Friday Funnies

Thanks for all your comments on yesterday's post! Glad to know I am not alone!

I thought I would lighten the mood today & leave you with some of my favorite Someecards.
I just love these & have been saving some of my favorites!

Love this one:
This is so true!

Love the pinterest ones:

Seriously, what did we do before Pinterest?

Dream Job:

Every Friday Night. Word!

This is me when I am not pregnant:

Love you, Mom:

I do this EVERY time I do laundry:

Team Diet Coke. Won't even touch Diet Pepsi. *gross*

I bet my students feel this way:

YES!!!! Or, this could be changed to a Starbucks card:

This is for Kevin:

So is this one. His boss cranks the AC up so high in the summer, so Kevin has to keep his NorthFace fleece in his office during the summer months because it is so cold in there!

Amen to this:

This is SO me. Except, it is more like 6 years. Oops.

This is the first thing I do when I get home, bra comes off!

Amen.

This is for my sister, Rebecca. She did this twice yesterday.

Sharts happen. LOL!
Amen & Amen:

What's your favorite one?

Speaking of Friday Funnies, my hysterical & awesome friend Wendy's book (which will make you laugh & cry!), Totally Desperate Mom, is a Plum District Deal right now!
3 books for $25 (and free shipping!) 10% of her proceeds are going to a battered woman's shelter.
Click HERE for the deal!

Happy Friday!!

Keeping it Real: Pregnancy Edition

Here's the deal.

I am almost 34 weeks pregnant with Baby #3 and I have a confession.
I DO NOT LIKE BEING PREGNANT.
Never have, never will.
Do I love babies & children? YES.
Do I love being pregnant? NO. Not even close.

Yes, I know that pregnancy is a miracle.
Yes, I am so incredibly thankful to be able to have children.
And, yes, I know children are a blessing....
BUT....
Being pregnant is not my favorite thing.
(This is one of the first times I feel like I can admit that without feeling like a terrible person)

I think of pregnancy as a means to an end.
You have to suffer for 9 months & then you get a beautiful reward at the end, a newborn baby.
I have said this before & I will say it again....I would rather give birth everyday than be pregnant.

One of the reasons I am not a fan of pregnancy is because I get horrible morning sickness.
From the moment I hit 6 weeks, I am nauseous 24/7 and it feels like I am hungover.
At almost 34 weeks, my nausea still hasn't gone away.
Thankfully, I haven't puked since 26 weeks, but from 6 weeks until 26 weeks I was barfing multiple times a day. That is not fun. Especially when I am teaching and especially when I have 2 little girls at home to take care of.
And, I can't tell you how many times I peed my pants while barfing. What is up with that?!?! Please tell me I am not the only one who this happens to.
Even though I get bad morning sickness, I know it could be worse.
I am thankful that I don't puke all 9 months and I am thankful that I never had to be hospitalized for nausea/dehydration.
I am thankful I never had to be on bed rest.
For the women who have had to deal with all of that, you are my heroes.

When I am pregnant, I am not a good wife or mother.
I am too sick to cook the first 5 months, so my poor girls lived on mac & cheese, chicken nuggets and PB&J for dinner because all I could eat was cereal. The act of opening the fridge & smelling it would send me running for the bathroom.
I am not joking when I say that the iPad literally babysat my girls for weeks on end.
My motto for this pregnancy has been,
"Survival of this pregnancy has been brought to you by the iPad"
My worst time was from 4 o'clock on. I would be exhausted from teaching & my nausea would peak in the late afternoon. The girls would play with the iPad while I laid on the couch trying not to barf. Not my best parenting months, but it was survival mode.
You gotta do what you gotta do to get through it, right?

And, poor, poor, Kevin. I think he ate chips/salsa for dinner for months.
He has done SO much around the house & with the girls because I just don't/didn't have the energy. While he got them ready for bed & read them books, I would already be in bed (or puking in the bathroom) He put/puts up with a lot when I am pregnant.
We always joked that when I was pregnant with Claire that it was our last pregnancy because our marriage couldn't survive another pregnancy. Ha! Well, here we are almost 34 weeks into this one and we survived...so far! :) He is a good, good, man for dealing with Pregnant Mel.

I am also a paranoid freak show when I am pregnant.
I refuse to take anti-nausea meds because I am a paranoid that it will harm the baby. You would think that by this 3rd baby, I would have mellowed out with the paranoia, but no, it hasn't.
I am a worrier and pregnancy just escalates that.
I worry about what I eat because "Is that safe to eat when pregnant?!?"
I google WAY too much. I even googled if it was safe to have a slurpee when pregnant because after I had one, I thought for sure it was on the do not have when pregnant list & I was worried that slurpee would harm my baby.
I told you I was a freak show.
I have many, many more ridiculous things that I have googled, but I will spare you (and spare myself the embarrassment of being so ridiculous)

During my pregnancies with Kate & Claire I never really admitted to people how much I loathed being pregnant, it made me feel guilty. But, I feel like I need to be honest & admit freely that I do not like being pregnant. And, I think that is okay.
I have never said (nor will I ever say) "I miss being pregnant, I just love it"

I wish I could be one of those pregnant women who just love being pregnant & don't freak out about every little thing, but that is not me. Each day, I pray that God will take over my fears about being pregnant, calm my heart and keep my baby healthy.
It is a daily battle for me not to worry and think something is wrong.
Maybe I am this way because I had 2 miscarriages before I had Kate, but maybe I am naturally a worrier. Either way, my worry is amplified during pregnancy. I don't like feeling anxious & stressed. That is not who I am (except when pregnant).

To the women who LOVE being pregnant and love every aspect of it, ROCK ON!
To the women who are surrogate mothers, and willingly carry a baby for someone, you are my FREAKING HERO.
To the women who don't like being pregnant, you are NOT ALONE.

For the next 6.5 weeks until this baby is born, I am going to *try* and change my attitude.
I will try to enjoy this time because it is FOR SURE my last pregnancy.
I will celebrate each day that gets me closer to not being pregnant EVER again.
Each day that passes means I am one day closer to meeting this precious one (boy or girl?!?!) that completes our little family and I just can't wait until he/she is in my arms and not my uterus.

Public Service Announcement

A few weeks ago, I was trying to figure out storage for Kate's preschool work & special art projects. I only keep some of her things and I wanted to make sure that the things I did keep were put in a safe place & wouldn't get damaged, but also wouldn't take up a lot of room.

I decided to get an under-the-bed wrapping paper storage bin. Her things fit in it nicely and I could store it under her bed and not see it. And, if she wanted to look at some of her work, she could easily access it & put away.
It seemed like the perfect solution. Right? WRONG.
Well, fast forward a few days after I got her bin.
Kate & Claire were playing "hide and go seek" before bath time one night.
I was cleaning up dinner downstairs & Kevin was getting their bath ready and he called to the girls saying it's time to get in the tub.
Kate goes into the bathroom & tells Kevin that she is ready for her bath.
Kevin calls for Claire & Kate tells him that Claire won't be able to hear him because she is in a good hiding spot and can't get out.
Kevin asks Kate where Claire is & Kate says under her bed in the container.
I hear Kevin yell, "Oh $@*#!!! and run down the hallway.
I run upstairs & Kevin was in Kate's room and was looking under Kate's bed for Claire.
Turns out, Kate & Claire thought the under the bed storage would make a good hiding spot for Claire.
They had taken out all of Kate's work in the bin, Claire laid down in the empty bin and then Kate put the lid on and slid it under the bed!!!!!!!!!
"Oh, $@*#!!!" is right.
Luckily, Claire was fine...she had only been in there for less than a minute, she was breathing and wasn't harmed and was startled at Kevin and I (because we were TOTALLY freaking out)

We had a LOOOOOOONG talk with the girls about how you never, ever, ever, ever get inside of a bin. Much less put the lid on it & slide it under a bed.
They felt awful, they just thought it was a really good hiding spot.
Needless to say, I never, ever, ever would have thought that this under the bed storage was a potential death trap. It gives me nightmares when I think about how bad that scenario could have ended up. It was something so innocent that could have had a horrible ending.
Thank you, Jesus.

We threw away the lid and are still using the bin as storage for her things, and the girls know that it is not something you play with or go in. EVER.
So, there is my PSA for all of you who may have under the bed storage bins.
They are not as safe as I thought.
SO.Freaking.Scary!

The Best Banana Bread

I don't know about you, but I am a carb junkie.

And, I especially love bread.
Last week we had to move into my parents house for a few days while our house construction was finished. (Before & After pics coming soon!) When we got back to our house, all my bananas were over ripe, so it was the perfect time to make Banana Bread. This is another recipe from my amazing Grammy.

Here is my recipe for:
The BEST Banana Bread

Here is what you need:
-2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter (softened to room temperature)
-3/4 cup brown sugar
-2 eggs, beaten
- 2 1/2 cups overripe mashed bananas (about 4 bananas depending on size)

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda & salt:

In a different bowl, combine eggs, brown sugar & butter. Cream together.

Add in your mashed bananas. Then mix in the dry ingredients. Stir until combined.
Pour mixture into a 9x5 loaf pan. (I spray my pan with Pam cooking spray)
**If you want to make chocolate chip banana bread, add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter. Or, if you like nuts, add in 1/2 cup nuts.**

Bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes until the top in lightly brown & the center of the loaf comes out clean)

This is seriously the yummiest & easiest banana bread. Super moist & delicious.

I am all about homemade breads.
Click here for my Zucchini Bread and Pumpkin Bread recipes.
Our family of 4 will devour an entire loaf of this banana bread within 24 hours.
Hope you like it! Happy Baking!

The 2012 Summer List

According to the calendar, it's officially the first day of summer.

Happy Summer Solstice!
Perfect timing to make our 2012 Summer List!

This year, I let the girls decide everything they wanted on the list.
In years past, I have given them ideas (or not written down ideas they had) but this year, I decided to write down all of their ideas, no editing or persuading from me.
This is our most unscheduled summer to date. Because I am due in August, traveling this summer is pretty much out of the question. This is the first summer we aren't going to Lake Tahoe or on a vacation. Because of that, I really, really, really want to be intentional with the girls each day this summer.

In less than 2 months, I will be having the baby, so I want to make the most of these last few precious weeks of just me & my girls.
Here is our 2012 Summer List:

Some of the things I am looking most forward to:
- 4th of July Party
- Going to the $1 Movies
-Having the girls camp in the Backyard with Daddy
-Watch a movie on the Lawn
-Have a Baby!

Some of the things I am dreading (that I wanted to not write down, but will take one for the team. ha!)
-Chuck E Cheese (I have never taken them, but they have been for birthday parties while I am at work. They have been begging for me to take them. Ugh.)
- Lemonade Stand (these are just painful to me)
- Go to the Z00 (I am NOT a fan of the zoo. I know, I know. The zoo is just not my thing)

I also decided to do another Summer List.
You could also call this my "Stuff I need to get done before I have a Baby list"
1. Make Claire's 1st year Baby Book.
(I made an awesome book for Kate's 1st year & haven't made one for Claire yet...she is 3.5 years old. I NEED to do this before Baby #3 arrives!)
2. Finish my 40 bags in 40 days project
(which I have re-named 40 bags in 4 months. ha!)
3. Get the nursery ready. And get other baby things ready.
(Haven't even started. Yikes!)
4. Plan Claire's Birthday Party
(which will be 3 weeks after I have the Baby, so I need to get most of it organized this summer)
5. Commit to our Girl Name
(or find a new one) I am second guessing myself.

I can't wait to get start crossing things off our list!
Both girls woke up with a fever today, so our plan of going to the Fair is postponed for another day.
Do you have a summer list? What are looking forward to doing this summer?

Hello, Summer!

Hello, Summer!

We are so glad you are here.
School got out last Friday & it was such a crazy last week of school.
I had to get my classroom all packed up.
I had to meet with my long term sub.
I had to plan the first 2 months of school since I will be on maternity leave when school starts.
It has been crazy!
But, then Saturday arrived & we officially said Hello to Summer!
Hello, relaxing & swimming:

Hello, Heat Wave:

Hello, trying to stay hydrated.
(I am not a fan of water & force myself to drink it)

Hello, Sky Party. 90 degrees at 9:00 pm. I love summer.

Hello, Fathers Day Breakfast in Bed:

Hello, Veggies & Hummus. One of my favorite summer snacks.

Hello, "Happy Summer!" presents for the girls:

I also call these guilty working mom presents. They love summer because I am home, so on the first Monday of summer, I surprise them with some fun little presents to celebrate summer & the fact that I get to be home with them all day.

Hello, presents from the $1 spot at Target!
(All these were $1 except the princess dive sticks & the goldfish crackers)

Hello, Happy Mail! Cute earrings from Hannah's shop!
Hello, new shopping center that is being built 10 minutes from our house:

Guess what will be in it? Coffee Bean!!!!! AHHHH!!!
And....Chik Fil A. Can't wait to try it.
Summer 2o12 is off to a great start!

2012 Garden: Week 6

It has been 6 weeks since we planted our 2012 Garden & we are already seeing fruits of our labor after just 6 weeks!
Here is what the garden looks like as of yesterday:

Here it was 6 weeks ago!

I can't believe how much it has grown!
Here is box #1:

The bare area is where I planted green onion seeds & carrot seeds and they are very slowly sprouting. In this box, I have my herbs that I have been able to use already....dill, basil, oregano & parsley.

And, check out my lettuce!!! So fun!

I have one little pepper that is growing:

And, a cucumber:

And, the beginning of a watermelon:
Box #2 at 6 weeks:

Highlights include, this pumpkin:

Yellow Squash are starting to bud:

And, zucchini!
I was able to harvest 4 zucchini yesterday.
Kate requested that we make zucchini bread this week!

Our tomatoes (Box #3) have also started to go crazy!

My sun gold's are already starting to turn orange. So excited!

Over the weekend, I harvested some of the lettuce since it is growing out of control:

We used it on BBQ Chicken sandwiches & Cheeseburgers:

It was 95 yesterday, so I decided to make one of my summer staples with our home grown lettuce...Taco Salad.

Kevin & I were able to enjoy dinner outside by the pool after the girls were in bed.

(I pretended my Pelligrino was wine. Sigh)
Last night was a taste of what is to come this summer.
Eating outside with meals made from our garden & enjoying the warm weather.
Only 4 days until I am officially on Summer Break. I can't WAIT!!!