Aaaaaaaaand I'm back...for now :-)

First of all, I think it is terrible that they call it "morning sickness."  Mine is definitely more of a "morning/noon/night/everywhere in-between sickness."  The good thing is that once I get itout, I feel yuck for a few minutes but then I feel pretty great.  Usually.

I am 11 weeks and 2 days along.  My first appointment was last Monday and it went swimmingly, as they say.  My doctor was wonderful, very understanding of our situation (ie the miscarriage) and how we are a little nervous.  He 

was very reassuring, but just to make sure WE felt as reassured as possible, he said we could do an ultrasound!!  We were hoping to be able to hear the heartbeat, but an ultrasound was more than we could have hoped for!!  

Here is the most BEAUTIFUL picture in the world, our little pickle!

Pickle was in the perfect position for his/her first photo op, so you can see the head in the left hand corner, perfect little hands/arms next, then a sweet little belly that is just BEGGING to be kissed, and finally little wonderful feet/legs.  I am so excited to meet this little one!!!

My first real craving was Sunday night, after getting an email from my sister-in-law describing her trip to a fish n' chip shop.  All of a sudden, I absolutely HAD to have Red Robin's Arctic Cod Fish & Chips (which were fabulous RR endless steak fries) with one of their AMAZING chocolate milk shakes.  The hubs and I shared both, and it was the perfect amount for both of us.  

Hmm, other than that, can't wait to find out the sex of the pickle whenever we can so that I can start sewing...clothes, bedding, whatever I can!  Oh so very exciting!

Things I Want in a House

We've been house hunting....for about a year!  

Prices have finally started going down, which is good good good for us.  But we still haven't found what we're looking for.  I know that as first-time home buyers we won't get our dream house right away, but at the same time, there are some things we've decided we can't live without:

• At LEAST 3 bedrooms, but would love either 4 or a bonus room so that I can have a craft/sewing room
• 2 or more bathrooms
• A backyard that has enough room for our kids to run around as well as a little veggie garden and a place to put my herbs
  
• Not too much work to be done, especially since we found out we're pregnant!  
  
• An open floor plan as far as the kitchen and living room are concerned 
  
• Most importantly, a neighborhood that feels safe and kid-friendly

Now, I don't think that is asking too much.  But, as I said, we've been looking for over a year, and haven't found THE house.  We're just trusting that God knows and has our back! :)

My "babies"

Fourth of July Tomatoes  

Sweet 100 Tomatoes  

Strawberries

Here are some pictures of my new obsession!  The strawberry plant IS actually there, in the right hand corner.  I know it's kind of lame to be so excited about some tiny little sprouts, but I NEED something to nurture and take care of!  Two more tomato plants have sprouts coming up and I have planted some herbs today (sweet basil, curled parsley, thyme, chives, and cilantro).  I'm so excited!! :)

Productive-ness-a-licious

Today was a wonderfully productive day! But the best part was that it was productive and not stressful in the least! I woke up at 7:15-ish and went outside to the balcony to catch up on some of my Bible reading (I was on February 5th...ooops!). Then in the next 5 hours, I planted tomatoes and strawberries; made potato salad; cooked and cut a tri-tip; cleaned the kitchen, dining room and living room; read more Bible; swept and vacuumed the balcony, and finished off another few little things. WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!

To celebrate life in general, and beautiful faux-spring weather in particular, we walked over to Coldstone and got a Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Gotta Have It!! We subbed the choc chips for Oreos and it was deeeelish! Then when we got home, I finished my dad's birthday present (a notebook full of geocaches).

What a splendiferous day!

Guess what time it is?

It's Friday night, 9:58, and it's time to get started on a new project...oh that's right, I FINISHED my blanket!!!!!!! Life is gooooooood :-D

I'm writing it down

There has been research done that says people who write their goals down are much more likely to accomplish those goals.

SO, this is the week that I will finish this dang stamped cross-stitch blanket that I started in April-ish of 2007. I bought it to make for Avery, so I want to finish it and put it in a box with a scrapbook for her. Of course, it won't have any pictures of her, but we'll put in pictures of the flowers that were sent, receipt for pregnancy test, journal entries that I wrote, etc. So that's one of the many projects I hope to start once this blanket is done!

Alright, back to cross-stitching :-D

My little "secret"

I have only shared this blog with, hmm, maybe 2 people?! It is really nice, because I have been using it more as a journal, and to look back at what I've done because I have such a terrible memory! I don't have to worry about offending, boring, watching my words, etc. It is just for me, and I love it!