Convinced yet?

If the post "Rude Awakening" that I blogged about a week or so ago, didn't convince you that our animals rule the house and think that every object in this house belongs to them, well, maybe this post will convince you.

As I'm depperately trying to organize Annabelle's room and her hundreds of clothes, I found it easier to sit on my Boppy. It's just easier to get up from and it doesn't kill my Sciadica so much as sitting on the floor. I get up for maybe two minutes (which is no easy task!) from my comfy Boppy to put something away in her closet. I turn around, to plop myself back down on the Boppy, and I see this...


Seriously?? Does everything in this house have to be taken over by an animal? She plopped down in the EXACT spot I was sitting in! I have to admit though, it was pretty cute. So, I figured there were a few more things I could put away (notice the mess on the floor!) before I moved her from MY spot. So, I hang up a few more clothes and rearranged a couple of things in her closet. I turn back around to move her out of the way, and....

Scout apparently felt left out and wanted a piece of the Boppy, too. I couldn't help but laugh...but come on guys! Come August, I can tell we're going to have some problems. The animals really do rule the roost, but I think Annabelle will have something to say about that! ;0)

Doctor's Visit No. 9

I'm down to my every two week visits now. I can't help but love these doctors appointments. Who would've thought one would look forward to going to the doctor, but these are fun. This one was pretty good! I only gained 4 lbs. this time! I've somehow seemed to maintain my weight a little better, not real sure how...but I've done it. My doctor didn't have any complaints about it, so that's a plus. Heard Annabelle's heartbeat, and it's still the best sound in the world to me. I asked my doctor when I couldn't travel anymore, and she said about 4 weeks before my due date. Austin and I were thinking about maybe driving down to Salado for a little weekend get-a-way since we have a voucher to stay one night free at a bed and breakfast down there. She said that would be fine because if something were to happen I'm not far from the hospital in Temple. However, I don't really want to have my baby in Temple when everyone, including my doctor, is in Dallas, but we'll see. So far so good and I'm just taking it day by day. Like I've been telling everyone, I'm not to the point where I'm so ready to not be pregnant anymore. My only issue at this point is the heat! I am really enjoying this time. I am enjoying every little (and big) kick and feeling her little knees, elbows, feet, and bottom move all over the place. I'm really going to miss this time with her. It's a relief to have her with me all the time and no where she is and that she's safe! At the same time, I just can't wait to meet her! Well, that's it for this doctor's visit. I'll post another one in two weeks!

Mimi's Carrot/Raisin Bread Recipe

Here is the recipe for the Mimi's bread that some of you showed interest in on facebook. It isn't quite the same as getting it at Mimi's, but it is pretty darn close. My mother-in-law has a "Restaurant Top Secret Recipe" book that tries to duplicate famous restaurant recipes, so that is where I got it. Enjoy!

• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 c. vegetable oil
• 1 cup plus 2 T sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 c. molasses
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. shredded carrot
• 1 c. raisins
• 3/4 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in large mixing bowl. In another large bowl, combine oil, sugar, eggs, moasses, and vanilla with electric mixer. Add shredded carrots, raisins, and walnuts to wet ingredients. Mix well by hand. Pour flour mixture into the wet ingredients and stir until well combined. Pour batter into 2 ungreased 8 in. loaf pants. Bake for 60 minutes or until done.

Rude Awakening

I know! How sweet and peaceful, right???

Nope! I don't think so! Bella's gotta find a new sleeping arrangement come August! Somebody is in for a rude awakening!

Month Seven

May

I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to fit into this tank top and pants until the end of my pregnancy. They're already pretty snug, seeing as they are not maternity clothes. I ended the month of May with Annabelle being the size of a chinese cabbage. If you're wondering where I'm getting my info. from, http://www.babycenter.com/ is a wonderful resource for expectant mothers. I receive weekly emails letting me know what is going on inside the womb and how big the baby is getting. So having said that, according to Baby Center, Annabelle is about the size of a chinese cabbage.

This month, just like the others, has been fairly smooth and easy. I really can't complain. I've had a fairly easy pregnancy so far. Of course, I am facing some challenges and aches and pains, but nothing too bad. Some challenges have been: I am almost always hot and sweating, bending over is something I dread, it takes me a few minutes before I can really get out of bed and walk due to the pain I experience in my back right hip, my carpel tunnel is acting up in my left wrist, and of course, food is always on the brain and I almost always have a very hefty appetite. See? Not so bad, right? Some things I have really enjoyed this month: feeling and seeing different body parts of Annabelle's poking up from my belly, feeling her move on a consistent basis, seeing Austin's face light up when she responds to his touch on my belly (and she almost always responds to him), and sleeping is still a plus. I sleep really well, still. I'm told that won't last too much longer. I am thankful for everyday that God has given me and I just view Annabelle and this pregnancy as a miracle. Not too much longer now - it's crazy to think about.

Doctor's Visit No. 8

Yesterday was the much anticipated (sarcasm) Dr.'s appointment - the one where I have to drink pure sugar in five minutes - ick! The drink itself wasn't too bad, but the coming down off of the sugar and the after taste was nauseating! I'll find out tomorrow if I have gestational diabetes or not...I'm saying a little prayer! I've gained another 3 pounds (sigh), at least it wasn't eight this time! I'm trying to eat better and I've been walking a couple of nights a week! Hopefully the walking will become more frequent now that school is almost out. My doctor informed us that Annabelle is actually a little bit on the big side. She is 3 lbs 6 oz which puts her in about the 70th percentile for her size. So now, I'm mentally preparing myself for an 8 or 9 pound baby which I didn't think I would have, but I can't complain as long as she is healthy! We did have another sonogram yesterday and Annabelle put on a little bit of a show. When the sono tech was showing us her face, Annabelle looked over and stuck her tongue out at us! It was too funny! I think Austin and I are in for it - she's already giving us attitude - lol! Overall a good visit and I'm thankful for my health and big baby! :0)

Belly Pics by 365 Photography

My good friend and fellow-teacher, Krista, came over a couple of weeks ago to do some "belly" pics to display at my work shower. She did an amazing job! Especially considering that I'm not too keen on pictures of myself just because of the weight-gain (totally my own doing...and I don't mean the weight gain in my belly. That kind of weight gain is perfectly welcomed!) and just not feeling "like myself", but I also don't want to miss anything during this special time in my life and one of the best ways not to miss it, is by photographing it. Below are just a few of my many favs that Krista took. If you're looking for an awesome and affordable photographer... check out http://www.365photography.net/. I highly reccommend it! :0)