My 11 Month old....

I can NOT believe that in just a month Lena will be a year old!! Where in the world did the past year go (year and a half for that matter)!!?? This little person has began her road to independence....walking! The only problem is that she only seems to want to walk when she has something in both hands! She will NOT do it on command, so don't even waste your breath! We have also developed an extensive vocabulary including....mama, baba, bye bye (along with waving), hi, and hidy, foster (my parents dog, and now every other dog she sees), der she is (reserved for some peek-a-boo games), nawnaw- which I am convinced is meant to be no no, uh-huh (aka yes), and a few jibber jabbers we have yet to fully translate!!

She has also mastered the art of fit throwing! This now includes biting, screaming, clinching, a red face, and the occasional throwing herself on the floor! Whenever she gets mad at something, be it a toy, mommy, the floor, she clinches her fists and then bites! It's extremely frustratings, and I am having a hard time trying to figure out a good discipline for this...remember she's still really little, sooo...!!!! To say the least, Ms. Belle is becoming a little hand full!!

We have also really began to play! She is soo sweet when she plays with her babies. She will hug on them, say AWWWW, pat their backs, etc. I have also noticed her playing with her little tikes doll house...she's began to take stuff out, put it back in, and mubble as if to make the dolls talk! We also ADORE our rocking horses, and anything we can push around and walk with, but the cell phone is still her toy of choice!!

My little Lena is growing up, too fast!!

I've been busy!!

Life at the McCombs' residence has, for the most part, been uneventful and just plain normal. We have, however, been goingng over a few roadbumps...such as Lena's teething has currently caused her to refuse to eat..food...but anything else she can get a hold of goes right to the mouth! The child even chewed up a blanket one night, causing a horrible scene of gagging and vomit, sending this momma into worry mode BIG TIME!!

Besides the normal day to day worries and excitement of an infant, I have also been planning Lena's first birthday party! I used to think that parents went waaay over the top with this one, simply because the child doesn't care, and won't remember! But I totally get it! Since we don't live at home, but wanted to celebrate with all of our friends and family I am having to rent a place out...which means decorations, themes, food..etc! We are just inviting our closest family and friends, and even then the guest list is right at about 80, including 15 plus children! WHEW! This is gonna add up! But we know we won't be doing this every year, and really want to make this special!

In a way a first birthday is not just celebrating her first year of life, but our first year with her! Having a baby forever changes you, and you should celebrate the fact that you have survived, and hopefully find yourself a better person because of this tiny life!!

With that said...the theme will be a Day at the Carnival with Elmo and Lena (ok so the theme name stinks, we are working on that, but you get the picture) We are having hotdogs, chips, hopefully popcorn and cotton candy, and cupcakes! The plan is to have games for the kids and prizes...including their own Dorothy the goldfish! I am ridiculously excited, and slightly overwhelmed! This is the first event I have really planned, and while I know my martha stewart mom will be there the entire way, I can feel the pressure to make this memory unforgettable!

So stay tuned, the party isn't until April, but chances are I will have a lot of brainstorming to do!! :0)

14 weeks!

Hello second trimester! I've been looking forward to seeing you!!


Total weight gain/loss: At the doctors last week I found out that I had gained NO WEIGHT!! YAY! Okay, some of you are like what, how is that a good thing!! Well I still have weight to lose from Lena, and while my belly is growing just fine, I am not packing on extra unhealthy pounds. A huge goal of mine with this pregnancy! Plus I've been doing small workouts each morning, ust to help my muscle strength! I'm gonna need tons of it if I'm gonna cary a toddler and a big belly around this summer!!

Maternity clothes? Negativo!! But my jeans are becoming extrememly tight! I just use the beband...which doesn't work too well, but gets the job done!

Stretch marks? No new ones!


Sleep: Much better!! This last week Lena has been teething...again! So she's had some rough nights, but I have a great husband who shares in the "shifts"! I've also been finding myself ready for sleep at about 8, so that really makes things easier in the mornings!

Best moment this week: There's a couple! Of course this amazing weather we have been blessed with! but I also really enjoyed seeing Dr. Croce this week! She was sooo excited and just hugged on me etc etc! It's nice to be "remembered" and not just another patient! She really reaffirmed my decision in not changing doctors when I had my sick melt down a while back!

Movement: I think I have had a couple of flutters, but it;s hard to tell with everything else going on in my tummy! lol!


Food cravings: STEAK!!! I went through this period with Lena also where I just wanted a big ole juicy piece of meat!! So last night we had mexican and I enjoyed some yummy beef fajitas! Not a steak...maybe I will make cabobs (sp) tonight!

Gender: I have my prediction, but we will find out if I am right in about 4 weeks!!


Labor Signs: None so far, but I did forget how uncomfortable ligament pains can be!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Both on! I'll be curious to see if I can wear them throughout the pregnancy again. Esp since it will soon be 80 and humid out

What I miss: hmm looking good in my clothes! Josh will differ in this opinion, but I'm at that middle stage where my regular clothes are becoming tight, but the maternity ones are still to large! Oh well....I'm usually in sweats and covered in baby food anyhow!! ;0)

What I am looking forward to: Lena is really starting to repeat words and form small sentences! I can't wait to teach her the baby's name!!


Weekly Wisdom: House work is not as important and rest and contentment! Take time to sit down and just enjoy "being"...esp with this beautiful weather! The laundry can wait...for your husband!! ;0)

Milestones: Second Trimester!! Woot Woot! I am already starting to feel like an entirely different person!!

13 weeks!

My last week of the first Trimester!! Can we say...YAY!!

Total weight gain/loss: No idea!! My jeans all fit weird! They are way too loose in the butt/thigh area...and sometimes the waist! I have been wearing a beband every now and again just for simple comfort! My jeans hit me right in the Uterus area right now, which is sooooo uncomfortable!!

Maternity clothes? Nopers!! Again...so crazy, since I was in them this time with Lena!


Stretch marks? Just the ones I already have!


Sleep: The last two weeks I have gotten a full nights and then some (when you count a daily nap)! Thank you parentals!!

Best moment this week: Going to the mountains with my family! It's very rare that we all get to be together for more than a dinner!

Movement: Nopers!! Sometimes gas feels like a baby kick, but if the child is that big already, I am in for a HARD delivery!


Food cravings: I've been really wanting some steak and/or shrimp! I'm thinking we will have a shrimp scampi pasta tonight for VDay!!!

Gender: It's a mystery.


Labor Signs: Nope!


Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Both on! I'll be curious to see if I can wear them throughout the pregnancy again. Esp since it will soon be 80 and humid out

What I miss: My energy!! Lena is at that age where she is really going and playing!! I feel horrible because I just can't last that long before I'm winded and need to lay down!

What I am looking forward to: Hmm lots of stuff right now! We find out the gender next month, which seems like forever away!


Weekly Wisdom: Ask for help if you need it!!

Milestones: Getting some much needed rest was a HUGE milestone for this tired momma!!

12 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: My mom has been with me the last two weeks, forcing me to eat!! She's convinced I've lost weight since she last saw me at Christmas!! Maybe I'll be one of those crazy women that lose weight with this pregnancy!! Hmmm "food" for though

Maternity clothes? Negativo!! By this time with Lena, I had to move in to my maternity jeans and shirts. Not because I looked pregnant, but because my "ladies" had doubled in size, making shirts ridiculously tight, and my hips had shot out!! This time, however, I am still in my shirts and jeans (the ladies never went back to normal)!! I have started to use a Beband for simple comfort. I can not stand to have anything too tight against my stomach!!


Stretch marks? Just the ones I already have!


Sleep: Getting better, but I will attribute that to visiting my parents and having a bed all to myself, and they have taken the responsibility of getting up with Lena at night!! Thank you!!

Best moment this week: Spending time with Gammie and Pappy...and getting some much needed rest in!!

Movement: Nopers!! Sometimes gas feels like a baby kick, but if the child is that big already, I am in for a HARD delivery!


Food cravings: Not really, but I am getting an appetite again! Well, on and off!!

Gender: It's a mystery.


Labor Signs: Nope!


Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Both on! I'll be curious to see if I can wear them throughout the pregnancy again. Esp since it will soon be 80 and humid out

What I miss: Althought it isn't pregnancy related, I am really missing my hubby this week!!

What I am looking forward to: Our family weekend in the mountains!!


Weekly Wisdom: Take advantage of all the lazy time you can get in!!


Milestones: I would say going an entire 24 hours without hugging the toilet is a HUGE milestone!! :0)