i went for it

Wyatt needed a haircut...big time.

I don't cut hair. I especially don't cut boy hair. The last time I cut a boy's hair, I was in high school and we were on a beach retreat with my youth group. I was a freshman, the guy was a senior and he really wanted his haircut. For whatever reason, I volunteered to do it and no joke...this is what he ended up looking like. Seriously. I felt so bad, I cried. He may have cried too.

Fortunately, I had better luck this time. It was quite the experience cutting an 11 months old's hair...he doesn't stop moving. But, I went for it and I'm happy with the results. I didn't take any pictures of the process and I don't have great "before" and "after's" so here's the best I could get.

I think it makes him look so much older. He'll be one in 2 weeks from today. What a year!

Meaty Post

Lady Gaga. . . she's out there. Did anyone see this outfit she wore recently?

Well, she only thought she was a trend setter. . . because these guys did it first!

Photo courtesy of http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/. If you haven't ever looked at this site, you should. It's hilarious!

Apparently, I need to make better use of my time when Wyatt naps.

it was a long week . . .

. . . and I couldn't decide.

Triple Chocolate or Champagne Raspberry?

or both? Yes, please!!

don't worry. . . i did NOT eat both pieces in one sitting. i couldn't even eat one piece in one sitting. these pieces are HUGE... and rich!! a couple bites of each is all i need, and that way, they'll last me a few days!!

also, Brett was out of town. otherwise, these wouldn't have lasted longer than 1 night.

checking in

I have been SO horrible at keeping up with blogging this summer. Things have just been so busy. For those that actually care, I'll be resuming posts in the next week or so. Until then, here is a sneak peak at what I have to blog about in the future posts.

quality cousin time:

wyatt turning 3 months old... and then 4 because i've been such a slacker:

road trippin' it/sam & kim's wedding:

sara moving back to salem. . . woo to the hoo!!

Stay tuned. . .

oh and if you want to see pictures of Wyatt with his adorable little girlfriend, Nora, check out my good friend Kelsi's blog: here

My relationship with week 39:

Oh, week 39…why do you hate me so?? I normally don’t allow myself to be so negative…especially in blog land for all other people to see, but please allow me this time to whine just a bit.

I’m pretty sure whining is one thing that 39-week-pregnant ladies do best. Some of you may have been patient, glowing pillars of motherhood during the last week of your pregnancies and kept the whining and moaning to a minimum. If that was you, please tell me your secret because I'd like to get in on whatever sort of action it is. I know I should focus on the positives: I've had a pretty easy and healthy pregnancy, the baby's healthy, kicking and head down, I'm not on bed rest, I haven’t gotten any stretch marks, and I have a wonderful, supportive husband who is putting up with all my groaning as of late. And, on top of all of that, I’m still able to wear my wedding ring. No swollen hands here, folks. But apparently, I’m not that good of a person. And thinking about all the positives is great and all, until my thought process is interrupted by an uncomfortable tightening of my uterus. Wait, is that a contraction?? Should I start timing them now? Could it possibly be? And then an hour passes and NOTHING!

So, again, please allow me to whine just a bit and then I promise I’ll go back to being positive…

Even my maternity clothes aren’t fitting me properly anymore. My belly is massive and even though I swore I wouldn’t be one of those pregnant woman who wears sweats all the time, I could care less about being fashionable at the moment. Bring on the sweat pants!

I need to pee. I always need to pee. It doesn't matter how recently I last peed, I still need to pee! Oh and I’m pretty sure I’m walking like a penguin. We’re talking full on waddle here, people.

I'm nesting so much I'm making myself (and my dear hubby, I’m sure) miserable. I want to clean everything and have the house spotless for when the baby arrives, but everything is already done…and spotless. And yet, I keep going.

I am tired and uncomfortable and I’m craving sugar. And cake. Yes, I know that’s sugar. I could seriously eat a whole cake right now. And a bag of twizzlers. And possibly a gallon of chocolate milk.

I'd love to sleep for more than two hours at a time - and please, please don't tell me to sleep now while I can, because I would be sleeping if I could be but the baby keeps on kicking my bladder and constant pee breaks are not that much more conducive to sleep than a crying baby.

Oh great, now I need to pee again.

When did I get so angry? I used to be a nice, cheerful, mostly happy person. Please don't be scared of me…just pray that baby comes soon! :)

P.S. I am truly excited to meet our little guy. And I don't think I'm as miserable as I just made myself sound (okay, maybe I am a little). But I really am thankful that we're this close and that things have been going smooth thus far. Any day now we'll be holding and kissing our sweet baby boy and enjoying a whole new kind of love that I'm sure is only understood by parents themselves. AAAHHH...we're about to be PARENTS! How sweet is that?! :)

to- do list

Brett and I are leaving for a 2 week Christmas vacation on Saturday morning and I have quite the to-do list before we go.

Who thinks I can get all of this done tomorrow??

-3 loads of laundry (folded and put away)
-run to the bank to deposit checks
-check our mail (i have to go on campus to get our mail, so it's more than just a walk to the mailbox)
-pay bills
-clean out car
-vacuum
-sweep/mop bathrooms
-take out the trash
-throw out all leftovers from the fridge
-clean and put away dishes in the sink
-move out 3 residents from their townhouses
-take a 25 week prego picture and post :)
-begin packing
-AND have a Christmas movie date with a friend

We shall see...

Also, my hair is driving me nuts right now, so I'd like to get it trimmed before we go, but that's at the bottom of my to do list. We'll see if I get around to it.

Oh and in case you're wondering...yes, I am that person who has to have the entire house clean and in perfect condition before leaving on vacation. I just hate coming back to a messy home. It's an illness.

pregnancy dreams

Ok, I seriously had one of the WEIRDEST dreams last night. I will spare you all the details (believe me, you don't want to know) and get straight to the weird part. . .

Our baby came out of me in a box - like a box a doll would come in, with a window screen and everything. And apparently we were blessed with a "Deluxe Version" baby...or so it said on the box. This "Deluxe Version" included a little hat, pierced ears (what??), socks & shoes, and an ID bracelet. No clothes... but, whatever.

Chalk it up as weird pregnancy dream #3. In the first one, I gave birth to our baby at 14 weeks and she was fine...very small, but fine. And yes, I said "she." Because when I had that dream, we didn't yet know we were having a boy. The second one included me giving birth to a baby whale.

Sweet dreams, everyone. Sweet dreams.

ducks

and no, not the Oregon Ducks. The Civil War is over, people!

I'm now 23 weeks pregnant and realizing how quickly this little boy is going to be out of my belly and in my waiting arms. With that thought comes the realization that I better get moving on preparing for his sweet arrival. So. . .

My brain has been consumed with all things baby! I have done a self diagnosis and seem to have come down with a case of mommy madness. Seriously - I don't think there is a baby website, book, or magazine I haven't looked at. I have browsed through cribs, changing tables, strollers, carseats, and bedding, like there is no tomorrow. Funny thing is, I still haven't made a single decision on anything we want/need. I tend to be pretty picky and particular about what I want, and on top of that, I find myself thinking, "What if I find something better?" Which brings me to the next issue: the naming of this child. What a huge responsibility! Brett and I go in circle after circle discussing names and seem to get no closer to making a decision. Good thing we have a few months left, right?

I remember being like this when Brett and I were engaged. I'm such a planner and organizer and like to be totally prepared ahead of time - so much so that I end up STRESSING myself OUT! It's absolutely ridiculous.

Earlier today, my mom posted on my sister's CaringBridge website about having all her "ducks in a row." She wrote the following: "I really like to have all my ducks in a row. I like to have a plan and be able to stick to the plan. I recognize that God is showing me that maybe HE wants my ducks in a circle. . . or maybe HE doesn't even want me to know where my ducks are. . . OR maybe it doesn't even MATTER where my ducks are!! What a thought! "

This was a great reminder to me. I would love to have all my "ducks in a row" way before our little guy gets here so I can feel like a super prepared and organized mommy. But all in all, does it really matter? We are SO BLESSED and SO THANKFUL for this baby and shouldn't that be my focus? Thank you, Mom - for passing on your somewhat crazy, obsessive, organizational trait. But more so, for reminding me that sometimes "it doesn't even matter where my ducks are."

Oh and why not add a recent baby bump picture. Here I am at 23 weeks -

Easily amused, I guess...

Waiting in the drive-thru at Starbucks, this is what I see:

a scary fake head looking back at me!

People are funny.

And why do I feel the need to take pictures of things such as this?

Yep, for blogging purposes only.

Like I said - - - people are funny.

Lazy days

Oh how I love lazy days. You know - the ones where there is absolutely nothing on the schedule - you get to relax and do whatever your little heart desires. Well, if I'm lucky, I get one every couple weeks, which isn't too bad. That one day is something I look forward to more than a lot of other things. Don't get me wrong, my personality is one that requires the go-go-go lifestyle, and I enjoy those things that keep us ever so busy. However, I can't deny how nice it is and very much needed to have a day here and there when you can just "aaahhhhh" - breathe! So what do I do on days such as these? Like I said - whatever I want.

Here is what a perfect lazy day for me might look like - minus the hubby. (It's a snapshot of a day when Brett is busy with work, baseball or golf. If he's around, this day looks completely different, and even more wonderful, because not only would it be a lazy day, but a lazy day with my husband. It couldn't be much better than that).

* When I wake up, it's not to my alarm, but rather because I've gotten all the sleep I need and I'm simply not tired any more. Preferrably, the clock would read somewhere between 8:30 and 9:30am. (oh and the sun is out - not a cloud in the sky).

* Time to curl up on the couch (still in my pajamas) with a nice hot cup of coffee, a blanket, and a good book. Here's what I'm currently reading

* An extra long shower, no rush to get my hair and make-up done, and plenty of time to pick out a comfy, but super cute outfit.

* A little outing that might include stops at Craft Warehouse, Tuesday Morning, Goodwill (maybe I'll find a treasure or two), Ross and of course Target - don't worry, I won't go crazy. I just get a few things that are super on sale and are a great addition to my home or wardrobe. Some of my previous finds include a $7 mirror, $2 candle and $4 candlestick all from Ross, and $4 frames from Tuesday Morning, all pictured below.

* Back home for some lunch and maybe even a little cat nap while watching HGTV - something that isn't really "allowed" when Brett is home.

* Blog surfing (particularly on blogs that have to do with crafting or decorating) so I can get some good inspiration - and satisfy my guilty pleasure of blog stalking. While surfing, I found this adorable idea. We don't have a family yet, so therefore no "Family Rules," but this little gem of an idea is something I will definitely keep in mind for the future. Such a fun and creative idea for a kids play room or even a family room.

and last, but not least - because it's just a part of who I am,

*straightening and cleaning up the house until Brett gets home. Mainly using this bad boy of a dustbuster. I love this thing and Brett will confirm that it was by far my favorite wedding gift. I know, I know - I'm SO cool.

lazy day . . . I await you!

Perfect example of why I hate mornings -

It's almost midnight, and this is me...

...SERIOUSLY, what is my problem? Just turn the computer off and go to bed!

Random

For some reason, I haven't been able to fall asleep at my normal bed time for the last three nights. So, I end up doing silly things like coming up with 20 random facts about myself...here's a little bit about me:

1. I love pressing the snooze button on my alarm and do so at least 3 times every morning.

2. I use my dustbuster at least once every day.

3. I watch workout DVD's or FitTv for fun (that's right, I said watch...not do).

4. I love to clean and can't stand an unorganized house. I notice when something is even a couple inches out of place (don't worry, this is only true in my own home).

5. Luke-warm orange juice totally grosses me out.

6. My closet is color coordinated and has been since jr. high school.

7. I just recently started color coordinating Brett's closet...he hasn't mentioned it yet, so I'm pretty sure he likes it. :)

8. I used to be really gullible but then I married a jokester and now I don't believe anything.

9. I didn't get a cell phone until I was a sophomore in college.

10. I get distracted very easily and can't focus on a conversation if there is too much going on at the same time...especially if it's a phone conversation.

11. I can push my stomach out to make it look like I am 6 months pregnant.

12. I can't wait to be a mom and hope to have a houseful of kids, Lord willing.

13. I love watching re-runs of CSI

14. My favorite TV show is So You Think You Can Dance and I wish it was on all year round.

15. I love the smell of campfire and dryer sheets (separately, not combined)

16. I dream of owning my own business someday but go back and forth on what that business would actually be.

17. 3 things I could see myself being, but doubt it will ever happen: professional organizer, wedding planner or personal shopper. (maybe I should combine those three into one for the above mentioned business??)

18. I thrive on challenges and always throw myself completely in to whatever I do.

19. I am a fairly stubborn, passionate and extreme person. Black/white, right/wrong, love/hate...because of that, I tend to be somewhat argumentative - but only when I'm right ;)

20. I wish I was - less argumentative, a better listener, less anxious about the future, a better cook, less "OCD" about organization, and more patient. BUT - I'm so thankful that my husband loves me the way he does regardless of those things.

21. I am finally sleepy and off to bed!

Crazy Snowflakes

Holiday Travel

Even though the NW was hit with the crazy artic blast this Christmas, we were still able to make it to my parents' house in Nevada for the holidays...but just barely. Our flight was scheduled to leave from the Portland airport at 8am Saturday morning the 20th. As we watched the weather Friday night everything was looking good. The storm wasn't supposed to hit until later Saturday afternoon...phew! So, we arrived at the airport bright and early Saturday morning and were delighted to find that our flight was on time. We made our way through the security lines to our gate with no problems and expected to board our plane within the hour. We were wrong- Apparently the last of the working de-icers had just broken down. They announced over the loud speaker that all flights were delayed indefinitely while they waited for their maintenance crews to fix the machines. An hour later they announced that they were trying to borrow a de-icer from another airline. Another hour later, still no de-icer. Again, an hour passes and now the snow is really coming down outside. We can see all the planes sitting at each gate, empty, waiting to be boarded, waiting to be de-iced. Still, no de-icer. It's now almost noon and they decide to line up all of the passengers on our flight to prepare for boarding. We're all standing in line, watching and waiting for the stinkin de-icers to arrive when we hear, "All flights in and out of the Portland airport have been cancelled....except for the following flights -" I held my breath as they listed 4 flight numbers - ours was the last to be called. We continued to stand in line and wait for boarding, and all the while, I'm thinking that they were going to change their minds and cancel our flight as well. Even though I knew there was nothing I could do about any of it, I was stressed. And when I get stressed, I get emotional. Finally, after about hours of waiting, we boarded the plane. As soon as I got to my seat and settled myself in for the ride I started crying. I'm such a nut case. Brett started laughing and I love him for that. He's always so level headed and never ceases to give me a reality check. Really, was this whole thing that big of a deal? Not in the least! I just over-think, over-worry, and over-react. Brett's helping me with all of that, but I have a feeling it might take a while. All this to say, we were the last flight out of the Portland airport that Saturday and even though we arrived in Nevada about 5 hours later than planned, we made it home to spend our Christmas with family. For all of that, I am very very grateful!

I will post some pictures of our Christmas with family in the next couple days. We had a great time and as always, it makes me wish we lived closer to all of our wonderful family! For now, here are some more pictures of the snow we had before leaving.

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Moon Soft

Out of toilet paper?

One of my responsibilities as the townhouse manager at the college is to supply toilet paper to the residents when they've run out. This means that once a month or so, I get 2 very large boxes of tp delivered to my front door. I then gather as many plastic bags from around our house as I can find and place 10 rolls in each bag for easy hand out when students come knocking. So yes, I have over 100 rolls of toilet paper in my closet right now...

Today

-I did not go to work

- I slept in :)

- I went to coffee with Sarah and Lynds

- I played with Sterling

-And after weeks of contemplating...I went short!

I had to throw this picture in as well...

Sarah, I hope it's not weird that I post pictures of your baby...but he's just too darn cute that I can't resist!

When I Can't Sleep

It doesn't happen often, but when I can't sleep...

I organize (or re-organize for that matter). Most of the stuff in my house is already organized to the umpteenth degree - I think some people call it OCD :). Regardless, I reorganize - my closet, my dresser drawers, my kitchen cabinets, my magazines, my craft supplies, my junk drawer (which isn't that supposed to be unorganized?), my email folders, and most recently, my picture files on my computer. As I was going through all of these files, I came across some pretty funny pictures. Pictures that brought back many memories as well as a few good laughs. I thought I would share some of these with all you past soccer girls out there so you can have a laugh or two yourselves. I didn't put captions, but I'm pretty sure the pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy! :)

Classic!

Who knew?

I have always thought my hair was stick straight and wouldn't hold a curl to save my life. However, just recently, I was pleasantly suprised when instead of blow drying my hair right out of the shower, I let it air dry and found that it does in deed have some curl to it. I started experimenting with it and can actually get it to be curly and look somewhat natural. It's pretty silly really, but I was obviously excited enough about this to post on it. A little change is always fun...

Warning: Don't Swallow Bubble Gum!

Is this just funny to me? A co-worker recently sent it to me and I thought it was hilarious... somewhat gross... but really funny! Can I just say how glad I am that fitness instructors don't wear this sort of thing anymore. If they did, I would definitely be in a different profession!

A little sore...

Yesterday was national LiveStrong day. It is a day to raise awareness and show support for cancer survivors in your community. ClubSport, the fitness club I work at, sponsors a LiveStrong team called Risky Business. In honor of LiveStrong day, the team decided to do a 3-hour marathon cycle class. ClubSport hauled 20 of our stationary bikes over to Bridgeport Village and held an outdoor cycle class from 3:30 - 6:30pm (yes, that is a very long time to be on a stationary bike). I was not planning on participating in the ride myself, but was helping with all the set up and such for the event. The class was about to begin and all bikes were reportedly claimed, but at the last minute, one spot opened up. Guess who saddled up?...

Yep, you guessed it...yours' truly. I was not prepared for it at all, but somehow they talked me into it. I'm proud to say, I made it the full 3 hours and totally kept up! It was a lot of fun, but I'm definitely a little sore. Hopefully I stretched enough today to prevent it from getting any worse.

Obviously, both Brett and I don't know how and when to say no (him with his "almost marathon" jog-a-thon, and me with my "who knows how many miles" cycle class). Oh well, it makes for good blog posts, I guess. :)