Guess What??!?

Most of you already know this, but I haven't posted it here yet. I Drank the Water ...I'm Pregnant! The baby is due November 7, 2011. I went to my 1st dr appointment on March 31st. We got to see the baby and it's heartbeat. The baby was very tiny, not much to see, but the heartbeat was really strong and was fun to see beating on the ultrasound screen. I've had some morning sickness this time, but nothing too bad yet. 

Monkey #3's 1st Picture:  

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all you ladies had a very happy Mother's Day! Mine was pretty good. I got some little gifts from my kids, went to church, visited with my MIL, and went to my Mom's for dinner. My brother, Steve, was here and cooked us some delicious fajitas for dinner. It was nice to have a good home cooked meal that I didn't slave over :)

Before church, I had Jason snap a few pictures of the boys and I.
This is the nice one.

This is what you get when you tell Zander to smile big and and not close his eyes.

He just cracks me up!!

27 of 52

A sweet picture of me, rocking my little man to sleep. He has had a fever since Tuesday, after going to the doctor for his check-up. I'm not sure if it's the flu shot, the teething or something he caught from the doctor's office. I'm hoping it goes away soon.

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

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On Friday night, before going out with my family for dinner, Mason was being fussy. I put him on my shoulders and he thought that was great. My husband snapped a few pictures of us. I love it! Me and my mini me :)

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

11 of 52

This week, I took my pictures using my camera's timer. They were taken while we were at the splash park on Friday. You can read more about that in Monday's Splash Time post. Zander liked smiling for the camera while it was taking it's own pictures, so most of these he looks pretty cute in. I guess I don't look too bad either. We all had a good time at the park that day.

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

10 of 52

Of course, this week I have some Mother's Day pictures, wish they were a little better, but at least I got them. This first picture however is not on Mother's Day. My husband and I parked by the lake to eat some dinner on Saturday night while they boys were asleep in the car. After we finished eating, the boys woke up, so we took them down to see the water. The flash on the camera washed us out a bit, but I included it anyway.

This is me and my boys on Mother's Day before leaving for church.

This is my Mother and I with my boys on Mother's Day. Zander was being silly and holding a nickle in his eye, just another little trick he learned from his Daddy.

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

3 Years Ago

Three years ago today, I became a Mom. I vividly remember the first time I laid eyes on my precious new baby. I was overwhelmed with great joy and love. It's hard to find the words to describe exactly how I felt, there were so many emotions. I remember feeling like the luckiest girl on earth. It was one of the happiest days of my life! I will never forget how I felt and how grateful I was to be this little person's Mother. I am literally brought to tears as I think of how thankful I am that he was sent to earth to be my son.

Happy Birthday, Zander! I love you!

Signed, Your "Monnie"

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful ladies out there! I just wanted to share with you my homemade gift for my Mommy. I was inspired by Sharla @ My Little Gems. She quilted and stitched hers. I loved her idea, but I took a little different approach.


I also copied her tulip hands, but I didn't take a picture. You can check hers out and imagine mine. :)

And here is a picture of my Mom & Me with my babies. I hope you all enjoy your day and don't forget to talk to your Mother's and tell them you love them. I'm thankful for mine and for all she has done and still does for me. I love her lots and am very thankful that I was sent here to be her daughter. Love you, MOM!!

We look really excited I know. We were just laughing at Zander as he was acting silly like always. He was trying to hold a nickle in his eye for the picture. When he gets older and looks back at all these pictures of himself, he will have a good laugh. He loves to act extra silly when we are taking pictures.

9 of 52

This week, I took my own picture.The sun was a little bright on my face, but I still like it. This is my little man, Zander, giving me a kiss. I just love his big ol' pouty lips! (He was only doing this as bribery, he wanted Mommy to go get his ball. Hey, whatever works, right?!)

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

Vlogemotion

Vlogging, ever heard of it?? Me, neither. But, there is a new carnival for it. Over at Fort Thompson, Tim has set up a carnival with the purpose of having people post videos explaining their greatest emotion for each week. People are really going to have to step out of their comfort zone here, as I know I did. Its so much easier just to type this stuff into a blog and have people read it. Its much more difficult to say it on video. But, I did it and hope you enjoy it. Check out my video, leave a comment, and head on over to Fort Thompson to see all the other entries.

8 of 52

This week, my husband got some great pictures of Zander and I playing on his trampoline. We had a good time playing together that evening.

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

6 of 52

I was in a few different pictures this week. The first one is a family photo on Easter. The second one my son, Zander, and I snapped of each other yesterday while playing at home. Then there is one of Mason and I at the Easter Egg Hunt and the last one is of my boys and I before going to church on Sunday. I loved them all!

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

5 of 52

This week, we went to visit my brother's family in Tyler, TX. (I will post more about that later.) He took this picture of Zander & I sitting by my Aunt's pond, watching the ducks.

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Are you the Mom who's always taking pictures and look back only to realize you aren't IN any of them? Do your kids look through photo albums and ask "Where were you Mommy?" Well, Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans decided to change all that and challenges any one who's interested to do the same. So hand over the camera, or at least figure out the self-timer and get on the other side of the lens more often. Post your photos of you enjoying time with your family every Thursday and share the link with other Mom's by posting it on Carin's blog. You can start any time with week 1 of 52, don't worry about being "behind" just jump on in.

A Monsterous Event!

I've been spending way too much time, in my book, trying to potty train Zander. But, he seems to be getting better; fewer accidents, almost no diapers at all now, and he is starting to tell me before he goes so we can make it to the bathroom first.. On Saturday we had a big break through! He went poop on the potty!! Yeah Zander!! We danced, shouted, high fived, and he literally was spoiled all day! I couldn't believe it, I thought it may never happen. Well, not really, just not any time some. I've been telling him for 3 weeks not that when he went poop on the potty we would take him to a movie and get popcorn. (He LOVES going to the movies.) I already wanted to take him to see the new Dreamworks movie, Monsters Vs Aliens, so I thought it would be a great incentive. It just so happened it was a Saturday and a great time for the family to head on out for a day at the theater. He insisted that his Aunt Tay go, so she and Mimi came along with us. He had a great time and has tried really hard to go poop on the potty again, but has not succeed again so far. I'm hoping for the best and just trying to be patient with him. He will get it soon enough!

Potty Party??!?

So, I've been trying really hard to fully potty train Zander. He is really good, some days. But, he will not go #2 on the potty and he has days where he totally fights it & wants nothing to do with it. I've tried many bribes, but they only work for a few hours. He's interested for a little while, than it just wears off. While I was shopping at Walmart, yesterday, I found a book in the toddler section titled, "Potty Training Your Child in Just One Day." I bought it. And read it in one day. So know, I'm debating whether or not to try this "one day" process. According to the book, you throw a big "Potty Party," celebrating the departure of diapers and the introduction of "Big Boy Pants." To do this, you wake up in the morning and give your child a wrapped gift of doll. You spend the morning hours having your child teach the doll how to go potty, and reward the doll for sitting on the potty and for going pee or poop on the potty. In between this time, you watch videos, read books, and play games and activities that are associated with potty training. After lunch, you give them another wrapped gift of underwear. Now, it's their turn. They have to go practice sitting on the potty and using it. Of course, you are supposed to give rewards and lots of praise. They should catch on by this time and start using the potty. At about 6pm, you end the party with family and friends coming over to help throw away the diapers and open presents in celebration of your child becoming a "big boy (or girl)."

So, what do you think of this process?? There is a lot of expense involved, you have to buy a doll, new underwear, gifts (although the can be simple small things), party decorations, treats, and videos and books. Also you are supposed to do this with only you and the child at home. I wonder if anyone has ever done this and if it really works. So, if you have any thoughts please leave them here for me to read. Like I said, I'm not sure if I really want to do this or not.

3 of 52

I have a picture with each of my boys from this week. The first one is a picture of Mason and I at the Whistle Stop Park this week. My good friend, Andrea, took this one for us. The next one is of Zander and I. We were down by our creek, throwing rocks in the little puddle at the bottom, cause there's no running water in it at the moment. My husband took that one for me.

2 of 52

I copied someone from last week and took a picture of my hand with the boys. It didn't turn out as good as I hoped, so I edited it a little bit, trying to make it better. Not so sure it helped, but at least I got a picture, right?!?


Here's another one from last week of Zander and I. I thought it was pretty cute. I took it myself.