i'm a loser & a winner

Every year Matt and I make a bracket for March Madness.  I can't even remember who won last year, I usually don't really care about the tournament.  Long before the tournament was over I had already lost.  Both of our final four brackets were COMPLETELY wrong.  Matt beat me by just a few games.  So I'm a loser!

BUT.....

This year Matt's family decided to do a tournament online through CBS.  We all made our brackets (including Pearson) and made it a big competition.  Since we were together during the entire 2nd round of the tournament while we were in Arkansas, it was so much fun to check the standings each night.  Matt, Pearson, and I all kind of stuck around 4th place, 5th place and 6th place most of the time.  After all the games on last Sunday I was in 1st place and the person in 2nd place couldn't even catch up with my score even if she got all the rest her bracket right!! So I won!!  Matt's Dad even made a certificate for me!!

So until next year, I am the reigning champ of the Annual Link Family March Madness Tournament!!

29 weeks

how far along?  29 weeks

how are you measuring?  At my 28 week appointment, he was measuring 29 weeks in the sonogram.  When my doctor measured me, I was measuring 31 weeks.  Ahhhh....Am I going to make it to June 20th??

size of baby? According to Baby Center our baby is 2 1/2 pounds, like a butternut squash, and a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.  According to our sonogram last week, he was already measuring 3 pounds.  We've got a big baby on our hands!!

heartbeat? 128 bpm (at our 28 week appointment)

total weight gain/loss? +24.6

maternity clothes? Lovin' them!!

stretch marks? No stretch marks yet.  I'm lotioning up my belly like crazy.  
sleep? Some nights I sleep great.  Some nights I sleep terrible.  I'm going to the bathroom 2 times a night, but it's at random times lately.  One night I woke up to go to the bathroom at midnight then I woke up and tossed and turned around 1am &  2am, then woke up to go the bathroom at 3am, then I woke up at 4am and couldn't go back to sleep.  Around 4:30 I finally got my phone out and messed around for 45 minutes or so.  When I realized I wasn't going back to sleep I just woke up at 5:15 and started getting ready for school.  

best moment this week? Seeing our sweet boy in the sonogram and hearing that he is doing great and really thriving.  And find out that I don't have gestational diabetes!! 

movement? Lots!!  Sometimes he kicks me so hard that it startles me. He's a little stinker though.  He'll be kicking me a ton, and I'll tell Matt to put his hand on my belly and as soon as he does, he stops.  Last night Matt did get to see him move and squirm alot.  He even asked, "How can you sleep when he's moving like that?"

food cravings? Nothing really. 

gender predictions? It's a BOY!!!  Pearson Davis Link!!!

what i miss:  Ever since my belly pain started 4 weeks ago I haven't really worked out or gone on walks.  I feel so lazy.  I hate not being able to workout.  I really feel like it's hard for me to watch my weight when I can't be as active as I want. 

what i'm looking forward to: We got the nursery painted yesterday.   Our chair should be here any day now.  I'm so looking forwarding to getting some things on the walls so his nursery can be finished!!

how are you feeling? I'm still dealing with some belly pain.  I have my doctor completely stumped with this pain, so I'm just trying to take it easy and sit down quite a bit, because that is the only thing that helps.  I had a little heartburn one day this week too.  Not bad though. 

meal planning monday

Monday: Dinner @ My Parent's House

Tuesday: Chick-fil-A on the way to our 1st Childbirth Class

Wednesday: Turkey & Cheddar Paninis & Coupon Class Goodies

Thursday: Chicken Chili Crescent Bake

Friday: Roast, Carrots, & Potatoes

Saturday Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls

Saturday Lunch: Chick-fil-A.....again!! :)

Saturday Dinner: Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti, Salad & French Bread

Sunday Lunch:  Sonny Bryan's w/ Our ABF

Sunday Dinner: Frito Pie

want some cute jewelry??

Look at 

how cute 

 these necklaces are!!

I got lucky and won a giveaway of one these Rosette necklaces.   

 Today only you can score your own because Sew Called Life is offering 20% off all of her necklaces if you use the code WIN20.  So head over to her shop, Sew Called Life and your own cute necklace.  

Now what color should I choose??  Too many cute colors to choose from. 

I'm leaning towards the lemon or lagoon. I want a fun Spring color!!

newest little rangers fan

We love the Rangers here at The Link Home.

Maybe I should re-phrase that. I LOVE the Rangers, but Matt REALLY LOVES the Rangers!! 

So introducing to you........

The Newest Little Rangers Fan.

{And just in case you can't read backwards, it says "Fan on Board"}

Go Rangers!!!

I SO wish we were going to the game.

april desktop

Get your April desktop here.

my 2nd spring break

 This past week Matt and I took off Wednesday through Friday for a little R&R in Bella Vista, Arkansas with his family.  We went out there for Matt's cousin's wedding on Saturday but it was nice to relax for the days leading up to the wedding.  I literally did nothing.  I didn't even take a single picture. Okay maybe I didn't do absolutely nothing, I did get a pedicure one day!!  Matt on the other hand squeezed in 4 rounds of golf in 3 days.  He was in heaven!!

Here are a few pictures I stole from my father in law from the beautiful wedding on Saturday!!

Me and Matt

 The beautiful bride and her new hubby!!

 The Link Family cousins. 

 We had a wonderful time celebrating their Big Day and we definitely enjoyed making a little vacation out of it!!

calling all mommies: hostess gifts

This week's topic is.....

HOSTESS GIFTS

I have three showers coming up in the next month or so.  I am so thankful that my friends, family and co-workers are loving on Pearson in this way, and I want to show them how much I appreciate them.

  

Do you have any cute ideas for hostess gifts?  Or have you given or received a really fun hostess gift?

a day in the life of a pregnant girl

Today I......

......woke up 10 minutes before my alarm went off to go to the bathroom.

.....about cried when I stepped on the scale.

.....realized I had a hemorrhoid.  (sorry....TMI.....but that's real pregnancy for ya!)

.....noticed I had a little varicose vein on my leg.

......reminded myself that all these crazy things happening to my body will be so worth it.

.....ate a breakfast that didn't have any sugar because I had my glucose test today.

.....took my  pre-natal vitamin when my alarm ("my reminder")  on my phone went off.

.....was told by a few student that my belly was getting really big.

......felt lots of kicks and wiggles.

......was asked if my baby was coming out today.

.....accidently ate 3 M&M's after I gave my students some for good behavior.

.....frantically called the doctor asking if 3 M&M's would mess up my glucose test.  

.....ate a lunch with no sugar .

.....prayed that I don't have Gestational Diabetes because I really love sugar.

.....took a half day because my doctor's appointment was at 1:40.  

.....worked on my shower guest lists.

......talked to my Mom about all things baby/showers/pregnancy.

......drank the not-so-yummy orange drink for my glucose test.

......prayed that everything would look perfect in our sonogram.

......peed in a cup.

......got to hear my sweet baby's heartbeat at 128 bpm.

......found out that he is 3 lbs and in the 77th percentile.

......was told our little guy has a head of hair.

......saw that our sweet boy had the hiccups.

.....was told he is thriving and saw that everything looks perfect.

.....stumped my doctor with my belly pain.

......had to draw blood.

......went to Babies R Us.

.....stopped at Sonic Happy Hour.

.....relaxed and blogged about my 28th week of pregnancy.

......cooked dinner for my hubby.

......bought some diaper on Amazon for $2.49.

......bought some Diaper Genie Bags on Amazon for $6.57.

......rubbed my belly up with  lotion.

......crawled into bed with all 4 of my pillows.

......praised God for the healthy baby that is growing inside of me.

28 weeks

Hello 3rd Trimester!!

how far along?  28 weeks

how are you measuring?  30 weeks (I'll know a better estimate when I go to the doctor tomorrow.)

size of baby? 14.8 inches long from the top of the head to the heels, 2 1/4 pounds and about the weight of a Chinese Cabbage??

heartbeat? 135 bpm (at our 24 week appointment)

total weight gain/loss? +23.4 (I think my scale might be wrong.  I'm really not sure how I gained 5 lbs this week.  That can't be right.  Especially since I had the stomach bug this week. Ugh, 23 lbs though.  I wanted to stick around 25 but I guess I'm pushing my limit up to 35.  Hopefully I can stay under that.  The normal weight gain is 25-35 lbs.  I really don't want to have to lose more than 35 lbs after he is here.)

maternity clothes? All the time!!  I'm really trying not to wear real clothes because I don't want to stretch them out.

stretch marks? No, not yet.  The line underneath my belly button continues to get darker, and I noticed a few teeny tiny varicose veins pop up this week. Ugh.....oh well, I know Pearson will be worth all these crazy things my body is doing.
sleep? Matt and I were out of town from Tuesday night to Sunday night.  I didn't sleep the greatest this week because I wasn't in my own comfy bed with all my pillows.  It also didn't help that I caught a little stomach bug this past weekend.  And not the throwing up kind.....sorry.....TMI.  

best moment this week? Not working!! I loved having 3 days off this week.  It's really going to be hard to get back in the swing of things.  I worked 1 1/2 days in the last 10 work days!! Only 49 more days to go!!   

movement? He's a little mover and groover.  He's so funny, when I lay down for bed, I always lay on my left side first.  He immediately starts kicking me like crazy, and I always have to switch to my right side.  I guess he doesn't like me sleeping on my left side.  

food cravings? I ate a TON of grapes this week. Mmmmmm....so good!! I actually just went to the store and bough 3 lbs of grapes today!!

gender predictions? It's a BOY!!!  Pearson Davis Link!!!

what i miss:  Getting a good night's rest and working out.

what i'm looking forward to: Getting an extra sonogram on Tuesday.  I can't wait to see my sweet boy's face again.  It's been 8 weeks since our last sono.  After this sono, it will only be 12 weeks until we get to meet our little guy!!

how are you feeling? I'm not going to lie, I haven't felt the greatest this week.  My belly pain continued to bother me so I called my doctor and she asked me to come in last Tuesday before Matt and I left town that evening.  She thinks it is my rectus muscle is being pulled and stretched by the weight of my uterus.  She advised that I buy a maternity belt and take it easy for a little while.  She also wanted to add a sonogram to my next visit just to make sure everything looks good.  I wore my maternity belt and took it very easy while we were out of town and I didn't have any belly pain while we were gone.  I hope that when I go back to work this week and I'm on my feet all day that the pain doesn't come back.  Also, this weekend while we were out of town I caught a nasty stomach bug.  I spent quite a bit of time in the bathroom in the middle of the night. That was no fun.  I'm still eating very light because I'm so afraid that I won't be able to hold it down. Hopefully I'll be back to normal this week!

meal planning monday

Ha!!! As you can see I have absolutely nothing planned for this week.  We just got back in town yesterday afternoon and I haven't been to the grocery store.  We have ABSOLUTELY nothing to eat.  Any ideas on what I should cook this week???

Monday: Tortilla Soup @ My Parents

Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo & Garlic Toast

Wednesday: Turkey & Cheese Paninis, Chips, & Grapes

Thursday: Papa Murphy's Pizza

Friday: Grilled Chicken & Pasta

Saturday Breakfast: Pop Tarts

Saturday Lunch: Me: Sandwich Matt: Corn Dogs & Sweet Potato Fries

Saturday Dinner: Smoked Sausage, Baked Potatoes & Macaroni & Cheese

Sunday Lunch: BBQ Sausage Sandwiches & Leftover Mac N Cheese

Sunday Dinner: Quesadillas & Homemade Salsa

calling all mommies: must haves

This week's topic is.....


MUST HAVES

It's a simple question this week.  

What are the things that you can't live without?

They can things from your pregnancy that you loved, things that your baby loves, things that make your life easier, or products you love? Anything.  What things do you think are "Mommy Must Haves"  

I can't wait to hear so I can add them to my wishlist!!

fuzzy's tacos

Have you been to Fuzzy's Taco Shop?

  If you live in the Dallas area, then you know that they are popping up EVERYWHERE.  I either hear that people love it or they hate it.  

If you've been, do you love it or hate it?  If you love it, what did you get to eat that you love so much?

There is one coming very close to our house so I feel like we are going to have to finally cave in and try it out.  I just have a hard time getting over the name.  All I can think of are moldy {fuzzy} tacos.  

And that doesn't sound good.

27 weeks

how far along?  27 weeks

how are you measuring?  29 weeks (I'll know a better estimate when I go to the doctor next week.)

size of baby? 14 1/2 inches long, almost 2 pounds, and about the weight of a head of cauliflower

heartbeat? 135 bpm (at our 24 week appointment)

total weight gain/loss? +17.6

maternity clothes? Yup!!  I'm loving them!!

stretch marks? No, not yet.  But the line underneath my belly is starting to get a little darker.  I also have a faint ring around my belly button that looks similar to the line under my belly button.  Weird.
sleep? Earlier in the week I was sleeping terrible.  I have been very congested and stopped up, but later in the week I started sleeping better and not tossing and turning so much.  Matt said one night I kept him up because I was so restless.  

best moment this week? Finishing Pearson's nursery.  Oh my word, it's going to be so cute!!  My Mom did such a good job on his bedding.   

movement? All the time.  A few nights ago, Matt and I just sat and stared at my belly.  He was squirming and kicking like crazy.  You could feel it and see it.  It's so crazy to watch my belly just  pop up and down!!   

food cravings? Still loving my Little Debbie Brownies and pears.  I eat a piece of pizza for lunch at school each Wednesday.  Since we didn't have school this week I didn't have my pizza on Wednesday.  On Thursday, Mom and I went out to lunch and I told her I was craving pizza.  I guess little P was missing his slice of pizza that I normally have on Wednesdays!! We went to Brooklyn's Pizza and my tummy was happy!! Oh and I can always go for a Sonic Banana Shake.  Hmmmm....pizza, brownies and banana shakes....I wonder if that is where the extra 17.6 pounds is coming from??

gender predictions? It's a BOY!!!  Pearson Davis Link!!!

what i miss:  Going on walks.  I've been really good about taking Izzie on walks in my 2nd trimester, but this week since I wasn't feeling well I didn't take a single walk.  And the weather was beautiful, so I'm sad that I didn't get to walk her this past week.  

what i'm looking forward to: My 2nd Spring Break!! Matt and I are taking off Wednesday-Friday to head up to Bella Vista, Arkansas to spend the week with his entire side of the family for his cousin's wedding on Saturday.  Matt is going to be playing lots of golf, but I'm excited to just prop my feet up and read some of my pregnancy books!!

how are you feeling? This week I haven't felt the greatest.  I've been all stopped up and congested.  I'm definitely feeling Braxton Hicks contractions daily.  Not too many though.  They don't hurt, they are just annoying.  And the bruised/tender feeling in my belly hasn't gone away.  It usually doesn't start hurting until around 3pm or later, but sometimes it starts earlier.  It's really weird.  It's like it has a time clock.  If I'm up and moving it turns into a sharp pain, so I've really had to make myself sit down and slow down some this week.  As soon as I sit down it feels better, and as soon as I prop my feet up and rest it goes away.  I'm going to talk to her at my appointment next week and make sure it's nothing I should be concerned about.

meal planning monday

Monday: Chicken Fried Rice & Egg Rolls

Tuesday: Out to Eat

Wednesday: Chicken Spaghetti, Green Beans, Salad & French Bread

Thursday: KITCHEN CLOSED

Friday: KITCHEN CLOSED

Saturday: KITCHEN CLOSED

Sunday: KITCHEN CLOSED

3 years ago

Three years ago,

on March 20, 2008,

Matt took me on a little stroll on the beach.

He popped the question

and asked me to be his wife.

I'll never forget that day!! 

It was perfect!!

 

You make me such a happy girl!!

{It was St. Patrick's day, which is why we are all matchy matchy!}

**Update: I'm a dork.  It wasn't St. Patrick's Day.  That's always on the 17th.  I guess I just matched that day!! But it sure did look cute in our pictures!!

sneak peak: pearson's nursery

I'm sooooooo excited to be getting rid of the ugly yellow room {that I accidently painted TOO yellow} and trading it in for a sweet baby blue nursery!!

It's been so fun to see his room start to come together!!

We having the nursery painted {and the living room/entry}April 2nd, and our rocker/glider & ottoman will be in anywhere around April 9th-April 23rd.  So once we paint, get all the furniture, and all the decor up, I'll post pictures of the whole room.  

Until then, here are a few sneak peeks of the things my Mom and I {and the help of my MIL one day} have been busy making this week!!

 {Please ignore the yellow walls and the curtain rod that is too low.}

coupon class details

I'll be hosting 2 coupon classes next month.

April 6th @7pm and April 9th @ 9am


I just sent out 2 Evites for them.  If you already sent me your e-mail address and didn't get the Evites, let me know so I can resend it.

If you are interested in learning how to coupon, send me your e-mail address and I'll send you the Evite.

**If I do not know you personally, please let me know how you found my blog or who you "know" me though.  

happy st. patty's day

......from me and and the little guy!!

Hope you had a lucky day!!

I sure feel so lucky to be carrying this little miracle!!

lunch date & a pregnancy craving

I went to lunch with Cinnamon today!! We usually get together for lunch every month or every other month, but we hadn't had lunch since October.  It had been WAY to long.

We went to Panera Bread. Yummy!!

I've been craving it since the beginning of my pregnancy.  Remember?? I finally just gave in to the craving, even though I'm not supposed to have lunch meat.  I got my Sierra Turkey Sandwich.

Oh.My.Word.  A Sierra Turkey Sandwich has never tasted so good!!

Looking forward to our next lunch date Cinnamon.  We might just have to go to Panera Bread again!!