forthelove

2010-03-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

2010-02-26T11:25:00.000-05:00

Pictures of our Love:

2010-02-23T17:42:00.002-05:00

Our Sweet Little Everleigh

2010-02-21T10:55:00.000-05:00

2010-02-20T23:13:00.001-05:00

Everleigh Collins Smith

Born at 5:49am

February 18th, 2010

5lbs 7oz & 19in

To say that she takes my breath away would be an understatement.

2010-02-15T14:48:00.000-05:00

10 days to go

T E N L O N G D A Y S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a Dr. Appt. on Thursday. I will be 39 weeks exactly. 39 weeks with only 7 to go. SEVEN! While it sounds like such a SHORT amount of time(and it really is) it still feels like a lifetime away. How is that?

2010-02-13T23:55:00.002-05:00

38 Weeks

2010-02-08T17:46:00.000-05:00

My sweet little Aubrie...... I cannot believe she is 4! She wanted to get her ears pierced for her birthday this year so we decided to let her. I get creeped out when little 4 month old babies have their ears pierced. I just think it's weird..... but that is just ME and I respect anyone who pierces their babies ears. It's def a parent's personal choice and I don't judge anyone I promise.

We always said we would let Aubrie tell us when she wanted them done.... I didn't think it would be when she was only 4 though. She is just a little lady and growing up way to fast! To celebrate we took her out to ChuckECheese for pizza & games. She was supposed to have a Skating Party on the the 6th of February but due to bad weather we have had to reschedule and it is now this coming Saturday February 13th. She is super excited and so are we! I am hoping for no action this week or weekend.... as I will be 38 weeks pregnant on Thursday.... so I keep saying "just let me make it till Saturday" and then if she wants to come Saturday night or Sunday.... please by all means Miss Kendall.... come into this world... make your grand entrance!

Anywho, here are some pics from my baby girls 4th birthday!

2010-02-02T16:17:00.004-05:00

February 2nd, 2006

♥On this day 4 years ago at exactly 4:27am a beautiful little princess came into this world & changed our lives. Weighing in at 6lbs 2oz & 20 1/2 in long. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us & we are so thankful each and everyday. ♥ ~~Happy 4th Birthday Princess Aubrie~~

2010-01-30T12:44:00.000-05:00

So with 26 days to go (hopefully more like 23...give or take a few) I am feeling pretty huge. Although I will say... I can still tie my shoes, paint my toe nails, shave my legs and even run a little bit. Still, i'm tired of wearing the same clothes and sleeping in Kirk's shirts. I'm getting uncomfortable and don't even get me started on how much of a whale I feel like when i'm sleeping and try to switch from my left side to my right! BUT..... I found something to make me feel sooooo much better & to never feel like a whale again.......

are you ready????

AT LEAST I DO NOT HAVE TO ENDURE THIS........

Can you say OUCH!!!!???

Just looking at her makes me HURT!

I will not complain..... ever again!!!!!

Ok I lied, I probably will..... but still I am thankful!

2010-01-30T12:20:00.002-05:00

Things I will teach my daughter’s

laugh hard, laugh loud, and laugh with all your heart.
take it easy.
dream big, and reach for the stars.
dance
be yourself, never try to be anyone else.
read the newspaper.
compliment other women.
build indivduals up, never tear people down.
love yourself.
know your strengths.
strengthen your weaknesses
you don’t have to do what fashion magazines say.
you’re beautiful the way your are.
eat healthy.
exercise often.
play sports.
wear hats.
take tons of pictures.
cherish all the “girls times” with your friends, one day they’ll be gone.
read as many books as possible.
play an instrument, or try.
eat cupcakes.
play on playgrounds regardless your age.
know how to make a bed.
be polite.
be kind.
express yourself.
be your own boss.
respect those around you.
eat jelly beans

2010-01-28T18:21:00.000-05:00

Your Pregnancy: Week 36

With a mere 28 days to go (give or take a few), you're almost at the end—and the beginning of your new life. Finish up your final prep by stocking up on diapers, washing the onesies and making sure the nursery is good to go. Then, even if baby comes early, you're still ready. Of course, every new parent feels wildly unprepared regardless of how operational the nursery is, but at least you won't be diaperless! What You're Thinking:"One hundred bottles of milk on the wall, one hundred bottles of milk. Take one down, pass it around, 99 bottles of milk on the wall ..."

Your Body

Just when you think you can't possibly stand another day of your baby kicking your lungs and crowding your stomach, your baby will drop it like it's hot. This process, called lightening, will probably make it easier for you to breathe, but with your baby's head resting directly on your bladder, you'll be breathing all the way to the bathroom.
When your baby drops, you can rest assured that your pregnancy journey will be over within the next few weeks. Make sure to know the many signs and symptoms of labor so that you won't be caught with your pants down (both figuratively and literally).

Your Baby

Your baby continues to put on weight at about 1/2 pound each week. This layer of fat will help your baby regulate his body temperature after leaving your climate-controlled womb. In fact, your baby will be 15 percent fat at birth (and you ... well that's another story). Even in the womb, your baby can listen, feel, touch and see. The only thing separating him from living in the outside world is a little thing called the birth canal. Other highlights this week:

His gums are firm with ridges that look somewhat like teeth, though his actual pearly whites won't start breaking through until he's between three months and a year old.
Your baby has definite patterns of sleep and wakefulness—opening his eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. Your baby will become alert and turn his head toward light and sound just as a newborn would—except when you put on that Celine Dion CD. Then the baby puts his hands up, turns away and gurgles, "Oh no you didn't!"
Your baby is now around 18 1/2 inches long and nearly 6 pounds—just about as big as a breadbox!

See a 3D image of your baby at 36 weeks

Your Life

You may feel silly driving around these last couple of weeks with a baby car seat and no baby, but in case she decides to show up early, you'll be glad you have it, since your hospital won't let you leave without one.
Learn about standards for child safety seats and read up on the safety rankings and "ease-of-use ratings" of the model you are interested in.
Most people install their car seats incorrectly, so make an appointment with your local Highway Patrol or child-safety passenger inspection station to check to make sure it's been properly done. And remember, rules and uses of car seats change as your child grows, so this won't be the last car seat you install.
Now that you're seriously down to the wire (and we mean seriously), you're probably in nesting overdrive. Quit scrubbing the bathroom tile with a toothbrush for a minute and take a bath or go for a swim. We realize that getting naked or into a bathing suit is about the least appealing thing you can think of doing, but at this stage you probably don't give a rat's behind what you look like. You'll feel a gazillion pounds lighter in the pool and a nice bath will soothe your sore back, feet, neck, hips ...

Pictures from my baby shower

2010-01-24T21:41:00.000-05:00

I had the most beautiful, wonderful shower an expecting mommy could ask for!! All thanks to my lovely sister!! She put so much hard work and effort into planning & hosting this shower for Kendall & I and I cannot express how grateful we are! We love you M!

2010-01-24T15:13:00.000-05:00

A little background information. I went into labor with Aubrie ON my due date which was February 1st and she was born at 4:27am on February 2nd.

Currently I am 35 weeks. I will be 36 weeks this Thursday the 28th. I am already dilated 1cm. I have read and have been told by my Doctor that the 2nd time is always sooner & quicker (let's hope so!)

Just thought it would be fun for everyone to take a guess.

If you think it will be sooner than the options I listed, I made an OTHER option for your guess.

My due date is February 25th. When will Kendall Everleigh Smith arrive?

2010-01-24T11:52:00.000-05:00

Is it really splitsville for these two?

Rumors are swirling that they’ve already signed a $330 million dollar deal to split their assets right down the middle and are in the process of preparing a formal statement.

It’s also been reported that they will retain joint custody of the kids, who will allegedly live with Angie.

As a mom, this news makes me beyond sad.

But as a J. Aniston fan?

That, my friend, is what they call CLOSURE.

Dr. Appt

2010-01-23T14:25:00.000-05:00

Had a Doctor Appt. yesterday (Friday the 22nd) I am 1cm dilated!!! Won't be long now! I do need to make sure she stays in until after Aubrie's b*day party... which is on the 6th of February. I will be 37 weeks and 2 days then. Keep your fingers crossed!

2010-01-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

Sorry, Teddy K. We have failed.

2010-01-16T23:46:00.000-05:00

**Borrowed this from my sis, couldn't have said it better myself!** P.S Will do an update tomorrow on the beautiful shower she had for Kendall & I. Right now.... i'm off to get my beauty sleep!

A lesson in etiquette…
If you get invited to an event and have no intention of attending for whatever reason (I tend to stick to not attending something ONLY under the conditions of illness, family death, or unbreakable prior obligations), and you elect NOT to RSVP, know that you will be considered a rude, selfish individial. And if your invitation clearly provides an RSVP/Regrets Only line, including the contact information and deadline, for the love, let THAT person know. Let them know soooomething. And even if you can’t come, tell THAT person listed, not the guest of honor… for a lot of reasons. And as a rule of thumb… if you just think, “well, it won’t matter if I don’t come. I’m just one person.”, for a second, imagine how many other people could be saying the same thing. Then imagine if it’s a party thrown in YOUR honor, and how you probably won’t want to listen to lame excuses, and instead, about how it would make you feel.
Whew. Okay, I feel better.

2010-01-12T13:58:00.000-05:00

Week 34

Your growing baby: Your baby weighs five pounds or more, about the size of a bag of sugar. She will continue to gain about two or more pounds in the next six weeks. Now that your baby's brain has formed billions of neurons, it must accomplish the even more complex feat of hooking the neurons and synapses together. Your baby's brain is forming trillions of connections, making it possible for her to learn in the womb. All of this brain development may be the reason that your baby sleeps frequently at this stage. She may even be dreaming—her eyes dart around rapidly just as an adult's might in REM sleep. Your child's development is in no way complete at birth. In the first year after birth, a baby's brain triples in size and becomes three-quarters of its adult size.

Your changing body: The volume of your uterus is five hundred to one thousand times larger than before you got pregnant, so it's safe to say you're feeling huge and slow. You're still running to the bathroom frequently and probably will from here on out. Try to drink a lot of water early in the day, so you don't get thirsty at night and make things worse. If you haven't purchased your baby's car seat and installed it facing rear-ward in the backseat of your car yet, do it now. You'll also want to start thinking about what you want to pack in your hospital bag.

Wow, 6 weeks left. Could be less than 40 days away. Yikes! So much to do. So little energy. Couldn't I just pay the cleaning fairy to do it? Ok, didn't think so. But seriously if ANYONE wants to come and wash my dishes, vacuum my carpets and dust.... I wouldn't object to that. HINT HINT

2010-01-11T14:48:00.000-05:00

33 Weeks & 4 Days

33 Weeks!! 49 days to go!

2010-01-06T12:34:00.000-05:00

Your Pregnancy: Week 33

You're large, but you most definitely don't feel in charge, since the baby seems to be completely taking over your body. Up several times a night to go to the bathroom? It's all just practice for getting up in the wee hours for feedings, changings and general fussiness. The one difference: Cuddling that babe in your arms for a feeding is way better than heaving yourself to the bathroom for the sixth time—in the dark.

What You're Thinking: "Isn't there anywhere you could stand besides on my bladder, baby?"

Your Baby

The big news this week is lung development—baby's respiratory system is almost completely mature. That means if your baby was born this week, odds are he'd be a healthy bouncing baby with a just a little help from his friends (aka, the NICU). Some of the specifics are:

Your baby can now detect light and tell the difference between night and day (of course that ability will miraculously disappear once he's born and up all night screaming). His pupils will constrict and dilate in response to light. If you shine a flashlight on your belly, your baby may shy away from the light as if to say, "Cut it out, Ma. You're soooo annoying."
The bones in your baby's skull are soft and are not yet fused together. In other words, now is not the time to teach him how to do a headspin while breakdancing. This pliability allows the bones to overlap; making that trip down the tight birth canal possible (and resulting in that surprising cone head look your baby may sport for the first few days post-birth. Don't worry, it's totally normal and that's what hats are for.)
Your baby will continue to pack on the pounds gaining around 1/2 pound a week from here on out.
Your baby weighs about 4 1/2 pounds, as much as a grownup duck, and is approximately 17.5 inches long, about the same as a collarbone-length pearl necklace.

49 DAYS TO GO

2010-01-04T20:05:00.002-05:00

2009-12-24T00:57:00.000-05:00

2009-12-24T00:47:00.000-05:00

“I wish you could put your ear up to my heart and hear how much I love you.”

—

~ Mineral

2009-12-24T00:45:00.000-05:00

Just ten years, two marriages, two kids, one lesbian kiss with Madonna and a shaved head ago.

A Christmas Tradition

2009-12-14T23:45:00.002-05:00

Ohhhh how this brings back the memories! My family watched this movie every year growing up. I have to say that it's a tradition that has stuck. We watch it once during Christmas eve day, then Christmas eve night hubby and I wrap presents while watching it again.... and of course we watch it on Christmas day! I love th...at they play it 24 hours straight! "Deck the halls with bows of horry...fa ra ra ra ra ra ra ra!"

2009-12-12T20:09:00.000-05:00

Your Pregnancy: Week 29

2009-12-09T11:51:00.002-05:00

Week 29

Your Baby

Having a baby prematurely is frightening, no doubt. But here's a reason to relax: Due to the impressive advancements of medical technology, if your baby is born this week, she'd have a 9 out of 10 chance of survival, which is seriously great news. Other awesome developments:

Baby's brain can now control her breathing and body temperature. She can also cough, and her sucking abilities have been perfected. Look out, boobs!
Your Mini's skin is looking less wrinkled as she packs on the pounds. She's starting to look more like a Pampers model and less like a Depends model. She's now beefing up on the energizing and insulating white fat she'll be born with (unfortunately, white fat is not energizing and insulating for adults!).
And speaking of energy, your little Energizer Bunny is on fire these days. You're sure to feel your share of kicks, punches and elbows, especially when you're lying down. You might want to start keeping a kick chart to monitor your baby's movements, and also to later show your 13-year-old child what you endured for him or her. Ask your doctor how to count kicks and how often you should do it.
This week your baby is a little over 15 inches long—about the length of a loaf of bread—and weighs about 3 pounds, as much as a Macbook Air laptop.

2009-12-09T09:55:00.001-05:00

POLL TIME!!

2009-12-07T16:21:00.004-05:00

Ok, so we cannot decide on a name!!! I don't know if it's me being picky or Kirk trying to be nice and let me make the final decision but I simply cannot do it! So, I have created a poll with possible name options. I know it only matters if WE like it but really I don't want her to go around telling people her name only for them to turn their nose up. It's important for at least some people to like it or think it's PRETTY!

** I do want to point out one thing, keep in mind that our first daughter's name is Aubrie. If we went with Abigail we would call her Abby for short. So we would have an Aubrie & a Abby. I just think they sound to much alike don't you? **

Which name do you like better?

Elf Yourself!~!

2009-12-06T09:31:00.001-05:00

PLEASE watch all of these, each one is different and beyond hilarious! If you are looking for a pick me up or giggle I suggest you create one for your family as well!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

2009-12-01T17:25:00.000-05:00

So I think I should mount this on the front of my car.

How to Stay Grounded During the Holidays

2009-11-30T13:10:00.001-05:00

How to Stay Grounded During the Holidays

By Mike Robbins

Here are a few things we can remember this holiday season to make us feel more fulfilled and less overwhelmed:

1) Take Responsibility for Your Experience. It’s important to remember that stress we experience during the holiday season does not come from the holidays, but from ourselves. We’re the creators of our own experience—remembering this, and living our lives from this perspective, empowers us. When we stop thinking, speaking and acting as if we’re mere victims of holiday madness, we can dramatically enhance our enjoyment and lower our stress.

2) Remember That You Have a Choice. We always have a choice about how we engage with anything. This holiday season we can choose to be annoyed by family members, obligations, forced work gatherings, crowds, prices or anything else. Or, we can choose to enjoy the magic of this time of year. We may not always get to choose the people and circumstances around us, but we always have a choice about how we relate to them. Our holiday experience is up to us, as it always is.

3) Focus on What You Appreciate About the Holidays. Consciously choose to focus on the things that you appreciate about the holiday season. Tell the truth about this to yourself and to those around you. If at all possible, don’t participate in work or family gatherings out of obligation. But regardless of where you are, what you do or whom you are with, make a commitment to appreciate the people around you and the many blessings of this season and in your life right now.

Even when things are challenging, we always have much to be grateful for. At this time of the year, we can take a step back, breathe deeply and experience the gratitude we have for our lives, for the people in them, and for ourselves. If not now, then when?

While there are always things for us to do, gifts to buy, gatherings to attend and much more going on at this time of year, we can choose to enjoy this holiday season as one filled with authentic peace, gratitude and joy. If we’re willing to look for, find and focus on what we appreciate.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

2009-11-28T12:14:00.001-05:00

It's my favorite time of year!! The lights, the music, the smells, Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, family gatherings, baking cookies, taking the time to select a gift for the special people in our lives, playing Santa clause! I can't understand how some people dread this time of year. To me those people have forgotten the meaning of Christmas. I am not talking about the religious part, I'm talking about the time to spend with your family and loved ones. I understand for some it is stressful because times are hard, but believe me....we are affected just like everyone else but I simply ADORE Christmas! I put my Christmas tree up on November 10th! I LOVE it! I love driving around and looking at all the Christmas decorations and the pretty lights, I love going over to my husbands aunt & uncles house for dinner on Christmas eve, going to my mother and father in-laws for brunch on Christmas day, and then going to my parents house for a big Christmas Spaghetti Dinner. How is that not fun?! I love being Santa Clause now for our daughter also, it really is the most wonderful time of the year! It truly makes me sad for those who dread this holiday and wish that Christmas was only once every few years. I suppose there is nothing really I can do to change that, just hope that by some miracle one day that changes for them and that they can see the good and find happiness with just being around family and enjoying each others company.

Let the countdown to Christmas begin!!

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.

"Christmas is for children. But it is for grownups too. Even if it is a headache, a chore, and nightmare, it is a period of necessary defrosting of chill and hide-bound hearts."

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month."

"Love the giver more than the gift."

"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, traditions."

"This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!"

"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph."
- Shirley Temple

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T13:53:00.002-05:00

2009-11-24T20:11:00.001-05:00

Christmas Countdown & MySpace Layouts

Funny Stuff

2009-11-24T19:37:00.006-05:00

Some Thanksgiving Food for Thought

2009-11-23T12:57:00.000-05:00

Some Thanksgiving Food for Thought!

•Be more kind than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
• Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.
• A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.
• If you want your dreams to come true, you must not oversleep.
• The best vitamin for making friends…B1.
• The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
• The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.
• One thing you can give and still keep is your word.
• You lie the loudest when you lie to yourself.
• If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished.
• Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
• Sometimes we are so caught up in who’s right and who’s wrong that we forget what is right and wrong.
• One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time.
• Your mind is like a parachute, it functions only when open.
• Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
• Believe everything happens for a reason.
• The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! It is never too late to become what you might have been.

PICTURES

2009-11-18T00:04:00.000-05:00

Halloween Story Time

2009-11-16T22:00:00.001-05:00

Aubrie's First Hair Cut

2009-11-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

So this was Aubrie's FIRST hair cut. Yes at 3 1/2 she had her very first hair cut! I took her to the salon that my husband and I both go to and the guy doing it is my Uncle. He did a great job and so did she. She was sooooo excited to get her very first hair cut! Kirk was at work during this time so I made sure to take pictures and capture a small video so he could sort of feel as if he was there.

2009-11-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

So I guess I will take a minute and up date some of you that I do not talk to weekly or daily. My Dr appts have been going great. I've had all the blood tests done and everything is perfect with myself & the baby!!! What a relief. They were able to see everything perfectly clear on my ultrasound and my Dr said usually they aren't able to see everything so well but mine was perfect! Yay! I was prescribed a CHEWABLE prenatal vitamin! It's about time they made those. Seriously, not everyone can swallow those horse pills and no wonder women always feel like they are going to throw up when taking them...gag reflex...hello! Anyway, as of October 23rd I believe... I have only gained two pounds. My Dr said this was fine as long as I was eating when i'm hungry and reassured me I would pack on the pounds towards the end. We'll see. I don't plan to go crazy like I did with Aubrie. That whole "eating for two" thing, yeah that's not TRUE!

So we have the crib & changing table and over the weekend we got our Travel System(it's PINK!) we are still cleaning out her room so we can start putting everything together! Yay! Her room used to be our storage room so now we are storing our things at my parents. I've been trying to pick up the essential baby items needed just here and there but wow.... it definitely adds up! Guess I shouldn't have gotten rid of 98% of Aubrie's baby stuff. Although we move A LOT and really didn't have the storage to keep everything. Not saying there will be a 3rd BUT I have learned that "you just never know" so I WILL be holding on to all of these baby items!

Halloween was fun. Aubrie was Belle -one of the Disney Princesses. I must say she was beautiful and really did look like a Princess. I wanted to join in on the fun to so I purchased a little $5.00 cat ear, collar and tail set. Although I must say I looked more like a mouse than a cat, but whatever haha.

2009-11-10T08:37:00.000-05:00

Makes me think about my cute little soon to be family of FOUR.

2009-11-07T11:48:00.001-05:00

Pregnancy Counter at MySunWillShine.com

Be still my heart!

2009-09-20T21:20:00.001-04:00

Beyonce just keeps showing how truely amazing she is on the outside & the inside.

It's A.....

2009-09-20T21:16:00.000-04:00

2009-09-07T14:07:00.001-04:00

On Saturday we took my grandmother and drove up to the mountains for the day. This is us at Lover's Leap. The view was breath taking. Aubrie asked us on the way there if we were going to slide down the mountain and would it be cold. I think the only type of mountains she has seen were on tv and they were covered with snow. I was impressed she even knew what a mountain was. When she first saw them she screamed with excitement. That moment was worth the whole trip. She took her daddy's binoculars and carried them around the whole time... looking through them every now and then (soooo cute!) We had a picnic, visited Mabry Mills, saw beautiful scenery, met the cutest little shi-poo puppy named Maggie, laughed, and at the end my grandmother told me how much it meant to her that we took her and that she hadn't been to that specific place since she and my grandfather last went. I will admit I wasn't looking extremely forward to going but the fact that it meant so much to her meant everything to me. And who knows if she will ever get to visit that place again. We were so happy we were able to take her and I know she enjoyed every second of it....especially being able to share it with her great grand daughter Aubrie.

Spred Awareness

2009-09-02T11:06:00.000-04:00

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Do you realize by the end of today 46 children will be diagnosed with cancer? That cancer remains the number ONE killer of children -more than genetic anomalies, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS combined? That ...1 in 330 children will develop cancer by the age of 20? That even though cancer can be cured inside of a child's body the side effects can last a lifetime? Spread the word.

2009-08-27T21:52:00.001-04:00

2009-08-22T10:35:00.000-04:00

This ALWAYS makes me smile.....

Create free ringtones at Phonezoo

2009-08-19T14:23:00.000-04:00

welcome to the last week of your first trimester. Any day now you'll start to feel your energy (and libido!) return. You may even be able to hold down a bite of food. Take advantage of your new robust status and catch a movie or take that last pre-baby vacay. Do it now, because in a few months you'll be too big to sausage yourself into the airplane seats.

what you're thinking

"My skinny jeans don't fit, my fat clothes don't fit. I'm going shopping and I'm not coming back until I've got something I look fabulous in."

Your Baby

Your baby can make a fist and even suck his or her thumb this week—both skills that are über-cute during infancy ... and not so much at the age of 9. If you're really lucky, you might catch a glimpse of baby's thumb sucking on an ultrasound photo. That's a framer! Other exciting developments include:

Your baby's eyelids are fused shut to protect his eyes as they develop. His bones and skull are solidifying and soon itsy-bitsy ribs may appear. (Baby ribs! How cute is that?!) Baby's intestines are finally right where you want them—in his or her belly instead of poking out into the umbilical cord. Baby's tooth sockets are all loaded and ready to pop out baby teeth six or seven months after baby is born (causing baby a lot of pain and you a lot of lost sleep).
Who's that singing? Elton John? Could be your baby: His vocal cords and larynx are completed now.
Your baby-to-be now weighs about 20 grams and is nearly 3 inches long, or about the size of a Nutter Butter, covered in chocolate. OK, it doesn't have to be covered in chocolate, but isn't everything better that way?

Baby K

2009-08-17T20:30:00.000-04:00

In Love Already!!

Umm yeah

2009-08-16T23:10:00.000-04:00

Love Story

2009-08-16T21:53:00.000-04:00

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts:
I'm standing there on a balcony in summer air.

See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns.
See you make your way through the crowd
and say hello;

Little did I know
That you were Romeo; you were throwing pebbles,
And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet."
And I was crying on the staircase,
begging you, 'Please, don't go.'"

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'"

So I sneak out to the garden to see you.
We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew.
So close your eyes; escape this town for a little while.
'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter,
And my daddy said "Stay away from Juliet,"
But you were everything to me; I was begging you, 'Please, don't go,'"

And I said,
"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone.
I'll be waiting; all there's left to do is run.
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'

Romeo save me - they're tryin' to tell me how to feel;
This love is difficult, but it's real.
Don't be afraid; we'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story - baby just say "Yes.'"

Oh, oh.

I got tired of waiting,
Wondering if you were ever comin' around.
My faith in you was fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town,

And I said,
"Romeo save me - I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you but you never come.
Is this in thy head? I don't know what to think-"

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said,
"Marry me, Juliet - you'll never have to be alone.
I love you and that's all I really know.
I talked to your dad - go pick out a white dress;
It's a love story - baby just say 'Yes.'"

Oh, oh. Oh, oh.

'Cause we were both young when I first saw you...

2009-08-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

Right about now!

2009-08-05T08:27:00.001-04:00

2009-08-04T23:01:00.001-04:00

Things to Ponder

2009-08-03T11:59:00.000-04:00

If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren’t people from Holland called Holes?
Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?
Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a racing car not called a racist?
Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?
Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?
Why isn’t the number 11 pronounced onety one?
‘I am’ is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that ‘I do’ is the longest sentence?
If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn’t it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
What hair colour do they put on the driver’s licences of bald men?
Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don’t they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the postmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?
You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.
No one ever says, ‘It’s only a game’ when their team is winning.
Ever wonder about those people who spend $2.00 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE
Isn’t making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?
If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea, does that mean that one enjoys it?
Why if you send something by road in a car, it is called a shipment, but when you send it by sea in a ship, it is called cargo?
If a convenience store is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the door?

Helpful Hints

2009-08-02T22:13:00.001-04:00

Bananas - Peel a banana from the bottom and you won’t have to pick the little ‘stringy things’ off of it. That’s how the primates do it. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.
Storing Cheese - Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!
Fresh Bell Peppers - Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.
Cooking Ground Beef - Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.
Eggs & Omelets - To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in beat them up.
Brownie Idea - For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in a double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.
Delicious Dessert - Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!
Easy Deviled Eggs - Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done. Easy clean up.
Expanding Frosting - When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You will frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount of frosting. Also eating less sugar and calories per serving.
Reheating Refrigerated Bread - To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
Newspaper Your Weeds Away - Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic, they will not get through wet newspapers.
Broken Glass - Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can’t see easily.
No More Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away - To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t come near it.
Flexible Vacuum - To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
Reducing Static Cling - Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks…static is gone.
Measuring Cups - Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don’t dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
Foggy Windshield - Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
Conditioner - Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It’s cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It’s also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn’t like when you tried it in your hair.
Get Rid of Ants - Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it ‘home,’ can’t digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don’t have the worry about pets or small children being harmed.
INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS - Dryer sheets cause a film over the mesh on your lint screen and that is what burns out the heating unit. It’s what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free. You know how they feel waxy when you take them out of the box…well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to have the potential to burn your house down (So to keep your electric bill lower) —-take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.
Coughs that keep you awake - When you go to bed, coat the bottom of your feet with Vicks vapor rub, or generic brand, and put on socks. Your coughing will immediately stop. Something very healing about feet.
Flower Beds - When making a new flower bed, you don’t need to remove the grass, just treat it with a grass killer then cover with a couple inches of black dirt. Wait about a week before planting. Not only will this save you hours of labor and back ache, but you will have a slightly raised flower bed for less money.
Marinating Meats - When marinating meats, use and 1 egg white instead of olive oil to save calories. (for 1 pounds of meat)
Moist Cakes & Brownies - For all cakes and brownies, and 1/4 cup of applesauce for moisture. Vanilla and chocolate pudding work well too, depending on your tastes and what you have in the house.
Hair Dye - When dying your hair, first color it with a temporary kit. One of those 2-4 weeks ones. Then color it with the permanent color kit. Your color won’t fade at all.
Warts - For warts on hands and feet, put duct tape on warts until they are gone, even when you’re sleeping, only takes a couple days.
Bee Stings - Put vanilla yogurt on a bee sting to reduce swelling.
For a Headache - Soak your feet in water with a little cinnamon in it and/or make your favorite tea adding a little marjoram, rosemary, tarragon, cinnamon and thyme to it.

2009-08-01T23:37:00.001-04:00

"Think of everyone you’ll meet today.
Sit quietly with your eyes closed
and send each one of them love and appreciation.

Results will follow"

—Marianne Williamson

A picture is worth a thousand words

2009-07-28T12:51:00.000-04:00

I realized that I haven't been taking pictures like I used to. I used to take pictures of Aubrie's every smile, every move, a pretty flower, my dogs being silly, goofy pics of Kirk and I. I looked over at a table in our office and saw BOTH of our cameras sitting there collecting dust.... batteries run down. I realized right then and there that I need to charge those batteries and start taking pictures as if i'd never see another day again. I love pictures. They really are worth a thousand words. As you get older you remember certain memories from your childhood....meaningful memories, weird memories, pointless memories, etc... unfortunately we cannot remember them all, our brains just simply don't allow us to. That is why pictures are so awesome, as well as home videos. You can look at a picture that you haven't seen in 10 years that you forgot about and you immediately remember the event in which that picture was taken. I am so glad that I made several videos of Aubrie when she was a baby because I honestly do not remember her being that little. Even though it was only 3 years ago and it was such a meaningful time, it's like she grew up overnight. My memory simply cannot recall all of the wonderful times we had, the cute little things she did, etc.... but I can look back on those videos and I immediately remember that specific period of time and my heart just melts.

Goal for the day: Charge those batteries, dust off that camera and take at least 10 pictures. - CHECK!

If you have a camera and haven't taken pictures in a while, grab that camera today and take a few pictures. Take a picture of your favorite things. Your favorite book, a pretty flower in your yard, your house, your car, your favorite purse, outfit, etc.... if you're thinking that would be silly....think again. Don't you love to see pictures of your parents childhood, your grandparents, their parents? It's fascinating. How times have changed. Think of your children, your grandchildren, their children...... wouldn't they love to see pictures of things that meant the most to you or at one point in time you loved? Ofcourse!

I'm going to go get started!

2009-07-26T17:45:00.000-04:00

Happy 9 weeks to Baby Love & I

Lessons from Life

2009-07-21T10:51:00.000-04:00

Lessons from Life

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch!
Pay off your credit cards every month.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
The most important sex organ is the brain.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
Always choose life.
Forgive everyone everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Believe in miracles.
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
Your children get only one childhood.
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s,we’d grab ours back.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Yield.
Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift

Laugh Out Loud Wednesday

2009-07-15T13:44:00.000-04:00

Yeah, that's a good title.... "Laugh Out Loud Wednesday"

I recently stumbled upon some pretty hilarious pictures that I thought I would share. They made me giggle, chuckle, laugh out loud, etc.... and hopefully they will do the same for you. Enjoy!!

2009-07-15T13:41:00.001-04:00

So my first thought when I saw this picture was " oh crap" .....then I remembered my daughter is just tooooo sweet to do that to her soon-to-be sibling. Or is she? Jealousy does make people do crazy things. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get there. I can't wait!

Guess What!

2009-07-08T21:14:00.000-04:00

25 Random Things About Me

2009-06-25T10:02:00.000-04:00

1. I love my daughter and husband more than life itself and no one or anything will EVER change that.
2. I'm scared of the dark
3.I will never, ever eat ANY type of seafood......ever!
4. I love all animals.....even mean ones. If I see a dead skunk in the road it makes me sad.
5.No matter how much sleep I get, I NEVER have enough energy to do what I need to do.
6. I can't swallow pills. I can take a Motrin for headaches but other than that I just can't do it. I think this is due to a traumatic experience when I was a child. I chocked on a peppermint. It was scary.
7.I knew at age 14 I would end up marrying Kirk. No matter what happened, we would end up together. I was right.
8.Sweet tea and Diet Dr.Pepper make me happy
9. When I am sitting at the computer I HAVE to have my hair dryer blowing on my feet.
10. I clean my ears at least twice a DAY! Not because I need to, but I just don't like dirty ears.
11. My car is a piece of crap, I know this and I could care less.
12. I am not religious..... at all.
13. I like to be tan all through the year.
14. I set my clocks 10 mins fast and I am still late for EVERYTHING.
15. I procrastinate BIG TIME.
16. I hate talking on the phone.
17. I think shaking hands with people, esp. strangers is gross.
18. Even though I haven't been diagnosed I KNOW that I have ADD.
19. I get teary eyed when i'm really happy.
20. If I had the money I would get plastic surgery for a couple of things.
21.After having Aubrie I said that I didn't want anymore children. That's changed and I can't wait to have another baby!
22. I miss all of my friends from high school.
23. I believe that having my daughter was the best thing that ever happened to me. She and her Daddy changed my life in ways I could have only dreamed.
24. I am terrified of death. T E R R I F I E D.
25. My husband is the best husband and Daddy I could EVER ask for. He is my best friend and I will love him forever.

Things that make your heart say Hmmm

2009-06-16T16:31:00.000-04:00

Fearless

2009-06-16T16:12:00.000-04:00

This past Friday night my mom and I took Aubrie to the Taylor Swift concert(thanks to Auntie M) and to sum the entire experience up we had a wonderful time, Aubrie loves Taylor even more, and Taylor Swift puts on an AMAZING show! She has an incredible energy and an amazing voice. Never a dull moment!

I have a blog???

2009-06-08T11:49:00.001-04:00

Should have known I would post one entry and then forget about this thing.
I feel like "Rachael" from FRIENDS in the "New Years Eve" where they are discussing the new years resolutions they will make and how Rachael can never keep her resolutions. Rachael argued that she could in fact keep the resolution she was going to make that year. Monica then reminds her of her resolution that she made last year, which was to write in her diary everyday. Monica runs to Rachael's room grabs Rachael's diary, opens to the first page and reads "Dear Diary, as my new years resolution I promise to write in you every day, see you tomorrow" and then flips through the diary and there is not ONE other page written on. It was a funny episode, you have to see it I guess. Miranda knows what I'm talking about!

Let's see, what all has happened...... I turned the big 23!! Yikes! I must say as I get older birthdays become more depressing. I'm not sure why that is, I mean we live in a world today where half the women do everything and anything they can to stay looking young, and the other half embrace their age, say they feel better than ever and just enjoy it. I think I am somewhere in between. While I know some of you reading this think that I am being silly "I mean she's only 23" you're thinking. But, I have also been married for almost 4 years and have a 3 year old daughter. I experience things in life that women in their early-mid 30's haven't experienced yet. I love love love my life, I think I'm a pretty good wife and mother. I do the best I possibly can. But that doesn't mean I have treat life as if it's all downhill from here..... that birthdays are something to be dreaded and not celebrated "oh it's another birthday, another year older, who cares" Well I REFUSE to be that "woman" From now on I will embrace the fact that I am ONLY 23 and that I can act my age and be a great wife and mother as well. Hey I have an advantage..... I can go roller skating with my daughter, I can run and chase her, my favorite thing to do on a playground is swing.... no sirree, I do NOT sit on the bench and watch as my child plays, I am RIGHT there on the slides, monkey bars, and swings with her. I love blowing bubbles and you give me some sidewalk chalk and you've got a happy lady. I still LOVE Disney movies. I could eat shock tarts/sweetarts like they were going out of style(is that right? I guess it's not really a style, but you get what I mean) and despite that have two wrinkles under each eye.... I love them because I know they are from smiling SO SO MUCH!

2009-04-04T23:32:00.000-04:00

Tonight's the night!

The beginning of the FINAL FOUR! Let's go Tar Heels!!!

Today consisted of Kirk going to work at 9:00am to help move their furniture from their old Greensboro Office to their NEW Greensboro office. 9:00am-5:00pm! SO since it was a beautiful day, Aubrie and I played outside. We blew bubbles, she rode her little bike while I brushed up on my gossip magazines. She chased a few harmless bugs, picked a few flowers and then the bees came. OH those Bees. She is her mother's daughter. I am DEATHLY afraid of Bees! Evidently she has seen how I react when Bees are around me.....I'm not going to lie to you, it's not pretty. I think I was stung so much as a child that the sight of a bee is enough to scare the tinkle out of me. Any who, my Aubs ended up in tears. The bees seemed to be attracted to the bubbles....(we have no flowers in our yard yet, so I have no clue why so many wanted to hang out with us today) any who, they simply would not go away and I was to scared to swat at them with my pink flower fly swatter. So inside we went to watch Cinderella.

I washed a few loads of laundry only to realize that one of the hoses on our washing machine has a HOLE in it and was leaking water EVERYWHERE! Sooooo off to Lowe's we will go tomorrow to replace the stupid hose with a hole in it!

forthelove

February 2nd, 2006

♥On this day 4 years ago at exactly 4:27am a beautiful little princess came into this world & changed our lives. Weighing in at 6lbs 2oz & 20 1/2 in long. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us & we are so thankful each and everyday. ♥ ~*~Happy 4th Birthday Princess Aubrie~*~

Your Pregnancy: Week 36

Your Body

Your Baby

Your Life

Pictures from my baby shower

Dr. Appt

33 Weeks!! 49 days to go!

Your Pregnancy: Week 33

Your Baby

A Christmas Tradition

Your Pregnancy: Week 29

Week 29

Your Baby

POLL TIME!!

Elf Yourself!~!

How to Stay Grounded During the Holidays

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Funny Stuff

Some Thanksgiving Food for Thought

Some Thanksgiving Food for Thought!

PICTURES

Halloween Story Time

Aubrie's First Hair Cut

Be still my heart!

Beyonce just keeps showing how truely amazing she is on the outside & the inside.

It's A.....

Spred Awareness

Your Baby

Baby K

Umm yeah

Love Story

Things to Ponder

Helpful Hints

A picture is worth a thousand words

Lessons from Life

Laugh Out Loud Wednesday

Guess What!

25 Random Things About Me

Things that make your heart say Hmmm

Fearless

I have a blog???

♥On this day 4 years ago at exactly 4:27am a beautiful little princess came into this world & changed our lives. Weighing in at 6lbs 2oz & 20 1/2 in long. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us & we are so thankful each and everyday. ♥ ~~Happy 4th Birthday Princess Aubrie~~