Camera dump.

We are having a lot of quiet nights these days because about half the time during the work week, Mallory has quit taking a nap during the day and she passes out for the night as soon as we get home.  I told Patrick that it is like the calm before the storm because I am pretty sure there won't be any more quiet nights for us in about 7 more weeks for years to come. 

Today is one of those days, where Mallory is out for the night so I decided to get off my lazy butt and blog for a change!  I just realized that I have not uploaded any pictures to my computer this year from my camera and I've only taken about 50 pictures so far.  That is unlike me and I must do better. 

Here are a few of the pictures that I have taken over the last two months-

One Sunday after church...this was such a cute dress on Mallory, however she wasn't feeling having her picture made.

Mallory's furniture (our old bedroom furniture) finally arrived with its new paint job.  I love it, now I just need to add the finishing touches to her room.

Her bedding, which I also love.  A pillow sham is missing because I had taken it to match up some paint for a project I am working on to go over her bed.

Hadley's room...still pretty bare but she has the necessities.

Our foyer which needs help.  This area has stumped me more so than any other in the house.  I just can't decide what to do with this space.  I do have a large mirror above the table now, but I'm still not loving it.  Suggestions?!

The future Mr. & Mrs. Andrews at a dinner to celebrate their engagement :)

My two loves at the engagement dinner.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This was the day Mallory had her Valentines party at school.

We have had the warmest winter ever in NC, so we've taken advantage and played outside after work.  Seriously, I think I may have worn a coat about 5 times so far this year, its been nice!

She is dangerous in this thing...two months after Christmas and she still can't drive too well but she loves it!

Showing off!

 

31 weeks

Size of baby:

Your baby's the size of a pineapple!


She's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds this month. She's getting so big, she's probably crowding your lungs - - YEP!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gender: All girl!  & she now has some clothes in her closet finally!  She will have a ton once I bring in Mallory's baby stuff, but she has accumulated a few of her own things now too.  I bought her and Mallory their first coordinating dresses last week. 




Maternity Clothes: Yes, most definitely.  I am now in those clothes that you look at at the beginning of pregnancy and think, 'Wow, I'll NEVER be that big!' Ha! 




Weight Gain: 30 pounds.  YIKES!




Movement: Lots of movement :)




Sleep: I am almost scared to say this because I don't want to jinx myself, but sleep is fabulous.  For some weird reason, I don't even have to get up in the middle of the night to pee anymore!  Also, I got the snoogle body pillow after reading a ton of 5 star reviews on it and it is my new BFF.  Perfect support for the back and belly.  I highly recommend. 




Symptoms: Some heartburn, but not nearly as bad as it was with Mallory.  Braxton Hicks and a little swelling.  I can still wear my rings and all my normal shoes so I'm not complaining.  Yet. 





What I miss: Wine, sushi and not carrying around an extra 30 pounds!




Cravings: Urmm, girl scout cookies??  As well as brownies and still Dr Pepper.




What I am looking forward to: I've started the bi-weekly doctor appointments, which means the end is near! 
 
 

& here is my 31 week belly pic.  So glad my phone hides my face...it's as big as my belly! :)

 

Brain dump.

Wow, its been awhile since I've blogged.  I would like to say I have a good excuse, but the truth of the matter is I do not.  The main reason why I haven't is because of the silly game, Words With Friends.  Patrick and I have become addicted to playing and spend our nights (and any free time during the day) playing each other and our friends.  Yea, we are that exciting!  Anyway, this will be a catch up post:

• First and foremost, my little brother got engaged!!!!  Our entire family is beyond ecstatic about this because we LOVE LOVE LOVE his future wife.  Ashley & I have become very close over the past few years also and I can't wait to call her my sister-in-law.  They have set a tentative date of April 27, 2013 and we all can't wait.  They are the cutest couple and I have no doubt that the wedding will be gorgeous.  I've been so consumed with everything baby for the past few years, it will be exciting to go back to weddings for a little while.  Also, what better motivation to lose baby weight than an upcoming wedding??  I'll have a whole year so there should be NO excuses.
• I only have about 11 weeks left of being pregnant.  As I type that out, it is so hard to believe!  I have had the perfect pregnancy and I am so incredibly thankful for that.  I was swelling last week and began to think the worst...(I really need to post a picture of just how swollen I was with Mallory), but this week it is better if not almost gone.  Honestly, I have never felt better than I have during this pregnancy with Hadley.  The next two months may be different, but the first seven have treated me well!  Poor thing still does not have a decorated nursery though which leads me to my next bullet...
• Pinterest has given me some great ideas for the girl's rooms.  However, I really wish I could sew and had more time to do all the neat ideas that I pin.  Mallory's room is complete except for pictures on the walls and window treatments.  I keep meaning to take pictures on the weekend during the daylight, but I haven't even picked up my camera in about a month.  Dang, words with friends!!  Poor Hadley still has no bedding (unless she uses Mallory's which I might do because I haven't found anything I really love).  I would love to get something custom made, but I'm pretty sure I've waited too long for that!  So basically, I have 11 weeks to find bedding, window treatments, wall decor, get it all put together, get out all the baby stuff we have packed away like swing, bouncy seat, car seat, etc.  Oh my, I'm getting stressed just thinking about it all!
• My goal this weekend is to post some updated house pictures.  We have finally hung some pictures and done some decorating, but there is still SO MUCH left to do.  I need to find a money tree.  Stuff is expensive and I am not good at being thrifty, although I am trying to learn.  I still want pictures though, even though the house feels incomplete now I will be able to look back and see the progress that was made one day.  Maybe. 

That is about all my brain can handle after 10 pm on a weeknight.  I'm going to be a better blogger in February, promise!!

25 Weeks

How Far Along: 25 weeks and 2 days.

Size of baby: Baby is the size of an eggplant!

During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.

 

Gender:  Still a girl!  I had another ultrasound at my last appointment to check on things they couldn't see well back in November and girl parts were still there.  The ultrasound went great and baby Hadley appears to be very healthy. 


Maternity Clothes: Oh yea.  I have been so lucky to get maternity clothes from a cousin and friend and they have saved me!  I am also loving wearing all my regular cardigans with a maternity tee or tank underneath.



Weight Gain: I have no clue.  Patrick took our scales from home to use for something at work and he has yet to return them.  I would guess between 15-20 pounds.  I don't think I will be keeping it under the 25 pound mark like I had hoped. 



Movement: Lots of movement :) 



Sleep: Sleeping is pretty good.  I have just got to the point where it is difficult to roll over or to get out of bed but overall I can't complain.  I ordered a pregnancy pillow that is supposed to arrive today so I'm excited about trying that out. 



Symptoms: The Braxton Hicks have started.  I asked my doctor about it and he said totally normal as long as they did not become regular where I could time them.  I don't remember them being this early with Mallory and he said they start sooner with a second pregnancy.  That's about it.  Still no swelling, thank you God!



What I miss:  I have heard a few weight loss stories lately that have really inspired me.  Patrick and I have agreed to get a treadmill as an anniversary present to each other and I want to start a 5K running program once I am able.  I hope I don't lose the motivation between now and then, although with two kids two and under...I can totally see that happening!



Cravings: Grape juice and lots of it. 


What I am looking forward to: Working on the nursery and picking out bedding and decor for Hadley.  Also, entering the third trimester in two weeks.  By this point with Mallory, her nursery was done.  Poor Hadley...I haven't even started on hers.  I guess it's true what they say about the second child! 

2012

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is 2012.  It can't be ten years ago that I graduated from college!  So much has changed since then.  I'm married with a mortgage, SUV and two kids to feed.  AKA - every dream I had has come true.  Now if only I could work three or four days a week instead of five, my world would be perfect :)

I have LOVED every second of having the past two Monday's off work.  I can't express how nice it is to have that extra day to recover from the weekend and have time to actually get some things done.

We had a pretty quiet New Year's Eve.  Nikki & Jack came over to play Saturday morning.  It was really the first time that Mallory has gotten out of the garage and drove her "car".  The weather was warm and perfect and they had a good time with it.

 Jack was such a gentleman & was content to be pushing the car.

I'm sure we will see this again in a real car in about 14 years.  & I will probably need a nerve pill.

How sweet is Jack?!  Or as Mallory has been calling him, Jacky Boy.

We encourage lots of running to get all that energy out.

Great naps are followed by play time like this.

By the way - Mallory picked her own clothes out on this day.



We had planned on taking Mallory to see her first movie that night but Patrick didn't get home in time.  So, being the big party animals that we are, we stayed home and took down all the Christmas decorations.  I was disappointed about missing the movie because I had talked to Mallory about it all day, but it was a huge relief to get the trees down and everything clean and put away for another year.  We also organized the bonus room, put our old tv up there and did some much needed vacuuming.  I was exhausted by 10 pm and did not see the new year come in.  Not the most fun New Year's Eve, but at least it was productive.  I've had my fair share of fun in the years past and there is always next year! 

We did end up taking Mallory to see the movie like we had promised after church yesterday.  We saw Alvin & the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked.  Mallory got sleepy towards the end, but overall did pretty good.  It was a cute movie and she has talked about it quite a bit since.  It is definitely something we will do again soon, but maybe at a different time of day next time.

Last night we ate black eyed peas with my parents and then again today at the hunting camp, so here's to hoping for a very prosperous 2012!

Christmas 2011

We had a busy, fun-filled Christmas!!

Here is my little miss on Christmas Eve

Mallory & I at Granny's house on Christmas Eve

Just in the past few weeks, she has really started liking Barbie stuff.  Her favorite thing is dressing them and changing their clothes.  A little fashionista, she is.  She was very excited to open this Barbie who came with a horse.

Opening presents with Granny & Papa

& Grandaddy Oneal & Grandma Deborah

Our living room after Santa came to visit.  For some reason, when Santa was paying for this stuff it felt like Mallory had a whole bunch, but after I looked at it all laid out it didn't seem like much at all.  However, it is PLENTY for her & I don't know why I even question that.

Santa also left a pink car in our garage :)

My parents came over Christmas morning bearing more gifts & we had a Christmas breakfast.  It was nice & I hope that is the start of another tradition at our new house.

My parents' gift to Mallory was meow-ing and making lots of noises so Grandaddy & Mallory had a lot of fun opening it.  Thank goodness it isn't a REAL cat, but it is real enough.  Needless to say, Mallory loves it.

Even though Patrick & I are State fans, Grandaddy Franklin couldn't resist buying this for Mallory :)  I have to admit, it is pretty cute.  I had to crop myself out of the picture (it was that bad).

My parent's present to Patrick & I is up on the wall:

a new tv!

Thanks, Mom & Dad!

We can now put our old one up in the bonus room.

Later we went to Grandma Jean & Grandaddy Billy's house where Mallory got a new vanity and we all opened more gifts. 

We are an incredibly blessed family who had an incredible Christmas.  I hope everyone else's was the same!

Pre-Christmas Weekend

The weekend before Christmas was a full one.  It started out with my work Christmas party at the Mad Boar.  It was the first time we have been there in a really long time & it did not disappoint.  The food was SO good, I can't wait to go back!

Saturday morning, we went to Jack's 2nd birthday party.  It was a barnyard theme complete with a petting zoo, pony rides and a bounce house.  All the fun that toddlers could ask for, right?!  Mallory was in heaven.

How awesome is that cake?  It tasted really good too :)

I guess Mallory decided to take a break from partying??

Jack was anxiously awaiting to get some cake (& so was I).

Later that night, we had Christmas with Patrick's dads family at his Uncle's house.  They always have chitlins and krout.  (I have no idea if either of those foods are spelled correctly?)  I will have to take pictures next year.

The next day, Mema, Pepaw and Aunt Whitney came to visit us to celebrate Christmas with them.

Trying on her new coat

She LOVES this horse.

Then, that night we had our church Christmas play where Mallory participated for the first time as an angel.  She was dead set against putting the costume on until the very last minute.  I was desperately trying to convince her to put it on and she finally gave in and was a trooper.  She ended up doing really good!

'Mary' told me that the angel held onto her hand the entire time.  I guess she did have a little stage fright but you couldn't tell from the audience.

The cutest little shepherd (after changing out of his costume).