I'm alive and well! Still here! Just busy and honestly very distracted with a busy 6 month old and my hyper 4 year old. Where does time go?? I have been keeping my cousins kids during the summer for free because well, I know what its like when you're just starting out and daycare is expensive yall!! So 4 kids during the week and no free time on the weekends means no time to write... ANYTHING! We've been busy. Busy. Busy... Aquariums, Marine Museums you name it we've been doing it... But I'm gonna post pictures... Voting

I must be crazy

I must be! Because not only did I allow a puppy into my house, I am also considering another baby. Not anytime soon but after Tink bug was born I completely was against more babies. I went through a tough stage where I didn't even think I could handle the two I had. I was depressed, tired, sad, irritable, you name it I had it. And why? Because I wasn't prepared. With boogie I had a lot of help. My mom lived two doors away, I had people there all day. Not with Tink. Luckily we've adjusted because I didn't know what if it was ev going to get better.

Now I spend my days with Dunkin, Tink, and boogie. He goes to preschool Tuesday and Thursday which makes those days difficult because Tink has settled into a routine where she doesn't want to leave the house. She only sleeps when she's in her pack n play for naps, night time is always up in the air because you never know what kind of mood shell be in. Her swing is her best friend and she loves her brother.

The puppy is another pain. He is well, a puppy. It's like having two babies in the house.


Voting

PLEASE

Go to this link and like my friends story she really could use the win!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=314525865266526&set=a.314525778599868.89642.109613562424425&type=1&theater

Voting

Mish Mash

We're alive, just crazy busy.

My husband is going through the same issues we had over summer and he is distant, void, just not wanting to participate in our family. So momma is literally doing everything. And I'm ok with that.

he has changed and not in a good way. He did something that was pretty much the ultimate act of betrayal and thought nothing of it. He truly thinks his behavior is acceptable and it isn't. On top there is other crap that I'm not ready to discuss.

Having a 10 week old is a great distraction. Bare with me while I go through this I promise I'll be back to my happy self again soon.

Voting

Two is better than one until...

Your hands are full, both kids are screaming, you still have to unlock the door, change the baby, feed th baby, unload the groceries, make lunch for the toddler (spaghetti- o's anyone??), put said groceries away, and start dinner.

Chaos. My life is utter chaos. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Gracelynn will no stand to be sat down unless she is within sight of someone entertaining her. Boogie wants someone to play with him as well and there is always some toy he "just" broke and needs fixing... I however, can say this... God knows what he is giving you and he expects you to do it. And I do.

Most days I can say that the chaos is organized and I manage to manuever my way through the day without ripping my hair out. That is until my 26 year old man child makes his way home at which point I undoubtedly want to stangle him for the 5th pair of shoes being left in front of the door or in the middle of the hall... You see my very ambitious and crazy four year old has an obsession with shoes. Especially my uggs. I have 4 pair and they usually end up right in the middle of the hall. My husband comes home and must think that since momma has left her uggs there I can too! But! It isn't momma who has done this and since mommas has picked these shoes up 1653 times since 10 am she has decided to leave those shoes there for an extra 5 minutes... So of course when momma sees work boots added to the mess she FLIPS OUT...

I don't get how someone his age can forget this same thing day in and day out. EVERY DAY Y'all! it isn't like this is new. Apparently to him it is...

But I will say this, with all the craziness that is my house my children brighten everyday and every night. Here are some pics to make up for my lack of posts









Voting

What No body told me

Nobody told me that having two children to care for was going to be so hard. No one told me breastfeeding could make or break a person and practically kill the first few weeks of being thrilled about baby. Nobody told me that even though I wanted to quit more often than not, I would look at Gracelynn and I would automatically remember why I was enduring one of the hardest things I have done.

These past 4 weeks have been full of ups and downs. I've cried, yelled, cried, laughed, and enjoyed every moment I've had with my two beautiful blessings.

The two of them are so polar opposites, Boogie was so laid back and relaxed, and Gracelynn well lets just say she is a princess to a T.

I promise to post pictures and do a one month update... Its been next to impossible to get on the computer with these two munchkins.

Voting

How we welcomed our little girl

Honestly it took us by surprise or at least me. My husband however, seemed to know that Gracelynn had a new idea in her head.

December 3rd was my baby shower that was being thrown by my mother in law and my sister in law. I hadn't been feeling great the last few days and almost cancelled the baby shower due to swelling and general lack of wanting to do anything.

The baby shower went well we got a lot of great gifts but had to exchange some items that were doubled. We went to babies r us after the shower and picked up a breast pump and some other odds and ends and headed home.

We got home around 8:30 and just basically relaxed. I had already packed my hospital bag and the diaper bag just to be safe since my first baby was early...

Around 10pm we decided to try to lay down and watch a movie. By 12 I was having contractions but they weren't consistent so I ignored them as best I could. By 2 am I was writhing in pain and calling the dr. When we didn't get a call back within 20 minutes I decided it was time to go to the hospital. My contractions were 3 minutes apart and very intense. When we got to the hospital I was dilated 6 cm and about 50% effaced.

I got an epidural and tried my best to relax however, I had a spinal leak and that caused me to have a really intense headache. By 8 am I was begging them to break my water and when the dr came in at 8:40 am to do that she said the baby hadn't come down that much... Within 5 minutes of her breaking my water I started feeling this intense urge to push and a lot of pressure and burning. By 8:50 it was time to push and I wasn't gonna argue.

It took 3 pushes and 5 minutes to deliver my beautiful baby girl. I was so exhausted and sore (my epidural wore off) that all I cared to know was if my very early little angel was ok. Once the husband confirmed she was ok and brought her over I was relieved and mellow.

We spent 2 days in the hospital and part of that was spent with Gracelynn in an incubator since she had jaundice. When we went home and introduced boogey to his sister it was like our little family was complete.

I have spent the last week adjusting to being a mommy of 2. Hubby has been a big help when he is home as much as he can. He can't help with the feedings since we're breastfeeding but he can help with boogey.

We can't say how blessed we really are enough. God has given us two beautiful children and the love I have for both is overwhelming.
Voting

Sorry i've been gone but...

I've been busy with this little love bug:


Gracelynn Bella Michele was born on 12/4/2011 at 08:55 am. 5lbs 15 ounces and 19 inches long.

I was only 35 weeks and 4 days pregnant with her when she decided it was time to welcome herself into the world... I'll post the birth story later with more pictures.


Voting

I'm alive just pregnant and can't think...

I'm 32 weeks pregnant tomorrow!! We are so ready for Gracelynn to get here. Honestly my pregnancy symptoms have been not good... Seriously, my hips seperate all the time making it extremely painful to move let alone walk, I live in the restroom, my swelling is getting obnoxious but thank god for my Ugg boots, exhaustion is a popular theme in my house, and I have a four year old who is into everything... I haven't posted because well honestly, I can't form a thought without getting distracted.

I have had one baby shower already for work and I can't lie I was such a giddy girl because without my momma the older ladies i work with really make me feel like its ok. I miss my mom so bad. Now I'm crying...

I have another baby shower this weekend and i am super excited. Hopefully it goes without a hitch... here are some belly pictures.



30 weeks


31 weeks




Voting

Fun stuff

I just purchased this little hat on etsy and I am so excited! I can imagine baby girl wearing it for her newborn pictures.

and i also received an unexpected package today... from similac. Yes I plan on breastfedding and there are no plans of when we will stop but its good to have received two cans of free formula in case anything happens and Gracelynn for any reason cannot breastfeed.

Short post, random post. Thats just how it is today.

Voting

Fall does not mean time to chill out picture overload

Get it?? Chill out? The weather?? hahaha i crack myself up. But for real I have not had a quiet day in weeks... Im 29 weeks today!!! Boogey turned 4 today which makes me sad and happy I can't believe he is 4 where have the last 4 years gone???

Wanna see pics? of course you do

















Voting

27 weeks pregnant

OMG! I am 27 weeks that means I have 13 weeks left. WHAT??!!!!

We have been relaxing, spending family time, getting things together for the baby girl, and just basically enjoying the fall.

My brain doesn't hold attention on any subject for more than a few minutes right now so any posts I've started have all ended up making no sense to me what so ever.

Baby girl is a mover. She kicks and rolls and punches all day long and throughout the night. No complaints about it I really enjoy feeling her in there. I have finally however, found out why I was having all of the hip, pelvic, and back pain... I have something called symphysis pubis dysfunction. Sounds fun right?? No?? you sure? anyways basically I get to wear a pregnancy support belt that is more like a harness than a belt but it works so I gotta pacify myself and suck it up..

Good stuff, I love the fall weather we've been having in VA I love the crisp air and being able to enjoy sitting outisde with booty while he runs crazy all over the yard. I have been living in leggings and ugg boots and hoodies. My husband purchased me some ugg cardy's as a surprise. I am used to sticking to the classic ones but i googled the boots and found Ms. Megan Fox rocking them so I am ok with them... hello cute casual!

I love that I can wear Warm Vanilla Sugar body scents and it feels like it fits the season. mmmm

This weekend we are taking a trip to WV for what they call Forest Festival and i am so excited to get out of town and to visit my friends who I havent seen in forever. I will definitely post pictures when i get home....

Voting

I feel like...

A whale! Ok maybe not that bad but I feel like I am huge. With my first pregnancy I was tiny or at least I feel like I was tiny... this time around I feel like a big ole fatty...

I don't know how to up my self confidence but seriously I feel yucky.

Voting

Preggo brain and ramblings

I don't remember going through this with my first pregnancy. I remember being in pure bliss and just relaxing with him. So why is it that now all I can do is worry? Is it because I've been there done that and I know all of the things I will have questions about once miss Gracelynn gets here? I dont know. What I do know is that I have a gazillion things I never thought of with boogey and here I am stressing out...

Breastfeeding- I am terrified that I am going to fail at what I'm supposed to be naturally good at. I didn't breastfeed my son. So I have no idea what to do. The biggest things?? What should my diet be like to help my milk flow? How often should I pump just to save up milk? How frequesntly should I nurse??

Vaccines- I never knew the dangers of vaccines with boogey. But the more I read the more freaked out I get. I worry that I shouldn't get her vaccinated when she gets here. I worry that I risked my sons life by following the doctors schedule with his vaccines. He never had a reaction but I'm still worried. What is yalls opinions???

With all of the worries though there have been some good things that have happened this week... like getting her nursery started... We are going with a shabby chic theme. Want to see some of my inspiration of course you do!!!





Our nursery won't be quite as lavish as some of the images but its what inspired me.

oh and of course a belly pic...




Voting

This and that

Ahhh!! Time is flying by. I am 23 weeks and 5 days pregnant. When did that happen?!

Anyways, Boogey's birthday is coming next month!! That means I have been in party planning mode, and then my baby Shower is in November... I have been in love with the theme wanna see what we are cooking up??


My theme is going to be Alice in Wonderland. Its colorful, fun, and girly. Not to mention there are tons of things we can do.

Boogey's party is dinosaur themed apparently. He keeps changing what he wants on me. He gets it from me...

Well I have to get ready to go today is the hubs' birthday we're going to dinner with his family...

Voting

Its been busy

Sorry for lack of posts. I am sure everyone was dying to know where I went... Kidding...

My little man started preschool this week :( Makes me sad.



The baby has been causing me to have tons of Braxton Hicks contractions. Which scared me at first but the dr. put me on pelvic rest until my next appointment at the end of the month.

We bought a used car. I was tired of my 07 Cadillac CTS and wanted something bigger but didn't want a huge car payment so I started looking for a used car and we bought an 04 Acura MDX. Not brand new but very exciting to me... I love it already.





Voting

Gender Reveal post

We went Wednesday morning to find out what Duckie is Boy or girl, pink or blue... My husband and I had our preferences but we were also happy as long as everything looked healthy.

Its a.... GIRL! So I definitely bought pink stuff.

Her name?? Gracelynn Bella Michele

Gracelynn- Because my moms middle name was Lynn and his grandfather was called Lynn. So Lynn was a must considering they both went to heaven.

Bella- we both loved the name and the meaning.
Michele It is his mothers name and even though she hasn't always been super supportive we thought it was fair and it continues with his family's tradition of the 4 names. First, two middles, and last.

We are thrilled and now I am ready to start registering for girly stuff.


Voting

Earthquake!!

i have never experienced an earthquake until now... And it scared the daylight out of me. I am home alone with my cats and I was actually asleep when it happened. Thankfully everything is ok and my family and friends are ok but it scared me...

Voting

BOOOOOO

Im in the office today which equates to a rather unhappy me... I had to wake up wayyyy to early and this was one of those sleep in mornings. So I'm not thrilled. However, duckie has been kicking away this morning so that has entertained my mind enough to make me not kill anyone... Kidding guys come on!

Tomorrow is the day I find out what duckie is Pink or Blue... Any guesses?

Voting

Half way there

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 20 weeks and one day

Size of Baby: Duckie is the size of a cantelope

Maternity Clothes: So comfy and found some cute basics at target this week

Gender: Finding out on the 24th

Movement: Duckie is active...

Sleep: What is that? I hardly sleep and when I do its barely the type of sleep you need.

What I Miss: Sleep.

Cravings: Pasta. And mexican

Symptoms: Syncope, tiredness, sore muscles, sore breasts, constant bathroom trips especially at night.

Best Moment of the Week: Just feeling duckie move all the time. I doze off to it and wake up to it so I love it...

Voting