Happy Birthday Tyler!

Yesterday was my adorable husband's 28th birthday. He wanted to open up his presents before work so we were able to do that at 6:30 am (this took some endurance on my part since I'm so not a morning person). He got a video game, a Bone book, some running shorts and running shoes. The lucky guy! He loved everything and although I haven't seen him in the shorts yet, the shoes only accentuate his handsomeness.

After presents, Tyler went to work as usual, but got presents from the kids as well (taco bell gift cards and super fun homemade cards) and one of the moms surprised him with a cookie cake for him and the class. Tyler's parents also surprised him at work which I know he wasn't expecting since we celebrated his birthday as a family on Sunday and they were heading to California that day. They brought balloons and cupcakes for all. It's so much fun being a teacher! After work, we went to Red Robin for some good dinner and a birthday song.

Got home and he requested Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on DVD, a movie I enjoy and that he's border line obsessed with ;) I fell asleep during the movie and we had to stop it because I think he was tired too. A fun day for a weekday birthday!

Today, Tyler requested that my mom and I come up to school to see a musical the 2nd grade put on. It was called Bugz and it was so much fun (sad that I didn't have a camcorder to record it...we're still pricing around for one). The kids were all adorable in their costumes and I have some of the musical numbers still stuck in my head. When we walked in Tyler was with his class (and stayed with them throughout the production). He looked so proud. His students are his kids too and I know it's going to be hard saying good bye to them this summer. Although, Malia will be a great distraction. Love my husband. Happy Birthday again Tyler! This makes 3 birthdays we've celebrated as a couple.

Happy Wednesday!

Just a quick little update today.

@ 24 weeks - could not only feel the baby kicking, but could see her kicks too.

@ 25 weeks - still kicking (I started to write cooking...I guess that's true too) and starting to notice some significant stomach growth. Weight gain so far +18 lbs. Still trying to hold onto my dream of 25 lbs total. We'll see though. No real cravings still, but I was hungry all night last night. Wendys, a burrito, fruit snacks and soup for dinner please! In my defense for the entire *other* part of the day I just had cereal and a small dinner roll though. And the burrito was small and the can of soup was tiny. I know I'm justifying it...

15 more weeks to go! Really 5 and then I'm going to start counting down the weeks =) I told Tyler that I predict Natalie Portman and I will deliver on the same day (probably a little early?) Speaking of celebrities, my fellow pregnant friends and I are in good company right now. Other expecting celebs: Mariah Carey, Jewel, Natalie Portman, Pink, Alyssa Milano, Jessica Alba.

Finished the baby registries the other day and I'm quite proud of them (I think I was pretty thorough). I've had a checklist written practically since the day I found out I was pregnant. I've been buying slowly since, but the rest of my checklist is successfully up at target.com (link) and amazon.com (link). My favorites...a tiny archway of play toys for the car seat and moo shoes at amazon.com and a delectable looking Bobby cover at target.com for less than $10. Though I told Tyler when we got home from target that I'm really not a fan of their baby registry. It seems like a lot of what we scanned showed up as "product unavailable" when we got home or there was just an item number and when we'd click on it, it would tell us "page not found". That and the fact that there are a lot of missing pictures bugs me. Maybe I should work for target and help them improve things? I'd be more than fine taking product pictures all day and uploading them to the computer. Amazon.com is a lot more reliable, but I understand not everyone shops online.

By the way, March 16th, we get to get to see the baby again! She'll be 28 weeks and the doctor tells us she'll have a cute, fat baby face then. The ultrasound will be in 3D. Look out for those pictures! Next to finding out the sex, this is the appointment I'm most excited about!

Anyways, quick post became long and I've got to get going. Tomorrow Tyler turns 28! and I still have work to do in getting his birthday ready. Happy Wednesday!

Big Picture Post 1

Apparently I've been on quite the roll with blogging and why stop today? I was looking through some old camera pictures we uploaded to the computer and have decided to share. I hope you enjoy.

Let's start with animals past and present:

Love the balls cats put themselves into. This is Hercules, my trusty 17 year old cat who still lives at home with my parents.

Josie, our dog, came from humble beginnings. Here's her first mug shot at the shelter before we'd even gotten to know each other in person.

The Josie "Hitler" picture. Check out those lips. Something weird is going on here...

My favorite Josie picture with her in my favorite Josie outfit.

Tyler's favorite Josie picture. Riding in the front seat of his old Subaru. She liked to look out the front window.

Sphinx, my old co-worker. Love this picture of him. It was so flattering to his sometimes moody disposition.

Yamaka, a sweet little baby duck that had a fun little fluff on his head. Everyone at work thought he was adorable and I wish I had taken him home to my mom, but she didn't want a duck at the time and still doesn't.

A Budweiser Clydesdale on holiday for a little bit. They were big boys and came with a Dalmation.

James, the camel, the one I miss the most from my old job. He was much more handsome in person.

Now onto family and friends:

Freshly engaged cute looking couple that we were (and probably still are). PS - that dress I'm wearing I'd like to sell. Contact me for details!

Speaking of Tyler...what I get to wake up to every morning. That is, when I wake up first. He's so sweet when he sleeps.

Trying to keep things light in the ICU while my mom slept.

One of my best friends, Andrea, who I used to work with. I thought about jumping up into her arms, but then decided it might hurt.

Ready to go out on a date, I think. Ok, not really. I'm sure she doesn't wear the headpiece.

Now no one can say I never have pictures to share =) Those are all I have for now, but I'm sure I'll do a picture post again. Maybe even as soon as next week. PS - Happy 24 weeks to me! I posted on facebook that today officially marks the day that I can not only feel the baby moving, but I can see her kicks as well. Glad she's doing good and is healthy and kicking.

Valentine's Day 2011

Was perfect!

I surprised Tyler with a house full of hearts leading up the stairs and to our bedroom door. The door was covered with hearts and a home made sign that revealed he had 10 tickets hidden within to redeem for sweet affection and gifts. One a day for 10 days leading him into his birthday on the 24th. He's found five so far and chose a back massage last night. I'm not sure what he's choosing tonight. He's got a never been tried homemade dinner, early morning breakfast, foot massage and CD to choose from. I doubt he'll go for the breakfast since it's a morning thing, but I wouldn't put it past him. Pictures...

After searching for tickets, I got my V-Day present, accompanied by a handwritten note. I got a sweet little distressed hat covered with peace signs (my fav!) and a rhinestone headband from this drool worthy store I found weeks ago. It's a girly girl's dream and while I'm not supremely girly girl it does bring out the princess within. I also gave Tyler a book. It's 100 or so pages and it has maybe 200+ questions to fill out recalling certain moments from our relationship, what we love about each other, etc. I had gotten Tyler and I both a copy of this book last year for Valentine's Day and Tyler filled his out in just a few months. It's taken me a year to finish mine. Although I did have to buy a new one recently because Josie had gotten to my original one.

Gift exchange was followed up by dinner at Oreganos, this awesome, awesome Italian restaurant that specializes in Chicago style pizza, pasta and sandwiches. We were taken right in and got to sit on the patio in the 70 something weather as the sun went down. It was perfect and the food was dreamy. Tyler got ziti in a bread bowl and I got chicken lasagna. We were wowed by the customer service all night. It wasn't an uptight restaurant by any means (meaning fancy, fancy), but the staff was supper attentive, wrapped our food for us and sent us home with a huge soda to take home. We finished the night with a pizza desert (cookie dough topped with ice cream). Mmm...if you live in the Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa area and haven't had Oreganos please go. Prices are reasonable too.

Came home to play some scrabble (2x the points for words having to do with love) and watched a movie rental (You Again).

Thanks for the day Tyler!

You asked for it!

I'm not into pictures at all, especially ones I'm getting bigger and bigger in, but since you asked and it *might* be fun to look back on, here's the courtesy bump shot...

23 weeks, 3 days
click to view full size

We're really liking the name Malia right now. Pronounced Mah-leah. I had a young patient (age 11 or 12?) named Malia come into work one day. I thought the name was pretty and so did Tyler. It also hasn't gotten old in the last two months like so many others have so, we're taking it as a sign it might be the one. We'll see though - things could change upon birth. The middle name is still under debate. I like Malia Dawn or Malia Jordana, but neither is making a big impression on Tyler.

Happy Birthday Dad!

We had a small celebration for my dad's 60-something (more like 50-something) birthday today. He made us his special chicken spaghetti dinner and we provided a skookie desert (cookie crust topped with ice cream). Sat around, chatted and watched some good old Animal Hoarders on TV. Happy that we live so close that we can celebrate every birthday and event with our family. Love you dad and here's to 50 more birthdays!

Superbowl Sunday 2011

Excited for Superbowl Sunday! The family is getting together at my parents house and we're preparing a whole lot of fun eats. Sandwiches, meatballs, dips (spinach, cheese and chili con carne), lots of chips and drinks.

My Takes & Recipes:

Spinach Dip (version Knorr, so delicious!) ****

• 10 oz bag of baby spinach leaves, finely chopped (we usually end up using a little less)
• 1 cup of the best mayonnaise you can find (less ingredients is best)
• 16 oz. of sour cream
• 1 package of Knorr vegetable recipe mix

Mix all ingredients well and chill for 2 hours. Serve with sourdough bread chunks or in a hollowed out sourdough bread bowl.

Crock Pot Chili con Carne

• 1 lb of lean ground beef
• 16 oz. of velveeta cheese
• 1 10 oz can of Ro Tel mild diced tomatoes and green chilies
• tsp. of garlic salt
• dash of pepper
• 1 tsp. tapatio hot sauce
  

This recipe is a first and a quick creation so, we'll let you know how it turns out. Brown the ground beef over medium heat until there's no pink. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Add ground beef to the crock pot along with the velveeta cheese and the can of tomatoes/green chilies. Mix. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours stirring occasionally to a nice consistency. Add the tapatio sauce while cooking.

What's Being a Mom Like?

Lately, I've been wondering how things will change when our little lady arrives. I know we will find our greatest joy in her; holidays, events, even ordinary days will have so much more meaning and purpose. We will love her with a love that's beyond anything we've ever known. These things I know. But will I also feel at times, like I've lost a part of myself to this little person? That in someway motherhood will feel limiting or restrictive? So, like I do with most anything, I googled and found this answer to the question to "What's Being a Mom Like?" comforting and so well worded:

...

I am an educated, career minded woman who became a mom at 32.

Being a mom is the most exhausting, frightening, thankless, and overwhelming job I've ever had.

That said, it is also the most fulfilling, satisfying, amazing, gratifying, life-changing, thought-altering, love-deepening experience I can imagine.

There is a quote from Elizabeth Stone that I love to read and re-read because nothing could be more true:

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

No one can prepare you for the depth of love you will feel for your child. All the things that are so important to you now will seem less so after your baby comes into your world. That's not to say that you will or should want to give up your career, or your hobbies, it's just that everything you do, you will do with a greater purpose. Every experience will have a greater depth of joy to it. Every fear will be intensified. Everything you do will be forever impacted by the love you feel for your child.

So in answer to your question, no, you don't have to give up life as you know it, but YES, life as you know it will be forever changed. You will love more deeply than you ever thought possible. That is what I love most about being a mom.

Just wait until you get your first unsolicited kiss. Or your child tells you, "you look pretty, mommy!" Those moments will outrank any promotion, any great read, any accomplishment. Wait and see...

Oh, and what a wonderful question that gives us mom's a chance to reaffirm why we do what we do.

...

I loved reading that. And moms what do you think? I think we approach any monumental life change with a little hesitation, a little grasping to the past because that's what we've known and what we're comfortable with. If anything I now think our sweet baby's going to be not only the love of our lives, but a huge motivator in everything we do and that's good for our family. I haven't been nervous about motherhood, just maybe a little curious and hesitant of the unknown. Sure there are going to be days when all the attention is on the baby, but I'm going to try and set aside time for myself each day as well. I'm going to keep getting lost in my books and pursue interests in different hobbies that could lead to little side jobs. I think I'm going to have even more of a desire to be a success for our daughter. Life is going to change, but it will be worth it. I'll be referring to this post and other mothers' thoughts quite a bit. Leave me a thought or two!