30 Weeks Already!

(28 weeks pregnant Posing at Halloween with Samantha and Lorelei)

I can't believe that in 2 months our little Sweet Pea will arrive! This Thursday I will be 31 weeks and I am having a ton of Braxton Hicks. I am carrying this baby so different then I did with Parker and starting to get really uncomfortable as I near the end. Here is the blog entry when I was 29 weeks with Parker and a photo. It's really amazing how different it is this time around. My nights are no longer 8 hours straight. I am now awakened by my FULL bladder every 3 hours. I am really looking forward to having my belly flatter (so I can sleep on my stomach) and a bladder that is good to go for at least 8 hours. LOL Grateful to God that Sweet Pea is growing (even though I may be uncomfortable) and praying that last 8 weeks go smoothly.

I am bad-no recent belly shots of me the past few days, but the one above was taken 2 weeks ago for Halloween.

Please be in prayer for Mike and I to come to a final agreement on Baby Names!

We have pretty much agreed on a girl name and a boy name BUT we are battling the whole middle name thing! He thinks we should skip a middle name for the girl completely and for the boy we need to use Ramsey! ( I disagree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Yes, you read that correctly! As most of you know my dear husband is~ a CPA and a huge fan of the Financial Advisor "Dave Ramsey! So, I don't think that Ramsey flows with our last name! Why is it so hard to name the second child? Not to mention that it is making it harder for us too-because we don't even know the gender of Sweet Pea! It really is causing major tension and I am gonna win this battle the day I birth this precious child! He laughs every time I say that!

Apart from this baby being officially named we are trying to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy and just being a family of 3. Last Wednesday, Mike and I got out on a date. He had the day off and Parker had school. So, we dropped the boy off and went out to breakfast to my favorite place - IHOP ! I LOVE french toast and loved having quality time with Mike and not debating baby names. We even got a chance to go see a Matinee too! Wish we had it more often, but we are looking forward to our next date out (and we love it when we don't have to pay for Child care) This Saturday, we are headed out to dinner with our small group from Church and looking forward to the fellowship and time with the friends kids free. Thanks Aunt LaLa for taking Parker for us so we can get out!

This past Saturday, Mike sent me off to the Outlets with Samantha and her sister. I really didn't need to go buy for me-but did need a few things for Parker. So, I got home with some great deals and found this little surprise from my boys "just because."So,I have to give him credit. He may be getting on my last nerve with naming Sweet Pea, but he does know how to make me smile!

Update on Parker's health;

Parker was starting to feel better but now is fighting a really bad head cold SO the Cough has returned! We still have that nebulizer out. It has become a decoration in our family room and the visits are becoming more frequent again! LOL ~We are still trying to get him to get a full dose of his new medicine Singular. So far , I think he is only getting 1/2 the dose, since it has to be sprinkled in food. Well-we may be forcing it in him or having to switch to the pills. This is a tough age since he is so picky with his food! I remind myself daily that "The Lord doesn't give us more then we can handle" and I am really praying that Sweet Pea takes after Daddy and not Mommy and Parker with Asthma and Allergies!

And last but not least...gotta post this ADORABLE photo of Parker and his friends!

Last Friday, we had play day at my house (with some of my MOPs friends). The day was beautiful for November as you can see -Hence why we love "Shirtless Fall Days!"

Sweet Pea Update & Fall Sweet Treats

Today I had my 28 week check up at my OB. (*Thank you Liz & Kayleigh for letting Parker come over and play so I could go to my appointment alone.) Sweet Pea is doing well and such a kicker in some of the most awkward places. Baby really likes to stick out (maybe an elbow? ) under my right rib all the time. Sweet Pea's heart is healthy and beating 150 bpm (for inquiring minds). AND NO weight gain for preggo mama in the past 4 weeks! It sure was tempting last weekend to give in to all those Peanut M& M's from Parker's Halloween Candy-but I really resisted the urge most of the week! I've maintained 24 lbs and praying not to go past my 28 lb pregnancy record! (Haha-with this sweet tooth we will see?)

I have another upcoming Ultra-sound on 11/30 to check on my placenta. Praying that it has moved in the right direction and will allow for another vaginal birth, but obviously God is in control and may have other plans for Sweet Pea's arrival. I'm so grateful each time I go in and hear that all is well! The miracle of life in amazing and there is not a day that goes by where I do not praise God for this pregnancy even though it has been more "dramatic" at times!

I also had the "LOVELY" Glucose test and no wonder I am not a fan of Orange Soda!....I really forgot how much I hated it after the test with Parker 2 & 1/2 years ago! This time it really made me want to puke-but I held in the urge. Praying that there is NO phone call this coming Tuesday saying that I failed. As much as I love my sweets I have tried to balance it out!

So, now that I have been a really good girl the past 2 weeks, here is what's cooking up in my kitchen! I LOVE the Fall and had to make this today: Pumpkin Roll

And for my boys (or more for my munchy cravings....)
Chex Mix Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies

I have been craving this for 1 week!!! So excited to munch on it tonight with my boys! I apologize for any sudden cravings that I pass onto to you blog readers. But-these are some of the yummiest treats for the fall that I just couldn't resist sharing!

:)

Trick or Treat '09

Here is our Raggedy Andy! (We had a special wig-but of course he didn't want anything to do with it-so happy his "red hair" came in great use for the costume!)LOL

He was a a perfect Raggedy Andy with a sports theme going most of the night.

He carried around a tennis ball to the houses we visited.

Unfortunately, Parker was coming down with a bad cold and his Asthma was beginning to flare up. Not to mention that we also had had unwelcoming rain. But,we didn't let either one stop us from taking P out for a little bit to get the hang of "Trick or Treating."

We met up with his match Raggedy Ann (aka-Marlee) at Uncle Rick and Aunt Lala's house.

It was a blast for them as they got first dibs on all of Aunt Lala's BIG candy bars!

Then we went to a few houses in Marlee's cousins neighborhood.

They sure got the hang of it as we got to the last few houses.

Following the trick or treating-we had some chili with some friends and watched the Yankees beat the Phillie's!!! Yippee! It was a fun memorable night! Special thanks to Marlee's Grandma for making the costumes just for Her and Parker!

Please keep Parker in your prayers-he is having a rough time with his asthma. We just got back from the Pediatrician. We are trying a new prescription on top of the new recomendation of 6 breathing treatments a day! Maybe the prayer is more for me/us ~( I will be battling a strong willed red-head to do 4 of the 6 treatments when daddy is not around.)

Praying that the new prescription and treatments work and he doesn't get worse!

Definitely a full time job being a stay at home mom with a Asthma child-but grateful to have Parker in our lives and wouldn't trade him in the world for anyone! :)

Shoe Deal of the Year...Thanks to Oprah and Payless!

I had an Alexander (Horrible, NoGood, Very Bad day)-yesterday! I was really down and then discovered that my steroid I am currently taken for my asthma flarring up- is the main reason for it! So, I am grateful that I do not have to take it every day. So, I didn't need to take it last night and had a very productive day today! :)

My day ended on a very happy note. Simple things really make this pregnant~ stay at home mama happy and shoes REALLY make me happy!
I was watching Oprah today and at the end of the show-they announced that for the next 24 hours, you can get 50%off your total purchase at Payless .

I thought it had to have a catch! Funny thing was-, I was just "crying" the other day to Mike that I don't have black boots anymore and my feet have grown~ (obviously with the pregnancy). I desperately needed some good ol' black flats! I went to Oprah's website, printed the coupon and tested the sale tonight! One important little detail- I only had 30 minutes to shop!

Mike got home at 6:30 and I needed to be back by 7:15. (He had a softball game at 8 tonight). Well, I was focused and had a list of what I needed the minute I entered the store.

Here is how I did....(and the total for each shoe item(s) is after my 50%)

4 Pairs of flat ballets =$32.00

(2 favorites that I had to get -I LOVE Purple!)

2 Pairs of boots (1 short pair and 1 knee length pair) =$30.00

2 Pair of shoes for Parker=$16.50

2 pairs of socks= $2.50

1 set of (3 pair of earrings)=$2.00

All came to $87.00 (and that was with the tax)

My receipt came to $165.93 ~BUT after the 50% off coupon I saved $83.00!

So, I got all of the above for $87.94 in 25 minutes!

The ladies in the store were impressed to see a pregnant girl shop that fast!

Check out the Payless near you to save 50% if you read this post before 9PM on Friday, 10/30!

Thanks Payless and Oprah for making a pregnant mommy very happy!

Happy Shoe Girl,

Jenn :)

27 Weeks & Pumpkin Patch Fun

(My current view looking down at 27 weeks)

So, I promised that I would post some belly photos more frequently-so here is a recent photo from when I was in Vegas.
(At 26 & 1/2 weeks) and yes-that is Jerry Springer posing with my sister, Joy and me; he was promoting "America's Got Talent" outside our hotel)

I am so happy that we are 1 week shy of entering the 3rd trimester. I'm Really looking forward to January's arrival-yet that means we have to get through the hustle and bustle of the holiday seasons! As January nears I have my moments of "we will soon be parents of 2 kids!" AHHHH! But God does not give us more then we can handle!

I feel we have been so spoiled with a happy content baby boy from the start~ He does give us our moments now that he is officially 2, but I still feel like our world is about to end once Sweet Pea arrives. I am trying not to dwell on that pessimistic thought . (...Thoughts of a colic baby, a child that does not sleep or much worse). Just trying to enjoy the remaining 86 days (or less) left as a family of just 3. (I was a handful from the start-so I know my payback is nearing! LOL) .

I ended up at the OB on Friday, for a different check-up. My Asthma is flaring up with this pregnancy. It was almost NON existent when I was pregnant with Parker. My OB said Asthma goes one of 2 ways -worse or better...and mine has gone worse in this pregnancy. So, I got put on an oral steroid *(and I am only taking it as needed). That first night I took the medicine it gave me some funky dreams! I am feeling MUCH-MUCH better and so grateful for the outstanding care of my OB. She actually apologized to me that it was not charted at all that I was asthmatic. That was her main reason for rushing me in on Friday! She was concerned and confused. I called wanting to know if I could have a few doses of my inhaler! Glad that is all charted now and praying that we do not have issues come delivery day. I'm very happy to report that Sweet Pea is doing just fine and oh so ACTIVE! I go back on November 6th for the not so fun, Gestational Diabetes Test!

This past weekend we went to a Pumpkin Patch with some friends! We had a blast and loved watching all the kids interact. Of course our main purpose was for the kids pleasure-but we found our selves enjoying the corn maizes, and the hay rides too!



(Our Goofy Family)

Parker is going to be "Raggedy Andy" for Halloween and his good friend, Marlee, will be "Raggedy Ann!" Can't wait to post the photos after. We will see how long Parker's wig lasts-at least he has that part of the costume already on his head if he chooses not to wear it! LOL :)

Vegas Girls Weekend

I am back from Vegas and got in really late, Sunday night! That was due to a 5 hour mechanical delay with Delta~ but, NO complaints! It allowed more time in the airport with my family and another $100.00 voucher from Delta.

We had the BEST time in Vegas and I am so grateful for the needed get-a-way. After 7 years of marriage and 2 years of being "mommy" I got away to just relax and be a "girl!" My mom, younger 2 sisters, Jolyn & Julie, my best friend, Joy and Aunt Mary all came to Vegas for the weekend! One of our biggest highlights was attending the new Cirque Du Soleil Show -"KA" on Friday night. There are No words to describe the show-all I can say is you have to see it~It was incredible!

(My beauty queen sisters-who would ever guess that they are wives, mom's and in their LATE 20's ~Amazing!)
(Me and my aunt riding the bus on our way to go see Jay Leno, Saturday night)


(Mom and Mary posing inside our hotel)
(Yup-it is really Jerry Springer (who was outside our hotel promoting America's Got Talent performing that night at our hotel-Planet Hollywood)
(Our hotel for the weekend)

The 90 degree weather in mid October was a must to relax at the pool while we were there. Sorry no photos of that -not when I am 26 weeks pregnant! LOL ~Joy and I got away to the salon to get overdo or "pregnancy" pedicures and we found time for shopping too the next day.
(Outside of the Paris Hotel brought back memories of our week spent in Paris (May 2000); Joy 31 weeks pregnant and I am 26 weeks pregnant in this photo.)


(Riding the bus on our way to brunch)

The food=great, the hotel =awesome (we had 2 suites at the Planet Hollywood) and the city=comes alive at night! I had a few issues with ALL the smoke but it is legal there in the Casinos. We had no interest in the casinos but to get to your hotel you had to walk through it. It has taken me a week to get caught up on sleep (3 hour time change gets ya' good when you are pregnant) and it's been a crazy week with getting caught up and pregnancy Asthma!

( A view of the city at night)

( A slice of Chocolate cake at PF Changs -that we had to celebrate my birthday! Thanks Mom, Mary and Sisters!)

(Joy, Jolyn, Julie, Me and Mom (outside the Paris hotel)

I can not wait to see where I end up next fall! Mike and I have an agreement that as long as he attends his annual softball tournament, I get a weekend away too! Anyone want to join me next Fall for a get-a-way? No set plans ...as I will have a 3 year old and almost 10 month old by then...ahh can't even imagine life then and may not get away then. I MUST brag that the house was in AMAZING condition when I arrived home Sunday. (That includes a re-organized pantry, beds all made, dishes cleaned, all rooms cleaned up, and a happy 2 year old all bathed and cared for ALL by daddy!) I think they had a blast but I still wish I had a video camera of their weekend adventures! Thanks babe for allowing me to relax when I got home!

In the meantime, we are settling back to our routine and looking forward to the upcoming Holidays at HOME! :)

October adventures!

October is here and I will admit my favorite month of fall for MANY reasons!

But, I must post some of our October adventures we have had thus far.

We loved going to see Daddy play in the softball tournament-but it probably was the last one for a while. I am proud of Mike and his team, but couldn't attend all the games due to Parker's schedule. The guys came in 5th place(?) and were thrilled with that. (As I mentioned before it is ALOT of work if you win first place). We had some rain-but didn't let it affect our time there. Mike caught a ball at full speed and got a little injured (so we are now at the end of doctoring this bad bruise.) It is a bad one-you might want to close your eyes! Thankfully he did not get a blood clot or injure his thigh even more. I helped run the Friday night dinner at the host hotel. We hosted 340 people and had a pig roast /Hawaiian theme with all the fixings! I could not have been happier with the event and was SO thankful to have my in-laws there to assist me with Parker.

(Parker eating a hot dog with NeNe at the ball park)

(New Shirt that mommy found while we were in VA Beach...amazing how we were at a softball tournament tournament, but mommy found a Carter's store! )

The Sunday following the tournament, my in-laws, Parker and I all drove 8 hours up to NY. We had a good drive home ,and the mini-van we rented was a huge help! Unfortunately, the week did not start off well for Parker. He decided that he NO longer liked the pack & play and was up the first morning by 4:30 AM! So, he and I were at Wal-Mart purchasing a crib to keep at Nene & Papa's house, by 9AM! (Parker entertaining himself on a rainy day)

Nana got it all together that night~ and Parker slept MUCH better the rest of the week, ( It took me a week to get my sleep my caught up and it was not fun being 24 weeks getting up for the day at 4:30 AM! ) I forgot to mention all the rain-but by the end of the week Parker got to go out and enjoy all the beautiful leaves and play. He really loved it once Uncle Phil and Aunt Miracle arrived. We had the Parker Family Annual Donut Day at the end of the week! (And it was a sweet treat to be there for it).

The night before Donut Day-Mike and I left Parker with Mom and Dad R for an overnight wedding we attended. It was a nice date away and probably our last before Sweet Pea arrives! Wedding was beautiful and we wish Chris & Erin the best in their new marriage. We are excited that they live near us so we will be able to keep in touch!

I mentioned that October is officially here- so it is time for another birthday in our house! Today, I officially turn 32! (Bitter sweet to be getting older -but not complaining!

Yet, I am so grateful to God for ALL he has blessed me with once again. As a BIG gift and celebration-Mike is sending me off to Las Vegas with my Mom and sisters for a reunion /weekend get-a-way! (It is just a fluke that it is falling the weekend of my birthday with all of our schedules!) Most of us have never been to Vegas and that is what/where we chose to meet!!! I have NEVER been away from Parker for longer then 8 hours. Mike and I both think I need a get-a-way before Sweet Pea arrives. So, today we are celebrating simple (with a favorite of mine-Hawaiian Pizza from Papa Johns and what ever else my boys decide to do-but I wanted to stay home with them, since I will be gone all weekend!) Then Thursday morning, Mike is taking me to the airport. I won't be back until Sunday night! I will be fine and hopefully no sickness while I am away (I got my flu shot but I am a bit leery to be flying at 26 weeks pregnant and picking up so many germs! Fingers crossed I stay well! ) It is Mike that needs the prayer-but of course my good friends to the rescue... Aunt La-La & Liz (Kayleigh's Mom) will be helping out with P during the days while Mike works! Thanks a ton girls! As all you moms would agree; one of the best gifts a friend can give is their time to give you a break!

Mommies loves time away-and also loves Girls Night Out! So, last Saturday, I got out to The Cheese Cake Factory for my birthday with some girl friends. It was a blast-thanks girls for going out and making the night so special!

So-in less then 24 hours I will be Vegas bound and so much to do and prepare before I can leave. An amazing thought just occurred-"the packing will be so SIMPLE! ...just me this time to pack for...WOW!" Yes-that ends it on the Riese's Pieces USA 2009 travelling Adventures ~ (I am done after this trip folks, and can't go away till after Sweet Pea arrives!)

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes, gifts and blessings from so many of you! God has really blessed me and I am so grateful for all he has given me. :)