Pics from February '13

What a crazy month it has been!  To give you a quick summary:  At the beginning of the month my Father-in-law (Andy) fell and broke his back ribs.  A few days later he had a mild heart attack, unrelated to the fall.  A few days after that he had quadruple bypass surgery.  Many days were spent with family visiting him at the hospital and keeping my Mother--in-law (Deb) company.  I am so thankful to live close to family so I can be there for them!  About a week after surgery he came home, and he is now healing and feeling very good!  Praise the Lord!

 

This is the busiest, craziest, most stressful time of year for Josh as he is the musical director.  He comes home very late at night, and we hardly see him in the morning.  I just keep telling myself...summer, summer, summer.  I'm so thankful that Josh gets to do a job that he loves!   

 

Last week my sister Cindy had her beautiful baby Mary...a.k.a. Marigold:-)  She is so precious.  Anya and I were planning to travel to KY with my parents and sister Katie to meet her (I don't like driving long distances alone without Josh, so carpooling with them was perfect!)  Josh would be wrapping up his first musical show weekend so it would be perfect and give me something to do during this busy season for him.  The morning we were planning to leave for KY my Dad fell and tore his quad.  Immediately he went to the ER because he knows what it's like to tear a quad (it happened to his other knee in 2009).  Needless to say, he needs surgery and can't travel to see Mary anytime soon.  We were all so bummed, and I feel terrible for my Dad.  The PT and recovery for knee surgery is long and painful.  Josh and I are planning to go end of March to meet Mary, because then Josh will be on Spring Break.  Since we didn't go to KY I was able to see Josh's show opening weekend.  They are doing "Legally Blonde" and it is such a fun show!  A ton of hard work went into it and I can definitely say it paid off.  Ok March I'm ready for you!  C'mon spring!

 

 

 

Anya Violet -21 months

I'm starting to lose track of how many months old you are.  Time is going way too fast!  Really, almost two?  You are growing and changing everyday, it's unbelievable!  Lately your vocabulary and communication has really skyrocketed!!!  You say new words every single day.  You are also beginning to say some phrases on a regular basis. 

Here are the words I can think of that you are saying: Mommy, Daddy, More (Sounds more like "Mom") "Char Char" for Charlie, Katie, Gigi, Papa, Please, Thank you, Pooh, Poop, Pee (You are SO ready to potty train, you've peed on the potty a few nights in a row after bath.  I'm just waiting until after Cincinnati trip to train you) Church, pray, boo boo, home, bye, hi, hello, "ring" for "Ring Around the Rosie", baby, "ba"- Paci, Elmo, treat, eat, juice (funny because you hardly ever get juice!)
And a ton more I can't think of right now.

Lately you are loving learning colors!  It seems like your new favorite color is orange. It used to be blue.  You know that Daddy loves orange too! You love saying all of your body parts...including eye brow, chin, and cheek! 

Several times during the day you initiate prayer.  You always say you want to pray for Papa's boo boo (he had heart surgery) and then you say you want to pray for Auntie Katie, and sometimes Daddy. 

My belly is really starting to grow and you are noticing.  Today we were sitting next to each other doing a puzzle and you tried to push my belly in so it doesn't stick out so far!  It was so funny!

You are my little helper!  Always wanting to lend me a hand in every chore I do.  Laundry...you are right there pushing the clean wet clothes in the dryer or pulling out the dry ones making sure to warn me that the dryer door is "hot".  Dishes...you love assisting me with dishes! I take out all the knives and then you help me with the rest.  Our fiestaware dishes are perfect for learning colors.   Vacuuming...as soon as I pull out the vacuum you begin looking for yours.  You smile as I vacuum around you because you think you are helping me!  It's adorable!  Feeding Charlie...this is your FAVORITE thing to do.  I ask you "How many scoops does Charlie get?" and you respond "two"!  I love it!  Several times during the day I catch you trying to feed Charlie more food.  Poor Charlie gets excited until Mommy tells you it's not time to feed Charlie. 

Yesterday your cousin Mary "Mar-me" (as you say) was born!  We are meeting her in a few days!!!

Anya, I absolutely love you.  I am cherishing this time when it's just the two of us.  I know these moments are fleeting.  I am very much looking forward to you being a big sister!  You will be so great at it.

Baby #2: 14 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Second Trimester, 14 weeks, 5 days!

Size of baby: 3.5 inches, the size of a lemon (probably bigger since I'm almost 15 weeks)

Maternity Clothes: Yesterday I started using the good-ole rubber band trick on the button of my pants.  I'm still in my normal clothes and still am hardly showing at all.

Gender: We don't know yet.  I have absolutely no idea either!

Movement: Every once in awhile I feel flutters and I know it's the baby. It definitely makes the pregnancy seem more real.

Sleep: I'm sleeping great at night.  I can't complain at all!

What I miss: Verdi...my favorite champagne! 

Cravings: Frozen mango!  I could literally eat the whole bag.  First trimester I craved junk food.  Now it's all about healthy food.  I love it and hope it lasts!

Symptoms: My belly is slowly getting bigger.  I am still fighting mid-day fatigue although I think its getting better.  It's 2:15pm and I haven't gotten a nap so that's a good sign. 

Best Moment this week: Visiting Grandmama and Papa at their house:-)  AND almost becoming an aunt....tomorrow is the big day!

Here are two side-by-side pics. I think I was bigger with Anya.

                       Baby #2                                                                   Anya Violet

40 Bags in 40 Days

Lent to me is the time of year to prepare my heart for the Easter season.  Every year I like to make a sacrifice and fast from something; most years being sweets.  Last year I was challenged (mid-way through the Lenten Season) by fellow blogger Mel Larson's 40 Bags in 40 Days.  http://thelarsonlingo.blogspot.com/. 

I knew that for Lent 2013 I wanted to take on her challenge of cleaning out my house and either donating or throwing away 40 bags of items/ garbage in my house. At first I was wondering if I could actually make it to 40 bags; we have a small home...could I actually find 40 bags of things to get rid of?  Maybe, I'll do Wal-Mart bags, I thought.  Once again I'm reminded that this Lent challenge.  It's called a challenge because it's supposed to be challenging...so hefty kitchen bags it is!  Do we have unused items in our house?  Yes.  Many of them.  Do I have clothes/ shoes that I don't wear anymore that can be used by someone in need?  Absolutely!  My goal for this season is to focus on Jesus and simplifying my life of distractions like material possessions. Many times I realize the condition of my heart looks a lot like to condition of my home.  Cute on the outside, but the inside is a mess!  Thanks be to God that I have a Savior like Jesus who cleans my heart of it's messyness! 

Here are the areas I am going to simplify and declutter:
-Master closet
-Master bathroom
-Lisa's dresser
-Josh's dresser (with his approval)
-Laundry room
-Anya's bathroom/ linen closet
-Anya's nursery
-3rd bedroom
-Loft
-Office space
-Craft shelf
-Coat closet
-Family room
-Dining room
-Kitchen
-Garage
-Van
-Corolla (With Josh's approval of course)

I started today in my master closet and managed to easily rid of two bags, and I'm not even done with that space.  So I'm 2 bags down, 38 to go!

Does anyone want to join me in this challenge?  It's not too late to start!  I'd love the accountability!

My lovie

What are your Valentine's Day plans this year?  Every year in the past Josh and I would do a Anti-Valentine's Day date to Portillos.  Now that we are married with a toddler, we need special days like Valentine's Day...so this year maybe we'll do something a little more romantic than Portillos.  One year he surprised me by bringing my figure skates with him to Portillos.  I thought we were just going out to dinner...little did I know my romantic boyfriend took me downtown to ice skate!  I grew up taking lessons so I was so excited!  AND he remembered my skates, I don't like the ones you rent.  It was an awesome night. 

This year I'm inspired by some Pinterest recipes and ideas.  I'm anxious for the 14th!  Pictures to come.  Although, if Mary (my niece on the way) decides to be a little cupid and make Valentine's Day her birthday, we will need to reschedule Valentine's Day. 

Share your traditions and memories with me.  I'd love to hear them!

Here's a look back to last year on Valentine's Day.  My baby has grown so much!!!

 

Here's a look side by side on the same bench...now distressed:-)

Anya in the snow!

Today we got about four inches of snow!  The temperature was so ideal for playing outside in it.  No wind either....a huge plus! 

 Snowflakes on her face

 Very typical little one eating snow. 

Anya didn't move from this spot the whole time.  It was perfect snow for building a snowman, but Anya just wanted to take in the scene.

 Get this off my gloves!

Charlie's trying to find the snowball I threw to him.

 

 

Anya had a blast in the snow.  When I asked her if she wanted to go inside she said "No!" To get her to want to come inside I promised her our favorite way to end snow playing; with hot chocolate!