19 weeks

This week, Baby is the size of: A large heirloom tomato.

How far along? 19 weeks

Due date: April 9, 2013

Total weight gain/loss: About 5 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Not really, a couple maternity shirts but mostly just wearing bigger than normal clothes.

Sleep: I'm a lot more uncomfortable just because I am so restless and itchy.

Best moment this week: Having another ultrasound and seeing he is still a boy!

Food cravings: I crave McDonald's still ALL the time... and then random other things, it depends on the day

Movement: not yet... at least not positive :[

Symptoms: just getting fatter :]

Labor Signs: No.

Stretch Marks: i'm starting to get a few, dangit!

Swelling? Nope


Belly Button in or out? still very in

What I miss: wearing all my clothes and a flatter tummy

Gender: little dude!

Feeling toward Pregnancy: Its not my favorite thing but I am so thankful and excited for this little boy growing inside of me!

What I am looking forward to: the end of the next 21 weeks!

Milestones: ALMOST halfway! WAHOO!!!

Something fun that you did: We have been working on baby's room and all the cute stuff for his room!

News: Not much, just getting ready for the holidays and letting baby T grow!

Week 18

So I have been behind and didn't start doing these cute little surveys when we first found out about baby T, but better late than never right?? So here is Week 18.

This week, Baby is the size of: A bell pepper! YAY!

How far along? 18 weeks and 2 days

Due date: April 9, 2013

Total weight gain/loss: Honestly, I haven't kept track. I have an appointment in less than a week so I will find out!

Maternity clothes? A few shirts but not really, mostly I have just been wearing bigger looser clothes and that is working for now!

Sleep: Its not too bad other than I get REALLY itchy and my legs get restless at night

Best moment this week: I have seen lots of cute little boys which makes me so excited to have my own :]

Food cravings: freaking McDonalds, UGH!! I am gonna get sooo fat!!

Movement: I haven't felt anything FOR SURE but I think I am starting to feel something.

Symptoms: oh man, don't get me started, it really feels like I have lost control of my own body! really starting to realize I have another HUMAN growing inside me!

Labor Signs: Nope, thank god.

Stretch Marks: Not really

Swelling? my fingers a tiny bit but it hasn't affected me at all


Belly Button in or out? In, Yay!

What I miss: Being able to wear ALL of my pants and not being so tired and worn out all the dang time.

Gender: Little Boy!

Feeling toward Pregnancy: Super excited for my little guy but being pregnant has for sure not been my most favorite thing, but I couldn't be more blessed to be able to have my own child.

Milestones: none really, ALMOST halfway!

News: We have all our big ticket baby items and Adam is working on baby's room! yay!

Girls Day

So this weekend we had the kids which is always an adventure, but Saturday there was a craft fair at a local high school so we made a girls day of it! :] My mom, Jaycee, and I went to lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings (LOVE THAT PLACE!!) and then headed off to spend all our money [hehe]

It was a fairly small craft fair and not many "crafts" more vendor type stuff but I found a couple cute things for baby T and probably the CUTEST scarf I have ever seen and mom as usual found all sorts of super cute christmas gifts and fun things to spoil the grandkids with. I was so proud of Jaycee Adam and I decided to give her $10 for all her help around the house and to have some money to spend, and then of course grandma gave her money to spend as well :] I can proudly say that my sweet little girl is QUITE the bargain shopper! She managed to get most of what she wanted that she liked and still had money left over when we were done.

The boys went and had a boys day of course. They had a blast and it makes me SOO happy that I have such a wonderful family that we can be so close to. I am also so thankful for a husband who wants to be close to my family and who wants to learn and help as much as he can. I love that we have this opportunity to spend time with my family and to give the kids the chance to get to know both mine and Adam's families, and to see how loved they are and how much support they have always so close to them.

Sure am thankful for all that I have and for my little family that is growing faster than I can handle it. :]

xoxo

Dani

Baby on Board...

Well... As usual, its been awhile. I always think to blog, but then never know what to say or how to say all the things I am constantly thinking and feeling.

BBBUUUTTTT.....

A lot of that has finally changed because for once I have one thing to think about ALL the time.

Baby Howard is on board and will be arriving April 9th, 2013.

We couldn't be more thrilled to be adding another little one to our circus. On October 18th we found out that we will be seeing a lot more dirt, and trucks, and blue and our house because its time for another little boy to keep me on my toes.

I am sooo excited and scared out of my mind at the same time. I love the opportunity I have had to be a step mom to Jaycee and Jayden, but in reality, I have only had to be an every other weekend mom. Don't get me wrong, I would change that in a heartbeat if it were possible, but its not. Until now... In a few short months I will be becoming a full time mom from day one. And I am scared. out. of. my. mind.

But it will be good, and I am sooo lucky to have a good man and a wonderful dad by my side to get me through this and to encourage and love me.

I am so blessed for this wonderful little family of mine.

xoxo -D

These kiddo's of mine....

Well as of June 1st I get to finally be a full time ALMOST full time mommy for the next 6 weeks! I have to say almost because every other weekend it does go back to just me and the hubby... which isn't a bad thing!! I really do love that man A LOT! <3 but I love having the kids here, having them only 4 days a month, BLOWS!!! Some of the AWESOME things we have to look forward to: -Me only working 3 days a week so I can be home with the kids. -Adam only working mornings for 3 days a week so he gets time with the the munchkins. -Swimming lessons -Tae Kwon Doe for Jayders, he is SUCH a stud! -Gymnastics for the little miss -TONS of family time :] -The kids getting to play with their grandmas without their parents bugging supervising them -camping trips -family vacation -movie nights -afternoon drives -and BEST of all, just being a REGULAR family!!! I am SO, SO, blessed with this cute little family of mine!

xoxo, -D

Where to even begin...

Alright, so here is the dealio, I haven't blogged in... a few days forever! I've been busy to lazy to even know where to start. Sooo... start fresh I shall. I love to read stalk blogs. I love seeing other people's ideas and creativity, to try to boost my own. Sometimes I either just feel so blah or to overwhelmed to even write anything worthwhile. Excuses, excuses I know. BUUUUTTTTTT.... I'm turning over a new leaf... again. I am really starting to realize the importance of keeping records for myself and my family with what goes on, because it goes too fast. My kids are growing up right in front of it.. and already I look back and wonder where the heck I've been. Amazing how much changes, and happens in only a year. Speaking of a year... in only 14 days, it will be 1 year since my handsome, sexy, wonderful, annoying and crazy best friend got down on one knee and asked me to be his bestie for forever. Booyah! That's what I'm talking about.

Happy, happy girl he made me. As for life now, sheesh... somedays I don't even know which way is up, who is where, or what any of us are doing. What I DO know, is that I am blessed. I have the best hubby, two amazing beautiful children, a beautiful home, a good job, some pretty fantastic friends and an amazing family. What more could a girl want?? Notta. Also, I guess it would be pretty cool to add, I finally got my first tattoo... drum roll please....

It didn't even hurt hurt like a son of a gun and no I didn't even cry cried like a baby but sspecial. In so many ways. This tattoo is as personal as I could imagine making it. BACKGROUND: My tattoo artist (Troll at Atlas Tattoo, check him out!) was super stoked to do this tattoo because he has two severely autistic boys himself. So he TOTALLY got it. Thanks to him, and his awesome suggestions, this tattoo has SOO much more meaning to it. THE TAT: The heart, and Kevin's name are drawn by him personally and then shrunk down and stenciled on me. The saying is done in my handwriting for him. The colors and puzzle pieces are the symbols for Autism. The missing puzzle piece is the K for Kevin's name. The green K is for Kevin's favorite color. Last but not least, as you can see the less and just are kindof inside the heart, so if you take those away, it just says "Not different, Kevin". I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Alright, that's enough random jibberish for one night. But don't you worry, I will be back. xoxo -D

Here we go again...

Well it's been a little while since I've posted.. and yes I know I need to start putting pictures up with my posts so they aren't so boring! Those will come soon though :] In my last post I talked about the new business I am starting, still in the works but needed to make some changes. Like the name for starters. Great name, just not for me. It took a lot of thought and A LOT of ideas, but I finally have decided on Plush Designs. I little more spunk, a little more me. Along with that adventure, I have also decided to become a Paparazzi consultant. SUPER excited about that... I LOVE jewelry and hair accessories, so why not sell it to other women for DIRT CHEAP everything we sell is $5. That's right FIVE DOLLARS. I am so stoked about it. If you are unfamiliar with the company you DEFINATELY should check it out at http://www.paparazziaccessories.com/ Then get a hold of me so I can hook you up with your wishlist :]

As far as the family goes, that's another post for another day. But thank you for your prayers and good thoughts. Its greatly appreciated.

Much love,

-D

Simple Elegance

Well, I mentioned in my last post that Adam and I were in the process of starting a new business venture. We finally thought of a name. Simple Elegance. Nothing fancy, or real original, but I think it says everything I needed it to say. Simplicity is key to anything you do essentially. And elegance... who doesn't just swoon a little when they hear that word?!? We do personal, unique announcements... for anything you want to announce. We do thank you cards, registy cards, envelopes, labels, and everything else you have to include with your invites or annoucements. We also handle all the personal details that make any special event, special. I am REALLY excited about this and can't wait to see what happens. My business cards are almost done and SOO cute! (Not to brag or anything, but my sweet hubby is a STUD at this stuff ;]) good thing I just get to do all the fun parts right?? I think so.

In other news, not much going on at the moment... waiting for all the big days coming up. Valentine's day, Adam's Birthday! (YAY!!!) getting this business on its feet, the icky ex wife stuff (bllaahh) and anything else that might crop up... Just for the record, and jealousy factor, in exactly 32 days I will be on a plane to sunny Florida for a week vacation with my honey! WAHOO!!! Granted, we are attending a Heaven's Best Seminar... but I can handle that... vacation is vacation :]

Well until next time.....

Keep us in your prayers.. we need things to work out for our family.. especially those sweet little kiddo's of ours. They need some happiness and security in their lives.

xoxo,
Dani

Big Things

Well world, I had hoped once we got married life would slow down even for just a week or two.. but of course that's never how it goes! As of right now, we unfortunately, are going through some legal ick with Adam's ex wife concerning the sweet little ones. SUCKS. Enough said. Next, we jumped right into trying our hand at getting into the wedding business in some ways. We met with a lady today who runs the newest, and can I say MOST GORGEOUS wedding venue in Rexburg. She needs a bunch of signs, banners, and advertising done so Adam is hooking her up with his MAD SKILLS.. (Love this man...) While talking with her about all those fun things, Adam mentioned that we are trying to get our idea up and running and in motion. Lucky for us, she was very helpful and gave us the opportunity to be included in an upcoming event they are hosting to put together a preferred vendor list to be used with all the brides using their facility... EEEKK!! couldn't be more excited about this new adventure. Any ideas (especially on business names ;]) would be very welcome. Can't wait to debut everything we are working on! Pray for us until March 31st when we get to strut our stuff.

This weekend, we have the kiddo's... so in love with these little people... They say and do the best things to warm my heart... Jayden told me tonight that he likes me even when I put him in time out... glad to hear I am not screwing up to bad on this whole parenting thing.

until next time,

xoxo,
-D

On the bandwagon...

Well, I've officially been married just over a week now, so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and start a blog for me and my family. To start off, I will relive my love story :]

It all began a few years ago when I worked at Horkley's, a local gas station. Adam came in on a VERY regular basis, to attend to his Mountain Dew addiction. At the time, Adam was married to his first wife with two small kids. He was the cutest daddy. I couldn't help but tease him about how wrapped around the kids' fingers he was. After awhile I quit seeing Adam and the kids as often but never thought much about it.

Some time later, I just happened to see his name and picture pop up on Facebook with mutual friends so I figured why not?? I added him. Every now and then, we would IM each other just to keep in touch and that was when I found out that he had since been divorced.

We had a few mutual friends that tried more than once to set Adam and I up on a date, but I thought he was in to much of a different boat than me to be interested. He thought I was to young and carefree to handle his scenario.

Finally, in April of 2011 I was dating someone else, and it was going south really fast. After that relationship ended, I decided to satisfy my curiousity about Adam, and I facebooked him. We started flirting, and finally he asked me to go to dinner.

On April 15th, I pulled up to Adam's house, nervous I might add, and the best first date ever began.

Adam took me to a mexican restaurant called Plum Loco in Idaho Falls. We sat there talking and harmlessly flirting until closing. Then Adam took me bowling at a bowling alley called Bowlero where I was showed up MISERABLY!!

After that I was afraid my fun was ending and the date would be over, but Adam surprised me, taking the longest route home through the small town of Ririe where we got pulled over. He took me back to his house and invited me in. We ended up talking ALL night long about EVERYTHING under the sun. He even asked me dance in his living room... Romantic right??

After that I was hooked. We didn't spend another day apart after that. He introduced me to his kids a week after our first date and then I knew I was a goner. They were the sweetest things and stole my heart right away.

June 11th 2011 was one of the best nights of my life. Adam took me for a drive up into the mountains (one of our favorite past times) pulled off into a gorgeous green clearing, built me a camp fire and wrapped me in a blanket and held me all night under the stars, just talking about us, and our hopes and dreams. Finally he asked me to trust him, and play a game. He told me to close my eyes and hold out my hand. Honestly, I was afraid of what nasty trick he might be playing on me to lighten the mood, yet again, he surprised me and put my dream ring in my hand and asked me to be his wife. :] :] :]

Since then, I would be lying if I didn't say it hasn't been hard and that we haven't been on a roller coaster for the last 9 months. After everything, we held on and January 14th 2012 I fell farther in love than I thought possible and became Mrs. Adam Howard and the step mom to my sweet little kids Jaycee, and Jayden.

We already have a number of challenges staring us in the face, but I know that we will make it through stronger than ever. And honestly, I. Can't. Wait.

Much Love,

Dani