Backwards Mom? Am I?

So the thought occurred to me...I have been raising kids for 5 years- and I would like to think that I have been through and survived quite a bit. (I am no expert but I am just saying...) The thing is- that I have only raised kids from the ages of 4 and 6- to now 9 and 11. Lots of things happen between those ages! But I have NO clue what to do for the 1st four years of life- and those are some pretty important years! What to do... I am sure it will just come to me- I mean- all 1st time moms go through this...right?? Good thing the Hubs has been there done that and I have a great Big Sister and Brother to help out!

So I am sorta a backwards mom- like the Case of Benjamin Button- sorta...ok- you have to use your imagination- but you get what I am saying.

Addicting Dip!

Seriously this is the most addicting dip! I mean- I have never done crack- but I am pretty sure this is what it's like, and I would much rather be addicted to this dip- it's delicious! Give it a try. *warning* IT IS ADDICTING- you may not be able to stop- may want to make in small batches or be prepared to eat the whole batch at one time. If you serve this at a party- people may fight over it. And if you run out of chips- be prepared with spoons or anything else you can dip in this or you may have some people breakdown. - think crack addicts (really you could dip in dog food and it would still be good)

Here goes- this recipe is from my friend's blog Home With Mandy (great cooking blog) It's called Enchilada Dip

-2 cans of white meat chicken

-1 can of diced green chilies

-1 can Rotel (drained) I like the Rotel with green chilies in it.

-1 stick cream cheese

-shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients EXCEPT cheese in cooking dish. Then sprinkle grated cheese on top and bake in the oven at 350 until hot and bubbly. Serve with some chips! It's SO good!

12 weeks! We have a lime!

12 weeks already?? WOW- that did go pretty fast. I for sure have some energy back- and believe me- that's a good thing.

How far along? 12 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 5 lbs

Body Changes? I think my belly is finally starting to poke out a little- maybe bloat? but maybe the start of a bump!

Sleep: still all over the place.

Best moment this week: Hearing the heart beat, seeing the sonogram that looks like an actual baby!

Gender: no news yet.... I have checked the Old Wives Tales- but I am split in 1/2

Food Cravings: ketchup is still good- and that is good since the Hub thought I would end up not liking it- oh- and add Hinze 57 to the condiment list too.

What I miss: sushi

Symptoms: I have been getting bad headaches. I'm still peeing all the time- but so does my mom-so maybe that just normal, haha!

What I am looking forward to: my best friend A's up coming b-day and Engagement dinner and telling all of our friends and families the good news.

Milestones: going to attempt my favorite step class today- (going to take it easy) but I love this class and hope I can keep it up. There was a pregnant woman in there a few months back-so if she can do it- I can do it too...right?

Sea World- fun?!

So off with our friends from Lubbock, Kel & Les and their almost 2 year old son K- they came down and we all went to San Antonio! Sea World and Riverwalk- here we come! Should be fun.....right??

Well it was- good company and excited kiddos- but it was 100 degrees here.... way too HOT! Too hot to even get out of the house, much less, haul some hubbies and kiddos around a packed park. What is it about the heat that brings out the bad manners in people? I couldn't believe how many times someone tried to cut in front of us or bumped one of us without saying excuse me. It's hot, we're sweating, kids are whining, and husbands are dragging feet looking for the next beer stand....figures. haha!

Anywhooo- the Sea Lion show was fun. It's the Shamu Believe show that got me. We arrive early so that we can get good seats- and we did get pretty good seats and of course it was crowded. But instead of asking people to come back to a later show the ushers crammed people into rows. Did I say how hot it was? Or how stinky people can be when they are hot? And how a pregnant woman should NOT have to smell those smells or feel that sticky stick. yuck!

It was also a day to salute the troops- which was pretty cool. So at the beginning of the show they asked all of the troops to stand and thanked them for the amazing jobs that they do for all of us here in the USA. Who cried? yup-- that would be me. It was sweet ya'll! touching! I promise. And not all hormones- I mean- I really am thankful for all that the troops do for me and my family.

Then the show starts! It's amazing! These giant killer whales jumping, speeding, squeaking! It was incredible- I loved it. Who cries?? again- that would be me folks. Every time the whale comes out of the water- tears come down my face. Who laughs? That would be the hubs. (how rude) WOW! The trainer is surfing on the belly of Shamu. It's incredible- wonder why that lady over there is crying at the show?? Raise hand- that would be me- and the more I thought about how silly it was for me to be crying, the louder the cheesy inspirational music got, the more that the kids and hubs laughed at me- the more the tears streamed down my face.
Great, great, great, day at Ol' Sea World.....

8- weeks- we have a Peanut!

I am going to try to do these little updates- along with pictures so I can keep track of all that's going on- FUN!

How far along? 8 week

Total weight gain/loss: 2 lbs
Maternity clothes? not yet-

Stretch marks? no

Sleep: still tossing and turning, getting up in the middle of the night to pee and I really hate waking up to the alarm clock

Best moment this week: going to the doctor and seeing the tiny fluttering heart beat

Movement: nope

Food cravings: not really but I am enjoying carbs more? and heartburn is a killer!

Symptoms: nausea and hunger- and don't mess with me- my patience is running low, and I mean that in the nicest way.

Gender: it's a baby! yay! We still haven't decided if we are going to find out. Since we are already have a boy and a girl- hmmmm...

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: Monsters and energy
What I am looking forward to: 12 week sonogram

Weekly Wisdom: if you need to cry- just cry- it only makes it harder when you try and hold it in because you know that you are crying over something silly....

Milestones: starting the house search!

Wedding + 2 week Honeymoon = Baby!

WOW! So we had thought about this, we had talked about this, we had "planned" this- but really.... making a baby- there's only so much one can do (or I guess it takes 2) But really?? one week back from the honeymoon- we have the positive test! I mean- I guess we knew that this could happen... we weren't exactly doing anything to prevent it from happening... but my girlfriends that have been trying for months- I thought for sure that would be me too.
So we are excited to announce our soon- to- be new addition to the family! I can only imagine the stories that will be told here now..... goodness- surly we'll have some fun entertainment from this adventure!

Honeymoon- Aruba

So back on the propeller plane- leaving Curacao and off to Aruba! Right off the back- much more activity on this island. Nightlife, restaurants, shops, you name it. This island is expensive- I mean- $40 for a case of beer expensive. Everything in Aruba is imported- everything. So it was crazy that a case a Miller Lite cost the same as a case of Corona or the same as the "local" beer Amstel. (which isn't local- it's made in Holland- but Aruba use to be owned by Holland) And since we had a full kitchen in our room- we figured getting some essentials from the grocery store would be the smartest way to go. (and it was!)

Anyhow- we were a little more laid back on this island. Spent more time relaxing and walking the beach. My favorite outings:

MoomBa Beach- was just a lot of fun. Live music out on the beach and then a DJ came on to keep the party going. Here we discovered that Patron shots were $10- that's about what they cost back home! (I think this was the only thing that we found priced that way) Anyhow- the beer was cold, the music was great, and watching everyone dance out on the beach was so fun that of course we had to join in!

We also treated ourselves to an awesome dinner on the beach. The Flying Fish Bone was great. The tables were right on the water, each table had a shoe hook so everyone was barefoot, we watched the sunset, and then ate by candle light- the food and wine was incredible. Very romantic.

Overall- it was hard for Aruba to live up to Curacao for us. Aruba was much more commercialized and expensive. Where as Curacao was more of an untouched paradise. Our honeymoon was great- spending 2 weeks without work, kids, cell phones, computers, or alarm clocks was the best part. At the same time, we couldn't wait to get back home to the kids, the dogs, and our friends. (probably could've gone without going back to work and all that other stuff- hehe!)