Happy Birthday John~

John turned 20 on Monday the 26th. I can't believe it. I remember turning 20 and it doesn't seem like he should be that old yet. Being 9 years older, I remember so much of him growing up. I remember the day mom told me I would be a big sister. I was in my room, she told me she had to tell me something and I thought I was in trouble. I leaned against my bed post uncomfortably and then she said, "Momma's going to have a baby, you're going to be a big sister and I'm going to need your help, okay?" I was more than ready for the challenge. A few months into the pregnancy, everyone thought mom miscarried but turns out John was a twin. I remember being devastated thinking all that excitement was lost and there would be no baby. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. Just a few of my favorite memories of you, John...

1. You and I would ride my bike, you in my lap. You were no more than three (how dangerous!!) and you would make me peddle really fast and then stand up on the bar in the middle of the bike as I sped up yelling, "to infinity and BEYOND!"

3. I taught you to make a really funny face that still makes me laugh. You would open your mouth in a circle, drop your head, and then look up. Hard to describe but oh so funny!

3. When I asked you to do anything, you would say no but you didn't just say no, you would hold the 'N' sound for at least 15 seconds followed by a quick 'O' and then run off laughing.

4. Swirlies.

There are so many more but those are some of my favorite. Love you baby brother!

oh baby

3/25/12

This weekend has been super busy. Justin and I are excited to have everyone in town next week for the bridge run. We've been doing lots of yard work to prepare. Probably not our best idea since our guests will not be sleeping nor spending much time outside, but it is fun to see the progress. We have lots more to do.

As for baby Archie, we grow more excited every day. I am still having lots of cramping but read that it is completely normal. I have waves of nausea from time to time that are very manageable with a small snack and Justin says he likes the naps I take in the afternoon b/c he gets a little free time :o) We both think it is a boy. In fact, we just refer to the baby as he or him. I don't know why but we just have a feeling. For me, it's probably because the Pottery Barn Kids magazine just came out with all sorts of CUTE nautical-themed nursery stuff. Of course, I would be ecstatic if it were a girl! It would be the most girly-girl nursery you ever saw!

Justin has been very helpful around the house! Not letting me lift anything heavy or do too much of anything. He woke up early yesterday and did the laundry, the dishes, and picked up the house. He also pulled up the tile in the master bathroom in preparation for the floors that will be installed next week. I cannot wait to see them all finished! Pictures soon!

My sister, the lawyer

My baby sister, Katie, got accepted into law school today. Guess who was the first person she called. I cannot tell you how proud that makes me. Of her accomplishments but also of our friendship. When we were growing up, we could hardly stand to be in the same room together. It's funny how mom was right, "one day she'll be your best friend" really did come true. I hope that all sisters experience the love and friendship that Katie and I have. She means the world to me and I hope that I am lucky enough to have two daughters that can share the special bond of being sisters. Although, I probably won't make them hold hands when they're fighting, like my parents did. ;o) Or who knows, maybe that was the secret after all.

Congratulations Kate, I am so incredibly proud of you!

Yummy Lasagna

I followed a pintrest recipe for quick and healthy spinach lasagne. They are only 240 calories a serving and I accidentally forgot to add the egg so they are probably even less than that. I cut everything in half and only made four.

First cook the lasagna noodles and preheat the oven. Spread some pasta sauce on the bottom of a glass baking dish. Then mix 7 oz of light ricotta, 5 ounces fresh/frozen spinach, an egg, 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, dry basil and oregano to taste.

When the noodles are done, lay them out on wax paper and dry them well. Then, scoop 1/3 cup of the mix onto each noodle. Roll them up and place them seam down into the dish. Spoon a little more pasta sauce on each roll and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and cover with aluminum foil. Bake on 350 for ~ 40 minutes. This was so good and honestly, very simple. The oven did the work. It got the Justin-stamp-of-approval. :o)

Baby Archie

Justin left for Charlotte this afternoon, but not until after he called to see how the baby was. He's so cute. I've had a lot of cramping today. I hope that is just baby getting nestled in all snug. I called by OBGYN and to my disappointment, the first visit isn't until 8 weeks. I had an annual visit scheduled in 6 weeks, for the day after Easter but they pushed it back to April 17th. Oh well. There wouldn't be much to see before then anyways. My baby calendar says the baby is the size of an orange seed. :o) Go Tigers. At the visit they will do lab work and do the first ultrasound. Justin has already taken the day off.

I decided how I'm telling my parents. I think Easter baskets full of baby stuff would be cute. My favorite books growing up were Little Critter books. I think I'll get the "Just me and my Grandpa" and "Just me and my Grandma." Plus Clemson onsies, smell good items, a yard flag and a few more grandma/grandpa items.

Justin would like to wear a shirt or something for the bridge run. I'd like to give Shannon a "present for the baby" and have a frame with "a cousin" written on it. How cute?!? I'm a little nervous to tell everyone before the doctor's visit but too excited not to. Plus, it would become quite clear when I turn down alcohol. :o) You know me. Other than the third positive (hospital-grade) pregnancy test, you'd never know I was preggo! It's only day 2 and this is so fun!

Happy St. Patty's

Hope everyone enjoyed this gorgeous weather. I know we did. Justin and I went to the beach for the first time this year. Well, maybe not the FIRST time but it was the first time we could lay out and enjoy the sunshine. It was beautiful.

We got home and did a little around the house. Right now, we are in the process of painting our brass door knobs bronze. They are turning out so nicely! We're also giving all the doors and trim a fresh coat of white paint. They were off white originally. I can tell it is going to take forever to get them all done (doors and knobs) but so far, everything is looking great!

Katie shared a great trick for vacuuming rugs. I can't believe how well this worked! We just flipped the rug over and vacuumed the bottom of the rug. It vibrated all the loose dirt from the rug. You would not believe how much excess dirt we got from the rug...after we had already vacuumed the top! We did this at least five times and got so much out. The rug was actually lighter when we finished and just look at the dirt. It also felt softer underfoot. Great idea Kate!

I went to Lowe's a signed the contract to get our new floors installed in the bathroom. I can't wait. That is really the last big project that would, without question, have to be done before we could sell the condo. That isn't the end goal but it feels good to know we could put it on the market. Hope everyone enjoyed their St. Patty's Day!!

Gatlinburg 2012

This weekend the Clevelands and Archies went to Gatlinburg, TN for a short get away. We had a blast! Click on the picture to see a little snippet of the action. Enjoy!