Just a few more hours to vote....

What do you think? Boy or Girl?

Hopefully we'll know soon....

It's never boring

or at least...if it starts to get boring, it won't be for long. Life always changes. I guess that's a good thing. It's fluid, constantly moving. It's never the same for very long. And, one of the best ways to see and be a part of the fluidity (is that a word?) of life is when you have small children. Just when you think you have a routine or a schedule, it changes.

It seems change is in the air for us. For the past week, Hannah has been screaming at her morning nap time, not the norm for her. She usually submits to her morning nap quite well,
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l
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i
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in fact, into her crib with her blankie and stuffed dog. However, lately, she has been rebelling and will literally scream the entire nap if I let her. Now I'm not a mom who's afraid to let my babies cry. But, clearly, this screaming is signal that morning naps are quickly coming to an end.

So...why is this such a big deal? Why would I be writing a blog post about it. Well, it is a big deal to me for a few reasons...

1. Generally I can't go anywhere or do anything unless it's of great importance before 10 or 10:30 am (the usual time for Hannah to be awaking from her morning nap). So now...with no nap coming soon, this greatly frees up my schedule and morning routine. This is a positive I believe.

2. However the, sort of, negative...Hannah's morning nap has become a special time between Nicole and I. I truly look forward to it every day. We usually spend a few minutes cleaning up breakfast, making my bed and getting dressed. Then, this is when our "learning time" takes place. We spend 30 minutes or so practicing sounds, coloring, gluing, cutting and any other sort of fun activities that Hannah can't really participate in yet. I am jealous of this time and try to let very few things stand in the way of my short time with Nicole all by herself each day. We usually pick out the longer books to read and play games and put together puzzles. Obviously I can do those things when Hannah is awake, but my attention is split (and generally Hannah destroys our puzzle or games, which of course upsets Nicole). So...I'm a little bummed that Hannah will not be sleeping anymore in the morning to give Nicole and I some quiet time together.

3. I'm a little nervous about entertaining both of them through lunch time. It'll be a transition that may not always be easy, but I think it's time. I need to remember what sort of activites I did with Nicole when she was Hannah's age. I sure wish I would have kept better notes.

On a different note, here are a few pictures from today.


Hannah, looking cute

Nicole wrapped her doggies all up and cuddled up with them in the bean bag chair. Notice the bruise on her right cheek? She fell down going up the wrong side of the slide at church on Saturday night. She likes to tell the story and reinact it. She's fine though...she hasn't complained one time about it. I bet she won't do that again! haha

Today we did our (or at least my) favorite outdoor activity. I put up a cheap towel on our fence and filled three water bottles with paint and water. Then Nicole can "spray paint" the towel.

Hannah got in on the action too (this was after she screamed for 20 minutes in her crib). We cut up some sponges and she sponge painted the towel (or her face) since she can't do the spray bottles yet.

We had to run in and out of little rain showers. Finally, we gave in, and just stayed and tried to play during a 5 minutes shower. Nicole was freaked out at first, then had fun, the freaked out again. I was hoping to spend all morning outside, but we were back inside by 10:45 :-( maybe next time.

Pretty pretty pictures

We finally...after 2 years made it back to a professional photographer. This was Hannah's first experience (she wasn't impressed by the way, which is why there aren't many pictures of her). My friend Teri told me about Picture Innovations and I definitely liked them better than Wal-mart. However, if any friends of mine are able to afford the most amazing photographer in the world, then you should check out my very good friend Ashley. She does babies, families, weddings, engagements, senior photos and whatever you want. She is superb!!!! However, that wasn't in the budget, so we had to opt for a less personal more general approach. Maybe one day we can get some super cool pictures from Ashley.

Anyway here are some of my favorites from Friday for you viewing pleasure. Most of you will get a wallet in the mail sometime soon. Enjoy.

Morning Pictures

Hannah is at a really silly age right now. I remember when Nicole was doing a lot of the same things. Putting on as many jewels and accessories as possible and being incredibly proud of all her decorations. It's adorable.

Hannah looked like a gypsie today. She had her cute little shirt on, no skirt, just a diaper, one shoe, a zillion necklaces and a goofy grin. At one point she also had on a pair of sunglasses, but I think they got put away before I got the camera out.





Of course, adorable Nicki wanted in on the photography action.

I love mornings with them. It's the best time of the day as far as I'm concerned.

Coming Soon....

A week from today we'll find out if we are having a boy or a girl:-) I put up a poll....what do you think? Pink or Blue?

FUN night of Couponing

Publix
I had to go to Publix last night after our Clipper Chicks meeting because I didn't realize we were out of whole milk for Hannah AND there is a Fantastic deal on kids yogurt (read FREE!!!)

Here's my bill
2 Organic Valley whole milk 2/$7.00
4 Danonino Yogurt $2.00/1 and BOGO
4 Dannon Danimals $2.00/1 and BOGO
Turkey Pepperoni (needed for dinner)
Sub total $27.67

Coupons used
$1/2 any organic valley product
4 $1/1 Danonino yogurt (found in new Publix coupon book)
4 $1/1 Danimals yogurt (found in new Publix coupons book
$.55/1 pepperoni Q

Grand total $8.45 (almost a 72% savings)
By matching the Dannon Qs with a BOGO sale I got those yogurts for Free. Normall it would have cost me $16.00 JUST for the yogurt:-) Yipee!!!


CVS
Last night after our Clipper Chicks meeting, we headed to CVS. I already did most of my CVS deals on Sunday...but Teri found another GREAT deal that I had to do. Plus...I really needed Tide and there were 3ecb on it. Here's what I got.




4 Always Infinity (regular price $10.29) Sale $4.99/1
1 large bottle of Tide 12.99

Coupons used
4 $4/1 Always Infinity
1 $.35/1 Tide
Subtotal $17.59
Paid with 12 ecb and 5 ecb
Total out of pocket..... $0.59
And 3 ecb back:-)

If those Always Infinity weren't on sale (unadvertised by the way) the four of those alone would have been $41.96.

Camp Out

How do you camp out in hot, humid, bug infested Florida in the summer? Indoors of course. I used to love making tents in the living room when I was growing up. So, since the sheets were out today from our college night girls sleep over last night, Nicole Hannah and I decided to make a tent.

We read books under it, did puzzles, and even ate lunch. Nicole is trying to take her nap under the tent (although, if she doesn't fall asleep soon...I'll have to move her:-) Here are some fun photos.

The nap time tent...darkened a bit from the sun.

Nicole, getting ready for her nap

The girls playing under the tent before lunch time.

Oh...I have a funny story to share. Last night I had a bunch of girls over for a college group sleepover. There were 12 or so, and 6 spent the night. A few got here just before Nicole and Hannah went to bed. They were gracious enough to play with Nicole, because she was sooooo excited all these girls were over. Well, a few minutes after they had been here, the girls (about 4 or 5) were sitting in a circle on the floor talking (they just finished a puzzle with Nicole). When I hear Nicole squeal, "OOOOhhhhhh....we can play duck duck goose!" Oddly enough, no one heard her but me. But, it was adorable. I know JUST what she was thinking. She saw all these girls sitting in a circle. What better game to play??? She's so sweet:-) I Love Her.

Hannah's First Steps

FINALLY!!!! Hannah took her first few steps last night. She did it first to me. She took 3 steps to me on 3 separate occasions. The funny thing is...the look on her face. She was smiling really big, raised on eyebrow that almost seemed to say, "Oh mommy...I already know how to do this. I've just been playing you!"

Later in the night, she practiced a bit more at Jeremy's softball game. Finally, after the game, we got a few tries on video. I LOVE her face about half way through the video. You can tell she's excited, but she also looks a bit ornery. Really super cute!

Enjoy!

Nicole's 3rd year check up

Nicole had her 3rd year check up today. She did great. Hitting age three has changed a lot for her.
1. She was not afraid to get on the scale (this was the first time...usually she pulls her legs up and screams...however, she did look at it quite suspiciously)
2. She was not afraid to have her height measured
3. She opened her mouth and said "Ahhh" for the Dr. (last time it took 10 minutes of heavy crying and much bribery)
4. She was not afraid of any of the instruments and did a great job breathing in and out for the Dr. to hear her heart.
5. She talked a lot to the Dr and obey when she was asked to jump (although when she was asked to jump on one foot, Nicole said, "I don't want to...I want to jump with Both feet).
6. She didn't cry when she got a shot, I think she wanted to...but she didn't remember what was coming. It's been a L-O-N-G time since she's had a shot.

She did great. Here are her stats...

Weight 34.1 lbs (about 80th percentile)
Height was 39 1/2 (about 96th percentile)

We had a great visit. Grammy got to come today. It was her first time meeting this particular Dr. I really like her, and my girls seem to as well. Yay for Nicole being strong, happy and healthy.

The Dr. office always has blocks and trucks to play with, which are kept in these containers. Nicole dumped everything out, got in and said, "Mommy, put Hannah in here to" So...there we go:-)

Double Qs at Kmart

K-Mart is doubling coupons again this week. I didn't get to do the deal I wanted (I'll explain it in a minute) but, I did get to get a few items. Here is my picture (I'm missing one deoderant and one edge gel that I gave to Valerie who so kindly came with us).

2 Kotex 1/$1.29 FREE with Qs

Secret deo $2.49 $.49 after Qs

Secret deo $3.99 $1.99 after Qs

3 Edge shaving gel 1/$1.99 2 were $.01 and 1 was $.49 after Qs

2 Bic Soleil 4pk refills 1/$3.24 Both FREE after Qs.

My total before coupons was $22.80

My total after coupons was $4.29

I splurged on my deoderant because I'm picky. I was pretty satisfied with that.

However, what would have made my picture look better was the deal I went in to do. Let me tell you about it. I wanted to buy (in my first transaction)

5 Pull ups $9.99

1 box of wipes $1.99

Total $51.94

-$5/$50 Kmart Q

- 20 (5 $2/1 pull ups Q then doubled to make it )

- 2 ($1/1 wipes Q doubled)

Total = $24.94

Then I would get a $14 K Mart Q for my next purchase.

My next purchase would have been some of the above items AND 2 garden soaker hoses. I'm pretty sure, grand total for the day would have been around $26. Maybe I'll hit another K Mart tomorrow for the pull-ups...I'd love to get all those pull ups and soaker hoses for free:-)

Nicole's HANDywork

This is Ephesians 6 in Jeremy's Bible. He turned to it a few weeks ago in church, and I had to exhibit much self control when he showed me. I wanted to laugh so hard. I think it's adorable. Nicole traced her hand into her daddy's Bible, AND so carefully filled in the circle of the numb 6. I just wish she had done it in mine:-)

AND....this morning Nicole wrote her name for the first time ever! I didn't help her, as in hold her hand. But, I did remind her to write the letters close together and we erased a few to try over. We've been working on the letter "N" for about a week now. She still needs more practice because she generally goes the wrong direction. Although, the "N" in this picture is beautiful! I was so excited...I had to share.

A little known (ok..well known) issue of mine

I do not handle stress well.

That's not true...I handle REAL stress very well I think. For instance...if someone falls and breaks an arm, I can handle that. I go into get it done, don't panic, and fix it mode. If someone comes to me with blood running out of their head, I can handle that. Again...no panic, fix it, make it better or go somewhere to make it better. I can do REAL stress.

I can not do ridiculous stress. What does this mean? Every day little issues that really aren't really issues at all. Quite embarrassing really, the list of things that get me all worked up.

For instance...We met some friends at the beach today. It was wonderful, I got to have real conversation with adults, my girls got to play in the water. We jumped in the waves, floated around on a sand bar, played in the sand. Fun, Fun, Fun.

BUT....I didn't have a beach permit on my new van, so I had to pay a meter (crazy expensive by the way...I was NOT expecting that! It cost $.25/10 minutes!!! I paid $2.00 and barely got an hour in. Do you know what I could do with $2.00 at CVS???? Anyway...) Here is the embarrassingly stressful part. I had a time limit when my meter would run out. I'm a rule follower and didn't want to be late and pay for a ticket. I had seen city policemen and beach enforcers circling the parking lot all morning, so I knew they were serious. I pack the girls up and happily decline help from my friends, "I can do it...no biggie" I thought.

Yeah, so Nicole is dawdling, looking at ducks and bugs as I'm yelling for her to hurry up. Then, she starts crying because I'm to0 far ahead of her, so I stop and wait, getting mighty irritated and watching the beach patrol dude circle the lot. We make it to the shower, which are surrounded by a large family, I would assume, who are taking their sweet time. I finally get a shower open and the only way the shower will turn on is if I'm continually pushing the button. Not easy to do with a baby on my hip and a preschooler who doesn't like the water because it's to cold. Not to mention that the water does NOTHING to get the sand off...because you need that other hand to rub it off your skin. I am literally pounding on the shower button, trying to get it to work ( and annoyed that NO one is asking if they could help me. In fact, their kids are running around "stealing" my precious water I'm getting from the shower.) All the while, I'm watching the beach patroler, walk past my van, it's probably right at expiration time.

Finally, I give up on the showers, plop Hannah down in front the foot shower and try to wash off her little legs and arms. Then, I try to get Nicole near and she is screaming because the water "hurts" (it was coming out rather hard). I look like "Mother of the year" as I'm pulling her little sand covered arms and legs into the flow of the hurting water telling her to stop crying. I'm totally stressed at this point...but WHY????

We make it away from the showers, still covered in sand and totally stressed, annoyed and irritated. I'm thinking of my letter to the editor to complain about the stupid showers as I'm practically running to my van trying to get back before my meter expires. Nicole starts crying because her sandal came off. I yell at her (which I don't typically yell at her) to stop crying, put her shoe on and hurry up. I keep walking, and I see the beach patroller, walk away from my van. "GREAT!!" I think. I didn't make it, he's to far away to hear my pathetic plea for mercy, and I should just stay longer now with my friends since I got a stupid ticket. Yet...we proceed to the van.

My plan was to change the girls there, in the van, but since the shower got almost NO sand off...that wasn't going to work. Now I'm annoyed that my brand new (to me) van will now be covered in sand and water all because my stupid city can have decent showers (probably because people like me hit the buttons uncontrollably in frustration and break them).

Hannah screams, the WHOLE way home. Nicole asks me the same question over and over and over "Mommy, are we going home now?" and I ignore my poor sweet God-given children because I'm "stressed" and annoyed with them

I just took a perfectly fun and enjoyable day at the beach and made it miserable for everyone. Isn't that a positive trait?

OR (NOT as long of a story) I was "stressed" yesterday because it 4:45, I thought I had to go buy softballs for my husband AND be home in time to put dinner in the oven to then leave again at 6. I was a complete mess because I had to decide if I was a) go get the softballs or b) cook dinner...I couldn't do both. However, it worked out, the game was later than expected, someone else got the balls, and we all got dinner. But...I was stressed out about this silly little predicament.

It seems I get stressed over time. I don't like to be late and I don't like it when others aren't following my time schedule. I get stressed when I have dinner ready and poor Jeremy is home 10 minutes later than expected...the girls are screaming, dinner is now cold and I'm completely worked up when I should be happy my sweet hubby is home. I get stressed when we don't make it to church in time for Jeremy to carry out his duties.

The worse part is...these things should not be stressful. They really are VERY MINOR details in my life. I know this...everyone knows this. But, I turn them into such huge issues that everyone is miserable. There are many many things worse than eating a cold dinner or paying a silly parking ticket (but I would have been ticked!)

AHHHHH...thanks for letting me vent and share my very unlovely trait with you. I feel like I have been working on this for years. I must admit, I have come a long way. But, today...at the beach, totally put me over the edge. I think I acted more like a three year old than Nicole did. Pretty embarrassing and something that MUST be changed.

Any advice? haha

btw...I didn't get a parking ticket. All that stress for nothing.

Nicole's 3rd Birthday

A couple of pictures from Nicole's Real Birth Day.

We went to a minor league baseball game. Jeremy was very much looking forward to this.

Here's the beautiful birthday girl, earlier in the day...right after her hair and nail appointment.

We are Up and Running

Well...our computer is back up and going, about 90%. Yay!!! Jeremy even got all of our backed up picture on here. Unforunately, we backed up even longer ago than I rememberd...it was December of 2007:-( NOOOOO pictures of Hannah's first year, except what I made a slideshow out of, and printed (just a few). Lesson learned, external hard drive is now saving our files every night. Hahaha...one extreme to the other I guess. Well, I owe you lots of pictures and videos. Videos will have to wait until tomorrow I believe because it's getting late and the girlies will be waking up soon (and I still have to make my bed before Jeremy gets home for his first softball tonight:-)


Sweet Hannah, eating lunch today.


I think this is such a funny picture. These are my girls. Hannah has a pretend plastic bottle in her mouth. Nicole is watching her from her play kitchen. They are so silly.



Our produce...our first carrot, some green beans, and two green bell peppers.

Free Movies

One of my favorite things about summer with children are free movies at the movie theater. I remember going with my mom when I was growing up. I tried to take Nicole last year a couple of times, but she only lasted about 30 minutes. This year, I'm excited to take her again, because I know she'll last much longer. However...I have a feeling Hannah won't. I'll have to find a way to work around this.

Anyway...here is the schedule for Hollywood 20. Let me know if you are planning on going to any. Here is the link to the list for other theaters around the state.

Ah...my copy and past isn't working.

I'm taking her Charlotte's Webb on 6/30 for sure. I'll probably take her to others, after I check with Plugged inonline. What? You haven't heard of that. It's a GREAT site to go to EVERY TIME you want to go see a movie. It tells you exactly what to expect, positive elements, negetaive elements, violence, language, sexual contents, spiritual contents, etc. It's a great resource by Focus on the Family. We almost always check movies out before we rent (and we usually regret it when we don't check it out first). Here's the link. btw...they also review music, TV shows, games...anything conisdered entertainment. Bookmark it.

The BIG news....

Well...it's official. We are a real true American family who now drives a real, non-American made minivan, hahaha. Today we went to Sarasota and picked up our 2005 Toyota Sienna. Here she is.

My friend Jami refuses to call these vehicles minivans, she prefers the phrase "mothership" Hmm...maybe I'll choose to drive a mothership and not a minivan too:-)

So...why did we pick this one? We wanted either an 05 or higher Honda Odyssey or an 04 or higher Toyota Sienna. Both are the top rated vans in all areas. They each have a few little extras that the other is missing. What I really wanted, no matter which brand I bought was an optional 8th seat. The cool thing about the Sienna's is that the 8th seat (middle seat in the 2nd row) moves forward about 6 inches. This will be very handy for an infant car seat in a few months:-). The seats in the second row fold down and then forward and the 3rd row seats fold flat into the floor. We already used this fun option by bringing back two rocking chairs from Granny's house. No problem...they both fit with room to spare:-)

The van drives great. I used to drive a Toyota Camry, so the transition was easy. I really really like this van (and did you notice it's leather....that's a little bonus two, it's very soft and comfy). I'm excited to have more room for our family and it already feels safer. So...that was our Big (literally) news. Oh...I forgot to add. When we first started looking for vans, Nicole told us she wanted a white one. So...I guess she got what she wanted. She thinks this white van is for her:-)

btw...I don't know yet when we'll find out if we are having a boy or girl. Probably at the end of this month. I'll make the appointment on Wednesday at my next appointment with my midwife.

Happy Birthday Nicole

It's official...Nicole is 3 years old! I have pictures, but I can't upload them yet. I will when our computer is fully functioning. We are probably at 30% functional. Time, time, time.


Anyway...Nicole has been excited about her birthday for a few days now. She got to go to Yaya's work and get her hair washed, cut, blown dry and styled. Then...surprise...she got to go next door and get her very first manicure (read nail painting). I took her to "Donald Ducks's " (McDonalds, hahaha) for lunch...which she didn't eat (maybe because of all the animal crackers and M&Ms at the salon). Right now she's "suppose" to be sleeping, however she's not. Tonight Jeremy and I are taking her to a minor league baseball game. We are super duper excited. One day when Jeremy gets a day off, we are going to leave Hannah with a grandparent and we're going to take Nicole to Chuck E. Cheese ALL by herself. I'm very excited about that. But, I think it'll be a few weeks.

We aren't throwing a party this year. We did a big party last year and it was very overwhelming...so I vowed no party for birthday 3...and I'm sticking to it. Nicole is getting a few little gifts...but her real gift from us and the grandparents comes in the form of gymnastics lessons. I think she'll love it.

Well, I wish I had sweet baby pictures to share, I guess I could, they would just need to get scanned, but I'm to sleepy right now. Maybe another time. Until then...have a fun day for Nicole:-)

Let's take a little hike down memory lane

My time with my lap top as my main computer is quickly coming to an end. Yes, we have our computer put together and can even get online again...however we still have LOTS of work to do.
So...I thought tonight we could look through some of my favorite pictures that I've found on my laptop. Enjoy.


Taken by my friend Ashley, just a few weeks before we got engaged


I love this picture...I think I look "light" haha, like it was easy to twirl me around


Still the same "photo shoot" Ashley probably wouldn't like her name being on these pictures now. I thought they were great then...but she's a phenomenal photographer now...she was just practicing with her new camera. I think she was a sophomore in college.

Our Wedding

We got a "whew" from the pastor performing the ceremony after we kissed, haha.

Rehearsal Night

At one point while we were dating, Jeremy told me he wanted to wear a Hawaiian tuxedo at his wedding. I remembered that and came up with a more appropriate time for Hawaiian attire...during the rehearsal:-)

My bridesmaids being silly goofy. I love those girls

From left: Katie, Ashley, Elisa, Abby, me, Tiffy

New York City (I think we were there for a day and a half!)

We took this for Jeremy's dad.

Jeremy thought this would be a fun picture, the middle of street.

What would a trip to The Big Apple be without a slice of pizza?

I love this picture. We went to Brooklyn (Brooklyn Tabernacle) for church on Sunday. That was an adventure. But on our way back we had fun exploring. This is the fountain that Will Smith is in front of, drinking Benadryl in the movie Hitch. We were there first!

Ground Zero


Our Honeymoon - Puerto Rico

We had fun one day walking around the amazing resort, exploring and taking pictures.

It looks like I'm about to fall off the cliff...but I'm not.

The view from our room

The Rainforest in Puerto Rico.

This is one of our favorite pictures. We set the camera up on a bench and put it on timer and shot this ourselves. Not to shabby:-)

Hahaha...this bird said "Hola" every time we walked by. A bilingual bird! Can you imagine???

Smile for the camera.

Our Friends Ben & Jami's wedding (I hope it's ok I put these up Jami)

Jeremy was a groomsman. He had just seated a grandmother or something and found me as he was walking back...so we snuck a picture.

I've always liked this picture. I thought it was so great with the bubbles...and Jami is Beautiful!


Our First Home improvement project

We got married Oct. 4...about 3 or 4 weeks later, I was vacuuming the floor and found a huge soaking wet area. The mark on the floor was the mildew from the HUGE china cabinet against the wall. The shower had been leaking the whole time we had lived there (a whole month or so) and it took that long for the water to soak through for me to see it.

This is a gross picture of the rotted shower pan from our dining room side. We spent the next 9 months fixing up the bathroom in our spare time. I think that project was the best thing to happen to our young marriage. We learned more about each other working on this project together than we ever learned in pre-marital counseling. I'm thankful for the memories AND the things we learned about each other.

Well...I hope you enjoyed my little walk down memory lane. I'm sorry the pictures weren't more organized. It was fun for me though. Off to bed...an hour later than expected. Leave me some fun comments about the pictures:-)