My Life as Mandi

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thursday's Thoughts...

I got balloons on December 16 (the day after finding out if we were expecting a Hallie or a Bradford) that said 'It's a girl!', and they are just now beginning to loose helium! They make me smile every morning when I come into my classroom.
Thursdays are our typical date night! Daniel and I try to avoid making plans on Thursday so we can spend the evening together. It is what gets me through when we are busy or stressed. I always smile when thinking about Thursday nights. Tonight we are either going to stay home or go to Red Lobster. At least that is my pick if we go out to eat! Edit: I ended up getting a massage yesterday afternoon. So, we ate quick dinners on our own and watched the Auburn/Florida basketball game at home.
My wonderful husband grilled chicken for dinner Tuesday. He even made enough for lunch yesterday. I forgot it though, so I have a yummy lunch for today.
Tomorrow night we are going to celebrate Levi's 6th birthday! I can't believe how quickly my nieces and nephews are growing up!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I love that I got an extra week off of school due to ice and snow in the area last week. I hate that we have to make up those days, but I loved spending time at home with the hubby!! Monday I organized my closet and got rid of about 4 garbage bags of clothes. This is all an effort for Hallie to have her own room without my junk in the way! The rest of the week was spent sleeping and lounging around.

This is our yard and driveway still iced over on Friday. The snow moved in on Sunday afternoon. We didn't leave the house until Thursday.

(Excuse the black box over our car tag. I blacked it out for safety reasons.)

I am loving that we found out after a special ultrasound for Hallie's heart that everything is great! They thought she might have an arythmatic heart beat, but the top of her heart was just beating extra. It worked itself out in a matter of four days. We couldn't be more excited all is well.

I'm loving local consignment shops!! After the ultra sound, I hit up some local consignment shops in Birmingham. I found a treasure!! Wee-Peat on Hwy 280 next to Dale's Southern Grill is awesome!! I found a Chico car seat base (where the car seat just clicks in and out) for $18! They retail for about $85 so I was thrilled with my purchase.

I love the thoughtfulness of my friends! I got to rummage through the Church Maternity clothes. We have a collection that is passed around to whoever is currently pregnant. I found some great sweaters. I also have more than three pair of pants to wear now!!

I am also loving the great getaway trip we had to Savannah, TN for Evangelism University this past weekend. The theme was Increase. Daniel taught a class for Dale Jenkins who had to cancel just a couple weeks before EU. We went up on Friday night and came home on Sunday. Our host family, The Hollis', were so gracious and thoughtful! However, my favorite part of the trip was eating at Bell's and seeing Alex Saturday night!

Daniel and I laughing about our struggle on the 3/4 size bed in the room with the grandfather clock!

Alex and I

Our wonderful host, Wanda, and her grandson, Cody

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

24 Weeks...

How far along? 24 weeks

How big is baby? 1 pound 4 ounces (as of our ultrasound yesterday)

Gender? Girl- Hallie Kate

Weight gain? 7 pounds (I lost eight pounds this past summer; so, I'm almost where I was in May 2010.)

Maternity Clothes? I wore them for the first time the Saturday before Christmas. I now wear them everyday. I have some awesome friends who loaned me about 7 pair of pants and 10 shirts. I own three pair of pants and two shirts. Most of my own sweaters still fit.

What I miss? Sleeping on my tummy, moving things without being told "you better be careful", having the stamina to walk more than 50 feet without huffing and puffing

Symptoms? My stomach feels stretched beyond belief, Low Blood Sugar, Moments of 'If I don't eat now, I will die' (Daniel and I joke about a hungry pregnant monster living in our house when I get these moments because I will literally eat anything in sight!), Waking up at random times during the night (Possibly preparing to be up at weird times during the night with Hallie?)

Food cravings? Fruit, Water with Lime, Sobe Life Water Yumberry Pomegranate, Poptarts for breakfast, and Kitkats

Sleep? I prefer to sleep on my right side with my left knee supporting the weight of my shoulder. My stomach doesn't touch the bed this way, but it scares me when I wake up like this.

Movement? Every time they do an ultrasound she kicks the wand, and they also comment on how active she is during the ultrasound. I don't seem to feel her that much though. I love the very clear 'thumps' about 5 times a day! I haven't been able to figure out her sleep schedule, but there will be plenty of time for that when she gets here ;)

What I am looking forward to? Getting her room ready for a crib. I am a long way from there still though.

Pregnancy moments with Daniel:

When I loose my temper the following conversation occurs:
Daniel: Are you hungry?
Me: Yes
Daniel: What would you like to eat?
Me: Anything.
Daniel: That's not true. How about ______?
Me: That's fine.
--Following food entering my body--
Me: I'm sorry. My blood sugar got low.
Daniel: Its okay, and I knew an hour ago you were hungry.

Best Moment This Week: Everything about yesterday! We had to go for a special ultrasound because there was a little concern with her heart at our last anatomy scan. However, everything was great yesterday. I have seen her twice in the last five days! I spent the afternoon going to local consignment shops with my Mom yesterday; that was a blast.

Belly Photo:

Random thought: Yesterday was the first time she wasn't folded in half during an ultrasound. She is normally kicking herself in the head. However, yesterday she was straightened out! Maybe next time we have an ultrasound we can get an estimatate on how long she is.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday...

I loved having lunch with this special lady on Wednesday at Uncle Sam's!

(This picture is old, but the only one I could access from the computer I updated the blog on.)

I'm loving the first outfit I bought for Hallie!! It is a 9M smocked Ornament Dress.

I am most excited about deciding on nursery bedding!!

(It matches the current wall color and carpet!

So, that meant it got major brownie points with the hubs!)

Friday, December 31, 2010

Third Time Is a Charm..

Our favorite restaurant in the Gulf Shores area is The Original Oyster House! We ate there three times this week... here is the best picture we got to night... apparently we are bad about closing our eyes in the middle of pictures!

We also went and saw a movie at the Wharf. While we were there the fire alarms went off, but it was just a false alarm! It definitely made for a memorable movie :)

Thursday, December 30, 2010

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I enjoying reading several blogs that participate in WILW,

so I thought I'd join in this week.

It all started on Jamie's blog!

I'm loving all of Hallie's adorable Christmas outfits for next year. I've come to LOVE the brand Mud Pie.

I'm also loving fried shrimp from this place since I'm spending the week in Perdido Key with my parents!!

I am of course missing (and loving) this crazy fellow wearing the blue shirt!! (This picture was taken in July 2010 on a roller coaster at Disney.) I also love our precious baby girl!

I am also loving my 2 weeks off from work.
I am loving feeling Hallie kick more often this week. I enjoy trying to go to sleep at night and feeling her go crazy in my tummy.
I am throughly loving the Liz Lange maternity line from Target even though I only currently have 2 jackets, 2 pair of pants, and 2 shirts! (3 of the 6 items were gifts)