just saying

gosh, I don't want this going crazy, so, I'll just state it here, I'm not pregnant, or at least I don't know that I am!?! hehehehe

simply no words

I am posting this on behalf of my friend Jennifer

Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wear Pink Tomorrow!

If you read my blog earlier this week, then you know that fellow Mom of Multiples Brook just lost her sweet baby girls, Sydney and Carynne. They suffered from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, type 1. Their funerals are tomorrow, which is also the day they would be six months old.

Let's pay tribute to these sweet, beautiful girls by wearing pink tomorrow. A pink scarf, pink socks, a pink shirt. Whatever you have, wear it! If you send me your picture I will post it on my blog. Just post the link to it in the comments section.

And while we're at it, let's help try to find a cure for SMA by signing the Petition to Cure SMA. SMA is the number one genetic killer of children under the age of 2.

http://www.petitiontocuresma.com

This is what the precious girl's momma had to say:

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday

Dear Sweet Girlies,
I miss you so much today. Carynne, I miss the way you suck in your bottom lip when you're getting ready to smile; I miss the way you hold onto your puppy's ear; I miss dancing with you when Ellen dances; I miss holding your hand while feeding you; I miss laying beside you on the floor and talking to you. Sydney, I miss the bubbles you blow; I miss the way you get so excited and start breathing hard when we're playing; I miss you 'lifting weights'; I miss smelling your stinky feet.

I miss hearing all of your machines. Just a month ago you were living without the assistance of oxygen and in such a short time we had to continually increase your liter flow. I'm sorry if we pushed it on you too much. I miss watching your Oximeters. I think I became addicted to checking your numbers...making sure your oxygen was at 100% and your heart wasn't beating too fast. I miss that stupid noisy suction machine. I know you hated it, but it helped you. They came and took all of your machines yesterday and at the time I was glad because I don't want to remember you being hooked up to machines, but today the house is too quiet. The phones have stopped ringing; the front door is locked; it's just me and your daddy left to pick up the pieces.

I was doing laundry this morning and you still had clothes in the dryer. Every piece I pulled out was the cutest thing you'd ever worn. Every piece brought me comfort and tears at the same time.

I am so lucky that I got to be your mommy, if just for a short time. Thank you so much for letting me get to know you and love you like I have never loved before. Thank you for the countless sleepless nights, the dirty diapers and the constant worry. Thank you for all of the firsts; I think my heart melted the first time I held you in my arms; the first time I saw you smile; the first time I heard you talking to each other over the monitors; the first time you wanted nobody but me.

It's hard not to be sad, but I'm really trying to be strong for you. I know that your bodies weren't meant for this world, but your souls are with us forever!
Love,
Mommy

My heart, I'm sure like yours, is broken.

RACHEL!!!!!!

It would be exciting to me if you were pg again...??

hehe, ugh????

10 on Tuesday

1. Macy Grace has been SO needy these last few days. It's ridiculous. She starts out great in the morning, but by the evening, it's a fussy, needy lil love.
2. I should reeeeeally start doing these on Wednesdays, seems like I have better days on Wednesdays.
3. Check out this picture, aren't her lips just perfect?

4. I want a bread box. I know how random is THAT!?!
5. Yesterday was Pancake Day =) Yes, really. In my town, every year we have a Pancake Day and a weekend full of festivities that lead into Pancake Day, and to this day, school is even let out for the holiday!
6. Today was simply a perfect day. Almost. The weather was a gorgeous 75, a light breeze, sun shining....ah, PERFECT. Lil love was cooperative and I was even able to take a shower AND do my hair BEFORE 11am.
7. I wore a pre-Macy pair of jeans today.



8. So, we're on a budget. What's weird about that? Most people are. Well, I haven't really been on one since I've been married. I mean, I have, but I haven't. I have never only taken so much money to the grocery store and made myself stay within that money range. Please understand that doesn't mean I could just spend frivolously, I knew mentally what was normal and acceptable for me to spend on groceries. We have decided that we have a few goals monetarily and we will need to start living within our budget. Oh, the B word, ouch. And because of this change we are temporarily not using our debit cards. I went to the bank and withdrew $150 and was determined to do my shopping within that amount. And I succeeded. I checked out and the total came to a whoopin' $149.05!!! I was excited =) I told the checker that's awesome, my goal was under $150 and it happened - yeah, I'm one of those girls! So, I had a few cents in change to make it out with a diet coke!

9. Here's a cute pic from today



and this one



10. Okay, so the NEWS! I have 2 things. I hope I don't let you down on the excitment, but I did warn you that it is probably more exciting for me than you, but here it is. I WON a FREE COMPLIMENTARY session fee from what appears to be a pretty good photographer down in OKC! I'm pretty excited =) So, when we hop on down there for my brother Sid's college graduation we'll get our pictures taken, I'm really looking forward to it!
And secondly, remember my IDEA? I was planning on printing all of my entries from 2008 and put them in a book. I mentioned it to J and he was game for the project. Well, I started thinking about it and thought that with today's technology there has to be something a little more, well, put together than just a printer and a binder. I decided to check out my favorite book making website blurb and see what they offered. Actually, it's my favorite just because of what they have to offer, I've never personally ordered a book through them, but that will change very soon...anyhow, back to my story. My plan was to check into making a book by just copying my blog entries and working a few layouts. Well, low and behold, what do I find on the fabulous website? Nothing more than a blog to book feature that virtually creates a book for you simply by logging into your blog and transfering the enteries (pictures and all) straight into your book!! Then you can select different layouts for different pages and everything, it's PERFECT! I was ECSTATIC!!!
So, there you have it, another 10 for this week!

PS. I actually did this on Wednesday!

uber exited...

Hang around, I have some exiting news to share.....I'm just so excited I can hardly contain myself =)
PS. it's probably not as exciting to you as it is to me!

10 on....

Wednesday!
But that's okay right?
1. I have decided to take on a project. I started this blog as a way to keep a journal of our journey together - Jeremy, Jake, and I, then Macy Grace. I wanted to record holidays, and special things through out the year. It has turned into so much more than though! It is a part of me and I love it =) So, I am going to print every entry of this blog from the year 2008 and laminate each page and place them in a 3 ring-binder for easy access. Pictures and all! I truly think it will be a great keepsake for my life. And I plan to continue to do so each year!
2. In accordance with #1, I might start blogging some things that seem completely pointless, for example, I talked to grandma today and she told me Uncle Vince lost his job, stuff like that, but's so I have it saved for the memory. I do promise not to completely OVER do it on these type of things!
3. This whole idea stems from this past summer when I was visiting my great-grandma Clara, whom is 93!, and we were trying to remember when it was and why my mom flew to Oregon with Lindsey (she was a toddler) one summer. Well, wouldn't you know that grandma walks over to her end table and pulled out a notebook full of journal entries from 1991!, and started flipping through it and we found where she wrote about Ginger and Lindsey coming for visit! How completely amazing is that? I was inspired. She has in essence documented her life for remembering and that is amazing!
4. So, you may see some blog changes coming soon. If my title changes back to "A Bean in my Belly" it's not because there is a bean in my belly, it's because I'm in the process of printing the entries and I want them to say that title =)
Okay, done with that.
5. We have a roller =) Yep, Macy Grace has rolled from tummy to back and back to tummy! Isn't that exciting?!? She isn't a full-fledged roller, but will be soon. Several times I have laid her in her crib on her back to sleep and she starts crying when she wakes up and I go to get her and she's on her tummy! She does have some amazing head control, she's a champ!
6. The economy just keeps getting worse and worse. I think now is a great time to say that I'm so glad that I have the Lord and He's taking care of my family. I personally think 2009 is in for a HUGE financial crisis. I think it's truly just getting started.
7. Macy Grace is cuter and cuter every.single.day. It's awesome. She just smiles and coos, it is so fun. She has been a very, very good baby for me.
8. Okay, so I got my hair cut and several of you commented that you understand. I think I probably overracted. It wasn't THAT bad. After restyling it, I like it much better. It's just that my stylist is awesome and she has never styled my hair in a way I didn't like so when I didn't like it, I instantly thought it was the cut. I told her I didn't want to look like Macy Grace's 16 year old babysitter, but more like the almost 25 year old that am, and I think she styled it a little too mom for me, yikes!! I don't want to look 38 and I certainly don't want to look like a '46 year old trying to look 23' gosh, I hate that!
9. In regards to the looking the mom part, I REFUSE mom jeans. I refuse. And I will still wear heels and cute, I said, cute flats. I'm sorry, what are mom jeans? Let me better illustrate. You know the ones with a high waist to tuck in that baby gut....



BWAH!!!! Sorry, I just couldn't refuse!!
10. So, in leiu, of the failing economy, what are some things you are doing to 'cutback'?

Tuesday....

Today is Tuesday and normally it's a 10 on Tuesday, but not today. Maybe tomorrow. I just don't feel up to posting. I have some things weighing heavily on my mind that I'm not ready to post yet, so I'll wait until tomorrow.

v-day recap

We had a good day, nothing to spectacular, but that's how we wanted it. I needed to make a quick run over to Guymon, I loaded up Macy Grace and decided it would be nice to take Jake along, so I did. We haven't had many, I mean, any, car rides together since lil love has been born and he's feeling left out. He rode along fine, and was surprising good. I took care of business and hit up the Walmart. I've heard jokes of women going out of town and going to Walmart when they have one in their own backyard practically, and I hate Walmart so normally I avoid it like the plague, but I thought it would be okay to check this one out. And it is new, and nicer, and cleaner, and has much more of a selection, especially in the baby department. We also picked up a few goods for dinner so I could avoid our Walmart we when got home and it was worth it.
I made boneless country ribs for dinner followed by a delicious triple layer chocolate cake and the evening was good. We had planned for a movie, but we were both so exhausted we just went to bed early, gosh, we really are parents!

We have never been ones to make much of Valentines Day, we just like to spend the day together, but Jeremy did surprise me with a gift!
A little boutique here in town landed some of my favorite perfums so I bought for myself (from Jeremy) for Valentines because I just couldn't bare the thought of them being sold out by the time J got around to shopping for me ;)
It's Laugh by Brighton, and it's my favorite.






It smells divine and I love it. But my good husband surprised me with another gift. Totally unexpected, and I was so happy. We have me card that read:
"Together we have fun, friendship, understand, and so much more. Because with you I have everything I could ever want. Happy Valentines Day with Love."
It was so sweet. I love my husband, and he gave me a beautiful braclet.




It is very special, can you read the inscription? It reads, "Live The Life You Love". I was so excited to get it. It's perfect.

I bought lil love a musical toy that she probably will not be able to play with for a couple of months, but it was on clearance, so I couldn't refuse. J bought her a stuffed animal, a little yellow lab. Very cute!



And of course, a heart felt card for Macy Grace:
"You're one of the best things that's ever happened to us - You're our love and best friend, and every day that goes by, it seems like we discover something new about you to love. It's incredible to us how one person can make such a big difference in our life. You touch us in ways no one else ever has and give us so many special reasons to smile. We've never been so happy, and we've never been so much in love." - S. Heins

Happy <3 Day =)

I hope everyone has a wonderful day filled with love. Remember to tell those around you that you love them, you just never know when it will be too late....
*~*~*~*xoxoxo*~*~*~*

toothpick eyeballs....

I'm so stinkin' tired! I'm not sure why, but something is kicking my booty big time, I suppose it's Mommyhood! Macy Grace is still holding onto her "awaking-one-time-a-night" schedule, which I'm fine with, but all of a sudden I'm beat. Last night around 9:30 I told Jeremy I'm so tired, I'm going to bed. I probably got around 9 hours of sleep total, but not all at once, and I'm feeling it. I think lil love is tired too, it must be in the air...I need to become a grownup and start drinking coffee!

sweet baby girl - 3 months

Macy Grace,
You are the sweetest lil bundle of love and joy that has ever been in my life. I love you so much and love you more and more everyday. You have captured my heart with your gorgeous smile, and I just can't put in adequate words how much I love you.

You love your hands. You chew on them, slobber on them, drool on them, all things hands. When you are laying down it is the sweetest thing to watch you just look at your fingers in fascination. You watch them move and point, you are captivated. You are holding your head up more and more and have some awesome time on your tummy.

The one thing that comes to my mind is how much you have begun to LOVE music. It comes as no surprise really. I love music and so does your daddy, it is definitely something you come by naturally.

Your smile. It is certainly contageous. People comment on how much your entire face just lights up when you smile, no half smiles, it's all or nothing. No one leaves after having been with you without saying how adorable, how precious.

You are a very happy and easy baby! You love to talk and talk alot. Your coos and babbles are precious. And you love the camera, it's perfect!
This is probably one of my favorite pictures from this month because it is SO you:



One thing remains, you fight sleep. Oh, you are good sleeper for the most part, but getting you to sleep sometimes takes a walk and a rock and some singing! But you love to cuddle and that's how you fall asleep =) You still wakeup at least once a night, but that's okay, it is hard for me to go that long without seeing you too ;)

You weigh 13 lbs 4 oz and are approximately 23 1/2 inches long.

You are my joy and I am so proud of you! With all my love my baby girl, Momma.

*~*~*~*~*xoxoxoxo*~*~*~*~*

So I had my MUCH anticipated hair appt today, with my FABULOUS hairstylist that takes weeks to get into, because she is just THAT good, and I don't like my hair. At all.

10 on Tuesday

1. I have to go a few days without posting so I have something to write about, haha
2. Because yes, my life is just THAT ho-hum lol
3. Ah, the Bachelor, it ended last night just how I would have wanted it to. I reeeeeeeeally like Melissa, but I also think Molly is a good fit for Jason; however, he's in a tough bind, because I think he really likes all the girls and especially Jill
4. Our ladies meeting tonight was incredible. God showed up and moved and in an awesome way - I LOVE my church =)
5. I want some new bedding for lil love's room. I know, I know, she's only 3 months, but still, it's darling....check it out! But I'm in between the idea of going for it, or making her current room more girly (remember it was gender neutral and I'm just totally not feeling it!) and waiting until she's older to buy the new bedding, but that is such a long ways away!
6. That's right itty bitty is 3 months old, I'll write a post about that tomorrow =)
7. Macy Grace just got some of the cutest clothes for this summer, I never knew shopping for a little girl would be so addicting =)
8. Jeremy and I are attending a Valentine Banquet this weekend, and he doesn't want to go, that makes me sad, but we're going anyways whether he likes it or not because I bought his ticket tonight!
9. Ah, valentines day, the one day a year that is totally overrated but yet so fun ;) I had a friend once who called it nothing more than a 'hallmark' holiday lol
10. I received my daycare license on Friday, woot woot

so cute =)

to say i'm in love would be an understatement!

soft as a lamb

oh I just took this, isn't she the sweetest and softest and cutest lil lamb EVER!!!



I have more from this same shoot, I'll get on here asap =)

ah...

Today came at a perfect time. I was really starting to find myself in a funk and I need to stay out of those, it's not good for my health. I hate cold weather and I'm so ready for spring, so despite what the ground hog said, I'm hoping spring is on the way. I took a walk with lil love in tow (the stroller!) we hit the pavment. I walked 2.3 miles in blissful 68 degree sunshine - so wonderful. Pair that up with my wii fit this morning, shredded wheat, grilled chicken breast and 3 slices of cheddar cheese, I feel WONDERFUL!!! Other good news - the forecast calls for this weather at least through Friday - woohoo =)


Now, itty bitty better get to sleep. She slept through the walk, but still needs to sleep a little longer and it's killing me because I know she is so stinkin cute in her room just talking up a storm and I need in on the convo, but she needs to sleep. Me and her, we'll talk later =)

10 on Tuesday

I'm going to try to compose a 10 today....my life is pretty hum-ho right now and I have a few thoughts stirring up within that I really want to post, but all in the right time I suppose.

1. So, I'm making lil love a baby photobook and I'm having alot of fun with it. I've decided to do a 0-3 month book, then a 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 1 year book. I'm dedicated to keeping it up. I have all her photos very organized here on the computer and backed up so I should be good to go!

2. I'm using a program for the said book that I purchased, when it's complete, I'll post it and links!

3. When I was purchasing baby furniture for Macy's room I bought a set from Walmart, I can't seem to find it anymore. Kari asked for a review about it, and I'll give you one, and hopefully if I come across it again on their website, I'll post that. The set came with a crib, 4-drawer dresser, and changing table and I purchased it in white, the brand was simplicity. It was sold the 3 pieces together in one box. The online reviews were pretty good, with a few lemons, but I thought I'd give it a whirl. First off, the assembly, it was cake, so so easy. As a matter of fact, I assembled it basically by myself 37 weeks pregnant =) The friend helped with the dresser because I decided the power drill would speed things up and needed her to help hold it; however, it is extremely doable on your own. The quality - let's just say you do get what you pay for. I have no problems with the crib. I had a little girl over here about age 4 and she tried to stand on the side of it. I asked her to get down because I said it was too expensive to rebuy right now and too cheap for durablility! It is very stable and all, I'm just not sure how many babies I can put it through. But like I said, understandable because it was cheap, it's not pottery barn. It works perfect for us. The changing table - I'm impressed. I wasn't going to buy a changing table, instead I was going to use a dresser top, however, I am so glad this set came with a changing table. It's steady, strong and durable. The dresser - again works for us. The drawers are a bit small, but you get what you pay for and I knew the size when I purchased it. And it works perfect for our space. Overall I give this set a 5 out of 5 =) An excellent buy and it only cost $220. I don't plan to use this furniture for every baby or hold on to it for years. Maybe later in our life when we aren't having to buy everything we can afford some nicer furniture, but then again, why? This works for us!

4. I am a ridiculously routine person and it's driving me crazy that staying home I still haven't formulated a good day to day routine. No matter what, each day gets all thrown around!

5. Check out this picture of itty bitty

It's a tad blurry, but I just can't get over how stinkin' cute it is =)

6. Yesterday I tried to reshoot some pictures of Macy Grace in an outfit I really love and she wiggled and wiggled the entire time. I laid her down on the coffee table and she just did the jig, legs flopping, arms swinging - good thing she sure is cute!

7. Are any of my readers a Bachelor fan on ABC? Just curious. I'm disgustingly addicted and my husband thinks I'm crazy. I know, people falling in love with complete strangers on public television ::rollseyes::, but I can't help it, I'm a sucker for reality tv.

8. On Thursday, Jeremy and I did one of my most favorite things ever. We left small town kansas with Macy Grace and went to a bigger but yet still small town kansas and went shopping, hit up an A&W, bought a few necessities at Target and came home. I just love having him all to myself (and itty bitty) for a day, no project, no to-do lists, not bosses, just us.

9. In an effort to keep me busy and on an agenda, I am volunteering to help a group of students in some photography work. They are entering a contest and I will be teaching them a few things and helping them with their projects. I'm excited. It'll get me out a couple times a week, and I'll be able to do on of my favorite things - photography.

10. Please pray for Jeremy and I if you think of it. I know that God is in complete control of the economy and we aren't hurting too bad from it, but I just keep praying that Jeremy won't loose his job. His boss said no one will, but as things get more and more difficult, you just never know. He works for the state, and typically that's good, but with so many states being in the red it just means more and more cut backs. I know God is good and He will provide, it just scares me sometimes. C.S. Lewis put it this way, "We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us, we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."

With much love and blessings, have a good Tuesday, Mindy

woot-woot

I have officially lost ALL of my pregnancy weight!! =)

Just 15lbs of pre-pregnancy weight to loose, I know I can do it!

Now, please excuse me while I indulge in some McDonalds for lunch!! hehehe