Keeping up with the Pregnancy: 21 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 21 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a Banana 
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 8 pounds  ... holding steady
Maternity Clothes:  Much different than last time.  I don't like baggy clothes.  I like clothes that hug my bump. 
Gender: It's a girl!  Jocelyn Anne.   
Movement:  Definitely some nudges.  

Sleep: can't complain...  except that she likes my sciatica. 
What I miss:  same ole.  
Cravings: same.... Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate and Cranberry Bliss Bars.  OMG!

Oh Shit!

So this weekend Joe has been very "helpful".  Everything I wanted to do ...  he had to help me with.  "I help you mommy!"  And bless his little heart... he's really just SOOOO helpful!  Including the pancake mix on the floor, the broken egg on the counter, the grocery cart that ran over my toes repeatedly and the dinner that was "blended".

So, I was cleaning up and he wanted to help.  Todd was really helping me and I don't really remember how it happened but next I hear is Todd saying

"Oh shit!"

and Joe says

"You not say OH SHIT, Uncle Todd!  That's a POTTY word!"

out of the mouth's of babes!

Dallas vs Eagles.

So, my sister came up this past week and she has a good friend who works for the Eagles. He's a sports commentator...  and he arranged for us to have tickets for the game.  We were supposed to have passes on the field before the game but the guy who had them, got tied up in the locker room.  :(  Ah well.  We had fun!  

 The guys stretching before the game began. 

 the big ole screen

 Are you ready for some football?

 The eagles scoring on the first drive. 

 After the game

 During the game.

Thank you Kiki for the good time.  Thank you D Gunn for the tickets. 

Keeping up with the pregnancy: 20 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 20 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a Small Cantaloupe 
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 8 pounds 
Maternity Clothes:  Same ole  but man, oh man it feels tighter
Gender: It's a girl!  Jocelyn Anne.   
Movement: butterfly flutters and maybe a nudge.  

Sleep: here and there. 
What I miss:  been craving a glass of wine.  
Cravings: same.... Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate and Cranberry Bliss Bars.  OMG!

 I... feel... ROUND... today. 

Christmas Tree Farm with the Bird's

This past Saturday, my sister and I went with the Bird Family to a christmas tree farm in Alvaredo.  We had such a nice time.  I got a beautiful wreath and Joe got a cute little christmas tree, courtesy of his Aunt kiki. 

We went and fed the animals and the kids ate popcorn. 

That's the tree Joe and Kiki picked out for him.  Which she later decorated for him. 

 

Jami with H and Biggs with C.  

and Me and Kiki 

 They also have easter egg hunts and you can cut down your own tree for Christmas.  :)  So go check them out!  Sunset Hill Tree Farm! 

Keeping up with the pregnancy: 19 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 19 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a Mango 
Total Weight Gain/Loss: About 7 pounds 
Maternity Clothes:  Same ole 
Gender: It's a girl!  Jocelyn Anne.   
Movement: butterfly flutters.  

Sleep: here and there. 
What I miss:  I don't really miss anything right now.  
Cravings: same.... Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate and Cranberry Bliss Bars.  OMG!

 

shutterfly Rocks!

So.... I have my holiday cards done already (not mailed out but done).  The fabulous Meg did them again (picture something very close to my new header) and I ordered them through shutterfly only to realize that they weren't holiday cards and therefore were exempt from this promotion I am about to tell you about. 

But, my mother still needs her holiday cards and I have just done up the CUTEST holiday card and really... shutterfly has outdone themselves with their cards and ease of use this year.  I was able to put in touns of pictures and even a short letter stating what my parents have been up to this year.  :) 

They have some CUTE choices though....

LOVE this one

but that's not the one I went with. 
I think this one is cute

THIS one is quite appropriate for MY kid

But I guess you'll have to wait and see what mom chose.  :)  (or rather what I chose for her). 

if you have a chance though, shutterfly has some great options this year and not just for holiday cards. 


and if you are a fellow mommy blogger and are behind the 8 ball like us...  well go here and work on your own 50 FREE holiday cards.  :) 

Eli the Elf and "I don't know bout that...."

So, Eli the Elf arrived in the mail on Tuesday....  I am sure a lot of you have heard of the Elf on the Shelf...  where the elf goes to see Santa each evening to report on your child's behaviors and to ensure that they are behaving themselves.  :) 

So...  our elf, Eli

 came with an adorable letter

"Dear Joe,

This is an extra special delivery for your Christmas!  My name is Eli and I'm a magic elf.  I was sent to you from Santa Claus from a far away land...  the North Pole.  I will spend the next few weeks with you in your home helping to make Christmas magical!!! I do come with a few interesting facts though... first is that you can't touch me!!!  if you do, my magic powers go away and I have to go back to the North Pole.  Second is that I am always watching and will tell Santa anything that you want me too... hint hint... send me your Christmas list and I'll be sure to get it to the big guy super fast!  

Now for the super fun stuff... you can always leave me notes and talk to me whenever you want.  You will also have some surprises that I'll bring to you and you'll have to wait and see.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and I can't wait to have fun times at your house!  

Please write  back soon!

Eli"

The first night, Eli found Joe's guitar... so he played Skippy Dimpledot some songs...  and he set up his chair just the way Joe likes it.

He even wrote Joe a letter.  :) 

Last night, I was asking Joe to clean up his toys.  I told him Eli would tell Santa he didn't need any toys because he couldn't take care of the one's he has...  Joe looked at me and said...

"Oh... I don't know bout that!" 

WHAT?  Cheeky little fellow!

He cleaned up his toys...  :-)

This morning, Eli had found our reindeer... 

I wonder what Eli will do tomorrow... 

Early Thanksgiving...

My friend, Danielle was leaving on Sunday the 21st so the saturday before, we had a traditional thanksgiving at my house.  It turned out fantastically yummy!  :) 

My kitchen kind of looked like it exploded but it was worth it.  :) 

Daddy carved the bird, which Todd and Danielle cooked.  (first time ever brining a turkey and it was YUMMY!)

Mom making the gravy...  that's cornstarch on her forehead.  :) 

Todd making asparagus bundles. 

Danielle working on the clean up and organizing.  :) 

Jim (danielle's best friend, handyman and driving partner) was working hard with ...

Jason. 

Sitting down...

and the clean up begins...

mmmmmm leftovers

 

it was a delicious meal full of laughs, family, friends and so many blessings.  

Thank you everyone for making it happen.  :) 

Keeping up with the pregnancy: 18 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 18 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a Sweet Potato 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I honestly have no idea..... but maybe five? I'll find out on Friday. 
Maternity Clothes:  Same ole 
Gender: I find out on Friday... canNOT wait.   
Movement: butterfly flutters.  

Sleep: I sleep pretty well but need to start making sure I am always on my side.
What I miss:  I don't really miss anything right now.  
Cravings: not really anything... Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate and Cranberry Bliss Bars.  OMG!

 
Symptoms: If I don't eat said english muffin or bagel I still throw up. 

Best Moment this week: getting to find out the gender Friday!  :) 

Keeping up with the pregnancy: 17 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 17 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a Turnip 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I think between 3 and 4 pounds.  Depends on my starting place... 
Maternity Clothes:  Same ole 
Gender: one weeks til we find out 
Movement: A few flutters 

Sleep: I sleep pretty well.
What I miss:  not really anything right now.
Cravings: sweets.
Symptoms: as long as I have something in my tummy...  we are good

Best Moment this hearing the heartbeat on the doppler!   :) 

 the only picture I have....  :) Joe was saying... Hello baby!