"The most wonderful time of the year!!"

So in about 3 days we will be on the road to Home Sweet Bowling Green!! I can't tell you how excited we are to get to go home for an extended stay. Usually we are home at the most 4 days, and are so rushed that when it comes time to get back....we are ready!! Luckily we were able to talk our families into spreading our Christmas(es) over the course of the weekend. We usually attend anywhere from 6-8 in less than a 24 hour period, which makes for a stressful and tiring holiday!! This year, however, we won't be timing ourselves at every location and can just enjoy our family time. I am mostly excited about watching all the little kids (aka Gavin and Nolan) open their gifts. It's so hard for me to believe that Lena Belle will be Nolan's age this time next year! It's crazy to imagine what life was before Nadina started to pop out babies!! I can't even remember what we used to do at Mamaw and Papaws on a Sunday afternoon. Nowadays we sit in a circle and let the little ones entertain us!! Hmmm :0)

We aren't even through this holiday yet, and I have already bought stuff for next year!! We went to Sams Club today (our regular "date" spot) and bought a tree and some of the cutest ornaments. They had a ton of their Christmas stuff half off. Their prices are already hard to beat, but this just made them a necessity...atleast in my book! Hopefully we will be able to keep both our girls, Allie and Lena, out of our tree next year!! haha

Since this week will be crazy, I am sure, I am going to go ahead and do my week 26 survey!!!



•How far along?: 26 weeks
•Total weight gain: Hopefully not much, if anymore, than last weeks!!!
•How big is baby?: Every book/website says something different. By now she is about 2 lbs and 8 inches long!!
•Maternity clothes?: Oh yes! I actually had my first "wardrobe" nightmare today. I tried a shirt on I had only bought 2 weeks ago, and it was almost too tight. It's possible it was thrown in the dryer, and my husband reassured me I looked "hott" (haha yeah right) but I almost fainted when I looked in the mirror!!
•Stretch marks?: Just a couple! I've been rubbing Olive Oil on them. Believe it or not...it's helping!! Luckily there aren't many and they are located in areas no one will see!!
•Sleep?: It is definitely getting harder. Everytime I wake up I have to pee, and am usually in pain from holding it in. Then, by the time I lay down and start to get comfortable again Lena decides to play!! SIGH!!
•Best moment this week?: Locking myself in the house with my amazing hubby and puppy during the "ice"!!
•Movement?: OH yes!! I actually layed in a warm bath the other day because my back was hurting. When I started to get relaxed and feel better she began to kick around, so hard she caused ripples in the water! HILLARIOUS!!
•Food cravings?: I don't sit around and just suddenly crave something. However, if someone mentions a certain food or a commercial pops on...it's hard to get it out of my head. I am also still having a tough time with the caffeine....although I am waaay better off with it then before pregnancy!!
•Labor signs?: Nopers!!
•Belly button in or out?: half in half out.
•What I miss: Bending over to pick up something. No I have to take time to prepare myself, grab on to something for sturdiness, and ease on down!!!
•What I'm looking forward to: With Christmas time here, I can't wait to share in Lena's first Christmas!
•Milestone: hmmm, this always has me stumped. How about the fact that I finally got us signed up for our lamaze/planned parenting class!!!

Survey Week 25

•How far along?: 25 weeks
•Total weight gain: About 15 lbs. Which to me is horrifying, but is GREAT according to the doctors!! haha
•How big is baby?: Not sure!!
•Maternity clothes?: Yup! My hips grew first so I've been in my maternity jeans for a while, but I tried on all my other tops the other day for fun, and have actually began to really grow into them!!
•Stretch marks?: A few, but no where anyone will ever see them, so I can live with it!
•Sleep?: hmmm on and off. I'll sleep for a couple of hours, then am awake for an hour. Plus I usually wake up 2-3 times for a potty run!!
•Best moment this week?: Well, it's only Tuesday so I hope the week only gets better. I'm thinking the best moment is going to be the fact that I will be completely done with my Christmas shopping....either today or tomorrow!! YAY

•Movement?: LOTS! Every time I stand still, even if for only a moment, she kicks and hits!! I love it though!!
•Food cravings?: No, not really. I actually feel as normal as I did before I got pregnant. I actually have to remind myself to eat. I've always been the type that if I'm not starving I don't eat!! Bad habit when preggers!!

•Labor signs?: I spent last Monday in Triage. They thought my lower side, and back pain could be due to early labor, but thank goodness it was not!!!

•Belly button in or out?: half in half out.
•What I miss: Sleeping and waking up rested!!!
•What I'm looking forward to: Holding Lena for the first time!
•Milestone: hmmm...Milestone?? We have picked out all of our baby furniture, and bedding, and paint colors (pretty much)!!! Now onto the room!!!

"Why do I even bother!!??"

Yesterday was Hubby Josh's 24th Birthday. At his request, we spent the day just lounging and enjoying the company of one another. Quiet time together is something we are trying to appreciate more of, knowing that in a few short months that quiet time will occupied with cries, feeding, diaper changes, and peek-a-boo games!!

After a few hours of lounging, my ADD kicked in and I had to find something to do. After admiring my smelly, dirty, baby girl Allie, I decided it was bath time. I removed her collar, ran a tub of water, and wrestled my little cocker spaniel into the bathroom. Once there, it took only a matter of moments before the tub was a nice shade of brown, from the dirt she had collected in her fur. That was the moment I decided we would be getting the "twice over"!!

After the bath I got her out, and because it was so cold out decided to dry her off. I usually let her air dry, because I know the blow dryer can really dry out her skin, but I made sure to spray in lots of doggy conditioner, and used her oatmeal bath. Josh had to give a helping hand during this process, Allie does NOT like to be blow dried!!! We got all of her tangles out, brushed her skirt around her legs (something I love because they always resemble UGG Boots) and cleaned out her ears. Let's just say that Allie was looking good.

This process took about two or so hours, with periodic grooming through the night. So, why go to all of this trouble when today I had to put her in her crate to go to my monthly check up, and come home only to find her DRENCHED from head to toe.

Let me explain. My dog has HORRIBLE seperation anxiety and can not stand to be left home alone. She will literally hide when she suspects Josh and I will be leaving. The problem with this is that when crated she throws a horrible fit and manages to slobber all over herself. Its absolutely disgusting and frustrating to come home and find your dog covered in her own saliva. (esp after pampering her the day before)

Needless to say, I will have to bathe her again sometime this week before getting her groomed for Christmas. I always bath and brush her out before I take her to the groomers. Silly, I know, but I don't want them to look at me as some neglectant "mother"!!

There's today's dilemma on my mind! That, and the fact that I have decided that after today's weigh in I will be deducting 4 pounds for my snow UGG Boots. I think that is only fair, they are extrememly heavy!! Other than my weight, everything looks great and is right on track, even my weight, just something I have yet to grow used to!!

Alrighty, I have a cookie exchange Wednesday, meaning I have about 4 dozen to bake....I might cheat and go the candy route!! I'll let you know!!

"When did we become adults??"

I've had this question on my mind a lot lately. I am sure it is due to the last year of life changes I have experienced (ie. Marriage, Moving, Baby on the way). I find it interesting to look back on the person I was, thought I would become, and the person I am today. I don't think maturity is something that just happens over time, I believe it's a decision. It's truly up to you to wake up one day and say "It's time for me to start a new chapter in my life." And do it!! For me, I really didn't "mature" until the last year. I wasn't walking around acting like a five year old, but I made just about every mistake you are permitted to make in your college years. Once I was done with school, I came to the realization that I would no longer have that excuse.

So, I made a decision. Did I want to be in my mid 30s at the bar every weekend, or did I want to create a life with my love and move into a new "adventure". I had a lot of anxiety about marriage, and domestic life. Not because I didn't love Josh and want to be with him, but because it wasn't what I had planned out for myself. Something you quickly learn through life is that it doesn't always go the way you planned, but it does turn out exactly the way it's supposed to.

By now I had planned to be a struggling Broadway Actress living in New York!! Now, I look back on that dream and laugh, mainly because I know it would have never made me as happy as I am now. It's easy to dream big, and shoot for the stars, when you're the only one to worry about. But the second you throw anyone else into the mixture, life changes. Now all I can think about is this growing life inside of me.

I'm not perfect, have never and will never be. And this life is not at all where I expected to be five years ago. But, this life is amazing....and even more precious and wonderful than anything I could have dreamed up!!

So there's my random thought for the day, unorganized and shuffled, but you get the point!! Happy Blogging everyone!!!

Friend's Blogging!!

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Pregnancy Week 24!!

Name: Ashley Belle
Birthdate: 06/06/1986
Current Age: 23
Height: 5'8"
Weight before pregnancy: 130-ish (but remember I had just gotten married....aka MAJOR DIET!!!)
Current Weight: hmm not really sure
Partner's Name: Joshua Scott
Partner's Birthdate: 12/13/1985
Partner's Age: 23 (24 on Sunday!)
Partner's Height: 5'10"
Partner's Weight before pregnancy: NO clue
Partner's Current Weight: we don't know, neither of us weighs ourselves regularly.
When did you find out your were pregnant? a couple weeks after the honeymoon!!!
What was your reaction? I had my suspicions, but after they were confirmed there was a large rush of emotion. Excitement was one for sure, followed by fear, sickness, anxiety!! You name it, I felt it!!
Who did you tell first about the pregnancy? My dog Allie!! But as far as humans, the hubs!!
Date of Conception? For sure July 2!!
Due Date? March 29th.
Was the pregnancy planned? Nope, but definitely not a mistake.
How did your parents react? They all hesitated, took a minute to figure out what exactly was going on, then cried. My mother thought it was a big joke we were playing on her. We had bought baby bottles, put a poem in them from baby, and wrapped them as presents. We gave them to each set of parents and told them we had picked them up something on our honeymoon!! Each reaction was priceless, and I still wish we had had a video camera!!!
How did your partner's parents react? "see above"
Did you go to the doctor yet? Yuppers.
Did you have your first ultrasound? Yup. I have had 3!!
Do you know the sex? Boy or Girl? Baby Girl
How is the baby's movement? She is a rowdy one, for sure.
How is the baby's heartbeat? It was at 155 on Monday!
Baby's name? Lena Belle McCombs.
Who do you think the baby will look like? I have NO clue!! I think she will have Josh's darker complexion, and hopefully come out with a big ole head of hair like I did!!
Mom to be's favorite foods? . Hmmm at this point I eat just about anything!! Loven me some poptarts though! LoL
Mom to be's latest cravings? hmmm....what are my latest cravings?? I am really not having any cravings. I've cut back, well for me, greatly on caffeine. For those of you that don't know me, I HATE COFFEE, but my withdrawal was soo bad the other day I had to make myself some, just to take a sip. Pretty sure it had more milk and flavored creamer in it than actual coffee, but it eased the crave!!
Mom to be's latest "mom" moment? I facebook stalk all of my friends online who just had babies!!! It sounds creepy, yes, but it really gets me excited.
What was the first change you noticed in your body? I was extrememly sleepy and sick after our honeymoon....that was a dead give away!!
What was the latest change in your body? My belly is really starting to round out now that my uterus is moving up. My hips are nice and wide...sigh!!!
What is your sleep schedule? I'm in bed by 10, and usually wide awake around 7. I do nap somedays!!
What is your work schedule? I work from home, so whenever I feel like it.
What is the last thing you bought for the baby? Josh and I bought a big pack of Golden Books at Sam's the other day, and some Winnie the Pooh books!
What was the last thing you bought for yourself? Clothes!!
Planned birth place? Hospital!!.
Who will be in the room with you? Besides the Dr. and nurses I want Josh and my mom!!
Are you scared? The closer it gets, the more nervous I become. But I also realize that this is what God made the woman's body for, and I trust that he would never give me anything that I can't handle!
Are you going to use drugs? I'm going into it saying no, but I'm not against asking for it if the pain becomes unbearable on my part.
How do you think you will react? Oh, I bet I cry, the entire time!!
How do you think your partner will react? I think he will cry. He's very sappy, and extremely excited about his baby girl!!
Have you started birthing classes? Not yet, that's my goal over the next week, to get us signed up!
What is the nursery theme? Shabby Chic. :)
Are you going to breastfeed? Of course....why wouldn't you!!??

My Guardian!!

Don't let her sweetness full you, she is one guard(ian) dog!! Yes, there is a story that come with this, a funny one actually!! Let me start by giving you the background on our Allie. I bbought Allie for Joshua last Christmas. Since he had moved out to North Carolina, I could tell he was a bit lonely, and was in desperate need of some lovens. Since I couldn't be there with him all the time, I thought what's more perfect than a dog!!?? I wanted to get him one small enough to keep inside, but large enough that you can still play with....so I chose the Cocker Spaniel. Plus my parents have a Cocker Spaniel, Foster, who I absolutely adore...so why not!!??

Allie is a little pistol, and has been from day one! My parents picked her up in Louisville from me on their way home from a trip they took to Ohio. She marched into their house like she owned the place, and pestered Foster to death!! She was probably one of the most playful puppies I had ever been around, esp. after just being taken away from her family. That first night was a little rough, she cried a lot, and I am not ashamed to say that I took her out of her crate and let her sleep with me that night. The beginning of a bad habit!! LoL

Josh knew that I had gotten Allie for him. I wanted him to name her, pick out the color, and also get the clear from him landlord. He chose black, a girl, and named her Allie after our favorite movie "The Notebook"!! It was love at first sniff for them. Josh has never had a dog of his own, so he was like a little boy on Christmas! Absolutely obsessed, and still is! I think the resposibilty of having a dog took him off guard a bit, but will hopefully prove to be great parental training come March!!

So, now on to my story. Before Josh and I got married, everytime I would come out to visit, Allie was very terrotorial of her daddy. She never growled, or barked, but made her way in between us whenever we got to close for her comfort!!! Since we've been married and I have been home with her all day, the roles have reversed!! She still loves Josh, and waits for him by the garage door when it's time for him to come home, but she is most certaintly a momma's girl.

Josh and I were goofing off with each other last night and he went to grab me from the couch and attempt to "tickle" me!! A little childish, we will admit, but we were having fun. I screamed, and Allie took guard! She began growling and barking, and took off after Josh. He ran around in an attempt to play, and caught a mouthful to his bottom. At this point I had to sit down from the side pains caused by my laughter. Allie has never had this reaction to anything before, and I truly do think she thought he hurt her mommy! I also believe that she knows Lena is there (she sniffs at my belly a lot, and in the last couple of months has become much more clingy and loving) So maybe she was just sticking up for her little sister! Either way she was definitely my guardian that night!! I love my "first born"!! :0)

Mary Kay!!

Hey all!! I wanted to put out there that I am an MK consultant!! I know a lot of you keep up to date through my blog, and it's an easy tool for communication!! If you are interested in any products or doing a party let me know!! Contact me directly to find out about the amazing holiday sale I am currently running!! :0)

The Punching Bag, Known As My Tummy!!

So lately Little Lena has become ridiculously active!! Last night Josh really wanted to feel her move, so he layed his head on my stomach. As soon as he did, poor thing got a swift punch in the face. He sat up with the biggest smile, and slight look of shock on his face yelling "HOLY CRAP"!! It was absolutely perfect!! I love that now I can lay on my back and just watch the gymnastics going on!!! It's such an amazing feeling, and it brings this "new life" more into perspective!!

I am truly starting to actually "enjoy" being pregnant. Once you over come the sickness, and tired feeling, you are able to focus on the miracle of it all. So far I haven't had any random people come up and want to touch..(thank goodness, cause that's just creepy!)!! I do, however get a lot of questions and predictions. The lady checking me out at Sams this afternoon had me pose a couple of different ways, before guessing it was a girl. And of course she is right! I don't mind talking about her to strangers. Babies are such a blessing and miraculous thing, that I am soo excited I could just share the news with the whole world! Cheesy right??

Well, it's time to get prepared for It's Always Sunny!! I know with a baby inside of me, I should probably be stimulating her mind with Reading Rainbow or something, but a little laughter never hurt anyone!! Sweetdreams everyone!!!

Survey Week 23!!

Is this your first pregnancy: Yuppers!!
When did you find out you were pregnant: Just a few weeks after we were married.
Was it planned: Not at all.
What was your reaction when you found out: Excitement, fear, and disbelief!! Plus the thought of "what is josh going to do/say" Wouldn't leave my head
Who was with you when you found out: No one. Josh was at work and Allie was at the Vet!!
Who was the first person you told: Allie, our dog!! But then Joshua.
How did your parents react: They all cried and were extrememly excited!! My mom actually thought we were playing a mean joke on her!
How far along are you: 23 Weeks!
What was your first symptom: I was sooo sleepy all the time, but the second I got sick that morning before taking Allie to see the Vet, I just knew.
When is your due date: March 29. 2010.
Do you know the sex of the baby: Yes, Girl.
Have you picked out a name: Lena Belle McCombs.
How much weight have you gained: It was around 10 at my last visit, but not sure. I'll let you know next week.
Do you have stretch marks: none on my belly just yet, but the girls have a few!!
Have you felt the baby move: Oh yes!! She loves to move around!!
Have you heard the heartbeat: Yup, several times!! And everytime I feel this big rush of relief!

Rudolph the Red Nosed...

This is the song I was attempting to sing with Gavin the other night while Nadina and mom were fixing their Christmas Tree. Unfortunately he has a different version, it goes...."Rudolph, Rudolph go away, come again another time!!" I'm not too familiar with that one, but I am working on it!! haha Lena Belle enjoyed the singing, however, she would not stop kicking. When I told Gavin she like it he kept on singing and yelling YENA BELLE!! (He still has trouple with his "Ls")

Gavin and Nolan are growing up just too fast. It's hard to believe that this time next year, Lena Belle will be Nolan's age. Nolan has become a little man since the last time I saw him. He isn't crawling yet, but when people want to hold you all the time, why would you?? He does, however, FLY in his little walker. He would take off across Aunt Pam's kitchen running, and then pick his little legs up and just slide. It was just too funny. And, he has learned how to throw a little fit in order to get what he wants. Josh was holding him after Thanksgiving dinner, and he let him have some coolwhip from mom's piece of cake. As soon as he had that down he was growling at Josh for some more. And, of course, he got it!!

It's so crazy how fast time really does seem to go by the older you get. When you are younger you always hear older people talk about how time flies, but as a child time just seemed to drag on and on. It's hard to believe that I am already on my 6th month of pregnancy. Although I haven't enjoyed every aspect of pregnancy, feeling her kick and roll around is absolutely amazing. I do think I will miss that.

Well, enough rambling for one morning the dog has decided to check out the trash!! I hope you all had a safe and amazing Thanksgiving!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!