Old Wives Tales: Blue or Pink

I had my 15 week check up Tuesday.  Everything looks (sounds) good.  I've gained 1 lb since my 11 week check up so I feel pretty good about that.  My blood pressure was 111/70 and baby's heart rate was in the 150's. 

I'm feeling good.  No nausea.  The first trimester had a tiny bit but once I got my prenatals on schedule (take them at night) and made sure to eat something with protien before I left for work in the morning I was good to go.

I tried to prod the Doctor to tell me whether he thought it was a girl or boy and he said he had a 50/50 shot.  So I paid him a few bucks to tell me it was a boy.  Something to hang on to until the Ultrasound scheduled for July 9.

Of course, I really want a boy but I (we) will love a little girl as well.  I go back and forth on what I think it is.  I think in my heart I feel like it's a girl, but my symptoms are all so similar with Easton that leads me back to a boy.  I like being the only girl in the house.  I like doing boy things with my boys.  I'm not a girly girl so I have a hard time picturing bows and ruffles in our mix.  Because there is NONE of that in our house now.  BUT, oh the things I could sew up for a little girl.  That box of ribbon could make some super sweet little bows.  All that scrap fabric could make some super cute patch work bloomers.  BUT...boys. Fishing.  Balls.  Dirt.  Baseball.  Matchbox cars. I love all that so much too.  Either way, a new baby will be a blessing.  Pink or blue will be loved beyond belief. 

So, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of the old wives tales about gender prediction.  Here's what I came up with based on my pregnancy:

Carrying High or Low: Low: Boy

HR <140 boy="" is="">140 girl: HR 150s: Girl (Easton's was always 150-165)

Chinese Gender Predictor: Girl

Even & Odd: Legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby's sex by looking at the mother's age at conception (30) and the year of conception (2013). If both are even or odd, it's a girl. If one's even and one's odd, it's a boy: Boy

Even & Odd {version 2} The age of the mother in the time of conceive (30) Month of conceiving (March): 30+3=33: Odd: Boy

Break Outs: The belief goes that girls steal their mother's beauty, hence, those annoying zits: Girl

Morning Sickness (minimal): Boy

Cravings: Juice, Fruit & Sweets (and COLD): Girl

Change in hair (thin & dull): Girl

Dry Skin: Girl


Girl (6) Boy (4)

July 9 at 8:30 we should know if it's a boy or a girl!  I'm excited to start planning a nursery and transforming Easton's room now to his big boy room! 

Also, I'll save you a belly picture this week because it's one I sent to my mom asking if a 2 piece at this stage in pregnancy is ok or not.  She said go for it...so I did.  And I wasn't near the biggest (pregnant or not) nor was I the only pregnant gal in a 2 piece.  So tan belly it was and may be the remainder of the summer! 

So, lets take a little poll, leave a comment and tell me if you think it's a boy or girl!

Hair Product Review:: Redken Wool Shake & Powder Grip

It should be known, that I'm a hair product hoarder.

First step is admitting it right.

I've tried lots of products, cheap and Salon quality.

 

Right now, I'm currently loving Redken Powder Grip and Redken Wool Shake.

Actually, I've loved Powder Grip for a while, but Wool Shake is a new MUST HAVE in my arsenal.

 

You see, I've been growing out this hair for quite some time, only for it to fall flat and not hold any curl the longer it gets.  So.  What's a girl to do?  CUT IT of course.  I'm really more of a short hair gal anyways.  As much as I'd love to have some long flowy locks or a full top knot, it's just not in the cards for this head of hair.

 

With growing it out, I also went ombre and my hair is the healthiest its been in a long time.
But the truth is, I love me some bleached, damaged hair.  It gives texture; although the unhealthy way.  So, my healthy unbleached hair falls flat and lifeless.  Unless its about 4 days dirty.  So, product must create that texture. 

 

Here's how my Stylist used the Wool Shake on my hair::

Wash & Dry your hair as normal.

Around your part, pick up a section of hair,starting at your part working your way down.

Do this for 2-3 rows.

Spray 2-3 squirts on the underside of each row.

Do this to the left and right of the part and at the crown.

Then with your fingers 'break up' the area where you've sprayed while blow drying by rubbing your fingers at your roots.
It can get crunchy if you don't break it up some.

Once it's dry, finish with Powder Grip or leave as is.

Instant texture and style!

 

 

 

 

        {{source}}                           {{source}}       

 

   Go get yourself some Powder Grip and Wool Shake.

It's good stuff!

 

 

 

{{I was in no way compensated for this post.  Just simply sharing my opinion on a product I love.  However, if Redken wants to send some goodies my way, I'll gladly accept!}}     

Long WONDERFUL Holiday Weekend

 

THIS was one of those weekends for the record books.

Friday off work.  Hair appointment.  A trip to the mall.  Picked up my boy early from school.

Played outside until the last possible minute to go meet friends for supper. 

S'mores with friends after supper.

Boy falling asleep on the way home.

And this was just Friday.

The rest of the weekend followed suit as such.

It was absolutely refreshing. Soul filling.  Much needed together time.

My tank is full.

Saturday we went to the Flea Market.

Sun kissed shoulders.

A good nap for my boy.

My man took an afternoon stroll on the lake.

Saturday night we had a double date with some friends of ours.

Glorious night out on the town, good food, great friends.

Easton stayed home with his teacher from his former school.

They had a marvalous time, so we heard. 

As did we. 

 

Sunday was church.

After a few missed Sundays, it was good to be back.

A quick trip home to pick up our cooler and boat, change into our swims and out on the lake.

Jon Boat.  Picnic.  Fishing. Sunshine.

Together.

Full, full heart.

A requested nap by my boy, lasting over 3 hours.

It was glorious.

Low key night at home.

Together.

 

Monday.  Memorial Day.

Early riser gets everyone moving early.

We made it to the pool by 10.

Swam and went down the slide till his heart was content to leave without melt down.

Chick Fil A Picnic at the Park.

Another fabulous requested nap by my boy.

I washed both vehicles and cleaned the garage.

Productivity at it's finest.

We ended Sunday with BBQ at Lance's parents, and mani/pedis on the front porch.

I am so thankful for this weekend with my boys.

It was so refreshing to just BE.

With them.  Happy.  No rush.  Fun times.

 

I hope you all had an enjoyable Memorial Day as well.

Thank you to all who have served and for those who are still serving!

Hats off to you!  

Lightning struck

Sunday morning, way before I wanted to wake up, we were jolted awake from thunder, that sounded to be right outside the door.  We laid in bed for a good hour, listening to the thunder, seeing the lightning, the room filling up with the eeriest green/yellow glow.  Such a sight for 5am.

 

It rained buckets for an hour or so and we were able to go back to sleep after it all passed. 

 

However, once we woke up and started working our way through the house to do this or that, we started noticing several things not working.  Lance went outside to find that our largest oak tree had been struck by lightning.  Throughout the course of the day we found the oven/range didn't work, the cable didn't work, the 2nd garage door didn't work and Easton's room {and the 3rd bedroom} had no power.  Lance was able to get Easton's room back on but sparks flew when he flipped the breaker outside.  Always a comforting sight. 

{3 different sides of the tree}

There was bark from this tree, all the way to the front of the driveway {that's a good 75-100 yards away}.  Strips of bark a few feet long and chunks of bark that just exploded off the tree were scattered all over the driveway and the yard.

 

It's such an strange feeling to think that something so powerful can do so much damage in one hit.  They say lightening doesn't strike the same place twice so we are assuming that the lightening hit the tree and sent the electrical current all the way through the lot and house. An electrician came to the house yesterday and said we could possible lose all the trees on our lot, especially those near this oak tree. Hopefully not, only time will tell. 

 

Yes, all this is a pain to have repaired and added expense that we don't really want to pay for, but thank God for His protection.  Thank God there was no fire.  Thank God it didn't knock the tree over, as you can see it already leans toward the garage & bonus room.  

 

These are all minor setbacks but we are so thankful for his protection.     

Easton's going to be...

A BIG BROTHER!

 

 

We are thrilled to welcome a little baby into our family!

Baby #2 is due to arrive December 3, 2013.

I was 11 weeks on Tuesday and had my routine check up that day as well.

We heard a strong heartrate at 150.

Easton's calling the baby a boy- Levi to be exact.

Only time will tell!

I'm looking forward to slowing down this summer and enjoying these last few months as the three of us. 

Life just really goes way too fast, but I want to savor this time.

 

 

 

New School:: Update

This post is a bit delayed.  Such is life. 

 

We moved Easton from the school he'd gone too since I returned to work from maternity leave in April.  When we moved to our new house, we knew we'd eventually move him to a school closer to home.  This was NOT a decision I was looking forward to.

 

Not because the new school would be bad, or less than, but just different.  I've taken Easton every day but maybe 5 days since he started.  I picked him up.  I went and nursed him on my lunch break.  We we both comfortable there.  We both had friends there.  Friends we would miss dearly. 

 

Lance is now the responsible party for the most part.  He takes him and picks him up most days.  He knows his friends.  He sees his teacher.  He hears the first words out of his mouth when he gets in the truck.  He gets the trinkets (mulch, rocks, random sticks) Easton puts in his back pack every day.  He's getting what I used to get.

 

Yes, my commute is a little more peaceful, and a lot more quiet.  But I miss that little face in the backseat.   I miss our funny conversations.  I miss his music selections.  I miss his funny stories about his friends in the afternoon.  It makes me sad knowing I don't get to participate in that part of his day anymore. 

 

I know this time is good for he and Lance.  They get donuts more mornings than I'd like to admit.  They stop at the gas station in the afternoons for a snack.  They get that time together that they didn't have for 3 years. 

 

But for now, it's what we do.  I leave the house at 6:45 to make it to work by 8 and return home by 5 most days.  Some days he's not even awake before I leave.  It's not ideal, but it's life.  We're adjusting to this new 'normal' and trying to make the best of it.  

 

I do believe it's making me more intentional with my time that I do have at home.  With dinner, packing lunches, bath & bed, it leaves little time for fun.  So we must make the most of it.  Lots of afternoons are spent outside before supper.  Lots of times after bath are spent in the Bonus Room playing.  He helps me a lot in the kitchen.  We bike ride.  It's not easy only getting 3 hours a day with him.  Especially when those are the most tired hours of his day.  It sometimes leaves for exhausting nights but it's a season.  This time won't last forever.

 

So, here's the first day/week at his new school {in phone pictures---sorry for the blurry ones, I was trying to blur the kiddos and the school t's}. 

 

To say I was PROUD of how he marched right in on day 1 is an understatement.  We took him in, put up his lunch box, back pack and nap mat.  The children were already up front in the common area about to start their morning devotion and we were going to encourage him to sit with them and we'd head on out.  He wanted to 'tell you bye at the door' first.  He hugged us and turned right around, never missing a beat, never once acting unsure.  We had nothing but good reports all day at how well he was adjusting and how his new friends loved him.

 

 

And nap time was a welcome relief for him. They are on the go all the time at the new school. Changing rooms, doing different activities in different locations, even walking to the local libraray. I really like that about this school! 

This was our Friday picture!  We made it through the first week!



It's been about 6 weeks now since he started.  He's doing so good.  He's had a few rough days where he didn't want to stay but he jumped right in after drop off.  He really is a trooper.  There's definitely a transition happening though.  And maybe it's just being 3.  But we're struggling with listening, some back talking and a little bit of 'tude.  I don't know if it's new friends or if it's just new everything or just adjustment but it's taking extra patience on all of our parts.  But we'll make it.  He's a good boy and we're so thankful at how wonderful he has done with this!  Kids really are far more flexible than we think they will be. 

 

Give them the confidence and the encouragement they need and they will soar!

 

 

Head on over to Bridget's blog and check out her mother's day: part i.  If you don't read Bridgets blog, you should.  She's one of my FAVORITES! She's real.  She's hilarious!  She's a wealth of knowledge about all things natural.  She's a wonderful mother- to a few kids that became her own after their mother passed away and she married their father, her professor, (love story here- it's amazing, inspiring, tear inducing) and one really cute little fella that she birthed. She's a wonderful writer, style that's amazing.  Just an all around great gal!   Head on over and check her out!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Strawberry Patch Spring Barn Sale Recap!

This one was another one for the record books.  Each time we go to the Barn Sale, I don't think it can get much better, but each one gets better and better! 
Feast your eyes upon this beautiful event!

 

 

Oh hey! My Rulers!!! 

 

 

{source for above photos}

Christy Stone, of The Strawberry Patch, puts on the sale in the Spring and Fall on her family farm.  It is held in a huge hay barn with vendors inside and outside.  The Chocolate Covered Strawberry always brings their YUMMY lunches along with a few other food vendors that I didn't get to try.  Everything about the 3 days at the Barn Sale is wonderful! 

Thursday night is by far my favorite night.  Live music, wine and food, a spectacular view of the sunset, a cozyily lit barn once the sun goes down, it's really just about perfect.

Thankfully, my Rulers & all but one pallet sold out on Thursday night! I'll definitely make more next time!

Here's our booth this year.  The Rulers, Pallets, Burp Cloths and Dresses are mine.  Everything else is Plain Penny's. 

Thanks to all of our friends and family who came out to support us!

Thanks also to Christy who puts on this fabulous event!

Thank you to everyone who drove near & far to shop this event & buy handmade!

Hats off to you all!

 

See you in the Fall at Starlite Farm!