Shower Pics & Pregnancy Highlights

A teacher emailed me pics from the teacher retirement shower yesterday. This is us signing in. I look like such a "mom" with Madison cocked on my hip.

The woman to the far right is the one I was talking about yesterday. My mentor. More like a grandma, really. Although, she'd probably hate for me to say that because it would make her feel old. This woman is far from old! She is off the charts dramatic, funny, energetic, young at heart, and in love with the Lord. I've been waiting for her to retire so she can come speak at MOMs. I'll be trying to get ahold of her next year! She's got much to share!

Me and two of the retirees

I had lunch today with a friend. We ate mexican and it was so good. Afterwards, we took the babies for a stroll at Bona Dea. It was very humid, but shady. We were hot and tired after our walk, so I joined Madison in her afternoon nap.

I'm way behind on my pregnancy highlights. I think I've missed almost a months worth. You'll have to look at the pics in todays post to see my belly. I don't have any of just me.

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS

How Far Along: 24 1/2 weeks...

Size of baby: Just over a pound...almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 17.5 lbs at 24 weeks

Maternity Clothes: Wearing my summer maternity gear and lovin' it! Still working on my tan!Gender: It's a BOY!

Movement: I feel movement all throughout the day. Can't see my belly move yet, but I think we're getting close.

Food Cravings: My new addiction is chocolate chip ice cream. I have a big glass of it every day. Still DONUTS & CHOCOLATE MILK, haven't ate as many baked potatoes, still enjoy sweet tea, and cokes!

What I miss: being skinner and now that it's warm, being able to go tan. I've been walking with Madison in the stroller everyday now for about 50 minutes around our neighborhood. I'm working on my tan daily!

Sleep: Sleep is getting a little rough. I can't get comfortable, I'm hot, and I feel the baby at night.
Symptoms: sharp lower back pains. Hate them! Tired feet.

Teacher Retirement Shower

"BYE!" Madison has got the pageant wave down. She loves to wave and say "bye."

This afternoon Madison and I went to a teacher retirement shower at UE5G (Upper Elementary 5th Grade-the school where I used to teach elementary music.) Three teachers were being honored, one of whom was very special to me. She was a mentor to me, professionally, but more so spiritually. We had recess duty together every Tuesday on the playground and we discussed many important issues while Gabe and I were dating, engaged, married, and then pregnant. It was good to see her again. We only stayed 15 mintues and then Madison started to whine, so we quickly snuck out the back door. My life is a quite different now than it was then, to say the least. She sure looked like a doll!

so innocent!

gettin' some sugar...

Mother's Day Cont.

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

I read this quote over on Kelly's Korner. Isn't it so true? Although, it kind of depends on what kind of pie we're talking about. I could see myself cutting each of the pieces small so that "everyone" could have a bite. :)

I absolutely loved Mother's Day last year. We dedicated Madison to the Lord at our church on Mother's Day and it was such a neat day for me. Madison was only about 3 months old and she looked so precious in her little pink dress and bonnet. Gabe hated the bonnet...said it made her look like a girl from Little House on the Prairie, but it was the best I could find at the time.

Here we are...our brand new family of three on Mother's Day 2009. This was SUCH a fun and special day! I told Gabe this morning that I wish we had another baby to dedicate today. We'll have another sweet little boy soon. Can't wait.

We headed to my parents' house after church for Mother's Day. We enjoyed a great meal of brisket, pinto beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, salad, yummy rolls, and banana pudding. It was yum! I had 5 rolls. Yeah, I know! My mom bought this cute little dress for Madison. Isn't it so cute?

We headed over to Gabe's parents this evening. Gabe and I gave Margaret a name sign for Mother's Day. Her sign is painted brown with the name FREYALDENHOVEN across it in tan letters. The first names of every one in their family are across the sign in the middle in red. She liked it!

A girl in Russellville has a home business called The Dandy Lion and sells all sort of these signs. You can get them personalized in any color and with any name or saying. You can check out some of her products at thedandylionstore.com

Margaret sent some fresh picked strawberries home with us. They are from Cabot, AR. I had a large bowl of them tonight. Pretty tasty.

Happy Mother's Day to our mothers and grandmothers. Gabe and I are so thankful for upbringing we were blessed with. Thank you for loving us and raising us in the way we should go. Being a mother is hard work, but is so worth it. We love you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Personalize your own greeting

What a Bargain!

If you haven't checked out Craigslist, you should! It's a great way to sell or buy ANYTHING from cities in your area. Around our area, you can search for items to buy or sell in Fort Smith, Fayetteville, or Little Rock. If you are seriously looking for an item, you really have to check the site numerous times a day and be super fast in replying to an item that you want to buy. We decided to get another crib, changing table, and dresser for baby #2 since Madison will only be 19 months when he is born. We went all out and bought great furniture for Madison's nursery. It's convertible and will literally last forever. We really didn't want to spend much on a second set of nursery furniture so we decided to start looking for used furniture. Craigslist is the way to go. I've spent many hours on Craigslist searching for a great deal and I've missed out on many. People are not great at replying back to your emails and by the time that they finally do...their item is sold. It's really hard not to get wrapped up in all of this, but it so happens! My husband has had to quote a little Dave Ramsey to me (which I don't necessarily like) during this process..."Don't get attached." Well, I got my heart broken over a few items, and finally learned my lesson to "not get attached." And like my husband always says, "Good things come to those who wait." And it's true. But you can't wait too long, or someone else will get it before you!

So, I got this cherry crib for $80, mattress included. It was a pretty good deal. We drove to Ozark today and picked it up. I also got a cherry changing table for $15 from Van Buren today. It matches the crib perfectly. It's got several marks on it where the cherry finish has been chewed off the legs by a dumb dog. Yes, dumb! We'll have to touch it up with a marker. I'm pretty proud of my great finds. It's been a long journey! You probably have no idea what I mean unless you've taken part of Craigslist yourself.

After every girl has worn herself out finding a great bargain, she's gotta eat! Especially if she's a pregnant girl...which I am. We stopped at Chili's in Van Buren and had a great meal. Madison was not enjoying sitting in her high chair, but towards the end of our meal, I handed her a fork and fry. She loved it.

Step 1: Stab it.

Step 2: Aim fork towards your mouth.

Step 3: Pull fork away from mouth and eat it!

Tomorrow we have a wedding to attend. One of Gabe's therapists from the clinic is tying the knot in Conway! I think we'll enjoy another great meal while we're away. Have a great weekend!

The Cookie Monster & "Kool-Aid" Grammy

Pure Bliss!
Yay Grammy!

My gums feel better already! They say babies like to chew on cold objects, but forget that remedy! Give me something warm and gooey!

Poppa, you're so funny... funny lookin'!

Eating is a blast.

Here ya go, Daddy! Try one.

I love milk with my cookies, too.

Hey, everybody's lookin' at me.

I'll clap for Grammy's cookies.

High Five- Grammy, I'd give you ten high fives for making my gums feel better.

Here, Poppa! Yum. Yum.

Dear Grammy,

Thank you so, so much for making me your famous chocolate chip cookies. They will always be my favorite...ahem, I mean my momma's favorite. Momma said that she meant to leave a note on the blog yesterday informing you that she'd be unavailable to bring me over for cookies Tuesday or Wednesday night, but she forgot. It looks like she missed out on the warm, fresh cookies. She didn't seem to be too upset once Daddy brought her the gallon ziplock bag full of them home to her. Because of your scrumptious (I learned this word at school/Mother's Day Out today) cookies, I will "sleep like a baby" tonight. I'm so glad I can now function as a normal baby...without all of that teething pain.

I sure do love you Grammy!

Love, Madison

Dear Grammy...

This weekend was a full one! Gabe had a reunion with his old youth group from church on Saturday. I think it's been about 15 years since they've all gotten together. Pictured above is the youth group from graduating classes 1990-1996. Several of them went on numerous ski trips and youth choir trips together. They had a great time seeing each other and it was fun watching them together.

The reunion was held at a gorgeous ranch home in town. Meredith, a member of this former youth group, and her parents planned and hosted the reunion at their home. They had bubbles, riding toys, water guns, a huge dirt pile, burgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings. A great time was had by all!

Madison had a great time with her Poppa, Gabe's dad. She played with him and got lots of love from him all afternoon.

Pretty Girl

Grammy...Please read the letter from Madison. She's been trying to communicate this message to you for some time now, but apparently the message has not gotten through.

Puleeze!!!

Waah!!!

(Kicking my legs throwing a wild fit...still crying...WAHH!)

The message UP CLOSE, just in case you couldn't read it before.

If this doesn't get this poor baby some homeade, fresh from the oven, chocolate chip cookies, I just don't have any idea on earth what will!