Lily's First Day of School

Today was Lily's first day of preschool. She was so excited and we were both up shortly after the alarm went off. She was dressed in no time flat and ready for some breakfast.

We arrived early and just walked around the sidewalk for a bit. She wasn't too interested in talking to me. She really wanted to explore her new school and go inside.

Once the doors opened, she was running full-steam ahead to her classroom. She was so ready to play in the house. After I got her to hang her backpack up, she settled into the stations that they're going to be doing every morning.

I left, with a quick hug and kiss. No tears. I went grocery shopping while she was in school. On the way, I felt the tears start to come, but I told myself that she wants and needs this.

When I picked her up, she was just as excited and wired. I think this is gonna be good for her.

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Prenatal Check-Up @ 14w5d

Everything is good. I've gained 6 pounds.

My iron is low. It's at 10.6, which should be remedied by be eating more iron-rich foods. If that doesn't fix it, I will have to be on iron supplements.

I don't remember what the baby's heartrate was. It was healthy, but in the lower ranges (like the 130s). Baby was probably napping because it's usually in the 140-150 range.

Back in 4 weeks. Hoping to schedule the BIG ultrasound then.

Two Thumbs Ranch Annual Cookout

We went to the annual Two Thumbs Ranch cookout, like we have for the past 6 years.



I thought dinner was at 5. It was at 6. I was a very hungry, pregnant lady. Did I mention that we didn't eat before we came because I knew there was gonna be a ton of food? But, I thought we were eating at 5, not 6. Torture!



Tres, the youngest human that lives at Two Thumbs.



There was a cow milking contest/demonstration set up that Lily absolutely loved. Several times, she would go over there to see if she could get any milk out of the cow. Minus the teet that was blocked, she didn't do bad for a 3-year-old.



We really looked forward to the hayride. The last couple of years, they haven't been able to have one. I think this may have been Lily's first one at the Ranch.



Cows! They came up to the fence expecting food, but all they got were people with cameras. Poor cows. Hopefully, Lily will get to pet one next time we go.



Lone, leafless tree in the middle of a hay field. Just a lovely evening for a hayride.



The only thing that would have made this bonfire better...S'MORES.

Not Me Monday! : A Picture's Worth 1,000 Words

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I would never post a picture of my child playing innocently on "the firefighter slide", only for it to be taken out of context. I, of course, got completely angry and lashed out at those who saw humor in the picture. I'm just that kind of Mom. I refuse to see the humor in it.

Doctor, Doctor

For Lily's appointment, we went to our family physician for her preschool physical. Her appointment was at 10:30 and they completely forgot her. I wasn't annoyed until they started calling people that arrived after we had. Then, she was back right away and we didn't even have to wait for the doctor or PA.

Her heart was checked and she got to pee in a "hat". That was the highlight of our trip. She'd already had the TB test back in March, so nothing exciting. Just getting the form signed pretty much.

Provided she doesn't get sick, she won't go back until her 4th birthday.

Intermission : Lunch.

For Lily's second appointment, it was a follow-up with Dr. Mike, the specialist. He's been treating Lily for severe temper tantrums for a couple of months now.

Currently, we are seeing some improvement in her behavior. However, her sleep is still off. She usually wakes up between 2-5a. She was up at 3 this morning and playing with magnets in the kitchen.

He ordered an EKG, which is a standard thing, so nothing to worry about. They just want to have something for comparison if she has an adverse reaction to her medication.

We're keeping the day medications the same, but increasing the night one. Hoping this will help with the sleep, which in turn will decrease the tantrums even more.

We go back in 4 weeks to see if the changes are helping or to try something new.

Spaghetti with Almost Homemade Sauce

I was going to make chicken, Lily wanted "uhpuhscetti". Rather than fight it, I just made "uhpuhscetti".

Simple meal, with a twist to use some things from our garden and make it a complete, well-rounded meal.



1/2 box of spaghetti, boiled, all that fun stuff.
1/2 jar of Ragu
1/2 pound of ground beef, browned & drained
4-5 grape tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 sweet banana pepper, sliced
1 handful of shredded cheese (I used Colby/Monterey)
Parm Cheese

I got the beef from Two Thumbs Ranch. It was weird because there was no need to drain. There is pretty much zero fat.

Tomatoes and the pepper came from our garden. The tomatoes added a sweet freshness to the jarred sauce. The meat made it a much heartier meal. Cheese is just good in pretty much anything.

After the spaghetti was plated with sauce on top, I sprinkled the top with some shredded parm cheese. So good!

Not Me Monday! : Paint, Stickers and Markers ... OH MY!!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.



I would never paint the hallway a bright shade of green, only to decide the very next day that it was the most hideous color that anyone ever mixed into a Satin medium base. And, I definitely wouldn't cry over it, thinking that the ugly color pretty much deemed that my house should be condemned.

Then, I wouldn't go get more paint (2 shades lighter) the very next day to paint over the nasty green. A nice minty shade of green. Then, when the freshly painted (and barely dry) wall was scratched with a ladder, I wouldn't yell that people really needed to be less careless.

Nope, not me. My prego hormones NEVER get to me. Ever!



I didn't neglect laundry ... all weekend ... to plan and do fun things with my preschooler. Like creating our own little DORA the Explorer adventure, complete with a map, binoculars, and a treat that the end.

Nope, clean clothes (which I make the aforementioned preschooler wear 100% of the time because she never runs around in just her panties) are much more important than spending time with my child. I'll have her for at least the next 15 years, so she and I have plenty of time to hang out.





While she was working on crafts, I was busy doing the dishes. If she's occupied, I don't need to sit next to her and be all up in her space watching her play with stickers. Let alone take pictures every time she made a cute or silly face. I have plenty of cute and silly faces.



And, because I'm currently up for a Mother of the Year nomination, would I never leave my little artist completely unattended with a BLACK marker. No, no, no! Crafty supplies stay on the craft or color tables at all times.

What didn't you do?! Don't be a chicken...SPILL!!!

String Bean

My Dad's house had been mostly white or off-white for the majority of my life. He went with a biege color in his room a couple years ago, and the trim in Lily's room is purple and pink. Yet, most of the walls lack color.

When I bought my house in November 2009, I really wanted to paint every room a different color. My sister had done it and I loved it, so I wanted to do it, too.

Lily's room is pink. The toy room (soon-to-be nursery) is yellow. The living room in a light brown. I'm still struggling on what color I want to paint mine.

I've been thinking about painting the upstairs hall for a while. I picked out the palest shade of green that I could find and still be considered a color other than white or off-white.

After getting to the store to pick out the paint, I decided to go darker. Much darker. The color is called "String Bean" and it is very green.



I looked at light fixtures, but there are so many and they require knowing at least the basics about electrical. Even though I know some things, I'm not going to chance doing any of it while I'm pregnant. Maybe I can get my Dad (or ab-fab BIL) to do the dangerous stuff.


Light fixture, circa 1967.

I'm hoping that with a couple of additions, like bright pictures of flowers and maybe a vase of Gerbera daisies (my fave flower), that the hall will look more complete and less like I've walking a pasture in "What Dreams May Come."

Not Me Monday! : Showers & Cupcakes

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.



I'd never tell my 3-year-old to take a shower in the "geyser" so she wouldn't need a bath later. Not me! Bathing is for in the house only! Never outside, in the sprinkler on a wonderfully warm, sunny day.



I would most certainly never dress her up at Dora the Explorer to celebrate Dora's 10th birthday with free cupcakes and a picture at Walmart. Walmart is as evil as the processed sugary cupcakes they were giving away!

What didn't you do? I dare ya to spill to beans!!