Wherever-Project 52-week4

Wherever I go she is always with me.

Project 52 ...week 4... wherever

24/25 week update

At 25w 1 day I had an OB appoinment and everything checked out fine. The heartbeat was strong and the Dr found it instantly. I also had a fear that my Dr was deploying put away for now. I had heard a rumor that she was deploying next month and I was freaking out a little. I know it can happen at any time but I'm not ready for it to happen right now! I really like Dr. Molina and feel really comfortable with her and can not imagine her not being there when the baby comes. The next morning I had my glucose test and have not heard anything back so I am hoping no news is good news!

 I just realized as I posted this that the number is backwards because I took the picture in a mirror...oops!

How far along?

24/25 weeks

Maternity clothes?
yes. I actually wore a pair of non maternity jeans that are a few sizes bigger than my regular pants and while they were a little big it was nice to wear real pants. Shirts are half and half.

Stretch marks?
none

Weight gained:
total- 8lbs

Sleep:
Pretty good. I have found a good postition that doesn't bother my hip. I am starting the pee a couple times a night thing though...ugg

Best moment this/last week:
getting my appetite back...this will not be good in a few weeks when I am complaining about my weight

Movement:
She is a moving machine!

Food cravings:
Apples...specifically gala apples. CHOCOLATE!!

Gender:
Girl Charlotte Grace

Labor Signs:
None

Belly Button in or out?
on its way out

Wedding rings on or off?
off...they are causing a rash like they did with Clayton

What I miss:
Honestly a nice glass of wine

What I am looking forward to:
Having my body back and meeting my little girl

Weekly Wisdom:
Drink lots of water!

Milestones:
Getting closer to the third trimester

Cookies for Santa

Laying out the cookies for Santa has always been one of my favorite Christmas traditions and I was so excited that Clayton was old enough to help me this year. I decided to cheat and buy already made gingerbread in a tube...GROSS! Next year I will be making my own!!

Obviously Clayton didn't mind them

Laying the cookies on his speacial cookie plate

Almost done!

Finsished product!

Recipe for 1-10 through 1-16

I completely forgot to blog about the recipe I tried last week...remember I am trying a new recipe every week. I actually generally try several but most are in the baking realm and I feel confident in that area but not in the "cooking" area.

Last week I tried the Honey Mustard Thick Cut Porkchops that I found at For the Love of Cooking.

They were so yummy but sadly I forgot to take a picture before they were all gone!

My suggestions/thoughts: I had to cook them for a while longer than the recipe suggested and it could have been because I was using an indoor outdoor grill instead or a grill pan or the outdoor grill.
I also only marinated mine for a little more than an hour instead of the 6-8 she suggested. I will try that next time but the day just didn't allow for it!  

Family Christmas movie

Clayton doing the honors of opening our family gift a few days before Christmas.

My mom came out to visit this Christmas and because she was flying she was unable to bring all the presents she wanted to give to us so she and I with the little guy in tow headed down to the Super Target and finished up some shopping. While we were there I took the opportunity to grab some things for Jason and the family. We have been wanting to add to our family game and movie collection. I saw the extended version of Despicable Me and had to have it!! Such a cute movie!!

I wish I had gotten a better picture of his face because he was so excited and then looked at me like "what is this?" Such a funny little boy!

Highlights- Project 52 week 3

Does anyone remember reading Highlights as a child? Maybe in the dentist or doctor's office. I know I had a subscription and loved it and maybe that is what started my addiction to getting magazines in the mail!

Week 3 of Project 52 is Highlights.

I bought Clayton a subscription to High Five which is the Highlights for 2-5 year olds.

When I read what this weeks theme was I was at a complete loss and Jason suggested I should take a picture of C with his magazines...so there you go

Highlights

22/23 Week update of Charlotte

I am 23 weeks (acutually at the time of posting I am one day from 24 weeks) and some change as of today and I honestly feel like I have been pregnant FOREVER! Maybe it is because I was so sick or because I found out super early or because in all honesty I'm not a fan of pregnancy. Either way we are over the half way mark and yay for that!

No picture but I will add one...if I remember
How far along?
         23 weeks
Maternity clothes?
         yes. my hiney is getting pretty big as is the little bump. I can still wear some no maternity tobs if they were bigger to begin with.
Stretch marks?
          none
Weight gained:
          total- 6lbs
Sleep:
       Pretty good. I have found a good postition that doesn't bother my hip. I am starting the pee a couple times a night thing though...ugg
Best moment this/last week:
        getting my appetite back...this will not be good in a few weeks when I am complaining about my weight
Movement:
        She is a moving machine!
Food cravings:
         Apples...specifically gala apples
Gender:
         Girl
Labor Signs:
         None
Belly Button in or out?
          on its way out
Wedding rings on or off?
         off...they are causing a rash like they did with Clayton
What I miss:
          Honestly a nice glass of wine
What I am looking forward to:
          Having my body back and meeting my little girl
Weekly Wisdom:
          Drink lots of water!
Milestones:
          Getting closer to the third trimester

You-Project 52

Week 2 of Project 52 is "You". I was playing around with my new lens and filters last night and this was one of the fun outcomes.

It's me.

24 hour marinade flank steak

One of my goals for 2011 was to make at least one new recipe a week. This week I went all out and not only chose a new recipe but also a new cut of meat I have never worked with. I found this recipe at For the Love of Cooking (great blog by the way!)

Basically you marinade the flank steak in a ziplock bag for 24 hours

and then cook on a grill or grill pan for about 5 minutes on each side.

Since the steak was new I went with some sides that I I knew would be yummy...salad and potatoes Au Gratin.

Ok dinner is done and I guess we could call it...ok. One end of the steak was well done and the other was rare. There are several things that could have caused this but the end result was that we ate up to the raw part and enjoyed that!

Semi formal in a semi maternity dress

Mid December we attended the Jason's squadron had a Semi Formal that was mandatory for all soldiers so of course we attended. We would have gone either way but sometimes when the term mandatory is added to an event the fun is kind of sucker out of it. But this was actually really fun.

I was stressing a little because I couldn't fit into any of my semi formal dresses with my growing bump. Luckily my dear neighbor had some dresses that she was willing to share with me. The dress I wore was hers and was actually not a maternity dress but had a waist line that allowed the bump to be comfortable.

I don't have any pictures from the night. We have point and shoot cameras but never remember to take them and I didn't want to carry my big camera all night.

It was really nice to see some of J's coworkers outside of work and the wives that I hardly ever see letting loose and having a good time minus chasing kiddos.

Before we left we had our babysitter take this picture and I hoped it would count as my weekly baby (I was 20 weeks) picture but she decided to hide in the dress. But it was a good picture of J and I!

Some of my favorites

Christmas ornaments that is.

This one was made with Clayton's hand last year.

This one I bought our first in 2008 but after Christmas so I had the guy at the kiosk write 2009 and then we didn't have a tree that year so this year it made it's debut.

I just loved these. I got them at Target and I'm pretty sure I could have made something similar but sometimes store bought is just the route to take.

Jason made the comment that we should have an ornament with his unit crest on it made (aka I make) every time he switches units. I reminded him that our first Christmas our friend Andrew, who is an amazing artist, made this 4ID ornament for us. Bless Jason's heart, since we have never had a tree he had no idea what ornaments we had!

Just a little glimpse or some of the others and of course our angel that I love. That little springy cowboy was won by me after some crazy exchanges in a white elephant ornament exchange...anything for my cowboy right!?

Peppermint buttercream icing

I kind of got into making cakes when Clayton turned 1 but only for family and little get togethers. But I hadn't made anything in awhile so when Jason's troop had their Christmas BBQ I thought it would be fun to see if I still had the touch! I stole this recipe for Peppermint Buttercream Icing from my friend Jessica and it turned out pretty yummy if I should say so myself.

Funny story: I was moving little cupcakes into the fridge while I got dressed. I had the cupcakes on a plate that was kind of slippery and as I turned from the counter to the fridge 20 mini cupcakes hit the floor!

My reaction...to also hit the floor in tears :(

Clayton's reaction..."mommy, you dropped ALL the black muffins" yes dear, I did

In the end I fixed my boo boo.

The recipe:

Beat 1 cup softened butter until fluffy, gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar beating well, Beat in 2 tablespoons of milk and 2 tsp peppermint extract. Gradually beat in an additional 3 cups powdered sugar until smooth, if necessary (it was for me) beat in additional milk a little bit at a time to get the consistency you want

Christmas prep is hard work

No pictures just rambling and some prayer request please

Because yesterday was not the best, today Clayton and I have been lazy. We took my mom to the airport after a 2 week visit which was great (the visit not the drop off) but it left me with that same empty hole that we are always left with when family comes and goes or we have to leave home again. I would not trade my life as an Army wife. I am a better person for taking on this life but saying goodbye is a major part of that life and it NEVER gets easier! My mom was the first family, on either side, he has seen in a year and it had been 6 months for me. We now start the count down to May when my mom comes back and hopefully Jason’s mom and step dad come out to see the arrival of baby Charlotte. Technically since her due date is May 2 that is only 4 months right? We can do 4 months…easy peasy!


Clayton and his friends (a pillow pet, 2 babies, reindeer blanket) sadly conned their way in between Jason and I last night. After a 2 hour car ride of screaming about wanting his grama and to ride on an airplane and then the torturous bath and lotion that left him screaming even louder, I broke down and let him in…just one more night.

C’s eczema has gotten REALLY bad. He cries when he bathes, gets lotion, or wears clothes other than over sized footie PJ's. I cried myself as he looks at me with huge tears and a tender heart and says “please mommy, no more lotions. It hurts my itchys”. One doctor tells me to bathe him only once or twice a week and one tells me everyday , the third tells me to give him Benydryl…umm nope not medicating him. So instead I jack up the heat and let him wear just underwear and lay on fleece blankets. I’m a push over, I’m hormonal and I’m a sucker for the miniature undies.

After driving 2 hours one way to the airport and conducting business as usual over the Bluetooth in my car, Jason still found the energy to build me some shelves and help me get my craft “closet/room” organized. Thanks honey. No pictures though until I am satisfied with the final product!

Enough about my blah day.

I wanted to ask for some prayers. 2 nights ago the house that shares a back fence with my mom burnt to the ground in a just a few minutes time leaving the family homeless. They were renters and the homeowners had insurance and the renters had insurance so that will be covered and the family and their dog all got out but sadly they had a puppy that was saved. The neighborhood and community as well as the local red cross are being very helpful but that doesn’t change the devastation of losing your stuff and a family pet so please if you have a second just think of this family as they piece their life back together.

Also I’m sure many of you heard the news of the New Years tornado that left many of our fellow Army family as well as many others with damaged and unlivable homes in the Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri area. Please pray that these families are able to salvage some of their things and find housing quickly and for those that were injured or worse.

20/21 week update of our BABY GIRL!!

I know this is posting WAY late but I want it posted so I can look back in the slim event we take this pregnancy adventure again! Just FYI I wrote it but forgot to add the pictures so I had it in the draft folder for a few weeks...

How far along?
        20/21 weeks
Maternity clothes?
           Pants yes unless they are stretchy and some tops but mostly non-maternity tops still
Stretch marks?
           none
Weight gained:
           total- 6lbs
Sleep:
      Decent...the baby is laying on my sciatica and my hip goes numb and then I am in horrible pain :(
Best moment this/last month:
       No sickness and finding out the gender...to come!
Movement:
        Quite a bit but only I can feel it. I think Jason may have felt a little nudge though the night before the u/s
Food cravings:
        Fruit and anything sweet. Fountain cokes but I have craved those my whole life!
Gender:

       GIRL GIRL GIRL (only 1 but I'm excited!!)
Labor Signs:
      None
Belly Button in or out?
        in
Wedding rings on or off?
       on...but causing a rash like they did with Clayton
What I miss:
        Honestly a nice glass of wine
What I am looking forward to:
          Seeing who this little one looks like and shopping for girl clothes!
Weekly Wisdom:
          Drink lots of water! A big struggle for me :(
Milestones:
         I'm have way there!!! And we saw baby girl on the "big screen"!

At my 21 week appointment everything looked good. I had to have my blood pressure taken a few times and it was really low the first time and really low the second time but they attributed it to nerves. She took it again at the end of the appointment and it seemed to equal out. Heart beat was great, around 140, and I am measuring on time. No swelling and she said she was feeling better about the weight gain but thinks most of it is water weight...so I must drink more!!!

Project 52

One of my goals for 2011 was to take more pictures. I saw this on my firends blog so I stole the idea...I'm pretty sure she stole it too and I warned her I was going to steal it! The idea is to use the theme posted by each week and take one picture a week/day with your interpretation of the theme.

Here are the themes for the 52 weeks of 2011

Week 1: Spirit (moved to the end of the list!)
Week 2: You
Week 3: Highlights
Week 4: Wherever
Week 5: Perfect
Week 6: Window
Week 7: Under
Week 8: White
Week 9: Character
Week 10: Country
Week 11: Sport
Week 12: When
Week 13: Difference
Week 14: Tidy
Week 15: Passion
Week 16: Moon
Week 17: Child
Week 18: Wooden
Week 19: Flowers
Week 20: Love
Week 21: Far
Week 22: Princess
Week 23: Glass
Week 24: Wait
Week 25: Enormous
Week 26: Mischief
Week 27: Gold
Week 28: Art
Week 29: Step
Week 30: Last
Week 31: Water
Week 32: Red
Week 33: Fly
Week 34: King
Week 35: Strength
Week 36: Tree
Week 37: Home
Week 38: YOU PICK
Week 39: Thought
Week 40: Mine
Week 41: Enter
Week 42: Dry
Week 43: Black
Week 44: Order
Week 45: Reward
Week 46: Immediately
Week 47: Sky
Week 48: Drove
Week 49: Thread
Week 50: Happy
Week 51: Pair
Week 52: Count

I can't wait to get started!

Goals for 2011

So I hate making resolutions when the new year rolls around but I am a firm believer in goals so here are my goals for 2011:

1. Read at least one book a month and blog it on my book blog...my new Kindle and joining a book club should help with this one!

2. Make one new recipe a week.

3. Make a craft project a week and blog it.

4. Blog every other day at least on this blog.

5. Cut back on my TV watching...I am thinking 2 shows a day.

6. Get "dressed" most days...I generally wear my PJ's all the time!

7. Make and follow a more structured day for Clayton.

8. Reread Babywise books and prep for Charlotte. 

9. Have a date night with Jason at least once a month.

10. Stick to bedtime for Clayton!!!

11. Breastfeed Charlotte as long as possible ( I am really aiming for at least 6 months)

12. Walk at least one mile everyday even it is my in home walking DVD...I hate super cold and super hot weather and I live in the desert so it gets super HOT!!

13. Stay on top of house work and stick to my house work schedule.

14. Plan a fun family getaway at least quarterly.

15. Stick to our budget

16. Take my contacts out everyday!!!!

17. Finish Jason's first Army scrapbook.

18. Read the Bible from beginning to end as a family.

19. Teach Clayton to recognize ALL letters and numbers.

20.Teach Clayton to pray.

21. Be more affectionate....I have a HUGE personal bubble and it needs to shrink!

22. Drink 65oz of water a day before I drink anything else.

23. Send cards on birthdays and major holidays.

24. take more pictures and videos.

25. Save more money for LONG TERM future.

So here they are and I hope that when it comes time to wrote 2012s goals I can look at these and feel like I completed something.