>our backyard...

>Anyone that knows us knows that our backyard has been a work in progress for about 5 years. We've done bits here and there but nothing that was really significant. Not this past weekend, but the one prior we got busy. Josh had the mini excavator and he got to "play" on that for a while. I snapped some pictures of Josh on the tractor. I even got a smile.





Fast forward...we have some grass. I can't believe it! I'm so excited about that. We planted some shrubs down the hill, but I haven't taken any pics of those yet. Next Spring, it should look great with the azaleas and gardenias.

Do you see it?





Then I decided that I was tired of waiting for Josh to hang some decor on the wall. They've been sitting on the floor for a month or so. I'm pretty proud of myself. I just need to get some candles for them. I don't know why the wall looks different colors. It's really not.

our backyard...

Anyone that knows us knows that our backyard has been a work in progress for about 5 years. We've done bits here and there but nothing that was really significant. Not this past weekend, but the one prior we got busy. Josh had the mini excavator and he got to "play" on that for a while. I snapped some pictures of Josh on the tractor. I even got a smile.





Fast forward...we have some grass. I can't believe it! I'm so excited about that. We planted some shrubs down the hill, but I haven't taken any pics of those yet. Next Spring, it should look great with the azaleas and gardenias.

Do you see it?





Then I decided that I was tired of waiting for Josh to hang some decor on the wall. They've been sitting on the floor for a month or so. I'm pretty proud of myself. I just need to get some candles for them. I don't know why the wall looks different colors. It's really not.

>Thanks to Jennifer!

>Thank you Jennifer for the information about borders.com. I got 13 books for $2.98. If I said that I was not excited, I'd be lying.

I had an OB appt today. All is well. The baby is measuring right on and sounds great on the doppler. I went up to school to get my Sonny Money. I walked into my classroom and was immediately overwhelmed. I don't know how I'm going to do everything alone. It's so much and meet and greet is in the morning this year.

I have been having a hard time sleeping at night. I'm hoping that I will sleep tonight. Dr. Dawson told me to take tylenol PM or benadryl. He says that sleep is very important.

Josh brought home his boat this evening. I forgot how great of shape it's in. He says that he can get the engine fixed in a few hours. That means that we will be on our boat this weekend. That makes me so happy. I'm going to have to get Harley a doggy life jacket. He probably wants to go with us.

Thanks to Jennifer!

Thank you Jennifer for the information about borders.com. I got 13 books for $2.98. If I said that I was not excited, I'd be lying.

I had an OB appt today. All is well. The baby is measuring right on and sounds great on the doppler. I went up to school to get my Sonny Money. I walked into my classroom and was immediately overwhelmed. I don't know how I'm going to do everything alone. It's so much and meet and greet is in the morning this year.

I have been having a hard time sleeping at night. I'm hoping that I will sleep tonight. Dr. Dawson told me to take tylenol PM or benadryl. He says that sleep is very important.

Josh brought home his boat this evening. I forgot how great of shape it's in. He says that he can get the engine fixed in a few hours. That means that we will be on our boat this weekend. That makes me so happy. I'm going to have to get Harley a doggy life jacket. He probably wants to go with us.

>I guess I'm bored today...

>I changed my blog, took a new self portrait and then I did something I've not done before. I went back to the first post. I started my blog Jan. 3. This was almost one month after we discovered my missed m/c. It's crazy what life hands us and how we handle it. I will never be the same. That's OK with me...I think. I know that God does not give us things that we can't handle. I started reading. I cried. I cried not only for what I've gone through but how it changed me. I cried for the hurt that I still feel, for the people that go through the same thing; I cried for their hurt. I cried because I'm different. I can't say that I don't like myself, because that wouldn't be true. I've got a barrier now. It's larger than any other barrier I've ever had before. Part of me makes me wonder if that will ever be gone. It makes me cry, but I'm also so thankful. I'm thankful for this wiggly little boy that constantly kicks and rolls. I'm thankful that my m/c made my marriage stronger. I'm thankful that I have met amazing people throughout this process. I'm thankful that most days I do great, I don't have a care in the world. It's days when I'm bored that reflect and see those changes. I'm not as optimistic. That's a shame. I hope I get my optimism back. I think I need it. I want the glass to be half full and most days it is. I guess we all have days where the clouds are a little grayer.

I guess I'm bored today...

I changed my blog, took a new self portrait and then I did something I've not done before. I went back to the first post. I started my blog Jan. 3. This was almost one month after we discovered my missed m/c. It's crazy what life hands us and how we handle it. I will never be the same. That's OK with me...I think. I know that God does not give us things that we can't handle. I started reading. I cried. I cried not only for what I've gone through but how it changed me. I cried for the hurt that I still feel, for the people that go through the same thing; I cried for their hurt. I cried because I'm different. I can't say that I don't like myself, because that wouldn't be true. I've got a barrier now. It's larger than any other barrier I've ever had before. Part of me makes me wonder if that will ever be gone. It makes me cry, but I'm also so thankful. I'm thankful for this wiggly little boy that constantly kicks and rolls. I'm thankful that my m/c made my marriage stronger. I'm thankful that I have met amazing people throughout this process. I'm thankful that most days I do great, I don't have a care in the world. It's days when I'm bored that reflect and see those changes. I'm not as optimistic. That's a shame. I hope I get my optimism back. I think I need it. I want the glass to be half full and most days it is. I guess we all have days where the clouds are a little grayer.

>3 days later

>My belly is definitley bigger. I figured out how to use the self timer on my camera. That was fun. I think my belly is bigger. It's not a ton bigger, but definitely bigger. Yay for a growing baby!!

3 days later

My belly is definitley bigger. I figured out how to use the self timer on my camera. That was fun. I think my belly is bigger. It's not a ton bigger, but definitely bigger. Yay for a growing baby!!

>It's been a while

>I haven't updated in a while because there isn't much to update. Last weekend Josh and I spent some time in the back yard. We seeded and layed some hay. We also planted a bunch of new plants. I'm very hopeful that we will have some grass growing soon. I've been keeping busy cleaning and organizing so that I won't have as much to do once I go back to work.

School starts in 2 weeks. I don't want to go back at all, but I know that once it starts, I'll be fine. I love teaching, I really do.

The baby (who doesn't have a name, so don't ask) is just growing. In return, my belly is growing. I was feeling around last night and mentioned that it's starting to feel weird now. It's like this belly isn't really on my body. I love feeling this kid kick and wiggle around. I think it's the absolute best part of pregnancy.

Here's me 24w.
Side veiw


Front view


view looking down (I was sitting)

It's been a while

I haven't updated in a while because there isn't much to update. Last weekend Josh and I spent some time in the back yard. We seeded and layed some hay. We also planted a bunch of new plants. I'm very hopeful that we will have some grass growing soon. I've been keeping busy cleaning and organizing so that I won't have as much to do once I go back to work.

School starts in 2 weeks. I don't want to go back at all, but I know that once it starts, I'll be fine. I love teaching, I really do.

The baby (who doesn't have a name, so don't ask) is just growing. In return, my belly is growing. I was feeling around last night and mentioned that it's starting to feel weird now. It's like this belly isn't really on my body. I love feeling this kid kick and wiggle around. I think it's the absolute best part of pregnancy.

Here's me 24w.
Side veiw


Front view


view looking down (I was sitting)

>I am in LOVE

>Josh totally shocked me today when he told me that he was going to put the crib together. I was certain he'd put the chair rail in first, but completely happy with what he was saying. The crib is so pretty and although I don't have a mattress, I had to test out the bedding. It is very sturdy and I'm so pleased we purchased that one!

Click to enlarge

I am in LOVE

Josh totally shocked me today when he told me that he was going to put the crib together. I was certain he'd put the chair rail in first, but completely happy with what he was saying. The crib is so pretty and although I don't have a mattress, I had to test out the bedding. It is very sturdy and I'm so pleased we purchased that one!

Click to enlarge

>weekend recap

>Our weekend was good, but we got no quality time together. It happens.
Yesterday, I started painting the stripes in the nursery. I really wanted to do polka dots but Josh was very against it. I decided that it's not that important to me so I just did it. If I'm totally honest, I don't love it. I hope I like it more once the chair rail is put in. Right now there is nothing breaking up the wall. I just don't know how I like the curtains with the stripes. I'll repaint before not using my curtains. I worked too hard on those and paint...well, that's an easy fix.

Last night, Nicholas (Josh's brother) spent the night. We went out to dinner and then we took him to the dirt track to watch the races. He enjoyed himself and so did we. He was very good; which is such a nice surprise. It rained all day here. The boys watched Shrek the third and I picked up some books from Barnes and Noble. One is just a baby name book. One is By Stephanie Cave. It's about child vaccinations, I picked up Babywise and The Best Birth. I've got a lot of reading to do. I printed all of my lessons for the first 9w of school and all of the laundry is done.

Here are some pics of the nursery

weekend recap

Our weekend was good, but we got no quality time together. It happens.
Yesterday, I started painting the stripes in the nursery. I really wanted to do polka dots but Josh was very against it. I decided that it's not that important to me so I just did it. If I'm totally honest, I don't love it. I hope I like it more once the chair rail is put in. Right now there is nothing breaking up the wall. I just don't know how I like the curtains with the stripes. I'll repaint before not using my curtains. I worked too hard on those and paint...well, that's an easy fix.

Last night, Nicholas (Josh's brother) spent the night. We went out to dinner and then we took him to the dirt track to watch the races. He enjoyed himself and so did we. He was very good; which is such a nice surprise. It rained all day here. The boys watched Shrek the third and I picked up some books from Barnes and Noble. One is just a baby name book. One is By Stephanie Cave. It's about child vaccinations, I picked up Babywise and The Best Birth. I've got a lot of reading to do. I printed all of my lessons for the first 9w of school and all of the laundry is done.

Here are some pics of the nursery

>Target is the devil!

>I just can't seem to go to target without spending at least $50. They had their summer baby stuff marked down 50% and I got some very cute stuff. They even had some stuff in the dollar spot (my favorite section). I picked up some Seventh Generation cleaning supplies too. It's part of my effort to be more green.

There aren't a lot of new things going on. My belly is constantly growing and I gained another pound. It only took 2 weeks. I still enjoy my daily popscicles. I don't think I will be giving those up anytime soon. The crib should be here Monday. I'm so excited to get it! The chair rail should go in this weekend. Josh vetoed polka dots under the rail, so I guess it will be stripes. Personally, the stripes are fine. It's just going to be a pain getting them right.


click to enlarge

Target is the devil!

I just can't seem to go to target without spending at least $50. They had their summer baby stuff marked down 50% and I got some very cute stuff. They even had some stuff in the dollar spot (my favorite section). I picked up some Seventh Generation cleaning supplies too. It's part of my effort to be more green.

There aren't a lot of new things going on. My belly is constantly growing and I gained another pound. It only took 2 weeks. I still enjoy my daily popscicles. I don't think I will be giving those up anytime soon. The crib should be here Monday. I'm so excited to get it! The chair rail should go in this weekend. Josh vetoed polka dots under the rail, so I guess it will be stripes. Personally, the stripes are fine. It's just going to be a pain getting them right.


click to enlarge

>Done.

>The furniture is ordered.

Done.

The furniture is ordered.

>Harley and his meds...

>My poor puppy. He has summer allergies and they cause skin irritations. He's so high maintenance. A friend told me to try putting the pill in peanut butter on bread. He loved it and took all of his meds with no problems. Here's a video...it's pretty funny.



http://img.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v725/jperea9/harleyandPB001.flv

Harley and his meds...

My poor puppy. He has summer allergies and they cause skin irritations. He's so high maintenance. A friend told me to try putting the pill in peanut butter on bread. He loved it and took all of his meds with no problems. Here's a video...it's pretty funny.

>Pray for me.

>I let my mil get to me way too much. I really need devine intervention at this point. I just need to accept things that I can't change and stop trying so hard. It is very obvious that she is uninterested in things that don't revolve around her. As bad as it sounds, I need people to pray for me. Pray that I stop trying to include her. It only hurts me and lets me down. I don't really want to discuss it with Josh. I respect his feeling and relationship with her. I just hate feeling like I don't belong in their family. I don't know why I'm complaining; it's not like this is a new thing. She's always been self centered...I guess I was just hopeful that it would get better after we got married. Boy was I wrong.

On another note. I decided on furniture today and I will be ordering it tomorrow! I can't wait to get it!! I even found a free shipping code that will save me $100. I went back and forth between cherry and maple and decided that the cherry is prettier. If we have room in the nursery, I'm going to get the tall dresser too, but for now this is what he will have for his furniture. Now I just have to decide on a glider.





I've been very domestic today. I've vacuumed the whole house, including the basement. The kitchen is clean. AND all the laundry is done. Well, I have one more load. This is huge considering I did nothing last week b/c of those cramps. I cleaned the hardwood floors and dusted. I dont' know what's come over me.

Pray for me.

I let my mil get to me way too much. I really need devine intervention at this point. I just need to accept things that I can't change and stop trying so hard. It is very obvious that she is uninterested in things that don't revolve around her. As bad as it sounds, I need people to pray for me. Pray that I stop trying to include her. It only hurts me and lets me down. I don't really want to discuss it with Josh. I respect his feeling and relationship with her. I just hate feeling like I don't belong in their family. I don't know why I'm complaining; it's not like this is a new thing. She's always been self centered...I guess I was just hopeful that it would get better after we got married. Boy was I wrong.

On another note. I decided on furniture today and I will be ordering it tomorrow! I can't wait to get it!! I even found a free shipping code that will save me $100. I went back and forth between cherry and maple and decided that the cherry is prettier. If we have room in the nursery, I'm going to get the tall dresser too, but for now this is what he will have for his furniture. Now I just have to decide on a glider.





I've been very domestic today. I've vacuumed the whole house, including the basement. The kitchen is clean. AND all the laundry is done. Well, I have one more load. This is huge considering I did nothing last week b/c of those cramps. I cleaned the hardwood floors and dusted. I dont' know what's come over me.

>Maybe it's me?

>I was talking to one of my friends today about baby gear and mentioned that instead of Josh's grandmother helping out with the crib, I'd rather her get me a carseat or high chair. I went on to say that I was not sure if I'd have a shower. She is a SAINT and says that she will do it. I mention that I would ask my MIL if she'd want to help out. I call her (the mil). Here's how the conversation went.
me: Hey
Her: Hey what are you doing?
me: getting ready to vaccuum
Her: oh
Me: I was just talking to Kelly and she wanted to know if you'd be interested in helping her out with my shower.
Her: What, your what? (hateful tone)
Me: I was just talking to Kelly and she wanted to know if you'd be interested in helping her out with my shower.
Her: uh, I guess so. (annoyed)
Me: well, if you don't want to, it's fine. We were just wondering.
Her: yeah, it's fine. I'll call you later. I'm at the store.
Me: Ok, bye.

I wanted to say, bitch, act NICE. If it was a shower for Josh, she'd have a damn petting zoo. The worst part...IF she does decide to help out, she will be very nice to all of my friends. It makes me look like such an asshole. I think she forgets that I have NO family here. Just her, and I really can't f'ing stand her snotty ass. It pisses me off so badly that I could just cry.

On a good note...we got our stimulus check today! I'm buying baby furniture! I'm very excited about that!!

Now I'm going to go vacuum and clean my stairs. My house suffered last week with those cramps!

Maybe it's me?

I was talking to one of my friends today about baby gear and mentioned that instead of Josh's grandmother helping out with the crib, I'd rather her get me a carseat or high chair. I went on to say that I was not sure if I'd have a shower. She is a SAINT and says that she will do it. I mention that I would ask my MIL if she'd want to help out. I call her (the mil). Here's how the conversation went.
me: Hey
Her: Hey what are you doing?
me: getting ready to vaccuum
Her: oh
Me: I was just talking to Kelly and she wanted to know if you'd be interested in helping her out with my shower.
Her: What, your what? (hateful tone)
Me: I was just talking to Kelly and she wanted to know if you'd be interested in helping her out with my shower.
Her: uh, I guess so. (annoyed)
Me: well, if you don't want to, it's fine. We were just wondering.
Her: yeah, it's fine. I'll call you later. I'm at the store.
Me: Ok, bye.

I wanted to say, bitch, act NICE. If it was a shower for Josh, she'd have a damn petting zoo. The worst part...IF she does decide to help out, she will be very nice to all of my friends. It makes me look like such an asshole. I think she forgets that I have NO family here. Just her, and I really can't f'ing stand her snotty ass. It pisses me off so badly that I could just cry.

On a good note...we got our stimulus check today! I'm buying baby furniture! I'm very excited about that!!

Now I'm going to go vacuum and clean my stairs. My house suffered last week with those cramps!

>Polka Dot Bikini

>I am more comfortable in a 2 piece. I love it. Belly to the sky! This was taken on the 4th!!

Polka Dot Bikini

I am more comfortable in a 2 piece. I love it. Belly to the sky! This was taken on the 4th!!

>From Fabric to curtain and blanket?

>My lovely sister came over this weekend and she is great with a sewing machine. Me on the other hand, not so much. UNTIL, she gave me a lesson. With her help, I made a set of panel curtains and a blanket. I am very proud of myself. With the left over material, I can still make a few pillows, a lampshade cover and who knows what else!



For your viewing pleasure...

http://wmg.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://wmg.photobucket.com/albums/v725/jperea9/growingfamily/31ecbe81.pbw

From Fabric to curtain and blanket?

My lovely sister came over this weekend and she is great with a sewing machine. Me on the other hand, not so much. UNTIL, she gave me a lesson. With her help, I made a set of panel curtains and a blanket. I am very proud of myself. With the left over material, I can still make a few pillows, a lampshade cover and who knows what else!

For your viewing pleasure...