lollipop, lollipop....

freebie!

toddler tableware set from Mott's for Tots.

Just a quick lil' survey.

CLICK HERE

silly

this is how i found jordan yesterday morning when i went in to get him up.



what?


the newest way to grab a drink of water.


silly boy.

to jordan

I walk along holding your almost 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow Of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: How could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you've never shared me before. I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me." And I hear myself telling you in mine, "I can't," Knowing in fact, that I never can again. You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her -- as though I am betraying you. But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection. More days pass, and we are setting into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast. But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two. There are new times -- only now, we are three.

I watch the look between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other. I watch how she adores you -- as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you. I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement.

Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you -- only differently. And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you'll never share my love. There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply. I love you -- both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

-this is called "loving two". i didnt write this......but it is my heart!

buh-bye first trimester!

geez, that was FAST. this one is flying by. no sickness...not even one day. that is so completely different than my pregnancy with Jordan.

33% done with this pregnancy! my belly is beginning to poke out a bit....and i've actually begun to feel flutters. it's very early, but i have no doubt that's what they are!

exciting stuff......

we're cooking dinner for 20+ college students tonight. better get some prep work done :)

have a wonderful Sunday!

SOMEbody....

Needs

A

Haircut!

lately he's been terrified of the salon where we go though. i also do the books for the lady there and he screams whenever we pull into the parking lot...even if i'm just running in to drop something off. right now we're just letting it grow. but this is what it looks like in the a.m.'s. quite unruly.

here she (he???) is!!

waving to us!

these were done yesterday. baby is getting so big! and moving lots and lots on the ultrasounds. i LOVE being able to see him/her whenever i want to. i'm so spoiled this time!

while i still totally think this ones' a girl (just by how the pregnancy's gone so far)...we *thought* we may have seen a boy part yesterday....HMMMMMM.

a couple more weeks to find out for sure! but this one's keeping us guessing!

$1.50 lunch. cant' beat it.

there is a new coupon out for the "Deli Creations" sub sandwich for $1 off. I saw them at Wal Mart for $2.50.

There are all different kinds and it comes with bread, meat, cheese, fixins. Not bad for a buck fifty, especially considering what you'd spend at Subway. I've tried the ham/swiss/dijon one before and it's awesome.

I'll be stocking up on these for lunches.

Coupon can be found at http://www.coupons.com/ (you'll have to scan through the pages)
Should let you print at least 2.

DIAPER deal! DIAPER deal!

there are other things in this deal too....but since I'm stocking up on diapers for Jordan as well as new baby, the diaper thing sticks out.

This is good even if you dont have coupons for the items, because it's literally 50% off. If you add coupons to this, and throw in a CVS printable coupon (CLICK HERE)...you are on your way to a very nice deal or two.

Sale starts Sunday the 17th:

Limit one per card (But I have THREE!)

Here are the items included:

Buy $30 of these items, get $15 Extracare bucks Back

Ziploc/Hefty 2/$5 (Ziploc sandwich 100ct, freezer qt 20ct, slide loc freezer 10 ct, twist n loc sm round 2ct, Hefty onezip storage qt 22ct or gallon 17ct)

Glade 2/$3 (Air Freshener spray 9 oz or carpet and room deodorizer 32 oz)

Glade Scented Oil Refill candle or PlugIns 1-3pk 2/$5

Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner $17.99

Energizer $5.29 (AA, AAA 8pk, C, D 4pk, or 9 volt 2pk)

Kleenex Family Size 2/$5 (180 or 280 ct)

Huggies Jumbo Pack $8.99 (Supreme, Ultratrim, Pull-Ups, Natural Fit, or Goodnites excludes Overnites)

Huggies Baby Wipes Refill 128-160 ct $4.99

Depend or Poise (Depend underwear 14-20ct, male guards 52ct, garments 30ct, briefs 16-22ct, Poise pads 36-104ct or panties 15-17ct)

Poise Pantiliners 24 or 26ct $2.50

Cottonelle 12 pk Double roll $5.99

Cottonelle wipes tub or refill 42 ct 2/$4

Palmolive 13oz 0.99

Kotex 2/$5 (Pads 14-24ct, tampons 18ct or pantiliners 40-64ct)

Viva 8 pack paper towels $6.49

MY PLAN:
i plan on buying 3 huggies packs (8.99) and probably a palmolive and something for 2.50 on the list to get me to $30, then I'll use huggies coupons ($2 off). With the $15 extra bucks I'll buy 2 more packs of diapers....then repeat with the other two cards. Should get 5 packs of diapers for around $16. SWEET.

even the best laid plans.....

ya know how you plan and look forward to something for a loooooonnnnnggggg time...then it just doesnt quite work out?

this is what we were supposed to be doing for V-day this year:
(the anniversary of when Asah proposed! 5 big years ago!)





asah had booked us for the big Valentines dinner cruise on the Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans. i was super excited, especially about the menu. I think pregnancy makes you obsess about food even more. I remember emailing Asah the menu off their website just last week and being so excited about what I'd get to eat.

Instead, we'll be hanging out with this sick little guy:


(picture taken during a marathon nap this morning)
(thank you mimi for the elmo blankie)

yes, after the great concussion yesterday, jordan woke up with a croupy cough and high fever the middle of last night. he was up several hours. we were out of tylenol so asah made a midnight run to walgreens (super dad).

the concussion and being very sick aren't related....i kind of laugh now. even after the concussion we were teetering on whether or not to go ahead with the plans. now there isn't a question.

Here is what we're planning on for Valentines dinner instead:



i made a call the the reservation clerk for the cruise and my heart sank when she said the tickets were "nonrefundable". they weren't cheap tickets at all. i begged to talk to someone else. A sweet lady had much symphathy and offered to re-schedule for the regular dinner cruise at a later date. I am thrilled! We'll just celebrate a bit later......

here's a great Word on "plans"-

one of my favorites actually.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope....
Jeremiah 29:11 (esv)

SO, whatever you're doing for Valentines day, just enjoy the time with the ones you love. That's all I have "planned" for tonight.

Happy Valentines Day!

hmmmm. is "1st concussion" a milestone?

well, i guess with a kid like Jordan it was bound to happen one day. just wish today wasn't the day. it's one i dont want to repeat.

we got to work and as usual Jordan was running all over the Restoration House doing his usual thing. He was climbing on the chairs in the kitchen which I thought nothing of...typical Jordan and it was keeping him occupied. Next thing I know he's totally fallen backwards off the chair and hit the back of his head; hard. He was very upset but I thought for sure he was okay. I held him for 15 minutes or so, we tried juice, a pacifier, snacks to calm him down. I stood up to walk with him and he began throwing up everywhere. I freaked.

Our director drove us to the Hospital, someone called Asah, and I was wearing a lot of puke. We ran redlights and had the flashers on and everything. It was very hard to keep Jordan awake on the way...he kept drifting off. At this point I was very scared. They took us right back and Asah got there quickly with a shirt for me (I was DRENCHED in vomit). They hooked him up to monitors, checked the eyes, and gave a seditive for a CAT scan. It took him almost an hour to calm down for the scan. We got ready to go back and then they asked if I was pregnant. Yes...almost forgot! So I couldnt go back with him for the CT scan. Luckily Asah got to. I was really worried because they said he'd have to be still for 5 minutes. That's an eternity for an almost 2 year old. At the hospital all Jordan wanted was his "papis". (Pacis). I was so frazzled leaving work I left the diaper bag and we had none. Luckily they noticed at work and sent someone to bring them. Papis to the rescue...just in time for the scan.

Anyway, after a few more tense moments the doctor came back and said his scan was clear. A moderate concussion. Phew. Jordan fell asleep on the way home from the hospital and I probably checked on him 58 times during that nap.

They said he could be out of it for a day or so. Tonight about 5:00 all he wanted to do was go to bed. We tried a bath to keep him awake but afterwards he snuggled up with Asah in their chair and conked out. Just an exhausting day for everyone.

It struck me funny that when Asah got home from work today he said "Come here buddy! You got your first concussion today!" Um, First? Hopefully last! I don't know if this is a milestone we want to repeat, ya know?

Going to bed. Sooooooo tired.

Great coupon and a recipe

Try these chips for free!

Click Here

Great with this Fruit Salsa:

INGREDIENTS
2 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
8 ounces raspberries
1 pound strawberries
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor (i use strawberry)

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.


I made this for tonights Small Group at our house. We use the Apple Cinnamon Flat Earth chips for dippers. SOOOOOO yummy.

breakfast for dinner, anyone?

here's a tip: today's national pancake day at IHOP. from 7am-10pm enjoy a free short stack of pancakes.
Yummy!

details at http://www.ihoppancakeday.com/

update on the weekend, the baby, etc

thought i'd post an update since it's been a week!

this weekend i went to alexandria on a nice, relaxing women's retreat. it was awesome to have a dinner out with the girls, be refreshed by the speaker and sessions and have a bit of girl time. here's a pic of our group. 4 out of the 6 are pregnant. made for frequent bathroom breaks.



we began making way for baby. i know it's very early, but i'm a planner like that. we started getting newborn stuff down from the attic and cleaning out the guestroom (quite the job). jordan discovered that he loves baby toys again....especially the bouncy seat. look how giant he is in it now. what a silly boy.





he and asah had a great "bachelor weekend". they went to the park and had lots of fun. asah said the first night jordan mustve gotten up at some point and emptied his dirty clothes hamper into the bed with him. he slept with all his dirty clothes. funny boy!

we are now 11 plus weeks with the new baby. and i know it's way too early to tell, but we are really feeling like this is a girl! really no more than just a feeling...this pregnancy has been so completely different and the heartrate is ALWAYS up there....usually 170-180ish. i get it done often since i work at the pregnancy center. i'm also very spoiled by seeing the baby about every week on our ultrasound there! i need to scan/upload some pics. it sure has grown!

thats all for now....jordan really wants me off the computer!

deal of the week

geez, i've been a slacker on these:

Free Family Fun Magazine!

CLICK HERE

You have to sign up for Party City's party club, but you get a free subscription for doing so.

This magazine is great...there are tons of ideas for things to do with your kiddos (whatever their age).

Enjoy.

saturday snooze.........

well, there's a story behind this one...
i was trying to catch up on some chores this morning but Jordan HATES the vacuum cleaner. he really is terrified of it. when he saw it in his room he clung to me like a leech. he buried his head in my chest and would not let go. i jumped at the opportunity to snuggle with him, this is so RARE. anyone that knows J knows he doesnt stop to cuddle with anyone. well, the boy let me hold him for 30 min or so, so we went to the bed and i laid there with him for awhile...next thing i know he's out cold...at 10 in the morning. he played really hard this morning and who knows how long/when he was up last night since he's in his big boy bed...so he just completely conked out. i must say that i got rather emotional holding him while he slept beside me this morning...yes, we did it so many times when he was a newborn...but we're coming up on a big 2nd birthday, and he'll be a big brother this year...so many changes. But it's good to know he'll always be my baby, and that he was comfortable enough to know that I'd protect him from the vacuum cleaner, and anything else he's afraid of.

i sure do love this little boy.