Don't Hate Me!

I'm sorry I'm going to do this to you but I'm switching blogs.  I have a new website but it's the exact same one just a different address.  I will not be transferring EVERY past blog, just the pregnancy ones and the really cute, recent ones of Gavin.  The new website will allow me to upload videos quicker and more effectively and I wanted to get my last name out of the public eye too.  Like I said, I'm sorry to switch it on you.  Please don't hate me....just click the following link to lead you to my new home.

www.mrsbeyondblessed.blogspot.com

Fig

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig*, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.
She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

*This update was for 11 weeks.  Today I am 11 weeks and 5 days. 

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Can't believe it's Monday already!  Can't believe it's October already! 

We had a great weekend full of parties and celebrations.  And all these occasions were planned on October 1st for some reason and I had to say 'no' to a couple of get togethers because of the overplanning of events.  First off was a birthday party for the birth center where I delivered Gavin.  They have an annual party to celebrate all the little babies that were born there.  This was their 4th year.  After that shindig, I attended a baby shower for our friends, Aaron and Rachel.  They just adopted a gorgeous baby girl on September 16th and they named her Morrissey Adai.  She was just precious.  Then after that celebration, I was able to go home for 30 minutes to rest before we headed up to our old church in Palm Harbor to celebrate a couple's 50th Anniversary.  It was good to see everyone again.  Gavin LOVED seeing his buddy, Tyler, again too.  Then finally, we picked up Eric at work then went home to veg. 

Yesterday, we went back to our old church for their service and to officially announce that we're having another baby.  Yes, Gavin wore his "I'm going to be a big brother" shirt.  Also, we gave Baby Gwen her present for her first birthday!  That was one of the events I had to say 'no' to.  But Gavin was SO adorable giving her the present and helping her open it.  I wish I could've got that on video.  Then after church, we were able to go home, eat a quick lunch and watch about 30 minutes of football before we had to drop Eric off at work.  When we got home again, Gavin and I took a 2 hour nap (in separate rooms) which was wonderful!  Then my sister-in-law called to invite us over for dinner.  Spent a couple hours eating, talking and playing then we were off to pick up Eric from work. 

Exciting news:  Today we're going to start implementing a new strategy (courtesy of my SIL) to potty train Gavin.  We're letting him run free!  More on that and hopefully a pregnany update soon.

The End of an Era

Today, I had to say good-bye to a long, 8-year relationship.  We did almost everything together.  I saw her every day.  We traveled all the way to Ohio together one time.  She would allow me to scream as loud as I wanted sometimes when I needed to vent.  She would have her breakdowns as well but we made everything alright soon after.  She was there when I received speeding tickets (which was embarrassing....AND it hasn't happend in over 4 years!)  She was there when I moved 8 times so that would be once a year for her too.  She was there at our wedding.  She traveled with us on our honeymoon.  And she was there to pick up Gavin when he was born.

Today I said good-bye to my car.  :(

As I signed the papers on her hood, it hit me that I would never see her again.  And I sadly watched her drive away.

Then I realized that it's just a car and we got money in return so I quickly got over it.         

NFL Fantasy Football Draft

This video was taken August 21, 2011 as Eric was racing home to get ready for his Fantasy Football Draft.  He asked Gavin for advice:

Eric: "Alright listen, are we gonna draft Aaron Rodgers, Michael Vick or Tom Brady?"

Gavin: "Tom Brady"

Eric: "Why?"

Gavin: "Because he's god."

Sorry the video and sound do not match....but it's still cute!

Cabbage Water + Urine = Baby's Gender

Last night, we did a little experiment to figure out the gender of our baby.  Below are the steps:

The Test

1. Buy a red cabbage (don't substitute green cabbage -- it won't work). Size isn't important unless you love cooked cabbage. In that case get a huge one!
2. Cut the cabbage into small chunks.
3. Boil some water. Then add it to cover the cabbage chunks. Let sit for at least ten minutes.
4. Drain the cabbage and KEEP THE WATER! The water should be blueish in color.
5. Set aside the cabbage for lunch. I suggest stir fry or stew.
6. Pee in a cup! Grab a cup and head to the bathroom. If you're a little squeamish, you may want to use disposable cups.
7. Set up the test. In a separate cup mix 1 part urine with 1 part cabbage water.
8. Read the test!
   • If the urine/water turns pink/red its a boy!
   • If it turns purple its a girl!

Science Behind It

Red cabbage contains a chemical that changes colors at different pH's. Very acidic solutions will turn a red color. Neutral solutions result in a purplish color. Basic solutions appear greenish-yellow. Is urine pH different if you're carrying a boy or a girl? Perhaps, or maybe that same pH indicator changes colors for a different reason and it can determine between boy and girl.

Our Results

It looks like a girl to me!

The One You Need

Alright....I haven't followed this band in quite some time, however, they're still one of my favorites.  Shane and Shane know how to write songs and especially sing them with heart and passion.  They have a song on the Christian radio stations and boy is it a tearjerker.  He's singing to his daughter and telling her that he wants to be her everything but there will be times when he'll let her down.  However, the One she truly needs, who will never leave her, is Jesus.  Take a listen/look.  Oh....and grab the tissues.

Kumquat

Our Baby at 10 Weeks:

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.
He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.
If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.
In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

(courtesy of www.babycenter.com)

If I Knew Then What I Knew Now

10-things-new-parents-dont-need/

Click on the link above:
This article made me laugh as I had purchased all those non-necessary items (except new clothing and a video monitor) as a first-time parent.  We ended up selling most, if not all, of the products mentioned in her review.  This second time around, I think I have a better understanding of what we truly need as opposed to what we think we need. 

**VENTING MOMENT**

This may or may not apply to you but PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME "WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO PUT THE BABY?"  It may seem ridiculous for me to be upset about that but I think that is such a ridiculous question for you to ask!  Are you implying that our house is too small?  Or that Gavin cannot share a room?  Either way, it's really not your concern how we will live in our apparently small house....you obviously don't have to live there.  I have had family members and friends ask that question and you guys really know how to tick off a pregnant woman, don't ya?! :)  In all honesty, I know you truly care but REALLY think before you ask a pregnant woman questions.   

1st Prenatal Appointment

Today was special for two reasons.  1. It's my dad's birthday.  2. It was our first prenatal appointment for this pregnancy.

Eric and I got to start the cycle of appointments all over again and it felt surreal that we were back in the same place.  Yes, we're delivering at the Breath of Life Birth Center.  Yes, I know the risks.  And no, I don't care what you think.  I love the midwife there and I love the special treatment I receive.  This appointment went rather longer than usual because an almost laboring mother was about to visit so they had to get ready for that.  But all in all, it went well for us. 

All my vitals were perfect and normal.  No concerns at this point really.  I'm 9 weeks and 2 days pregnant and we kept asking if we were going to be able to hear the heartbeat.  We kept getting answers like, "Well....we usually don't hear it till about 11 or 13 weeks but we'll see."  My dad came to the appointment just for that reason and "we'll see" wasn't what we wanted to hear.  So she started the physical exam and said that we could try and if we hear the heartbeat then we'll call in my dad.  She got the doppler and started poking and prodding away.  Nothing on the left side.  Then she scooted over just a tad to the right and BAM!  "woowoowoowoowoowoowoowoowoo"  (that's the baby's heartbeat if you didn't get that).  So Eric ran to get my dad and he was able to hear his unborn grandchild's heartbeat for his birthday.  The beat was strong and consistent especially since they weren't sure if we'd be able to hear it or not.  It was definitely amazing! 

Then I had to go back to work.  :(  Maybe next time I'll take the day off. 

I'll hopefully make a video of my pregnancy updates so I don't have to write out so much but until then.....HAPPY MONDAY!!!

MIA

I know I've been missing the past few days but I've been out of town for work.  We organized a tradeshow in Murfreesboro, TN and they definitely put me to work.  By the end of each day, I was literally dragging myself back to the hotel room and barely made it to my bed.

It was difficult leaving my family behind as this was the first time leaving since.....I got married 3 years ago.  But I knew Gavin was in good hands. :)

So, I'm back. 

Today, I am 8 weeks and 4 days pregnant and the morning sickness is almost in full swing.  I haven't had a good night's sleep in what seems like weeks.  People are annoying me all around but what's new about that?  Our first prenatal appointment is next Monday, the 19th.  We received some good news from the birthing center: the financial gal did an audit and they found a substantial amount of credit on our account when Gavin was born.  She found this out before I called them to schedule an appointment but she had left on vacation and didn't share the news.  So when she got back, she heard I called and the audit came at the perfect timing.  We love it when things like that happen because it's letting us know that God is guiding our every step.  Praise Him for all the wonderful blessings and even the trials we encounter. 

Ok....I'm off to church tonight! 

Sticker Time

My son loves stickers.  This video is long but he's so funny and is talking so much and so clearly too.  I tried to translate a few things in case you didn't hear him.  Enjoy!

Breaking News

See it from the beginning....

Gavin Gone Bowling

We unexpectedly took Gavin bowling last night.  Here are pictures and videos from my mom's camera.

Grandpa's Quick Visit

Focus

Lately I've been having a hard time focusing.  Not just physically with my eyes but mentally and emotionally.  I almost feel as though I'm being attacked and there is nothing I can say or do to make things right.  It ticks me off when others speak falsely of me and rant of negative comments about my character.  But what can I do? 

I'm losing focus on what's true and important in my life.  I'm losing focus on controlling my emotions and to speak in love.  I'm losing focus on just love in general.

What is true and important?  "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32  God forgives me and doesn't hold grudges like this world does.  He saved me from the pits of hell and I can live forever in Heaven with Him.  God loves me more than anyone on this earth.  God is patient and understanding among other wonderful qualities that we only strive to acquire.

How do I control my emotions?  "...be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19  Basically, think REALLY hard before you speak.

How do I love?  "We love, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19  If we just realize how much love is freely given to us then we should naturally love others just as freely.

Gotta get my focus back.... 

Can't Do It

I have tried three times to write a blog that explains in deatil what kind of day I had today but I can't.  I've been angry for the most part of the morning after hearing some unbelievable news (no, I'm not going to share it with you).  Then I've been sad because today is my late step-mother's birthday.  Yes, I miss her beyond whatever I could try to explain.  Memories have been mulling around my head for the past 6 years and it still saddens me that she's not here anymore.  Am I gonna get over it?  Never. 

So, I apologize if this isn't the blog that you were expecting but it's all I can give right now. 

Three Years and Counting

Tomorrow, my husband and I will be celebrating 3 years together!  For some, that doesn't seem like a lot.  For Hollywood, it may seem like an eternity!  JK!

I took the day off tomorrow so we can just be together.  Not much is planned except for dinner and a movie.  But during the day, we'll probably just wing it.  We were going to get tattoos on our wedding fingers but we both decided not to because we can't afford it right now.  Plus, we weren't sure of what exactly we would get.  We were thinking of tattooing our names, our wedding date, an infinity symbol, a cross, or an Ichthus (Christian fish symbol).  But now we have more time to think about it.

Also, we both say, "We're NOT going to get each other gifts this year!"  But somehow I always end up getting Eric something.  Hee-hee.  I hope he likes it.  If he does, then I'll post the video of his reaction on here. 

Speaking of videos, I need to videotape Gavin more often.  He is so stinkin' hilarious!  He talks and talks and talks and gives facial expressions that makes me wonder, "Where did he learn that from?!"  I have a video of him on my phone.  Eric asked him, "Are we going to draft Aaron Rodgers, Michael Vick or Tom Brady?"  Gavin answered, "Tom Brady."  Eric followed up with, "Why?"  Gavin said, "Because he's god."  I'm hoping to upload that video very soon. 

Gavin's Fun Time

We found a fun new game for Gavin....

And he still has fun playing on his computer....

Lately, I've been having difficulty linking videos from youtube.  You may have to just rely on my youtube account to receive my video updates because this is ridiculous!  My account name is MrsBeyondBlessed.  :)

Back to the Grind

After meeting up with my Fitness Friend, Brandi, this past Saturday morning, we both decided to make another commitment to working out....just not every day.  When we did P90X together, it almost felt as if life got in the way of working out and I didn't like that.  This time now, we set a reasonable schedule for ourselves (somewhat different) and we're going to keep each other accountable to it. 

Today was Day 1 for me.  I failed so far.  One of my goals is to walk in the mornings before Gavin wakes up.  Well, last night we had a horrible night with Gavin screaming at midnight then again at 4:30 a.m.  I was supposed to get up at 6:30 but that just didn't happen.  Then it rained anyway.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow.  Then tonight I'm supposed to start P90X.  We'll see how that goes. 

For Brandi, she's going to do cardio Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays then a leg workout on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  For those few months after our first 12 week workout, I missed Brandi's daily texts.  So I'm happy that we're back to the grind...just not as grindy!

Vlog Update

Click on the link below to get a video update. 

Vlog Update - Enjoy!

There's a First for Everything

Let me start by saying that Gavin is ok and is still a fully-functional 2-year old. 

We had to take Gavin to the ER last night.  We got home from work and getting ready to eat dinner.  Gavin was sitting at our dining room table while Eric and I were in the kitchen (Eric facing the stove and my back towards Gavin).  The next thing we hear is a "crack!" and we see Gavin lying on his right side on the tile floor.  I quickly run to him; pick him up and hold him as he was crying bloody murder.  We immediately look for wounds, bruises or protrusions.  Unfortunately, we found one near his right rib cage.  Eric called 911 but then hung up and said, "Let's just go to the ER!"  Not a minute later, 911 calls back and says EMS is on the way.  We had to tell Gavin that "friends" are coming over to look at his boo-boo.  The paramedic says he's breathing fine and it doesn't feel like a cracked rib but taking him to the ER would be best.  And of course they ask if I'm Jeff's daughter.  

We get to the ER and Gavin had his moments of crying, whether due to pain or fear, I have no idea.  But we did our best to calm him down.  And during the 2 hours of waiting, he was back to his normal self.  He was playing with the vending machines, falling purposely on the disgusting germ-filled floor, and laughing like this was a fun family night out.  Then he entered the room with medical stuff that he recognizes at his own mean guy's doctor's office.  The screaming started again when the doctor and nurses entered.  All in all, it was just a bruise, whether from his rib actually hitting the tile or another body part.  An X-ray would only show if he cracked his rib or not and even then all we could do is just let it heal on its own time.  So we opted not.  But we did leave with rubber glove balloons, bubbles and a rubber duckie.  Holla!

The story does continue.....

Eric drops us off at home while he goes out to pick up a pizza.  I immediately give Gavin a bath to rid him of normal hospital germs.  When he gets out, he wants his sippy cup filled with juice so he follows me to the kitchen.  Once again, my back was turned but I'm assuming he was drinking and walking at the same time and he ran into the corner of our table (THAT DARN TABLE!!!).  Still not sure what exactly happened but he busted his lip and blood filled his teeth and mouth.  The thought that kept running through my head, "They're gonna take my accident-prone son away from me!"  He calmed down once we laid down on the couch waiting for Daddy to come home with the pizza.

Have I learned from this?  Maybe.  Either never turn my back on my son OR always wrap my son in bubble wrap.

Of course my dad captured Gavin's first visit to the ER.

Brooke Is Doing What?!

Ever since I applied for and received my library card, I've been wanting to check out some books.  Not just to look at them but to actually READ them too!  And I'm NOT talking about the books with illustrations or only a few sentences on each page.  I'm talking about big people/adult books!

Saturday morning, I went to the library and looked at their New Books section.  I found 3 and they're all due back on the 20th!  That only gives me 12 more days to read them and I've only finished the first chapter of 1 book.  I'm a very slow reader.  I'm not ashamed of it.  Reading has never been my strong suit.  Most of the time, I get lost in the words or I start daydreaming or thinking about what needs to get done or my eyes get so heavy that I just end up falling asleep after the first paragraph.  But I'm determined to read these books and prove that I.....I actually don't know what I'm going to prove.  I just want to start reading and set a good example for my son, who already loves to read books!

Wish me good reading! ....or is it well reading? 

Pre-Brooke Era

This is a video that was taken way before Eric and I got reacquainted AND when the Bucs were playing REALLY well.  This was taken in New York while Eric was attending college.  Soon, I will be uploading videos from our wedding so stay tuned.....

Not Much

Honestly, I don't have that much to report from this past weekend.  We saw friends that we haven't seen in quite some time.  Saturday morning, we attempted to play volleyball but at the time we showed up, we didn't have enough people.  But we chatted with our old friends, Aaron and Sarah.  Good times/good chats.  Saturday afternoon, Eric did an amazing lawn job.  I can't wait till we can afford to redo our landscaping!  Saturday night, Aunt Heather and Dylan took Gavin to their friend's house to play kickball.  Eric made me an amazing dinner (I'll say three words....alfredo from scratch!)  After cleaning up, we picked up Gavin and ended the night early.  Sunday morning, we attended Gulf Coast Fellowship and my friend, Shannon, visited from Missouri.  Then afterwards, we continued our way up north and visited our friends, Damon and Kelley in Trinity.  They have a GORGEOUS home!  Then last night, Aunt Heather and Dylan came over for some Chicken Alfredo leftovers....which was still amazing.

This week, we're transitioning back to normalcy.  It's a brand new month, bills are paid, Gavin's back at his child-care provider's house, Eric starts school and I'm back to working out (well, I have been for the past week but things have gotten in the way).  Welcome to August!   

YouTube'n It!

Missed a video?  Right now, I only have 3 videos on my MrsBeyondBlessed account on youtube.  Be sure to make that channel your favorite in case I don't post a video in this blog.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrsBeyondBlessed?feature=mhee

Once things go back to normal like Gavin's childcare, Eric's work, our workout schedule, everyone back from vacation then hopefully I'll have time to make more videos.  Stay tuned as always.... 

Too Mushy? Too Bad!

This entry is about my husband.  I probably don't write about him as often as I do about Gavin but he is still a huge part of me!  This August we will be celebrating 3 years of marriage together.  We joke because we say it feels like longer (in a good way).  We have been through a lot since getting married and even moreso since being together in general.  This September we will have been together for 6 years!  I still remembering in our dating years that when we argued, I would run away; not want to talk to him then break up with him.  Then a week later we would be back together.  Oh how things have changed! 

I am so blessed to be married to a man of integrity.  A man that loves his family and is determined to put them first.  A man that knows how to communicate in an effective way.  A man that wears his emotions on his sleeve.  A man that is so passionate about depleting debt that he wants to educate young people in not creating debt.  A man that makes his son laugh with a simple napkin trick.  A man that makes his wife melt with a gentle kiss and a long embrace.  A man that is talented in so many ways.  A man that always rights the wrongs.  A man that uses common sense.  A man that can create a conversation with anyone around him.  A man that can cook like a chef.  A man that is an honest, hardworker.  A man that is understanding, supportive and extremely patient.  A man that prays for God's will.  A man that relies on the Lord.  A man that strives to be a better husband/man.  A man that respects the concept of marriage.  A man that puts a smile on my face when I think of him.

My husband is far from being the perfect man.  But he is the perfect man for me.  I love you, Eric!

Views from Gavin:

Views from self-portrait: 

   

Where Have I Been?!

All over the place....

Two weekends ago, I was in Miami.  Last week, I stayed home with Gavin, however, we definitely didn't "stay home".  We were out visiting friends and family for lunch and walks and pool time.  We went to the library at least 3 times for age appropriate fun.  We went to the beach and met a fun family to play with.  But most importantly, we were together.  Gavin was such a trooper through all of our travels and visits.  I really enjoyed my time with Gavin and it's going to be difficult to start working again.  But the bills need to be paid!  Here are some pictures of our time together. 

Road Trip to Miami

Visitng Papa Jeff @ The Ritz-Carlton

Roaming the streets of Miami

Lounging at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort

Waiting to go to dinner

View of the hotel's pool

Playing Angry Birds

Chilling at Papa Jeff and Maria's condo

Road Trip back home

Like Father like Son

Gavin's new thing

Worn out from the library and lunch

This is what happens when Mommy naps and Daddy "watches" Gavin

Gavin Cam

Be sure to check out my weekly update from last night!

Weekly Update

First Vlog

Now I know that I have to video tape in a well lit area!  You live and learn!



Lookout!

I know I've mentioned this before but I'm going to do my best to start a video blog this weekend.  It's where you'll hear my updates rather than read them.  I still have to edit our Father's Day videos and well as some others since then.  It will be a busy weekend but I'll get it done soon.  Have a Happy 4th of July and be on the lookout for my face!  :)

By the way, I did get some great suggestions for my smelly feet.  Now I just need to buy some cheap vodka and men's deodorant spray.  Hopefully they'll smell like roses when I'm done!  :)

Kids Clips

This past Saturday afternoon, Mema tried to give Gavin another haircut (maybe his 6th or 7th time).  After watching Daddy and Ken Dylan get their hair buzzed, Gavin still wanted nothing to do with the harmless razor or the Mommy holding him down or the Mema holding the razor.  We ended up just getting some of the back and top done but it was not finished.

Last night, I took Gavin to Kids Clips.  My coworker told me about it and I thought I'd give it a try.  They have toys, tvs, kids' chairs (like a seal, a horse, a plane, etc.) to sit on.  To make a long story short, we got through it and his hair is super short!  He still screamed, kicked, pushed and cried but it didn't bother the hairdresser at all.  I think we have a new Bad Guy, Mema!  After all was said and done, Gavin kept yelling, "Come on....come on....come on!" as he was waiting by the front door and pointing to the car.  Then I told him to say bye-bye and he said it like they'd been friends for years.  He said, "Thank you!  Bye Bye!!!" 

In the car, I asked Gavin if he liked getting his haircut and he replied, "Yeah," as if "duh".....

Here he is:

Additional Outage, Really?!

I've always heard the quote, "Bad things come in threes."  And from family's experiences, I've come to believe that statement to be true.  Well, I'm only on #2 so I'm anticipating the next one.

I decided to do our laundry late last night around 9:00.  This isn't normal for two reasons.  1)  I do laundry on the weekends so we can all start the week off with a clean set of clothes.  2)  I usually start earlier so I can go to sleep on time.  But for some odd reason, I NEEDED to do laundry last night.

I washed one load and watched a dvr'd program.  Then I put that load in the dryer and started another wash.  I continued with my tv program and about an hour later I heard the buzzer go off.  I opened the dryer door and started pulling out clothes.  I was shocked to find that the clothes were DAMP.  What the heck?!  These clothes have been in there for an hour and they're still wet?!  I turned the dryer on again and I felt the heat but didn't hear the drum spin.  I think at this point I'm just glad my clothes didn't catch on fire.  It was getting close to 11:00 and I ended up grabbing all the vacant hangers I could find and started hanging up two loads worth of wet clothes.  Then Gavin woke up probably because I was in his room collecting hangers and stepping on his toys.  Normally I would let him cry himself to sleep but I felt as if this awakening was my fault.  So I stayed up with him until he was tired enough.  Needless to say, this was a LONG night and I didn't go to bed till 1:00 a.m.

I wonder what will go out next.....stay tuned.  :)  

Power Outage

When your power goes out, you quickly learn a lot of things about how you live and frankly how spoiled you are (I'm talking to myself as well).  Last night/this morning at 2:00, we heard the power go off and dead silence overcame the house.  It probably went from 78 degrees to 83 degrees within minutes.  Isn't it amazing what 5 degrees difference can do to a person?!  Trying to lay still so as to not sweat, it was difficult going back to sleep.  Especiallly when you have a husband that says, "I'm hot!" every 10 minutes.  So we separated.  I stayed on the bed and he fled to the couch.  Since there was no white noise (air condition, fish tank, ceiling fans, etc.) it was soooo quiet.  It almost felt like we were waiting for an alien invasion or something and we were "hiding out" to avoid being killed.  So with this silence, one would think to not make any noise so others could fall asleep.  Not so much!  I could hear Eric tossing & turning and shifting the sheets on the couch.  It was quite annoying. 

We called the power company and the automated voice told us that it would be fixed at 4:00 a.m.  Not the case.  After talking to an actual rep at 5:15 a.m., we were told that there were 66 houses without power.  Gavin woke up in hysterics because he was not used to the pitch blackness in his room.  I laid down with him on the couch.  We usually would watch Little Einsteins and I had to explain to him that we couldn't.  Somehow he understood and didn't request it.  Instead, he was satisfied just lying with me as we played with the flashlight.  Then around 6:00 a.m., the power came back on and we went on with our day with about 3 hours of sleep.  Nice.

No air, no noise, no ceiling fans, no nightlight, no tv and no sleep.  It's times like these that make me realize how blessed I truly am. 

Random Thoughts

I have heartburn.  My hair feels oily even though I washed it last night.  How do I keep my feet from stinking so bad?  I can feel my lips are on the road to recovery.  There were so many chapsticks and lip balms to choose from.  And they were more expensive than a gallon of milk!  I craved chocolate milk when I was pregnant and Gavin doesn't even like it.  I love watching videos of Gavin.  I still need to edit our Father's Day videos.  My dad is chopping down our bushes tonight and possibly tomorrow morning.  I think our neighbors might be disappointed in us for having such an awful yard.  I don't think our neighbors talk to each other but they talk to us quite a bit.  Our next door neighbor took down their chainlink fence because he thought we were good people.  I hate liars....not that I'm calling my neighbor a liar.  I hate catching people in lies which happens more often than you think.  Don't they know that the truth shall set you free?!  Our "nanny" will be on vacation for 2 weeks next month.  So I will be taking care of Gavin for one week and my dad the other week.  I can't tell you how bad my feet stink.  Not sure what we're doing for dinner tonight since Eric will be attending his camp's performance.  Maybe he'll surprise us by leaving dinner on the stove.  Cars 2 comes out in theaters today.  Gavin hasn't been to the movie theaters yet.  Maybe we can try when that movie is not so crowded.  I still have heartburn.  Can you believe we're 6 months away from Christmas?!  Gavin needs a haircut.  Eric needs a haircut.  I haven't had a haircut since April 2, 2010!  That's bad....but my ends don't look bad at all!  Twss.  :)  This August will be 3 years of marriage for us.  I mean this in a good way but it seems longer than that.  Eric used the last of my deodorant yesterday and he didn't tell me.  That punk.  We still don't have a wonderful picture of just the three of us.  I wish we had that to hang on our bare walls.  I want to repaint our house (interior and exterior).  I want carpet in the bedrooms.  I want to redo our bathroom.  I want, I want, I want....but I have to wait and wait and wait.  We're gonna try and sell my car.  We're getting an SUV in August.  More on that later when it's not so random.  Speaking of random, I think I'm done.  Have a great weekend!         

Family/Father's Day

So this past weekend was SO much fun with my little family!  It was full of family time and surprises that made the weekend a memorable Father's Day weekend.

Friday night, our nephew, Dylan, spent the night.  He was so well-behaved and shared so lovingly with Gavin. 

Saturday morning, Dylan went home and we got ready for our Family/Father's Day!  We ate breakfast, grabbed an iced coffee and headed toward Tampa.  The Florida Aquarium was having a promotion - all dads get in free with the purchase of a regular admission.  Since Gavin is still 2, he got in free.  So we basically paid 3 for the price of 1!  How awesome is that?!  We love the aquarium.  This year was a lot more exciting for Gavin.  He "wow'd" and "ooh'd" and "ahh'd" at most of the sealife.  His favorite?  The alligators.  Even though their sudden movements scared him every now and then, he loved watching and chasing them in their tank.  The other fish, sting ray and sharks he kinda brushed off like, "I've seen you before" and kept running.  He did, however, get more excited about the pictures of fish rather than the actual fish themselves. 

After our unguided tour, we played in the Splash Zone for some water wet fun.  Boy was that water needed because it was hotter than twice baked potato!  The boys played for about 45 minutes as I burned taking pictures and videos.  We got changed into dry clothes then headed to Hooters for lunch.  Funny story:  We asked the waitress if there were any other options than fried chicken for Gavin; perhaps grilled chicken.  This was her response, "Well, we have fries.  Oh, we also have grilled cheese sandwiches."  Needless to say, we stuck with the fried chicken.  Our friend, Chris, met up with us since he lives right down the road.  We finally got to see his condo after he's been living there for almost a year!  He has a GORGEOUS view from the top story of his complex!

We headed home and Gavin slept the whole way there.  Gavin and I went to the grocery store while we let Daddy rest.  I, of course, made a special dinner:  Chicken Pot Pie.  As we were eating dinner, Eric tells me that this was his FIRST chicken pot pie ever!  That's unbelievable to me but it was tasty if I do say so myself.  We cleaned up and headed back out the door.  We were gonna go to the beach to watch the sunset but it was still too hot and too early.  So we got ice cream instead!

Sunday, we skipped church.  We went to Sam's Club and got some cookout food for later.  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks....I was exhausted.  I wanted to nap for the rest of the day (they really wore me out the day before).  So I napped as long as Gavin would let me.  After his nap which gave me an additional nap, we packed up and headed to Mema's house for a cookout.  My dad came over and we went swimming and ate and ate and ate.

I know this was a long blog to read before you got to the pictures but it was such a GREAT weekend and we had a wonderful time as a family!  Also, I still have A LOT of video footage to edit so stay tuned....