It's Been A LONG While

Hey guys!  Seriously, it has been a LONG time.  I would love to get back into blogging regularly, but I really don't want to make any goals that I am not sure I can keep right now.  Life is CRAZY, but so wonderful.  Here are a few things going on...

• Trae turns one tomorrow!
• In posts from forever ago, I had posted about working out via Insanity.  I had fantastic results.  I lost five inches in one week!  I lost all my pregnancy weight plus about sixteen more pounds.  Then...
• I found out I am pregnant again!  We are SO excited.  Baby A, as we are calling him, is due June 28.  And, yes, another boy!
• I have become an expert smootie maker.  I am drinking a fantastic one right now.  Bananas, Strawberries, Pineapple, Oranges, Greek Yogurt, Honey, Soy Milk.  Yum.

A Few Pictures

Trae has been entertaining himself for longer lately.  I think this is because he really enjoys sitting up.  However, I am not used to having five to ten minutes of free time when he is awake.  So, I have obviously spent this new found time doing very productive things, like putting sunglasses on Moses.

I'm getting this tattooed on my back soon!  I might have to wait until Art gets home so he can keep Trae while I go with my friends, but still... In the next six weeks, I will have this!  Holla!

And, as I mentioned, Trae is sitting up... I love it.  He is getting so big.  Unlike many mothers, I do not miss the newborn stage.  I love how he is growing, and I can't wait until he can talk and walk.  I just love him so much.

A List of the Last Week

Hello blogging world!  I miss you!  My parents are visiting this week.  We are doing a lot of unpacking, among other things.  When they leave, I will be back with updates on the house.  For now, here are a few things that sum up this last week.

• We are moved!  Yay!  We are not unpacked... 
• My parents brought our dog, Moses, back to us.  (He had been on a long vacation in Oklahoma.)
• I got suckered into adopting a kitten who had previously been adopted and was then returned to the shelter.  The poor guy was homeless twice.  How could I resist?  His name is Mylo.
• Trae has discovered his feet.
• I am still missing Moo.
• I discovered the goodness that is Panda Express.

We Start Moving Tomorrow!

We have the keys to our house!  I am so excited to move.  Compared to the apartments we have lived in for the last two years, this place is going to be huge.  I have no idea of how we are going to fill up the space.  However, dear reader, you can be looking forward to a new blog series I will start up in a week or so covering the making of our little house.  It will include unpacking, organizing, cleaning, and decorating.  It will definitely be worth your time.  I have some DIY projects in mind that I cannot wait to start.  As for now, our apartment is a disaster, and I am ready to LEAVE!

In other news, Trae FINALLY figured out that the door jumper is actually a toy and not a clever device invented to eat him.

Don't forget, fun blog series starting SOON!  Next weekish.

Family Photo

Cramming It All In...

Lots of thoughts with no organization...

Trae is napping, so I have a moment of peace.  I should definitely use my free time to pack, but I just feel like being lazy, you know?  Speaking of lazy, Trae napped so well yesterday, and so did I.  Every time he took a nap I did too.  Whatever.  You only live once... might as well sleep all you can.  That's how the saying goes, right?

Well, when I have not been sitting around being lazy, I have been packing.  I am at that point where you aren't sure if there is a lot left or maybe just a little.  Things are just so messy that you cant tell.

Last weekend, two of my dearest friends made a trip to Houston to see me.  Josh and Stephen came down here and we sure did have fun.  We went to Galveston, ate sushi, shopped, and ate lots more food.  Haha.  They made me try a wheat grass shot, and let me just say that I like liquor shots much more than an ounce of squeezed grass.  Who cares if one is better for you than the other.  I didn't want to dance on any tables after the wheat grass shot.  Lame!

I have been making all of Trae's food.  This is really important to me.  I did not get to breastfeed for as long as I wanted to, so I think that making all his food is my way of making it up to myself.  I have no doubt that he is healthy and thriving on formula.  I am in no way a breastfeeding Nazi.  However, I do want him to eat good food.  Today he ate avocado and loved it!  I think we are going to move on from the rice cereal.  It just isn't working for us.  I tested the stuff and don't blame him.  I would spit it all out too.

I have been getting really involved in our church lately.  Today was the women's Bible study, and it was quite enjoyable.  It feels good to be in the presence of people again.  Having a baby is kind of isolating in a way.

We are moving in one week.  Goodbye apartment!

Happy Memorial Day

Still packing, friends.  We will be moving in a week.  Until after the move, I will continue to post only occasionally.  Bare with me.  I will be back.

Cat friend!

Trae is starting to eat solids!

Brief Update

Hey, guess what?  We are leaving the apartment life behind, FINALLY!  After three apartment moves, endless loud neighbors, mold, leaks, and oh so many more joys, we are going to be moving to a house.  I had previously written about us buying a house.  We did not end up buying.  Instead, we decided to pay off credit cards and other debts and continue renting for awhile longer.  I feel like this was a fantastic plan because I can now proudly say that we are almost debt free.  We still have the unfortunate car bill, hospital bill, and a washer and dryer to pay on, but really, we have come so far in a year!  I am really proud of us.

As soon as Trae wakes up from his nap, we are going to put down the deposit on our new rent house.  I am  really excited about this!  The house is three bedrooms and the garagehas been turned into one big game room.  It has a real washer/dryer room and a real kitchen!  Can you tell that I am happy about that?  What is even better is that all of our neighbors will be old people.  Ah, silence!  

And now for a Trae update.  While Art was home, Trae had his first professional photo shoot.  He was great.  He smiled for every picture!  I was so proud.  Yesterday, he had his 4 month shots.  He didn't like them, but he was pretty good the rest of the day.  Also, he is now sleeping every night from 7pm to 7am.  I know, he is perfect.  Please don't steal him.  Oh, and one more thing... We are starting to try solids!  He hates them.  I can't wait to start making all the fun stuff, though.  We just have to get over the rice cereal first.

Okay, back to packing.

Husband

Finally, A Moment To Myself

Alright, so, the last few days with Trae have been a challenge.  He was doing so well sleeping through the night every night, then all of a sudden it's like he is a newborn again.  He is up and inconsolable every three hours.  It. Is. Driving. Me. Crazy.  If you didn't know, I'm really serious when I put a period after every word.  He has also been super cranky and really tired during the day too.  The problem is, he just won't sleep during the day now.  I even gave in and put him in his swing and NOTHING.  Really, I am frustrated and glad beyond belief that Art is coming home soon because I need a Trae break.  I love being a mom always, and I enjoy being with Trae 98% of the time... but the other 2%... I just need some time for me.

I am also super stressed about this week.  Art will be home this week, which is always nice, but there is just so much we need to accomplish in seven days.  We need to find a house to rent, buy a million groceries, see family and friends... I know it doesn't sound like that much.  I am just overwhelmed.  Debbie Downer, Negative Nancy, blah, blah, blah...  On the positive side, Art coming home always means one good thing: take out sushi!  We wait until Trae goes to sleep then order up some sushi... and of course a seaweed salad for me, because YUM.

Trae fell asleep sitting up... while eating.  I told you, the kid has been tired.

Trae has also discovered that his hands are really great because they can hold a bottle.  He still needs a little help, but he'll have it down soon.

In exchange for Trae not letting me sleep and waking me up at 6 every morning, I took two hours to get ready on Saturday while Trae (somewhat) patiently watched.  I feel like it was a fair trade.

A Little Glimpse Into My Day

6:30: Wake up. Try to keep myself awake while entertaining Trae and watching the SNL I recorded.
8:00: Trae's first nap.  I take a nap too.  Sleep, yes...
10:30: Get up. Feed Trae.  Get Trae ready.  Get myself ready.
11:45: Subway time.  My kitchen light burned out, and I won't attempt cooking in the dark... Especially      
           after I spilled hot soup on my foot while attempting that yesterday.
2:00:  Feed Trae again.  Force Trae to take a nap...

... Which brings me to now.  Trae has been asleep IN HIS CRIB for the last hour and a half.  I am amazed.  I have checked on him a million times to make sure he is okay, because this just doesn't ever happen.  Not to mention, he has now slept through the night for three nights in a row!  I want to run and jump and do cartwheels right now.  I am just so thrilled.  Let's hope he keeps this up.

Trae's Dedication

Trae is growing up so quickly.  Just in the last week he has learned SO much.  The main thing he has discovered are his hands.  This kid is smart.  I already have him working on the peace sign, and he is half way there!  Seriously, he is such a joy.

Trae was dedicated at church today.  We had the opportunity to pick out a life verse for him, and we picked this:
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” – Isaiah 40:3-5

We picked this passage for a few reasons.  Mainly because when I was pregnant, this verse appeared EVERYWHERE.  Seriously, before Trae, I had heard this verse a few times in Bible classes in high school, but I hadn't given it much thought.  Then, bam, it's everywhere.  I read a book that repeated this verse over and over.  I had a dream about this verse.  It would pop into my head randomly all the time.  And honestly, this is what I want for Trae.  I want him to go into desolate places and to meet lost people and stand strong while preparing the way for the Lord.

Oh, and yeah, it's Mother's Day.  On this day, I always think about what makes a mother.  I know one thing that does not make a mother.  Pushing a baby out does not make you a mother.  Caring for a child, loving a child, and nurturing a child make you a mother.  So, regardless of whether or not you have given birth, Happy Mother's Day.

Just Some Thoughts...

Hi, friends.  I feel like I have been a little MIA for the last week.  Honestly, I have been completely uninspired when it comes to blogging.  I have been spending a lot of time with Trae, as I should.  When he is sleeping, I have been getting my nerd on by watching documentaries on Netflix instead of blogging.

Today, I watched Babies.  Wow.  Fascinating, really.  Here is what I got from the film.  In America, we are so privileged with so many unnecessary things.  Let me give some background for those who haven't seen it.  The documentary follows four babies throughout their first year of life.  There are no words to the documentary, just film showing how they are developing.  I really didn't pay too much attention to the specific places where these babies were born.  Only one of these babies was born in the US.  The others were born in... I want to say Africa, Japan, and Mongolia.  I think I got that right.  I just couldn't help noticing how different the US birth was than the others.  The baby was born in the hospital.  It was shown being connected to IVs right after birth.  I guess that was the main thing that got me.  I just think it is so unnecessary.  The baby in Africa was born in a village where it grew up naked and rode around on his mother's back while she went about her daily work.  It developed just the same as the US baby.  In fact all of them developed just fine.  We really pamper babies here.  Please don't take that the wrong way.  I am so thankful that we have the technology to do so, but I wonder how much is really necessary.    I LOVED my epidural, but birth would have happened fine (but very painfully) without it.  I'm glad that the hospital was able to monitor Trae, but I think he would have turned out fine without all the heel pricks and newborn checks and what not.  Just thoughts there.  Great documentary.  If you like that kind of stuff, please watch.

In other news, my little Trae is a little bit sick today.  He had his first fever.  Poor guy.  He didn't let it get him down though.  Other than being a little more tired than usual, he was fine.  Of course, I am a worried mama.  I have never had a sick baby before.  It makes it hard having Art gone and trying to figure out if he is okay.  What if he isn't okay and I am here by myself?  I think that is where a mother's instincts come in.  Going back to what I said earlier about the movie, in the US, we are able to take classes before we have a baby and we prepare ourselves by reading up on anything and everything.  I know I did.  But really, I think all women are born with a motherly instinct.  I'm sure without my Google searches today, I would have still known when to worry about a fever.  The way we are made is amazing, you guys.  God did some great thinking when he created humans.  I believe we have far more instincts than we will ever realize because we let technology take care of everything.

And finally, I opened up the mail today to find a Mother's Day gift for me, from Art...

What a great guy.  I have been given strict orders not to wear it until Mother's Day, but until then, I have had a good time looking at it.  How did he know something like this would suit me so well?  Oh, I may or may not email him links of things I find that I love.  I just let his conscious lead him when it comes to what I deserve.  Haha.  I think he did good.  This necklace is handmade and can be found here.

Things Done Today:

Today I...

Went to church.  I wasn't brave enough to leave Trae in the nursery, but his time is coming.  He just wont sit still during church anymore.  The child likes to move.  Therefore, church for me was spent standing in the back swaying back and forth with Trae who just wanted to move and stare at the Exit sign.

Had lunch with our house church.  Appropriately, the sermon today was about community, so it was fantastic to spend some quality time with some great people.

Went shopping... By myself.  This hardly ever happens, but I have to say, it was really nice.  I spent a good hour in Forever 21 and picked out about a million accessories, as usual.  However, in the end, I put back everything but a necklace, a pair or earrings, two pairs of glasses... and okay, two shirts.  THEN, I went to Victoria's Secret and Antropologie... and I got to buy things at both!  Thank you, gift cards!  I will post pictures of my finds tomorrow.

Ate at Taco Bueno... also by myself.  They have some great new healthier menu choices that I am enjoying... Like the BC Tostella.  They may have had these things on the menu for a long time, but I am far behind in the fast food world.

And because I promised, here is a picture of Trae from this afternoon.  While I think my glasses are awesome, he obviously does not.

Oh, hi. It's been awhile.

Hi, friends!  It has been almost a week break from blogging for me.  I would be lying if I said I had thought of it once.  My husband is home, and we have been busy.  Imagine trying to fit a months worth of activities into one week.  That's what we try to do.  Since he is gone so much, we try to do as much fun stuff together as we can while he is home.  This time, we have had a nice take-out, stay-at-home date consisting of a ridiculous amount of sushi.  We have taken Trae out to lunch with some friends.  We went to the pet store a few times, of course, and we have been looking for a new house to live in when our lease is up in this apartment.  Other than that, we have watched lots of Netflix while Trae sleeps... and we may have enjoyed some wine... and beer... and liquor.  Never too much at one time, of course :)  I have come to figure out that being old means that I definitely can't try to be as cool (or so I thought) as I was in college... which is code for no more than two or three drinks for me, or I pay for it the next day.

I have been getting addicted to documentaries on Netflix lately.  I am kind of (a lot of) a nerd, so when you put an unlimited amount of documentaries in front of me, I have to watch.  I may have graduated from college, but really, I love to learn.  I miss school a lot.  Maybe one day when Trae is in school, I will go back and get a few more useless degrees... Let's face it, sociology can't really be used unless you want to go to grad school... And honestly, I would love to.  Before I was pregnant with Trae, I was going back to school for addiction counseling.  Maybe I can finish that up too.

Well, what else do I need to update on?  I took a nap today for the first time in forever.  That sure felt good.  Art got his birthday/Christmas present... finally!  It's a guitar.  He could tell you all about it, but really it's just a shiny new guitar to me.  Moxy had to go to the vet and cost us a butt-load of money.  In the end, we paid a lot of money to get some eye drops and be told that 15 pounds makes him overweight, even though he is down from his previous 17 pound monster weight.  Trae is fantastic and laughs all the time.  I got a great video of it tonight, until he spit up his existence in the middle of my recording.  It's been a good week.  I wish it didn't have to end.

Art has gone to jam with his dad, who also has a shiny new guitar.  Therefore, I am going to spend my night watching Netflix documentaries, cuddled on the couch with my little cat-child, Moo.  Tomorrow is church, and if I get REALLY brave, I might leave Trae in the nursery for the first time, but I doubt I can let go for that long.  Have a wonderful night.  Pictures next time, promise.

Guess Who is Taking a Nap IN HIS CRIB?

This little guy is taking a nap in his crib.  You have no idea what a huge deal this is.  Success!

And this is what I am doing... Laying in bed, enjoying the few moments of peace I get in a day.

Trae Needs To Sleep!

You know, the past few days I have not been blogging as much.  Why?  Oh, just because all of a sudden, my child decided that he doesn't need to sleep during the day... EVER.  No naps for Trae.  I am tired and our little home is a complete disaster.  Starting tomorrow, Trae and I are going to work on a new nap time routine.  To say that I am dreading it is an understatement.  Until now, Trae has napped in his swing.  Now that he is getting bigger, it is time for him to start sleeping in his crib for naps.  However, he hates his crib.  I anticipate many tears.  I promise my posting will get more consistent again sometime this week!  Until then, if you have any magical napping advice, please send it my way!

Oh, and I need to finish the 30 Day Photo Challenge!

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

Umm... Okay, I have no full body shots since having Trae, and I only have like three from when I was pregnant because I so cleverly avoided the camera.  My whole body is my biggest insecurity right now.  Pregnancy was not nice to me.  Actually, let me re-phrase that.  I was not nice to myself during pregnancy.  And let me re-phrase that AGAIN.  I was too nice to myself during pregnancy, which in turn wasn't that nice.  Make sense?  I ate whatever I wanted and kind of stopped working out and became pretty sadly lazy.  Now that Trae isn't in there anymore, I look at myself and think, oops!  Haha.  Hence why I am now not eating much and working out nightly.  It sucks, but I have got to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight or I am never going to feel good about myself again!  So, because this is, in fact, a photo challenge, here is one of the few semi-recent photos I can find of my whole body.  I am 39 weeks pregnant here... and huge!  Oh, by the way, 50 pounds of this are already gone.  Yeah, I did say I gained a lot!

Cell Phone Pictures

Guess who still can't remember to bring the actual camera anywhere?  Yep, me.  However, I have my trusty phone, so here are a few pictures from today.

I was looking like a dirty hippie today.  Just no time to take a shower.  Oh well.

But, Trae was looking great.

And we look pretty cute together.

As usual, Moxy is obsessed with Trae

I think it is the fish on this mat that entice him.

In other news, we have new upstairs neighbors and I already want to shoot myself.  I was THRILLED when the old neighbors moved out.  They had one little kid who ran around the apartment all night.  Hey, if any of you are building apartments, don't put wood floors in them!  Anyhow, I was seriously that neighbor who called to complain every night.  I mean, the kid woke my baby up EVERY night.  Do you blame me?  And who moves in today?  Not one, but two little kids.  UGH.  I am pretty annoyed already.  Unless these children actually go to bed at a decent hour, the apartment better prepare for some calls.  I know, I know... I am a grumpy old lady, but you try to put a baby to sleep only to have him woken up thirty minutes later, then have to do it all over again.  Not cool.

The Result of Sephora Free Shipping

A few weeks ago, my friend Kimber informed me that Sephora was having a free shipping day.  This was perfect because first, I love make up far too much.  Second, I had a gift card I had been itching to spend, but because I had been staying home with Trae so much, I just hadn't made it to the actual store.  Here's what  bought:

Urban Decay's Ink for Eyes

(VIA)

My first time to use this stuff was this morning, and I am already loving it.  I usually use Urban Decay's Liquid Liner.  I like liquid liner, but I have issues with it looking a little too intense for some occasions.  This stuff is perfect because it is still bold and black, but it can look a lot softer.  Make sense?

Tarte Lip Stain

(VIA)

I'm also loving this lip stain.  I love Tarte cosmetics in general.  I have used their cheek stain for years.  This stuff is great.  I put it on this morning, and I can still see some color.  Also, unlike every other lip stain I have, this one actually makes your lips feel moisturized.  

So, I have seen a few "What's In My Makeup Bag?" posts, and I thought they were fun, so here is the rest of what I use on a daily basis...

1.  Clinique Redness Solutions foundation

2.  Clinique All About Eyes Concealer

3.  Physicians Formula Powder Palette

4.  Tarte Cheek Stain

5.  Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

6.  Eyeshadow - I have lots to choose from :)

7.  Make Up Forever Lash Fibers Mascara Primer

8.  Mascara - Also, I'm a little obsessed with mascaras, and I buy all kinds of brands.  One of my favorites is Maybelline's Falsies Mascara.

It sounds like a lot, but I promise I can put it all on in about five minutes.  Yes, I love makeup.  And, because I also love my little boy, please laugh at this picture with me.  My friend, Laura, took this when she can to visit me last month.  She caught Trae at the perfect moment to give us all a good laugh.

Lookin' crazy.

Regarding My Earlier Post:

As I sit here looking at my beautiful sleeping baby, I realize that no matter how tired I get, being a mom is just the most wonderful thing in the world.  I have a happy, healthy child.  I am so blessed.  The end.