Birthday Boy!

Today is Thompson's 2nd birthday!! I am so excited! It is definitely going to be a little weird saying that I have a 2 year old, but I do. My name is Lenora, and I have a 2 year old. :)

2 years ago RIGHT NOW (8:39am) I started the last part of my labor process. About 30 minutes later I would welcome the most precious thing into my life. He has brought me more smiles and more tears than I ever knew what to do with. He is such a wonderful little boy. I remember when he was about 9 months old or so he loved to scare people. And it was adorable! Everyone knew that Thompson would scare them, he just ate it up.

He is also one of the biggest daredevils I know of. He loves climbing up onto things, definitely not scared of heights. And he isn't afraid to test his limits either. He will do something knowing that you are right there watching him, but still yet, he checks over his shoulder, slyly, just to see if he is going to get caught.

He loves Nemo! And Dora, Diego, Handy Manny, and Bob the Builder. He loves the numbers 2, 3, and 5, and will repeat them over and over and over. He loves to call the Hogs! And he is also excellent with using his manners-- please and thank you are some of his most used words.


Can you tell I am a proud Mom? I just love my little baby more than anything. Hard to believe but his next milestone is going to be "Big Brother". But I know he will be great. We asked him last night "what is he going to do when the baby comes" and he answered "Hug". So cute! I know, I know that there will be plenty of times when the boys will argue and fight, but overall, I know that Thompson has his daddy's heart. They are both so compassionate. And I know that that is going to help him so much later on in life, especially when dealing with his little brother.

But... Thompson can have his "moments". No child can be perfect ALL the time. He rolls his eyes, says No!, and simply ignores me half the time. And yesterday we had the fit of all fits! Not kidding. I guess it was to commemorate the upcoming day, I don't know... but I do know that if something like that EVER (which I know it will) happens again, I might be bald from pulling out all of my hair. It was bad and it lasted for about 30+ minutes.

This road is going to only get harder, knowing that my baby isn't much of a baby anymore. He is definitely a big boy. A big 2 year old!

Happy Birthday, Thompson! Mommy loves you more than you will ever know!

29 Weeks!

We are one week away from 30 weeks! I remember being pregnant with Thompson and was so happy when I made it to 30! I don't know why, but it just seems like a huge milestone. So we officially have 11 weeks left.

Here is what Brycen is up to this week!

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.



Today, is the day before Thompson's birthday! Pretty exciting. I just keep thinking back to 2 years ago, and I fully remember everything I did that day. Little did I know that at about 6:15pm my water would break and I would spend the night in the hospital laboring, getting ready to deliver my sweet baby boy.

We are going to go shopping a little bit today! I am in desperate need of another trip to Hobby Lobby to get some things I will need for my fall/Christmas decorations. Plus I have coupons! :)

That's about it for us today. We are getting ready to welcome baby Jade into the world on Thursday at 3! I can't wait to meet her. And I know that there are many more out there that are anxious as well! This little girl will definitely be spoiled... oops, I mean well loved! :)

And this is why I don't need a cell phone!

Ok, I have seriously had my Razor phone for over 2 years. The same phone. It definitely looks worn-- screen cracked, fuzzy lines on the screen, etc. Well, since we were back home I decided to go ahead and head on over to Verizon and see what phones they had since I was up for contract. I found a new phone and bought it. This was Thursday. Fast forward 3 days later...

My phone is dead. Not low battery dead, but washed in my jeans in the washing machine dead. It's pitiful. How can I have a phone for over 2 years and never have any major problems??? But in 3 days I manage to ruin a brand new phone! Ugh. I am sick.

I blame it on my preggo brain. Or my craziness of running around getting everything done for the party yesterday. I don't know. I am just mad. So now, I get to pay a $50 deductable with the insurance company and get a lovely new refurbished phone. Wonderful.

Luckily, it will be here tomorrow!

Milestones!

Well, I have been saving this post til tonight! Not only is it my 100th post, but we also celebrated Thompson's 2nd birthday! And let me tell you... this boy is blessed! It reminds me of a saying "I am not spoiled, I am well loved". So true, so true. We are loved and blessed to be able to come home to Arkansas and celebrate with our family and friends.

Our theme this year was Nemo! Such a fun thing to plan a party around. Here are some pics. I haven't edited any of them, I was too anxious to post!

The Nemo Cake

Make a wish!

Yum!

Thompson and his girlfriend, Kalli! Big Smooches!

Goodbye hugs with Ansley

The Birthday Boy!

We had a very special guest at the party today. My cousin, Leigh, brought her beautiful baby girl Laken. She is only about 2 weeks old and is absolutely adorable! She has a head full of black hair. Thompson has never been around a baby, so I was scared to see how he was going to act around her. He loved her! He really wanted to hold her. That can be a good thing and a bad thing. I will definitely have to watch him like a hawk with Brycen to make sure he doesn't decide to "play baby" with him. :)

Laken and Thompson

I stole some quiet time with the little beauty

I loved these pictures of Robert with his Nana.

SHOW US YOUR LIFE - DESSERTS!

Ok, this seriously is the absolute BEST cheesecake you will ever find. You want to know why??? It is Paula Deen's recipe-- enough said!

No, it is the best, and I always receive rave reviews on how great it is. Super easy as well. Since I am in Arkansas and I don't have my cookbook on hand, I am quoting this one off of memory. But trust me, I have made it so many times that I know it by heart.

Ingredients

Crust
1 package of graham crackers
1/2 stick (4 tbsp) melted butter
1/4 cup sugar

Filling
2 eggs
12 ounces softened cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Topping
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Crush up package of graham crackers (I use a food processor) and combine with sugar and butter. Pat into a 9-inch spring form pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Combine eggs and cream cheese, add sugar and vanilla. Beat just until smooth.

Pour into crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes. (Mine usually runs about 28 minutes or until it isn't too jiggly.) Take out of oven and let it set for 10 minutes.

Combine topping ingredients in a bowl and stir til smooth. After cheesecake has cooled for 10 minutes, pour topping on top, spreading it on top of cheesecake. Put back in oven for 10 minutes.

Then remove cheesecake and allow to cool completely. I then put mine in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. But that is just my personal preference.

I hope you make this sometime! It is great for the holidays or just to make when you are really wanting a great cheesecake!

Life Check

Do you ever feel that God sometimes has to give you a little "check up"? I know that I get so caught up in all of the frustrations in my life, that I sometimes forget about all of the good. And then God gives me a little "check up".

Tonight we had another scare with me bleeding, and for those few hours, nothing in the world seems to matter. I totally focus on Brycen and making sure he is ok. Thankfully, all is well. Apparently, I am really susceptible to anything that irritates me and causes the bleeding. Don't know why, I never had anything like this with Thompson. But it sure does scare you to death. I am just so thankful that he is such an active guy and wasn't ashamed to move around and kick every 5 seconds or so! :) I love him, but I am not ready to meet him just yet. He has a lot of growing left to do, and I am going to try my best to make sure that happens!

On another note... the ER we went to was the hospital I delivered Thompson at. It was so surreal, knowing that 2 years ago I was in the same exact spot meeting the little boy that changed my life. We even had the same exact nurse, Lindsey! She was so great then and today. She recognized my name and knew it was me. I was SO thankful to see her as well. And of course, she gave me the best treatment ever! I am so proud to be as healthy as I can and to have the best people in my life. It made me a little sad knowing that Brycen wouldn't be delivered there when the time came. I had such an awesome labor and I just pray that it goes just as well the 2nd time around!

Keep us in your prayers. I know that everything will be fine, but I always like to know that Brycen has some extra prayers coming his way! :)

Nemo, Nemo, Nemo!

Last night we went to Harrison to pick up some of Thompson's party supplies-- we are having a Nemo party! So after we bought plates, napkins, cups, party favors, balloons, etc... we went and had a great dinner with Linda and Ansley at Neighbor's Mill (one of my favorites!).

Ansley is such a sweet girl and one of our favorite cousins!

Tonight, mom and I are going to Fayetteville to go fabric shopping. I have never been fabric shopping and I know that I will be so overwhelmed with all of the choices. I am recovering my dining room chairs as well as the rocker and ottoman that I bought a while ago. I want a fabric that I can use in the future, but also will fit in with the nursery. So I am thinking a nice sage green, something like this:

I think it would fit in nicely. But, we will just have to see.

On an exciting note, my friend Becca, is about to give birth to a beautiful baby girl, Jade Allison, any day now! She is almost 39 weeks, and her blood pressure has been giving her some troubles here lately. So she goes in for an appointment tomorrow, and they will make the decision then about what to do. Please pray for her. We are so excited to meet little Miss Jade, but we just want her as healthy as possible. Here is the cutest little outfit that I had made for her. I never got to see it in person, and Becca was nice and sent me a picture of it!

The cute monogram on it!

A little story from yesterday... Robert took me to lunch yesterday at a restaurant here in town. Well apparently we left his phone on the table and didn't realize it was missing til yesterday evening. I searched, he searched, mom searched, dad watched us search, but to no avail we couldn't find the phone! I was so worried about it. He has TONS of important phone numbers on it, and with me leaving mine in California, there would be no way of anyone getting a hold of us if they had to! So needless to say, I didn't get much sleep last night. I kept having nightmares about someone stealing it. Not fun! So this morning I called the barber shop that we went to after lunch... he didn't have it. Finally, we call back to the restaurant and they said they had it! Thank God!!! I was so relieved! Especially since Robert had planned to go to Missouri today to visit his dad and grandpa. I really didn't want him travelling without it. So he stopped by and picked it up on his way out of town! Whew! Thank goodness something finally went our way!

That seems to be about it for us! We had a great lunch today with my cousin, Tiffany. Thompson has already nicknamed her! He is getting really good about names, well the names he gives people! ;)

On the road again...

Friday afternoon we left California with our sights set on Arkansas! We finally reached our destination Saturday night... just in time for Robert to watch the last quarter of the Hogs game and unfortunately see them lose... to Georgia. Now, my dear friend Christina is from Georgia and it would have made me oh so happy to see my HOGS dominate the nasty dawgs! But, it just didn't happen that way. Oh well!


Anyways, I only have one funny story to tell about the trip, and it is more of a one-liner. I took over my husband's ipod right about the New Mexico state line. To my surprise there was a whole slew of songs from a group that I use to love to listen to, Maroon 5. So as I am playing ALL of their songs, I could see Robert rolling his eyes and moaning and groaning. He finally said that he feels that he should be sitting in a coffee shop beating on a bongo drum. It cracked me up! To even picture my husband sitting in a coffee shop beating on a bongo drum is pretty much one of the funniest things yet!


But here are some great pictures (all of Thompson) from the road trip.

Thompson is scared of car washes!

So tired, but not wanting a nap!

Finally passed out!

28 Weeks!

While we are in Arkansas, we are celebrating 28 weeks!! I am so excited at how much he is progressing and looking forward to seeing him arrive in the next few months!

Here is what Brycen is up to this week!

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese Cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

On another note, I had a very... odd... dream last night. I dreamt that I was in labor but every time I went to the hospital they would release me and tell me to come back. Well throughout the dream and while in labor, I ended up at my sister-in-law's house, a public pool to go swimming, and at Pizza Hut to enjoy a fabulous meal! Ha! It was CRAZY!!! And every time I would go somewhere I would try and go home to pack my bag, but end up somewhere else! Whew! Let's just hope that when the time does come that it isn't that frenzied and I can somewhat relax in the hospital... with my bag packed and in tow of course! :)

I am going to do a separate post on our trip so far!

SHOW US YOUR LIFE- DINNER RECIPES!

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients
1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/3 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
1 (8.5-ounce) box corn muffin mix (such as Martha White)
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
Cooking spray1 (10-ounce)
1 can red enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Combine 1/4 cup cheese and next 7 ingredients (through chiles) in a large bowl, stirring just until moist. Pour mixture into a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until set. Pierce entire surface liberally with a fork; pour enchilada sauce over top. Top with chicken; sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces; top each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream.


***Note*** I changed my bake times to about 20 minutes each time. I felt that mine wasn't completely set up or all the way done. So maybe look at it after 15 and make your own judgement.

I love this recipe! It is such a comfort food, and I have really enjoyed making it! If you haven't ever tried it, I encourage you to do so! You will not regret it. Enjoy!

Sugar Rush at 8:30am!

This is how my morning was spent; at the lab, doing my one hour glucose test! Yuck! Although, I had a lovely fruit punch drink. It tasted like an even worse version of Hawaiian Punch. Then had to sit in the room for 1 hour until I could have my blood drawn. Thank goodness I am through with that!

I really don't need to be blogging right now, but I know that eventually my mind will wander over here so I might as well do it now so I can concentrate on my to-do list for the rest of the day. We are also leaving for our trip tomorrow! Can't wait. I talked Robert into leaving tomorrow instead of Saturday. Secretly... I just want to be home to see the family and attend the family reunion on Sunday! Ha! Seriously, it is some of the best food I will eat all year round and to miss it by a few hours depressed me. How lame am I?! Haha!

I stopped by the commissary on the way home and picked up snacks, water, and juice for the trip. I still have to make a trip to the post office and bank... maybe I can accomplish that sometime today.

So much to do. I have quite a few assignments that are due Sunday night that I have to get done today. Along with laundry and dishes. And packing. And checking things off my list. Whew. I better get started! Sorry for the boring post. Maybe I will have some funnies to tell from our trip next time!

Oh and I think I found a camera I like. I have researched and reviewed and I narrowed it down to the new Canon PowerShot. So if you have any opinions on cameras, please do tell!

Crafts!

Thought I would share some of the crafts I made this weekend...

Here is a Zebra frame I made for my niece's room.

Funny story actually... I made the frame and then started looking at it and then asked my sister-in-law what color are zebra's stripes. She then informed me that they were black! Apparently not the white that I painted them! Ha! So hopefully this week I can make a new one for her!

And I am so excited that MAYBE this picture will be hanging in the boys' bathroom in like a year! Ha! Anyways, I found these frames and Dr. Seuss books on a yard sale website and made this awesome picture! The best part? It cost me around $6.00 for the final product! I have 3 more to make and will probably hang them in the future playroom. They are really big and I am afraid that 4 of them might overwhelm a small bathroom. I still have to put a sealer on them, but so far, this is what it will look like. I can't decide whether to the other frames in blue or red. Maybe 2 blue and 1 red? Decisions. Decisions.

Today, I am going to try and finish all of my homework that is due so that way I can enjoy (yeah, right) the trip back to AR. I will probably try and find good puzzle book and bury my nose in that.

One more thing. I was watching a preview for the upcoming episode of Toddlers and Tiaras and laughed my butt off! Seriously. This show is unbelievable. On the preview, they are interviewing one of the pageant mothers and this quote just shows how bright the woman is...

"I am a pageant mom and I don't care what anyone thinks of me. Probably no worse than welfare mom."

Ahhh... the pure wisdom of a deranged mother trying to live through her 4 year old daughter. Nothing like telling them that fake tans, fake teeth, fake hair, fake nails, and anything else they can bedazzle their body with to make them win an obnoxiously huge trophy and crown is a norm.

Thank you Toddlers and Tiaras along with TLC's new views on good entertainment to brighten my day a little and give me that great reminder that as a mother, I might not be so bad afterall. :)

27 Weeks!

Well we have made it to our 3rd Trimester! Whoo Hoo! And how did I celebrate??? By ripping my jeans all the way across my butt! Nice, huh? It was a little depressing actually. It reminded me that maybe I shouldn't have ate those sopapillas today. So I went and looked for some new pants. I didn't find any jeans, but I did find some comfy lounge pants on sale for $2.99! YAY! And I got a few shirts on clearance as well. Then I stopped by the Gap Outlet and picked up some stuff for Thompson's upcoming birthday! I am sure he will be oh so excited to open presents full of shirts, sweat pants, and shoes! :)

So overall, our trip to Oceanside was really fun. I am a little disappointed though. I found out that ALL of the Pendleton housing does not have central A/C! What the heck?! I thought all housing today require 21st Century ammenities. ??? The housing that my SIL just moved into is the only housing that has it. So you probably know what housing I am going to apply for. Gees. Oh and apparently microwaves aren't standard either. Hmmm. 29 Palms isn't looking too shabby now. Ha!

Anyways, Brycen is a growing boy!

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

I would definitely have to agree. I know that he has his active times and his quiet times. Brycen is getting so big and definitely heavier. I feel it everytime I bend over or am just sitting there. He is still breech, but apparently that is pretty normal. And he has plenty of time to turn around.

Well, we just got home a while ago and I am ready for bed. Both of my boys are already there!

Priceless

Computer AC Adaptor Cord = $80.00
Trip to Best Buy in Palm Desert = 1 hr 15 minutes
Having my computer back up and running = Priceless!!!

You know when people talk about how they could go a few days without a computer, well I thought I was one of them. It'd be nice to sit around and watch TV and get caught up on all my house chores that I sadly neglect without checking my e-mail, facebook, blogs, homework, etc.

YEAH RIGHT!!!

It was depressing. I felt so out of the loop. I was even literally referring my situation to that of something off of "Little House on the Prairie". Pitiful huh?

I had a dr's appt this morning. It was uneventful. I measured 27 weeks which is spot on for where we are. I go to take the nast glucose drink/blood test this week. And the dr answered all of my 6 questions! :)

We are headed back to AR this weekend! I cannot wait! While we are there we are going to have Thompson a NEMO birthday party! I think it will be really cute! We hope to stay about 10 days to two weeks or so. The best part... we are driving. Oh yeah. Jealous? Ha! 21 hours in the vehicle with Robert and HIS ipod. Can't wait. Plus... I am dreading the after effects of the ride. You know... the swolleness that will consume my body! AGHHHH! We were down in Palm Desert for a day and I was already starting to swell. Oh well.

21 hour car ride with the hubby and son = praying for sanity
A ipod that I know will be tossed OUT the window somewhere along I40 = $200
Seeing my baby boy celebrate his 2nd birthday with all of our friends and family = Priceless

P.S. Patrick Swayze passed away today! That is very heartbreaking to me seeing how "Dirty Dancing" has been and will always be one of my most FAVORITE movies! Johnny Castle, you will definitely be missed!

Haelp! Haelp!

This is Thompson's new favorite word! "Haelp!" Don't worry, he has definitely picked up the Southern accent to go along with it.

The other day we were at the pharmacy and I was up at the window talking to the lady. Well Thompson was in his stroller telling me "Out! Out!" And I told him that he had to stay in there for a little bit longer and then I would get him out. Well he then proceeded to turn around to the pharmacy lobby, filled with tons of people, and tell them "Need Haelp! Need Haelp!" It was too funny!

Don't know much of anything else these days. Still don't have any word on the re-enlistment, go figure. So therefore we don't know when we will be able to come back to AR. If Robert goes to the school in Oct. (which is doubtful) then we will have to make either a fast, fast trip to AR to get all of our stuff that is still there, wait until after January, or I come by myself while he is in school. The last one I am not too thrilled with seeing how I would have to haul a small trailer behind the pick-up on the way back. If he goes to school in January (which is probable) then we will be able to come back towards the end of the month for a month or so. That would be nice. But, unfortunately, I don't think I could get a house at Camp Pendleton til he started school (Jan) which would put me at delivering here in 29 Palms. And that is the ONE thing I don't want to happen. After last week's adventure, I really don't have too much faith in the medical practice here at our base. Sad, huh? Another thing that irritates me is that if I call on a Thurs morning asking for the dr. or nurse to call me back, I WANT a call back. On Friday, I call back up there saying that no one returned my call, and the girl reassured me that she would have someone call me back before they closed until WEDNESDAY! Well today is Thursday and I still haven't received a call back. Yes, I have given up on them. And yes, they will hear about it at my next appointment. Gees. A little professionalism is all I am asking for people, come on... is it that hard?!

Ok, I really am in a good mood today! I promise! I am about to head off to the grocery store. I love grocery shopping-- especially because I am now on a new adventure for the search of this Mexican Coca-Cola that Tracy is raving about. I found them at our Sam's Club here in CA, but unfortunately for all the Coke addicts of NWA, their Sam's club is holding out on them! So I will let you know if my search was successful. It probably won't be, but ya never know! :)

Oh, and I found my camera. And it doesn't work. I am praying it is the battery, but who knows. I really don't want to shell out more $$$ on a new camera, but it is kinda essential. So???? We will see. I will look for my charger today!

Wordless Wednesday

Could you imagine my surprise when I walked into check on my "napping" son when he was STANDING on his dresser?!?! Or maybe when he pulled out every article of clothing out of the dresser to climb in the cabinet?!?! Or maybe when he turned over the table in his room?!?! Or it could have been when he was using his diaper genie as a step stool to get up there?!?!

Needless to say, I have had "one of those days"...

26 Weeks!

It seems like the weeks are just flying by. And for someone who is pregnant, that is a good thing! I remember when I was pregnant with Thompson, time just drug on. Maybe it was because I was also counting down the days til Robert came home, but it still took FOR-EV-ER!

But today, I am 26 weeks! Next week I will start my 3rd trimester, which I am so excited about!
Here is what Brycen is up to this week!

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Thompson is such a character these days! He has started singing the little songs that are on his "shows" that he watches and today has started doing this thing where he announces "Ta Da!" and throws his arms out! Like look at me! Ta Da! Too cute.

And his favorite cartoons are his "shows". It's "Mom! Show!" And if you change the channel it' "Oh no, my show!" And he knows that every morning he gets to watch his show but you have to find the 'mote first. (Remote) So he goes around yelling for the 'mote. He cracks me up!

Anyways, Robert goes back to work tomorrow. I can't believe it will already be Wednesday! This Saturday my sister-in-law Shanna is moving back out here, well to Oceanside! I can't wait! Thompson loves seeing Haili and am so glad to know that even if we do have to stay out here, he will have her to grow up with! So next week we are planning on helping her move into her house.

On a side note... I have to really start watching my eating. Apparently...according to my scale, I have gained about 5 pounds in the past week. Yep... not good. So, I will be having to find more healthy recipes to make. I am going to bake some chicken for parmesean chicken tonight. I figured it will still be good and I am not frying the chicken. Plus, I will just eat a little of the pasta. Ugh... I hate this already.

It wouldn't be such a big deal, but with my last pregnancy I gained WAY too much and most of it was in the last month of the pregnancy. So I need to stay on the right track for these last 3 I have. I want to only gain around 10 more pounds if possible. But my body will do whatever it is going to do. And no, I am not one of those freaks about gaining a single pound during pregnancy. I am just one of those that when I do gain it comes in HUGE quantities. (i.e. 5 pounds in a week) So if anyone has any fabulous recipes, send them my way!

New Recipe Blog!

So I made my first post to my new recipe blog!

Hope you like it!

http://lenoraskitchen.blogspot.com/

College Football has began!

It's Christmas, It's Christmas! Nope, it's just the opening weekend of College Football. BUT, I guarantee that my husband would agree that it is the same feeling. :) He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES football-- especially college ball. It is so cute to see him get so excited! Sadly, I know how much he wishes he was out there playing. It could be the fact that he mentions how "I am better than that guy" or how "I could play for that school" or how he knows every play that they should run. Just teasing. ;) He is so excited to be here this year to see the opening games. Atleast we hopefully don't have to worry about having another baby at the Razorback game. Yes, yes... I went into labor at the Razorback football game. At the beginning. Before we even got to our seats. Water breaking everywhere. I think it is the most depressed and sad I had ever seen Robert. He had talked about going to a Razorback game the ENTIRE deployment. So as soon as we got back to AR, we went. Funny thing is that I joked at how funny it would be if I went into labor at the game. I would definitely say it was more on the embarrasing side. As I sat waiting for a shuttle to take us back, he would run back and forth between watching the game and checking on me. Poor guy. BUT... he was so excited realizing how soon Thompson would be here! I will never forget that day.

I love football... well I love Razorback football! I loved going to the games when I was in college and calling the Hogs! I don't care where I end up in life California or wherever... the Hogs will always be #1 in my heart! Wooooo Pig Sooiee!!!

Tonight I made an AWESOME lasagna! Here is my secret:

No Boil lasagna noodles. I discovered these things a while back and our Commissary (base grocery store) started carrying them. I was there analyzing the different noodles. Should I pay $.30 more for these "No Boil" noodles? YES! It made the whole process so much easier.

As for my trifle... I am eating it tonight. I would take pictures, but of course I can't find the camera. Nice, huh? You would think I would learn to put stuff up. Oh well. I will search for it later! :)

Labor Day Weekend!!!

It is so fun to hear everyone's plans for the holiday weekend! We actually don't have plans and that is completely fine by me. Robert has off til Wednesday, so I am sure our weekend will consist of going to the pool, watching college football, homework, eating, and maybe a trip down the hill. We are going to one of Robert's friend's house either tonight or tomorrow night. And for that, I am making a Butterfinger Trifle! Oh the chocolatey ooey gooeyness! Cannot wait. I will take a picture of the final product and post it later. My sister Brittany made a separate blog for recipes... Great idea! I might make one too seeing how food is my favorite thing!

Hope everyone has a great SAFE weekend!

Sleep and decor

Thompson has kinda been a terror lately. I don't hold it against him, knowing that he is just entering the wonderful phase of the "Terrible Two's". But today when I went in to check on him this is what I found:

Is he not the sweetest baby ever?! I walked in and found him sleeping on his changing pad that was stored in the closet. Apparently this is more comfortable than his bed?? Anyways, I thought it was the best.

Usually, food is on my mind all the time! What to eat for breakfast? What to have for lunch? What am I going to cook for dinner? Etc. Well today I cannot for the life of me think of ANYTHING I want to eat for dinner. All I do want is some Sweet Tea. Don't ask me why. So maybe I can talk Robert into going back to the O'Club for dinner. We will see how that turns out!

Ok, I have been thinking of decorating things lately and what I am going to do the rooms in when we move into our new house. Right now I am really into the vinyl wall quotes. I think they are a great, inexpensive way to decorate a room. I plan on using this one above Brycen's crib in his room:

And maybe something like this in our living room

And something like this in the laundry room

I definitely do not want to go vinyl quote overboard, but I think a few here and there are nice touches.

Also, have you seen the chalkboard paint?

It is paint that makes a chalkboard. Pretty nifty in my opinion. Well I think this would be great for the boys' playroom-- especially since it is washable. But... do you think it would teach them to write on walls? I am just looking for creative ways of using this without teaching them bad habits.

Wednesday, Hump Day

Wednesday shouldn't be called "Hump Day" it should be my slump day.

I don't have really much going on today or even this week. We did, however, went and ate lunch with Robert at the Officer's Club today. It was soooo good! I love eating there, but Robert wouldn't ever go. Well last week, some of the guys went there for lunch and Robert comes home raving about it. Well, duh! Didn't I tell you that it was good?! Anyways, he called and invited me today! (Which was a nice treat)

School has resumed and so has my homework. Ugh. Thankfully, it is my LAST semester! I am ready to be DONE! More so, I just want to say that I have my degree. :)

We haven't heard anything else on the re-enlistment. They told Robert that he should hear something after the Labor Day weekend (which will be Wednesday for us). I am just praying that he can get into the October class. I really do not want to wait until January to move, especially trying to get it all together with a new baby. I know how vocal I am and it kills me that I cannot just go up there and talk with these people. #1. I feel that things would get done and FASTER too! #2. That maybe they could finally see my perspective on things. But... it is the military. And I know that. Things NEVER happen as they are supposed to. And it will never change. So... instead I just sit back and bite my tongue. :P (And secretly curse them under my breath and to my blog friends!) ;)

Oh, the Marine Corps. It is definitely a Love/Hate relationship!

My goal this week: Take pictures of my soon-to-be 2 year old! I cannot believe I have slacked that much and haven't taken a single picture since Disneyland! Terrible. I did measure him the other day and he is 33.5 inches and weighs 25 lbs! We go for his 2-year check up on the 29th at 3:30. (See how I am blogging about the appt?? That way I cannot forget what day it is and the time! Ha!)

25 Weeks!

I am so happy to be 25 weeks pregnant. Brycen has become a huge part of my entertainment for the day, and I know it will just get better! I remember a while back how I said how I think he might be a little layed back-- yea right. He is a mover and shaker, just like Thompson. His most active times are in the morning, afternoon, and late in the evening. It is so fun to just sit and watch my stomach dance! :)

Last night we had a little bit of a scare. We decided to head to the Labor and Delivery to get checked out and PTL everything turned out fine! I believe that in that little amount of time, I have never been more scared. The what if's and worried thoughts consume your mind. Thankfully after being hooked up to the monitors and getting checked, all is well. We got home around 1 am and went right to bed. Thanks again to Christina who watched Thompson for us! Love you!!

Anyways, Brycen is 25 weeks (gestational) today!! Here is what he is up to...

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabega, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Not much else going on. I am just taking it easy today, relaxing and not worrying! :) I admit that I probably have been a little more stressed than I should be.

Robert got his package submitted today and he will call later this week to see if there is any news. If not, then it will probably be after the holiday weekend. It's like we KNOW that there isn't anything else they will let us do, so we KNOW that we are going to get this job. Just making sure he gets into the October school. Hopefully he will! Positive outlook, right? :)