Simply Sara

For the second time in two weeks, I'm struggling with allergies. Normally, spring and fall can pass without effecting me, but this year, I'm feeling the full effects of the budding trees and hazy pollen. In the effort to be able to breathe again (I figure that's pretty important), I bought an over the counter antihistamine, recommended by my doctor to ease my discomfort. I quickly realized that my tolerance for medicine is very low. (Matt already knew this from past experiences involving me and pain pills post-op, but I seemed to have blocked out those memories.) Needless to say, I was in rare form last night. As the hysterical laughter and tears turned into a foggy, sleepy haze I started to wonder if baby girl was feeling just as loopy as I was. I sure hope not. After shaking her up like a popcorn kernel in a hot pan for 10 minutes, it's no wonder she kept waking me up throughout the night. Against my better judgment I submitted to my desire for breathing again tonigh...

So Lucas and I had some quality time today over a couple scoops of ice cream at the Koo Koo Cafe. Here's what I found out: Lucas's best friend is his new stuffed kitty-kat which he has affectionately named "Meow-Meow". His favorite color is orange, favorite ice cream is "the green one" - mint chocolate chip. He thinks he is three and pronounces his name "Gu-cas". This morning we all went to see "Dr. Tim" where we heard the baby's heartbeat and I got checked, rather uncomfortably, for pre-term labor. Good reports all around. Baby girl appears to be making her presence known in my lower half, explaining the pressure and pain I've been feeling. Hopefully she'll be moving up soon. It's hard for me to believe that I'm 6 months pregnant now. There are days when I feel so close to Baby Girl and other days I forget that I'm pregnant. Okay, so I can't fully forget due to the growing bulge that makes bending over, huggin...

I wrapped up my baby belly in a pretty bridesmaid dress complete with a bow on top. Wedding party The happy couple, Andy and Stephanie. At the reception, Lucas decided to join Poppy's band. He "played" the maracas and tamborine for over an hour straight. This boy's got some music in his blood!

Meet Daisy the Clown - Lucas's new best friend! We attended a birthday party where Lucas followed Daisy around like a shadow! Apparently being a drummer is genetic. (Our house has become a work warehouse/storage unit - I think it's time to move!) This weekend Matt's brother got married! We spent Friday night rehersing for the big day. Don't worry, I didn't sit down for the actual ceremony! While we were practicing walking down the aisle, Lucas explored the wonders of "traditional church" - climbing under pews and stealing pencils from the back of them!

For some reason that I can't explain and don't feel like trying to figure out, potty training has taken off for Lucas! He has "tt-ed" in the potty at least 2 times a day for the past 5 days! Hooray! I have no idea where to go from here, but somehow I think we'll just figure it out!

Lucas and I have been very busy today. Our morning started with a quick jaunt to the Xpress oil change place; and let me tell you, express is right! We were in and out of the (clean) comfy waiting room in less than 20 minutes and on our way to Dunkin Doughnuts. Out of nowhere a craving hit me for some yummy goodness, so we made a quick detour before our dreaded trip to Walmart. It takes a lot of courage and sugar for me to take Lucas to Walmart, but it had to be done. Along the way from the shaving cream aisle to the flipflops, we stumbled across some shiny, glittery (read: tacky) Thomas the Train stickers. Since I was still feeling good from my sugar rush, I agreed that we could get the "tickers". It wasn't until a couple hours later back at home when a *great* idea hit me. Let's see if these stickers can manipulate.... I mean motivate Lucas to sit on the potty. After 2 months of hearing "NO!!!" every time I even mentioned the potty, I am feeling pretty de...

I have to apologize to my sister Amy for this picture. I told her yesterday on the phone that I almost never cook breakfast for my two guys. And I don't, unless the mood strikes me and it did this morning because both sleepy-heads slept in until 9:30!!! Now that's a reason to celebrate with biscuits, bacon, and eggs! (That's blackberry jam - my all time favorite - on L's chin.) Lucas and I tried out Crayola Color Wonder finger paint today. I like the no-mess factor, but overall, I'm not that impressed. I think next time I will stick with the (cheaper) messy kind in a bottle. Can't you do fingerpainting with jello or koolaid mix? Sounds yummy and just might be lots of fun. Time for a Google search.

Apparently being wrong is a theme in my life right now. At least when it comes to planning for something and it turning out entirely different from what I expected (read post below). Matt and I walked into our ultrasound appointment last Thursday excited and ready to see our little baby. I needed the reassurance that only an ultrasound can bring. We looked at each other as I was heading back, and said, "it's a boy". Fifteen minutes later, we found out that we were wrong! After checking the heart and brain functions - everything looks great, by the way- the technician poked and prodded my belly to get our little one to uncross their legs. Once I stopped giggling and the baby cooperated, a picture was frozen on the screen. The technician said, "There it is". I said "I see it!" (No, I didn't) "It's a girl!" "WHAT!!!!" Tears erupted from my eyes like a water hydrant. "Are you kidding me?" I look over at Matt and he i...

Isn't it funny that no matter how hard we plan, or how prepared we are, things don't always turn out like you think when it comes to life with a toddler. Our trip to Publix yesterday was a great example of that truth! I spent over an hour Sunday night working on my grocery list. I haven't been this inspired since last fall before I was pregnant. I perused Food Network's site for new recipes and laid out my list in categories according to the aisles in the store! Right before bed, I even set out my coupon book, list, and packed snacks/toys in my purse ready to entertain Lucas. Everything was perfect and I was feeling pretty good about myself. Skip ahead to the next day. We get out of the house around 10:30. Lucas had been pretty happy all morning, except for a brief spout of tears as he begged to go to work with Daddy. As we're settling in and enjoying a snack (all pregnant women understand the importance of snacks - especially when morning sickness is still linger...