New Year's Mustache

We started our New Year's off with a bang . . . matching tattoos. Unfortunately (for me), I was struck with a case of morning sickness or a stomach bug, either way I celebrated with Sprite and saltines. 

2nd Appointment

We had our second doctor's appointment today and everything is going well. The baby's heartbeat is in the 140's which is similar to Harrison's at this stage. Maybe another boy? My doctor is really going to watch my iron and blood sugar levels. I'll probably end up having to take an extra iron supplement and she decided to test for Gestational Diabetes at 24 weeks instead of 28 weeks. It stinks but maybe I'll luck out and not get it this time around (positive thinking). Next appointment is January 27th.

Website Wednesday - Stuff White People Like

Ryan received the book on the left for Christmas. I think it's pretty funny but he finds it offensive because it hits too close too home ;) Click HERE to check out the blog. 

Paw

Sometimes I find random pictures on my camera. This is a good example. Not sure when or who the photographer was but I can rule out Lucy and I. 

Lego City

Lego City has arrived at our house. Santa brought Harrison the Lego Fire Truck, Dada the Lego Fire Helicopter and since I was such a good girl this year, I received the Lego House with yard. Harrison calls mine, Garden Ridge which is pretty funny since we haven't been in about 4 months. So far Lego City has clocked hours of entertainment for our little man.

Christmas Cactus

Our Christmas cactus bloomed this year! On my To Do list was researching how to make it bloom. I heard if you stick it in the closet 6 weeks before the holidays you'll have a full bloom. Well, the six weeks came and went but it still bloomed!

Christmas Joys

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you're enjoying your day with family and friends!

My favorite Christmas carol is Angels We Have Heard on High dating back to 1862. Click HERE to listen to a version from Sixpence None The Richer. 

Cookies and Milk

After Mass tonight, we baked chocolate chip cookies for Santa. Harrison suggested we leave a couple of carrots for Rudolph. I think this is a start to a great holiday tradition! Ryan was the photographer for this shot . . . not too shabby.

Birthday Wishes

In Harrison's mind, birthdays mean one thing . . . CAKE. I'm not a cake eater, I would much rather have a pumpkin pie but he was very excited about my cake. He picked out a pink cake with pink frosting. He said it needed a flower and a good news bee on it. The night before he informed me, he was getting the piece of cake with the bee and flower on it. So after blowing out my candles, I cut the first piece out for H which was the center flower with the bee.

My sweet boy gave me a Hello Kitty doll from Build-A-Bear. After holding it in my lap for about 2 minutes, he took it to his bed and said he better hang on to it b/c I might loose it. Hmm.

Website Wednesday - The Sartorialist

If you haven't stubbled upon The Sartorialist, click HERE. It one of my new favorites. He started the blog to share photos of people that he saw on the streets of New York that he thought looked great. When he worked in the fashion industry (15 years), he felt that there was a disconnect between what he was selling in the showroom and what he was seeing real people (really cool people) wearing in real life.  After 9/11 he really started focusing more on photography and eventually started a blog. "I thought I could shoot people on the street the way designers looked at people, and get and give inspiration to lots of people in the process." Now he has this fabulous blog, a monthly page in GQ, recurring guest blogs and videos for Style.com and other side projects. Enjoy!

Lovin' this look but it will be awhile before I can pull it off.

So much style, so little time.

Ahh, the little Bebe has it going on!

Seasons Greetings

I love getting holiday cards whether it be for Christmas, Winter, and/or the Holidays, I look forward to them each year. One of my favorites this year was designed by my friend Emily. Unfortunately, I don't get to talk with her very often these days so I'm not sure what's happening in her life. After looking at her card, I discovered a baby bump! What joy! So this makes Ashley, Emily, Melissa, Kerrie, Marisa and me all due in 2011. So far, there's going to be two boys and one girl.

Mrs. Costanza

Ryan called me Costanza when he saw my wallet. I really can't argue with him b/c it's true. I confess, I'm a wallet pack rat. I tend to hold on to receipts for a very long time. I always take that little piece of paper b/c I know I can recycle it at home. If I don't, then it leads to recycling guilt. At the end of the day when I can no longer close the wallet, I basically dump the whole pocket into the green bin.

Santa Baby

I had to include both of these photos b/c I couldn't decide which one I liked better. We've been talking about Santa's visit to the Presidential Library all week. As we were waiting in line, Mr. H was pretty quiet so I wasn't sure what would happen during his turn. He hopped right into Saint Nick's lap and I told him to smile. I snapped several shots like these then he proceeded to tell Santa he wants a Lego Fire Truck and Dada wants a Lego Helicopter. He's been a good boy.

Black Swan

Ryan and I escaped tonight and saw the movie Black Swan. I've read several reviews about it and was really looking forward to it. I wasn't disappoint, in fact I thought it was great. For those who don't know, it's a psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet starring Natalie Portman as a dancer who finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival at the company. I definitely think she deserves an oscar nomination.

Vaca Day and Pickles

I scheduled today as a vacation day weeks ago and have been looking forward to having a Friday off. Unfortunately, Harrison was still sick so I ended up taking him to the doctor. Turns out, he had a stomach bug (not very fun when pregnancy causes my nose to be extra sensitive) and allergies. Ya know those sick days when at the end of the day you're exhausted? Well, this was one of those.

On a different subject, I've really been cravin' kosher dill pickles. I'm pretty sure my mouth is watering as I'm writing this post. All I want for Christmas is a case of dills and maybe some sour gum.

Sick Day

Harrison is under the weather so it's a day of hanging out in bed, staying in pajamas, reading and watching Dumbo.

Website Wednesday - Portable North Pole

Okay, this is the best site I've seen in a long time. Click HERE to create a message from Santa. Or click HERE to check out Harrison's message from Mr. Claus. It's too cute, I started tearing up! Thanks Heather for the link!

Deep Thoughts

The other day, Harrison convinced Mimi B to stay outside with him a couple minutes longer (it was pretty cold that night). She said "hurry, it's time to go in." He replied, "it's not an emergency, settle down."

Here's another story. Apparently, I'm on the naughty list.

Mimi: What's Santa bringing you for Christmas?

H: A Lego fire truck and dada is getting a Lego helicopter (hmm, I didn't realize Santa was getting dada something too)

Mimi: What's mama getting?

H: Nothing, she's on the naughty list. (we've been listening to Santa Claus is Coming to Town so he's familiar with the Naughty and Nice List).

Mimi: Who put her on the naughty list?

H: I did!

Later on that day-

H: I said something jokey. NO, I said something CRAZY!

Me: Huh? What did you say?

H: Lucy is on the naughty list!

Me: Why is she on the naughty list?

H: Because she doesn't have hands!

Me: (trying not to laugh, poor Lucy). Harrison, Lucy was born that way, she can't help it. That's no reason to be on the naughty list, besides I think it's up to Santa who's on what list.

Little Bump

Here's my little baby bump. I'm trying to take a picture at the beginning of the month. This time I'm a little behind. Still feeling good although I've been more tired lately (could be the holiday shopping). Little one is around an inch and a half! The fingernails, toenails and hair follicles are appearing. I'm compared myself this week to this time with Harrison and I'm 4 pounds heavier and my waist is an inch and a half bigger. Next appointment is December 30th.

More Lights

Now that Harrison is older, we're enjoying more and more the holiday activities around town. Tonight we toured the Lights in the Park. Although, I think he was more excited about the free candy cane :)

Our Champ

Way to go E-Man! Congratulations on winning the state football championship game and having an undefeated season (13-0)!!! We're so proud of you.

Composition

Here's the latest pic from Harrison of his favorite person in the whole wide world.

On a different subject, it dawned on me the other day, I never write about the trying times of a 2 year old. Any parent knows there are great days and then there are days you wonder how you have any hair left. Luckily these don't happen too often. Last week, I sat down with H to share some toast with peanut butter. I took one bite and it was as if I took all of his toys and burned them in a bonfire. He broke down into tears (not the I'm hurting ones, the I'm-not-getting-exactly-what-I-want-tears). I said, what's the matter? Apparently, I took a bite of HIS toast and he wanted it back. "Put it back, Mama, put it back, Mama, put it back, Mama." Seriously? It was my piece, his were on the other side of the plate. I heard this for over an hour. He even stood outside the shower door and demanded I put it back.

He calmed down after I started singing Christmas songs. But the second, he saw the dining room table the memory came flooding back. My in-laws were visiting and my MIL found a piece of bread heel, tore it up and added peanut butter to it. She snuck it over to me. I thought in my mind, no way on Earth this is going to work. I said "look, I got it back." He looked at it then took a bite and all was right in his world again :)

After this episode I decided Bob and Mimi needed a little bit of Harrison time. The next morning, when he woke up, he walked into the kitchen and said "what's all this rack about!"

Thankful Surprise

I purchased this Countdown To Christmas decoration several years ago and I still love it. This year I had Harrison help me fill up each door with a M&Ms (for him) and Jolly Ranchers (for us). If you take a piece of candy out, you have to say something you're grateful for. Well, today I caught Harrison opening several doors helping himself to whatever M&Ms he could find. 

Me: Harrison, what are you doing?

H: Oh, eating M and Ms.

Me: How many have you had?

H: A lot.

Me: Well, what are you thankful for?

H: DADA! (extreme excitement in the voice)

Me: What else?

H: I'm thankful for dada, mama and baby. (tears from me)

Website Wednesday - Groupon

Have you heard of Groupon? Click HERE to find out more. I'm assuming they came up with the name by combining Group and Coupon. You can sign up for daily emails with deals on local businesses. I've seen several $50 gift cards that sell for $25. Maybe perfect for the last minute holiday gift?

Legos

I don't remember having Legos growing up. I was more of a Barbie type girl or Lincoln Logs. This household is officially Lego Central. I actually find myself getting pumped looking at the Lego possibilities, like the Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater or the Duplo Zoo. What's your favorite childhood toy?

Christmas Cards

On this year's Christmas card, I decided to only include Mr. H. I found this perfect knit hat but getting him to wear it would be challenging. I told him it was his "recycling hat" b/c I know he has a fascination with a recycling video and gets excited every Tuesday when the truck comes to pick ours up. I said we needed to take a picture for the Recycling Facility. I'm sure (well, hope) he'll forgive me one day.

My pregnant brain is fully activated. Did you know during pregnancy a woman's brain decreases in size and doesn't return to normal until 6 months AFTER delivery! Click HERE if you don't believe me. So I went to pick up the Christmas cards and noticed I spelled Harrison's name wrong! What an idiot = me!

The other night when I was laying down with H before bedtime, we were going through our normal routine. He likes a fictitious story (generally about Manny the Manlift, Roscoe the Road Grader, and/or Craig the Crane), followed by a review of his entire day. The next part varies depending on how talkative he is. That night he asked for help on saying his prayers then I told him we loved him very much and we're very proud of him. His response was "it's okay to love me too much"!!!

The Pregnancy Journal

My friend Heather recommended this book/journal to me when I was prego with H. It's called The Pregnancy Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy by A. Christine Harris. It's an informative way to track and interact with day-to-day changes that take place during pregnancy. It also has tips, advice, cultural facts and space to write about the pregnancy. I'm using my same journal, only writing in a different color ink.

Let's see today, the baby's eyes are now well developed (but not mature enough to do any visual processing). Over the next three days, the tongue will begin to develop. The external ear canal is present. The baby is .62-.71 inches long and weighs about .033 oz - about as heavy as 1/5 teaspoon of water! Even though the baby is surrounded by fluid, it does not drown b/c it does not depend on its lungs for air. Oxygen comes to the baby from you through the umbilical cord blood. 

Let There Be Lights

Where ever Ryan is, you're sure to find Harrison attached to his hip. Tonight the boys were hanging the Christmas lights.

Ta Da! This is the first year we've decorated the outside of our house. Last year, I saw a house with the over-sized ornaments so I had to copy it this year. Plus, I found a huge bag of wreaths in our shed from the previous owner. I ended up unwinding them and using the garland for the railing. 

First Appointment

My first OB appointment was yesterday and it couldn't have gone any better. Normally, most people wait until they are through their first trimester to announce the big news but I couldn't wait any longer. I'm around 9 weeks and by Christmas I'll be entering the second trimester. The due date is July 10 (although the ultrasound had tomorrow's date on it so maybe it's supposed to be the 9th). However, since I had a c-section with Harrison, I'll have an elective one with Baby 2. I'll deliver at the beginning of July.

The baby is around the size of an olive but has a strong beating heart. The legs and arm buds are starting to form. It's so precious and amazing. Life is such a miracle! Please keep us in your prayers :)

How I am feeling? Awesome. It's pretty crazy b/c I thought everything would be the same as it was with Harrison. With H, I was super tired and would sleep around 12 hours each night. I felt nauseated and not much of an appetite the first trimester and almost passed out once (which was really scary). This baby, I can't sleep at night. I stay up later than I should and toss and turn most of the night. My energy is pretty high and I need to eat small meals throughout the whole day otherwise the baby gets mad :) I've had a few exhaustion days but it's been good. My pants are fitting tighter around the waist but I probably won't pop for quite awhile.

I really love having this blog. I'd like to think someone day Harrison and Baby 2 will read it and know how much I love them and would do anything for them.

Surprise!

Harrison has an "eye-popping" announcement! Check out his shirt!

Website Wednesday - MIT OpenCourseWare

Calling all nerds, calling all nerds (me included). Click HERE to cruise through the course offerings. MIT OpenCourseWare offers many class materials for free, with lecture notes, class assignments, test and even the audio and video of professors' lectures. They average a million hits a month! Go ahead and learn about Astrophysics or Virginia Woolf's Shakespeare or Holographic Imaging.