Happy Anniversary Little Home!

5 years ago today, we moved into our first home. Our decision to purchase a home instead of continuing to rent or live in an apartment has been one of the best decisions we have ever made. Almost every night I thank God for the walls that protect us from the wind, rain, snow, and heat; the windows that let light in; the roof that gives us constant shelter; and the carpet that cushions our toes.

It has seen sadness (the death of my father) and joy (the home-coming of a new puppy, the announcement of expecting a baby). It has received friends and family, a mouse, and too many spiders to count. It has concealed arguments that are long forgotten, tender days of forgiveness, and late nights of study. I'm not sure how long God has planned for us to live in this house but given the journey that we have enjoyed thus far, I know that we're in the right hands.

Happy Anniversary little home!

Davey's 4th Birthday

My puppy isn't much of a puppy anymore. I still call him Puppy. He naps a lot now a days. His current activity of choice seems to be sun-bathing.

He still enjoys playing tug-of-war and will demolish a 5 knotted tied rope in about a week. For his birthday he got a new toy, a granola treat, and dinner complete with a can of tasty, yet expensive, dog food.

He's getting a little more white in the face as the years go by but he'll always be my my Velcro Pup,  Monster Monster, Black Dragon, Mush-mouth, Sweet Prince, and Baby.

Happy Birthday David! Pappa Puppy and I love you!

Weird Pregnancy Food Combo Thingy

What do these things have in common?

Denali® Extreme Maximum Fudge Moose Tracks by Private Selection

and

McAlister's Deli Potato Salad?

Nothing with the exception that they are both hanging out in my tummy. This would be my very first documented weird pregnancy food combo thingy. I didn't plan such a combination. Nope. At first I just wanted something really cold and sweet. So I made myself a huge, okay-regular sized, bowl of ice cream. When I had polished that away, I opened the refrigerator and my eyes beheld last nights left over potato salad. Mouth watering, I grabbed a spoon and dove in.

Alex was repulsed. Revolted. Jaw open, blank stare, stunned. I made yummy smacking noises of pure enjoyment. I haven't been this satisfied since last weeks rare New York Strip steak. 

Okay, so maybe its not the first weird craving I've had.

60 Days To Go, Give or Take

Today I am 60 days away from my original due date. I have roughly 60 days until I find out if we'll be bringing home a little boy or girl.

We've had the names picked out since maybe the moment we found out. I'm not sure if I want to officially reveal what they are yet. All I will say at this point is that they are a) not unusual, b) can be found in our family history one way or another, c) and are in no way named after their grandparents.

So far I've only gained 12 pounds. I've done a little bit of math and determined that if 2 of the 12 pounds is boob that leaves me with 10 pounds. Minus 3 pounds for the baby. Minus 3 pounds of fluid and 4 pounds of uterus, that means at this point I may just walk out of the hospital weighing the same or less than before I got pregnant. I know, but a girl can day-dream right.

Weeks ago I finished the baby's room. The paint job took me longer than any project I have ever undertaken in my life. 18 hours of taping and painting to be exact. I'm hoping the story goes something like this: it took me longer to paint your room than it did for me to have you. Fingers crossed. Here are some pictures of the almost final product.

My Mother-in-Law, Boba, bought us this lovely crib and dresser set complete with the mattress. My mother crocheted us the blanket and sent the stuffed animals. I have also received another beautiful baby blanket from my step-mother, Linda, but that's not in this particular picture.

My mom sent us this rocking chair as a present. The wood looks a little dark but in person it matches very well. My sister, Em, made the little fleece pillow and blanket.

I really like these curtains. It has these giant fireworks-like pattern embroidered down the panels.

I included this picture to show off my talent for painting stripes. The secret is in the taping. You have to become best friends with a laser level to get results like this. Also, being able to do math is an added bonus. 

I say "almost finished project" because there are two or three things I still want to add to the room, paint wise. I'm hoping my friend Selene will be able to come over this weekend and draw and paint in a large tree in the corner. From the tree branches I plan on hanging some picture frames that will have the baby's initials. And maybe a cute blue and pink bird or two. And then the painting will be done. At this point, I'm good with it looking like this until college graduation. 

60 days doesnt' seem like to far away. On the other hand, it feels like forever. Right now I'm okay with each day taking it's time. It means I don't have to deal with the other scary thing that comes after- being a parent. There's no count down to when that ends. It will be nice to finally see the little creature that has been doing full body flips for the last couple of months. That and giving it a name. :)

Unemployed Breakfast

I’ve been out of work for 7 days now. Super bored out of my mind. I’ve seen Alex for probably a total of 45 minutes combined. Our conversations have been made up of guttural sounds and whale calls. So basically, nothing significant. The house can’t get any cleaner than it already is. Well, maybe a little cleaner but I have to give myself something to do next week. I woke up today at 7 am. I’m not sure what I did for an hour but around 8 I decided to make breakfast. Pancakes from scratch, cheap-o bacon, and Simply® Orange Juice. I added apple butter to the pancakes this time but I’m not happy with how they turned out. The flavor wasn’t appley enough. 

Anyway, I ate breakfast alone, did all the dishes, and then woke up Alex. As soon as I said breakfast he was wide awake. I sat next to him while he ate telling him about the hilarious parenting horror stories I’ve been reading on one of my favorite sites (crappypictures.com) and when he was done he laid down on the couch. Leaving his plates behind. No problem dear, I know you’re the breadwinner so please let me pick up after you. Eating breakfast is so exhausting, or maybe it was the fact that he stayed up until 4 am watching something on YouTube. Anyway, I tried to get some adult conversation out of him... “Tell me about Whats-His-Face at workl? When do you think you’ll be home tonight? That’s great you have 2 days off! What do you want to do?” I got about 10 minutes of conversation out of him before he dozed off to sleep. Awesome. 

I hate being unemployed. How am I ever going to be a stay-at-home mom?