heartburn

Oh the loveliness of heartburn while pregnant. It started for me months ago and has progressively worsened as time goes on. People keep telling me that means the baby will have hair-

This kids pretty dang cute. He kind of reminds me of a baby duck and those Easter peeps in one!

I love Easter peeps and I love little baby ducks. I would love to have a little one I could squeeze and hug and love on all day long!

Harley Harley Harley!

OH HARLEY! This dog never gives us a boring moment!

I don't understand why but her nails wont grow for months- they stay very short then all the sudden they are talons scratching our faces off! I have attempted the nail clippers which resulted in me being the worst person by making her bleed. I have been traumatized since and wont let anyone but the professionals get near her nails. So when Ryan bought the Pedi Paws (you may recognize this from TV) I was pretty worried he wouldn't stop filing and file her nail right off! He assured me everything would be fine- He would just do a little every other day. After Ryan wrestled the dog to the ground and pretty much laid with all his weight on her so she wouldn't run away, he started trimming. After he was done and got up (no blood by they way) he turned to walk away and I saw this

IN THE SCUFFLE HARLEY MANAGED TO PEE ON RYAN! hEhEhE!


Harley at one point was finally given the opportunity to not be locked up during the day- She was able to roam the house and be free. Her privileges were soon revoked when she decided the house was more fun to chew on than simply relax in so she was sent back to the cage. Now this is no ordinary cage- its about 3 1/2 feet by 3 1/2 feet. We put her toys, blanket and food in there to keep her happy. When we came home last night- We found her trying to hide in the corner. When Ryan went to get her out her nose was bleeding! We still don't know what she did- whether she was trying to get out, her hard toy cut her or what. I felt so bad all night- I kept putting neosporin on it last night and it does look better this morning. Crazy dog!

Funny Noise

So at our doctors apt yesterday we got to hear the heart beat... It was really amazing knowing that was our baby but made me laugh a bit because it was actually a funny noise. The baby kept kicking and swimming around so it would cut out the heartbeat and make this big whoosh sound! I was very happy to hear the doctor said everything looks great- all my blood work has come back great and there is no concern anywhere. Poor Ryan had to get his blood drawn to see what blood type he is. I have O- so there might be a chance I will need to get an extra shot if he has a certain blood type. No biggie but he sure didn't like the fact that he had to be poked at :)

Our next apt is March 5 and we will get to find out the sex of that baby! I'm so excited because not only will that week mark me half way done with pregnancy but it also marks that I'll be half way done with School!

oh happy day

OH happy day... oh happy day...
What a great weekend! You wouldn't believe I would be so happy after spending 3 days glued to my school books but its so great to actually be ahead! Yes school has only been in session for 2 weeks but I already felt behind. Its great to have things done before the night before its due! On Saturday morning while Ryan, his brother Shaun and his Dad went to shot their bows I had a fun breakfast with my Momi. We made waffles and bacon and sat around and talked for hours. That night my very besty Allie came over with her amazing family Derek and Emma for dinner. We had a great time just eating, watching Emma (what did we do before kids) and talk all night. Allie is only 3 weeks behind me in her pregnancy! I am so excited to see both of us balloon up and wobble around this summer (okay just me- Allie will still look amazing) I cant wait till we both know what were having and be able to have our kids be so close in age! Sunday night we went to Ryan's family's house and had a fun night full of wii! Other than his sister Brooke kicking everyones butt in everything :) we had a blast.
oh happy day... oh happy day...
and now for today!!! Its Monday so that means no school and a night full of spending time with the hubby but before that- its baby time. We have another doctor apt today and I am hoping I get to schedule my ultrasound apt to find out the sex of the baby! It will still be another month away but I just need a date on it.
On Friday while catching up on school work I decided I needed to get into the baby room and clean that place up. We have been stocking up on little things here and there along with everything I have had from Devlin and Teagan. I went through it all- put piles of diapers in the closet, hung up the unisex clothes and boxed up the boy/ girl clothes into separate boxes so when we find out- I can put away one and bring out the other. I organized all the soaps, lotions and toys I have and cleaned up the previously used baby equipment that has been slobbered on by Ms. Teagan Mae! (PS. I miss those babies) After everything was done- I realized- I didn't have near as much as I thought I did. Greattt! More baby shopping for me :)

A New Day

Funny thing... The person who had to knock some sense into me was the board of parole (Ill call him parollie- He was this adorable bald man so he reminded me just for a second of a rollie pollie).

Yesterday went like I expected. My father has an unofficial release date- much sooner than i thought. My outlook has changed though- unlike the feelings I had yesterday I feel peace today. The board always seem so incredibly educated. I find it fascinating when we have gone to these, listening to them be so neutral in such a difficult and sensitive situation. Yesterday was no different and parollie for the most part didn't disappoint. Among almost giving the "I had a dream" speech he gave a pretty good reality check to my father. He told him that their is a label on him whether he likes it or not and he will forever have that label. However- its up to him to live off that label. I never thought I put a label on myself- in fact I thought I tried really hard not to. Of course I had some extra drama like moments but I thought I was doing good. After realizing that just the thought of my father made me feel 11 again I knew I was labeling myself. I didn't like that and I am not that person. I have been labeled that in court and in other titles through this ordeal but I didn't really think I put it on myself to. I had some tears and some anger but I wiped them away and thought back to parollies wise words of not living by my label and seeing that its a new day. Not only me and my family but the whole country can make everyday a new day. Yesterday was a day many people have been waiting years and years for. With this new start in a new day who knows what amazing things could happen for everyone!

** Thank you everyone for your sweet and encouraging words!

January 2009

January 2009 has come. A while back I wrote this is the month I am not looking forward to- Today is the day. I leave in 1 hour to head out to the point of the mountain to attend my fathers parole hearing. Its been 8 years he has been out there. I don't even know what my feelings are at this point. What do I want to have happen? Other than the letters I have been receiving over the last year or so I have had no contact with him. I don't feel scared just completely numb. I have been lost in my thoughts all morning. I have literally pushed this day out of my head until today. Realizing its finally here has almost made me pack my bags and run away. Today I don't feel like Kendra- married with a baby on the way in a wonderful life with amazing people surrounding me everyday. I feel like I'm 11.
I guess I cant keep living like that- My life need to be focused on something and someone else. I have a new little person coming into this world in a few short months and I cant keep being the child again. I will keep going today and I will get through it all- tomorrow is a new day and I am in a new life.

6:30 AM

and so its begun. a new semester! mine started this morning with my 6:30 am class. as i drove to school with the moon still shining and my cup-o-oj sitting next to me i couldn't figure out what prompted me to lose my mind and sign up for this class. HELLO! to make matters worse, its a communications class- a communications class at 6:30 am. please, i don't communicate at that time in the morning so to open my brain and talk about public speaking, interviews and resumes i almost fell out of my chair. 8:00 am rolls around and im still running around the campus trying to find my next class. i didn't even realize slcc has trailers over the river and through the woods but to my surprise they do. i did make it to history. history can be interesting when the information isn't flying over my head- unfortunately for me it usually does. not just flying but sores. i don't know why and i take note after note but cant grasp- who did what now...
hmm.. so lucky for me i have a great boss who will work with my school schedule and on tuesdays and thursdays i come into work by 10 am. so after the hour and a half of watching vikings and
1000 ad fly over my head- its time for work. its winter and im pregnant so i will be darn if im going to wear my work clothes (heels and all) to truck through the campus. so i do my specialty and make a little clothing switch-eroo in my car and hurrying inside to be greeted by 3 people already standing at my desk asking for one thing or another! thanks to my blog life it helps me escape the chaos for a bit. now after my regular day in the office and checking on my online classes during lunch you would think its almost over- but i have math tonight at 5:30!!!

*to all the others out there who go to work and school! we really should get some kind of award. and if you have kidos you deserve a nobel prize... that really scares me!

20 healthy food for under $1

Okay just thinking of little ways to cut back in my own home I found this article and thought I would share. Its always great to buy cheap and healthy!
1. Oats High in fiber and complex carbohydrates, oats have also been shown to lower cholesterol. And they sure are cheap—a dollar will buy you more than a week’s worth of hearty breakfasts. Serving suggestions: Sprinkle with nuts and fruit in the morning, make oatmeal cookies for dessert.
2. Eggs You can get about a half dozen of eggs for a dollar, making them one of the cheapest and most versatile sources of protein. They are also a good source of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which may ward off age-related eye problems. Serving suggestions: Huevos rancheros for breakfast, egg salad sandwiches for lunch, and frittatas for dinner.
3. Kale This dark, leafy green is loaded with vitamin C, carotenoids, and calcium. Like most greens, it is usually a dollar a bunch.Serving suggestions: Chop up some kale and add to your favorite stir-fry; try German-Style Kale or traditional Irish Colcannon.
4. Potatoes Because we often see potatoes at their unhealthiest—as fries or chips—we don’t think of them as nutritious, but they definitely are. Eaten with the skin on, potatoes contain almost half a day’s worth of Vitamin C, and are a good source of potassium. If you opt for sweet potatoes or yams, you’ll also get a good wallop of beta carotene. Plus, they’re dirt cheap and have almost endless culinary possibilities.Serving suggestions: In the a.m., try Easy Breakfast Potatoes; for lunch, make potato salad; for dinner, have them with sour cream and chives.
5. Apples I’m fond of apples because they’re inexpensive, easy to find, come in portion-controlled packaging, and taste good. They are a good source of pectin—a fiber that may help reduce cholesterol—and they have the antioxidant Vitamin C, which keeps your blood vessels healthy.Serving suggestions: Plain; as applesauce; or in baked goods like Pumpkin-Apple Breakfast Bread.
6. Nuts Though nuts have a high fat content, they’re packed with the good-for-you fats—unsaturated and monounsaturated. They’re also good sources of essential fatty acids, Vitamin E, and protein. And because they’re so nutrient-dense, you only need to eat a little to get the nutritional benefits. Although some nuts, like pecans and macadamias, can be costly, peanuts, walnuts, and almonds, especially when bought in the shell, are low in cost.Serving suggestions: Raw; roasted and salted; sprinkled in salads.
7. Bananas At a local Trader Joe’s, I found bananas for about 19¢ apiece; a dollar gets you a banana a day for the workweek. High in potassium and fiber (9 grams for one), bananas are a no-brainer when it comes to eating your five a day quotient of fruits and veggies.Serving suggestions: In smoothies, by themselves, in cereal and yogurt.
8. Garbanzo Beans With beans, you’re getting your money’s worth and then some. Not only are they a great source of protein and fiber, but ’bonzos are also high in fiber, iron, folate, and manganese, and may help reduce cholesterol levels. And if you don’t like one type, try another—black, lima, lentils … the varieties are endless. Though they require soaking and cooking, the most inexpensive way to purchase these beans is in dried form; a precooked can will still only run you around a buck.Serving suggestions: In salads, curries, and Orange Hummus.
9. Broccoli Broccoli contains tons of nice nutrients—calcium, vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, and fiber. As if that isn’t enough, broccoli is also packed with phytonutrients, compounds that may help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Plus, it’s low in calories and cost.Serving suggestions: Throw it in salads, stir fries, or served as an accompaniment to meat in this Steamed Ginger Chicken with Asian Greens recipe.
10. Watermelon Though you may not be able to buy an entire watermelon for a dollar, your per serving cost isn’t more than a few dimes. This summertime fruit is over 90 percent water, making it an easy way to hydrate, and gives a healthy does of Vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that may ward off cancer.Serving suggestions: Freeze chunks for popsicles; eat straight from the rind; squeeze to make watermelon margaritas (may negate the hydrating effect!).
11. Wild Rice It won’t cost you much more than white rice, but wild rice is much better for you. Low in fat and high in protein and fiber, this gluten-free rice is a great source of complex carbohydrates. It packs a powerful potassium punch and is loaded with B vitamins. Plus, it has a nutty, robust flavor.Serving suggestions: Mix with nuts and veggies for a cold rice salad; blend with brown rice for a side dish.
12. Beets Beets are my kind of vegetable—their natural sugars make them sweet to the palate while their rich flavor and color make them nutritious for the body. They’re powerhouses of folate, iron, and antioxidants.Serving suggestions: Shred into salads, slice with goat cheese. If you buy your beets with the greens on, you can braise them in olive oil like you would other greens.
13. Butternut Squash This beautiful gourd swings both ways: sometimes savory, sometimes sweet. However you prepare the butternut, it will not only add color and texture, but also five grams of fiber per half cup and chunks and chunks of Vitamin A and C. When in season, butternut squash and related gourds are usually less than a dollar a pound.Serving suggestions: Try Pear and Squash Bruschetta; cook and dot with butter and salt.
14. Whole Grain Pasta In the days of Atkins, pasta was wrongly convicted, for there is nothing harmful about a complex carbohydrate source that is high in protein and B vitamins. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest staples you can buy.Serving suggestions: Mix clams and white wine with linguine; top orzo with tomatoes and garlic; eat cold Farfalle Salad on a picnic.
15. Sardines As a kid, I used to hate it when my dad would order sardines on our communal pizzas, but since then I’ve acquired a taste for them. Because not everyone has, you can still get a can of sardines for relatively cheap. And the little fish come with big benefits: calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. And, because they’re low on the food chain, they don’t accumulate mercury.Serving suggestions: Mash them with parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil for a spread; eat them plain on crackers; enjoy as a pizza topping (adults only).
16. SpinachSpinach is perhaps one of the best green leafies out there—it has lots of Vitamin C, iron, and trace minerals. Plus, you can usually find it year round for less than a dollar.Serving suggestions: Sautéed with eggs, as a salad, or a Spinach Frittata.
17. Tofu Not just for vegetarians anymore, tofu is an inexpensive protein source that can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. It’s high in B vitamins and iron, but low in fat and sodium, making it a healthful addition to many dishes. Serving suggestions: Use silken varieties in Tofu Cheesecake; add to smoothies for a protein boost; cube and marinate for barbecue kebobs.
18. Lowfat Milk Yes, the price of a gallon of milk is rising, but per serving, it’s still under a dollar; single serving milk products, like yogurt, are usually less than a dollar, too. Plus, you’ll get a lot of benefit for a small investment. Milk is rich in protein, vitamins A and D, potassium, and niacin, and is one of the easiest ways to get bone-strengthening calcium.Serving suggestions: In smoothies, hot chocolate, or coffee; milk products like low fat cottage cheese and yogurt.
19. Pumpkin Seeds When it’s time to carve your pumpkin this October, don’t shovel those seeds into the trash—they’re a goldmine of magnesium, protein, and trace minerals. Plus, they come free with the purchase of a pumpkin.Serving suggestions: Salt, roast, and eat plain; toss in salads.
20. Coffee The old cup-o-joe has been thrown on the stands for many a corporeal crime—heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis—but exonerated on all counts. In fact, coffee, which is derived from a bean, contains beneficial antioxidants that protect against free radicals and may actually help thwart heart disease and cancer. While it’s not going to fill you up like the other items on this list, it might make you a lot perkier. When made at home, coffee runs less than 50¢ cents a cup.Serving suggestions: Just drink it.

My enemy the laundry

Every week I find it hard to understand how 2 people wore so many clothes, dirtied so many towels and used so many mis. things like sheets or rags. I have never thought much about it, just sucked it up and do my weekly LARGE load of usually 4-5 loads of laundry. I have to mention Ryan works at a steel factory so he usually wears 2 sets of clothes a day- this is everything from shirts to socks and all in between. I wear my work clothes and change into my regular clothes as well. Since both sets are only worn half days I usually get 2 wearings out of some items like pants and some shirts. I still don't understand how it piles up so fast. I never feel on top of the laundry. I usually start on either Saturday or Sunday. I don't stay on top of it which inevitably makes me forget about at least one load which stays in the washer to long and I then have to wash it again.

Have I said laundry is my enemy? So the last few weeks as Wednesday or Thursday have come and I finally haul my 2 baskets full of clean yet wrinkled clothes upstairs to fold and put away I have thought- what the heck am I going to do when I have an infant at home throwing up or pooping on everything a few times a day? How in the world will I keep up on his/her things? Again I really have not thought of any ways to solve this problem but something needs to change. I was reading this website called CEOMoms when I saw the article in the corner "Do laundry the CEOMom way"

I couldn't click the link fast enough!!!

So here I am- WITH A NEW- NEW YEARS RESOLUTION (for at least 2 weeks for a trial)

Here's the big laundry secret (ready for this – it's a deep laundry thought): You wash today what was worn yesterday. You got it? You don't wash what was worn last Tuesday. That was washed on Wednesday.
Here's how it works. Your husband goes to work, your kids go to school, you are dressed for the day and any kids at home are dressed. You scoop up all the jammies and clothes worn yesterday and you stick them in the washing machine. A family of four can fit in one load. You may need to keep a few whites out if they need to be washed separately, but the majority of clothes can be washed together (cold water, cold rinse). Do this in the morning. When you have a moment a bit later, put the clothes in the dryer. When you have another moment, put the clothes away.
Before it would have taken you a long time to put the clothes away. Now it's easy. We're talking jammies that get put in drawers, a few pairs of pants and a few shirts (and some underwear). It's not like those old loads of laundry where there were 15 shirts that needed to be hung on hangers. You'll be shocked at how easy it is. You absolutely have to swear under no circumstances (unless you go into labor and even then send your husband home after the baby is born to do it), can you go to bed without putting away the load in the dryer. Really this won't be a problem. You'll be so amazed at how stress-free it feels to be on top of your laundry instead of buried, that you'll want to put it away. It feels good. Give it two weeks and you'll feel it too.

Ill give an update in 2 weeks so all those other people who have laundry as their enemy know if this really makes life much easier!

Boy or Girl

What do you think it will be?

Disney Princess or Land before time

Ryan is certain its a boy. I really would love a boy first but I only dream about girls. Then again I only dreamt about twins until the doctor advised us of only one! I'm excited either way. I have had a few people I work with do little games like a chin on my hand and how it swings will tell me what I'm having. I have had people say heartburn will tell me one way or another or being sick. Things I crave will tell me. Its all be very interesting!

My baby the Lime

This is how big my baby is!!!

Harley and Me

(On our drive to the cabin. Harley enjoyed the view from behind)

If you have seen the movie Marley and me you have met my dog. Harley is such a sweet girl once you look into those big eyes but that dog is trouble. Latest antics.





- Had a rough night with an upset tummy- resulted in having a bathroom issue all over our bedroom. Kendra had not put the clean clothes away that were sitting in the laundry basket so she now has to rewash everything again!


- Got bored in the middle of the night and decided my body pillow was just the toy to play with. After ripping it open she spread the stuffing through out the room.





Now I know this doesn't seem that bad but that was last night. This is not a new or different thing. Our Marley- OoPs Harley really just brings us the best laughs sometime. I love this dog!

Prego Blues

Its been very funny to hear everyone give their 2 cents, advice and personal stories on pregnancy. I have listened to some and some has actually really helped, others- really really should just be kept to themselves. I have heard pregnancy is a miracle and your never happier and its the best thing ever. So I'm happy and excited to have this baby and have the opportunity to bring this child into the world but so far this "pregnancy" is not a walk in the park. Its not necessarily the sickness you can get its everything. So I'm constantly so worried about the weight gain- yes I know I shouldn't worry but seriously when your only 3 months and already your clothes are so tight you feel like you could win a prize for the most fluffiest muffin top? I guess I always thought oh when I get pregnant ill stay the same size then one day POP- Ill look like a cute well rounded 7 month pregnant hot mama. I guess I thought by some miracle I would not only not grow for a while but I would become "a hot mama" ;)

Its really great knowing there is this little thing growing in me, that everything I do, smell and eat is effecting it. What I'm sure other Mamas know is that everything that baby does, smells and eats effect you as well. I have never been woken from a deep sleep at 1 AM because it smelled! I have never hated yet been so in love with food at the same time. Ill kept eating because I knew it was good yet did everything possible to keep from gagging it back up. I have never walked up the 4 flights of stairs at work to almost pass out of aching muscles and exhaustion once I reached the top. As I am telling this kid to stop kicking my butt I'm sure its telling me the same thing! Ah the miracle of pregnancy.

I have now read 3 books! Great books but really is that what happens to all women and I'm the rare exception that is already showing at 3 months instead of 4-5 months? Am I the only one who really tries to work out but thinks I'm already tired enough- walking for 20 minutes will really just put me in a coma. Am I the only one who is completely exhausted but still having the hardest time sleeping already, instead of closer to the end or beginning of my 2nd and 3rd trimester? I guess I really must be the only one who gets so annoyed with my husband because he is simply breathing to heavy and asks one to many times "are you okay?"

I really must be the worst prego lady in town...

So fellow HOT MAMAs how did you do it?