Kelly in NC

I mean three posts in 3 days… and 4 scrapbooking layouts to boot! That really isn’t like me these days. I should probably wait a few days- but what the hell! The page is finished- so I may as well show it off! This one is of Tim’s guy trip out to Jackson Hole Wyoming last January. He had a great time- but do not even get me started on how I was screwed out this ski trip…anyhow, enjoy his photos.
This page was created using a template ($1) by LizDesigns and Kim Hill’s Snowboarding kit. By the way- I just realized that I have one MORE page to finish before I am officially finished with my 2008 scrapbook….

From Scrapbook

Also on a separate note, Grayson is really working hard on his potty training. The final step has been trying to convince him to go number 2 on the potty. We started with hot wheel bribes each time he used the potty and the first time he did it, I was cheering loudly and he looks up at me with those big blue eyes and says, “Mama, you pwoud uh me?” Umm, yea- I’m proud of you! Since the hot wheel bribes were going so well, we recently moved on to a potty chart. He has been working hard on filling in the chart and finally last night received his Hot Wheels Racing Hauler (a big rig). He was so excited to put his last sticker on the chart and then trade the chart in for the truck. YOu should have seen how happy he was!

Well, now that I have photoshop figured out- I am on a roll. Here’s the page I created today. This one is of my niece Kellynn’s Birthday back in January. I think that I only have one more layout before I can print my scrapbook for 2008! Then, I will need to get cranking on 2009… and 2007… and Grayson’s individual scrapbook. So let’s not get too excited. There’s still plenty of scrapping to do!

From Scrapbook

This page was created using my own layout, a free paper/embellishment kit from Shabby Princess. I used a cupcake template created (for sale) by Trish H Designs .

So here’s a catch up on the happenings of my life since my last “Odds and Ends” post:
~For the past two weeks Grayson has been refusing to take his afternoon nap. He will stay in his bed- but will not fall asleep. He will usually call for me every 20-30 minutes to ask “Dit up time?” I still make him “rest” for the 2 hours- but man, I wish he would go back to sleeping! He’s been pulling the same stunt at school too. You can just imagine what the evening are like around here. So any suggestions?
~Grayson has been saying some rather funny things these days. Yesterday, I put him in the car to run an errand and realized that I had forgotten my coffee in the house. He looks at me and says, “Oh mama….You lost your mind!” I has also started to joke…or at least that what he calls it. He uses this one anytime I have asked him to do something and he refuses. I start counting and about the time that I am going to say “3″- he laughs and says “Mama, I jus jokin’!” then he runs off to do as I’ve asked.
~Tim was so cute on Valentine’s- or should I say the day before Valentines. He got home before me on Friday and said that I should go inside and look on the counter. There I found a beautiful vase of flowers. Then a few hours later he asks if I want the rest of my valentine’s gift. I tell him no- I can wait until Valentine’s Day. An hour later he asks again. I again choose to wait until the next day. The third time he asks, I finally say ‘Tim, is this something that I need to open tonight? If not I would rather wait until Valentine’s day in less than 9 hours.” His response, “No. it can wait. I’m just proud of myself for getting you something BEFORE the actual day!” And he should be proud of himself-as this must have really taken some effort. Buying gifts in advance is completely outside his nature. I did wait until Saturday to get the gift was very excited to receive a beautiful silver necklace. It’s the type of jewelry I could wear almost any day and I love it! I gave Tim a box of chocolates and made him a yummy dinner of steak, sweet potatoes, salad, and home-made chocolate cupcakes for dessert!
~Grayson was able to feel the new baby kick this week. I didn’t think that he really felt it or understood- but apparently he did. While visiting my neighbors this week, he proclaimed that his baby brother kicked him through mommy’s belly!
~I have finished a couple more scrapbook pages. The first one is from my nephew’s 2nd birthday in March. Template- a freebie from Moriginals. Paper/ Embellishments from a variety of sources…too many to credit!

From Scrapbook

This one is of photos from my nephews Jewish Naming Ceremony. The page was created using a free template from: http://www.scrapandrea.com and paper/embellishments: Merry Go ROund by Trish H Designs.

From Scrapbook

Well, I am getting there. Slowly- but making progress none the less. I have finally found some decent tutorials on how to use Photoshop and with a bit of practice- I think that I am going to really like the program. Here’s my latest page created from the photos of the wedding we attended in March. I have finished all the pages from April- December and am now working backward in 2008 in hopes of finishing this scrapbook sometime this century.

From Scrapbook

At least it isn’t when it comes to figuring out a new computer. My iMac arrived this week and I have spent all spare moments over the past few days setting it up and trying to learn Photoshop Elements. I have become very frustrated at times- but am SLOWLY figuring it out. Setting up the computer was not difficult- but Photoshop has been a time consuming nightmare! I did finish one of scrapbook page- but it is definitely not one of my favorites. Enjoy. It may be a while before I get around to posting another one!

From Scrapbook

Template: from Eralia’s Scraps Papers/Elements from Shabby Princess

~ Tim went out of town this past weekend, leaving me and Grayson to fend for ourselves. We had a great time, especially since it was such lovely weather outside. We went to a couple of parks, spent an evening with Renee and her family, and otherwise just “pwayed”. Grayson is so cute now. Starting about a month ago he began to say “Come on Mama. Pway wif me!” I know that he will not want my company forever, so usually I give in and pway with which ever truck or car he will allow me to touch.
~Grayson missed Tim while he was away- but it has become much more evident how much he missed him since Tim returned. On the first day back, Grayson was a complete mess. Whining, crying, obviously mad at his daddy. Since then though Grayson has been attached to Tim’s leg. No more preferring Mama- at least for now. “I sit on Dada’s lap.” “Dada come pway wif me.” “I want Dada!” There has been no end for his obvious affection for Daddy. Tim is eating it up as you might imagine. I, on the other hand, am waiting for my sweet Mama’s Boy to return.
~I ordered my IMac and it should be arrive any day! I cannot wait! I keep checking the stupid FedEx tracking page as if that will make it arrive sooner. So who are there are Mac users so I can pick your brain when I can’t figure something out???

Doctor’s Appointment:
All continues to go well. I am measuring 22 cm which is on target for almost 22 weeks and the baby’s heart rate was at around 140 beats per minute. My blood pressure is normal, no swelling, no concerns. That is except for a persistent sore throat which has lasted almost 4 weeks now. The Dr. did a culture to make sure it isn’t strep and I guess I will find out in a couple of days. Next appointment- March 9.
Baby Development:
At almost 22 weeks, the baby is now about 11 inches long (from head to toe) and almost 1 pound. He is starting to look like a miniature newborn, but with lots of wrinkles for all the weight he still has to gain over the next 4.5 months. The arms and legs are finally in the right proportions to each other and the rest of the baby’s body. His lips, eyelids, hairline, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he’s even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. His body is now covered in lanugo, very fine hair that protects his skin from the amniotic fluid. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily. He’s swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system, and consequently is producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. Also in the past four weeks, the baby’s sensory development has been expanding. His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may even be able to hear voices now.
How I Feel:
Bigger than last month. My belly has really started to poke out- to the point that even the oblivious kids at school have finally figured out that I am expecting. I am wearing maternity clothes full time now- although I do still have two pairs of regular jeans that I like to wear. (I’m not sure how much longer they will last!) I feel the baby move all the time now especially at night if I change my position and often after I eat lunch. I feel him other times too- but those are the two most consistent times. This baby moves alot more than Grayson did, so I guess I’ll have an active one on my hands in a few months! His kicks have finally gotten strong enough that you can feel them from the outside. Tim has been lucky enough to feel his movements- but not Grayson. At this point, the baby only kicks a couple of times in a row-so you have to be close by when it happens or you will completely miss it.
One of the things that I have thouroughly enjoyed this month is the fetal heart monitor that I got for Christmas. I use it a couple times a week to listen to the baby’s rapid heart beat. He moves all around inside my tummy, so it’s fun trying to keep up with him!
Tim and I are still struggling to name this little bundle of joy. We completely disagree on names. Tim’s favorite name is Max. I’m not a fan seeing as how it is the #1 dog name right now. I would also prefer a two syllable first name. So Tim has tried to compromise with the name “Maximus”. Is he serious? Yes. See why we are having issues? A couple of weeks ago we did at least find one name that we both liked “Colton” (thanks Kate) but we are not 100% settled on this name. So if you have some suggestions, be sure to leave them in your comments! The countdown is on and I would prefer to have a couple of options before the baby arrives! Grayson keeps suggesting “JJ”. Yeah, I don’t think so.

Today we had another snow day! We didn’t get nearly as much snow as a few weeks ago- but we did get almost an inch. It wasn’t enough to make a snowman or throw snowballs- but Grayson did make a snow angel and had Tim pull him around on the “sled” (a.k.a.- a garbage can lid with a rope attached). We took a walk thr0ugh the neighborhood and visited our neighbor’s horses in the barn. By then we were frozen and ready to warm up inside.
Now at 2 pm, the snow has all melted- but we still enjoyed the day off from work/school.

Wow! It’s hard to believe that another year has already passed and now I am 32. Where has the time gone? This year has been filled with lots of ups and a few downs- but overall has been one of my best years ever. In one year, I welcomed three new babies into our family- Adler, Kannon, and Molly and was honored by standing beside my best friend Carri at her wedding. I made four trips to Florida (1 wedding, 1 new nephew,1 visit home, 1 bacherlorette party), enjoyed two weekend vacations in the mountains, and relaxed for six full days with only Tim in Punta Cana. Unfortunately, I did also make a trip to Ohio due to the passing of Tim’s grandmother Nagymama and I also experienced a miscarriage. But the best news this year has been the announcement of another little boy entering our family. So at the age of 32, I am 5 months pregnant and really trying to appreciate how lucky and blessed I am.
Tim really went out of his way to make this birthday a special event for me. I am pretty sure that he had a little bit of help from some of my friends- but sometimes he just needs a little “assistance”. On the day of my birthday, he invited all of our family over, cooked dinner (spaghetti & garlic bread) for everyone, and led the “Happy Birthday” song. And that is not all.
He then surprised me with a secret trip the following weekend. We went to the Bryson City area in the mountains of NC with our friends Carri and Dave. We spent the entire weekend playing the Wii (and yes, I was sore for two days afterwards), eating like pigs, sitting in the hot tub (bobbing in and out for me since I have a bun in the oven), and even visiting the Nantahala Outdoor Center where Grayson enjoyed throwing rocks in the river. Carri was even kind enough to babysit Grayson for us one night so Tim and I could go on a date! We visited the Chimney Rock/ Lake Lure area on the way home and overall had a very relaxing weekend. (see the pictures from the party and mnt weekend by clicking on the photo above.)
So there are no tears from me on turning 32. I swear that my 30’s so far have been two of the best years of my life. And with the way that this birthday turned out, I am pretty sure that the next 365 days will be just as great!