Meet Ethan!

So his name is officially Ethan, we just haven't decided on either Amadeus or Scott for a middle name. Ive left it up to Nic, which will probably mean it'll be a delivery room decision.

We had a 3d ultrasound done this weekend. Here are some pics. And that is his foot on his forehead in one of the pics.

The End of an Era

Well I'm officially a stay at home mom. Yesterday I wrapped up 8 yrs of design work at Pulse Creative Partners. It was bittersweet for sure. It'll be nice to be able to stay home with my kids, but on the other hand, it was pretty nice to collect a paycheck from a job I loved.

Most graphic designers will agree that this is not a job that we have to make ourselves do, It's something we truly enjoy. So I will certainly miss the work, but I hope to freelance and keep up my skills that way.

On the stay at home front, I've enrolled Belle and me into MOPS at our church. I hope that we can both meet friends and find people to spend our new found free time with. Belle will start a 6 week preschool class in November and I hope to maybe try out the library story time. I'm sure Belle will love going to all the activities and not being cooped up in my office. =)

Belle's Last Day of Work

Belle with Stefan and Rhaya



Today is Belle's last day at Pulse. It was 2 yrs ago when she was just a little baby that I'd pack her up and bring her to work. I'd wear her around in a sling for the first few months and then wrangled her in with a fence. Today she spends a lot of time watching tv or drawing while I work.

Next week I'll be packing up and Belle will be at Mimi's. I wanted to get a picture of the whole gang, but unfortunately Katie isn't here today for me to include her in the pic. I should've thought of this yesterday.


Here are some oldies but goodies.

Playing Footbelle


Desk Baby


Fenced in Baby

Cats are Weird!!

I forgot just how weird cats are. Kiki is working out well, but she is sneaky, stealthy and downright mean sometimes. But she can be so sweet too and just lounge around on us. We can be sitting on the couch and the cat will come out of nowhere. Even from between the couch cushions



She can sleep anywhere.



And loves to play


Her new favorite thing is to attack my feet in the middle of the night if I try to sneak them out from under the covers.

Oh and we can't forget Belle. She has started picking up the kitty more and playing with it. Which usually results in us telling her to "be nice".


I wish I had a video camera for this one. Belle was laughing hysterically because the cat was playing with her through the window of the dollhouse.

All this for a little more than $5!!

Since I'll no longer have a regular income after the end of the month, I'm trying to find ways to save money, wherever I can. I've started getting into couponing.

Here what I got this week. Check out this blog for some great ideas. I'm such a novice, but still learning.

Target:
Electrosol Tabs 20qty
Regular price is $5.?? each

On sale for buy 2 for $5.68
Use (2) $2.25 off coupons from sunday paper
TOTAL: $1.00 for 2 boxes

Kroger:
Herbal Essense shampoo and conditioner
Regular price is usually $3 something

On sale for 2 for $5
Use $3 off 2 coupon from paper two weeks ago
Total: 4 bottles for $4 ($1.00 each)

Suave Soap
Regular price is $1.99

On sale for $1.67
Use (2) $.50 coupons *
TOTAL: 2 bottles for $1.34
*Kroger will double any coupon up to $.50


The key is to keep your coupons and wait for the items to go on sale, and then use your coupons. I'm also starting to discover CVS and their Extra Bucks. A couple weeks ago I bought several toothpastes ($2.50 each, but earning $2 Extra Care Bucks, so only $.50 in the end) I later used my Extra Care Bucks that I earned to buy 4 ALL Small and Mighty detergents which were Buy One Get One Free for only $3 (Reg. $6.99 each)

ANOTHER DEAL, ALL FOR $3


KROGER
(2) Brownie mix = $1 each
(2) Cottonelle toilet paper = $1 each
(2) Suave deoderant = $1.50 each
TOTAL = $7

Coupons
- $.50 off two Duncan Hines (doubled) = $1
- $.25 off Cottonelle (doubled) = $.50
- $.25 off Cottonelle (doubled) = $.50
- $.50 off Suave deoderant (doubled) = $1
- $.50 off Suave deoderant (doubled) = $1
TOTAL = $4
TOTAL OUT OF POCKET = $3

Only problem is that I was shorted one of my coupons, they didn't scan one of my $.25 coupons. Also missing from the picture is another deoderant where apparently one of my $2 coupons didn't scan. Lesson learned, pay attention to the coupons as the cashier scans them.

KiKi

Ok, so when Belle goes to grandma's & grandpa's, she usually comes back with something. Whether it's a new outfit or a few more bumps and bruises, but this time we got more than we bargained for. A KITTEN!

We had talked about getting Belle a kitten at one point, but figured it wasn't the best time. Guess there is no time like the present.

So here she is. We named her KiKi since Belle calls her kittykitty.

Sadie is doing ok so far with her, the cat really likes her, but the feeling isn't mutal. Hopefully it doesn't drive her completely nuts, cause she's already got one foot in the looney bin as it is.

And apparently this kitty is my new best friend. It is not happy unless I'm sitting down and it's sitting on me. Otherwise it follows me around meowing. Can you get a cat de-meowed?

Our first and last fireworks display

We decided to take Belle to the fireworks display in town. She had been enjoying her nightly fireworks time with daddy, but the big stuff wasn't quite her cup of tea. At home we had the little fountains and snap pops and thought that maybe she's enjoy the a trip to the city's fireworks display.

We had a good time. There were vendors and a concert with everyone sitting in the court of the masonic home waiting for the fireworks. Nic got a lemon shakeup and I got a shaved ice. Belle wasn't too sure about the ice, but quickly confiscated the lemon shakeup.

Once the fireworks started, Belle quickly said "bye bye". She was ready to leave. After a few minutes we packed up and headed home. Poor girl was terrified of them. But once in the safety of the van she was back to her old self. She was a trooper for staying up so late. Maybe next year we'll just come for the festival and leave before the fireworks.

Sneaky reader!

We've been letting Belle go outside by herself and play in the backyard. We leave the door open so she can come and go. But she knows that all toys and books stay inside. Well we caught her one day sneaking books outside to read on the swing.



Ask Belle to give you her "dirty look", and this is what you get.

Bump Progress - 25 weeks

First pic: 24 weeks (2006)
Second pic: 25 weeks

Vote!

<-------------- Alright all you blog stalkers, VOTE!

I thought we had this name thing figured out. But now Nic is having a little doubt. Here are our contenders.

If you're wondering where in the world Amadeus came from, heres the story. Nic came home one day and thought he heard such a great name on the radio (this was when we were preggo with Belle). Once he got home he couldn't remember, but said it was in a song that went "rock me (something)". I busted out laughing, knowing immediately what he was talking about. I do like me some 80s music. It was Falco's song, Rock Me Amadeus. I thought we had to use it, even if only for a middle name.

The idea for Jonah actually came from a friend of mine, Rhaya. One of her friends recently named her boy Jonah. And kinda going on Jonah, Nic thought of Jonas. No, not like the Jonas Brothers. Like the character on Stargate, ha ha we're such nerds (or Nic is atleast). =)

Plastic Surgery for a 2 yr old!

Belle is going to get some work done. Cause you know, it's never too early to work on perfection.

Ha Ha. We just found out at the Dr. today what Belle's bald spot is. It only took two years. We've heard that it was just a manufacturer's defect and that she'll need a far part. But we saw a different doctor in the practice today and quickly told us that it was in fact a Sebaceus Nevus.

What I was suprised to hear, is that it usually has to be removed because it could develop into a tumor after puberty.

So now we're off to a dermatologist to talk about removal. I figure I better get it done now while our deductible will be paid up this year. And the fact that they'll probably have to shave a spot on her head for the surgery. Better to do it now while it won't bother her.

The best news of all is that she'll be rid of her bald spot and won't have to be creative with her hair as she gets older.

A Berry Happy Birthday!

It's hard to believe my baby is two years old. I'm posting a little late, but Belle celebrated her birthday on Saturday. We went to the Strawberry Festival parade and then had a party at Poppy and Mimi's house. Belle LOVED the parade! We might have to make it a yearly event.

Birth Day


One Year


Two Years


Belle did not like the police car sirens in the parade, this was her reaction.


The gang sitting in the rain


Poppy and Belle


She actually ate some of her cake this year, albeit just the icing.

Our Littly Fishy!

Today we started Belle's Aquatots class. I thought for sure she'd have a little freak out when we got in the water. Seeing how last year she refused to even get in the baby pool.

Once we arrived, all the little kiddos were sitting on the bleachers with their parents. Sitting there nicely, ha. We soon learned that we were going to have some *ahem* behavior issues. So we tried to walk around while we waited for class to start. A huge tantrum ensued in front of everyone. All she wanted to do was get in the water, once that happened she was fine.

She was not scared of the water AT ALL. In fact I spent the whole 30 minutes trying to keep her in my arms. Her favorite part was when she had to throw a toy and swim to it and when she got to jump off the edge into my arms. By the end of class I was wore out and my nerves were shot. Nic is getting in next time!

Operation Twin Bed: Sucessfull!!

Belle's room was complete enough to let her sleep in her new twin bed, so we thought we'd get rid of the crib. I had anticipated a harder time with the transition, but it was absolutely uneventful. I think the key was the bed rails, as far as she's concerned she can't get out of bed.

Stay tuned I'll post pictures when her room is more complete.

It's a . . . . .

BOY!!!!!

I'm surprised to say the least. I thought for sure we were having another girl. All the wives tales said so, and you have to believe those things. =) I'm carrying high like Belle, and the heart rate was high. The only difference is that I have horrible acne. The wives tale says that acne means that you're having a girl and she is stealing your beauty. It's really weird looking a back at my last post with the belly shots, I can't believe I was wearing blue. Freaky!

All looks good and it's a good thing we wanted to know the sex, cause he was letting it all hang out. The lady didn't even have to say anything, we all knew it was a boy.

Here is the money shot


I think this is such a sweet shot. He has his hand up by his face and his big ol belly in front. I couldn't believe how big his belly was.


His Profile

Belle & Brody

Mom, Dad, Sara and Brody came over today to watch Belle while Nic and I went to our doctor's appointment.

Here is a shot of the Belle and Brody together. I like Brody's reaction to the bouncy seat, it was the same as Belle's when she saw the disco ball.

As the bump grows . . .

This was the first week I could actually compare to my last pregnancy. Looks like I'm pretty on track with my pregnancy with Belle. I'm still fitting into my regular pants, but it won't be for long.

The first pic: 2005 - 18 weeks
The second pic: 2008 - 18 weeks


Oh weird, is it foreshadowing?. . . In the first pic I'm wearing pink, the second, blue. Does it mean anything? Guess we'll find out Thursday. =)

Just postin Pics

Nic and Belle planting flowers for Mother's Day! Belle got sidetracked and had to draw on the driveway.

Belle's weekend with the Freshours!

And one of me. =) I was shooting pretty good even though it's been bout a year since I shot any pigeons. (For those of you not in the know, they weren't real pigeons. They were the orange disk kind.)