a book and 'read' it.

Happy Marcus Monday!

Grandma and Marcus sure did have a lot of fun while Scott and I were away this weekend!

Prohibited co-sleeping // rocking throwing // park climbing
Deconstruction and reconstruction // Jeep rides with buddies // Pump It Up play dates
Ice cream treats // illegal breakfast cereal // Grandma and Monkey selfless at the beach

Happy Monday!

Week 22

Week 22, here we are! 

Size of Baby // According to My Pregnancy app, M² is the size of a spaghetti squash, or about 11 inches long and almost one pound.  

Cravings // I'm not really craving anything at this point. Just all the food all the time. I've also taken to making a smoothie every morning, and it's action packed with all sort of goodness:
1 cup raw spinach
1 1/2 cups mixed fruit blend (frozen)
1 banana
1/2 cup non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
1/4 cup non-fat milk
1 tsp ground chia seeds
1/2 tsp ground flax seed
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
SO GOOD and so filling!
After filling up on that I don't feel nearly as guilty for not being able to choke down my prenatals (but I have found the gummy Flintstones that so many suggested - thank you! - have been very manageable). 

Symptoms // Those pesky Braxton hicks. I also have terrible round ligament pains on my right side. 

Miss Anything // The ability to move quickly from point A to point B. Sipping cold adult beverages on the patio. Sleeping soundly through the night. 

Sleep // Ha. See above. I can't make it through a night without peeing multiple times. So annoying. 

Clothing // Aside from the maxi dresses that are forgiving around my midsection, and my workout pants, it's maternity clothes from here on out. 

Best Part of the Week/ Looking Forward To… //
1. This week I was lying down with Marcus, trying to get him to nap, when M² really got to moving around. I put Marcus' hand on my belly and we just laid there for a bit feeling the little lady give kicks and jabs. Marcus proclaimed, "I feel my little sister moving!" And he's since asked me to feel his little sister move. My heart explodes.  
2. At the moment Scott and I are probably off hiking around in Yosemite, and I can't wait to share all about our little Babymoon!
3. My mom is in town, and while she's here I hope to make great strides in both Marcus' big boy room and the nursery.

Have a great weekend!

Preschool Registration is Like Black Friday // 6 Tips to Standing in Line With Strangers

You guys, this weekend I spent six hours - SIX! - standing in a preschool registration line. PRESCHOOL! 

It sounds crazy, yes, I know. But when you learn there are only 10 openings for the school that you desperately want your child to attend, you stand in line for hours and hours and hours. You wake up at 4:15, send your husband off to be in line by 5:00AM, and relieve him by 6:00. If it means four half days of school at a price that is half the cost of any other school, yet double the amount of days, you suck it up and you forfeit your Saturday morning. 

If I had to compare preschool registration to anything it'd be Black Friday. You wake up at an hour so ungodly even the nocturnal animals are calling you a fool, you're lucky if your washed your face, or combed your hair, or brushed your teeth, to make damn sure you get exactly what you want and need. The similarities between the two events are uncanny. Am I right, or am I right? 

I mean, we were up so dang early we caught the lunar eclipse. Anyone else see it? If you weren't up before 5:00 you likely missed it. I guess there are more perks than just preschool enrollment… 

The total upside to such an outrageous weekend alarm, and a morning spent waiting, is that my child was successfully enrolled, and will be on his merry way to preschool come August 18 (which just so conveniently happens to be four days after my due date, so that's fun). 

Aside from learning we as parents will go to great lengths to ensure our children receive what we think is best for them, I also learned some valuable tips and pointers while waiting in line with a handful of strangers for six hours…

1. If you know you're going to be in line for an eternity bring a tailgating chair. Seriously. I only have one chair, and it's for my happy butt to sit in.

2. Do not tell horror stories of your older children's preschool experiences. I am blissfully ignorant, and believe my child's experience will be nothing short of rainbows and unicorns. Keep those nasty stories to yourself. I'm certain I will deal with my own in due time.

3. If it's 8:00AM and we've been idly chatting for a few hours, and you see I've leaned my head back in my chair, and my eyes are closed, it means I really, really just want some quite time. And maybe a few minutes of sleep. My need for conversation has been reduced to negative zero. Stop talking.

4. If I've flipped open my trashy Us magazine that also means my ability to communicate has been compromised - by lack of sleep and coffee - and I simply cannot continue talking. Please, for the love of the ABCs and 1,2,3s, give me some quiet.

5. If you've arrived a few minutes prior to sign up, and you've had your shower and your six cups of coffee, please do not come at me with a ball of energy. You're lucky I washed my face, combed my hair, and brushed my teeth. I'm silently cursing you for being totally put together, and cursing you even more for knowing you didn't wait in line all morning, and will still get your child enrolled.

6. I know we will be seeing a lot of each other for the next couple years. Please do not mistake my silence or lack of conversation as being rude. Rather, accept that I'm tired, hungry, pregnant, and just want to go home already. I promise I'll be all sorts of Social Sally when you see me in the preschool pick up line.

Any tips I missed for standing in line for hours on end with strangers??

P.S. Did you enter the Starbucks giveaway yesterday? If not, be sure to head HERE and enter!

The 1000th Post // Currently // Thank You Giveaway

A little over four years ago I hit the publish button on my very first blog post. In the months and years that followed that first post it's been fun seeing how this space of mine has changed and taken shape over time. It's a fluid thing, and watching it evolve and grow has brought me so much joy. And today is my 1,000th post. That's crazy to me.

To celebrate I'm pulling out one of my favorite types of posts.
(Be sure to stick around for the end, I have a little thank you for following along with me on this blogging journey.)

Currently

Making :: A million lists for the things we'll need, and need to do, for our Yosemite trip this week.

Drinking :: Water. Coffee. The occasional root beer.

Reading :: Out of the Shadows by J.K. Winn. A mystery/thriller that hasn't disappointed since cracking it open.

via

Planning :: So. many. things. The aforementioned trip, our next trip to Disneyland (new week!), Marcus' big boy room, M²'s nursery, summer camp for Marcus.

Wanting :: A big fat glass of Pinot Noir. Come on August!

Looking :: For the perfect nursery ideas for M² s room. I think I know the colors I want to incorporate, but from there I'm kind of at a loss…

Playing :: Legos. Cars. Play Doh. Tents and forts. Baseball. Soccer. My little man keeps me on my toes.

Watching :: Guys, I drank the kool-aid. I've been watching Dancing With the Stars. But, only because The Bachelor's Chris Soules is on this season.

via

Wishing :: For an extra few hours in the day. And maybe for time to simply slow down a bit. There is so much that needs to be done before August and I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible to get it all done.

Enjoying :: The last few months of one-on-one time with Marcus. I'm really trying to take and appreciate every moment we have together. Both our worlds are going to be rocked in a few months, and I'm soaking up this mommy/son time while I can.

Missing :: Wine. Sleep. Fitting into my regular clothes.

Waiting :: For a few items to arrive for Marcus' room. Once those get here we can really get to work pulling his room together.

Wondering :: How our family of three will adjust to being a family of four… And how Marcus will do in preschool. His school starts just four days after my due date, and I hope he will transition well with all the changes I'm about to throw his way.

Loving :: That I can finally share the kicks and movements of M² with Scott and Marcus. It's been so fun having my guys feel the little lady moving around.

Marvelling :: At what the female body is capable of doing. Creating, carrying and sustaining life is pretty awesome (even if I do admittedly dislike being pregnant).

Needing :: Sleep. It's always sleep.

Noticing :: That I can no longer hide the ever growing baby bump.

Worrying :: That I'm getting enough nutrients for this little lady. I simply cannot take my prenatals, they make me so sick. I hope what I'm putting in my body is enough for both M² and me.

Feeling :: So thankful for my two amazing guys, my family, and you, my readers!

Be sure to enter the Thank You giveaway! It's easy peasy, I promise!
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Happy Marcus Monday!

We hope you had a blessed and joyous Easter!

Happy Monday!

Week 21

Officially more than half way!

There is still so much to do, and it seems as if time is slipping away at an alarming rate. August will be here in the blink of an eye.

Cravings // For the past two weeks we've been celebrating Marcus' birthday. And, with each celebration comes cupcakes or cake. And, I can't stop stuffing my face. I'm certain my hips, waist, and butt are cursing me. I'm also still loving pineapple and edemame. Those make up for all the cake, right?

Size of Baby // According to My Pregnancy app, M² is about the size of a carrot, or three-quarters of a pound and about 10 1/2 inches long. 

Symptoms // Hello Braxton Hicks contractions. Oof. Also, my boobs are huge(yay, girls!). I'm always hungry. And tired. And have to pee all. the. time. 

Miss Anything // There have been some craft beers in our fridge lately, and man oh man… We've had some downright hot days in which a cold beer would have been simply glorious. I could also go for a heaping sushi platter. 

Movement // Yes!! So much movement now, and I love it. When M² gets to really moving around Scott is finally able to feel the kicks and jabs. It's the best. I can't wait until I can share this with Marcus, too.  

Sleep // I'm 1000% sure I would sleep awesome if Marcus would sleep awesome. So there's that… 

Clothing // This weekend I was thrilled to discover I could fit into both non-maternity pants and tops for church. However, I can generally be found in my workout clothes (which are oh so forgiving when it comes to stretchy-ness) or maternity pants and larger non-maternity tops that I own. 

Best Part of the Week/ Looking Forward To… //
1) Earlier this week Marcus and I joined our good friends at Disneyland. That place really is magical. We may or may not have gotten ourselves season passes (and Dole Whips and Mouse Ears Ice Cream) while we were there… 

2) This afternoon I have an appointment to check in on the little lady. I am so looking forward to hearing her little heart beating away.
3) Next week Grandma Kathy is coming to town so Scott and I can slip away for a mini Babymoon to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and miles and miles of hiking are calling our names! 

Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!

Jump Up, Jump Up & Get Down!

For the past two years I've done at-home birthday parties for Marcus that were themed (1-year Sock Monkey party, 2-year Mickey Mouse party). While it was fun to find creative ways to decorate and do food for those parties, they were also admittedly a lot of work. That kind of stuff is fun for me, and I thoroughly enjoy it. However, this year I went off Marcus' lead. I wanted a party that focused on his likes, and things he absolutely loves right now.

So, instead of planning a party based around coordinating food items, we took the party to Pump It Up! Marcus' love for bounce houses and jumping his little heart out is second to none. I thought a bounce house type party would be just his thing.

Between 10 kids and two arenas filled with different inflatable features there were smiles, giggles and squeals of delight galore.

For 60 minutes the kids (and parents, too!) jumped and played their hearts out.

Ever tried to capture nine kids bouncing around on camera? It's the easiest thing… Said no one, ever. 

A few of the parents who bounced and jumped and had as much fun as the kids!

The food and decorations were all taken care of in our party package. Hallelujah! I simply assembled a few goodie bags and brought in a cake.

After a little time in the party room, noshing on pizza and cake the party wrapped itself up.

I'm pretty sure every child who left was completely exhausted.

And, I had one little man who had the best. day. ever.

A Surprise for Us All

For the first 15 weeks of this pregnancy it was fun to pretend to myself, and everyone else who asked, that I would actually wait until delivery day to discover if M² was a he or a she. After much discussion Scott and I agreed that we would indeed find out. Immediately upon our agreement I knew exactly how to tell our families, and I began planning the fun.

Finding out was so different this time around than with Marcus. This time there was no ultrasound needed to see if there were lady bits or man parts. My doctor simply drew some blood, sent that into a lab, and results were back within a week.

Per my instructions, when the results came in my doctor wrote down the gender on a card and placed that card in a sealed envelope. I was none the wiser on whether we'd be seeing more blue, or have pink pop up in our lives.

Two days after I picked up the sealed envelope we whisked away to Kansas City. Almost immediately after we landed I rushed to a local bakery where I dropped off the sealed envelope. Once I left the shop the bakery discovered our news and placed gender specific frosting into cupcakes.

You see, both sides of our families would be together, at the same time, to celebrate Marcus' birthday. It was the perfect time to make such a fun announcement!

After an agonizing wait through the birthday dinner it was FINALLY time for the cupcakes. Scott and I passed them all out, all the while not a single soul in our group of 22 had a clue what was actually happening.

We sang to Marcus where he took exceptional delight in blowing out his candles.

 

Then it felt like ages before anyone touched their cupcakes. Finally, I heard our friends' little girl say, "Mommy, there's pink inside!"

I looked at Scott, he looked at me, and I think we were both kind of in shock. We were thrilled and terrified, and both of us was expecting to see blue frosting.

I teared up a little bit, took a bite to confirm the pinkness, and then promptly told both grandmas that they needed to get to eating their cupcakes.

My mom took one bite, saw the pink, and squealed with delight. Scott's mom followed suit, and I think I may have seen some mist in both grandmas eyes. Or, perhaps that was just the blur from the tears in my own eyes.

Meanwhile, Marcus had no idea what was going on around him as he enjoyed every sugary bite of his cupcake.

At any rate…

We were thrilled to make M²'s gender announcement while celebrating Marcus' big day, and it was extra special doing so with both our families surrounding us.

Happy Marcus Monday!

It was just one of those amazing weekends that you didn't want to end.

Happy Monday!

Week 20 & He or She? Read on to See!

20 weeks - we are half way! 

It just doesn't seem possible to be this far along already.

Cravings // Edamame is pretty much amazing. I polished off a 14 oz bag of those puppies a couple of days ago, and I have zero regrets about it. Cherry tomatoes are still pretty awesome. And pineapple is about the best. thing. ever.

Size of Baby // According to My Pregnancy app, M² is the length of a banana. Or, 6 1/2 inches head to rump, or 10 inches head to heel, and 10 1/2 ounces.  

Symptoms // I certainly have more energy than the first trimester, but I don't mind a nap when Marcus goes down, and come 9:00PM I am totally spent. I've also noticed the round ligament pain is pretty prevalent when I run. I've also noticed I'm pretty susceptible to crying over the most random and ridiculous stuff : tv shows, commercials, the fact that our house seem to always be 1.7 bazillion degrees Fahrenheit.

Movement //  Movement is becoming stronger and more frequent. It won't be too much longer until Scott and Marcus will be able to feel M² moving about. 

Sleep // Falling asleep and staying asleep aren't an issue. It's just I have to find just the right position to fall asleep. And then I have to pray I don't have to wake to pee. I've found once I wake the pregnancy insomnia takes a strong hold.

Clothing // My workout clothes are all still pre-pregnancy. That's not to say they all fit like they did pre-pregnancy… For the most part I'm in maternity pants/shorts, and stretching my non-maternity tops out for as long as possible. Maxi dresses are my go-to when yoga pants aren't necessarily deemed appropriate.

Best Part of the Week/ Looking Forward To… // Last weekend we were fortunate to spend time in Kansas City and Iowa. While home we were able to gather both sides of our families to celebrate Marcus' birthday. During that time together we announced to our families M²'s gender. I'll share just how we made the announcement with our families next week.

However, Marcus couldn't wait to share the good news here, too.

We're having a girl. 

Holy smokes.
WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!!

What a Difference a Year Makes

The differences on a day to day basis are so subtle. But, looking back on the last 365 days, a lot sure has changed.

::Three::

Dear Marcus,

As I write this I can't help but allow the tears to stream down my face. It doesn't seem possible that three whole years have passed since you blessed our lives in ways I'm not sure I'll ever be able to fully explain. I blinked and suddenly here you are, no longer a baby, but this amazing little boy who holds my heart so tightly that sometimes it hurts.

You are such a strong-willed little boy. Your fierce determination to do things your way, on your time can be difficult at times. However, I know it is this trait that will lead you to do great and amazing things one day.

Your sweet, snuggly side is second to none. When you crawl into my lap and still fit into me just so melts my heart, even during our most difficult days. And when you ask, "Can I snuggle wiff you?" I simply cannot say no. Or when you say your nightly prayers and follow them with "Night, Mommy. I wuv you," my heart melts into a puddle within my chest.

Three years ago I wasn't sure what the dirt, sand, trucks, trains, and mess would bring our lives. But, life would be simply be incomplete without it.

Our lives are fuller and more perfect because of you.

Happy Third Birthday, Little Man!

I love you to the moon and back. Twice.
~Mommy