We can't wait to meet our baby girl!!!

Life's Precious Moments

Thanks to Megan Jarrett


I am so Thankful I married such a handsome man!!!


We are so looking forward to meeting our baby girl.



















I never knew two people could create such a beautiful thing...
(and I haven't even met her yet!)



God is giving us such a gift...



















Love conquers
all evil...



Thanks Megan Jarrett for your beautiful work!

If you would like to see more of
these photos please click here.

Check out more of Megan's work at www.meganjarrettphotography.com

NOT ME!!!

I am going to try something new today. And I am going to PRAY that I do it right! Most of you DON'T know about "Not Me Monday's" - well I am not sure I really know either, but I am going to give it try. My friend does this on her blog almost every Monday which she picked up from this website MckMama.

You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. Or you can continue to read about my "NOT ME, Monday!"

BTW - My "Not Me Monday" is really a reflection of the last two weeks.

On June 2 (two weeks ago) after Toby and I returned from our trip to Iowa and Wisconsin, I did not have to go to the OB by myself. My husband knows I can't stand doing this stuff by myself. So when "I" got to the doc's office, I did not start crying when the receptionist told me that my doctor was no longer there. I promise I didn't start freaking out and even maybe black out for a little bit when the Nurse Practioner that they made me see told me I was overweight and measuring at 38 weeks along when I was only 32 weeks along. And I assure you I did not tell the staff that I would not do an "emergency" ultra sound without my husband by my side. NO NOT ME! I would never freak out!

I did not spend the day debating whether or not to go to yoga that night because my emotions were too outta' wack! However, I did decide that it was the best thing for me. Ironically, on my way outta' the hospital I ran into my doctor. And though she was on the phone and I was soooooooo extremely excited to see her, I did not write her cell number all over my hand. I promise when I called her, I didn't sound anxious with adrenaline because I had had the worst day ever. No! I wouldn't do that! (BTW - my doctor started her own practice!)

Long story short, I did not spend the next couple days of my life wondering what the heck was going on with me. I promise I was not thinking 24/7 that this baby was coming any minute. And I do promise you that I was not texting my doctor back and forth because I was so unsure about everything. I would never worry that much...

Fortunately, an ultra sound on June 4 proved that I was NOT 38 weeks along. However, I assure you that I wasn't still worried enough to request another ultra sound to make sure details were secured. A week later, June 11, I did not get butterflies in my tummy and maybe even a little tear in my eye as the ultra sound tech told me that our baby was the livliest baby she has ever seen. Nor did I cry when our baby girl started playing peek a boo with the camera! Oh, and let me assure I did not cry when I got to actually see her eye ball move across her eye cavity! And I am sure I didn't tear up even when I told mom about our experience. Not me.

When we got back home I am sure I did not hear on the news (a breaking report) that there was a TORNADO WARNING for Castle Rock. I didn't spend a half hour on the back porch of my condo squeezing my husbands hand as I watched the clouds. And I am pretty sure I never shed a tear in fear after hearing three funnel clouds were spotted. NO, I PROMISE, Tornados are NOT my greatest fear and I WOULD NEVER freak out about one! NEVER!

A half hour later at my OB visit for the week, I don't think I heard that my blood pressure was ASTRONOMICAL. (Gee... I wonder why!?) I am pretty sure that my doctor did not start explaining to me the possibility of having Preeclampsia. And I know for a fact that I DID NOT have to go to the hospital for "stress test" because my doctor was worried about me and the baby. And as surprising as it sounds, there wasn't any "inkling" in me that actually wanted the doctor to send this mama into labor. NOPE, I was perfectly happy being all hooked up and even pricked (let alone being in a hospital) even if I wasn't going into labor.

Oh' Yeah and I assure you that two days later I did not end up back in there at the hospital for ANOTHER "stress test." I promise it wasn't because I was craving cupcakes and made my husband take me to Wal-Mart, which then I did not proceed to insist I check my blood pressure because I was worried. I wouldn't worry, remember I said that before? Nope, I sure didn't freak out yet agian if I found out that my blood pressure was 146/94 (or something like that!). And even though I know those stupid cuffs at Wal-Mart don't work, I promise you I did not text my doctor because I was worried. Again, I don't worry. So the doc really didn't make me come to the hospital again, that would be pointless. Oh' yeah and one more thing, the nurse at the hospital surely would not have told me to stay away from those "imitation blood pressure cuffs" because we all know they are ALWAYS right. Oh' whoops one more thing... I did not tell my doctor as I was leaving the hospital that the next time she makes me come, she better deliver my baby! LOL.

Okay so thats about it of the "NOT ME's!"

Really quick, I just wanted to say how happy I was that some of you are using my tips from the last blog "I can teach you to save money!" I want to hear about your success stories!

Also, some of you have been wondering where Toby and I are registered. Please don't go over-board and I can't express the importance of practicallity. There are some things we already have too much of... so if you stick to the registry, the better you'll be at getting us something we'll use! Check out our registry here at Baby's R Us and here at Target.

I can teach YOU to shop smart!

The receipt you are looking at is Toby and I's last shopping bill for this month. Some of you may think it's quite odd to blog about grocery shopping, but let me tell you... I can save you so much money if you just follow a few tips!

Okay so when you look at the amount we spent you might be set off a bit and think, "I don't even spend that much!" The trick to our shopping is, yes, though we spent over 100$, you would not believe how long we can stretch it! So instead of having to shop every week, we wait for the deals and the "right" coupons. I DO NOT take full credit for the methods I use, as I have been "influenced" by Dave Ramsey and "The Grocery Game".

BUY IN BULK and
BUY ON SALE!!!

The important thing to remember is this took a little time to "bulk" up on things, so that is why we were able to spend a chunked amount like this! Once you get yourself to the point of having enough, then you can spend your budget on things you need (such as eggs and milk etc.). Because the truth is Toby and I HONESTLY do not need this much food at once. But you would be utterly amazed at how nice it is to have what you need and know you got it for cheap! Plus Wal-mart always has great deals on H&B products (and there are even coupons for those things too!)

Okay so the grocery bill from Wal-mart says we initially spent 150.00$. After, no longer than an hour of clipping coupons (from the Sunday newspaper and The Grocery Game) I was able to save us over forty dollars JUST IN COUPONS! If you know Wal-mart well then you know that is an accomplishment, because their prices are already so cheap. However, Toby and I hate buying produce at Wal-mart because it always goes bad on us... so we look to King Soopers and Safeway for deals. Safeway is infamous for deals on paper products. So we wait for their deals to come around and we really stock up (as you can tell from the pictures below). King Soopers (or Kroger) also always have GREAT deals on fresh fruit and veggies!

MY TIPS:

1. Actually watch the weeks adds and circle what you could use.
2. Save every coupon you can, even if you think you may not use it down the road. I ended up switching from a "professional" shampoo/conditioner to WHATEVER is on sale and I have a coupon for.
3. While you are watching the adds, pull the saved coupons for ONLY the items that are on sale. (HINT!!! Wal-mart matches typical grocery adds)
4. Make a list - do not count on just "shopping" - and stick to the list!
5. If you find a deal, bulk up! (For instance: Safeway typically does a deal on a 24 pack of Charmin TP for 9.99 if you buy two packs. You CAN NOT buy good TP at Wal-mart for cheaper than that!)
6. Don't be afraid to have "extras" right now... it WILL save you down the road. (Toby and I have FIVE Mayos in our cabinet because we buy when its on sale and end up getting it free after the coupons!)
7. Don't be afraid to make trips to mulitple stores. If the stores are close by you can do the running around (NOTE: Wal-mart does not match manufactors deals, for instance, if Safeway is giving away free 24pack of water if you buy two 12 packs of soda, Wal-mart WILL NOT match it!)
8. DO NOT pay for coupons! The Grocery Game is a paid membership, BUT you can download the coupons for free, and you can keep going back to get more! Plus what they teach you through your membership on The Grocery Game I am teaching you here!
9. Stock up on BOGO Deals!

Because Toby and I have faithfully been following this plan, we have been able to save more money for occasions when we eat out (which is usually at least once a week). Our budget is 70$ a week on groceries/food/H&B products/dog food etc. We hardly ever go over because of the system we use. I know 70$ a week is alot, but I promise you, you can do this on much less a week even! We save on Dog Food, shavers, toothpaste, food, YOU NAME IT! YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO Play the Game. And hey, once you figure it out, its amazing how natural it becomes.

Check out our cabinets, we are going to be able to save so much more money for the baby!

Friends make life better...

Toby, Autumn-Rose, Mike, and Jenny

N.E.W. Zoo in Greenbay, WI

(If anyone knows why my pictures are coming in soooooo blurry will you comment?)



Autumn-Rose and Mikey
(Best Friends Forever)
Comparing Bellies... Mike's is definitely bigger!



Mikey and Autumn-Rose
Check out those stretch marks!
(If you can't see them click on the pic to enlarge it!)



Jenny, Mikey, Autumn-Rose and Toby
Miniature Golf Course, Greenbay, WI



True Love!!!


Sebastian (Bash), Jenny, Mikey, Gracey, Autumn-Rose, and Toby
Sad to Leave :(

Toby and I recently took a mini-vacation (the last one of it's kind - that is without a baby tagging along!). We drove for 20 hours (non-stop) up to Greenbay, WI to visit my best friend for many years, Mike. Upon our visit we found out that he had asked his girlfriend, Jenny to marry him! We were so excited to celebrate such an occasion with them. They asked us to be in their wedding which is such an honor!

Mike will our baby girl's God-Father. This is quite the honor as choosing a God parents can be complicated. While he is so much of brother to me, he will make not only a GREAT God parent, but a marvelous uncle.

We are sad that Mike and Jenny live so far away from us! We wish they were closer because they truly are our closest friends. We enjoy playing hours of board games! Cranium, especially! However, the most exciting of our trip to Wisconsin was Mike and I comparing our bellies! I could not believe Mike had stretch marks, what a HOOT! Who do you think is bigger, me or him? Careful!

Friends have the power to bring ones soul such joy. Without friends I think we would be totally incomplete. We are so blessed to have friends to share life with. We can't wait to welcome such joyful friendships into our baby girl's life.

Stay tuned... more about this trip to come...