So Much to be Thankful for. . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .

Yes. . . .We are expecting baby #2!!!

We all are ecstatic at the new addition to the family. The official due date is June 13. But if this baby is anything like Lexie was, I have a feeling it will be around the first of June when we meet this baby.

For those that don’t remember Lexie’s birth. . . . . – I went in for my 38 week check up first thing Monday morning on April 6, 2009. I was 5 cm dilated (had NO clue). I was admitted/induced (by choice), and delivered Lexie (8 lb, 13 oz) at 6:43 PM that evening. My awesome Doctor happened to be on call. When they weighted Lexie, I thought my doctor was going to pass out. No one during my entire pregnancy thought that I would give birth to a nearly 9 lb baby! It was quite the opposite. They kept telling me she would probably be around 6-7 lbs. So nearly 4 weeks ago when I went in to hear this baby’s heartbeat, the doctors said that they would keep a closer eye on the weight of the baby. . . . . . . .

Before Dave left for his annual fishing trip to Alaska back in July, we discussed the possibility of trying for #2 around August or September. Dave expressed that he wasn’t getting any younger. And if things went according to plan, our kids would hopefully be right at three years or so apart (which would be ideal). Well I guess God really wanted us to have another child. I got pregnant within the first month of trying!!! A bit overwhelming at first I might add, but I kept telling myself it was all of the Lord’s will.

I’m nearly 12 weeks along. The last 8 weeks have not been a lot fun. I’ve been a lot sicker than I was with Lexie. My pregnancy with Lexie during the first trimester wasn’t a walk in the park, but it was better than this! I’ve pretty much been nauseous all day along with my usual migraines which I can’t take my medicine for. . . .  as well as chasing after a very active 2 1/2 year old. Thank goodness for real coke (not diet) and saltine crackers. Those two have been a life saver. I can’t wait until this feeling ends – hopefully soon.  Then I can start planning for the new bundle of joy! This is just a small price I have to pay for such a wonderful gift from God!

A few of our friends and family knew our little secret but we thought sharing our little blessing with everyone on Thanksgiving was the perfect time to let the cat out of the bag. We are extremely thankful and feel very blessed that the Lord is giving us another child. Please keep all of us in your prayers!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Auburn/Florida game

One of Auburn’s cutest cheerleaders!

Poor Belle Belle. Lexie was treating her like a doll by trying to dress her up. . . Luckily that sweet dog is such a good sport. She didn’t seem too bothered.

Halloween

Lexie was able to go to school in a costume the Friday before Halloween. Costume #1 was little Dorothy and Toto. Let’s just say Lexie’s favorite part of the costume was her red, sparkly shoes. Shocking, right?

Costume #2:

On Actual Halloween, Lexie wanted to dress up as one of her favorite Disney princesses, Snow White. She loves to wear this dress nearly every minute she gets!

We went trick or treating to a few houses. Lexie did so well! She said “trick or treat” and “thank you.” She also only chose one treat when people would hold out the bowl of candy. After about four homes, she was ready to go back to the house to sit on the front steps again and hand out candy.

Trick or Treating with Daddy.

Snow White, the pumpkin.

Easy Crock Pot Roast Stew

Since it's been somewhat cooler lately, I've been in the mood for some good 'ol yummy comfort food. My Mom makes the BEST beef stew out there. It's literally to die for. Though her recipe is a little complex. I've always wanted to find a way to simplify it. I found this recipe so I decided to try it. It turned out delicious and extremely easy. Of course SuSu's Beef stew is still better but this one came in at a good second.
Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures. I actually forgot. I was a little consumed taking care of a cranky two year while attempting this new recipe.

Recipe:
3-4 medium potatoes; cut/peeled (I used red potatoes)
baby carrots
3-5 lb. pot roast
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg onion soup mix

Place all items in crook pot and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. No need to add water. It will be plenty moist with a nice flavorful gravy!

My notes:
I always tend to tweak recipes to make them my own. So I added a few things:
~ onions; chopped (I love onions. In my opinion, red meat and onions go so great together).
~ can of green beans and a can of corn (more a veggie stew, too)
~ before adding the meat in the crock pot, I dipped the sides in flour (to give it a little crust)
~ salt and pepper to taste and a dash of red pepper for a little heat
~ Along with the soup/mix, I also added one serving of Knorr homestyle beef concentrated stock.
~ I served it over mashed potatoes (you could serve over rice as well).
~ All crock pots I've ever had are fast cookers rather than slow cookers. The recipe says to cook for 8-10 hours. I'm so glad I checked on mine. It was done at 5 hours on low heat.

It’s Fall, y’all!

When I was younger, Spring or Summer was my favorite season. Spring – probably because school was about to be out. Summer – definitely because school was out and I had 3 whole months of playing and not having to deal with homework. The older I become, I’ve realized that fall has become my favorite season. I love the beautiful colors on the trees, the cool crisp air, the distant smell of smoke from fireplaces/fire pits, the feeling of wanting to snuggle up by the fire with loved ones and sip hot cocoa. Yes, I’m getting old. . . .

And let’s not forget about FOOTBALL. Fall = football season. There is nothing more fun than tailgating and spending time watching my AU Tigers with nearly 90,000 of my closest AU fans!

I found these pictures below (courtesy of the weather channel). Aren’t they gorgeous?? The south has beautiful falls, but one day I would love to see the fall foliage in the Northeast like the states of Vermont or New Hampshire. I’ve heard it’s quite fabulous to see.

I’m thrilled that it’s not 300 degrees anymore! Lexie and I have been having so much fun spending time outside without sweating like a dog. We are so happy to have fall here!

Having a hard time letting go. . . .

Of summer. The past couple of times I’ve gone to get Lexie from her afternoon nap, this is what I’ve found. She had gone to her dresser and opened the “swimsuit” drawer only to take every single swimsuit out and lay them on her bed. She was even trying to wear one. . . .

A few random things. . . .

Lexie has been doing great at school. She comes home quite frequently talking about a different classmate. Wednesday she came home with a Perfect Potty Award along with a bag full of goodies. It’s to praise the children that are potty trained and haven’t had an accident since the beginning of school. Lexie was so proud!

I’ve been getting pretty involved with her school as well. I’ve been volunteering at a lot of school functions. I’m also helping with some class art projects. It’s been nice meeting other Moms of NMP and also to have something to do other than house chores/errands.

Lexie is still into her Princess/dress up/diva stage. She loves wearing her high heels, carrying a hand bag on her forearm, while being decked out in jewels and sunglasses. She is ready to hit the town!

For the love of pink. . . .

Have I mentioned that Lexie LOVES pink and anything to do with not just princesses but Disney princesses? She has gotten in a rut where she will hardly eat anything unless it’s pink. And the food has to be on her princess plates (unless they are dirty). So I have been trying to be creative. . . If you have any other tricks, please let me know.

Pink Scrambled eggs, pink toast, and bacon

Pink grilled cheese

Enjoying the pink grilled cheese

Pink Ice Cream – special treat of course.

Dinner with the Ladies

Tuesday night was such a fun night to enjoy a nice dinner with some of my favorite people! It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen these ladies. We all met at one of the tastiest restaurants in town, Agave. We munched on their yummy guacamole and sipped their delicious margaritas. It was so nice to chit chat with these ladies. We don’t do it enough!

L-R: Michele, Me, Courtney, and Cassie (we missed you Ashley).

Preschool Carpool is going great!

This was on Wednesday while waiting in the carpool line. We have made progress. There hasn’t been a cat and mouse game since the last incident. Hopefully it will stay like this!

Cat & Mouse game. . . .

Wednesday, 9.9.11:

Lexie and I are still getting adjusted to this preschool carpool line. The school has sent out so many emails and flyers saying you CANNOT get out of your car, talk on the phone, nor pass anyone once you are in line. The child is to be unbuckled and seated in the left side of the car (behind the driver), then a teacher will come up to your car and escort your child into the building (I know that they do all of this for the sake of child safety and to keep the line moving). Once Lexie and I got in the school’s parking garage, I pulled over and unbuckled her and told her to sit behind me. She was doing so good until we had to wait in line. She suddenly became inpatient. Finally when we arrived to the curbside drop off, Lexie runs to the back of the Denali. I told the teacher where she was and the teacher was happy to go to the back of the car to get her. Once the teacher opened the back door, Lexie ran back to the back seat. The teacher closes the back door and came to the side door, Lexie then jumps in my lap. Finally two teachers helped grab Lexie and pull her through the driver’s window. Did I mention that she took her shoes off in the midst of this game?? Granted it was only the second day of school, it will probably take some time for Lexie to adjust. She does not like “strangers.” Still, I was completely horrified that I couldn’t control my child.

Today, I took my car instead of the truck. It worked a lot better because I definitely had more control of Lexie’s whereabouts in the car. She actually did great this morning.

We are still doing well at school with potty training. I have dropped her off and picked her up wearing the same clothes – meaning no accidents. Yay!

We even went to school this morning without “blankie.” Dave and I felt sorry for her teachers when we talked about not letting her bring her blankie to school anymore. The teachers sent out an email to all the parents today saying that there were no tears from any child this morning upon arrival! All the kids went directly into play-mode! Whew!

Lexie is becoming such a big girl! We are so proud of her (besides the defiant part)!

First day of Preschool!

Wednesday (September 7) was Lexie’s first day of Preschool! We had previously me her teachers last week. She seemed to love Mrs. Julie and Mrs. Kelly along with the adorable cute classroom.

When Lexie woke up on Wednesday morning, she kept asking for her teachers. So I knew that she understood where she was going that day. She was so excited and was running around jumping up and down (it was hard to get a picture).

The entire way to school she kept laughing/giggling. She couldn’t wait to see her new friends and teachers.

The downside. . . .It was “recommended” that parents don’t come inside to drop their child off. They want everyone to drop their child off in the carpool lane. 1. Dave and I were bummed that we couldn’t get a picture with Lexie in her classroom. 2. They have teachers lined up for each car. We just had to have Lexie unbuckled from her car seat, then a teacher will come to the left side of the car and grab your child. Lexie HATED that. She is pretty particular when it comes to people she is comfortable with. I’d be a little traumatized too if some random lady came and grabbed me out of the car. By the time Dave and I got down the hill of the line, we still could see Lexie and she was fine. She quit crying.

I picked her up with a little surprise. . . .MINNIE was waiting for her! It was a perfect way to end her first day of preschool!

I’m thrilled for Lexie. I think that she is going to have a wonderful time this year. I just hope that this carpool thing gets easier. . . . .

Sassy pants

Yay school!

One tired baby but happy to see Minnie!

A Day I will never forget. . . . .

I remember exactly what I was doing on this morning 10 years ago. Do you? I was still in college at Auburn. I remember it being a beautiful Tuesday morning hardly a cloud in the sky. My roommate, Scarlotte came flying into my bedroom as I was just waking up. She grabbed the remote and turned my TV on. “She said look at this!” I remember thinking it was some type of advertisement for an action type Hollywood movie. It was a live picture of the north tower (trade center) on fire. For a while the TV announcers were thinking it was a small plane that must have lost control of the plane. No one was exactly sure what was going on. As Scarlotte and I were glued to the TV watching the flames ignite the building, we saw the second plane hit the south tower at 9:03. From that moment Scarlotte and I knew that our country was under attack. The morning kept getting worse. At 9:37 AM a third plane hit the Pentagon. At 10:03 AM the news reported that a fourth plane had crashed in Shanksville, PA. Later it was revealed that the amazing and courageous crew and passengers tried to seize the plane from the hijackers who’s intended target was the Capitol or the White House.

Still to this day, I can’t seem to find words to describe those moments as I then watched the Twin Towers collapse.

I remember driving home to my parents house that day trying to take in what had really just happened. I remember passing all the gas stations on the way home that were so crowded that AUPD had to direct traffic to get into the  gas staion. I along with probably the rest of the country was thinking the world was coming to an end. I remember being glued to the TV for the next days to come mourning and grieving as if I just lost great friends.

Nearly 3,000 total people died that day. Innocent people who set out to do their daily routines/jobs lost their lives due to such a demonic, hateful, and vicious attack on our AMERICAN soil with OUR AMERICAN planes! It was comforting to hear our then leader, President George W. Bush offer these comforting words on that September night:

Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages of Psalm 23: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for YOU are with me.” President George W. Bush September 11, 2001.

He then stated these words a few weeks later:

“Our enemies have made the mistake that America’s enemies always make. They saw liberty and thought they saw weakness. And now, they see defeat. Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew.”

- President George W. Bush

So many lives were forever changed. I am so grateful for the brave souls of that day. Some of whom that lost their lives being courageous. I’m grateful for those brave souls that survived that day and the days that came afterward; the ones who spent tiring days and sleepless nights searching for survivors. I love the fact that in such a horrific time, our country came together in unison. Democrat or Republican – it didn’t matter. We were AMERICANS pulling together finding strength in each other. God bless those lives that were lost. God bless those families that had to endure that loss. God Bless the US Military for going to the front lines and continuing to fight for our freedom. God Bless our Amazing Country. . . . .U-S-A!! We will never forget!

Rainy Day activities

What to do on a rainy day??
We painted for a good while and made some beautiful masterpieces. After Lexie got bored with that, she wanted to play with play-doh. I'm not sure what happened to all our play-doh. We only had one tiny can left. Lexie wanted more to play with. So we decided to make our own!

Sweet hand prints

The foot prints didn't turn out quite as well as her hand prints.

To Make homemade playdough. . . .

Recipe:

2 C flour

1 C salt

4 t cream of tartar

2 C water

3 T oil

food coloring of choice

Place all ingredients in a large pot. Mix and heat on medium or medium high. Stir constantly. Add food coloring. Stir. Cool. Place in sealed plastic bag after completely cooled.

My sweet helper

Since Lexie isn't wearing diapers, she loves to run around in her panties. . . . .

I asked Lexie what color she wanted to make her playdough. She requested blue (maybe because she loves her AU Tigers).

The ingredients are starting to clump together.

Here is our homemade playdough! Just waiting for it to cool.

"So fun Mommy!"

Being Silly.

Even though we were stuck in the house, it turned out to be a fun, rainy day!