Parenting Tips...

I am so glad I found these instructions for proper parenting before I officially have a little one...

I love the one with the dad cheering on the baby lifting weights! These cracked me up.

Happy Weekend.

Gratitude.

I've been meaning to post my gratitude lately, but have been a little bogged down by life's "challenges"...so now I need to do this more than ever.

1. Finding some adorable new things for the developing baby's room {will show room when it's further along}.


2. The majority of fruit being in season...I love that about summer.


3. The Sex and the City movie coming out tomorrow!


4. Hearing the ice cream truck come down our street every evening at 6 pm.


5. Knowing in my heart that this baby is healthy and strong...regardless of what any "test' says.

I'm a lucky girl.

Holiday Review.

We spent most of our weekend outside enjoying the amazing weather...it was like being on vacation without having to travel. Our Memorial Day celebration included grilling turkey burgers in 75 degree weather and music playing over outside speakers.

I love sitting under the trees while we eat...it was my dream when we bought this house. After dinner, we played a round of croquet with the new set J. bought a few weeks ago at Restoration Hardware.

Brooks enjoyed being in the mix and I was happy to be wearing my new turquoise rhinestone barrette. Accessories seem to be the only thing I feel like buying lately...

As J. put these flags in our front planter, he was thanked by the cute old man across the street.

It was a wonderful weekend and holiday.

Rain, Rain...

Brooks and I spent the afternoon watching the rain from our front window...it was magical and just what my soul needed. I can't remember the last rainy day here and it felt so refreshing and necessary. I love watching Brooks' reaction to all the action going on outside...he could sit there for hours.

While actually seeing rain and looking out at rows of citrus trees and greenery, I could pretend I am anywhere but AZ. I am so happy we get another day of this...

Baby Grace.

I've always loved philosophy products and since I've been pregnant, I can't get enough of the scent 'baby grace'. It's a delightful, soft, slight baby scent that makes me feel warm and motherly. I love the write ups on each of their products, and was especially struck with the saying on the lotion I just purchased:

"have a baby if you've ever wondered what your soul looks like. have a baby if you dare to feel the winds of heaven each time you feel their breath across your cheek. have a baby if you have it all and it's still not enough. have a baby if you have found your purpose but your purpose hasn't really found you. have a baby if you ever wondered what "mother nature" really means. have a baby if you need proof that God truly does exist......."

I can't wait to know, first hand, what these words are describing.

109??!?

I went out to run a few errands today and when I walked out of Target, I felt like I walked into an oven. I quickly threw my bags in the car and as I drove home, I realized that the thermometer in my car said 109! I couldn't believe it was this hot already! I came home left my bags in the middle of the kitchen, drank a bottle of water and laid on the couch where the air conditioner hits. I am not usually good at handling the heat, but now being pregnant, I fear it's going to be a long hot summer...

I've Been Tagged...

I've been tagged to do this by Keri and Laura...I love these.

Three Joys in My Life:

• My family and friends.


• This new baby baking away inside me.


• My dog, Brooks.

Three Fears in My Life:

• Flying on Airplanes.


• Losing people I love too early.


• Being in the middle of the ocean.

Three Goals in My Life:

• To raise happy, healthy, polite children


• To learn French.


• To be an exceptional gardener with a magic green thumb.

Three Current Obsessions:

• Finding out the sex of this baby!


• Getting the baby's room cleaned and ready for it's new occupant.


• Making our backyard a beautiful oasis with plants and vines growing everywhere.

Three Random Facts:

• I hate when someone pulls up next to me at a stoplight, with their windows down, and their blaring rap music drowns out my good music.


• I have always preferred sitting around talking and reading magazines with friends than going out and screaming at some bar/club.


• I love laughing so hard my stomach hurts.

Thanks Guys! I never get tired of these sort of things.

Wardrobe Changes.

My clothes are officially getting tight and I had a mini meltdown in my closet on Sunday. I had my outfit planned, ironed and laid out for Mother's Day and when I went to put it on, my top was so tight...it ripped. I then tried plan B and that was tight, at which point I screamed and threw outfit B into the hamper, then went for the emergency black jersey dress with lots of stretch.

To prevent this in the future I have purchased some new items {on sale} at babystyle and am happy to report they are comfortable and fit. I hope to reconnect with my old wardrobe sometime in January...

The tunic is my favorite and the dress is cute but will wear it with jeans...I'm not a fan of short dresses and a big belly.

Mothers Day.

I hope everyone had an incredible Mother's Day....mom's are so special and deserve the best on this particular day. My sweet husband celebrated me as a mom {to be} with breakfast in bed, roses, Jo Malone perfume and lotion and a beautiful card that I will treasure forever. We spent the day with our moms along with some family and friends eating, talking and playing croquet.

It was the perfect day...

Big News.

We're having a baby. I am due November 21st and am really excited. Today is officially the last day of my first trimester. I am now looking forward to more energy and less nausea. I can't even tell you how many times I just wanted to post "I feel so sick...".

Yet even through all the moments of sheer nausea and sickness, I have never felt more honored or blessed to be carrying a new little soul that will enrich this earth and our lives. This child could not be wanted more, and is something I've prayed for my whole life. Despite all my fears of the unknown, I am so excited for motherhood...plus my baby has an incredible dad.

All updates and most things baby will take place here.

Happy Mother's Day to all this weekend.

Extra, Extra!

Sprinkles Cupcakes is finally open!!! They just opened yesterday and I can't wait to head over and treat myself to a peanut butter chocolate. They also have doggie cupcakes so Brooks might be a lucky recipient, as well.

Read article about cupcake frenzy here.

Gratitude.

I am feeling grateful for....

1. Meeting J. for lunch on a weekday and sitting outside on a 80 degree day eating, talking and laughing.
   
   
2. Having Brooks come home from the vet with clean teeth and taking a nap next to him on the couch...the house is missing part of it's soul when he's not here.
   
   
3. Meandering through the nursery yesterday and leisurely picking out new flowers for our front beds.
   
   
4. Living in a State that doesn't get tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, etc...although I do crave rain sometimes.



5. Getting new magazines in the mail just in time to give me something to do while J. watches NBA playoff games.

Life is good.

Brooks on the Brain.

{Brooks under the coffee table in J's office while playing with his toy}

Today my little Brooks is spending the day at the vet's office getting his teeth cleaned. They have to put him under anesthesia since dogs can't sit still for a whole teeth cleaning, and it's created a little bit of anxiety in me. I hate having him gone all day long...I miss the sound of his nails clicking against the wood floors and hearing him snore during his afternoon nap. I can't wait until he comes home today with clean teeth and fresh breath.

We are going to spoil him rotten with treats and a really long walk.

What is Going on in the Backyard....

This weekend while tending to the flowers and plants in our backyard, I took some photos of those that are making me proud...and the one that isn't.

The white roses are so open...they almost look fake.

I bought this rose tree a year ago when it was half dead at target for 50% off.

The petunias are multiplying daily all around the pool.

The gardenia bushes are blooming and they smell amazing...

...and then there is my poor rose bush that doesn't seem to be doing so well. I need to clip off a few leaves and take them to the nursery for some medical intervention.

And last but not least...here is the salvaged french banquet table that I bought a year ago as a work table. J's brother was able to cut the legs down 2 inches and we are now using it as an outdoor table for 10. I love the idea of family gathered around while listening to french music on a lovely night...

Happy Monday.

Only 28 Days Left!

Yesterday Oprah had the stars from Sex and the City: The Movie on her show. Now, I am even more excited to see it! Oprah shared that the movie does not disappoint and that the fashion alone is amazing. Sarah Jessica Parker has 81 wardrobe changes throughout the movie. I can't wait to sit and view all the eye candy this movie will display. I hope Carrie ends up marrying Mr. Big...the ending of a movie always makes or breaks it for me.

{The columns I wrote about earlier this week are done! Go here to see them.}

Wonderful Time of the Year...

I would love to look out my back door and see these drink dispensers staring back at me. I am a huge ice tea, lemonade, lemon water, limeade, orange carbonated water addict, and this time of year seems to bring this out in me even more.

After I fetch my drink, I want to lounge on this for an afternoon...

This time of year {and weather} brings out my yearning for BBQs, lemonade, ice cream, swimming and relaxation.

Happy May Day!