Week 12 Update

Baby Size: About the size of a lime.  Just over 2 inches long.

My size/weight gain: I'm down 3 pounds since my last appointment 4 weeks ago.

Clothes:

I bought a pair of maternity capris that I wear nearly every day!  Time to invest in a few more.  I'm not really showing yet, but they are much more comfortable than the button up ones.


Cravings:

I'm still craving salty foods.  My newest favorite is a Cranberry Limeade from Sonic - I get one 3-4 times a week!

Symptoms:

I'm still tired a lot, and now that it's summer - I can nap guilt free!
Morning All Day Sickness hasn't let up yet.  It's been worse at night than I remember with the girls. 

Sleep:

I'm still waking up around 4 every morning! I'll be glad when I'm completely over this cold so I can sleep all night without a coughing fit!

Stories to not forget:

Landrie still has a lot of comments/questions.  The other day she told me that I shouldn't eat "chunks" of food because the baby couldn't swallow them!  She thinks about things alot and comes up with some interesting things to say.

Karsyn is still just as excited as can be!  Her first cousin, Easton J was born on Tuesday and she couldn't keep her hands off of him.  She will be a great big sister!!  Landrie was not interested in him at all!  She prefers them after about 6 months old.

My first nephew - Easton!  Born 5/31/11, 7 lbs. 15 oz, 20.5 inches long.  He is adorable!!!  We are all so in love!

Big News

We have big news in a very small package!  The Kirk Krew will be a family of 5 sometime around 12-16-11!!!  We are thrilled!!!

I didn't blog when I was preganant with the girls, but I've decided that I'll document all the milestones for this one. 

Week: 8

Baby Size: About the size of a blueberry.  The girls have nicknamed it Peanut!

My size/weight gain: I'm down 2 pounds this week.

Clothes:

I'm looking forward to the maternity jeans soon!  I feel like my body is already changing alot! I did buy a maternity bathing suit (my first EVER) this week.  I plan on swimming a LOT in Lolly's new pool!

Cravings:

I'm craving lots of meat!  I really want salty, greasy food.  I know that's bad, but I'm sure it will change. 

Symptoms:

Extremely tired - especially around 3 in the afternoon.  Luckily, the girls are extremely understanding and let me "rest" on the couch before dinner. 

Morning All Day Sickness has started!  I was this way with both girls for majority of my pregnancy, so I really don't have any expectations of it letting up. 

Sleep:

I'm waking up around 4 every morning!  This is not like me at all! I am quite the sleeper and could probably sleep through a tornado if it wasn't for me needing to go to the bathroom. 

Stories to not forget:

We told our families over Easter weekend.  We gave a gift to our parents that was a little onsie that said "Hi I'm New Here".  Everyone was very surprised and very excited!!  Landrie's initial reaction was tears - she was very worried about the attention the baby would be getting.  By the next morning, she was really excited though and she talks about the baby constantly!!! 

The girls have had tons of questions, mostly about how long I'll be in the hospital and who will take care of them while I'm gone.

Our due date is an interesting one...12-16-11 is the day before State Championship Football in Texas.  Considering that we have been to the last dance the last 2 years, we'll definitely be discussing a scheduled induction for this baby. 

More to come soon...I need to do an Easter post soon!

The Time of My Life

Monday was hands down one of the greatest nights of my life. I have said before that U2 is on my "bucket list" of things to do/see before I die. Granted right now, my list only has 2 things on it, but still... My wish was fulfilled!

They didn't disappoint either! I heard all of my favorite songs and my have shed a few tears of excitement!

The coolest thing was to see Bono and to know that he's a Christian. I always knew his music had references to his faith, but when you see him live, you can see him worshipping through his music. My favorite of the night was hearing him sing "I give my voice back to You" during Magnificent.

Jordan and I are in the red square on the picture. Our fantastic friend Billy who took us to the concert took this picture from his seats on the other side of the stadium.

Here are the lyrics to Magnificent---so cool!!

Magnificent

Oh, oh, magnificent

I was born, I was born

To be with you in this space and time

After that and ever after

I haven't had a clue only to break rhyme

This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue, oh, oh

Only love, only love can leave such a mark

But only love, only love can heal such a scar

I was born, I was born to sing for you

I didn't have a choice but to lift you up

And sing whatever song you wanted me to

I give you back my voice from the womb

My first cry, it was a joyful noise, oh, oh

Only love, only love can leave such a mark

But only love, only love can heal such a scar

Justified, till we die you and I will magnify, oh, oh

Magnificent, magnificent, oh, oh

Only love, only love can leave such a mark

But only love, only love unites our hearts

Justified, till we die you and I will magnify, oh, oh

Magnificent, magnificent, magnificent

My own Shanty 2 Chic

***I didn't finish the project that I was hoping for, so I'm reposting this one. I can't wait to see everyone's projects for this fun party! I'm so proud to claim Ashley & Whitney as my crafty cousins!!***

The other night, I was mulling over my project list and decided instead of buying a lampshade for Landrie's room, why don't I just decorate the one she has.


Here's the before. Cute, but not right for Landrie's brightly colored room.



I started by painting the shade yellow using acryllic craft paint. After I was finished painting, I started playing around with ribbon and tulle. I decided to wrap the tulle all around at the seams of the lamp shade. I did it in one continuous piece.


After that, it was still missing something, so I cut smaller pieces of tulle and tied knots around the top. I was going to leave the beading on the shade, but wanted more color. I cut it off and then used hot glue to place buttons all around the edges. I fought against using a particular pattern with the buttons and I love how it turned out.

Now I can cross one more thing off my list! Slowly but surely, my crafts are coming together!

Here's the updated list:

1. the girls' kitchen is still not complete! Ugh! I WILL finish it this week!
2. shutter cabinets for the girls' bathroom
3. shutters turned into a bulletin board or a towel rack - still TBD
4. empty frames painted black and hung in living room
5. my dumpster dive chairs - one is painted, but needs fabric for a cushion and the other is still in its horrid state - not sure where I want it to go
6. need a purple lampshade for Karsyn's room
7. need a pink lampshade for Landrie's room
8. window treatment in living room (have a plan just need the tools)
9. pillows for new couches
10. the big K finished for the frame wall

Finished Projects

Last night, I had a fun craft night with Jordan and Steph. Basically, they watched me while I worked, but at least I got some things done.

Here's the updated list:

1. the girls' kitchen is still not complete! Ugh! I WILL finish it this week!
2. shutter cabinets for the girls' bathroom
3. shutters turned into a bulletin board or a towel rack - still TBD
4. empty frames painted black and hung in living room
5. my dumpster dive chairs - one is painted, but needs fabric for a cushion and the other is still in its horrid state - not sure where I want it to go
6. need a purple lampshade for Karsyn's room
7. need a pink lampshade for Landrie's room
8. window treatment in living room (have a plan just need the tools)
9. pillows for new couches
10. the big K finished for the frame wall

I've had a big empty space on the wall for a while. I used my FREE Glidden paint and spent $10 on frames and $9 for the K. Total cost for this project is $20ish!! The copper paint and the leopard paper really tie together the brown and black in the living room. I'm really pleased with the way these turned out!

Progress Report

These girls were asleep by 8 tonight, so look what I did:

The girls' kitchen is complete and in Karsyn's room. She'll be thrilled to wake up to it tomorrow!!!

I also painted the first coat of black paint on my frames for the living room. I will have those finished and hung up by Thursday.

This list making publicly really has helped so far!

Project List - for Lolly

I am a creative person. I am organized - most of the time. I am a procrasinator. I like to put fun before house work. These things are not all necessarily bad, but can be quite annoying...especially to my mom and my husband!

I have started many projects this summer, but my follow through is not great. My garage is currently crowded with several things that need finishing. So to call myself out -- here's a list of what needs to be finished (in no particular order):

1. the girls' kitchen is still not complete! Ugh! I WILL finish it this week!
2. shutter cabinets for the girls' bathroom
3. shutters turned into a bulletin board or a towel rack - still TBD
4. empty frames painted black and hung in living room
5. my dumpster dive chairs - one is painted, but needs fabric for a cushion and the other is still in its horrid state - not sure where I want it to go
6. need a purple lampshade for Karsyn's room
7. need a pink lampshade for Landrie's room
8. window treatment in living room (have a plan just need the tools)
9. pillows for new couches

I'm sure there's more to the list, but hopefully I can knock some of this off first. I know you will keep my honest, Lolly!

Confession

My name is Jennifer, and I might be addicted to Facebook!

My blogging has fallen way behind and I'll blame it entirely on FB. I read my regular blogs each day, but I check FB very regularly. And now that my following of 5 readers is on FB, I can do my quick updates there. (Way to Go Gigi for joining!)

So...I need your opinion: Keep blogging or not?

It's all in your hands!!!

Proud Sister

This is a BIG weekend for our family! Saturday we will celebrate Lolly's birthday and Janelle's college graduation and Sunday is Mother's Day and Janelle's party. She is graduating from Hardin-Simmons University. It makes me feel old to realize that all of us have now graduated from college. Janelle has worked really hard and finished strong!

I'm so proud of my baby sister! Way to go, Janelle!!!

No surprise...

We failed at PT AGAIN! Karsyn is just not into it at all. I hate to keep writing about the details of her bathroom issues, but seriously I don't get it. She definitely has control issues...not sure where she gets that from at all! Haha!

Going back to school today wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I'm guessing day 2 will hit me harder than today.

Off to bed to tackle another day...

7 Years

I started this post for our Anniversary yesterday, but we got a spur of the moment call to go to Six Flags with 3 other families. We postponed our celebration for that fun opportunity. Now - back to the anniversary post.

Today Lamar and I are celebrating our 7 year anniversary! I had a harebrained idea that it would be fun to get married 2 weeks after graduating from college and 3 days after Christmas. It was a crazy 2 weeks for sure, but I wouldn't change a thing.

In honor of our anniversary - here are 7 things from our 7 years together.

1. Lamar always makes me laugh. Our relationship started on laughter. We've always enjoyed eachother's company and cracking up together. He has a very dry sense of humor and keeps us laughing often.
   
2. We have lived in 5 different houses. I was also part of several moves while we were in college too!
   
3. We were in the planning stages of a June wedding - dresses picked out, church reserved, flowers bought and changed it to 6 months earlier and scratched all of our plans.
   
4. I didn't know that you had to get a marriage license in Texas 72 hours in advance. Because of Christmas, we didn't get ours until the 26th. Our legal wedding date is Dec. 29.
   
5. We didn't go on a honeymoon until the following May. Being a coach's wife impacts so much. 3 days after our wedding, Lamar had to coach a basketball tournament, so we postponed a trip to the Caymans until May.
   
6. I had originally thought I wanted to wait 5 years before we had kids. We were pregnant the January after our first anniversary. God had bigger plans and boy are we so thankful that we have Landrie and Karsyn.
   
7. These 7 years have taught me so much about being less selfish (I'm still working on that), accepting change, compromise and a greater love than I could have imagined 10 years ago when we met.
   

Happy Anniversary Lamar! I am so thankful for the ride we've shared for the last 7 years. I can't wait to see where the next 7 will take us! I Love You!

Purpose

After having 5 days sans husband and children, I've spent a lot of time laughing, revisiting old memories and thinking.

Coming home to a clean quiet house was great on Sunday, but as Monday rolled around, I began to feel like I didn't know what to do with myself. Luckily, I had dinner planned with Brea so that occupied my night. We went through boxes of college pictures...cracking up all the way through. For some reason, we thought we had to take a picture (or 6) with food stuffed in our mouths...why, I'm just not sure. Last night, we were just 2 silly college girls again reliving toga parties, white trash prom, lake days and more.

Today, I went to the pool by myself. I took a book and my iPod and just floated for hours. It was a nice, but strange feeling - like I didn't have a purpose. I almost felt hallow without my two sweet girls hanging on to me, asking questions and shouting "Look at me, Mommy!"

I honestly didn't know I could miss them so much! It makes me realize that I was meant to be a mom and a wife, and how blessed to have them all healthy and safe at home with me. I hope that I never take for granted how lucky I am to have them. As school and football nears, I want to cherish each and every moment we have together.

Confession...

...I am part of a Book Club! Two of my five (regular) readers are also part of this book club, so I shouldn't make fun. I'm actually an avid reader when I have time...or when I'm procrastinating. So far in less than two weeks, I've read 5 books. I've just started my 6th.

My current read is Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber. I've actually read most of her books, but I think this could be my favorite yet, and I'm only on page 67. The idea of the book is to create an "inventory of wishes"--wishes and hopes for the future. It's a little like the movie the Bucket List that came out earlier this year.

Jordan and I have talked about our Bucket List many times and I think I'm going to actually write down my wishes! Some of them are silly and some may be sentimental--I don't know yet. I'll just start with the ones I know for now:

1. Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
2. See U2 in Concert
3. ??

As the list grows, I'll continue to update. I would encourage you to make a list for yourself too! If you have a blog, link to it in the comments. I think it would be fun to help each other make our wishes come true. Happy Wishing!

PS: Here's the list of books I've read recently. It's a fairly eclectic mix, so there's probably something in there for everyone.

1. All We Ever Wanted Was Everything - Janelle Brown
2. Ricochet - Sandra Brown
3. Sundays at Tiffany's - James Patterson
4. Between Sundays - Karen Kingsbury
5. Double Cross - James Patterson

After Twenty Wishes, I have Sail by James Patterson waiting for me.

What's in your car? UPDATED

I'm not sure if I really want to play this game or not. Lolly sent me a link to this "game" and also posted her list. She's admittedly a neat-freak and I didn't quite inherit that gene. I have my moments of being super-organized and neat, but I quickly get overwhelmed and messy again.

All through college and the first 3 years of our marriage, I felt like I lived in my car. I commuted to school in college and once we were married I drove a minimum of 90 miles a day going back and forth to work. Now, I don't drive more than 20 miles on a normal day, but I have 2 little girls with lots of stuff.

BEFORE:


Enough with the excuses though...here's the list:

• 2 carseats
• 1 stroller
• 2-3 (ok, maybe 4) SEVEN pairs of shoes
• several 1 hair bow(s)
• ALL of my scrapbook supplies from my retreat 6 weeks ago (OUCH!)
• my printer
• a nap mat from preschool
• probably 100s of spilled cheerios only 10 cheerios!
• fake geckos (yuck!)
• swim floaties
• beach bag
• 2 diaper bag
• UPDATED: a hammer, my passport, scotch tape, scissors, unmailed Thank Yous from April (oops), cell charger

That's all I can think of right now...I'm sure the list goes on, but truthfully - I'm embarrassed to admit there might be more!

Off to clean out the car!!!!

So - what's in YOUR car? Somebody, anybody worse than me?

AFTER:

Now:

• 2 carseats
• 1 stroller
• 2 diaper bags
• AND that's it!

Much better, don't you think!

Spring Cleaning

I always have the best of intentions--for example: hanging fans, fixing furniture, re-doing the girls' rooms, etc. Lolly knows that procrastination is one of my father-given traits (Thanks Pops!), so she called me on it. This time though, she offered to help.

Saturday morning she showed up to my house armed with cleaning supplies (her recommended brands--I do own my own too), baskets and bins for organizing and her two helping hands. We swept and scrubbed and cleaned until our fingers were raw. My house was way dirtier than it appeared. We found all the dust-bunnies in every nook and crannie in my front room, kitchen and living rooms. It is unbelivable the difference.

I hate to admit any of this--I don't want ya'll to think my house was crawling with rodents or roaches or anything. It's not. I just don't have take the time to deep clean.

This afternoon, we tackled the garage. When we moved into our house nearly two years ago, we had lots and lots of boxes. Most of them were storage type things, but Lolly decided it was time to be Nate Berkus. She stood along with me as I went through each box and decided what was keep, Goodwill and throw away. I am proud to say that we took 2 loads to Goodwill, dumped a ton at a local dumpster and only have a few things to deal with here at home.

Funny story - the only thing I "found" was my social security card--kind of important!!

The final task this week is to tame the beast otherwise known as Karsyn & Landrie's rooms. I am converting Karsyn's room into our playroom and moving both girls in together. The transition will definitely be interesting! I'll be sure to take before and after pictures.

Thanks Lolly for all of your help! I appreciate it more than you know!!!

Crazy Day

When we're not dealing with WILD weather, we're dealing with other crazy things! Today our school was put on lockdown for close to 2 hours. When our principal came on the speaker and said "we're on lockdown" we knew it was for real. We quickly ushered students from out of the halls and away from the classroom doors. I had to go outside and lock our door and then went inside my classroom with another teacher and about 15 kids.

We were nervous for a while, but thankfully our local newspaper updated their website and we found out that there was a bank robber loose close to our campus. Once we knew that it wasn't a crazed student, we all felt relieved.

Things were a little tense today. You never know how you'll react in a situation like that and God definitely gave me a peace.

Thank you, Lord, for your protection over my school, my students and me. Amen!

PS: Landrie's Spring Program was tonight. I'll post video/pictures this weekend. Just a sneak preview though--she didn't have her finger in her nose!

Celebrate Good Times - Come On!

The last 10 days have been full of celebrations. It started off with Jordan and I going to see Matchbox 20 in concert. That was my Christmas present from Jordan! It was an awesome show and we had great food before hand - Pappadeaux.

The week continued with my birthday (eeek - 28, ouch!). Lamar and I celebrated on Thursday night at La Hacienda.

Jordan and I celebrated her birthday on Friday night at the Melting Pot.

Last night, Jordan, Pops and I celebrated again by attending a concert for a singer/songwriter (Verlon Thompson) that we've followed for a long time. After the show, we made our ritual trip to Starbucks. While we were there, he walked in! My dad was on Cloud 9!! It was so fun to watch his reaction and to hear Verlon answer all of the questions he had. He is such a genuinely nice person. It was a fun night!

Finally, today is Jordan's birthday. So although she and I have celebrated her birthday, I haven't had my official family birthday meal. We are having brunch at Blue Mesa and I can't wait!

My celebrations will continue next weekend when Janelle comes home and we go for a visit with Gigi & Grandpa. It's just a little bit too crazy - as we like to tell Landrie, but I love it! As you can see, all of our celebrations revolve around food. Maybe that's why I have some extra weight to lose! I'll work on it again next week...after all, I'm still celebrating!

Happy Birthday Jor! There's not anyone else I'd rather share my birthday week with!!

4 Things Meme

Lolly and Brea both tagged me for this meme. I have NO IDEA who to tag because they're my only real life friends that blog, and 2 of my 3 regular readers. Oh well...here goes:

4 Jobs I've Had:
1. Chick-fil-A cashier & Doodles the Chicken
2. File clerk for an eye doctor
3. Marketing for a motorcycle manufacturer
4. Teacher

4 Movies Watched Over and Over:
1. 10 Things I Hate About You
2. Runaway Bride
3. Sweet Home Alabama
4. The Wedding Planner

4 Places I've Lived:
1. Fort Worth, TX ~ Stella Russell Hall
2. Weatherford, TX
3. Bedford, TX
4. Euless, TX

4 TV Shows I Watch:
1. General Hospital
2. Friday Night Lights
3. American Idol
4. Law & Order SVU

4 Places I've Been:
1. Grand Cayman Island
2. St. Croix, Virgin Islands
3. Sturgis, South Dakota
4. Cozumel, Mexico

4 People who e-mail Me Regularly:
1. Lolly
2. Missy
3. Jor
4. Stacy

4 Favorite Things to Eat:
1. Mexican food
2. Seafood
3. Italian Food
4. Lolly's home cookin'

4 Places I'd Rather Be:
1. About 100 ft. deep - scuba diving in the Caymans or Cozumel
2. With Lamar & the Girls on a fun vacation
3. In my jacuzzi tub with a good book
4. Sunbathing in Lolly's dream pool

4 Things I Look Forward to This Year:
1. Watching the girls grow up and change
2. Making some upgrades/changes to our house
3. Getting current on my scrapbooks
4. Summer!

4 People to Tag:
1. Jor
2. Janelle
3. Gigi
4. You!

Me? In 1 Word...

Brea tagged me for this meme. She's encouraging me to blog since it's been a while. The goal is to finish each sentence with just one word. This will be a challenge...

Yourself: Happy
Your partner: Hardworker
Your hair: Boring
Your mother: Best Friend
Your father: Hero
Your favorite item: Books
Your dream last night: Weird
Your favorite drink: Diet DP
Your dream car: Tahoe
Dream home: Bigger
The room you are in: Computer Room
Your fear: Disappointing others
What you are great at: Procrastinating
Where you want to be in 10 years: Here
Who you hung out with last night: Justin
You're not: Uptight
One of your wish list items: Granite
The last thing you did: Nap
You are wearing: Work Clothes
Your favorite weather: Spring
Your favorite book: Mystery
Last thing you ate: OTB
Your life: Blessed
Your mood: Content
Your best friend(s): My family
What are you thinking about right now: This
Your car: Explorer
What are you doing at the moment: Typing
Relationship status: Married
What is on your t.v: News
When is the last time you laughed: Earlier

I'm going to tag Lolly because she's the only other person that reads this and also has a blog.