"It's OK" Thursday

It's Thursday again!  I think this it's been three weeks since I posted the first "It's OK" post.  The week after I posted, Josh was still gone, I still wasn't able to communicate with him, and pretty much nothing was OK, so I just couldn't bring myself to look on the bright side...I'm pretty sure I didn't think there was one!  Last week, everything was OK!  It was the day after Josh got home and life seemed great and almost back to normal.  This week, I'm feeling pretty optimistic even though we've got some big events coming up soon and I am NO where near prepared!  So here goes:

 

It's OK...

 

that Cam's birthday party is in three weeks and I've done nothing, because tomorrow starts a four-day and I can hopefully get a lot done.

 

that we're moving in eight weeks (!) and I've done nothing, because I know that it will all get done and that the stress of it is worse than it will actually be.

 

if no housework gets done today, because I've been pretty good about keeping in clean lately and it's not too bad (and tomorrow starts a four-day :} ).

 

if pretty much anything goes wrong right now, because my sweet boy is WALKING, and when I see him making his way across the room looking so proud of himself, I can't help but be beside myself with happiness :}

 

 

And on a side note, I get to hear baby's heartbeat today!  So, even thought life is about to get super crazy busy, there's a lot of good stuff happening and a lot to be thankful for.

 



 

Happy Thursday!



Try It Tuesday

Umm...I love Pinterest.  There, I said it.  I just thought I'd lay it all out there for you.  It's obviously not that big of a secret...I think it's a great concept and have thoroughly enjoyed it since my friends introduced me to it.  When I first joined, I must have tried a new Pinterest recipe at least 3 times a week, and I may or may not have gone a little crazy with the crafts!  I found myself saying, "I saw it on Pinterest" more times than I can count!  Well, since the first few months, my Pinterest projects have tapered off.  Oh, I still Pin at least one thing a day...but the actual execution of those Pins has all but stopped.  So I've decided to get back into the groove and try out some of those awesome ideas.  On Tuesdays (maybe not every Tuesday) I'm going to post something I've tried that was inspired by a Pin, whether it be a new recipe, a craft idea, a makeup or hair trick, or a new fashion trend (Holy T-shirts, I really need to spice up my wardrobe!); I'll try it out and post the process and the results and hope it's not a Pinstrosity!  If you have a Pin that you've been wanting to try out but just haven't gotten around to, let me know and I'll do a post about it!

This week's Pin: DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner from The Daily Quirk

The cleaner recipe is:
1 cup of warm water
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
1 tablespoon of dish detergent (I'm using blue Dawn, and it looks like the pinner did too)

Mix ingredients in water, swish brushes in the mixture, rinse, pat dry, and let dry overnight on a towel

Here's what it looks like- P.S. I've never cleaned these, and I have no idea how long I've had them (yikes!):

Here's what the mixture looks like before

 

Brushes before

 

Blush brush before- pink and sparkly

 

Mixture after- whoa!

 

Brushes after

Blush brush after- all clean!

 

Bottom of the glass- that's a lot of sparkles!

Oh. My. Word.  These brushes were gross.  I use these things on my face...every day!  I'm definitely going to start cleaning them at least once a month. It was super easy, not to mention cheap.  I checked out some brush cleaners online, and some are as much as $20!  I feel like I have a whole new set of brushes and I'm certain my skin will thank me :}  I'd call my first Try It Tuesday a definite success!

Baby Post- Week 20

Week 20 already?!  You are going to be here before we know it! 

Let's see, where to begin?  We've had a very eventful week!  Your dad finally came home this past Wednesday night.  Yay!  It was such a relief...even though I knew it was only a training exercise, I couldn't help but worry about him.  He said everything went pretty well, but he was definitely glad to be home!  Cam and I went to wait for him at one of the parade fields where he works around 7:00pm.  All of the wives got really excited when we saw the planes fly over us...we knew that was them!  It was about 9:00 by the time the guys got to the field...it was dark, but we were all trying to catch a glimpse of our soldier.  We had to wait for them to unload all of their gear from a truck, then they were released to come and greet us...it was so exciting!  I wondered if Cameron would be awake to see Daddy arrive...he was!  He was extremely tired and a little cranky, but I think he felt all the excitement going on and was able to stay awake.  We're so glad he's home!

Here's your dad's company at NTC- Fox 51st
July 27-August 22

 

 

On Thursday we went to walk around at the mall...we had a nice time, but we noticed that Cam had started coughing and sneezing.  We were going to go eat out, but ended up ordering pizza so we could get him home.  Thursday night he barely slept, so we decided to take him to the doctor Friday morning.  The doctor said he just had a cold...but it was a bad cold!  He couldn't sleep all day, even though he was so tired.  We were up until about 10:00pm trying to get him to sleep...it was another bad night.  Saturday he was finally able to get some good rest and slept through the night, and yesterday he seemed to be feeling much better.  This was the first time he's been really sick (not counting a two-day stomach bug a few months ago, which wasn't bad at all).  I felt so bad not being able to do anything for him besides try to make him comfortable, which was nearly impossible.  I'm so glad he's feeling better and hope we don't have to go through that again soon!!  It was not the way I envisioned our relaxing weekend with Daddy going :/ This Friday starts a four-day weekend during Labor Day, so we can try again...hopefully we'll all be healthy :}

 

Throughout the chaos of the weekend, Dad got to feel you kick!  You are already quite the attention seeker ;}  Whenever Cameron would start kicking, he would stop as soon as your dad tried to feel him.  He only got to feel Cam a few times during the whole pregnancy.  However, when Daddy puts his hand on my tummy to feel you, you start kicking harder!  I have a feeling you're going to enjoy the spotlight! 

 

I'm very excited that we get to find out if you are a boy or girl in 6 days!  Then we can start getting everything we need for you.  Your granddad has finished your nursery in Georgia...all we have to do is decide on the "theme" and he can start painting.  We're moving in 2 short months!  There's a lot to do...whew.  I'm tired already!  Here's what your room will look like if you're a girl:

 

 

 

 

And if you're a boy, maybe something like this (still undecided):



 

 

So, hopefully we'll be able to announce "boy" or "girl" in next week's update!  And maybe a name, if Dad and I can agree on one!  





Baby Post- Week 19

This past week has been pretty rough.  It was another week of not being able to talk to you dad.  Him being gone is bad, but not even being able to talk or send a quick text is the worst!  Luckily, I finally got to talk to him on the phone on Saturday!  And now, we're on the last week of him being gone...we can do it!  I'm very excited that they are letting us meet our soldiers at the air field when their plane lands.  They're trying to make this experience as close as possible to a real deployment.  I know it's going to be exciting and emotional, but I can't imagine how it will be after NINE months instead of just one!  AND, when he gets back from Afghanistan, he'll be meeting you for the first time!!! Better start stocking up on Kleenex now!  We're still not sure what day he's coming back...they won't let us know until basically the last minute, but I'm sure the next few days will go by quickly.  I've still got to do some last minute cleaning, go shopping for a few of Dad's favorite things (I promised I'd make him Beef Wellington for dinner when he got back!), and maybe start working on another project or two.  So far, I've made two potholders, a blanket, a bag, and a crocheted scarf...I even did a very little bit of scrapbooking.  I think I've turned into a craftaholic!

Anyway, I guess that's all for this week. 

Oh, apparently you're about the size of a mango:

Baby Post- Week 18

Here we are at week 18!

www.TheBump.com says you should look something like this:

It also says you're probably yawning, hiccuping, sucking your thumb, practicing swallowing, and moving around like crazy.  I was looking back at the pregnancy journal I kept for Cameron and read that I couldn't feel him moving until week 20...I've been feeling you since week 14!  I think you're going to be a busy little bee and give Cam a run for his money :}  Although, if you're any more active than Cam is when you're born, Mommy may have to hire a live-in nanny!

 I'm feeling pretty good this week...my cleaning and organize binge seems to have slowed a bit.  Oh well.  Your big brother is keeping me busy though. I've been having fun planning his 1st birthday party. The theme is a secret until we send out the invitations.  I'm sure there will be a big blog post about the party. I wonder what the theme of your 1st birthday will be...  

Maybe we should decide on the baby shower theme first...maybe I could have this cake:

Is that a a foot? Oh my, if the baby's foot is that big...

Or this one- a baby bum cake!

Kidding :}

"It's OK" Thursday

So, (I think I start most of my posts with "so"...) as I'm getting a bit more involved in the blogging world- the blogs I follow now include more than just my friends' blogs- I've noticed this "It's OK" Thursday trend.  Every Thursday you sit down and write a list of things that are bothering you, but you use that time to take a breath, relax and say, "But it's ok."  I like this idea.  Once, several years ago when I was visiting my mom at the elementary school where she teaches, I saw a teacher in the hallway with one of her little students who was crying.  I overheard her tell him, "Just say to yourself, 'It's no big deal, it's no big deal.'"  I have no idea why he was crying or what the situation was, but I thought, ya know, that's good advice because, usually, it's not a big deal!  So ever since, I've tried to remind myself of that little phrase when I'm about to have a panic attack...it doesn't always work of course!  But I think it's a good little mantra.  Anyway, here's my list for this week:

It's OK...

that I have to clean up my kitchen again today after spending hours cleaning it yesterday, because I had some awesome friends over last night and had such a great time eating, chatting and laughing.

that we ran out of overnight diapers for Cameron and now have to go run an errand to get more, because I know it will help him sleep better (and it's a good excuse to go to Starbucks :} ).

that I've been a single mom for the past two weeks and still have two to go, because, well this one is hard!  But it's really helped me appreciate how much Josh does when he's home!

that Josh won't be back for another two weeks, because I still have a lot of cleaning to do! (well, I'd rather have him home, but since he has to be gone, he might as well come back to a clean house)

that Cam has been waking up three times every night, because it's the second trimester and that means that "it's ok" to have coffee in the morning! (although a full night's sleep is always preferable)

that I haven't worked on my diaper bag since Sunday night, because some friends are coming over tomorrow to work on our crafty things :}

to just sit, relax, blog and enjoy the quiet while Cam is asleep instead of trying to get a million things done.

Well, I think that's all for now...whew!  Being optimistic is hard...

On another note...Happy Birthday Mom!!!  :}  I hope you enjoy our favorite Italian place tonight...have fun! (that was only slightly sarcastic).  Love you! 



Baby Post- Week 17

Another week has gone by...we're getting close to the half-way point!  I don't really have too much to report. 

I've been feeling much better this week, thank goodness.  I've gotten a lot done.  The house is really shaping up, and I'm feeling much less stressed, and much more organized!  While cleaning each room I've been keeping track of what we'll be taking to Georgia with us, so hopefully the move won't be too chaotic.  We'll be leaving in just a few short months to go live with Grandma and Grandad while your Dad is gone.  They're really busy getting rooms ready for you and Cam. 

I've also been doing a good bit of sewing.  I finished two sets of potholders (I'll post pictures once the people they belong to have received them).  I finished your baby blanket, which I'm really proud of.  I would change a few things if I ever do another one, but I think it's really cute and will suit you just fine :}  I'm currently working on a diaper bag made from one of Dad's uniforms.  I got a lot done last night, but it was getting late and I got frustrated, so I had to stop!  I can already tell it's going to be way too small, but I'm sure we'll get some good use out of it anyway.  When I finish the bag and finish getting the house clean, I'm going to continue working on Cam's scrapbook.  He's 10 months old now, and I'm only on his first month!  Oops...I've got a long way to go if I want to finish his first year before your big arrival!  Then I can start on yours...I bet Grandma will help :}

Your Dad is still gone...he'll be home in a little less than 3 weeks.  I haven't been able to talk to him since Friday I think (and that was just a text).  Cam and I sure do miss him.  I'm sure he misses us too and that he'd much rather be here!  He's doing important training for his job that will help keep him and his soldiers safe, so I can't complain too much.

The big things in the news right now are Chick-fil-a (people are upset about finding out about certain organizations the company is supporting and contributing to), and the 30th Olympic Games in London.  Michael Phelps, the team USA swimmer, set a new record for receiving the most medals in Olympic history.  He won 22 during his career...the previous record was 17.  The USA gymnastics team won gold medals, and one girl on the team, Gabby Douglas, won gold for her individual performance- she's only 16 years old! 

We will hopefully find out if you are a boy or girl at our next appointment on September 2nd!  I can't wait!  Also, I can feel you move sometimes :}  I think I felt you as early as week 14, but it's hard to tell.  It's still very faint, almost like a tickle...but I'm pretty sure that's you!  I love knowing that you're getting bigger and stronger and that we're that much closer to meeting you :}

And just a reminder: