PHOTOS!

So sorry I've been lacking in the blog department...I feel a hole when I don't do it too, so I'm not quite sure what my problem as been this week.








Apparently Ewok is my favorite to photograph! haha

But 365 picture 2, our latest ultrasound from 11 weeks ago that hangs on our fridge with the words Steven put together above it. I think it's sweet...and wanted to capture some of it's wonder...

365 picture 3, our grass is starting to peak out of the ground and be green and in the sunshine and shade from the trees Ewok sat watching the dog play around her. I think she's a beautiful and mysterious looking cat!

365 picture 4, Ewok was sleeping on the bed which is a BIG no-no when Steven is home, but I let her get away with it.

Photo 1, weekends, cloudy days...

I didn't get the photo I was thinking of getting, but that's okay, it can be tomorrow's! This one is my "quote wall" here at work. I love reading quotes and get daily e-mails filled with them...so I've written down some of my favorites on sticky notes and put them right by my workspace! :)

I'm so glad it's the weekend...and even further more, Steven is working the whole stinkin' thing!!! It'll be very lonely at home...but I'm bound to get some reading, cleaning, and sleeping done! All very exciting things!

As much as I like cloudy, cool days...I'm kind of ready for the sun to just shine in true Colorado form! We're one of the sunniest states but yet we continue to get reminders that winter was a mere week ago! Please let Spring be in its full bloom soon! (no pun intended)

365...

So I was on some forums through babycenter.com, reading a few questions left by mommy photographers...
One in particular, was asking about a photo from her 365 project. Curious, I clicked on her link and found out that she made a New Year's resolution to take one photo each day, edit it, and post it in a blog/gallery. I thought to myself...what a clever idea! Not to mention, that may help me develop my photography skills...hmm....

Sooo...I'm going to do it!

Rather than starting a whole NEW blog, I think I'll just incorporate it with this one.

With no real access to a computer on the weekends, except Sundays (sometimes)...Monday just might be an overload day with 3 photos instead of just one...I guess we'll see how it all happens!

But regardless, starting..hmm...I guess tomorrow...I'll post a photo a day for one full year!

MARCH 26, 2010....MARCH 26, 2011
Wow, you know how many things are going to change in that year?! I'm excited!!!

The big 3-0...

30 weeks...it's here...and it's crazy!

I didn't think that such a point would bring happiness (and illness, thanks 3rd trimester) but it has. Every single day is so much closer to bringing our little bug into our lives!

This past Sunday we took a drive down to see the newest addition to the family; Destany Marie. I, sadly, forgot my camera so I'm unable to share any pictures besides this one from the hospital when she was born:

That's her daddy Leroy kissing her! :) I love it!

The highlight of our time with Destany was when Steven was rocking her in his arms and he turned to me stating, "Get used to seeing this!" then looked down at my belly and said, "Marlee hurry up and get here!"

*sigh* Love!

So, now at 30 weeks 2 days...I'm wondering what life will be like in a few short weeks. How things will really change...what ups and downs I'll be feeling...etc. I'm scared. I'd be a big ole liar if I said I wasn't! I just want everything to go perfectly...and beautifully...and I'm sure it'll exceed any expectations I have!

I also wonder if I'll develop an almost empty feeling once she's out of me. Feeling those kicks and movements in places I didn't think she could affect...but that'll all be counteracted by smiles and tears...and kisses...

Pictures...(including another belly shot!)

Hercules found a corn stalk that he kept running around with. I couldn't resist getting a few "action shots".

Hercules being his silly self! He was panting like crazy after running around outside!

I honestly haven't worn this shirt in YEARS! I've always loved it, but didn't want to look like a "hooker"...but when I put it on with the belly, it was kind of fun! Plus, Steven loved it! :) I like how my butt isn't the biggest thing on me anymore...haha

Steven and I were waiting on the other people who were going out with us. We were being a litte goofy! But I guess that's why I love him!

St. Patrick's Day...

So, I have no exciting St. Pat's Day stories from the past...nothing noteable to really write about...but one thing that this day does make me think of, is my semester in Ireland.

I was there in the fall...it was rainy, cold...but absolutely beautiful and green!

I remember kissing the Blarney Stone...slowly bending backwards, holding onto handles put into the side of the rock....then giving the cold stone a little peck! Once I got back up, I realized I'd been bending to my doom has the handles not been there nor the man holding onto everyone's waist. The Blarney Stone is at the top of Blarney Castle....I wish I had a photo of it to share, but my camera batteries died that day... :(

I also remember spending hours walking through Dublin. Doing some shopping, site seeing, eating, drinking, etc...nothing too exciting...but it was a way of life!

I remember sitting on the cliff edge on the Aran Islands watching the Atlantic Ocean rage below. I could have died that day. It was amazing and by far my favorite place in this entire world. The limestone walls that stretched a mere 3000 miles on a literal 11 miles of islands...its a marvel to really grasp these things..from years and years and years ago...

Oh Ireland..I really do miss you! As homesick as I was the ENTIRE time I was there (hell I was only 19 years old and didn't know a soul), I would go back...

Wicklow Mtns

Me on our dorm building stairs heading out to see a band

Belly pics! Camera happy!

Yes, you guessed it, I've been playing with my camera nonstop since I got it!!! It's amazing! :)

Oh, and the whole situation involving the missing USB cord, they gave me a USB card reader for free! :) The cool thing about this card reader is that it's plugs into any computer via USB (obviously) and it'll read even my tiny card from my phone! SWEET! :)

Well, needless to say, I'm going to add in a few pictures now!

OH..ha, how could I forget...we also bought a Wii last night. Steven really wanted it and so we took care of both our investments for the year in one bang! No big deal...it'll be handy when we're spending hours around the house with the baby!

Our cutie Hercules

Watch out for that swing!!! It's a little dangerous when he's playing baseball on the Wii!

Yes, he's fishing with his "fishing hat" on...

Thought I'd do a little progression :)

And one of me being goofy in bed! Steven was testing out the camera...forgive the nasty, un-cased pillows! We've been lazy!

Sugar, salt, and Canon's...

Here I go with the "laundry list" again! :)

Well, yesterday afternoon I recieved a call from one of the prenatal coordinators for my county. She called to offer me a spot in a prenatal nutrition class and at the end of it I'll be given a FREE CARSEAT! Heck yes I'll join in!!! Haha.

So, this morning was class #1. I convinced Steven that he needed to at least come with me to the first one...so he did, got overly embarrassed I'm sure because he was the only guy there...but it was cool! I'm also in the class with a gal I talk to through Sparkpeople.com, a weight loss support website, and so I was able to meet her for the first time! That was exciting...not to mention it gets Steven off the hook for coming to the rest of the classes because I won't be all "alone". :)

We talked about our sugar, salt, and fat intake during this class. It was honestly a little depressing because everything I tend to eat is overly processed and well, looks like we need to re-evaluate our whole kitchen!!! But that's okay, no time like the present!

Tonight, I'm heading over to Loveland to pick up myself a wonderful camera!!! I'm so excited about this...granted its costing me a pretty decent chunk of my tax refund... But anywho, it's a Canon EOS Rebel Xsi. Welcome Kendra to the world of Digital SLR photography!!! YES!!! :)

The only real kicker to this whole deal is that they've discontinued it so I'm buying the display one at 10% off (thanks more money in my pocket!) and they can't seem to find the USB cord to connect it to a computer. Now, I suppose I should be a little turned off by that but my computer at my parents has a SD card reader built into the tower...so, no biggie! But I do have a game plan to try and make the price a bit cheaper because if I plan to replace that missing cord, it'll cost me $50 from the Canon website! Ahem, I would like that money to be available! So, we'll just have to see how this goes...

I really am wanting to have this camera completely figured out by the time our little Miss Marlee gets here so that I can have AWESOME pictures of her from Day 1!!! :) **insert giddy photographer laugh**

It would happen this way...

So, this whole pregnancy thing has gone swimmingly...practically amazing...but now, I guess my body is like "ha ha ha, we're going to throw in a wrench!"

My doctor's appointment this morning started with a slightly elevated blood pressure (not too alarming but high for me) and so they asked me a few questions. Unfortunately, the last couple weeks I've been having headaches as well, so I kind of knew that my blood pressure would be awry...

They handed me a lovely orange container and a seat to place on the toilet. I am in the midst of doing a 24 hour urine collection. That's right, I have to collect every last drop of my pee for the next day!!! Haha...it's interesting!

The results of the blood they drew while at the office and the analysis of the urine will tell me if I have pre-eclampsia or not. With that being said, if I do, well, Miss Marlee will be here much sooner than expected!!!

ALSO, in 2 weeks I have to go back and do a 3-hour glucose screening. To check my blood sugar and possibility of having gestational diabetes....again, figures!

But, on a much more positive note, my uterus measured a week ahead and her heartbeat was a strong 146 :)

Blog awards..

Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you


2. Pass on to 15 others


3. Contact bloggers to let them know


4. State 7 things about yourself

Alrighty, THANKS a billion times over to Apryl who nominated me! :) I extend my love to her across the United States!!!

I'm not sure I have a lot of blogs that I read in order to pass this along, but I'll do my best! Actually, since I'm honestly on the lazy boat right now, I'm going to nominate everyone that regularly reads this blog! I enjoy the comments, the encouragement, everything that is given to me!

Now, umm...7 things about me:

1. I'm buying myself a $600 camera very soon because I'm addicted to photography regardless of the fact that I grew up with professional cameras in my face belonging to my grandpa and uncle.
2. I slept in a hookah bar one time. We all were hanging out and it lasted past closing hours...and we just decided to stay. At 7am, we got up and went to breakfast down the street...
3. I have no idea how to parallel park...so I guess it's a good thing I don't live in a big city!
4. I live in flip-flops and sandals year round. Granted this may not be a big deal for some, but I live in Colorado. And it snows. But you'll still find me flip-flops!
5. I have no desire to go to Mexico. To me, it just seems like one of the most unlikely enjoyable places. It's either a tourist trap or a dirty mess! I'd rather spend my money visiting more quaint and photographic places...
6. I have absolutely no idea how to blow my nose. I mean, I can't put a tissue up to it and blow...it's like my mind can't comprehend such an action. So, that means I'm an infamous "pick-n-flick" person! haha...don't worry, its usually into the garbage!
7. One last thing...hmm...I have Chronic Urticaria (basically permanent hives). Luckily, with pregnancy its all in remission but afterwards, I'm afraid it'll come back full-force. It's my body having strange histamine reactions that no one really knows how to fix...it's only been known for about 10 years and so the treatment options are slim.

Okay...I think that'll do for now!

My apologies...

So sorry I've been on the MIA train lately! Seems like by time I get down to the blogging end of my day everything piles up around me! So, alas, this gets pushed aside!

I was given a lovely blog award that I'll hopefully cover here soon...

I'm gaining belly weight..more and more...and I actually am able to respond productively to people who ask when I'm due. There for a while I didn't realize I looked that pregnant and was almost shocked someone would ask me when they did! Results: a look at them that probably made them second guess whether or not I really was pregnant! Sorry to those people out there in the world!

My lovely cat decided to take a giant piss on our bed last night! I have no idea what got into her..but hopefully things will be a lot less smelly and dry once I get home tonight. I sprayed the crap out of it with this great stuff we have for pet stains! Now I just have an extra load of laundry to do on Saturday! Whoohoo...

Okay...again, work is piling up and time is falling short...so I must bid adieu at this point...but I promise that VERY soon you'll have a post worthy of reading! :)