grab bag!

I haven't posted anything with much content recently so I figured it was time for a good post..

Gabby is doing well!  We are starting to get into somewhat of a good night time routine - bottle and bedtime when Daddy leaves for work around 9:30 p.m. then she's up again about 6 or 7 hours later for another bottle.  Now this isn't every night but it's been fairly consistent for the past week or so.  We still don't have much of a daytime routine, hopefully Steven will get that worked out when he has her home with him during the day.  She doesn't cry too much - usually just when she's really really tired or really hungry.  It amazes me that sometimes after feeding her I lie her in her bassinet while she is still awake and she soothes herself right to sleep!! Hopefully this will continue when we start putting her in her crib.  (which I think we are going to try this weekend!)

 

I know her eyes won't stay blue but they still look pretty!!

 Gavin is doing well too!  We bought Candy.Land at Target over the weekend (for $4.00!) and he has really caught on!  We played for a while last night while Gabby napped and he loved it!  

 

  

the boy also loves his cars!

We also got the call that his new twin mattress has arrived and is ready to pick up at the store.  We are going to be getting the frame, box spring and headboard from my Aunt and Grammie's house this weekend.  Grammie hasn't been living at home for a few years now and the bed has been just sitting around so I asked if we could have it.  (my niece Shayna has the mattress)  My aunt and mom did not mind if we took the bed and truthfully I am super excited to have my Grammie's bed in my house!  It is the same bed she had in her home when I stayed with her (although she never slept in the bed because she always slept in her recliner in the living room while I slept on the sofa next to her.. even though I had my own room their too!)  We bought Gav new bedding - it's all washed and ready to go!  It's so hard to believe that he will be in a twin bed soon.. seems like just last week he was sleeping in his bed for the first time.. my goodness they do grow fast!

My momma shared a really great secret with me yesterday - I can't share it here because I know a lot of my family read this and she asked that I keep it to myself (I know, I know, I'm sorry!) but I just want her to know how extremely proud I am of her and that I believe in her!!  Just think of that cross-stitch piece of the Little Engine That Could Mom - YOU CAN DO IT!!

I, like many other people have been completely heart broken by the earthquake in Haiti.  For about 2 weeks after the quake I was hooked to CNN.  While watching one morning I was brought to tears (for the 4,000th time) when they showed an elderly man walking with a duffle bag in one hand and a Dora bag in the other - the reporter said, "all that this man has left in the world he is carrying in his hands."  That hit me.. hard.  We have donated some money - not a lot - but enough to feel good about our contribution and I continue to pray for the Haitians and everyone affected by this devastating earthquake.

I got my hair cut on Wednesday.. it was supposed to be a trim but I ended up with layers and super short pieces by my face.. clearly the lady cutting my hair did not listen to what I asked for and just did her own thing.  Oh well, it's only hair, it will grow back.  She asked about me going back to work after having the baby then asked what I do.. oh here goes!  It's so hard to explain my job to people and it was funny because Bethany actually has an advertisement for pregnancy counseling right outside Cost Cutters in the mall.  (yes, I'm cheap - I get $10 haircuts - that suck..)  I explained that I counsel pregnant women and sometimes couples who were not planning on becoming pregnant and really aren't sure what they are going to do.  I help them and counsel them through their decision making process - parenting or adoption.. and sometimes abortion.  (we are a pro-life agency - I just help them to understand the process of abortion and all that comes with that decision..)  I shared that it's a very emotional job yet very rewarding.  The hairdresser's first comment was, "oh, so you help girls give up their babies."  OUCH!!  NO.. I help them figure out what decision is best for them and for their baby - and if that decision is adoption then I help them find a loving family who is ready and waiting for a baby - and help them develop a relationship with that family - and I help them through their hospital time - and I counsel and support them after the birth of their baby - and I help facilitate meetings with them and the adoptive family.  Oh, I get so heated when comments like that are made, but I of course kept my cool and did my best to educate her about the option of adoption.  One client told me, "all I can give this baby is love and I know that's not enough."  Seriously, how strong and selfless must you be to realize this..

Moving on.. I started running again.. well, I don't think you can call it running.  I got on the treadmill Wednesday afternoon (after not running for 10 months) and about died.  I use to be able to run a few miles at a time with no problem and had really been wanting to get into more races but I now realize it will be a while before those happen.  I ran for 3 minutes yesterday and wanted to fall over.. yes, 3 minutes.  I ran for a total of 10 minutes yesterday.  That's so embarrassing to even type.  I ran again today, not great, but better.  I was able to do a steady run for 6 minutes.. better than 3 minutes but certainly not the 30 - 40 minutes I was doing a year ago.  I know I will get there and I have to give it time.. but my goodness I hate feeling this out of shape.  I still can't fit into many of my pre-baby clothes so I am heading to Goodwill next week to look for some inexpensive pants for work.  I refuse to buy new stuff from the store because I know I will loose the weight, I just need to give it some time.

Oh, and before I forget - I ordered 2 super adorable things for Gabby last night from this great site..  briar.claire 

 

this is the hat I ordered - I also ordered a headband =)

Okay, my sweet potato is awake - time for a bottle and cuddle time!!

to pierce or not to pierce..

I've been debating about getting Gabby's ears pierced.  I think baby girls look absolutely adorable with their ears pierced but I'm afraid of them hurting or bothering her and she won't be able to verbalize the pain.. although she does know how to scream well =)  I was very young when I had mine pierced, clearly I don't remember the pain!  So, what do you think??  Take the poll to the side or leave a comment and give me your opinion.  Obviously Steven and I will make the decision but I'm still interested to hear what people have to say and their personal experiences.  Thanks!

{almost} Wordless Wednesday.

Thankfully it's Wednesday and there is no need for a long post =)  I'm just in a frumpy kinda mood today and don't really feel like "talking" too much.  The kiddos are great.. Gabby is growing so fast and is smiling all the time now.. Gavin is developing quite the 'big kid' personality, hard to believe he will be 4 years old this year.  Here are some recent photos of family and my Gs!

 

99 things.

This list is just for fun, seen on some other blogs... Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightening storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (I killed my own chicken once)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

random 'me' post.

Lots of random me-related stuff to 'type' about:

I had my 6 week post-baby check up on Tuesday.  It was strange not having to pee in a cup =)  Blood pressure was good.. weight was okay.  I'm down 15 pounds from Gabby's birth but I still have 15 more pounds to shred to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.  I should have eaten healthier during my pregnancy - I was too busy enjoying the yummy goodness of cheese fries and ice cream {not together!} and I wasn't thinking about the cellulite and yucky flubber that would surely come.  I had to do a quiz about postpartum depression and the nurse asked me a bunch of questions.  While sitting (naked) waiting for the midwife to come I decided to read a magazine - my choices - AARP and Field & Stream - seriously?!  Thankfully the midwife was there fairly quickly!  She asked me more questions about how I've been feeling and my body then she got down to business.  She said everything looks great and I'm all back to normal.  I just find it simply amazing that my body just grew a human, gave birth to that human, and is now back to the same way it was before this human.. again, amazing!  I got the go-ahead for all activities again =)  I'm super excited to go for a jog.

I've been working on Gavin and Gabby's baby books and it's been fun!  It's hard to believe that Gav's is almost complete - just pages for his 4th and 5th birthday are left!  The parts in Gabby's that I can complete are done - now I need to do my best to keet it updated as events occur instead of waiting and trying to catch up on a ton of stuff at once.

I am SO in love with the adorable boppy pillow I found at Tar.get on Tuesday - it's the one in the photo posted yesterday.  It is so girly and of course, it has cherries on it =)  Yippee, how could I resist?!

Speaking of cherries, I have a cherry tattoo on my left hip in honor of my Grammie.  I've been thinking about a second tattoo for a long time but cannot decide what I want.  I've had a design in mind for almost 2 years - it reminds me of my mom, my aunt, my grammie and my hubby.. it also reminds me a lot of my childhood.  Trouble is, I'd really like to get a tattoo in honor of my kiddos but can't figure out what to get.  I've been thinking about the letter 'G' with nice design around it but my hubby thinks that is a little lame.. (poo on him!)  I'm going to continue thinking about it.. but then comes the other issue.. where on my body to get the tattoo!  If anyone has any original ideas please send them my way =)

As I type this, 80 orphans from God's Littlest Angels orphanage in Haiti are on a plane headed to Miami, Florida to meet their forever families.  58 of these orphans have been matched with families from Bethany Christian Services.  I feel blessed to be able to work for a Christian organization that helps to build families and change the lives of children all over the world! 

Okay, enough 'me' stuff - here are my adorable offspring =)

I know, the flower takes up half her face, but it's the only holder I could find for those pacifiers!

wordless Wednesday.

great imagination!

My little man has been developing such a fun imagination!  Last night while I was riding my exercise bike he decided he wanted to play the 'Target man' game.  Basically, he'd ask me what I needed help finding, I would name an item in the room, he would go and find the item, use his little keychain light to 'scan' the item, then come back and tell me how much the item cost.. usually "it's $30 bucks Mommy."  We played this almost then entire 30 minutes I was riding and he loved it!  I'm a little nervous about this new pretend play stage he's moving into because I am seriously lacking in the imagination department.

Oh, and before I forget I need to share Gav's version of Jingle Bells {although most everyone who reads this is family and has likely already heard the song}

Tinker Bell, Tinker Bell, Tinker All That Way, Old McDonald Is To Ride..

Alright, Gabby is asleep now so it's time for Momma to get some sleep.  We are trying to get into a good routine.. easier said than done.. but we gotta work something out since I will be returning to work in 2 1/2 weeks.  That stinks - at what other point in my life can I take 9 weeks off from work and get paid for every day that I'm off.  My company has spectacular benefits so I am super lucky that my leave has been paid {and I've done well saving my hours!} but man, how has my leave gone by so fast..

Last but not least: photos!

silly 'Not Me Monday'

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not forget my daughter's formula on Saturday when we went away for breakfast {but ended up being an almost all day trip!} I even made a list of everything we needed, there would be no way I could forget one of the most important items!

I am SO not proud of myself for figuring out how to apply a 3 column design/template to my blog.  Go Me, (not!)

I am not in love with my new exercise bike!  It makes my legs burn and my heart hurt, why in the world would I love it?!

I did not eat pizza for dinner two nights in a row - and we did not have wings on Friday, Sunday and Monday.  I am totally not dreading the scale at my 6 week post-baby appointment tomorrow!

While out on Saturday I was changing Gabby's diaper and she got a little poo on her pants.  There is no way I would contemplate leaving the pants on her because the outfit was unbelievably cute! 

I am not totally in love with these socks Gabby has on!  I would not pay $8 for a pack of 3 pair.  I would never pay that much for socks this cute =)

Gabby was not hating Mommy's camera!

After watching American.Idol I did not walk around singing the "Pants on the Ground" song for 3 days.. no way, that's too goofy for me!

Gabby woke up around 8 a.m. this morning.  I did not throw gently place her paci in her mouth and lay her on my chest to see if she'd fall back asleep.  I was not the happiest mommy when she slept another 2 hours and my awesome hubby took care of Gav.

I am not sad about going back to work in 3 weeks.  I do not have a highly emotional and stressful job.. thankfully I do not have absolutlely wonderful coworkers =)

picture day.

No time to type, Gabby is starting to wake up and will be quickly demanding some food and a clean tushy!  Here are some photos of my adorable kiddos =)

It sure doesn't get much cuter!!  Have a great weekend everyone =)

Gabby, Gavin & GG.

Okay, here goes..

I took Gav and Gabby to visit with their Great Grammie (GG) on Sunday.  This was Gabby's first time meeting her GG.  My trips to visit my Grammie are always very emotional, so I knew this trip was going to be 'over the top' emotional.  For those that don't know, my Grammie has been suffering from Alzheimer's for the past 4-5 years.  She, at this point, is in the late stages; her mind and her memory are basicllay gone and she has very little control over her body.  My heart breaks each time I am with her.  {I only broke down twice while I was there - first when I set Gabby on her lap for the first time and again right before we left, only because I miss her so so much..} I spent much of my childhood with my Grammie.  She would pick me up at the bus stop, which was right down the street from my house, then we'd stop at Turkey Hill in Cochranville to get her lottery tickets (she always played the number 309 in the daily 3).  I would spend the night at her house then we'd make the 20 minute drive to school each morning.  Grammie spoiled me to the extreme and was always so much fun to be around.  I could share special memories for days and days 

She is my hero.. she taught me so much about life and family.  I miss her beyond words but the amazing, priceless memories I have will never fade.  I know those same special memories are alive in her heart and soul and will never leave, although her mind and memory are gone.

My middle name is Louise, in honor of my Grammie Betty Louise.   My very first thought when I learned I would be having a daughter was, YES! I can give her my Grammie's middle name and I can call her Weezie Bug, just like my mom calls me =)  Gabrielle Louise will always know why she was given that middle name and just how special it is to me and my mom!  It's also my niece Shayna's middle name =)

The visit with GG went well.  Grammie smiled a little and seemed to have fun looking at the kiddos.  I enjoyed sitting with her and playing with her hair.  We of course took lots of photos!  It was very surreal to me to be sitting there with my 2 children and my Grammie, something I always prayed would happen, but I honestly never imagined it would.  I will be a mess when my Grammie leaves this earth but I take comfort in the memories, the photos and the special keepsakes, many of these I will pass on to my children so they will always remember their GG.

Okay, there's ooddle and oodles more I can share about my Grammie but the tears are already pouring and it's making typing this post very hard.  Enjoys these old photos of me with my Grammie - and there are some with my mom and Great Grammie too..

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is me and my Great Grammie =)

 

 

 

 

above is my MomMom and my Grammie at my high school graduation party - summer 2001

Now the photos from our visit on Sunday!