Musical Instruments

"A Mama's Belly bowl is created from the cast of a pregnant woman's belly. Mama's Belly bowls are bronze heirlooms that ring with a beautiful tone created by the specific size and shape of each mother and child."

I found an ad for this at the Drs. office today. I think it is the weirdest pregnancy thing I have ever seen advertised. You might just see Lee "playing my belly" next time he plays percussion in church. NOT!

Here's another new instrument in our household:

"Showers" of blessings

Yesterday, we got a new kiddy pool for Isabel. Ours had "died" last year and we had yet to replace it. One of her favorite things to do is be in the water so we knew we need to get a new one sometime. Anyway, she "showered" me with blessings as Lee told her to splash mommy. Isabel adores her daddy. She will sometimes look at me and say, "Mommy...Daddy," and give him a huge hug. As if to say, mommy don't you know this is my daddy?

I was also "showered" with blessings last night as my friends from work gave me and another co-work a birthday party/surprise baby shower/surprise house warming shower. My birthday is next week and they told me about the birthday party. We usually all get together for each others birthday's and do something (go out to lunch, etc), but what they didn't tell my other co-worker and I was about the surprise showers. They told each of us that it was a surprise shower for the other person. It was such a nice night. We had icecream sundaes with yummy brownies, good fellowship, gifts, and even some pampering. Yes, my wonderful friends painted my toenails for me. Thanks girls! I appreciate you all so much! Here's some photos:

In case you can't pick me out, I'm the one with the big belly and white legs:)

Hail Storm

Here's what happened at our house about an hour agoLittle frog clinging to our front door for his lifeCousin Jeff we may be visiting you soon...our one car garage didn't fit both our cars:)

Pregnancy thoughts #3

• I'm almost full term
• I feel tired on some days and have a burst of energy on others
• Lee and I both are to the point we just want to meet this baby and see what she is like
• I've still tried to be patient and have not anticipated going early (although that's every moms dream right?)
  
• I have yet to pack a hospital bag, probably something I should do
  
• The baby's bag is packed
• I don't feel like I've really "nested" with this pregnancy.
  
• The Dr. said I've started to "progress" some, but still expects to see me the next couple of weeks
• I'm trying to really enjoy these last days with just Isabel. She is so funny, awesome, adorable. I can't help but smile when she says, "That's funny mommy."
  
• I've been fine in the heat and haven't swollen up or anything. Although I REALLY wish we had a pool or a pool to go to. I got really depressed seeing school uniform clothes in Target already...summer just started, didn't it?
• I got my hair cut BEFORE the baby came this time, yep chopped. I'll post a picture sometime.

I'll end with that...

Weekend of Celebration

This past weekend, we got away for a couple of days and celebrated our 5 year anniversary and Father's Day. We had such a great trip. We went to Madison, IN and stayed at the Cliffty Inn located right inside Cliffty Falls State Park. The Inn was so nice and we'd highly recommend it. Madison is a quaint little historic town. We had fun hiking, swimming, and walking around downtown. The hiking we did was minimal concidering it was 95+ degrees, I'm 9 months pregnant, and we had a 22 month old, but it was still fun. We saw both big and little Cliffty Falls.

Isabel on our hike. Lee said we probably looked like a funny family. Me hugely pregnant carrying the umbrella stroller while going up/downstairs and Lee carrying Isabel away from his body because she had mud all over her feet. Oh well, we had fun.

Downtown Madison. Surprisingly to us both the State Park and downtown weren't that busy even though it was a weekend.

Isabel enjoying a giant cookie...no she didn't eat it all, we all shared. She sure enjoyed holding it by herself at first though. Thanks to everyone who recommended the Downtowner (a restaurant there). It was super yummy.

The Inn's swimming pool. We spent several hours there during our stay. It was really nice and was kind of cool because it had a ramp for handicap people. The ramp was perfect for Isabel to play up and down on. By the end of our stay she didn't want to be in her swim ring anymore. She was a big girl and wanted to swim (well trying to kick her legs anyway).

Stickers...

...a blessing and a curse. Lately we've been shopping at Kroger and they always give Isabel stickers when we pay. Well, now she expects every store to have stickers when we pay. She even asks so nicely for them, "stickers please?" For Father's day she was so excited to give daddy a card that came with stickers.

Army iBel

I should say Marines for my brother Dave:) Cydney took these of Isabel one afternoon and sent them to us. We think they are hilarious/adorable!:) Thanks Cydney!

Glimpse into the future...

Isabel as I've said before adores her buddy Kate. Here they are hanging out one afternoon on our bed while Jacob was still sleeping. You can see by Isabel's smile how much she enjoys Kate. Hopefully, she enjoys her little sister just as much.

The 80s

Last night Lee and I were out to dinner with Isabel. We went to the new(er) Penn Station in Hebron. It was later and we were the only ones in the restaurant. It must have been 80s night cause they were blasting the 80s music like it was nobody's business and Isabel was loving every minute of it. She couldn't stop moving to the beat. Who knew my daughter loves 80s music?

Big Girl Room

Toy box made by Grandpa

Pottery Barn inspired art we made

Antique plates from Grandma (placed high above the closet):)

Transformation

BeforeAfterWe (I should say Lee) finally finished Isabel's dresser. It looks SO nice. My mom also came down to help paint Isabel's big girl room. That is done. I'll post pictures after I get a few things on the walls/accessories added (okay so that could be awhile):)

Next month...

Every week I go to work I'm constantly asked by people I work with, so when are you due? I know this is a normal pregnancy thing, but I think cause I'm only at work 2 days a week people don't see me as often so ask more often. Well, I can now officially tell them...NEXT MONTH:)

Quick pregnancy thoughts:

• This baby's more of a roller than a kicker
• She gets hiccups a lot which I don't remember that much with Isabel
• She kept me up in the middle of the night for the first time this past weekend
• Even though she's getting everything handed down to her from Isabel (bedding, clothes, etc), I still want to try to make some stuff her own
• Not sure if I'm ready for sleep deprivation
• My normal non-pregnant self would want to be sitting outside in the sun sun-bathing, but my pregnant self wants to be in my bed napping in the air conditioning.
  
• I'm curious to see how this baby will be like/not like Isabel
• Lee's observed I've started to waddle instead of walk
• I'm getting a prenatal massage this Friday (Isabel's Mother's Day gift to me) and I'm SO excited:)
  

Almost like Kings Island...

Friday night Lee was working at a wedding so Isabel and I took a quick trip to Wendy's for dinner. We just went through the drive-thru cause I had to be back to babysit for a friend. After I ordered I pulled up to the window to pay and the guy tells me, "if you can tell me the amount you are supposed to pay I'll give you a $15 off coupon to Kings Island." So I tell him...I was actually right and he gave me the coupon. Well, we probably won't be going to King's Island this summer, so I'm giving the coupon to a friend, but that's okay...our swings are almost like Kings Island.:) Take a look!

Isabel I noticed has started closing her eyes during the spinning part and then opens them when it stops. It's funny to watch her.