Guess what....!!!

Sign from Etsy shop: sweetMEboutique

Vivian is going to be a BIG SISTER!! 

Even though I keep forgetting I'm pregnant thanks to little miss, we are beyond excited that she'll have a little brother or sister to play with.  

This pregnancy has been way different thus far.  The fatigue is relentless thanks to my toddler, I've had morning sickness bad enough to where I'm having to take Diclegis at bedtime, I found out I was pregnant earlier (6 weeks vs 10.5 weeks) and I already have a little pooch.  

When we went to Asheville the end of September, naturally I rode in the back seat with Vivian.  The entire drive, there and back, I felt car sick which has never happened.  I was so hungry the entire time, but felt blah while eating to where I was unable to finish any of my meals.  

When we got back to B's parents that Saturday, he kept telling me I should take a test.  I knew I was suppose to start my menstrual cycle (sorry for the TMI) around Oct 9th and kept thinking I would just wait another week and a half.  

On September 6th I thought I had started, but only lasted a day.  Thought that was strange.  I did take a test a couple of days later, the test was negative.  AF returned in August for the first time in over a year after I stopped exclusively pumping in June.  I thought maybe my body was trying to get back in the swing of things. 

We got home that Sunday afternoon and decided I would go ahead and purchase a test.  Went to the store after picking up dinner for my piece of mind.

I took the test, but my results were invalid.  Guess I didn't pee on the stick long enough, lol.  I decided to redo the test even though you were suppose to use a new test.  It came back positive. I sent B to the store to buy a double pack just to make sure.  Took the test again, positive.  Took the 3rd test that following morning, positive again.  

   ^^Pic above was taken the day I found out^^

I've already had to take the glucose test twice already since I had gestational diabetes with Vivian.  The day I met with the history nurse, she ordered the glucose test for me to take that morning.  You are suppose to take the test fasting, but I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast not knowing I would have to take the test.  It had been 3 hours so she said I should be fine since I didn't drink any kind of juice that morning.

My blood sugar for my 1 hour was 171.  Took the 2 hr test the following week and passed.  My fasting was 84 and my other two numbers were above 120 which I'm surprised my Dr passed me.  I'll still have to take the test when I'm 26-28 weeks for good measure.  I'm sure I'll be diagnosed again.  Thankful I wasn't diagnosed during the holidays!  

I'm so curious on how this pregnancy is going to go.  I'm sure it will go quickly...not much time to think about it, which is good.

We are beyond bless that God is providing a sibling so quickly for Vivian since it took us 6 years to get pregnant with her and one month with this one! 

She will make a GREAT big sister!!!

  

New Orleans With A Toddler

Brian had a conference in New Orleans and Vivian and I decided to tag along.  Even though it is stressful traveling with a toddler, more on my end, I figured the more traveling she gets under her belt, the better.

  

Thankfully, she does great traveling!  She does really well on the plane.  Better than being confined in a car seat!  We made it to Charlotte with a wonderful 3 hour layover.  That's great with a child.  You can eat and let your child burn off all that energy before going on a little longer flight. Vivian napped for 1.5 hrs on the plane.  Yea!

We arrived in New Orleans around noon.  We gate checked the car seat and stroller frame in hopes of it not being damaged vs counter checking.  Somehow and another a black piece that holds the seat belt when not using the base had broken off.  Not sure how that happened.  Brian reported it to the airline and they said we can the car seat off and see if they could repair it which would take 2 weeks.  Sorry, that's not acceptable.  Who can have their car seat away from them that long?  Especially if it's the only seat you have.  Guess we are stuck with a ghetto looking car seat now. Strike one against US Airways.

We took a taxi to the hotel, but we first had to stop at a Walmart to find a box fan for Vivian.  She needs her white noise.  Unfortunately, the fan was a no-go.  Anxiety began.  I started downloading white noise apps on my phone.

When we arrived at the hotel Brian asked the attendant if by chance they had a box fan.  She said they had just purchased a few to dry paint quickly and she would call housekeeping to send one to our room.  Thank the Lord!!  Drury Inn rocks!

 We settled into our hotel room before grabbing an early dinner.  B had a reception he had to attend at 6 pm.  We went to a pizza place down the street.  It was so good, but took forever to get our food.  Plus, we were the only one's there eating.  Vivian was all over the place.  She was a wild child.  We finally got our food, ate and left.  B walked to the hotel where the conference was being held and Viv and I went back to the hotel.  Viv got her bath and was in bed by 6:30pm.

The next morning, Vivian woke up at 3 am!  Ugh.  I almost went into the room to get her because I didn't want her to bother the neighbors, but decided not to.  She settled after about 10 minutes.  At 4, she started crying again, settled again and then back up at 5:15 am for the day.  

We went downstairs for breakfast at 6:30am and explored the hotel.  Brian finally got up and we all got dressed for the aquarium.  Vivian loves all animals and she loved seeing all the fish.

    

      After the aquarium,  we made our way to Huck Finn's Cafe.  I wanted a shrimp poboy and B wanted boudin balls.  Very good food.  Poor Vivian was exhausted.  She almost fell asleep in my lap.  I got her into her stroller and she was out.  We went back to the hotel so she could nap.

Brian had a presentation at 4 pm, so he left and it was just Viv and I.  We walked to the local grocery store and picked up a couple of baked potatoes and soup for dinner.  We also ran up and down the halls for a bit.  She loves to run around.  Little girl had zero issues goibg to sleep.

Our last day, Brian's sister and her husband drove down from Baton Rouge to go to the zoo.  The Audubon Zoo was really nice.  I actually liked it better than San Diego Zoo.  Vivian again had a great time.  We all did!

Not long after getting into the car, Vivian was out!  We ran her ragged :)  Drury Inn offers free dinner to all guests so we decided to eat at the hotel.  I wish I knew that the night before, I would have ate there.  They had a nice spread...pasta, salad, baked potato, broccoli and cheddar soup, hot dogs and chips with cheese sauce.  We called it an early night since we had to leave the hotel by 5:15 am.

We got up bright and early the next day to make our home.

B checked us in at the self check-in.  After the tickets were printed, my ticket from Charlotte to Wilmington did not print.  Apparently U.S. Airways over sold our flight and I got bumped off.  Geez.  Strick two against US Airways.  B said he would stay behind and I could take his seat if they unable to get me on the plane.  

We landed in Charlotte and thankfully they were able to get me a seat.  We weren't able to sit together, but at least we were on the same flight.  Vivian and I sat next to a nice older lady that entertained Vivian the majority of the flight.  Made for a nice flight home. 

Hated I didn't eat any beignet's...oh well. Another trip for the books.  I have to say, I'm done with traveling for a while.  We are worn out! 

Halloween 2014

Vivian is OBSESSED with dogs!  All animals really, but dogs are her favorite.  Always pointing at them when she sees one, wants to pet and love on them.  So cute.  

Well, this year I decided to dress her as a dalmatian puppy.  101 Dalmatian's was her first movie to watch. Well, she didn't sit through the entire thing, but intrigued her for a long time.  She also loves watching this.  

I have to say, she's the cutest littlest puppy I've ever seen!

^^ costume from Pottery Barn Kids ^^

 

We didn't take her trick-or-treating since she was too young, but she did hand out a little candy to the kids.  It was the cutest!  After the kids were walking off, she kept her hands out with more candy wanting to give them more.  Adorable!  I should have taken a picture!  Mom fail.

I wanted to dress Brody as a fire fighter, but it was a last minute idea and had zero luck finding a costume.  Ordering was out of the question since it wouldn't arrive on time.  Another mom fail.  We dug through his old costumes and decided on him being a squirrel again.  

^^He's not amused!^^

Brian dressed his usual werewolf costume to frighten the trick-or-treaters.  He wouldn't talk to them.  Just stare.  He also wouldn't give them candy unless they said, "Trick-or-Treat!"  Kids would stick out there bags and say, "Thank you!"  One kid even had the nerve to say he didn't like Twix, could he have something else.  Who does that?  Kids today, man!

^^Vivy was a little unsure about "Werewolf" daddy.  She didn't want to stick her hand in the candy bowl because he spoke in scary voice.  He had to remove the mask. Mean daddy!^^

I'm looking forward to next year so she can actually go trick-or-treating.  It will be the cutest!!!  

^^shirt from Sly Fox Threads ^^

  

Whole Wheat Pumpkin-Spice Muffins With Glaze

     I've been a fall pinning nut lately on Pinterest.  From decor, photography, clothes and food.  Definitely love this time of year.  I knew I wanted to make pumpkin muffins for Vivy and I to nibble on for the next several days.  Tired of giving her the same ole snacks and figured I make something a little nutritious and delicious at the same time.  

We made our way to Whole Foods to pick up a few ingredients I was missing in my pantry yesterday.  While we were there, my child decided to knock down a corner display of crackers.  Yep.  She removed the plastic clear shelf and they came tumbling down.  Awesome!  I put it back together as best as I could while praying no one would see us.  Wish I had my phone on me so I could have taken a picture.  I hate grocery shopping with her.  She hates riding in the cart and insists on walking and pulling things off the shelves.  Hope she outgrows this phase quickly!!

This morning we woke up to rainy, chilly, gloomy day.  What a great time to make our muffins for our morning snack!

Whole Wheat Pumpkin-Spice Muffins via here

MUFFINS:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup salted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup pumpkin puree (unsweetened)

GLAZE:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup (2 ounces) softened cream cheese
dash of ground cinnamon
dash of milk (to thin out)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray muffin tin with nonstick spray- be sure to spray the top of the pan too since the muffins will bake over the side of each tin.

2. Prepare the muffins: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. In another larger bowl, use electric mixer to cream butter and sugar together. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk/cream. Add pumpkin puree last and mix just until incorporated (don't over mix).

3. Divide batter between 12 muffin tins. They'll be quite full with batter- that's okay. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean. Let cool in the muffin tin for about 15 minutes, then gently move muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, mix glaze ingredients. Drizzle glaze over muffins. 

These muffins are so good!  I scarffed down two :)  I didn't add the glaze to Vivian's because I didn't want her to have the extra sugar. But me, I went for extra glaze :)

16 Months Old

Happy 16 months to this little rascal!!

You amaze me everyday little girl.  You are so full of life and none stop!  You are on go mode all day long until you are asleep.

You still weigh 18.5 lbs, same as 12 months.  You have 10 teeth.  Mommy is dreading when you cut the rest.  Your blonde hair is growing.  You are wearing size 3 diapers, size 3-4 shoes and clothes range 6-18 months depending on the brand.

You're in bed by 7pm every night and you are now waking up anywhere between 6-7 am.  Sooo much better than 4-5 am!  We moved your naptime to 12 pm which has helped with you snoozing a little later.  Your naps last 1.5-2.5 hrs.  You nap on the couch with me next to you.  There are times you roll on top of me and sleep.  I don't mind.  I love the snuggles!

The only two words you say are "ball" and "yeah."  You understand every word we say though.  We'll tell you to do something and you will do it.  Your are too smart for your own good.

Not only do you say "ball,"  you LOVE balls.  You are obsessed with them, and rocks.  You also love dogs.  You point at a dog everytime you see one and they bring the biggest smile on your face.  For Halloween this year you are dressing as a dalmatian. 

You don't care for riding in a shopping cart for long.  You want out and walk yourself.  Going shopping can be stressful at times because you want to pull everything off the shelves.  I pray this phase will be over soon!

You also don't like sitting in a highchair for long at restaurants.  You always try to stand up in your seat.  You want out and run around.  Going out to eat isn't pleasant.  We try to sit outside when we can so you can run around a little.  However at home, you like to sit in your chair.     

If things aren't going your way, you'll toss whatever is in your hand onto the ground, shake your head "no" and cry.  Doesn't happen often, but you do have some of those days. Overall, you are a happy little girl.

You like to run around and scream.  So funny!  That's when your really happy.

You have been on lots of vacations lately.  We went to Asheville the end of September, Smoky Mountains a couple of weeks later and we are going to New Orleans the first of November.  The trip to NOLA will be your 2nd time flying, but if you count when you were in my tummy it will be your 6th time.  You've turned into a pretty good traveler.  You love to explore your new surroundings.

You love giving kisses and hugs.  All we have to do is ask and you give them away.  Melts my heart!  You love to laugh and being tickled.  Your laugh is the sweetest sound.

If you hurt your finger, stump your foot or bump your head, you want mommy to kiss it and it makes it all better.

These 16 months have been the sweetest and most exhausting moments of my life.  I would not change it for the world!  God truly blessed us with the best little girl in the whole entire world!!