The nesting has started

Monday night Ben was out of town, Allie got in bed with me around 1:30 am after a bad dream that woke me with a scream and the words "that's my syrup!" so needless to say, I did not sleep well.  I had a personal day left for the year so I took off Tuesday to get about 8,000 things organized and situated around the house.

I remember when I was pregnant with Allie that I hit a point when I wanted everything around the house as perfect as possible, and unfortunately, I think I'm there again.  Tuesday I redecorated our room, pictures are below.  I still have some things left to do but it looks so much better than it did.

I need two more porthole mirrors for above the bed 

Fabric for throw pillows.  I ordered two 18x18 pillows in the tan, cream and gray paisley and a bolster in the Greek key.

My mom's favorite flower was the hydrangea so I decorated with them in small glass containers.  This one is on Ben's nightstand.

My nightstand with several hydrangeas and my absolute favorite picture of Ben, Allie and me.

Etched vase from our friend Derek's sweet mom for my 30th birthday.

Pardon the price tag on the mirror and it's "off-centerness" - this was a trial.  :)

Tonight I had Ben raise the baby's crib so I could see what the crib skirt looked like.  I still have some decorating left, but it's coming along. 

The white balance on my camera is really white...not sure how to make these look better.

Ben's original Peter Rabbit books from when he was a kid.

Rabbit lamp compliments of Pammy

Not sure if this pillow will stay here or not...needed somewhere to put it.

My last project, which is in progress, is to have new pillows made for the couch in the living room. I've found fabric but need to narrow the choices!

My FINAL "Thankful"...

I am awful about finishing my days of things I am thankful for leading up to Thanksgiving.  I swear, I start it every year and end up quitting half-way through.

My final "thankful" for this year goes out to my sweet, spunky, smart and sassy, Allie Parker Ross.  Since this kid entered the world, kicking and screaming on June 11, 2010, she has been the biggest joy in my life.  "When one door closes, another door opens" is my motto for my life from May 12 - June 11 of 2010.  Mom's death was the closing of one door, but  Allie's birth, and my welcoming to motherhood opened another.

Allie - I will never be able to explain just how much you mean to me; my world would not be complete without you.  I hope you can look back at this blog one day and laugh, cry or scream (over some posts!) about how much your dad and I cherish you. 

WARNING: Dehydration!

To all my pregnant friends out there - read this and remember it.

Did you know you need to drink roughly 1 gallon of water per day when pregnant?  I bet you didn't...I didn't either!

Saturday morning when I woke up, I didn't feel well.  My stomach was cramping, almost like a stomach virus.  I took Allie to get the flu mist Friday afternoon and just knew some germy, snot-head rubbed up against me in the waiting room.  All thoughts were running through my head.

Anyway, as the day went on, the pain in my stomach got worse and worse.  By 1 pm, I was on the couch (reminder - it was just Allie and me...Ben was at the game) balled up in the fetal position, in tears.  Something was not right.  I called the assessment center at Woman's and in order to be admitted I had to call my doctor's office.  I called the after hours line and they put me in touch with the doctor on call (Dr. Chauvin) who said to come in.  My next call was to Ben, who I know thought I was a total nut, until he walked in the door 30 minutes later and I could barely move. 

When we got to the assessment center, I was admitted...I was glad to know I wasn't crazy!

So long story short, I learned something new.  When you are pregnant and dehydrated, your uterus contracts.  I was in fact having contractions, and luckily the baby was not on its way.  Five hours and 2 units of IV fluid later, I was discharged. 

Just note to self to all my friends out there in my boat - full-time demanding job, another kiddo at home, 8 million things going on...make sure you stay hydrated!

29-week Pregnancy Comparison

Pregnancy with Allie is to the right, current kiddo to the left. I look much more tired this time...I wonder why!

11 more weeks!

I L*O*V*E Allie's Teachers

I love when I pick up Allie from LSU during music time because I get to see her creativity and fabulous dance moves.  I got to catch a 5 minute session today....ENJOY!  :)

Zydeco at School

I love you mommy

As much as Allie can drive me up the frickin' wall with the fits, disagreements and all around just "difficultness" she can also melt my heart two seconds later. 

Her new thing is coming up to me and out of the middle of no where, saying "I love you mommy."  It makes me proud to know that she understands what those words mean, and that you cannot say them enough.

...she knows how to play the game.  :)

She drives me cra-zay

This week has been interesting.  I am not sure if it's because of the full moon last week (I can count that as an excuse, right?) or daylight savings time, but my Allie Parker has been something else.  The fits, disagreements, sassiness, etc. have been at an all time high this week.

Allie is not an easy kid - she definitely gives Ben and I a run for our money.  Our motto is "proceed with caution" as you never know what you're going to get.  One morning you could go in to wake her up (I am always sweet - I begin by rubbing her head, scratching her back and in my softest voice I say "wake up sunshine") and she sits up in bed and says "hi mommy, I love you" - the next day she sits up in bed screaming "no" 8,000 times and continues to throw a fit for 30 minutes.  You just never know.  This week she has been great in the morning, but an absolute PILL in the evenings. 

Tuesday I let her take her Woody and Jessie dolls to school to sleep with at nap time.  When I put her in the car that afternoon, something triggered her to turn into demon Allie and she decided to throw Jessie on the ground.  To show her that I'm not going to tolerate it, I decided to tell her Jessie was not going to come home with us and drive off (what she didn't know is that I actually picked the doll up and put it under my feet).  Oh.my.dear.Lord she went BALLISTIC, kicking, screaming, flapping her arms in an attempt to hit something, threw Woody on the floorboard, took her shoes off and threw them in the front seat...the list could go on.  I pulled over on the side of the road and calmly said, "Allie, if you tell mommy and Jessie you are sorry, and stop throwing a fit, I will give you Jessie back" - I thought I was doing the right thing.  Clearly NOT.  The fit escalated, and she said "no mommy" so I continued to drive.  The fit went on the entire way home and she even decided to sit in the car in the carport by herself, to finish the fit, for another 15 minutes.  Hey, props to you sista for knowing your mother doesn't want to hear your crazy s***.  She finally stopped, apologized, and what do you know, got Jessie back.  So I'm thinking I taught her a lesson, right?  NOT.

Yesterday was the LSU Homecoming Parade at her school.  Ben and I both went and when it was time to leave, a fit ensued.  No clue why.  It continued, and continued, and continued.  When we got home I made her sit in the car until Ben pulled in the driveway (he was less than 3 minutes behind us).  She finally stopped and Ben made her apologize. 

The thing I do not understand about my child is I KNOW she understands my words.  Ben and I really do a good job (in my opinion) of talking to her.  "Allie, tell mommy you are sorry and you can have _____ back" OR "Allie, please show mommy want you want instead of throwing a fit..."  These are the conversations we have with her.  I am beginning to think she is truly just a hard-headed, stubborn child, who is going to push however hard she can to do whatever she can to dominate us.  I hate feeling this way about her but I am sure I'm not the only parent to feel this way. 

Thank goodness it is Friday - a new day begins tomorrow.