Ya I re-did it

I have decided that my life needs more craftiness in it. That I want to keep the creative juices flowing all the time. Dan asks me if I am going to be one of those moms that goes way over the top and bedazzles her daughters brown paper bag lunches. To be honest I can't give him an answer because I just don't know yet. ha ha

Well I decided to get started on my craftiness and refinish a desk we found for super cheap at a garage sale! It was actually kind of hard taking off all the varnish and getting it to bare wood and all that crap. I was so tired after like 5 minutes, ha ha I suck. I finished it though and we finally got it moved upstairs to the main level.

I'm pretty proud.

I had to drill new holes for the handles because the other holes didn't fit any hardware and breaking Dan's drill bit in the process!!

I had to strip the varnish and then I had to strip the varnish remover

Then paint.

It turned out pretty good!!

This is just the beginning! I want to do the whole nursery. I haven't found any particular theme/design I liked for her room, so I am doing my own thing. I'm pretty excited and it will keep me busy during the summer! I will keep you updated once that project begins, but until then stay creative my friends.

Half Way There

A Pregnancy Update!

I haven't done an update about being pregnant lately on my blog and I felt like this little thing was feeling left out.

So here we go....

ME:

I am a little over 20 weeks now, I was very excited to get to the half way mark. I don't know why, but it just feels good to be in the 20's and out of the teens.

My pregnancy has actually been pretty good! I feel great, a little low on energy at times and I am experiencing heartburn for the very first time.

I have my appetite back, and it came back full swing. I eat and then no joke, 20 minutes later I'm hungry again. I can eat most foods, I just have to be in the mood for it.

It was just this past week that my belly really started coming out. The pictures make me look a lot bigger than I am. I do admit that I am struggling with remembering that I am pregnant and not just fat. My love handles are growing and I can't do a darn thing about them. I LOVE MY BELLY THOUGH!!

I am trying to eat as healthy has I can, but the belly knows what it wants. I am trying to exercise and do more lifting with my arms. I just don't want to be a balloon. I already feel my face getting fat and it worries me of what's to come.

Dan has been amazing! He is going to be the most adorable father. He is already so protective of this little thing. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how an incredible father he is going to be. I have been trying to not be one of those wives that makes her husband get everything for her. He is very supportive and hates missing any appointments, but thats life. Ha Ha

Baby Lancaster:

Little baby Lancaster is a girl! If you didn't already know. I can't believe how much I love her already.

She is a little thing. She is measuring at about 19 weeks, my doctor said that it's completely normal but he is still planning on my original due date, October 19th.

We don't have a name picked out. Well Dan has a name picked out and he is pretty stuck on it, and any other name I give him isn't good enough, but we will see. Luckily we have a while!

She moves so much. I could watch her all day move around in my belly. She is very uncooperative. I am pretty lucky because so far every Dr.'s appointment I have been able to see her pretty much because I make them. Ha ha I have an amazing doctor who doesn't mind!

I started feeling her move this week. She moves mostly at night when I'm laying down. Every once in a while I can feel her during the day. At first I didn't know if it was her, but with chats with my sister and the doctor I learned that it wasn't just Gas bubbles.

The leg and foot shot is my favorite! I am proud of her for letting us be able to get a shot between the legs. I am just going to have to teach her to keep her legs closed!! :)

A few things we have been thinking about:

She is half Canadian half American. She will automatically get duel citizenship and be allowed to live where ever she chooses between the two countries. Thats cool!

Dan has red heads in his family, and he has a hint of red in his beard. In fact people tell him he has red hair all the time. We just laugh and don't really agree but I guess we just don't see it. So will she have red hair?

I haven't given up on Soda. I have cut down on the caffeine ALOT but I do knock down a few Dr. Peppers every now and again. I hope she doesn't come out on a sugar high.

These are just things we think about. Ha ha

Well there you have it. I am so excited to be a mom, and scared at the same time. I held one of my friends 2 month old baby the other day, and I have held lots of babies, but for some reason holding him gave me a very scared feeling in my stomach, knowing that I am going to be responsible for this little girl. I hope I do ok!

Through the Deep Blue Sea

Dan and I celebrated the freedom of no longer being students!! Dan has officially finished with his thesis and we wanted to do something out of the ordinary, and with a baby on the way we thought we better make it extra ordinary because who knows the next time we will get this chance with work and kids.

We decided to go on a cruise! Neither of us have ever been so we thought it was the perfect get away for us. We sailed to the Caribbean. Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Mexico. We had so much fun and it was a well needed vacation before Dan starts his new job. We had to kennel Range for 10 days and it about killed me. I of course cried when we dropped him off and I worried about him the whole time.

Well here is a basic outline of our trip. REMEMBER! that when looking at the pictures I am PREGNANT not just FAT!! :)

Sunday we checked in and got acquainted with our new home for a week. We explored and settled in. The ship we were on was called the Carnival Conquest. Its basically a city floating on water. Its crazy!

The toilet had this powerful suction and it was super scary the first time using it. Really it was super suction!

Monday and Tuesday we were out on the sea. We swam,ate and ate and ate, and went on the water slides, and yes we even played some slots. Don't judge me and all I will say is that we came out on top! 1 cent machines!!

They had so much entertainment on the ship with live performance shows, music, Karaoke, and shopping! I had to remind myself that I was on a ship in the middle of the ocean.

Jamaica was the first Island stop out of the three. We didn't plan any excursions for this Island because we wanted to shop, and enjoy the beaches the first day.

This was my first time trying a real coconut. Let me say the juice inside was alright, but the actual coconut inside was super slimy and nasty. I hope I never get stranded on an Island where I have to live off of coconut, but it was worth trying for the experience.

The beach was beautiful. We rented some snorkel gear and went and saw the coral below us. Its so pretty and kinda freaky that we were swimming with all these live things crawling and swimming around.

Eating at the beach, trying some authentic Jamaica food.

Jamaica was a little more scary than I thought. It's a very poor country and the people there are all over you trying to get you to purchase something. They would lure you into their shops and than hurry and close the door behind you. Dan was very cute and protective!

Cayman Islands was my favorite stop! We had an excursion planned for this go around and it was a full packed day!

It started with a stop to the turtle farm. We were able to see HUGE sea turtles and hold the baby ones. They were so much fun to play with!

Second we went to a town called Hell. Literally this town on a map is called Hell. Its really creepy. The reason for this is because of the rock that are formed behind the town. Dan was loving it because of all the geological stuff he got to look at. I just felt guilty for even being there. ha ha

The third and last stop was swimming with the sting rays. I thought I could handle it but getting in the water with these giant things with sharp stingers on their tales really freaked me out. They take you out in the middle of the ocean to a sand bar and there are just tons of sting rays. I had a panic attack and couldn't breath so I had to take a moment and cling for dear life on the boat, but gently Dan held me and some other really nice people helped calm me down so I slowly got used to the idea. I even got the courage to feed them. They just suck squid right out of your hand.

It was an amazing experience!!

The Tulum Mayan Ruins was pretty cool! Its amazing how they built all these structures hundreds of years ago. These are the people that predicted that the world is going to end on December 21, 2012.

We spent the day wondering around the city and learning more about how the people lived.

We played at the beach for a little while and soaked in some more sun. I never get tired of beaches. I could play on a beach all day! The water was warm and waves are always fun to play in!

This was my favorite towel animal of the whole week. We walked into our room and the "Turn down Service" had already been there so we saw this little thing hanging from the ceiling. I thought it was pretty cute!

Saturday was spent on the boat just relaxing and catching up from the three crazy Island days. By Sunday we were ready to be home. Our ship had to turn around because of a medical emergency so we were late docking, but the employees had to be prepared for the next arrivals so we all just had to sit out by one of the pool decks and wait.

Dan just waiting for our dock number to be called!

It was an incredible vacation! We had such a blast and I highly recommend going on a cruise! It is the best way to travel and you never have any worries. It was amazing! I was excited to get home and get my little Ranger from the Kennel.

And here we are again....BEHIND!

I feel like everything happens all at once and I don't get a chance to blog about it! I have a legit excuse though. Its been crazy around here lately and well we finally got settled enough to get our internet hooked up! So I am back online, and now since I am a stay at home pregnant lady I will have oodles of time to blog. Yes I am not returning to work...more on how I feel about that later. So the end has come and it was time to say goodbye to Waco. It started about 2 weeks ago when I said goodbye to my second family at work. I don't know if I ever mentioned that I worked at a bank, but I did and I had so much fun. My co-workers were amazing and I laughed every single day with these people. I worked as a Financial Representative, which meant I was a Lender, I opened CD's and New Accounts and helped people with any money issue they may have been having. I must say I did learn that people are sometimes really stupid with their money!

Anyways, so on my last day of work we had a going away party, It was sad lots of tears and reminiscing. I really enjoyed my time working there and was sad to leave.

Sorry my picture here is a little blurry I think its because they came off my phone and I stretched them to large, but you get the idea. They gave me many gracious gifts for Dan and I and the baby! That was my desk that I lived at. It was home away from home ha ha.

Later that night we went out to La Fiesta for dinner to celebrate well everything that had been going on. This is my boss Stephanie and me. She is my second mom! P.S. Is it just me or does my right boob look massive in this picture?

This is Stephanie, me and my other co-worker Alex. We were the only three that worked at the Hewitt Location so we became very close. The little girl is Alex's Daughter. The other ladies are from different locations. I was sad not everyone could make it there are just a handful of us that work at our locations so we are all very close with each other. I will miss them!!!

The next couple of days were getting set up, a trip to Dallas to get our new place and picking up my parents from the airport. They came down to help us move which ended up being the biggest blessing. Its sad because we hardly took any pictures but this is my parents down by the river walk.

We shopped, laid out by the pool, and then started packing. I can't express enough thanks to my parents for all they did. My dad and Dan literally loaded and unloaded all the furniture to our new place. We have 3 stories and going up and down that many times can be a killer. I felt guilty because no one would let me help because I was pregnant, So while my mom busted her chops unloading boxes and Dan and dad carrying up leather couches,washer and dryer, beds and other furniture up the stairs in 90 degree weather, I just watched and did what I could. Again I don't know how I could have done it without them. They seriously are the best parents ever!!!

My mom was able to come to my last Dr.'s appointment before we moved to Dallas. We heard the heartbeat for the first time which of course was amazing. The doctor left to go get my records for my new doctor and my mom was all gun hoe about getting on the ultrasound machine to do another test. I was laughing so hard. She pretty much can do whatever she wants and I love her for it! It seriously was an amazing week. To much to blog about!

So now they are gone and Dan and I are slowly but surely getting settled in Dallas. Range has been struggling with the move. He keeps freaking out but it will get better for him.

Our next adventure is soon to follow! We are heading out sea bound!! CRUISE FOR THE WEEK!!!!

So behind I don't know where to begin!

There are so many things I have been wanting to blog about, but nothing seemed as exciting except announcing a little one on the way so i put everything off until that post was out! Now I am a little behind.

So this post is going to have a little bit of everything and if you get bored stop reading but I bet you won't stop! HA HA

HERE WE GO!!

Dan and I have found a place to live in Dallas. Its a nice town home with a garage which I am super excited about! Its three stories, I do admit I am a little worried about all those stairs since I am pregnant, but we might be in a house before the baby is born so it should be ok.

We are moving in 2 weeks which i am super excited, super scared, and super sad about. I'm sad to be leaving my friends and our life here in Waco, but we are excited to be moving on to the next stage of life! NO MORE STUDENT LIFESTYLE!!!

More on that when we actually move.

Back in March Dan and I signed up to run a small 5k in the Bear-a-thon. At that point I thought I was like 5 weeks pregnant and super scared of everything so I didn't end up running. I know it was stupid because now I realize I would have been ok. I am already an overprotective mother.

Dan was very sad that he had to run alone, but he did awesome!!

We went camping one weekend. this is a whole other blog post in its self. Lets just say the armadillo's attacked and lucky for me I have a husband who saved me from them! So that was quite the adventure. I promise to blog about that story later!

I found out I was pregnant in early March. After about 8 pregnancy tests, lots of trips to Walmart, and a lot of reading instructions making sure two lines meant pregnant, we figured we should go to the Dr. At this point we thought I was only about 5 weeks pregnant. My doctor wouldn't see me until I was at least 8. Uh I have no patience and was not going to wait that long to get a blood test done to find out if I was pregnant for sure. So I went to the little clinic in my town and sure enough the blood tests came back positive.

After a very stressful month of worries about this little thing not having a heart beat, we saw it! I just cried. I have never seen something so amazing! So like I said I thought I was 8 weeks, or close to 8 weeks. Here is the conversation:

Me: "So you see a heart beat? There actually is a person in there?"

Dr: "Yes, you are for sure pregnant, you are having a baby, Congratulations!"

Me: Tears, Choking on them because I am laying down

Dr: "Uh wait a second... How far along did we think you were?"

Me: "mmm about 8 weeks, why is something wrong? am I not that far along?"

Dr: Nope you are actually 12 weeks! Way to shave off a month of pregnancy!"

Me: Tears, "Oh..... Ok, what does that mean?"

Dr: "It means your 12 weeks pregnant, you due date isn't in November its in October, You are close to being done with your first Trimester"

Me: Tears, smiling, heart pounding, " Ok, Great!"

Dan: "That means we can dress it up for Halloween!"

It was a very very good day! We received a diaper bag full of baby things that I have no idea what they are, but I guess I have to learn sometime.

I am now out of my first Trimester. My baby belly book is already a 1/3rd done. Ya I totally have a book where I track my pregnancy. Don't judge.

I still hate chicken, I'm still a little sick every once in a while but its getting better. I started working out again (Moderate) and I am getting my energy back! I don't have to go to bed at 8:30 anymore. Its more like 9:30.

Ranger took the news well.

I admit that I had a little bit of a melt down when I realized that its not just going to be me, Dan and Ranger anymore. I felt so bad for Ranger, I went and bought him a new toy.

Well thats pretty much it. I promise to get better and post things faster. I don't want to let my blog go!

LOVES TO ALL!!

A Picture is Worth a Million Words!!

The worst things come to mind!

Texas is going off its rocker! We are having the weirdest weather here. Its freezing cold and raining ice. Of course its only natural for the power to go out.

So when the power does go out why does my mind automatically jump to the thought that the power has been cut by an ax murderer and he is coming to kill me? Last night Dan was at a meeting, so I was home by myself, cell phone in the car and my laptop had 10 minutes left of battery power. I was putting towels in the bathroom when DARKNESS STRIKES! I just stood there dead silent, then about 3 minutes later, I start yelling "Please don't murder me, please don't murder me" as I run around my apartment trying to light the candles and find all the flashlights. Ranger is barking which doesn't help the situation any, once I got everything together I just sat in the corner so my back wasn't to any open hallways. I didn't want to be snuck up on.

The power went out about 7:30 and Dan didn't get home until 9:30ish. It was a long two hours!

Once he got home i felt a lot better. The power continues to be off as we eat cold things and try to drink all juices and milk in the fridge before they go bad.

I am just wondering what one might do in these types of situations. How do you occupy your mind so that you aren't constantly thinking about being murdered and how you wish you had eaten that last good meal before you die!