SWW

So what if . . . 

-I say "video tape" when in all realities I should be saying "record." I guess there are just some things that are hard to update in my mind.

-I think Wendy's putting their frosty in a cone is a game changer. Having a drive thru to fill my ice cream kick could be dangerous.

-I watched the entire season of American Idol and only voted for Candice when it was down to final two.

-I was soooo excited for Walking Disaster {sequel to Beautiful Disaster} to come out, but I have yet to download it.

-I think my house feels the best at 58 degrees. I only know this because one night I "forgot" to turn on the heat when we had a cold front. It felt glorious! I actually needed covers to sleep and I didn't have any night sweats. I wish it could be like this every night.

-I don't want my belly to grow any bigger, but I know it will . . .

-I am semi obsessed with all popsicles and sorbet right now.

Weekend Stuff

-Thursday the girls had an art show at their school. They both were so proud to display pieces they had worked on throughout the year.

-Friday the girls had an unexpected late start due to fog, so we were able to start the morning slow which was a nice change of pace for a school day.

-Friday night Olivia had a friend sleepover so we grilled out and Kelly built a fire so we could all makes smores. Olivia and her friend actually asked to go to bed at 10:15- never has happened before!

-Saturday was G's last soccer game of the season and they won! Score was 2-3, but a win's a win. Her favorite position by far is goalie. She is pretty good and not afraid to go after the ball.

I also discovered at the soccer game that my camera has a continuous shoot option. Now if I only had a better zoom . . .

-Olivia had a Girl Scout outing at the zoo on Saturday where she got to learn about butterflies. She had a blast! Insects and outdoors are kind of her thing.

-I think the girls are loving pregnant Lindsay who now enjoys ice cream because it's a weekly thing now. It's also the reason I gained back the 2lbs I lost.

I find it to be funny that I am craving things I have not had since childhood during my third trimester. Push-Up Popsicles anyone?

via

-We spent a lot of time outside this weekend because it was just so nice out! G loves driving her Jeep and making a track for it. I still have yet to get video of her riding her bike, but the girls are both enjoying this a lot this year. 

-Saturday night was spent with friends/neighbors 

-Sunday we all slept in until 10am. Late bedtime means super late wakes ups.

-G learned how to tie her shoes this weekend! Kelly taught her in about 30 minutes. He has more patience for that kind of stuff. I was over it after try 3. We are so super proud of her!

-Olivia spent most of Sunday at a friends house. The older she gets the less time she really wants to spend with us. Not having a friend around is just so boring! 

-We hit 1,000 miles on the van on Sunday. Not really a big deal. I just have never owned a brand new vehicle before so it was pretty cool to buy something that only had 5 miles on it. 

-G got to spend her Target gift card this weekend from her birthday. Funny how gift cards always lead to purchasing more than what they are worth. She bought a nerf gun and a Monster High doll/bed.

via

I think Kelly has found a new love!

This weekend was full in the best way. Can't wait to add pool time to our weekends! 

{this post also made me realize it's getting harder and harder to document Olivia. She doesn't want her picture taken and she always wants to be with friends.} 

Cha-cha-cha-CHANGES!!!

I was sweeping the kitchen floor yesterday while listening to Gracie read a poem and Olivia sing her book {from her bedroom} when it hit me. There are only 15 days left of school. Only 15! After those 15 days are completed I won't be alone in my home for more than a few random hours a day for the next Six years. Six years! I am excited and scared all at the same time. I am happy to leave behind my staying at home sans kid role. It's lonely. It's too much of the same day in and day out. I'm also scared of change.

Summer is right around the corner and I can't wait to have mornings where we can sleep in and stay in our pajamas as long as we want. Random ice cream outings and all day pool adventures. Sidewalk chalk and crafts. Playgrounds and zoo outings. It all seems so exciting! Then I remember I do this every.single.year. I plan. I get excited. I set expectations. Then reality hits.

Kids are kids. The cranky whiny moments are turning into less whine and more sassy attitude. O&G rarely get along with each other. I hate messy crafts- they give me anxiety. I am guilty of actually sucking the fun out of many moments because I can't handle the mess. All I see when they eat an ice cream cone is how it will drip all over them. Chalk is something that will soon cover their body and clothes. Crafts are an entirely new level of mess inside my house.

I have issues.

I am living my dream. I really am. I have never wanted anything more than to be a SAHM and I am sucking the life out of the good moments.

This school year has flown by faster than I could have ever imagined. My adventure of staying home sans kids was new and exciting and fun until it wasn't anymore.

This summer I vow to make a change. Not just for myself, but for my family. This will be the last summer EVER that we will be a family of four and it feels bittersweet. I want to make it memorable for all of us. I want the girls to get dirty and stay up late. I am going to choose fun over a clean house {sorry babe}. I want to do as much as my waddling swollen ass can handle in the name of fun!

Never too old to learn a lesson

Last night I learned something fascinating about parenting.

When teaching them we teach ourselves. Simple, but oh so true. Its amazing the hoops I am willing to jump through to help them learn, help them grow, that I would have never done for myself.

I have learned more valuable lessons as a parent than anything I have ever done in my life. They help me discover a part of myself that I didn't know existed. For that I am truly thankful for the gift of parenting them.

25/26w Bump Update

How far along are you? 26 weeks 1 Day

How I'm feeling: Really great! I think that has been a theme my entire pregnancy. I have never had any morning sickness and my body doesn't even really feel pregnant {to me}. I can tell I am moving slower the bigger my belly gets and I am getting tired earlier. 8:00 is sounding better and better for bedtime. I think up until recently I was dealing with more emotional stress of what was going to happen- would we really have a baby? This week I am feeling 100% confident that we are on the road to bringing Maci into this world and eventually home. Standing for long stretches of time takes a toll on my back and my belly starts to feel very heavy, but other than that everything is just great! 

Total weight gain: My calculations- 13lbs. Doctor's calculations- 10lbs. I was up 15lbs and somehow dropped 2lbs over the weekend by consuming pizza and ice cream like it was my job. So strange!

How big is baby? 2lbs and growing bigger everyday! 

Maternity clothes: Of course! I am loving maternity maxi dresses right now and the ability to wear flip flops.

Sleep: Sleep hasn't been too terrible. Last night I had a hard time getting comfortable, but I eventually got it. I am still waking up 2-4x a night to pee. I celebrate if I manage to only wake up once. I need to do a better job of cutting off my fluids earlier. Getting back to sleep after bathroom breaks is still a bit of a challenge, but it has been better than it was. 

Movement: All the time! Her kicks get harder by the day. My Mom and Grandma were able to feel her kicking over the weekend. The girls keep missing it which makes me sad. It seems they are either at school or in bed when she is moving the most. Summer is almost here so I am sure they will feel her soon enough.

Food cravings: Jets Pizza and Oreo ice cream. I don't really have any "real" cravings like they describe where I feel like I NEED something NOW! It's more like those are my guilty pleasures right now, but I won't die without them. Also Cinnamon Toast Crunch is my cereal love right now- so random. 

Food aversions: None

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: Still in- I think it's safe to say it's not coming out. 

What I miss: Being able to stand for long periods of time. It's getting harder to help out at O&G's school because my back is on fire after an hour or so. I still would REALLY love a margarita, but I know in good time I will have it. 

Other:  The girls continue to be VERY excited for Maci! Olivia kisses my belly every night before bed. If she forgets she always calls me back. This morning both girls were very giving in the kiss and hug department, but they let me know that it's for Maci and NOT for me. Gracie came home yesterday with a book titled "My Family: Lindsay, Gracie, Olivia, Maciy." It was beyond cute. She has made it very clear that  we must write Maci's part last because she is still in my belly.

Last week we did a 3D/4D ultrasound and it was simply amazing. I can't stop looking at her little face. We will do another 3D/4D at 30 weeks and I am sure there will be a HUGE difference. I am getting more excited by the day. We are medically in a good place right now so we were able to push my high risk Doctor off for 4 weeks instead of every other week. I will still see my regular OB every other week. I go again tomorrow. It's crazy to already be talking birth plans. We are going to see how far I can get. It's looking good. I am hoping for anything after 32 weeks. 

Weekend Stuff

Thursday night Gracie had her Girl Scout bridging ceremony. It feels like just yesterday she was in Kindergarten and just starting the Girl Scout process- where does the time go?! 

Daisy 2011/2012 school year

Daisy 2012/2013 school year

Olivia was asked by Gracie's leaders to be apart of the bridging ceremony. She was SUPER excited to help out! 

I was dying when they called Gracie's name and she didn't come out. In total Gracie fashion she didn't hear her name and they called it twice. Priceless.

The girls celebrated after with cookies and G got to get her new bag and GS book for next year.

Friday we got to see Baby G in 3D!!! Perfect way to start off Mother's Day weekend!

More pictures and pregnancy info to come tomorrow

Saturday I scored my dream high chair for 1/2 the cost!

I was randomly on Craig's List and I typed in "Boon" just to see what would pop up and there it was an AD for a brand new Boon high chair at a local warehouse for 1/2 the price! 

I researched a bit before buying it because it could have been a sketchy situation, but it worked out. I guess we have a warehouse locally that sells internet returns at a discount price and I lucked out. It was the only one so needless to say I am SUPER excited! I wanted to take it out of the box and build it over the weekend, but Kelly reminded me that we won't need it for along time. Damn. 

G had a soccer game on Saturday afternoon and while they didn't win she played her little heart out. We are so proud of her. O and I kicked the ball around a bit towards the end of the game and man alive I am out of shape- my leg started hurting after kicking for a while. 

Saturday night we had a movie/pizza night with my Mom and watched Django Unchained. 

via 

I thought it was good acting, but the slavery became a little overwhelming for me. I mean don't get me wrong, I know it is apart of our history. I just could do without seeing anyone's body being torn apart by dogs- just me? 

Sunday brought Mother's Day.

G made me the sweetest tile and card at school. O made the same thing in 1st grade. I wanted so badly to compare them, but O's is packed away somewhere. 

My girl Sharee' sent me a sweet note and photos from my CA trip- love her!

My Mom gave me a baby art kit to use when baby G arrives.

Kelly gave me the Tory Burch flip flops I had been wanting. All I said was I wanted black and he picked a better pair than I had been looking at- score! 

The rest of Sunday brought homemade breakfast, quality time with Kelly, a visit with family, fried chicken, and ice cream. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! 

Finish the . . .

I haven't blogged or done a link-up in a long time! Feels good to be back {thanks Holly & Jake}.

Unlike my Brother (that I love very much) . . . I am not spontaneous while sober.

My best friend says . . .  Nothing. That's not true, but I keep drawing a blank. I feel like she says I'm a good listener, but my answer to this question takes away all my credibility towards that trait.

People call me . . . Kind and helpful when I'm not really sure I am either. I just like shit a certain way.

The best part of my day . . . Is 6:00. It means it's dinner {love food} and everything un-fun has been completed for the day {usually}.

I really don't understand . . . Why I don't download music. I'm 26 and when I went to test drive a new car I for real asked the car salesman how many CD's it holds. Ya- I'm that person. Just an FYI it only holds 1 because duh everyone downloads! Oh and technology is way more advanced than my brain which means the one CD gets stored into my car after listening to it 1 time. So in all technicalities it can hold 18 sweet ass CD's!  How sweet is that?!

I get really annoyed . . . When people reverse into a parking spot. I live in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. I can guarantee reversing into a spot isn't saving you anytime in the Kroger parking lot.

There is nothing like . . . An adult beverage.

Lately I can't get enough . . . IG. It's my new crack. I actually feel a panic if I haven't been on. Makes me feel like I missed something- sad but true.

One thing I am not is . . . Is a good "housewife" and I don't pretend to be. I guess I don't get the same thrill out of laundry, organization, and cleaning as others?

I spend too much money on . . . Dollar bin/clearance items at Target that all add up to a lot and none of which I really actually need. It feels "free" until I end up at the register and it's so not.

I want to learn to . . . Dance, or play the drums, or sing. Anything that gives me slightly more musical talent or rhythm than I have now would be amazing.

If I ever met         in real life I would . . .  Hope and pray I actually looked like a human before leaving the house. No matter who the person is I would just hope it was planned and not a random grocery run in.

I can't stop . . . Wearing headbands. I am pretty sure they are now only "cool" for gym workouts. Seeing as I don't ever get to the gym it's just lame on me, but yet I still wear them all.the.time.

Never have I ever . . . Been able to do a cartwheel. Yikes!

Reese Witherspoon is . . . perfection in my book. Even her latest "news" just makes her more real and likeable {just me?}.