Oh, Christmas Tree

I should go blow dry my bird-nest wet hair, but I sat down for a second to put my feet up, and well... Brandon's asleep, Matt is busy making stuff out back, the Christmas music is on, the lights on the tree are twinkling at my tired eyes and I just really don't feel like moving... Like, ever again. 

So, how about a little update, hmm?

Pop!

 Here she comes! Only 6 more weeks to go!

 I swear she's not going to wait that long. The amount of pushing and shoving going on in there all night and day is making me think she's a little like her mommy and is ready to get out and goooo!

But, we shall see! 

December has hit us full force, like always. How does it sneak up like that every single year?!

We got a tree three weeks ago. 

And finally got the decorations up on it a few nights ago. 

I don't know if this is Brandon's first Christmas tree or not, but I'm pretty sure he'll actually remember this one. 

He was SO excited to help Daddy put the ornaments on the tree! 

(They're the cutest pair, I love to watch them do stuff together).

Thanks to my creative sister in law, we had our little girl's baby shower on the 7th.

 It was perfect! 

And, thanks to the rainy/cold weather that weekend, very correctly themed:

        "Baby it's Cold Outside". 

Complete with a Hot Cocoa Bar! 

Matt and I also made it to my work's office party last weekend.

It was also fun, but, having a toddler who wakes up at 6-something-AM no matter what, and being almost 8 months pregnant does not go well with a 10pm dinner. 

Well, at least we got to dress up, right?

As I've been sitting here spacing out and staring at the twinklie lights on the Christmas tree, I realized a few things. 

1.

This is Brandon's last Christmas as an almost 2 yr old.

He's finally outgrowing some of his clothes and it made me so sad to put them in a box. My baby is growing up too fast! 

He's really matured in the last month actually. The boy has gone from semi-baby-ish to full on toddler.

 He's even putting two words together occasionally. (Which, I find amazing since he had no real speaking ability just 4 months ago).

2.

Next year at this time we'll have TWO kids. An almost 3 yr old (which I've never had), and an 11 month old (which I've never had).

 Personally I think that sounds like a mess. Fun, lots of fun!

...But a mess. 

3.

I have no idea what we'll be doing next December at this time, or where we'll be living, or if we'll even have any money or any time to get a tree again. 

4.

4 1/2 months ago we had NO clue there was going to be a new baby in our family at the beginning of 2014. 

So,

We still have no idea how or if I'm going to keep working or how we'll ever save money to own a house... or where we'll put all the bottles and infant supplies... It's all happening pretty darn fast. 

But I DO know that by this time next year, my husband and I will be having lots and lots of fun, picking up toys every night after the kids go to bed.    :) 

Well, that's about it for now. 

We still have 2 big family Christmas parties coming up, along with our immediate family gatherings in the next 2 weeks... 

...And my hair is officially a frizz ball. 

It must be bedtime. Sweet dreams!

I Came in Like a Bowling Ball.

So, at 29 weeks, I think I finally look pregnant now.

People have gone from asking, "Umm... So are there any changes in your family?"
 or "Anything new with you guys?"

...To saying, "Oh wow, look at you and that little bump! When are you due?!"

Yeah... 

I'm pretty sure someone put a 8 lb. bowling ball in my shirt when I wasn't looking. 

That bowling ball is starting to kick less, and does more of some kind of tumble/roll-overs/somersault thing now. 

I think.

 I have no clue what she's doing half the time, but she moves 23 hours I day! 

I feel like I'm on a constant rocking boat. 

 I love watching her wave across my stomach, as weird as it feels. Unless I'm at work... That's not cool kid, mommy needs to focus! 

I keep telling her to save the gymnastics for home, but she doesn't listen. 

Hmm, stubborn little thing, reminds me of someone else I know.

She also kicks the hardest when Brandon is taking a nap and the dishes are done, the toys are picked up and I finally have a second to sit down and relax...
This means she has my mean sense of humor. 

I'm pretty sure I hear her in there, laughing at me, "Mwaahaha, you wanna relax lady?!" 

Yeah... I'm in trouble. 

 

According to the internet, my baby is now about the size of a butternut squash, and weighs around 2.5 lbs.

 I think the internet is a liar. 

I'm pretty sure there's an elephant rolling around inside this massive orb. 

 

I've been asked if I'm reading any pregnancy books... Well... Here's my list:

Haa.

 I'm reading Ina May's birthing book for education, but I'm seriously, thoroughly enjoying Jenny McCarthy's book. So much brutal truth, I laugh so hard.

(Um yeah, and the big brother book is for Brandon, of course.) 

I also try to keep myself (uh, I mean the baby) happy by giving (us) things we need. Like chocolate ice cream and sweets. 

No, not the fatty, yucky, sugary stuff...

 I haven't caved yet!

 I'm determined to stay healthy through this whole pregnancy thing!
 

Especially after going through that disgusting Glucose test, where they make sure you haven't gotten 2nd trimester diabetes. I'm pretty sure that syrup they made me drink actually gave my baby diabetes though. SO. Freaking. Gross.

 

As the nurse took my blood sample, she asked me how I liked the drink. I told her, "it tastes like Orange soda, with no water in it. And I don't even drink soda, it's too sweet".

 She looked at me like I was nuts! 

So I told her, "I don't see ANY point in putting that nasty corn syrup, sugary liquid, with no health benefit into my body... unless I really need to burp".

Again, she just started at me.

well, you're the one that brought it up nursey-nurse!

 I'd hope you would know the disgusting nature of all forms of soda, being an RN and all that. 

(She probably had a diet coke hiding in the back... and I bet I offended her. Good!!)

 

 

Need sweet stuff?! 

I've discovered if you add Pomegranate seeds to anything, it instantly becomes sweet! 

(those are Overnight Oats, with flaxseed, chia seeds and Greek yogurt, yum!)
 

Pomegranates all day, everyday! 

Salads, yogurt, smoothies, whole wheat waffles, you name it, they'll go great on it!

 And icecream? Sure! 

It's made from coconut milk though.
 

Whatever keeps me away from the huge frozen cookie dough container Matt is hiding in the freezer. 

So that's about it for the preggo updates.
 

....

In other news, our completely adorable 22 month old son is officially up for adoption! 

His birth parents "parental rights" were officialy terminated in court last week! Now his social workers are waiting for the final paper work in the mail to start the adoption court process! Wooo!

Brandon is growing by the second. He's trying to copy every word I say. His favorite words are:
 food, "Fooo!" And bath, "bubble!!!" And snack, "Shnaaa!"

He also sings his ABCs, "AaaB-eeeB! Aaab...EeeeeeBee" 

...and he loves to share his toys and snacks with our pets. 

What a kid!

He's our entertainment 24/7. Even the way he sleeps is hilarious.
Poor guy, all we do is laugh at him. ALL the time! But at least he has a good personality and laughs right back...even if he has no clue what it's all about.

I'm thinking now that his adoption process is coming along, we might be able to post some REAL pics soon... we'll see!

Stay tuned ;)
 

Pumpkins, Muffins and Munchkins

Well, it's Nov. 1st.

We now have:

1 week until Matt's 29th birthday,

4 weeks until Thanksgiving, 

8 weeks until Christmas, 

10 weeks until Brandon's 2nd Birthday,
...And 13 weeks until this baby girl is due! 

Yikes! 

Something tells me the next three months are going to fly by at warp speed. 

Brandon has been with us for 3 months now! 

It seems like forever! It feels like he's always been here, and hard to remember what life was like before Cheerios, diapers and nap time. 

But we sure love every minute!

We've been to Disneyland a lot lately and Brandon is completely enjoying every trip!

 

In honor of Fall, we visited the Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch last month with our close friends and their 3 kids... Too much fun! 

The hay maze was a hit, (and it was free, which is always a huge help).

 

Brandon and I have also spent a lot of time making healthy gluten free pumpkin muffins and cookies.

He's responding very well to gluten free food and less cheese. He never gets sugary foods, and that's always a healthy help. 

He does love natural sugary foods like apples and bananas though, so those are always a fun treat.
 

I'm almost 28 weeks pregnant now, and still attempting to stay active and eat healthy. 

It's a little hard being back at work part time since my job involves so much physical work... I just want to be lazy the next day and keep my feet up. Which is completely impossible with a toddler. So good thing I have him, or I'd be a major couch potato! 

 I definitely feel so much better when I'm on my Paleo diet, but I know this baby-girl needs the whole grains so I'll throw those in occasionally too. Then of course somehow  there's always weekend pizza... That's just a baaaad idea! 

In the battle between crappy fast food and heart burn, my heart burn wins big, every time. That's enough to keep healthier food for me in our fridge for sure! 

Plus Paleo cooking is so much fun when you have to get creative since you can't use regular flour, butter or sugar!

Delicious!! 

(Healthy, delicious, fun food!)

 

 We had a fun night taking Brandon trick-or-treating to 3 houses last night. 

He started out in a hilarious monkey outfit, but couldn't walk in it, so we changed to "Cowboy" last minute. He was too cute since he matched Daddy... And I barely squeezed into my Minion shirt that I bought 3 weeks ago... Dang! that bump is gettin' big! 

All in all, it's been a great start to Fall!

 

Oh! And Brandon's adoption social worker came by the other day for his monthly visit... 

She told me that she is going to attempt to push our adoption papers forward beginning now! This means we don't have to wait until the end of his 6 month probation with us to start papers!

 By starting the process now, hopefully we will be heading to our final Adoption court dates in mid Feb to March instead of during next summer! 

God's got a plan, we're just here for the ride! 

Small Words, Big Punches.

Wow, it's been a while!

~Brandon is 21 months old!

~This weekend our baby girl will be 24 weeks along.

~And Monday, Matt and I will celebrate our 7th year Wedding Anniversary!


                      UPDATE #1: Brandon's language.

After 2 months of "Brandon, say FOOD PLEASE." We've advanced from whining or reaching for food, to using our words!!
 "Fffff, Puuuah!"

He also says "Apple" now. Perfectly. And an array of other phrases that are half words and half sounds.
His, "See ya later" is pretty easy to understand. and his "hello" is "HEYAA!!"
He's learned at least 5 words just from me yelling at the dogs and the cat, but he understands the words, and uses them properly, which is always a big help!
(Up, Down, Out, In, No, All Done, Kitty, Woof Woof, etc...)
Considering that this kid didn't really know anything 2 1/2 months ago, he sure has learned quick!

Brandon is also the nicest guy you'll ever meet. Waves and blows kisses to everyone. When we stand in line at Disneyland, he dances to the music and shares his food with the strangers behind us. He never throws temper tantrums in public (yet), and he's getting very good at listening to direction as far as, "Brandon, stay here!" and all that useful stuff for aactive toddlers. He loves attention and loves to make people smile and laugh. He's definitely "that" kid.

I keep thinking he'll be dubbed "class clown" in high school, but he's also kind of a brainy nerd about stuff, and pretty OCD about some things. I'm excited to see what kind of person he'll turn into.

Oh, and the other day he tried to refer to Matt as, "Babe"...guess I need to stop using that word while we're learning "Daddy".



                                    UPDATE #2: My Ninja She-Baby.

I'm almost 6 months pregnant now. I look like I'm growing a basket ball. And...
Oh. My. Goodness. I'm soooo excited to meet this little girl! but seriously... sooo over the whole pregnancy thing.
Maybe I'm just weird, I don't know, but I can't figure out how people would purposefully get pregnant more than once.

Like I told Matt, this is pretty cool to experience, but I'm so over it. And I didn't even have bad morning sickness!

You never hear stories about the head aches, the leg cramps, the heart burn, the lack of sleep, the rolling side to side, the way none of your clothes fit, the heaviness of the belly, the random people always touching your belly, and the kicking. Ooooooh, the dang kicking! And the small punches!! She's running a kickboxing class in there, and  its 23 hours a day I swear!
As nice as it is to know my baby is very alive and well... no thank you kid!

I've gotten crazy questions about our birth plan, my nursing plans, our future work plans, etc... I don't remember ever feeling the need to ask a pregnant friend any of those questions, so I'm kind of shocked at the lack of respect for privacy. Maybe I'm just used to "how's the paperwork coming along?" and easy general questions.

Speaking of foster kid paper work, I've also been asked if we'll be "trying" for more kids after this active gal is born. That, I will answer. Yes, of course! But Foster/Adopt kids.
 I mean, if God wants to give us another surprise-you're-pregnant-baby then of course, we're there! But our idea is to have a big family and fill our home with kids that need love! And there are SO many more kiddos out there, just like Brandon, that still need families!

Ummm... and NO, we are still not going to tell anyone the baby's name. I've never believed in doing that before my kid was born, and I'm stickin' to it.

Where's the fun in the actual birth day if everyone already knows everything about your baby? "Oh, our baby was born today, you already know everything about her... uh, but here's her weight, because that's exciting news."
 I mean...right?

                        

                                UPDATE #3: This Whole Marriage Thing.

7 years! I remember when Matt and I were just boyfriend and girlfriend and 7 months sounded SUCH a long time.
Then one day we hit 5 years of Marriage and THAT sounded like a long time.

Now we look back and say, "When did all these years go by?!"
We've been together for 10 years, and married for 7 of those.
They have been good, good years.
Yeah, we're married, we drive each other crazy and we don't agree on everything. We've gone through some tough stuff together and in the end, none of it matters.
Matt's still my #1 fan, and I'm his.

We're celebrating our 7 years by staying in town, having a long, fun weekend at Disneyland with the child that we love SO much. Just the 3 of us for a few days, no interruptions. It feels so good to have a complete family.

side news:

I'm done with my official family-leave 3 months of bonding time with Brandon and I'm headed back to work part time until January. I hate to leave him, but you can't live without money. Especially when baby #2 is showing up only 6 months after baby #1. yikes!
This should be interesting doing my dental assisting job with my basketball stomach.


Also, my best friend had to move back to Virginia for a year or so, while her hubby is training to be a pilot in the Navy. It's bitter sweet, but we have such an amazing group of friends, and we'll always be here for each other.

 I'm also extremely jealous of her, since she's not only moving to a beautiful area, but it's away from California...and she gets to have a REAL Fall!

Hope everyone has a great week, Happy Fall!!

Determination at its best.

Nothing motivates me to stick to a healthy lifestyle more than having a beach ball size stomach stick out so I can't see my toes anymore. Yikes!

I'm completely ok with the pregnancy weight gain, as long as its a healthy weight gain, and not a "I gorged myself with crappy food to feed 2 people all winter" type of gain. 

A few years back I read a quote from (in my opinion) one of the most beautifully fit women in the media, Gisele Bundchen. It caused a lot of negative attention towards her, but I thought it was hilarious! and right on point. This is a baby. A human child who should be given the chance to be born as healthy as possible. 

I'm not saying I'll never have pizza again. I'm not saying I don't have a stash of peanut m&ms in the fridge, or occasionally eat mexican food for dinner.

I am saying that it's really hard being at home all day with a toddler. All I want to do is snack and snack and snack, and I'm at home... where I can grab my goodies at anytime I want. However, that's no excuse for pigging out. 

So with a little inspiration from my awesomely-fit Best Friend... 

and of course, beautifully fit women like Gisele..

...I've been sticking to my walking routine and trying sooo hard to stick to my healthy food plan.

I never, ever, grab fast food, unless Matt happens to be home.

 I actually hate eating fast food, it makes me sick. So that helps! 

My new favorite lunch go-to?

 Tofu-turkey and vegan cheese sandwich with spinach leaves, vegenaise and mustard on Ezekiel Bread.
 

 

Oh, and never forget the avocado... Those are some awesome Healthy Fats.

Baby-girl loves those!

I have a super hilarious and very informational pregnancy book that gives me lists of what to buy from the store and what to cook... that helps!

The other day at the park, I saw a mom, with 4 or 5 month old twins, passing me up, rockin' the hills, pushing her double stroller. Again, yikes! 

So... goals? 

-stay healthy throughout this pregnancy. 

-eat the healthy food. 

-stay active.

-keep in shape as best as possible. 

-no excuses!

-have a healthy baby girl :)

I want to have the energy for my future infant and 2 year old! So I'm putting my goals out here, because there's nothing as annoying as not sticking to your goals. And if other people are expecting you to reach them, you can't make excuses  ;)

Plus the way I see it is, the more I do now, the less I have to do Post-baby!

So put on those walkin' shoes because this is going to be a fun next 20 weeks!

Joke's on Me!

You know that moment when you're so busy at work, preparing your self, your mind, your home and your family for a new boy named Brandon to enter your life, that you forget about everything else?

And I mean, everything else.

That moment when you feel so nauseous and sick at work, and you blame it on cheating on your diet the night before? And the next time, you blame it on bad Taco Bell? And the next time you blame it on that 24 hour flu?

That moment when you just want to fall over and sleep on the floor during the day, and blame it on all the extra hours you've been working?

And that moment when things on your body start getting bigger and you cant sit down with your jeans buttoned anymore?

I mean, I know you quit working out so much due to the new 18 month old boy that joined your life recently, but seriously, all those salads, and the jeans STILL get tighter?

Yeah, that's when it hit me.

Gee, maybe I should take a pregnancy test?

Well, 4 EPTs, 4 plus signs, and a lot of deep thinking with my bestie, and a week later, I finally let the reality sink in, and I told Matt the news.

I wrapped a (clean) PT in a gift bag and gave it to Brandon. I put a shirt on him that said "Guess What?!"
Then I told him to go give the bag to Daddy.

Matt's face looked like mine did.
 "Are you serious?!!"

So by the time I went to my first Dr. apt, it was 2 weeks after I found out. By then, apparently I was 16 weeks and 2 days along.

My Nurse laughed at me. The receptionist at the blood testing center laughed at me.
I've decided they probably announced my story over the Hospital's loud speakers the second I left. All I heard was, "How did you not know?!"

I was busy ok!! New kid, leaving work, training the new girl, moving my horse to a new barn, getting our house ready, having a toddler move in... things got a little crazy!

So here we are, at 18 weeks. We just found out that we are having a baby Girl, that Brandon can be a wonderful big brother to.

They claim I'm due Feb 1st, so this will be a fun next 5 months! My belly has already popped out beyond the point of no return, and I've become a huge fan of stretchy yoga pants.

Oh, and NO we are not telling baby-girl's names to anyone so... you'll just have to wait ;)

But if you really need something, Matt has been calling my pooch "Food Baby" since a few days before I told him. which is another hilarious story all in its self.

So until next time, me and Food Baby are off to bed!

Beep Beep!

This last Saturday, my amazing friends Emily and Kelley, put together one FUN baby shower for Brandon! 

Cars, trucks, mud cups, caution tape, fuel, road signs, tires, dump trucks, cones, you name it, we had it!

Matt and I have been so blessed these last few years with such wonderful people in our lives! 

 From simple "hey, how are ya doing today?" Text messages, to sending us presents for Brandon, to jumping in full force when we need help or support. 

My life is amazing! My friends are amazing! My family is amazing! And my drooly, teething, chattering, clumsy toddler is amazing! 

It was so great seeing so many people that have been a huge support through this whole adoption process! 

Matt got crafty with some tires...

...And everyone enjoyed some nice cold "fuel".

I have a bunch of adorable photos of Brandon playing with his trucks and cars, and laughing with friends and family. 

One day I'll be able to show the world. But for now, just imagine a super happy little guy. 

Thank you again to everyone who helped put this fun day together: Emily, Kelley, Matt, My cousin Danni, my Dad, Matt's mom and Dad... Oh, and my mom helped too...

All Talk no Walk

It's a little funny and a little insane to me how people want to give kids junk food and sugar, just because: "they're so cute! They deserve a treat!"

Really? 

Because I'm pretty sure you're just giving that child diabetes and trading it for a smile. 

I'll admit, I've completely fell off the work-out wagon since Brandon came into our home. Yes I've been tired and busy, but there is no excuse for stopping my routines, except pure laziness on my end. 

Luckily, the guilt of not working out, has made me even more persistent in a healthy diet. One thing I definitely won't let slide is the healthy food we've been eating! 

We've had Taco Bell and In n Out a few times, but I won't let Brandon eat it. 

I always bring his own food with us when we are out and about. I might let him have some left over rice, but it's after he's already eaten his lunch. 

He was so constipated when he first came into our home, (and I'm talking 2.5 days), I swore right there, he would have the best diet possible from then on out. 

He is not allowed to have sugar anyway, or he'll get very sick, so we're told. (I'll spare the non-parents and let your imagination come up with the "sick" I'm talking about).

First thing I did was grab gluten free noodles, non dairy Vegan-cheese, a ton of fruits and veggies and almond milk from Sprouts. He's a good eater! He absolutely loves my green smoothies packed with kale and spinach! And he doesn't know he's eating the healthy food. He even has gluten free graham crackers if he needs desert. 

Something I would really like to work on though, is leading by example. 

So here I am, asking for accountability, to be a healthy eating/exercising mommy, so my baby boy can grow up into the strong healthy guy I desire him to be! 

No one can stand those people who are all talk and no action, so today we start fresh. 

Walks, green smoothies, salads for lunch, veggies for dinner. 

Who's with me?!