24 weeks

how far along?  24 weeks

how are you measuring?  26 weeks
size of baby? almost a foot long, weighs just over a pound, as long as an ear of corn

heartbeat? 135 bpm (at our 24 week appointment)
total weight gain/loss? +15.2 pounds according to my scale at home, but +14 pounds according to the scale at the doctor.  I'm going to go with the scale at the doctor!!
maternity clothes? Yup!!  One of the third grade teachers at my school passed along alot of her old maternity clothes to me this week.  I am decked on on maternity clothes.  I have been so blessed to have only bought a few things.  I had three friends fill my closet for me!!

stretch marks? No, not yet!! 
sleep? I'm getting up once a night consistently at 1:30am to go to the bathroom.  During the week I wake up anywhere from 5:30 to 6:00, and the first thing I do is go to the bathroom.  On Saturdays and Sundays, I do the same, and unfortunately, now I'm having trouble going back to sleep after going to the bathroom the second time.  

best moment this week? My Mom and I totally designed Pearson's bedding.  Now it's just a matter of getting all the fabric and getting it made!  We also sold the desk that is in his room right now.  The desk is the last thing in his room we had to get rid of before it's cleared out and ready to be painted!!  We also got totally registered at Babies R Us this weekend!!

movement? We have a mover and a groover on our hands.  It seems like anytime I am not moving he is.  I swear I can feel him doing flips in my belly.  I LOVE it!!  

food cravings? Nothing really specific.  I've just been really hungry lately.  I am totally dreading weighing in at the doctor this week.  I think I've gained triple what I was supposed to.

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

what i miss:  Being able to go on a walk and not feeling like I have to go to the bathroom right in the middle of it!

what i'm looking forward to: I'm going to a breastfeeding class at the hospital tonight.  I'm super passionate about nursing Pearson, so I'm excited to learn more about it.  

how are you feeling? Feeling great!!  I feel like I'm going 90 to nothing everyday.  I am busy, busy, busy, and full of energy. The nesting phase has really kicked in, so as soon as I get home from school I'm cleaning something out or organizing something. This is the part of pregnancy Matt has been waiting for!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Out to Eat

Tuesday: Chicken Spaghetti, Veggies, & Rolls

Wednesday: Talapia with Shrimp Bayou Sauce, Veggies, & French Bread

Thursday: Chipotle w/ The Zoutendams & The Hanks

Friday:  ??????

Saturday Breakfast: Hobo Pancakes

Saturday Lunch: Out and About

Saturday Dinner: Roast Beef Sandwiches & Chips

Sunday Lunch: Biscuit Pizzas


Sunday Dinner: Tacos, Rice & Beans

you know you're pregnant when.....

You know you're pregnant when you spend your Saturday night cleaning out and organizing your closet. 

Can you tell that the nesting phase has begun??

At one point I had more clothes not hanging in my closet

than I had hanging in my closet!!

I started cleaning out Saturday night, and I just finished this afternoon.  I even organized all the drawers in our dresser too!!

Next up on my "nesting list" clean out the night stand and organize the hall closet.  

Matt is LOVING this part of pregnancy!!

woody for president??

This past week, we've been learning about presidents.  Today I did a writing activity where my kids had to complete the sentence "If I were the president of the United States, I would......."

One of my little guys wrote that he would "rule the world" and drew a picture that suspiciously looked just like Woody and Bulleye.  I asked him who it was and this is how our conversation went.....

Me: So who is that in your picture?

Student:  Oh that's Teddybell Rosabell

Me:  Do you mean Teddy Roosevelt?

Student: No, it's Teddybell Rosabell and his horse, but I don't know his horses name.

Me: So who exactly is Teddybell Rosabell?

Student:  He's the 56th president.

Me:  Wow, how many presidents have we had?

Student: Something like 1,000.

Me: So who is the president now?

Student: Arock Obama

Me: WOW, you are so smart!!

I couldn't stop laughing about what this little guy had told me, so I went to tell the teacher across the hall.   She laughed so hard and then showed me what one of her little girls wrote in her journal.  She had written....

"Bark Obama is our president."

Oh 5 year olds!!! They are so funny!!

our little matey's room

I picked out this pirate bedding way before we knew we were having a boy.  

I knew I wanted black furniture, but there aren't a lot of boy bedding sets that go with black.  Everything has brown.  When I saw these cute little pirates, I knew this was it!!  I love how it can go with both a nautical theme with the ship and a jungle theme with the palm trees.

I went ahead and ordered it when I was just 11 weeks because it was on back order.

Unfortunately, I found out a few weeks ago that it is on back order until May or June.  I just can't wait that long for this bedding.  I want his nursery done by the end of March.  

I looked for different bedding, but I couldn't find anything I liked so my Mom and I decided that we are going to make it.  {Well, I'm not going to make it, my Mom is.  I just helped pick out the fabric and design it!!}  She is a FABULOUS seamstress, and I know it is going to turn out super cute.  I love the fabric we have picked out and I love how we changed it up a little bit.  It's going to precious!!

I can't wait to share the real thing with you, but for now this will have to be a "sneak peak" of what our little matey's nursery will look like.  

23 weeks

how far along?  23 weeks

how are you measuring?  23 weeks

size of baby? more than 11 inches, weighs just over a pound, about the weight of a mango

heartbeat? 140's bpm (at our 19 1/2 week appointment)
total weight gain/loss? + 14.4 pounds (I keep telling myself that I've only gained 10 since 4lbs were gained on the cruise.  Cruise pounds don't count, right?)
maternity clothes? Yup!!  I bought a pair of black pants and a pair of black cargo pants that roll up to capris.  I have a feeling these will be major staples in my wardrobe for the next 4 months.  I'm still wearing regular shirts and dresses.

stretch marks? No.  I'm lotioning up my belly and hips every night.  I don't know if it will help, but I sure hope it does.
sleep? I'm getting up once a night to go to the bathroom and this past weekend I woke up at 6am on Saturday and Sunday and couldn't go to sleep. I sure hope it doesn't become a trend to not be able to sleep on the weekends.  I need as much sleep as I can get before he gets here.

best moment this week? Matt got to feel Pearson move!!

movement? I'm feeling Pearson move like crazy.  This week Matt and I both got to see him move.  It is so crazy to watch my belly and see it pop up and down or wiggle.  Matt even felt him move!! I'm so happy that he can now feel what I've been feeling.

food cravings? I found out they make Easter Egg Brownies like the Valentine's brownies I've been loving.  I have got to give this craving up.  No sweets this week for me.

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

what i miss:  Being able to sleep in until atleast 7 or 8 on the weekends.

what i'm looking forward to: My Mom and I picked out fabric for Pearson's bedding and we are going to sit down and "design" his bedding so we can get started on his nursery.  I'll post more this week about the theme of his nursery!!

how are you feeling? Feeling great!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Fish Tacos & Easy Cheesy Corn Casserole

Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie

Wednesday: Pizza Sandwiches & Salad

Thursday: Me: Parent Conferences Matt: Leftovers

Friday: School Carnival

Saturday Breakfast: Hobo Pancakes

Saturday Lunch: Chicken Sandwiches & Chips

Saturday  Dinner: Fish & Chips (French Fries that is!!)

Sunday Lunch: Last Sunday Lunch w/ Our ABF

Sunday Dinner: Orange Chicken & Egg Rolls

are you an amazon mom?

I am!!

I just joined this week and I got some super deals on diapers and wipes.  Earlier in the week I bought a box of 84 diapers (regularly $26.99) for $9.39 and a box of 720 wipes (regularly $25.00) for $11.51.  I thought I got a great deal, until I stumbled across some new coupons and got an even better deal.  Last night, I bought the same box of diapers for $1.51 and the same box of wipes for $1.71.  

I have to share how I got them for such a good deal.  I can't believe you can get diapers and wipes for so cheap delivered straight to your house!!'

Step 1: Set up an Amazon account here if you don't already have one.

Step 2: Join Amazon Mom here. You can read FAQ's here to learn more about Amazon Mom here.

Step 3:  Sign up for FREE magazines.  Go here to sign up for Baby Talk and American Baby.  Almost every magazine has a 20% off diapers coupon and lately I have been getting $10 off any Amazon Baby Store item coupon.  Coupons look like this....

 I also have a free subscription to Parents Magazine and Parenting Magazine, but they are not offering them anymore.  If you are willing to pay for the magazine subscriptions, you can get 3 years of Parents Magazine for $12.00 here and 3 years of Parenting Magazine for $12.00 here.   

Step 4: Buy wipes!!  Here is a link to a post explaining how to get the super deal.

Step 5:  Buy diapers!!  Here is a link to a post explaining how to get the super deal.  You can change the size of the diaper if you want.  The newborn size is just the best deal.  Remember you can stack a $10 off coupon with a 20% off coupon.  You just have to do the $10 off coupon first. 

Step 6:  After your order has arrived, you need to cancel your subscription so you don't continue to receive your order delivered each month.  To cancel your subscription, click on "Your Account" at the top right.  Under "More Order Actions" click on "Manage Subscribe & Save Items".  Click on cancel this subscription for the items that you wish to cancel.  

**Disclaimer:  I am by no means an "Amazon Mom Expert".  Heck, I'm not even a Mom yet!!  I'm new at all this and I'm still learning all about Amazon Mom.  This is just my experience with Amazon so far.  If you have any advice on buying diapers, I'd love it and if you have any questions about my post, please feel free to ask.  

As of right now, per your advice (and friends on facebook and real life), I'm going to go with Pampers diapers. Hopefully Pearson's little bottom agrees with them because I'm already getting a good stockpile build up!! As far as wipes go, I've heard wipes are wipes, just get what you can get for cheap.  I probably won't build up quite as much of a stockpile on wipes as I am on diapers, because I don't want them to dry out.   

 Alright....Go become an Amazon Mom!!

preparation

Izzie got into something in our backyard tonight and was covered in mud. Her face and paws were a mess.

Is this God's way of preparing me for a little boy??

babymoonin'

I don't know who came up with the term or idea of a "babymoon", but they are a very smart person.

We had the best time our our Babymoon Cruise.  

 It was so nice to just spend 7 straight days with each other.  I enjoyed soaking up the sun, sleeping, eating for 2 and relaxing but mostly enjoyed spending quality time with Matt!

I'm going to "back blog" so my posts will be on our actual trip dates.  You'll have to scroll underneath this post (and a few others) to see all my posts about our trip or you can click on the links below.

Day 1- Galveston

Day 2- At Sea

Day 3- Cozumel, Mexico

Day 4- George Town, Grand Cayman

Day 5- Montego Bay, Jamaica

Day 6- At Sea

Day-7- At Sea

my boys

You know when you get engaged and it's so exciting to say my fiance

and then you get married and it's so exciting to say my husband?

I know it sounds silly, but I'm so excited about saying my boys once Pearson gets here!!

When Matt came home from work he had not one Valentine's Day card for me but two.  

One from each of my boys. 

Matt has always had a way with words.  I've never been much of a card person, but Matt always picks out the most perfect cards, then writes the sweetest notes in them.  I love getting cards from Matt.

The note he wrote in my card brought a tear to my eye, but when I opened up the card from Pearson I just lost it.  {silly hormones} It was the sweetest thing ever.  

It said....

Dear Mom,

      I am kinda new to this but Dad suggested I send you a card to let you know that I love you.  Thanks for providing such a cozy home for me the past few months.  It's a little wet but I just move over into the corner and it feels great.  Dad says you are a great cook and I have to agree (especially a couple of weeks ago when you kept me really full).  Well I think it's time for another nap since I still have a lot of growing to do.  Don't worry, I will give you a little kick and wiggle later to let you know I haven't forgot about you.  You're a super good mom so far and I can't wait to see you in a few months.  Love you lots! 

                   -Baby Pearson

Oh my goodness.....I just love my boys!!

22 weeks

how far along?  22 weeks

how are you measuring?  22 weeks
size of baby? about an 11 inches, the length of a spaghetti squash and about a pound!! (Grow, baby, grow!!)
heartbeat? 140's bpm (at our 19 1/2 week appointment)
total weight gain/loss? +12.2 pounds
maternity clothes? Yup!!  I need to invest in some more maternity pants.  I'm still wearing my Bella Band every now and then, but maternity pants are way more comfortable.  I'm still wearing regular shirts.
stretch marks? No
sleep? Sleeping great! I'm just getting up once a night to go to the bathroom.
best moment this week? Getting a snow day on Wednesday!! I loved staying home all day.  I spent the entire day cooking, cleaning, straightening and organizing.  It was just a taste of what my future job will look like.  Okay, so maybe I won't be that productive with a newborn, but I'm super excited to get to stay at home with Pearson!!
movement? I'm feeling lots of movement these days.  I swear the movement is getting stronger, but every time I have Matt put his hand on my belly, he stops moving.  Little stinker!!
food cravings? Still LOVING my Valentine's Little Debbie Brownies.  Thankfully, they won't be selling them in the store much longer!!
gender predictions? It's a BOY!!!  Pearson Davis Link!!!
what i miss:  Picking out my clothes without any thought.  It's such a task to pick out my clothes each day.  I'm still in between real clothes and maternity clothes, so finding something each morning that looks nice and makes me look pregnant and not just fat takes forever. 
what i'm looking forward to: Still looking forward to registering and starting Pearson's nursery. I'm hoping to register this weekend.
how are you feeling? Great!! No major complaints here.  I did have some nosebleeds this week, which is very normal during pregnancy.  I read that pregnancy can cause the blood vessels in your nose to expand, and your increased blood supply puts more pressure on those delicate vessels, causing them to rupture more easily. It was also very cold last week, so it could be a combination of both weather and pregnancy.

meal planning monday

Monday: Pei Wei w/ my Valentine

Tuesday: Chicken Poppyseed, Asparagus, Salad, & Rolls

Wednesday: Chicken Salad Sandwiches & Chips

Thursday: Chef Boyardee Pizza @ My Parents

Friday: Tin Star Tacos, Rice & Beans

Saturday Breakfast: Matt: Bible Study Me: Out w/a Friend

Saturday Lunch: Frito Pie

Saturday Dinner: BBQ Sandwiches & Chips

Sunday Lunch:  Lunch w/ friends

Sunday Dinner: Baked Spaghetti, Sauteed Squash & Zucchini, Garlic Toast

check out this photographer

Aren't her pictures gorgeous!!

Enter to win a free photography session with Live. Laugh. PHOTOGRAPH. along with two professional prints here >>>>> http://livelaughphotograph-blog.com/giveaway/.

21 weeks

how far along?  21 weeks

how are you measuring?  21 weeks
size of baby? about an 10 1/2 inches, the length of a carrot and 3/4 of a pound
heartbeat? 140's bpm (at our 19 1/2 week appointment)
total weight gain/loss? +11.2 pounds.......eek!!
I packed on the pounds this week (3.8 pounds).  I was definitely eating for two while we were on our cruise. Now it's back to eating healthy.  I'm putting my self on a pregnancy healthy diet because I am gaining weight way faster than I would like.
maternity clothes? I didn't wear maternity clothes all week.  I spent the entire week in comfy summer dresses!!  And I rocked my bikini with my little baby bump. 
stretch marks? No
sleep? While we were on vacation I got up once a night to go to the bathroom but it was usually around 4:30, which is not my normal time.  I slept so good on our ship.  It was wonderful to catch up!!
best moment this week? Spending the entire week with my hubby in the Caribbean while we missed the winter weather back home!! I had planned on taking 5 days off, but because of the 4 snow days I only had to take 1 day off.  I just lucked out and had "sand days" instead of "snow days"!!
movement? I'm feeling lots of movement these days.  It's the coolest feeling ever. They are really starting to feel like kicks and not just little flutters.  Matt still can't feel it yet, but the kicks are getting stronger, so I'm sure he'll be able to feel him move around soon.
food cravings? There was no need to crave anything last week.  I ate everything in sight!! We ate 3 hearty meals a day, we usually snacked on some fresh fruit every afternoon, and had a slice of pizza around 5pm since our dinner wasn't until 8pm.
gender predictions? It's a BOY!!!  Pearson Davis Link!!!
what i miss:  The 80 degree weather we had last week!! I'm so ready for Spring!!
what i'm looking forward to: I'm looking forward to registering and starting Pearson's nursery.
how are you feeling? I feel like I am really looking pregnant. I'm getting out the "she looks like she is fat" stage".  It's such a weird feeling to be growing so quickly.

P*D*L

While we were on vacation we named our sweet little guy!!

Pearson Davis Link

Me and the little guy on the beach in Jamaica.

We can't wait to meet you, Pearson!!

Only 133 days until we get to hold you in our arms!!

P.S. Lots of posts on about our wonderful Babymoon coming soon!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Frozen Pasta Bag & French Bread (we have no food in our house!!)

Tuesday: Dinner @ The Havards

Wednesday: Poblano Corn & Potato Chowder & Foccacia Bread

Thursday: Grilled Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Asparagus & Foccacia Bread

Friday: Allen Americans Game w/ our ABF

Saturday Breakfast: Sausage & Cream Cheese Twirls

Saturday Lunch: Matt: Snack Lunch Me: Baby Shower

Saturday Dinner: Chicken Crisper Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing

Sunday Lunch: Chicken Salad Sandwiches & Chips

Sunday Dinner: Tacos, Rice & Beans

a day of rest

Saturday morning we woke up to some chilly weather.  It was around 59 degrees, so we spent the entire day in the ship.  We never made it outside.  

I started the morning with "my breakfast".  I had raspberry yogurt with granola and cranberries 

and "The Classic", 2 fried eggs, bacon, and a hashbrown, every morning but one!!

After breakfast Matt took a long nap, while I went to activity inside.

 A bunch of ship workers talked about life on the ship.  They let us ask all sorts of questions.  We even got to tour the backstage.  It was neat to see how the shows were run!

 We walked around the ship for a while and I made Matt take a picture in the 19th Hole bar because I just thought it was so cute!!

 We missed lunch in the dining room and we didn't want to eat in the Windjammer, so we ordered room service!! From our TV!!!

 The guy that delivered our food probably thought we were pigs!! It was alot of food for two people!!

 We literally spent the entire afternoon/evening in our room watching movies, reading, resting and packing.  

Before dinner we sat out on our balcony to watch another beautiful sunset. 

 After dinner we had to get pictures with our fabulous waiter, Claudiu and assistant waiter, Mio.  They were wonderful!!

They gave us a few appetizers and entrees and 3-4 desserts each night.  They truly kept us full and helped me gain 3.8 pounds!!

We had such a good time on our trip.  I'm so glad we were able to take a Babymoon before little Pearson gets here.

fun filled day at sea

I love sea days on cruises!! There is so just so much to do on the ship!!

We walked around the ship for a while after breakfast.  This was the Royal Promenade.  It was so neat.  It was 3 stories tall and had all the shops, a few of the bars, a cafe and a small theatre.  

 We went to a cooking demonstration where the cruise director, a woman who claimed she couldn't cook, and the executive chef decorated a cake.  It was really entertaining.  Too bad the cake was chocolate, because they gave samples of it.

 One of the cool things about the ship was that you could go to the front and see The Bridge, where all the ship controls were. 

 Before lunch we decided to hit up the putt putt golf course.

 It was a little windy since it was on the 14th level of the ship, but the view was awesome!!

 My competitive husband just couldn't let his wife win!!

 After lunch we laid out by the pool for a good 4 hours.  The weather was AMAZING!!  I enjoyed some more of my "obvious pregnancy reading".  

 When we came back from laying out, we found this invitation underneath our door. 

 Our head waiter came by our room earlier that morning asking if we wanted to dine with the captain, so we actually knew about it before we got the invitation!!

Before we got all dressed up for dinner with the captain, we watched the sunset off our balcony!

I was really nervous about eating with the captain.  I was so afraid I was going to make a fool of myself. We were told to meet at the Aquarium Bar before dinner.  When we got there we noticed a couple that sat at our normal dinner table.  We were so happy when they told us that they would be dining with the captain as well.   It's funny how we had only known them for a few days, but they felt like old friends.  We loved Ben & Jenn.

When we got there we greeted by one of the head waiters.  He asked us and 4 other couples to sit in a booth and he treated us to a glass of champagne on the captain.   (Obviously, I had to turn it down). 

 We had a special menu prepared for us.  

The regular menu had lobster or steak, but we got both!!  They even served us wine with our dinner.  (Again, I had to pass on that!)

One of the photographers took our table's picture and gave us this picture.  We really were wined and dined the whole evening.  They had all the head waiters serving our table.  We never had an empty glass and when they brought each course out, they served us all at the exact same time.  

I got the Gorgonzola Salad for my appetizer.  

(I forgot to take a picture.) 

I got the Surf and Turf for my main course.

 The dessert was the captains surprise, and it was DELICIOUS.

 It was vanilla ice cream in an almond shell with fresh berries.  

 We also ate with the Financial Controller.  She was a very nice lady.  Matt sat next to her, so he really enjoyed talking to her.  

 It was great dining with the captain and asking him questions about life on the ship, but I really enjoyed eating with our new friends from Norway, Trine & Espen.  They spoke great English, so it was fun to hear them tell us all about life in Norway.

They were so funny.   Trine was a comedian and Espen was an actor.  They were actually filming a documentary so they could promote Royal Caribbean in Norway.  We had to sign a release form saying it was okay to film us during dinner.  Matt and I might have our first debut in the movies.  A Norwegian Cruise Documentary...cool huh?!?  They were not together as a couple, but they were filming like they were.  The captain was from Norway so they would all three have a conversation and the rest of the table had no idea what they were saying.   We were in the dining room until 10:30.  We had such a great night.  We have no idea how we got chosen to dine with the captain, but I'm sure glad did.  It was such a neat experience.  

When we got back to the room after dinner, we were greeted by an unknown animal.  We think it was a bat, but we weren't totally sure.  

 I had to pose with my rose from the captain.

After dinner, we went and hung out at the Pig & Whistle Pub for a drink, 

 and  smoothie!!

At night, the Pig & Whistle had Adult DayCare-Kamakazi Karaoke.  It was so fun.  The entertainer would sing a few funny songs, crack a few jokes, then call someone from the crowd to come sing.  THey didn't get pick their song, the entertainer picked it.  It was so funny to see all the people make fools of themselves.  Thankfully he didn't pick us!!

We stayed up way past our bedtime, but it was so worth it because we had a great day!!