Midweek Randoms

• Ya'll listen. I know money doesn't buy happiness. I'm thankful to have a job. I'm thankful for my home and for all the luxuries I don't need but have anyway. I'd also be thankful for a vacation. A vacation somewhere cool. Maybe a nice quiet beach or some cool-water springs where I can soak my toasty buns. =)  I need out and I need a break from reality. I'm sure it's just a total mind block and a lack of contentment on my part but I'm just keeping it real here.

• I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that I'm having a baby in just a few short months and I feel like I haven't experienced much life yet. We haven't done much traveling or anything wild and crazy. Just normal, everyday stuff. That's fine. But I'm feeling like a let myself down by not making it happen. It's not helping that Dac left on my birthday and has been in sunny San Diego on the beach, eating In-n-Out Burger, and seeing the sights while I've been here. Working. He gets back today. Whew. I'm happy he got to go but I'm not sure I can handle anymore beach pictures while I'm in a work meeting.

• Also, not to complain (again) but is it hot out or what? I practically pass out on my way from the house to the car. Meanwhile, there are people working out on the asphalt in this mess all day every day. There's people with nowhere cool to go... no clean, cold water. Sigh.

• So, I left on Wednesday last week. That night, I got a call from my cousin saying she was in labor. I tried to sleep for a couple hours then headed over there around three to photograph the birth of her second baby. This was my first experience with birth - both watching and photographing. It was cool and I'm glad I got to do it. It happened to be a home birth which was also interesting. She was a total trooper and gave birth to a healthy (9lb 2oz) baby girl. I was t-totally exhausted after that (though I know not as much as her, ha!) but had to go to work. It was also my turn to cook for Wii Night that night, so I worked until 1, went to the store, started supper (crock pot), took a 2-hour nap, and headed over to Steve and Cori's for some friend time. 

• Friday, we went out to eat with Dac's family before coming home to do laundry and packing for Dac's trip. I also cleaned house that night and completely wore myself out. It was kind of pitiful. 

• Dac had to leave at 3 a.m. Saturday and then I was wide awake again by 6 a.m. SO - I headed to Wal-Mart, then to my parents to hang out and eat lunch. =) That afternoon, Val took me to Wichita to shop, watch Brave, and eat (of course!) All-n-all it was a good birthday and I'm glad people thought of me and wanted to do stuff! =)

• Happy birthday to me!

• Sunday I had a pretty uncool headache... having a lot of those lately. I mostly laid around the house then Val and I went and got candy before heading over to Cori's for some friend and baby time with a redbox movie. Got plenty of twinsie cuddle time in. =)

• Monday I was feeling pitiful because I was at work all day and was getting beach updates from Dac. 

• Yesterday, I took my "little" Sky to Eskimo Joes to kind of celebrate our birthdays. Hers is the day before mine. She's the big 15 now and I can hardly believe it! Val came with us too. I love Stillwater. We didn't do much down there but I still enjoy being there. I got Sky and I cute shirts, the baby a Joe's onesie, and loaded up on cups. I also devoured some cheese fries. Oh yes I did. 

• Like I said, Dac gets back today. I'm glad. I've sort of missed him. =) I've enjoyed the clean(er) house but I've missed him none-the-less.

• I have plans to hang out with Kayla tonight. Glad for that. 

• My heart is broken for the people in Colorado. So many people have lost their homes and their belongings. Some, I'm sure are lacking in the income and insurance departments right now. Their friends and family have lost homes too and their communities are literally burning away. It's just so sad. I can only imagine the devastation these people are feeling. =( Breaks my feelings.

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 17: Hey Pop Tart! We celebrated your Dad’s first Father’s Day this week. =) He already loves you so much and I know he’ll make a great Dad once you’re here! I took him out for dinner Friday night, then we celebrated your Grandpa Call Saturday, and your Grandpa Pressnall Sunday. You’re fortunate to have some pretty great guys in your life already! You tagged along on Kayla and I’s fun day last week too. There’s been several times I’ve felt what I thought could be you wiggling around in there but I’m not sure. Feel free to make it a little more distinct! =)

17-Week Picture (Please excuse the wet hair and puffiness. It was a rough morning.)

Highlights

How Far Along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: Sweet Potato

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Too much, I'm certain of it. I'm scared of my appt. later this week and the lecture I'll no doubt get.

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing mostly maternity stuff now.

Gender: We're going to be suprised!

Movement: There's been more and more instances where I've thought it might be movement, but I'm not positive and it never lasts quite long enough to tell for sure.

Sleep: I'm sleeping ok. Some nights are better than others but all-n-all I've done well lately.

Symptoms: Had my first real bout of heartburn. No bueno. Other than that it's just some pretty uncool headaches, more back/hip pain, and the occasional nausea (this week has been much better in that department though).

What I miss: Nothing really right now
Cravings: Candy, sandwiches, basically anything and everything.

Best Moment this week: Maybe my birthday...

What I am looking forward to: Feeling movement and knowing for sure that's what it is.
*UPDATE: I'm 99.9% positive I'm feeling baby movements now. Little thumps throughout the day on my lower left side!!

Midweek Randoms

• First things first... "name that show" answers:

1. "...I'm defying gravity" - Wicked
2. "...days we used to love, where has zey gone? Where did zey go?" - Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
3. "At the end of the day, you're another day older..." - Les Miserables
4. "...Well somebody has to make the matches, young people can't decide these things for themselves." - Fiddler on the Roof
5. "...Simple joys have a simple voice, It says, 'Why not go ahead?'..." - Pippin
6. "Flat and sassy, I would get the strays and losers. Beggars really can't be choosers. That ain't it, kid. That ain't it, kid." - A Chorus Line
7. "I think they meant it when they said you can't buy love, now I know you can rent it, a new lease you are, my love, on life..." - Rent

• Annnnnyway... I'll leave you alone about showtunes now.

• Last Thursday, Kayla and I went to visit the twins. Oh so sweet. Love love love them.

• Later that night, Dac and I went to a retirement party. I took cut up watermelon... used a fun new method I learned from Pinterest. Made it fairly quick and easy. 

• Friday was Kayla and I's annual Friend-Day-Birthday-Fun-Day. I think I increase the name length each year too! =) We both have June birthdays and a couple years ago we decided to forego gifts and just spend a fun day together getting our toes did, going out for lunch, and shopping. So - we grabbed some donuts for the road, got our toes did (mine are red with white flowers and some polka-dots), hit up a few stores, ate lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse and called it a day. It was fun and a great time to catch up! Already looking forward to next year!

• That evening Dac and I went out to eat. It was sort of a little Happy Father's Day outing for him. =) We ate at Biederman's. I got the spaghetti everyone raves about instead of my usual panini and Dac got the salmon special. By the end of dinner I was feeling incredibly sick and that was that for the rest of the night. =|

• Saturday, we were supposed to have a morning session but rain got in the way. That seems to have happened a lot this year. That afternoon/evening we went over to a BBQ steakhouse in a teensy town about an hour away. Austin (Dac's brother) drove us in his big super duty truck. =) It was him, Val, and David in the front with Terese, me, and Dac in the back. Haha. The food was excellent!

• Sunday morning, we took my mom and Dad out for breakfast. I love me some breakfast ya'll. You know this. Then, my mom went to help my grandma get lunch ready and my Dad came back to the house. We had a really nice, long visit before headed out to Grandma's for some Father's Day grub. I sure am lucky to have such awesome men-folk in my life. =)

• This week I'm on call for my first birth story session. I have wanted to photograph a birth for a few years now. It's true photojournalism and I love that. I'm also nervous. Nervous about getting the good, quality photos I envision and nervous because this will be my first birth to witness period. I have another lined up for August. I'm hoping it'll be a good thing before having to participate in my own... but I'm also scared I'll be more scared! ha! =) 

• My hair is the longest it's been since I chopped it off for the first time in July of 2007. Not sure where to go with it from here but I can't imagine not being able to sport a ponytail right now, so I guess it'll stay somewhat long for a while.

• I finally brushed Peety. It wasn't enough. He's still scruffy and looks under-cared for... not too mention stinky beyond belief. But it helped a little. I'm chalking it up as a win. For sure. He has an appt. in a couple weeks anyway, so I'm trying to hold off until then.

• Ate a whole big box of hot tamales yesterday. Sigh. Why do I do these things?

• I'm still watching Psych. It's pretty good. Not the best show ever, but good. It's funny and unlike my usual suspenseful dramas, I can do other things while watching it and if I fall asleep halfway through one, I can just move on because I probably didn't miss a whole lot. 

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 16: Well my flair for not throwing up finally failed me. =( I almost felt better after that though. It was a super busy week for pictures and work stuff. I probably overdid it a little but I survived. You little sir or ma’am must be growing big and strong because people were really commenting on my belly this week. =) I’m ready to feel some of that movement everyone’s talking about. Ready, set, go!

Highlights

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: Turnip

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Too much, I'm certain of it.

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing maternity pants aside from a few pairs of comfy/pj pants that still fit ok. Wearing a combo of regular and maternity shirts... but more and more often it's a maternity shirt. Bought bigger underwear this week. Oh boy! =)

Gender: We're going to be suprised!

Movement: There's been a couple times I've wondered but I'm pretty sure it wasn't. Hoping I'll know when it happens.

Sleep: I'm sleeping ok. Some nights are better than others but all-n-all I've done well lately.

Symptoms: Hungry, nauseous, headaches, back/hip pain.

What I miss: Energy and motivation.

Cravings: Watermelon, sandwiches, ice cream, hot tamales

Best Moment this week: People recognizing my belly as something more than just a jiggly mess. =)

What I am looking forward to: I have a chiropractor appt. I'm pretty pumped for this morning. I'm also looking forward to my birthday and my next Dr's. Appt. which feels like forever away even though this month is flying by!

Awwwww

C'mon. I mean this guy is just making others look bad! =) How fun is this!?!?

Midweek Randoms

• I haven't really wanted to be at work lately. That's ok, right? Natural? Normal? 

• Listening to musical soundtracks is helping... a little.

• "...I'm defying gravity"

• We are super duper busy with pictures this week and I have lots of work stuff too. I'm 'zausted. 

• I'm ready for some vacation in my life.

• BUT, we've had some fun sessions. Saturday, we shot a large a family. Sunday, I had some quality twinsie time. Yesterday, I photographed my friend Erika's sweet girls, and we have a session with my cousin and her little boy tonight. 

• "...days we used to love, where has zey gone? Where did zey go?"

• It's a dang good thing Kayla and I's Friend-Day-Birthday-Fun-Day is coming up Friday. =) A day off that doesn't even include a dr's appt? Sign me up!!!

• I feel bad for my Peety dog. He is shaggy, dirty, stinky, itchy, and a little neglected right now. =( Bad pug mom.

• "At the end of the day, you're another day older..."

• Dac has been on this grilled cheese kick this week. So far we've had provolone/mozzerella, tomato, and avacado sandwiches. Next on the list are pizza grilled cheeses and the one I'm most excited for: mac-n-cheese grilled cheese. =) Yes ma'am sam. 

• "...Well somebody has to make the matches, young people can't decide these things for themselves."

• I'm excited to see Brave this month. Comes out the day before my birthday and I'm pumped. Yes it's a "kids" movie. Don't hate. Appreciate.

• "...Simple joys have a simple voice, It says, 'Why not go ahead?'..."

• The arm on my chair at work came off. It is the most un-comfy thing ever. I need to order a new one or this is going to be an especially excruciating next few months.

• I like stretchy top pants. Just sayin'.

• "Flat and sassy, I would get the strays and losers. Beggars really can't be choosers. That ain't it, kid. That ain't it, kid."

• Yesterday was national peanut butter cookie day. I mentioned this in passing to Dac. I was having a real rough day. I came home to a jumbo peanut butter Grinder Man cookie. Maybe I'm shallow, petty, or simple... but it helped.

• "I think they meant it when they said you can't buy love, now I know you can rent it, a new lease you are, my love, on life..."

• Speaking of food...aren't I always? I've been wanting some City Bites. I know it's just a sandwich place, but it's different and I love it. I neeeeeed it. =)

• I think we may have found a media center solution for our family room. That room is so blah. Really, about every room in our house is. Anyway, Dac found a plan for one we can make. I'm not totally sure it'll work b/c we have this funky little random window in there that's kind of in the way, but it MIGHT work and it's the best solution we've found so far. Now... to get on that... haha.

• I went to my Grandma's for lunch Sunday because my aunt, cousin Amelia, and her little boy were here for a visit. I ate fried chicken, homemade ice cream, and was very matter-of-factly informed that I have "spots". =) Very observant little guy, isn't he? I definitely have spots. Lots of them. Total spotty dotty. 

• Also, today is my mother-in-law's birthday. Happy birthday Terese!!!!! It's also her and David's 31st anniversary! =)

• PS - the quotes are lyrics from popular musicals. Can you name that show??

Monday Morning Pop Tart

On time even this week! =)

Week 15:

Heard your fantastic little heartbeat this week. 155 bpm. Good! =) You’ve ate lots of Cherry Berry frozen yogurt and Captain Crunch this week. We’ve spent tons of time with friends shopping, walking, eating. It’s been a good week. Your friends Eden and Britton were born this week too! I loved getting to hold them and even got some newborn diaper changing practice. Oh boy!  I can’t believe before too long I’ll be holding you. Can’t wait to see you all play together too. You should have lots of buddies! =)

Highlights

How Far Along: 15 weeks

Size of baby: Tomato/Avacado

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Too much, I'm certain of it.

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing maternity pants and a mix of regular and maternity shirts. Some of my regular comfy/pj pants are getting tight.

Gender: We're going to be suprised!

Movement: Nope. Not yet.

Sleep: I'm sleeping ok. Some nights are better than others. Last night, for example I woke up every couple of hours - not to pee, for once - but because I could NOT get comfortable. It's frustrating but I guess it's just prep work for when the baby's here. 

Symptoms: Hungry all the time, nauseous, lost my first lunch (I've felt like I needed to throw up most days but I've fought it like a banchee... I lost this time), allergies, back/hip pain.

What I miss: Energy, comfortable sleep.

Cravings: Water, fruit, Captain Crunch, sweets, sandwiches (grilled cheese, subs, BLT's)

Best Moment this week: Loving on the sweet twinsies.

What I am looking forward to: I really look forward to my next chiropractor appts. =)

Phone Photo Purge

Here's a few random pictures. Enjoy! =)

First, and most importantly, I "borrowed" these off facebook. =) It's Cori, Steve, and their perfect new baby girls!!!! To say I'm McCited would be a total understatement. I'm fuh-reaking out ecstatic about them! Sounds like the babies are doing great and surgery aside, I think mom is too. I can NOT wait to meet these sweet girls.

Steve and his newest girls. Poor guy is totally outnumbered now (not that he wasn't before).

This is a picture of my guard dog sleeping on the job last week while Dac was out of town. Go figure. He's not real intimidating anyway.

My latest diaper purchase. Cori found out that Wichita has a boutique called "Healthy Baby" that carries lots of fun things including these.

My neon polka dotted toesies.

Addicted.

I took this last night while sitting on the couch. Um... this is not an illusion. My belly was really that big. I feel like it's too early to be that big so I'm going to blame it on the cake I had. Oy!

How I told Dac...

A sneak peek at our nursery color...

Told you they were random. Happy Thursday!

Midweek Randoms

• I have cute toes. They are neon orange with white polka dots and I'm not totally sure I'm still young and/or cool enough to pull them off but I'm running with it.

• Cori is having the twinsies today. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I couldn't be happier for such an awesome family. =)

• I have a re-found addiction to captain crunch. 

• I went to see Men In Black 3 with four dudes the other night. Pimp. Momma. 

• I survived three nights home alone. Well, Peety the guard dog was there too... but no Dac. I'm not a fan of staying by myself - never have been - but I did it and worked it like a rockstar. I did enjoy having a clean house for 4 days though. 

• I've been quilting. I used to sew more... usually costumes for musicals, a disco outfit for a choir concert, throw pillows.... and there was the epic banana split costume that one time... but it's been a loooooooong time since I've even so much as turned on a sewing machine or threaded a needle and here I am quilting. I'm helping make blankets for the twins and it's been fun! Thankfully, it's a group effort so I can't really screw anything up too bad! ha!

• I spent last Friday in Wichita with Cori and Val. It was so nice to have a day off from work. Cori and I both had dr's appt's, then we got lunch, shopped for last minute baby things, I got another cloth diaper (in a bright red-orange this time) and had fun. It's what we do.

• Saturday, I didn't do a whole lot. I watched some TV (I've started Psych now) and did laundry, etc...

• Sunday, we did lunch at the new Chinese place in Winfield, took a nap, then we had pictures in Wichita that night.

• Kayla and I walked Monday night. It about killed me, haha! =D Thankfully I got a big Sonic water afterwards or I may not have made it. It was touch and go there for a while. 

• After the walk, Dac and I made a last minute, spontaneous trip to Cherry Berry with the Deill's. You know - one last wild and crazy night before the babies. =) haha.

• My dog needs a bath. He needs a bath bad.

• I've been having this awful back/hip pain. It can get bad enough it brings tears and I'm tough stuff! Most the time. =) I've been seeing the chiropractor fairly regularly hoping to keep it under control. If not, it may be back to PT. =|

• Did I mention I'm excited to meet the twins? =)

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Here I am! A day late.... again. =) Maybe I should just change these to Tuesday Morning Pop Tarts. haha. 

Week 14:

Hey good-lookin’! Not a whole lot of excitement going on this week. The morning (all-day) sickness has been back in full swing and hellloooooo hormones. I’ve been an emotional wreck all week. You’re worth it, I’m sure. =) I got your first cloth diaper in! It’s pretty cute and Cori made you some awesome burp cloths. You’re sure to be spoiled... already are.

14-Week Picture:

Highlights

How Far Along: 14 weeks

Size of baby: Peach/Lemon

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Well, I forgot (again) to ask what my official starting weight was but I gained 6 lbs this past month. Lord have mercy. That's gotta stop.

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing maternity pants and a mix of regular and maternity shirts.

Gender: We're going to be suprised!

Movement: Nope. Not yet. Although I know he/she is shaking its groove thing in there.

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good. I wake up a lot because I either get uncomfortable, have a lot on my mind, or have to pee.

Symptoms: Hungry all the time, nauseous (this isn't all day every day but it seems like when it does come on - usually in the evenings - it's not pretty), allergies, back/hip pain, hormonal.

What I miss: Energy

Cravings: Water, fruit, Captain Crunch, sweets, Jimmie Johns.

Best Moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat (155 bpm) and spending time with friends.

What I am looking forward to: My next appointment on June 29th.