Blogging Sabbatical-I think not

Lately I have realized how much my little mind thinks. The wheels up there are constantly spinning producing ridiculous questions and never ending thought! Sometimes it tiresome but I must confess, I have nothing to blog about right now (that I care to make public) besides more nothingness. So here we go...

Have you ever noticed that your pupils are constantly dilating and you never feel it!? When your mouth opens, you feel it! When you flare your nostrils, you feel it! But when your pupils dilate you feel nothing-or so I thought. The other day I was at another Medicare training, when the instructor kept ordering for the lights to be turned on and off so that we could see the white board and then the power point and then our manuals. Every time they would do this the room would go from radiating light to black darkness! I started noticing this discomfort in my eyes! And then it dawned on me-that must be what it feels like when they dilate! So can we feel our pupils dilating or is something terribly wrong with my eyeballs that will cause blindness before I know it??!!

What is the deal with vampires? Calm down all you Twilight readers with the little ticker, ticking away for the next movie to premiere-I am not knocking Twilight but genuinely asking what is so intriguing with vampires??!! Vampire Diaries, Twilight, Harry Potter...what is up with all this dark madness??!! And don't you just love the seductive commercials for Vampire Diaries-seriously folks there is nothing sexy about a blood sucking, sharp fanged individual with possessed eyes! Gosh, I guess I just have a handicapped imagination that won't let my poor unadventurous mind soar into the world of wizards, witches and vampires. I am truly no fun.
I must requote Anne Rice, "I am tired of the idea that the devil is the only interesting one." (Wow, is this woman not unique.)

Why do manicures chip quicker than pedicures?? I got an awesome pedicure by Posh Nails and it has barely lasted me a week but my pedicure lasted almost 3! Some people say its because you use your hands more. I beg to differ on that one! My toes endure close toed shoes, socks and walking so I am not really sure why one lasts longer than the other.

Do people think I don't own a mirror? Honestly folks-I totally KNOW I am massively pregnant with this baby and that I look about 7 1/2 months when I am only barely 6 months but when you ask how far along do you HAVE to act so surpised!? Gosh, so annoying! I have a mirror I know that I appear farther along than I am but looks can be decieving. I need to write a book called Don't Judge A Woman By Her Belly and list all the dos and don'ts when approaching pregnant women.

And a blog written by a mother wouldn't be a blog written by a mother without mentioning poop. So to sum this post up here is to poop...Dalen has been potty training (some days are better than others) and he can't finish going without taking a peek before flushing. Lately everytime he goes number 2 it's like he is looking at the clouds-he finds the most hilarious images right there in the toilet. The other day he spotted a taco and the next day some chips and the funniest of all-"Oh Wow Mommy! Chicken Nuggets!" Let's just express he is ALWAYS supervised when around the potty!

Birthday, Nemo and what's the weekend without church...

Just when I thought last week couldn't get any busier, I remembered I didn't have a birthday present for my husband, we needed to plan an outing to celebrate the BIG 25 and I could NOT go another week without my H1N1 shot.

My husband is such a gadget, phone, technology freak. He is so into the newest "things". This can cause a slight problem around Father's Day, Birthday and Christmas-because all of those things just happen to usually be slightly (or largely) out of budget. His birthday happened to occur on the busiest week we have had in a LONG time. It was Friday before I found him a gift. I got him some new jeans and a nice shirt from Old Navy. Dalen was sent off to Parent's Night Out (where he screamed his little lungs up AGAIN but eventually managed to have a decent time) while we ventured off to Big River Grill with about 10 friends. It's so nice to be in a small setting with good friends. But, boy is that place LOUD! I am such a slacker and didn't take pics.

Saturday was Dalen's BIG day. One of the GREAT things about one of my sisters not having kids is that she is forever taking every opportunity to spoil mine. Cola's closet is already growing due to recent purchases by Aunt MyMel. Mel, along with her roommate Ann and her daughter Morgann decided to invite Dalen along to Nemo On Ice. Dalen has been looking foward to going to see the "fishies" for a long time now. FINALLY, he got to go Saturday. Mel said he didn't move a muscle the entire show. He loves her Explorer and house so much he screams just about everytime I come to pick him up or she drops him off. I took advantage of Dalen being gone and literally slept almost ALL day. I was so exhausted!!! Dalen came home sporting his new Nemo hat.

Sunday rolled around quicker than it ever could have. We never set the alarm for Sundays because Dalen ALWAYS has us up before we need to be. But Sunday he slept until 8:50!! PRAISE THE LAMB! This pregnancy is just exhausting! Dalen went to church with my parents. Sunday was Mario's actual birthday so we went to Tres Hermanos for lunch (his pick).

I am excited about this week too. It's payday, Halloween, Dalen's school's festival and I am sure all the activities inbetween will exhaust me once again. Enjoy some pics that were passed on from Dalen's Auntie Mel.

Dalen in his fishy hat.

Enjoying the show!

I just love this! Dalen's eyes are so sparkly and his lips so plump...

Too cute!

Big Belly Blues

6 Weeks before I had Dalen


24 Weeks with Cola

Today, I am 24 weeks prego. (Barely passed the halfway mark of this pregnancy.) I feel like I am as big as I was with Dalen when I was ready to deliver. This is going to be one BIG gal! This morning just seemed difficult. Getting in and out of the shower I noticed my balance is off, I am struggling to make my normal stretchy clothes go as far as they can go before I need to shop for more maternity clothes (I've already been once!) and of course my back is still in so much pain.

Since its been cold I have been on the hunt for my tall, warm, black leather boots. I haven't been able to find them anywhere! Finally, I had to ask my husband this morning if he would get on all fours to hunt under the bed for them. I just knew if I got down there I wouldn't get back up and I definitely wouldn't be able to fit under the bed if the need occurred! Just about the time Mario was a 1/3 of the way under the bed reaching for one boot, Dalen came around the corner and looked so confused and asked, "Mommy?! What is Daddy doing?!" BINGO! Within seconds both boots were found and I arrived to work fashionably warm in leggings and an old stretchy dress that I wore as a top. YAY, for old clothes that bring new surprises!

Mario and Dalen picked me up breakfast at Hardees on the way to work and then dropped me off. (I had left my car here the previous night) I must admit today I feel great. I am so energized and ready for our big service tomorrow. But it seems like everyday I wonder what it will be like to not only leave one baby behind but two babies behind as I leave for work everyday. I miss Dalen so much when at work! He sends me texts typed by Daddy and videos sending kisses my way. If I were to be totally honest I would have to admit, I love to work and obviously need to for the financial benefit it brings to our family but its so hard not to be able to have a little more of a balance! I wish I could work part time for a while when the baby comes.

So here I sit with my belly not quite under my desk anymore and keep reciting my old quote I thought over and over when I had Dalen: "You can look how you feel or try to feel like you look."

Book Club & A little Of Nothingness

I think I clued everyone in on the fact that I was invited to a book club which started last Saturday. Our first read was Cold Tangerines, which I am so embarrassed to admit, I didn't finish! It was totally not my fault though...Furgal Me ordered the book from half.com and it took forever to be mailed. So a book review will come when I finish but I would like to make comments about book club.

I don't think I will always walk away from every book I read saying I loved it or sometimes I won't even be able to say I liked it BUT the first book club meeting gave me a sweet revelation. As we sat and discussed the book chapter by chapter Lisa had made a detailed outline with questions that helped us hash out thoughts or ideas. Its so amazing to me that certain chapters I didn't necessarily like or relate to were others favorites. I think that I will always end a book with respect for it even if I got nothing out of it or didn't like it. I will leave with respect because somewhere out there is someone who has been changed, challenged, touched by the words written by the authors hand. Though it means nothing to me it may be everything to someone else's state of being. It may speak hope at nightfall and give someone an extra push to keep going. So that is what I learned this book club meeting-Not every book receives 5 stars but every book recieves my respect for the stars it's accumulated in someone else's mind and life.


Ok-on to nothingness. I recenltly had pics of Dalen made by amiandalisonphotography.com
Here is the collage they placed on their blog. I love it! They are such good photographers and were so very patient as Dalen rode his bike into the road and off every curb every 10 seconds. you can see the rest by going to their website and using the password VINING.

Pumpkins!

This weekend was full of little activities that kept Dalen content and occupied. I loved this weekend. It was full of those small, unexpected surprises life gives you and lots of joy and laughter. Friday I found Dalen's Halloween Costume! YAY! You will have to stay tuned to see what he is going to be and how amazing and adorable he looks in his costume. Mario had a lot of friends in town and he ventured off to their house for fellowship and a bon fire-so what's a gal to do? Hit up Target of course! Dalen & I enjoyed a night of shopping and were surprised by our special friends Adrienne and Chris. Chris and I basically sat in the floor and laughed hysterically while Adrienne tried on "cool" headbands and Dalen began trying some out as well. Sorry, no pics of that! We then ate at Steak n Shake where Dalen met his soulmate Deborah who danced around while she worked...oh my-there are no words for "Dancin' Debbie".

Saturday was my first book club meeting (which will get its own seperate blog, after this one). Dalen has had a growing obssession and curiosity about pumpkins so Mario had been telling him all week he would take him to pick his very own pumpkin at the store while I was gone. Last year at Moms Nurturing Moms we painted our very own pumpkin and so I thought once I left book club we could do this with Dalen. I think Dalen picked the largest pumpkin at the store! Its huge! Mario said he picked another at first but the stem was bent and Dalen insisted he get another because it was "broken".

Dalen painted his pumpkin until all colors were dripping into a bland and not so appealing shade of nothing. He couldn't stop smiling at his masterpiece and pointed to spots saying, "Look Mommy! Look Daddy! Dalen painted a bird!!" What an imagination he has!! lol Here are some of pics from the weekend!

This Dalen after his Saturday afternoon nap. He isn't in a very good mood!

Mario and Dalen acting silly at Sunday lunch.

Dalen and his MASSIVE pumpkin! Notice his cute little smile.

Dalen and his pallet he made on Sunday night.

Painting away!

On our way home from Chattanooga.

This morning's farewell was full of smiles not tears! YAY!

Looks like Dalen has some BIG shoes to fill!

I also have to mention that I ran into my playpen and swing at TJ Maxx! YAY! I saved about $60 buying them both there. For some reason Boppy items can't be copied and saved from the interenet so I have no pics :(. Cola is surely coming soon!

Cold Ankles

As I have gotten older I have tried to be a lot more positive than I used to be. There are, however, some days that literally just stink. Today is one of them. Today reminds me of that children's book called Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst (if you aren't familiar with it you should read it!).

Today Dalen was supposed to be to school by 8:30. Our alarm didn't buzz until 8 am. Oh, and let me rewind and tell you about our horrible night where we literally didn't sleep, at all. Dalen has reverted to HATING, LOATHING, DESPISING his crib and night night time. He cried on and off all night. I refused, absolutely refused to go get him. All I can think of is having two kids in a few months, who don't sleep at night.

So 8 am comes around and my husband jumps out of bed and informs me he is late for an 8:15 get together with our youth pastor. As he rushes around getting ready, I go to the dryer to get my freshly washed work pants out of the dryer and realize that my husband forgot to dry them like he said he would and there they sat-still in the washer. Normally, this would be no biggie but considering I am now size MASSIVE whale I have all of 4 pairs of pants that fit me for work. I had no choice but to call my boss and let her know I would be late because "I have no clean or dry clothes to wear today!" Yea, professional I know. Luckily she thought it was kind of humorous and let me off the hook.

My husband rushes out the door to meet our youth pastor and I am left to dress Dalen and myself. I go to Dalen's room only to find a funky smell in the air and notice he had thrown up in his bed during the night. Oh yeah, I am seeing it now-Mother Of The Year. I felt horrible, like a failure and began sobbing, wondering how will I ever know if he is sick and crying or if he is just being difficult. Recently, Dalen has begun trying to make himself throw up in his crib so he can get out and won't have to go to bed. Well, SUCCESS!

I began cleaning his sheet and blankie, rip his clothes off him, bathe him quickly and put fresh clothes on him. It's 9 am and I haven't even showered! My clothes are drying away and I am hormonal, angry and so ready to wake up from this awful dream. Mario swings back by the house and rushes Dalen off to school. I shower, do my make-up, halfway dry my hair and began to feel shaky all over. It was about 9:40 and I then realized I hadn't eaten or drank anything. I quickly pop my prenatals in my mouth, gag a few times and feverishly look everywhere for my keys which are no where to be found. Finally I score my keys and head out...INTO THE POURING DOWN RAIN. Why did shower again? Why didn't I just wear something from the dirty clothes pile, considering I now smell like wet dog?

I walk into work, give my boss a brief synopsis of my morning, get set up on my computer, scarf breakfast down and notice my ankles have been cold all morning but I kept ignoring it because I was in such a rush. I looked down only to find my BRAND NEW maternity pants had shrunk about 6 inches in the dryer. Great. Perfect. Awesome. I look amazing today in my highwaters accented by my buldging belly and dripping wet hair and running mascara! Hey, at least I had on highwaters during one of Cleveland's all too familiar monsoons.

Luckily I have been able to run my space heater from my office under my desk to keep my ankles warm. I didn't get my lunch until 2 pm and ran into Walgreens where the cashier feels the need to talk about a customer who is just a few feet away. At this point I was ready to strangle her. All I could think was I HAVE COLD ANKLES LADY! BACK OFF AND KEEP YOUR AWFUL DAY TO YOURSELF!!! or maybe I should have scared her out of her mind and offered to trade days with her. I am sure she would have chosen a difficult customer over my day.

Maybe one day-ONE DAY-when I get the whole clinging to God's peace down pat really good I may write a book about how to do that no matter what comes your way called Cold Ankles. I think it would sell, what about you??

Books, Candles and Farts

It drives me nuts when people blog about absolutely nothing but after re-reading most of my blogs, they too are about absolutely nothing. So I figure why break the trend...here's to blogs about nothingness!

I can't help but wonder lately, why are there so many 1st Baptist Churches? I think every town I have ever been to has one if not more. And no, I don't have anything at all against the name, denomination or people. But I mean I must confess, the name isn't particularly enticing or creative or even really inviting, so I wonder what makes people choose this name. And if there are so many churches with the name 1st Baptist why aren't there any 2nd or 3rd Baptist churches? Yes, I did warn you this blog is an ode to nothingness.

Last night Dalen had AWFUL diarrhea. I have one of the strongest stomachs ever but Mario and I had to switch out sitting with him in the bathroom because I literally was going to barf if smelt one more whiff of his awful smelling poop! This morning I woke up to an awfully gassy toddler. After hearing these loud toots I had to ask, "Dalen! Do you keep pooting?!" He responded, "No, Mommy!" Ok, I am NOT deaf! After hearing several more I asked, "Is your stomach still upset? Is that why you are pooting so much??" He got really sensitive about this and yelled, "Mommy! I NOT POOTING!" Hmmm, should I check for a dead skunk coming from your diaper then? After one continuous string of poots I had, had it! "Dalen you are pooting! Do you need to potty?!" Then I got a response I never dreamed of..."Mommy, I not pooting! I FARTIN'!" This was just the response I needed to start my morning off.

Is there any other mother out there absolutely crazy about seeing there child in skin tight pajamas with their buldging bellies and butts sticking out? I just love Dalen in pajamas!

I recently joined a book club and I am SUPER excited about reading some of the most challenging faith based books out right now. Our club meets this Saturday for the first time and I can't wait to hear what others say about COLD TANGERINES by Shauna Niequist. I started reading this book without ever hearing about it or even reading the summary on the back. After the first few chapters I kept thinking does this book have a point or is it just a collection of random thoughts and experiences??!! Then the fear swept over me that everyone but me in book club meeting would see this vague yet brilliant underlying revelation that tied every chapter together. So, what's a gal to do!? I stopped and text my smart and great friend Abby who assured me it is just random thoughts bound together as a book and that she loved it. So this was just the gas I needed to keep me reading. I'll review the whole book when I am done.

Also, I have been burning my new Cinnamon Sugar candle from Walgreens everyday in my office. It makes you feel like Sadie Hawkins, sense the Fall like weather we have had lately and yern for a cozy nook by a fireplace to write or read in. You should buy one...it was only $4!

So I am interested...do you ever experience days of nothingness?

Scratch!

I must admit since I found out that we were having a girl, I have been on the prowl for everything we are going to need. It is so overwhelming! I feel as though we are starting from scratch! We need new bedding, furniture, clothes and several items I refuse to go without this time around! We were so blessed with Dalen! We didn't buy diapers for like 8 months and almost everything that was a necessity was provided from friends and family. The one thing I just can't go without this time is a bouncer or swing. I think I will get a swing.

Another thing I can't go without is a Boppy pillow! I didn't have one with Dalen but I have seen firsthand how easy they make feeding and how comfortable they are to give the baby a little propping when they need it. I thought the one picture below is super cute. I also didn't have a microwave sterilizer for bottles. I have seen with my sister how AMAZING these things work and just how much stress and hard work they illiminate! I will definitely have one of these.
Of course I couldn't survive without Pampers Swaddlers! My favorite diaper! These will definitley be on the registry.

Playtex Drop-Ins were my favorite bottle because they illiminate air and they are so easy to clean. After Dalen was a few weeks old, these were all we used. I also love how the generic drop-ins Wal-Mart sells fit the playtex bottles and you save money!

Last but not least...here she is-the perfect nursery. I was so upset I couldn't find any bedding sets in red and then this one was brought to my attention. I fell in love with it! I hate I can't get the pic to appear bigger but I think its just so classy and bold! I love it!

Of course, I am already hitting up my sister to buy hand-me-downs from Yibby and a few friends as well. It's exciting but expensive!!! I am trying to not get overwhelmed with cost but I keep thinking she is coming right after Thanksgiving and Christmas and right before our 4 year anniversary and Valentine's Day-YIKES!

Spirituality Part 1: Jesus On The Mainline

I have come to realize, there will be a million talks in our home of Jesus and religion and His word. My goodness, Dalen is barely two and he is already inquiring about spiritual things. Last night was particularly funny...

Dalen started getting super sleepy so I told him he could call anyone he wanted to say nite, nite. I was literally already thumbing through my phone to call my Dad because he is ALWAYS Dalen's 1st pick. I was sweetly surprised when Dalen said he wanted to call Jesus. I began to lightly laugh and explained that you can't call Jesus because he has no phone number. Hmm, was this the correct thing to say? In all honesty it is true! I find myself taking the shortened route to answer or explain spiritual things. I think I am all together humbled God has entrusted me to be a spiritual guide and I have to admit...I didn't think I would be explaining things this early! But everytime I take a shortcut I realize I am doing my son and myself an injustice. The Holy Spirit is helping me even now explain these somewhat confusing and hard to grasp concepts about a God so near yet because of his complexity he is so far from our own understanding.

After telling Dalen he didn't have a phone number or a phone, I realized that was not a good explanation. I think the God of the universe, who walks on golden streets could have access to a phone but then I explained thats the great thing about God, you don't have to call him up you just tell him whatever you want him to know because he is always with us. Dalen began to look all around the room and obviously realize with his eyes he couldn't see anyone but myself and his dad there. Oh God, please help! I think may have to explain your omnipresence to a two year old; I will surely scar him for life!

After looking around Dalen responded with, "ok"! Wow, thank you Holy Spirit! I think as parents, we too often shy away from these topics for many reasons.

1) Because we don't fully understand God ourselves.
2) We don't know the word like we should.
3) We forget the Holy Spirit is there to guide us and direct with these topics.

Let God and His spirit guide you today and always so that others may understand Him deeper.

Enlighten yourself....please.

This week I spent two whole work days at a training on Medicare. We learning the ins and outs, plans, restrictions and just about everything that would have you utterly confused and somewhat shocked. The following statement is no exaggeration...after two days learning about Medicare, with limited breaks and sitting in a chair that looked somewhat comfortable (BUT WASN'T) I felt as thought I had been bound and tortured.

I felt somewhat there yet somewhere far off in a daze. My back ached and I have been experiencing Round Ligament Pain which is NO fun and pregnancy related but I will spare you a gorey explanation.

If you know me you know I will do just about anything to encourage a laugh. I mean at the end of the day I was DESPERATE for someone to share something humorous, enlightening or at least something with a little shock value that would wake me up. Here are few of those moments which came, few and far between.

I learned Cola is not just another name for soda but it also means Cost Of Living Adjustments.

There was recently a 65 year old woman who gave birth to a live baby...yea a real human baby. This took place in Knoxville and she called Medicare to see what it would cover. Unfortunately the supervisor was astonished and said he would have to get back with her...because he had NEVER heard of this before. Medicare actually did cover the costs...lucky her.

We had one session on fraud, which apparently is really big. Here are three hysterical fraud cases. Sometimes doctors will over charge Medicare for things they didn't actually do because if the people aren't paying cost they don't check their statements and the doctor never gets caught.
A foot doctor billed Medicare for a procedure he had performed on 10 toenails but the man only had one foot...LOL! Too bad for the doctor the patient read his statement and turned him into Medicare fraud division.

A back doctor who specialized in a 1 hour treatment reported he had done 36 1 hour treatments in 1 day...not sure what clock he was running on but DUH there are only 24 hours in one day. BUSTED!

Another man who cut his finger and needed stitches was billed for an ambulance ride and resuscitation. Yeah, that thumb really needed that!

I loved how my seat partner summed the whole class up by slipping me a note, which read: In other words, if you don't have insurance move to Canada or the UK!

With Cola In Mind...

I think I have mentioned before that Tuesday nights I join 4 other women for a bible study...which is presently a time of socializing, eating, expressions of worry and concerns about children and so forth. Its a great time. This group has become very special to me. We are all married and 3 out of the 5 of us are pregnant...well, WERE pregnant. Jamie, just gave birth to a little girl. She is so adorable! I just love her nose! Rigney (Jamie's maiden name) Elizabeth Roan (a family name on the dad's side) McClelland
I love the name Rigney! Anyhow, since I was in Medicare training ALL day the day she was born (which was held in Chattanooga, MORE TO COME ON THIS TRAINING!) I decided to make a short pit stop at Old Navy to purchase the new bundle of joy something stylish. Of course, I just couldn't resist not buying Cola something. I have resisted this long and just couldn't any longer!

Her first dress! This is a size 3-6 months.

I wish it didn't look so big in the picture!

And of course I had to balance out the pink with some red.
I just loved this shirt. I thought it was so cute and look closely and you will find
the "O" in Mother is an Earth.

Rookie Parents??

I've been doing some thinking lately. You know, sometimes I just can't help but to think that I may possibly have this parenting thing down pat. Sunday was one of those days.



My gracious husband thought he would do Dalen and I a favor by letting us sleep in. The latest Dalen EVER sleeps is like 7:15. I was awakened by grins and giggles at 9 am! Our church starts at 10! YIKES, I thought, I have got to book it! We are never going to make it on time. Can I just proudly say Dalen and I were both bathed, dressed (in unwrinkled clothes), in good moods, with pull-ups in tow and walking into church at 10:03 am. This means I had both of us dressed under an hour AND my hair was dry and my face was fully clothed in make-up! I started feeling like my blog title was old news....Rookie Parents?? Who? Me? NAH!



Dalen began to whimper at the sight of his Sunday School classroom and I had him calm in just seconds by allowing him to listen to the drums through praise and worship. He clapped, danced and worshiped to all of the songs. Yep, it's about that time...Rookie Parents is history. Just as P&W was ending I remembered Dalen would need to go potty and he did! With dads help he proudly peed on his throne.

After church Mario headed home with Dalen while I stopped in the drive-thru of Zaxby's to grab lunch. We had all eaten and were down for a nap by 1:30! I think my dreams were about what new URL my blog would be linked to. Hmm, maybe "Pro Parents"?? We were awake by 4 dressing for monthly prayer and leadership meeting. Dalen yelled he had to potty at one point and he did...all over the floor. He began to poop just as I had his pull up down and then he proceeded to bend over and touch his toes while going and shouting, "WIPE MOMMY, WIPE!" Not so pretty.

We finally arrived by 5 (on time) and Dalen was pretty good during prayer. Eventually he had to be re-placed in the cry room where he ventured on top a toy to bang loudly and wave hyperly at his beloved Daddy. The whole church was looking...Great...Rookie Parents? Maybe!

We then headed upstairs to eat and fellowship before meeting. Dalen ate pizza and cookies. He then told me I had to take him to the potty...NOW! I sat him him on his potty where he began to laugh as a stream of the worst smelling gas was released. I was just hoping everyone knew I hadn't detonated the atomic bombs that were sounding in the bathroom that is right by the kitchen. After sitting and sitting he peed a little but no luck with anything else. He asked if he could tell Daddy he pottied and I told him ONLY if he WHISPERED it. Who was I kidding!? He pranced down the room "whispering" Daddy, I pooted! Daddy, I pooted! I am sure the whole church and neighbors heard his obnoxious and proud confession.

By the end of the night I realized I will never again see a day without a challenge. It may entail potty training, finances, manners, discipline or a million other things but something new will always challenge me...so as for now and probably always, I think we will stay Rookie Parents.

A Few Recent Pictures of Dalen

New Spiffy b-day outfit

Sweet Sundays!

No more nightmares for Dalen!

He loves Apple Juuuushhh!

Mid 20s

I used to get really annoyed with young people who thought they were getting so old! You know mid 20s, 30s it's just not old. I turned 25 in July and it was no biggie. But I can honestly say now I know what the big fuss is about! My body feels different, my ears are more sensitive and most nights I am dozing off before my toddler has even thought of turning in for the night. I am trying to determine....is this age or pregnancy or a little of both?!

The other night I was enraged that college students were outside yelling and having a good ol' time SOOOO LATE at night. My husband looked at me like I was crazy, pointed to the clock and said, "Babe. Chill. It's 9:30." I couldn't believe it! I am that woman! The woman who feels it's midnight and hears EVERYTHING!

Our family was invited to a party, which started at 8 p.m. and my 1st response to Mario was, "Gosh! People have parties soooo late these days!" My husband just ignores me....he's a night owl.

Literally every time I come home and the TV is on I hold my ears (just like my dad used to) and say TURN IT DOWN!!! ITS SOOOO LOUD! Dalen and Mario look at me like I am the opposite of deaf....when you hear everything super sensitively.

So what do you guys think? Is this pregnancy, age, hormones, a little of it all?

Toss Out The Blue...and start scanning pink!

I am so behind on my blogging! The worst part of being behind on your blog about life, is that life NEVER stops so it feels as though you will never catch up! Anyhow, Monday was the big day to find out the sex of the baby. I was kind of nervous going into my appointment because I hadn't felt the baby move ALL morning! I just knew her stubbornness would kick in and she wouldn't roll over for us to see the golden parts.

As the ultrasound tech began exploring the baby (in her words) "head to rump" I was overwhelmed with joy with healthy reports and proof of a growing, stretching baby. She was wiggly and kept stretching and looking right at us! I have felt all along that the baby was a girl and Mario decided he felt it was a girl too. WE WERE RIGHT! We told the ultrasound lady this and she replied, "I think you are right!" I gasped because after Dalen I just imagined life full of boys, chaos, stinky laundry and sports. With those few words my mind drifted off to ballet, tap, jazz, cheerleading, gymnastics, fresh laundry smelling of lavender and vanilla....while Mario's mind drifted off to gun shopping to protect his little princess (yes, he later told me this).

After telling Mario all of the things she could explore such as ballet and cheerleading my fantasy fog evaporated to the clouds with Mario's eyes as big as golf balls, his eye brows raised and then he asked and who is going to be paying for all of this. With that question I must admit it was hard not to have a panic attack but I compromised that she would just have to pick one.

As you can tell, I am so excited about our soon coming baby girl, Cola Leese. And I could care less what anyone has to say about the name we picked. I think its the sound of grace colliding with femininity. My ever so supportive mom says, "Well, it's no weirder than that Hollywood lady naming her kid Apple." My Dad encouraged me to choose a "normal name for the sake of the child". Oh parents, parents. I must remind any of my readers my parents are the crazy ones that named my middle sister Margo for three days and then realized they had better change it.