And a Happy New Year!!

Sorry I have been lagging on the posts lately. We really have been doing nothing but hanging out and eating :) We are going to have a quite New Year's Eve with some Indian food and sparkling cider. I hope every one has a great night and a great New Years!!!

-Amanda

With Love

Hey my bestest blog friends in the world- I hope you guys all have a great holiday and that Santa brings you all that you asked for :) Thanks for also reading and making me feel wonderful this year. You guys mean a lot to me!!

Love ya,
Amanda

Let it Snow PLEASE!!

Did you see my little temperature girl on the side of my page?? She says that it is 81 here today. WTF?? Isn't it Christmas in like 4 days?? Where is the cold weather?? You know I love my southern California, but I just wish there would be a time where I don't wear my flip flops and shorts in the middle of December :)

What is the weather where you live? If it is cold send me some please!

-Amanda

Raising My Glass

Today I am done with Christmas shopping!!!! If I wasn't pregnant I would be drinking myself a little silly right now in celebration. No more mall, Target, and grocery store till at least December 27th :)

Now who is going to come over and help a girl wrap?? And who are the ones that wrap as they go?? I envy you :)

-Amanda

Such a Mom

The Hubby and I have been realizing lately that there is going to be another person in this family and we have to start making some room around here. You see, the Hubby is what you might call a "pack rat". Now it is not like you have to call the show "Clean Sweep" and have them haul a whole bunch of crap away, he just has things in boxes in our garage that I am sure we could do without (Denim jumpsuit w/ hand painted "Grateful Dead" logo on it) Anyway, in this realization we also noticed that our SUV, that was promised to hold 6 people does not do the job. The front seats have to put pulled all the way forward in order to get a car seat in the back. Not good when there will be 2 seats back there and I have to drive. So yesterday we decided that it was time for the dreaded mini-van. We searched, called, dealed, and walked away with this:



It was the easiest thing I think we have ever done and we got an awesome deal on it. So now I am "officially" a Mom. I can now fit in with all the over moms at preschool :) Now I think I am going to convince my SIL to get one so I don't have to be the only "cool" mom driving one :)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

-Amanda

My Heart

This is the thing that makes it all worth it. The thing that I live for each day. And let me tell you when I saw this photo I cried. She is a not a baby anymore :( She has also become quite the little actress- this is her "I am the sweetest little girl in the whole world" smile. Boy does she have everyone fooled :)

Hope everyone is having a good week!

-Amanda

Enough Already

I really need to stop watching "A Baby Story" because one, I cry everytime and it is not even my kid being born, and two because it freaks me out that I have to do that all over again. Julia took FOREVER to come out- so long that I had three shots of the epidural. My friend just had her third baby and it took 24 hours for her to come out when her other 2 were like 3-4 hours labor. I guess I am just being paranoid since I am closing in on double digits. I look forward to that long awaited martini when I am done :)

-Amanda

PS I am grasping at straws here my friends. There must be something interesting going on in my life besides being pregnant!!!

He Strikes Again

Could someone please tell my darling husband that if he is going to order Christmas presents for me on-line that he should have the email conformations sent to work. If there is an email that comes and says "Your Old Navy order has been shipped" I of course am going to open it. But hey can't complain, at least it was something on my list :)

-Amanda

You Know When

You know when you are a mom when you are so excited that you managed to get tickets to the show of the year! I am talking about better than the Dave Mathews Band and Madonna concerts I went to :)

Check it out! Don't be jealous :)

-Amanda

Just to be Nice

Don't you hate when you have to go to a function- this case a baby shower- for someone you really are not super friends with and you will know no one except that person?? Well that is me today and I would rather hang out in my PJs drinking coco with my hubby and kid. Sorry I am just a tiny bit bitter and a large bit lazy :)

-Amanda

A Little Blog Vacation

Sorry I have been MIA for the last week. I have decided that I am going to take a self imposed week long blog vacation. Not too long, just enough so that I can come back and actually have something to say :) The hubby is home since he starts a new job soon and so we have just been hanging out as a family. Other than that nothing too exciting going on around here. I will keep reading and commenting since I can not live with out my blog buddies. Thanks you guys for keeping me entertained!

See you in a week :)

-Amanda

Officially Over

Well you know the bliss of a holiday weekend is over when it is only 7:50 am and the child has been in time out 3 times already. Aw I love with the hubby goes back to work and I get to be the bad guy again. I will be surely kissing her preschool teacher today and thanking my lucky stars :)

-Amanda

Thanksgiving and Such

Well we had a pretty mellow turkey day. My grandma invited us to her country club for dinner and I jumped at the chance not to cook. I did make Jon a turkey dinner last Sunday so he did get his all time favorites. So we just ate, hung out, and ate some more. I didn't gain any weight last month, but I bet this month will be different. I am like in the apple pie, Sees candy phase of pregnancy right now. So we will see on Wednesday what the doctor says :)

I have a friend who was supposed to be induced yesterday with girl #3, but they were so busy at the hospital they turned her away. She is already a week late and she is so miserable. I actually heard her cry and she NEVER cries. They were going to try to get her in last night so I am hoping I get a phone call today with some good news. Keep your fingers crossed :)

Anyway, that is my oh so exciting life. Sorry this blog has a lack of stuff lately. Check out my blogroll- those girls always have the best things to say :)

-Amanda

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to tell all my Blog friends Happy Thanksgiving. My family really has a lot to be thankful for this year :) I hope that whatever you are doing, you are with people you love and you have an awesome time!

Have a good holiday!

-Amanda

Wish Me Luck

Alright I am going to brave Target this morning in hopes of getting most of Julia's Christmas shopping done. If I don't do it now, then I will have an even bigger headache after Thanksgiving. I am actually feeling somewhat organized this holiday season which is a first for me. I usually am the one who thinks that going to the mall in the middle of December on a Saturday is a really good idea. Anyway, wish me shopping luck and maybe I will actually get some stuff on sale :)

Have you started your shopping yet??

-Amanda

Why He Isn't Allowed

My husband is not allowed to go grocery shopping with me. You see I have a system and it has been working for the nine years we have been together. If there is a time where he has tagged along for a shopping trip, the bill is about $75 more than I would spend and most of that would consist of junk food. Today he proved me once again. I had asked him if on his way home he could pick up some sour cream that I needed for dinner. The nice man that he is, said sure no problem. When he walked in the door, he was holding 4 grocery bags. Now I know that sour cream does not take up 4 bags. This is what he bought:

-Pop Tarts
-3 tubes of Pillsbury Cookie Dough
-One box of macadamia nut clusters
-Rice Krispy Treats
-Pez
-A bag of peanut butter cups
-Marshmallows

Oh he is so lucky he didn't forget the sour cream. So now I have enough junk food to feed a family of 8. And you know who is going to end up eating it all- ME. I remember next time that I should just go to the store when he gets home :)

-Amanda

Wednesday Randomness

Some thoughts for the day:

Alright God- it is the middle of November and it supposed to be 85 degrees here today. What happened to the coldness that I was so loving?? Please let whoever know that it is time for some fall here.

So tired of Paris Hilton I want to scream. Now they are saying her 24 caret diamond ring was fake. Well duh?? Only Elizabeth Taylor should be allowed to wear something so big. She did afterall marry 8 times- the woman deserves it :)

I have like 5 bags of clothes to go through before the baby comes. And you know when that will get done? The week before my due date :)

I miss sleeping on my stomach and I snore now.

I am wearing my Grandma's house coat she left here over the weekend and it smells like her. Man whoever knew that house coats were the bomb :)

Alright as you can tell I really have nothing to talk about. Hopefully you guys are more exciting.

-Amanda

Julia's Wish

Well it is official- we are having a baby! Today I had my ultrasound and I forgot how cool it was to see everything. The tech was awesome and explained everything to Jon and I. She even got the best crotch shot in the world which allowed us to see what is growing in the belly of mine. So here is my first born little girl and her new baby SISTER :)

-Amanda

Something to Share

Big news tomorrow that I can not wait to share :) I promise to let you in on the big secret!!

-Amanda

Viva Las Vegas!

Well I am off! Thank you so much Mom for giving me the break :) Five cent slot machines here I come (oh yeah and hubby too)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

-Amanda

Just Peachy

Well Julia and I survived our first night without the man of the house. I actually slept and tried not to listen to every noise the house was making. I think the key is to run my child's ass off till she practically falls into bed :) She is been so awesome and I could have not asked for anything better. Her new thing though (which I think is a prelude to big sisterhood) is blaming things on the cat. For example, she spilled a bit of apple juice on the floor last night and I asked her "Did you spill your juice?" and she said "No. Fiona (aka the cat) did it." She also blamed the cat for getting sand all over the carpet. Unless my cat turns into a thing that walks and talks when I am not looking, I don't think the cat is to blame. Just wait till Julia can blame her baby sibling for things :)

I hope everyone is having a good week. Thanks for all the well wishes- I am feeling 110% better!

-Amanda

The Not so Good Dinner

Thursday night I decided, the good housewife that I am, to make dinner. I am not going to tell you what I made because even speaking about it makes me still want to puke. Anyway, long story short- I got food poisoning. So bad that I ended up in the hospital on Friday night for dehydration and they wanted to monitor the baby. Well now it is Sunday and I am still having trouble eating since everything looks gross. And the best part Jon leaves tomorrow for a seminar in Las Vegas. I just hope that I can make my kid food while he is gone without wanting to throw up. I do get to take a 40 min. plane ride on Thursday and meet him there for the weekend (since it is on the company dime) so I hope I am better for that too. But to be honest- nothing will keep me from going to Vegas. So wish Julia some luck since her mommy is a single parent for the next 3 days :)


-Amanda

Just One of Those Days

Today is one of those days where you have somewhere to go yet you didn't prepare at all. Right now I am wearing the pants I have worn for 2 days straight, I haven't washed my hair in 3 days, and my toe-nail polish is chipped yet I am wearing flip flops. So basically I am looking HOT!!! I am meeting some moms- some of them I know, some of them I don't- and I am going to make the best impression in all of my hotness today! At least Julia will look presentable :)

Ever have one of those days??

-Amanda

I Know You Did

So 2 snack sized Snickers bars, a Nestle Crunch, and a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup is totally an okay breakfast- right?? Now be honest- what candy have you already had this morning??

-Amanda

Happy Halloween!!

Tinkerbell wishes everyone a great Halloween! Have fun and be safe :)

Love,

Amanda

You Know When

You know when you are a housewife when you are asking for one of these for Christmas. I mean come on it doesn't lose suction- what more could a girl want :)

And it Just Keeps Getting Better

So this week is off to a GREAT start (insert sarcasm here) We had noticed that our cat was not doing to too well these past couple of days so I decided last night that I would take him to the 24 hour vet to see what was up. Not more than 5 min after I walked in the door, he went into cardiac arrest and died. I was in shock! I mean I thought he was sick, but I didn't think he was going to die. So within one hour, I lost a cat, made arrangements for his cremation, and signed over $300 to the vet. Lets just say I had a very emotional night :( It just all happened so fast that I really don't think it hit me till the car ride home. Jon felt bad too that I had to do this by myself, but he didn't know he was going to die either. Just funny how life works you know. So this one is for Poe-our beloved best friend for 8 years :)

-Amanda

Help

When did my child bypass the age of 4 and start being 13?? She has the attitude of a teenager! Please tell me this will pass and that the cute, sweet, innocent child I gave birth to is locked up somewhere and will come out :)

Can you tell I am still having issues??? I did get my voice back though which I am not too sure the hubby is thrilled about :)

-Amanda

Going Mental

I am having issues this week and I hate for you guys to have to read about them so I am lagging on posting. Just to sum it up- I am still sick, I have no voice, my kid has an attitude problem, and I have a friend who has become a bit of a stalker (good thing to post about, but I have to make sure she knows nothing about this blog) So there you have it. I promise to be back to my nice self soon- just bear with me :)

-Amanda

I'm in Love

Is it okay to be in love with my cleaning lady?? I want to kiss her feet and praise her all day long! My house is so clean and it smells like flowers! But now that it is clean I have turned in to the wicked witch of cleaning and actually get on my hands and knees to pick up crumbs. Will I ever be satisfied??

-Amanda

So Spoiled

Today I am having someone come and clean my house. Yes, I know, a stay at home mom with only one child who goes to school 3 times a week should have plenty of time to keep her house clean, but I really suck at it. Ever since I've been pregnant I have no desire to clean up anything. The real kicker was when my Mother-in-law came over and told my husband that I looked tired and that I might need some help with the house (hmm...I didn't really think it was that bad) So this is actually hubby's idea and if he is willing to pay then I am not going to complain. I am a little nervous though. Maybe it is because the master bathroom is really bad and I am embarrassed?? No clue. Anyway, I look forward to clean house and I guess walking around Target for 3 hours since I really have nothing to do while she is here :)

-Amanda

There is Something

Lately I have felt these tiny little jabs in my lower abdomen knowing what they were I was so happy. Well today it was like someone was in there doing teeny tiny little back flips. So now I know for sure there is a baby in there :) Eases the mind a bit and I know that I am not gaining a pound a minute for nothing.

We are also all sick in this house. Why is it that one tiny little 3 year old can get 2 adults so sick that they become kids themselves? I thought my throat was going to close on Saturday and Jon was complaining yesterday of the same thing. Luckily this one is not an ass-kicker, but I would really like to start breathing through my nose :)

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Hopefully if Sick has come to play at your house he is on his way out :)

-Amanda

Rain Here

It is raining here today!! There is actual rain in Southern CA!!! I thought it would never happen! Hope everyone is having a good weekend- I am going outside to play in the puddles :)

-Amanda

The Return of Sick

Well Sick has managed to enter our house somehow. I swear I locked all the doors, washed all the hands, and sprayed Lysol everywhere- but with no luck. Hopefully this time Sick doesn't stay and party too long. The last time I was picking up after Sick for days! Sick did bring a very good friend with him this time, Whine, which I of course missed so much. Julia and Whine have been playing together all day and luckily they are now sound asleep :) Whine did prevent me from getting any food into my child today, but I told Whine to shove it when it came to cold medicine. So here I am, sitting with Sick in hopes that we can negotiate something so that he doesn't touch my husband. Because we all know that this house would be full of Whine and his buddies if that happens :)

-Amanda

My Attempt at Being Martha

Trying to get in the spirit of the season, I bought a package of Tollhouse Halloween Cookie Shapes. I also went to Target and found this sprinkle pack so that Julia and her little boyfriend could decorate cookies. So yesterday I am getting all the stuff ready so that they had their own little cookie stations. I thought I was totally being a creative mom :) Anyway, I opened the package of cookies to bake them and all I found were two sheets of dough. There were no shapes cut into them! I read the package thinking I did something wrong and it looks like they missed my package of cookies completely. And of course with my luck that is the package I happen to pick up at the store. So I just cut the cookies into squares since I am not the type to have actual cookie cutters in the house (I wouldn't have bought the pre-cut package if I did) and they decorated square cookies. It all turned out fine since I forgot the 3 1/2 year olds care less about the cookie part and more about the orange frosting that they ended up eating with a spoon. Let me tell you though- it is hard work being Martha. Maybe I am just not made that way :)

-Amanda

Hugs Needed

Go give her some love today. She needs it :)

-Amanda

So Not Martha

How many of you decorate for the Halloween? If you do, are you all other holiday decorators too? My friend Robin has all these decorations up already for Halloween- pumpkins, flags, ghosts, you name it. Me- I have a wooden sign that says "The Treats are Here" that I can't even find right now. So sad :( I even went to go and buy stuff to decorate and I ended up with nothing because I could not bring myself to pay money for it all. Don't gt me wrong- I am not a grinch or anything. I just think I am "decorating challenged". Got any cute suggestions that I could do so that my house looks candy friendly?

-Amanda

Happy Birthday Bella Mia!

Today is my niece Isabella's 1 st birthday! I can not believe that it has been a whole year! I miss her dearly and her mommy too :) I hope she has a special day!

Love you Gabby, Mark and Isa!

-Amanda

Issues

Recently I had to change doctors because my insurance (that we pay an arm and a leg for) does not deliver at the hospital in my town. How dumb is that? I have to now drive about 25 min. on the freeway to the hospital in other city, in another county. Just sucks when I thought everything was cool and it was not. I did see my new doctor the other day and he is about 32, cute, very on top of things, did I mention cute? Is it okay to flirt with your doctor when your feet are up in the air? (I am soooo kidding) They also changed my due date to a week later (March 23) so that means that my ultrasound will not be till November. I hate waiting! I need to know what is growing inside of me!

Then yesterday I had my first migraine of this pregnancy. I had them really bad with Julia and I thought I was in the clear, but I woke up feeling like my head was going to explode. If you have never had a migraine that is what it feels like. I called the office and they wanted to see me right away. When I got there I was in tears and they were so nice. I got drugs, Jon came home, and I spent the rest of the afternoon in bed. I feel like a new person this morning. I know the warning signs and I should have paid attention to that. Now I know :)

So those are my issues. I actually am full of them, but who wants to hear about that :)

-Amanda

I am Doing What I was Told

My pregnancy book says I should be eating 2-3 snacks. I was wondering though if they meant 2-3 snacks in the morning, 2-3 snacks in afternoon, and 2-3 snacks before bed because if so then I am doing it right. It also said that the snacks should be fruits and vegetables so Dreyer's Real Strawberry ice cream counts- right?

-Amanda

My Lips are Sealed

I've got a secret that I am dying to tell. I may for a slab of BBQ ribs since that is what I am craving lately :)

Okay,Okay- twist my arm. Check it out! I still want ribs though.

-Amanda

The Test

Is it just me or do you think that they secretly train grooms to be on how to be a proper husband? What I mean is do they have classes on how to leave the toilet seat up in the middle of the night, how dry all of your expensive clothes on high heat, and how to pretend they are sleeping when the child gets up in the middle of the night? Well if they do then my husband has a PhD in most of those subjects. My latest "peeve" (and I am going to be nice here because to some it may not be a big deal, but for some reason it bugs me) is the breakfast dishes in the sink. Now granted he does get up pretty early, but the dishwasher is right next to the sink and he has only 2 dishes to put away. Come on now- can't be that hard. This morning though was the best- his breakfast dishes in the pot I was soaking from the night before. Like he thought that would clean them or something. So tonight I made a casserole and I am soaking the dish in the sink right now. His test will be if he listened at all to me or if his dishes are in the pot tomorrow morning. If so then I will have all day to think of a way to punish him- the wheels are turning as we speak :)

-Amanda

Our Trip

We had such an awesome time on our vacation! When we booked this trip back in December 2004, it was supposed to be my Grandma, Tom, my Mom, Jon, Julia, and I. Well a lot of things change in 9 months. Tom of course passed away, my grandma got really sick the week before we went and was not able to go, but my mom did come with us. That was the best thing ever! She was so helpful and we just laughed and hung out. She is such an awesome lady!

Anyway, there is really nothing much to tell. We swam all day, ate, took naps, shopped- that is about it. I was 20 the last time I was in Cabo so it was a total different experience this time around. There was no drinking or wild dancing at the bars :( But it was nice to have the time away and to enjoy my family. Here are some pics from the trip :)


This is our hotel- Dreams of Los Cabos


This is the view from our room. The beach looks very pretty, but is too dangerous for you to swim. They even have guards out there so that no one will even try.


Here is Jon, Julia, and pregnant me. I can not believe how big I look- yuck!


This is my favorite picture because it was taken after a morning of swimming and this was about 2 min after she hit the pillow. And yes my kid still has a damn binky :(

Today is finally a normal day and I look forward to taking the kid to school and doing my everyday stuff. Thanks for letting me share my photos. I hope everyone has a great day!

-Amanda

There is No Place Like Home

Tired, delayed plane, Mexican tummy (I will spare you details), mountain of laundry, and coming home to bills- the joys of coming home from vacation :) We did have a blast and I promise to post some pics tomorrow. Hope you guys had a good week- I look forward to catching up on my reading!

-Amanda

Adios Amigos!

Tomorrow we leave for the sun and sand of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This is the first time our family has gone on a vacation for a whole week together. Julia is going to be heaven since we have been saying that her days will consist of swimming all day long! So I will miss reading all of your blogs and hope that everyone has an awesome week. Pictures I promise when I get back :)

Love ya!

-Amanda

There is a God

God has bestowed upon me the best pair of freaking maternity jean capris I could ever ask for. So thank you god for making low waisted, elastic, semi panel maternity pants. Now if he could just point in the direction of some good pregnancy underwear that I have been preying for :)

-Amanda

Oh Woe is Me

I am feeling so ugly lately. Yes I know pregnancy can do that, but I went from feeling really good about myself since I lost all this weight to hating looking in the mirror. I am at the phase where I am still breaking out, my skin is so dry, my hair falls out in clumps, and I am too fat for regular clothes yet not big enough for maternity ones. Don't get me wrong, I am so happy to be having a baby, but I am just not used to this. I feel like all my insecurities are being brought out at once.

Sorry to be such a downer. I hope to someday write about how great I feel- just keep your fingers crossed for that :)

-Amanda

Confession

Okay I kinda did a bad thing over the weekend and I didn't feel too bad about until now. I had said that we were attending a wedding of a friend on Saturday- well we ended up going. It was a nice ceremony and I did get to give the bride and groom our well wishes, but then we left before they started the buffet. Here is why I thought it was okay to leave 1) There was no assigned seating so it is not like anyone would know we weren't at our seats 2) The food was not a formal thing and was like a help yourself kind of deal. No waiters or anything- very casual. 3) It was our anniversary and Jon wanted to take me out to a nice dinner at our favorite restaurant. The reason why I started to feel bad was because the bride emailed me this morning and said she was sorry for not getting to talk to me much and how did I enjoy myself. So I emailed her back and let her know that I thought she looked beautiful and thought the ceremony was lovely, but did not say anything about the food, band, etc. I guess my conscious got the best of me :)

Do you think that I should feel bad? and do you think I should ever tell her I left early? Does this story make any sense?

-Amanda

It Wasn't Me

I swear the baby made me buy the bag of Red Vines and Doritos. Which I then ate the whole bag of licorice and half the bag of chips. I feel a little guilty, but boy it was worth it :)

-Amanda

5 years and Counting

Today Jon and I have been married for 5 years. Time flies when you are having fun :) Anyway, this is my all time favorite picture from our wedding because it was the last one taken of the night before we drove off into martial bliss (corny I know) I think we are both thinking "I can't wait to take off these clothes" and "Hawaii here we come!" This weekend my mom is watching Julia, we are attending a wedding of one of my friends from college, and then staying in a hotel by the beach. I hope to make up for the "action" he has missed since I have been pregnant. Too bad I can't drink because then he would be guaranteed some :) So here is to my wonderful husband. I hope there are 50 more anniversaries in our future! I love you with all of my heart!

-Amanda

29 Can Be Fine

Today is my best friend in the whole world Summer's birthday! She turns 29 today and it amazes me that we have been friends for so long. This would be the 14th year I have celebrated her birthday. God we are old now :) Anyway this picture was taken on her 15th birthday- the first one we celebrated as friends. So Summer Pants- Happy Birthday! I love you and hope to celebrate 14 more birthdays with you!

Con Amore Siempre-
Amanda

And we soooo Need His Help (not)

Michael Jackson to record song for hurricane relief

Oh great just what we need- another freaking song by Michael Jackson. Why doesn't he just give money and spare the world of his music. I am all for old school MJ, but if I was him I would just sit on my money for the rest of my life.

-Amanda

PS Got to hear the baby's heartbeat today and it was 158. The doctor said "Sounds like a girl's heartbeat." Maybe???

Nothing

Well I hope everyone had a great long weekend. You know what we did?? Nothing! Well if you call swimming, eating, taking naps, and watching movies nothing then that is what we did. I think the hubby needed some R&R so I let him have it. Besides 2 weeks from today we will be on a plane to Cabo San Lucas so I think we will just take it easy till then. Anyway, we are boring and I have learned to accept it :)

My dad called me this morning to let me know that his best friend's son who lived in New Orleans was okay. His wife was on bed rest because she was 27 weeks pregnant with twins and they had to leave 2 days before the storm hit. She ended up going into labor in Houston, TX and had her babies. They are fine, but of course will be in the hospital for a while. I am just glad that they are all okay and were able to get out. Lets hope we hear more stories like theirs :)

-Amanda

Getting my Hopes Up

Every morning I turn on the computer and check my MSN Messenger for my email. Sometimes it says I have like 16 new emails. I love it! Then I click on the link to check it and low and behold 15 out of 16 are all shitty junk emails. Ugh! I think I am loved and then I realized I am loved because I shop on the internet. The ones that piss me off the most are the emails that are from person in another country asking for your help to get their money for them. Yeah right! Just send me those 30% discount codes from Baby Style and I would be happy :)

I am officially 3 months pregnant today! Wanna know how I celebrated this morning? By puking up stomach acid! Yeah for me! Luckily though that was the first time I have done that in like almost 2 weeks so it is a lot better from before. Now if we can just get my face to some breaking out I would be fine :)

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend! What are you doing?

-Amanda

In Need of a Post

I really have nothing to talk about today. Everything is pretty good so I thought I would do a little question and answer session in hopes of actually creating some excitement around here :) So here we go:

1- What high school did you go to and where?
2- What year did you graduate?
3- What was your school mascot?
4- Who was your high school sweetheart/crush? (if there is more than one than the longest dated)
5- 3 songs that remind you of high school?

Here are my answers:

1- Torrey Pines High School in Del Mar, CA
2- Class of 1994
3- Falcons
4- Randy Hawkins (dumbest relationship of my life)
5- "I Wanna Sex You Up" by Color Me Bad
"Whoomp There it is" by Tag Team
" Chorus" by Erasure

Alright so humor me and answer them. I promise not to ask anymore :)

-Amanda

You Know When

You know you are lazy when you got a pedicure like a month ago and it has since chipped in certain places. Your solution- find a color that is somewhat similar (I am talking like in the same color family, but not even close) and you have just been doing a little touch up here and there. Then you look down one day and realize that your toes are spotted with red and pink polish. Laziness never pays and maybe I need to take the time to actually take off my polish and start all over- don't ya think?

-Amanda

Thanks Cori

Miss Cori tagged me and I have not been very good at the whole meme thing so I guess I have to participate. So Cori this one is for you :)


The Curse of 7

7 things I plan to do before I die:
- Go to New York City and see SNL live
- Take my kids to Disney World
- Go to Scotland and meet my husband's family
-Take Summer to Vegas for an all girl's drinking weekend :)
- Be PTA president
- Be at my goal weight for once in my life
- Live in one house for the rest of my life

7 things I can do:
- Cook things from scratch
- Make people laugh
- LISTEN- I am good at that
- Eat
- Argue
- Tell you any celebrity gossip you want to know
- Keep my nails nice and long

7 things I cannot do:

- Clean (I can, but I am not consistent)
- Roll my tongue
- Eat with chopsticks
- Watch any movie with Ashton Kutcher
- Never been able to master meatloaf- always turns out funky
- Stop talking
- Stop being nosy


7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:

- Sense of humor
- Good teeth
- If he likes his Mom
- Arms
- Eyes
- How he dresses
- How he smells


7 things I say most often:

-"Whatever"
- " Are you kidding me?"
- "You are not in trouble"
- "I am going to count to three."
- "Mommy doesn't feel good" (well lately that has been the case)
- "Fucking sucks"
- "Julia Marie Angela Will" (that is for when she is in trouble- have to bring out the full name)

7 celebrity crushes:
-Matthew McConaughey
- Hugh Grant
- Jennifer Aniston (hey if I was a guy I would be all over that)
- Orlando Bloom
- Brad Pitt (before he was a total a-hole)
- Ryan Phillipe
- Vince Vaughn

7 people I want to do this:

-Summer
-Jenny
- Jazzy (new friend so it would be nice to know what she is all about)
- Tuesday (she is always good with this stuff)
- Sassy
- Maribeth
- Amy
- One more eventhough it is 8- Miss. CJ

Alright there you have it! I hate thinking! Oh well now you know just a little bit more about me :)

-Amanda

Trapped

Alright I have had enough! It has been well over 100 degrees at my house all week and this week looks the same. There is only so much heat one person can take! It is like we are trapped in our house being held captive by our air conditioner. I just want to breathe fresh air again! I guess I have no reason to complain because I could live in the south where they are getting hit really hard by a hurricane. Hopefully all my blog friends down there are safe :)

How do you beat the heat? And if it is not hot out your house can I come over?

-Amanda

Come on Now

Can it really be 7:30 am and I am already done for the day? There should be a law passed that children are not allowed out of their beds before 7 am. Today it was 6:10 am for us and I swear she has already done enough naughty stuff for the whole day! I even had coffee- yes I know I am pregnant, but it was an emergency! Ever seen the movie "Mommy Dearest" where Joan Crawford would strap her kids to their beds at night? Doesn't sound like such a bad idea today.

-Amanda

PS- You know I am kidding about the straps- well sort of :)

So Cool!

There is an actual author that reads my blog! Melanie Lynn Hauser is a regular commenter on my site and her blog is awesome. Her book is called "Confessions of a Super Mom" and I can't wait to read it! Go check her and the book out!

-Amanda

I WANT CANDY

Skittles, Starburst, Gummy Lifesavers- anything with artificial fruit flavor must go in my mouth immediately. The more I have to chew the better. And I wish they would make Starbursts with out wrapping each one. I mean come on- how else can we torture a pregnant lady, but individually wrap candy?

What is your favorite candy?

-Amanda

Kicking Ass and Taking Names

Today has be an awesome day! I actually slept last night thanks to my good friend Unisom (doctor approved). I ate breakfast without wanting to throw it back up. I got my cute maternity clothes in the mail from Old Navy. The best part though I cleaned the house!!! It is amazing what a clean house does for one's spirit. I have been such a slacker lately in the Housewife department that it felt so good to get back into that. So 50's Housewife of me :) I am just glad that I am finally feeling like myself again. Baby here we come!

New favorite show too by the way on the Travel Channel- Anthony Bourdain No Reservations. He goes to foreign countries and eats their food. Kinda gross sometimes, but very interesting. Check it out if you get a chance :)

Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Monday Randomness

When is it okay for me to start wearing maternity clothes? Before I lost all of my weight I was like almost a size 22. Now being a size 14 I had the cutest clothes, but right now the thought of having anything that buttons around my waist makes me want to die. I mean $5.99 Target shorts can only carry you so far.

My neighbor has had 4 new cars in less than a year. 2 trucks, an Acura, and then she drove up in an ORANGE Lamborghini. The thing is none of them have ever had license plates (hey I am a SAHM I notice these things) She is also a single mom of two teenagers living in a middle class neighborhood. Can we say drugs, prostitution, or Sugardaddy? I don't think clipping coupons of shopping at Wal-Mart is going to save you enough pennies for a $175,000 car.

"Six Feet Under" was awesome and I loved the ending. Wrapped everything up for me.

I want brownies- lots of them. I don't want the middle ones, but the crusty, hard ones along the edge. Pass me a glass of milk and I would be in heaven.

My best friend Summer looks so hot lately that I hate her. I, on the other hand, have the worst dark roots in history. My Mom said to be the other day "Wow when your roots grow out they really grow out." Thanks Mom :) Hair appointment was made just for you.

We had pizza on Saturday night for dinner. We have a favorite pizza joint where we live and I swear we eat there like once a week. Julia turns to me and says "Mommy I like pizza, but we have it everyday." Maybe she is right :)

Alright that is what was floating around in my head this morning. Got anything you would like to share?

-Amanda

God There are Cute Chicks in my Family

My SIL has a blog for my niece Isabella and I just checked today and there are the most adorable pictures of her. My husband and his family sure make cute kids! I can't wait to see what Isabella looks like when is 13- watch out!

-Amanda


PS I am really 10 weeks pregnant already! No wonder why I have been craving bacon. I must be feeling better :)

Question?

Do you think that it is in our nature to tell a lie? I mean I have told some pretty big lies, but I don't know where I learned how to tell one. The reason why I am asking is because today Julia was playing in her bathroom and I asked her "Are you playing with the soap?" and she told me no. So about 5 min later I went in there to see what was going on and there was liquid soap everywhere! The whole counter top to the toilet seat. She flat out lied to me so she would not get in trouble yet kept on doing what she was not supposed to do. Where in the heck did she learn that? I don't tell her lies about stuff unless you include the little white ones like Santa Claus and stuff like that. I just don't understand how she knew to cover her ass like that. Isn't that stuff supposed to start when they are 16?

-Amanda

It's Official

Today is day 5 of me feeling better. I am sure as I write this post I will be jinxing myself, but the last 5 days have been heaven. I can eat and believe me I have been eating everything I want! It is funny to go from 9 months of watching what I eat to eating the things I wanted to eat that entire time. Newman-O's Hint of Mint Cookies- oh my god! Those are like the best things I have ever eaten. And I made butterscotch pudding last night and that was super tasty. I think this kid is going to be my sweet tooth. When I was pregnant with Julia I wanted salty things- bologna, bean and cheese burritos, chips and salsa. So maybe this means there is a little man growing in there- don't know. I am just happy to feel somewhat normal again. Now I just have to get my hair and my face fixed and I am good to go :)

-Amanda

PS Thanks for all your prayers for Tom. It gets a little easier day by day. I had a great conversation with my Grandma last night about him and it made me feel so much better.

I really have no idea how to start this post since I am not feeling very happy right now. I just got back from the hospital so that my family could say goodbye to my grandma's husband Tom. They are taking him off life support today. He will be the third case in our area to die of West Nile Virus. I have said this before, but I think that it is really important- please read the above link and educate yourself about this virus. Also take the time to read this article about Tom so you can see why he touched our lives.

Thank you,
Amanda

It's an Ugly Thing

I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and realized that I am so going through an ugly phase right now. My hair really needs to be touched up- I mean how long can I pull off the 80's blonde hair with brown roots look? My face has totally broken out like when I was a teenager. Remember when you could use all those teen acne products and they worked? Well not anymore. We are dealing with pregnancy pimples- the ones that will never die! My eyebrows need to be waxed because they are starting to look like Madonna's did in 1984. I also have an everyday uniform that is so hot my husband must die every time he comes home and sees me in my $5.99 Target shorts and whatever color v-neck t-shirt. Didn't I just paint the best picture for you of what I look like :)

Alright you guys- I am so done complaining about everything. I used to be funny you know :)

-Amanda

Not Much

Today is one of those days where you wish it was 9 pm and you could go back to asleep. There is really nothing going on over here. I am feeling better and that is the greatest thing! We also had a first OB appt. yesterday and I am due March 17-St. Patrick Day! Break out the green beer folks! My birthday is April Fools Day so it would be cool to have a kid with a weird holiday for a birthday. Other than that I am totally boring :)

What is up with you guys? Got anything to share?

-Amanda

He's a Catch!

My poor husband has been putting up with a lot of crap the last three weeks. First, I have been a terrible housewife- hardly cleaning and there has not been a lot of cooking in this house. Second, he has been at my beck and call since I have been laying in bed most times. He even has come home from work early a couple of days when I thought the world was coming to an end. And last but not least, he has not been getting any and I know that is a tough thing for him to get used to. It is not that I don't want to, okay yes it is because I don't want to. Would you if you felt like puking every 2 min.?? I have plans to make that up to him in the near future. So anyway, through this he has been super awesome. On Friday when he came home, there was a box at our doorstep. He brought it in, put it on the kitchen counter, and told me I got a package. Well, I hadn't ordered anything from the internet so I was wondering what is was. This is what was inside:



Yes that is a Tiffany's box :) This was what was inside that:



The ring of my dreams! He decided since I was feeling so bad that he would get me an anniversary present a little early. I was floored! I never thought in a million years that he would do something like that. I felt so special and loved- diamonds are a girl's best friend for sure. So that was my surprise from the greatest guy in the world. Let's just say he was happy too that night :)

-Amanda

Glad that Week is Over

Oh my god did I have the crappest week of all time! I feel so bad for my poor husband who has to put up with all of it. I think I might have found something that works, but I am afraid of jinxing it so I will let you know in a couple of days if it still makes me feel better. It is making me expel gas (yes gross I know) and to me that is great! I have felt so bloated and sick- it was like my stomach was a big balloon. So anyway, thank you so much for you kind thoughts during this crappy time. You guys are the best!

-Amanda

PS- I got a surprise from my hubby the other day. I will post and show pictures tomorrow :)

No Tickets to Sell to This One

Pukefest 2005 started yesterday!! Enough said :)

-Amanda

You Know When

You know when you are a Mom when you have done the following the past 5 days:

Been to the pool 3 times
Gone to the grocery store twice
Worked out
Taken out the trash
Dropped off and picked up the kid from school
Cleaned the bathroom
Folded the Laundry
Made 3 dinners
Picked up 2 dinners
Taken a nap

All in the same pair of $5.99 Target shorts. Yes that means that I have worn the same pair of shorts for the last 5 days without washing them. I shall now be arrested by the fashion police for my violation.

-Amanda

Just Tuesday

There is nothing exciting going on over here so I thought I would post a picture of Julia in her sassy new Juicy Couture dress. Every little girl needs a $75 terry cloth dress- don't you think?

Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

"And I Meant Every Word I Said"

Is it really August 1st? Gosh time sure does fly. I swear it was just Christmas a week ago :) Anyway, I was cruising through the Itunes music store last night (which has taken a lot of our money) and I saw they had a compilation of songs called "Power Ballads". All the songs on there were like total make-out songs! I loved it! So it got me thinking what my all time favorite power ballad (or make out song) is. Hands down for me is "Keep on Loving You" by REO Speedwagon. Just drama in that song! I mean it can't get any better than a man singing about a girl cheating on him, yet he will still love her no matter what :)

What is your favorite "Power Ballad"?

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

-Amanda

Of Ginger Ale and Saltines

Alright folks it has been a full week of the sickness shit and I am done! I am taking back my life and running with it! Yesterday I dropped off Julia with my dad so she can spend the night and in the morning go see "Dora the Explorer" Live. So, Jon and I had the entire night and most of today for ourselves. Which in parent terms means- DATE NIGHT YIPPEE!!! What did we end of doing? Well he did take me out for dinner where I tried to eat, took me to the mall where I tired to not puke, and then took me home where I did puke and was in bed by 8 pm. So sad I know. He was so good about it and has been my little slave, but I am so done and just want this part to be over. I am being a total complainer and I know it will all be over soon, but I just didn't feel this way the first time around so I am freaking a little. And when this is all over I swear I will never eat another saltine or drink ginger ale again :)

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Sorry to be such a downer :)

-Amanda

Tom

I have mentioned before that my Grandma's husband was in the hospital and he has been in a coma for about 3 weeks. They have finally figured out what was wrong and he was diagnosed with West Nile Virus yesterday. He is the second case in the county I live in within the last week. Unfortunately, there is no cure and his age will work against him. I hate to sound like a public service announcement, but please read the link I provided so that you educate yourself about it. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere and I just urge you to see how you can protect you and your family.

Thanks,

Amanda

My Blog

It has been brought to my attention that my blog looks similar (for a lack of a better word) to one that was designed by another designer at Ciao My Bella. For the record, I picked the image to use for this blog and was given a design that I was happy with. It is total pure coincidence that we used the same image. I mean it came from a free image web site- it going to be used more than once. I just feel like I am getting included in something I never wanted to be a part of. This is my blog and I am 100% happy with what is looks like. So if you have come from another website so you can see the similarities, please know that it really is not a big deal :)

Thank you and for those who are here to read what I have to say everyday I really appreciate it :)

-Amanda

The Two Questions

There are two questions that people ask a pregnant woman when they find out they are having a baby. With your first child you are happy to answer these questions and you really have an idea what you want. Second, third, or possibly fourth child, it starts to not matter as much.

The first question is

1- Do you want a boy or a girl? To be honest it could be a giraffe for all I care. Just as long as it is healthy and doesn't make me sick for the next 6 weeks. Yes, it would be nice to have one of each, but whatever pops out is cool with me :)

The second question is:

2- Do you have names picked out? I can say that we do have some names we are toying with. I try everyday to convince Jon about a another one, but he seems stuck on a couple of them. Then I decided that I am just going to be a total shit about this and when people ask this what I am going to tell them
-Girl name: Mariah Carey (Insert our last name) Because I am such a huge fan of her music and her sense of style (ha ha) that we couldn't think of a better way to honor her.
-Boy name: Ricky Martin (Insert our last name) Because this baby was conceived while we were "Living La Vida Loca" one night and we thought hey why not honor the creator of the Latin music movement.

What do you think? Do you think that I could actually get people to buy that? I swear that is what I am going to tell people. I can't wait to see if my gullible mom buys into it :) (you know I love you mom)

Got better stories I could tell people?

-Amanda

PS You know I am kidding about liking Mariah Carey right??

The New Me

Aren't I pretty?? Thanks to Ciao My Bella for creating my vision :) I love it and I think that it suits me just fine!

I promise I won't stop blogging. I was just feeling sorry for myself yesterday :( I am a control freak (like you may have noticed) and me feeling sick all the time makes me feel out of control. I just need to get over myself- I tend to have to do that from time to time. Thanks you guys for wanting me to be here. That means so much to me :)

I promise to post something worth while later!

-Amanda

Nothing New

I feel like I should take a break from this whole blogging thing since all I have to talk about is the fact that I feel like shit all the time. You guys don't want to hear that anymore I am sure. I mean how many days in a row can I talk about wanting to throw up? My husband thinks we are having twins and I swear to god if that is true one of you is either having to come and live with me or take a baby home with you :) (you know I am only kidding) My mom is a twin so it could happen- so there I just jinxed myself. Anyway, I am hoping that this part goes away and I can just get my glow on. That was the part of the whole pregnancy thing I loved the best :)

So tell me- what is new with you?

-Amanda

An Open Letter

Dear Hormones,

I know there is a lot going on with my body lately and I know you are enjoying the little party you are throwing in there, but it has come to my attention that I think you are abusing your privileges. I am usually totally cool with you since you only come around once a month and really don't cause that much havoc, but lately it seems that is all you have been doing. For example, my face has now become one big pimple. You also have pimples popping up in places that I didn't know a pimple could grow. They are also the kind that are impossible to get rid of and make up can't cover. The other issue I have is the one you are causing in my stomach. Didn't they teach you in hormone school that it is called Morning Sickness, not ALL DAY sickness. Please can you give that part a rest. I have another child you needs my attention and doesn't want a mommy who can't even fix her lunch because it looks gross. I understand that I will have to deal with your lengthy visit, but maybe we can come to some kind of compromise. I am willing to deal with your issues on the days my child goes to school, so maybe every Tuesday and Thursday you can make me sick? Just trying to come up with ways we can live with each other. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me and hopefully we can come up with a working relationship for the next 7 months.

Your host and friend,
Amanda


PS- Facials rock and I will be starting a petition in the near future to make it mandatory for all women to receive one on the government's dime :)

When They do it Themselves

I just had to post this. Julia decided to get ready for our little break and dress herself. Little does she know it is going to be 111 degrees where we are going. She told us she was going skiing :)

-Amanda

Mini-Break

Shhh- don't tell, but Jon called in sick this morning so the 3 of us can take a little break to Palm Springs, CA. Don't ask me why we are going from a place that is hot to a place that is hotter. Anyway, there will be swimming, eating (my favorite part), and I am getting my first facial ever! When I called to make my appointment at the resort spa they told me to get there 20 min, early so I can get in my robe and slippers. You know what I said to me- instant heaven :) So I hope that you all have a great weekend and that you stay cool :)

Ever had a really cool spa treatment??

Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Make it Stop!

Ever since I read Mouthy Mom's post dissecting the song "Holla Back Girl" by Gwen Stefani, I can't get the damn song out of my head. It went as far as me repeating it when I was trying to fall asleep last night. I think it is a cool song and that album rocks, but it gets annoying when you turn on every radio station and they are playing it. Ugh! It is like Barney- I still have those songs stuck in my head every so often and Julia doesn't even watch that show anymore! Maybe I should be more like my husband, who once he gets a song stuck in his head, makes up obscene words to make it more entertaining. He would have so much fun with this song!

Got a song stuck in your head?

-Amanda

McDonald's

It is so freaking hot here I think that I am going to melt into a big pile of skin. Doesn't that sounds super gross? Anyway, playgroup day is Wednesdays and today we resorted to taking the kids to the air conditioned playground at McDonald's. I used to be a big fan of fast food, but ever since I have been on a diet I was kinda grossed out. Today was different. Julia can eat a whole cheeseburger in one sitting which is good considering she eats nothing. I, on the other hand could eat those french fries till I was blue in the face. What do they do to those fries? I heard they used to fry them in animal fat- is that true? Whatever they do to them they are soooo good! So bad for me I know, but when can I start blaming those bad cravings on the baby?

What is your favorite fast food?

-Amanda

PS My grandma's husband is still fighting so that is always a good thing. Thanks for the advice- it means a lot to me you guys care :)

Advice

I need some help and I figured who are the best people to ask- my blog friends. Anyway, my grandma married a great gentleman about 4 years ago. This was her third marriage and her second husband died. Well now Tom (her current husband) is in the hospital and his chances are not good. It saddens me because he is so good to my grandma and she does not need this to happen to her again. The other thing is Julia absolutely adores Tom. She talks about him all the time and whenever she sees him she is attached to his hip. Jon and I discussed whether or not we tell her that he died if he does. I think that if she knows then she will not expect him to be there when she visits, but Jon thinks that it will just confuse and upset her. Now she is 3 and she may not get it, but I want her to be able to know that he is in a good place. So my question for you is- Do you think we should tell her if he passes? And if we do what do we tell her?

Thanks you guys!

-Amanda

The Part I Forgot About

You know the last time I was pregnant was almost 4 years ago. I remember some stuff like throwing up every morning, headaches, and wanting to go to sleep at 6 pm every night, but I don't remember my boobs hurting so bad. Air can't even blow on them without them hurting! I am afraid to put a bra on every morning because I know they are just going to hurt and it even hurts to take the bra off. Ugh! I just hope this part goes away soon or I am going to have to go braless and that is not a pretty sight- trust me!

What part of pregnancy do you remember the most?

-Amanda

Short and Sweet

Here is Julia's new haircut. I thought it would be easier for summer and swimming. I think it makes her look older. Sure made her a bit more sassy for sure!

Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

-Amanda

Random

Just some random thoughts for the end of the week

-Found my keys yesterday. I am not going to tell you where since it was like the first, second, and third place I looked, but still did not see them. Okay, I will tell you-in my car. Actually in Julia's car seat. So the whole time I was driving around combing the streets for my keys she was sitting on them. I think she didn't tell me on purpose :)

- Saw "War of the Worlds" last night and it has been a long time since a movie has stressed me out. My ass actually hurt when we left since I was tensing every muscle in my body. Tom Cruise really didn't have to memorize any lines for this one, which made it ok :) It is just becomes unbelievable when he gets himself out of every situation that deals with huge, mean, killing aliens. He is 5'4 for godsakes! Anyway, when I got home I told Jon that I will be digging us a basement starting next week :)

- It is so freaking hot here! As we Californians like to call "earthquake weather". No breeze, still, stale air. So my thanks goes out to whoever invented central air :)

- So excited about Harry Potter book 6 coming out tomorrow. If I wasn't so tired I would be waiting in line at midnight tonight. The last book left so many questions that I look forward to getting some answers. So you all know what I will be doing this weekend :)

- And yes the morning sickness has started. Hopefully that is just today though. Ginger Ale is my best friend right now. I look forward to craving cheeseburgers one of these days :)

Well I hope you all have a great Friday! Weekend here we come!

-Amanda

Yes I am Blonde

Yesterday, Julia and I went to the mall so I could spend a ridiculous amount of money on skin care products. You see, I am not a zit girl and now that I have zits I am freaking out :) Anyway, I drove home, took Julia out of the car along with my purchases, changed my clothes, got Julia ready for a nap, and then noticed I could not find my keys. Well it is the next day and after a whole search of the house the keys are no where to be found. Today I will try again, but how is it a key ring with like 8 keys, a key chain with a little Hagrid (yes from Harry Potter), and a gym membership tag disappear into thin air? I am trying to think positive, then I think about the possibility they were on my car somewhere and when I left again yesterday with my spare key they flew off on the road. Does anyone have psychic abilities and are willing to help me find my keys? I am seriously considering buy a metal detector too! I am so lost!

-Amanda

Friends

Do you have one of those friends that you know you could call up at any time of day and just vent to? Or one that will honesty tell you if your butt looks too big in those pants? Well I have one of those and no matter what we have ever gone through she is always there for me. I met Summer in 5th grade and we didn't like each other very much. She is going to hate me for saying this, but Summer was a little boy crazy :) It seems even in 5th grade there was some kind of drama and we ended up not being friends at all. Then I signed up for drama class freshman year in high school. We were assigned to do a play and had to pick partners. Summer and I ended up doing a small scene together along with 2 other people. From that day on we were attached at the hip. It is like we are part of each other's families we know each other that well. Her parents even took me to Alaska with them when we were 16 for 2 weeks. Then my parents took her to Disneyworld with us when were 17. Lets just say we have been through a lot.

I just wanted to write this post to let her know how much I appreciate the love and support she has given me over the years. And now that I am going to have another baby she is just as excited as I am and that makes me so happy. So Summer I love you so much and I am so glad that we have managed to stay the best of friends for 15 years. I owe you my husband (that is a whole other story) and I think we have done pretty well for ourselves. I hope that when we are old and grey you will still come over and look at our yearbooks and giggle over people from high school :)

Love ya,
Amanda

PS Yes now with all the hormones floating around I get a little sentimental :)

You Know When

You know you are a Mom when you have played your child's "Dora the Explorer" computer game and are determined to master it. Then your 3 year old comes up and says "Mom, that is not where Boots goes. Duh." Yes folks she is freaking genius!

-Amanda

Blubbering

Okay I know I am like a smidgen pregnant, but shit I have cried like 5 times today! I cried when Jon touched my belly, I cried when I saw the zits on my face, I also cried to my friend Leila about the prospect of getting fat. Don't get me wrong I am so happy, but I am also kind if freaked out. 2 kids- can I handle that? 2 kids and a husband- can I handle that??? Anyway, this is how I am feeling today and if this is any indication about how I am going to be the next 9 months then there is trouble ahead :)

Thanks for your support and wishes. You guys really are the best!

-Amanda

Holy Crap

Grown Up

Have you ever bought a piece of furniture that 1) Did not come from Ikea and 2) Was actually something that you might have for 30 years? Today Jon and I bought bedside tables that I know will be in our room for a long time. He didn't even have to put all the pieces together- they came already made! When he brought them upstairs to their final resting place, I said to Jon "It took us 9 years, but we finally have grown up furniture." Now if we could just do that with the rest of the house we will finally be adults :)

I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

I'm Sorry

Sorry you guys- I so suck lately. I promise to post something one of these days. There is just nothing exciting going on around here but me and my PMS rants. And I am positive no one wants to hear about that. I am also very sad about what happened today in London and it just angers me that we have people like that in this world. If only I can put a plastic bubble around those that I love :)

Thanks for continuing to read even though I suck :)

-Amanda

Bad Housewife

Yes I feel like total and complete crap today. I looked on the calendar and realized that it was PMS week so I informed my husband he should move out. I just need it to be quiet and that doesn't seem to happen to often in my house. And the best part is the hubby left 2 garbage bags (and I am so not kidding) full of clothes and said "Can you take these to the dry cleaners for me?" So now I get to go to the dry cleaners looking like a bag lady. Oh god I can't wait for payback time for this one :)

Sorry for complaining :)

-Amanda

Too Much Fun

I am tired and need to do the laundry :( All I want to do is sit in front of the TV and watch all my shows on TiVo. I promise to post something worth while later. I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! Can't wait to read your blogs and see what you did :)

-Amanda

Some Fun in the Sun (if the that damn marine layer goes away)

Today we are driving to my in laws house in Marina Del Rey, CA. It will be 3 days with the best group of in laws a girl could ever ask for. I mean it- I got so lucky in the department. Anyway, I get to see my SIL and my niece Isabella who I have not seen since she was 1 month old and now she is 9! I also get to see my nephew Colin who I have not seen at all and he is 5 months old. My goal is to be the favorite aunt so I will be spoiling them all weekend long. So food, drinks, sun , and fireworks- can't get any better than that :)

I hope you all have a great holiday weekend. Lisanne- I hope your 4th of July cookout that you have been planning forever is a hit! Happy 4th of July and much love to you and your families!

-Amanda

Finally!

I finally weigh less than my husband! Yippee! I think the last time I weigh less was when we were first together 9 years ago. God I was cute back then :) So I want to thank the makers of South Beach high protein cereal bars and of course Diet Coke because with out them this would of not been possible. And of course the cute trainer at the gym that everytime I look at him I seem to work out just a little harder :)

-Amanda

You Know When

You know you're a Mom when your friend rolls up to playgroup in a brand new Honda Odyssey and you think to yourself "Damn that is a nice car."

-Amanda


PS Don't know what is up with my page. I am sure it will be back to normal soon :)

The Chair

The way that our house is set up is much of our primary living space is one really big room. This room has the kitchen, family room, and dining room in one. I think that they call it a Great Room. Anyway, I have a dining room table that seats 10 when all of the leaves are in, but that is only if we are having a family something. So normally it is just a small circle with 4 chairs. So the left over chairs are scattered all over the house. Then when we need them we just gather them up.

Well there is one chair that we put in between the kitchen counter and a cabinet where I store all of my pretty dishes. This is the chair of trouble. First, the location of it just asks for trouble. Julia uses as her own personal latter so that she can find whatever is on the counter. For example, that is where she found the penny that was in her mouth or the pen that she used to color the coffee table. Second, no matter how many times we tell her to stay off the chair she is there. This is the only thing in the house that she continues to mess with. I turn it around so that the back faces out and how dumb am I to think that is is going to prevent a 3 year old from finding out that she can just pull the chair out to get on top. So then I moved the chair and so she just took one from the table and put it in the same spot so that she could climb up and play with the hubby's wallet. I had this idea that maybe I should make it the "Time Out" chair so she would be afraid to go on it, but she thought I was putting her over there to play with crap on the counter. When did a 3 year old become smarter than her mommy? If this is any indication of what my life will be like in the future I am going to have to reserve my spot now for the looney bin :)

I hope everyone is having a good week. Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Lessons Learned #2

I have finally cracked the secret to Starbucks coffee. If you drink it at 5 pm it will take you FOREVER to get to sleep. Then since you slept like shit you have to drink it again at 5 am to stay awake. And yes I do take full responsibility for my chai latte addiction that got me to this point, but I had to blame someone for me being awake at 5:18 am :)

-Amanda

PS- Oh yes it will be that kind of day :)

Monday

Is it just me or do Mondays suck? I remember when I had a job (oh yes I was a full fledge adult once) and how I dread the weekend to be over. Now that I stay home I still feel the same way. I love hanging out with my hubby and doing cool stuff. But you want to know what I miss the most?? The fact that the hubby is home and he can help with Julia and it not just me all the time. Like yesterday they went for a long bike ride and I got to have 2 hours all to myself. I ended up cooking, but it was still nice. What I really should have done was put my 50 Cent CD on and shook my booty :)

Do you hate Mondays? Isn't that a song?

-Amanda

Just an Excuse

Today we are going to the fair in Del Mar, CA. As a kid this was a big deal and we went every year for like 15 years straight. Jon not being from Southern CA he has only been twice so he still finds it thrilling and Julia just loves it. For me, the thrill was gone when I started to notice that rides you take down and put back up may not be so safe :) Anyway, I will be using today to so cheat on my diet! My excuse will be that I am walking around in the heat and I deserve that funnel cake and fried zucchini- one in each hand :) Yummy!

What are you doing today?

-Amanda

A True Housewife Dilemma

Julia goes to preschool 2 half days a week. I love the school and her teachers are great. This week she has painted both days she has been there. Now it is not like she is a little fashionista or anything, but I like to dress her cute, but both times she has come home with her clothes covered in paint. Now I am not very good when it comes to getting stains out and these are tough ones. Both outfits have paint stains on them (imagine even her socks) and I can not get them out after 4 washings. So my question for you is got any secret stain fighting tips and do you think that it would be bitchy of me to ask her teacher to put a smock on my kid when she is doing art?

Also- it is Friday so that is a reason to smile :)

-Amanda

Why I am a Strange One

So I have this teeny tiny addiction to Diet Coke. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't have one- really cold and with a straw. I have this theory that soda is cheap therapy. I feel so much better when I drink a Diet Coke. Hey I said CHEAP and that makes it okay in my book. Anyway, I have been to 2 grocery stores and Target and no one has Diet Coke right now. I am totally serious. It is like the Coke people forgot to deliver their supply to my area. Or there are a lot of people with the same addiction as me. Whatever the case may be I have to settle for Vons brand diet cola- not even coke, but cola. So not the same. I will attempt today to go back to the store and see if their shipment came. If not, then I will be the one you see on the news tonight being arrested for starting a riot inside the grocery store :)

Are you addicted to anything that is a must have everyday?

-Amanda


UPDATE: The order of Diet Coke has been restored in this house. I also got them 2 12 packs for $4.00! Disaster adverted :)

That's Okay Right??

It's okay that I have put a folder on our computer desktop with pictures and ideas for what to do and get for our 5th wedding anniversary? And that everything in that folder comes from Tiffany's- that is okay right?? Just helping the man out :)

-Amanda

You Know When

You know when today is going to be a GREAT day when your child wakes up at 6am, asked for her daddy, and then finds out he is not here and has been crying for him ever since! Thank god for preschool :) If today wasn't a school day I would of have to start drinking about 20 min ago!

-Amanda

Quote of the Week

My friend Leila said to me today "Why is it whenever my husband cleans out the dishwasher or folds the laundry it is like he found the cure for cancer. Am I supposed to throw him a party or give him an award when he does that?" This is a housewife wise beyond her years and that is why I hang out with her :)

-Amanda

Dreaming

Ever have one of those dreams that feels so real? I had a dream last night about my high school boyfriend who broke my heart so many times yet I still was devoted to him. It was high school- I didn't know any better. Anyway, I told him off in my dream after he told me he loved me. It felt so good! I wish that had really happened since he was the worst ever! You know that whole "closure" thing girls need after someone treats them bad. Just sucks that it was a dream.

What did you dream last night?

-Amanda


PS It is Monday and I haven't got a post. Can you tell??

Couldn't Have Picked a Better One

When I told Jon I was pregnant he just sat there. I, of course was crying and freaking out since it took me a whole 2 weeks to get pregnant and it was the last thing I expected. I was so mad at him for not jumping up and down and screaming "I am going to be a daddy!!" When I asked him why he was not excited he said "I am so excited. I just felt calm because I knew that my life would finally be complete." At that moment I knew I picked a good one and that he was going to be the best daddy in the whole world. So here is to my husband Jon, My Dad, and all the other great Dads out there- Happy Father's Day!

-Amanda

Friday Nights Suck!

Since I told everyone that I am doing Weight Watchers (not a big secret, but you know it is the whole being on a diet thing) then I will tell you that my weigh day is Saturday mornings. I get up at 7 am and go in front of the firing squad, pay $14, and they tell me what I loss or gained. It really sucks, but it works. So anyway, being that Saturday is my weigh in day I have to eat really good on Friday. Before I was on a diet Friday night was the night for eating! Anything that I could eat I would. I think they call it binging :) So now that I can't do that, I stay upstairs and after Julia goes to bed, I crawl into mine, think about what "cheat" meal I am going to have tomorrow, watch TV, and go to sleep. How boring is that?? Man I may look better and feel better, but I need to get a life!

-Amanda

Let's Go to the Movies

The Drama Mama herself is visiting me for a couple of days. She has the most adorable son named Kaden and he is sooo good! Maybe some of that will rub off onto Julia :) We are going to take the kids to see Madagascar today so wish us luck! Not sure how they will do in the movies, but they are free so no harm done if it doesn't work out.

So then the topic of the day is- What was the first movie you ever saw? Mine was "Annie" when I was 6 and I loved it sooo much. Julia loves that movie too so I get a kick out of watching it with her :)

-Amanda

A Whole Lot of Shaking Going On

Well we have been rocking and rolling here the last couple of days with earthquakes. I am from San Diego and lived on the coast my whole life- never felt an earthquake. Now that I live in the semi-desert (I say that because we don't have catus and I don't think the desert has a Macy's) I have felt 4 earthquakes. We had one here on Sunday that shook the whole house and Julia even felt it. Last night my mom who lives on the coast called all freaked out over the tsunami alert they had for the CA coast. This then prompted me to freak out (just a little) and start calling people I knew who lived there. Luckily nothing happened, but when the Emergency Broadcast system interrupts your viewing of "One Tree Hill" you know it's serious.

Great I just admitted that I watch "One Tree Hill."

-Amanda

The Kenmore Conspiracy

I really think that my dishwasher has it in for me. I mean I just cleaned it out at 5:00 PM yesterday and it already full which mean I will have to clean it out again today! That chore shares the number one spot with folding laundry. Do you think that it is okay to convert to paper products and keep a lock on the glass dishes in the house? If only we had the money for a housekeeper. Aw now that would be the life :)

What household chores do you hate? Want to chip in for a wife to do it for us?

-Amanda

PS As you can tell I've got nothing today hence the crappy post!

$20 Bras and a Whole Lot of "Too Much Information"

Yesterday I went to Macy's and decided to get my boobs measured. I am pretty well endowed, but it's mostly from being over weight and having a child. So that means that I have to either order my bras on-line or drive about 40 min. to a Nordstrom to go pay $60 to buy a bra. Well yesterday I found out that I went down a cup size since losing weight. I was so excited because that means I could actually buy my bra anywhere and there were some with actual matching panties! Well I picked out 2 bras that were $30 a piece to which I thought was a good price considering what I normally paid more. When I checked out I found out they were on sale so I got them for $20 a piece! You would have thought I struck gold or something! I have had a tough couple of weeks with my diet so it just validated my effort which made me feel pretty good :)

Have you ever been measured for bras? Were you wearing the wrong size?

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?

Today we went out and got dinner to go. As we were driving through our neighborhood to get to our house we passed 2 kids playing in their yard. As we got closer I noticed that it was a little boy with a cowboy hat on, handcuffing his little sister to the tree. Jon and I had to do a double take. My first thought was that was funny, then my second thought was where the heck did he get handcuffs? (the bedside table in his parents room???) Then I had semi childhood flashbacks of what my brother used to do to me. Aw the good old days :)

Got any strange ones in your 'hood? This is number 2 for me- besides the neighbor who has testicles hanging off the back of his truck :)

-Amanda

Star in Training

You know your child is destined to be a star when she sings into her sing-along microphone, while sitting on the potty. I am pretty sure she has done her business in there, yet she is still sitting, and straining her neck so she can see what she looks like in the mirror behind her. I am telling you there is a Grammy in our future :)

Who else is happy that is it friday? Got any cool weekend plans?

-Amanda

Enough Already

If I have to see the commercial for the "Ab Lounger" one more time I think I am going to die. Especially with the girl who says after however many weeks "My fat jeans don't fit anymore" I want to kick that girl in the ass! I am not opposed to fitness equipment I just despise that commercial. I also think that spending $200 on that when you can just easily do sit ups or use that money to join a gym would be better.

Can you tell what kind of mood I am in or what?? Sorry just tired and well maybe a little hungry.

Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Just One of Those Days

Can this day get any better-please??? And the best thing is I don't even know what is wrong with me. It is gorgeous outside, the kid is being good, the husband called to tell me he loved me, and I am sitting here feeling glum. Oh well. Off to get over myself :)

-Amanda

I Love Him, but not 6 times a Day

How many times do you and your husband talk on the phone when he is at work? I swear my husband does not have a job because he calls like 6 times a day. I can always predict too when he is going to call. And he wonders why our cell phone bills are so high! I have a friend who talks to her husband once in the morning and if she needs something she emails him. I don't know which is better :)

-Amanda

How I Lost It

The first 20 lbs. was just me starting to work out and eat less carbs. That was a struggle because I really like carbs :) Then I had a friend who joined Weight Watchers and so we decided to be diet buddies. That is how the other 20 lbs. came off. I work out 3-4 times a week for a little over an hour each time. So I have officially been on a diet since October (Today is day 223), I have since hit a little plateau, but hopefully I will get passed it. So sucks though! My best friend Summer, who was not even that heavy to begin with, has also lost 35 lbs. Her and I started this whole thing together. She is like a size 8 now! I can not wait to see her next week and go shopping!

Thanks for all of your encouragement. Means so much to me :)

-Amanda

40 lbs. Gone

First picture I actually like of myself. I am being very brave posting this since I hate pictures of myself. You are just lucky there was not a before when I was 40 lb. heavier. That would have been a reason to never read my blog again :)




-Amanda

I love LA

This weekend my darling husband took me away from the desert and to the beaches of Marina Del Rey, CA. We stayed at The Ritz Carlton there thinking that we were rock stars or something. It was awesome! I have this teeny tiny bit obsession with anything celebrity related so we drove around Los Angeles looking for all the hot spots I read about in my trashy magazines. Our first stop was the Kitson Boutique where Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice) was signing autographs for some new jean line. We did not get a glimpse of her, but there were hundreds of people waiting for her outside. Then we went to Fred Segal in West Hollywood. When I walked in I came face to face with this guy. I knew who he was right away. It was Michael Vartan from Alias. Very skinny little guy just shopping by himself. After some browsing of the very expensive stuff in there we went back to our hotel.
When then got ready for dinner at Sushi Roku in Santa Monica. As we were waiting for our car in the lobby, this big BMW pulls up and this little old man gets out. It was Larry King. He must have been there for one of the weddings that was going on. Then on our drive to the restaurant we were stopped by this restaurant and at the front table by the window was Marg Helgenburger from CSI. It was like every where we went someone was there. I have been to LA several times and seen nobody. I guess we just got lucky. We had a great time and it was nice to get dressed up, have a martini, and spend time with my husband :)

Have you ever seen someone famous or met them?

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Reading (sorry no smart ass today)

I posted a couple of days ago how I am reading the latest Harry Potter book. I am almost done now since I can not put it down. It got me thinking however, how much I used to read when I was growing up. I remember one of the first books I ever read was a story called "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." by Judy Barrett. To this day I still love that story so much. Then I read "Charlotte's Web" By E.B. White and of course that book stole my heart. I think that was the first time I ever cried while reading something. I soon graduated to the series of books called "The Babysitter's Club" by Ann M. Martin. Now if you are a child of the late 80's you will know all about these. I must have had 20 of them. In junior high we had to read books for English class and we read "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee in 8th grade. I loved that book! I should really read that again. Then when I started high school the cool thing to do was to read Danielle Steel books. It was like a girls guide to romance, yet of course that stuff never happens in the real world. And of course never happened from boys in high school-yuck! I also read a series of books by and author named Christopher Pike. They were like teen murder mysteries and ghost stories. I thought they were really cool. I had about 10 of them. I wish I could find them. Some of them I would totally read again. I also read a book called "Circle of Friends" by Maeve Binchey. I think I read that book 5 times! Of course the movie was nothing like it! After high school and then to college where you had no time to read for pleasure, I started to read things on Oprah's Book List. All of those were awesome! "She's Come Undone" by Wally Lamb and "White Oleander" by Janet Finch were some of my favorites. After I saw the first Harry Potter movies I thought I should read the books since everyone raved about them. "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire" is my favorite and I was able to read it in 5 days while we were on vacation in Mazatlan (the best time to read a book) I just watched the trailer for the movie and it gave me chills! Now I am looking forward to number 6 and someday I will read them to Julia. I just wish I had more time to read like I used to!

What were some of your favorite books? Which one can you not wait for your children to read?

Hope everyone has a great Friday. Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Yes, I have been watching too much Barney lately. Why is that show still on? And why does my daughter like it so? Anyway, the sun has gone and left us here in Southern CA. I miss it. It makes me want to go outside, run all of my errands, and take the kid to the park. When it is gloomy like it is today I want to stay in my PJs, sit on my butt, and eat :) So plan is to forget the weather and still get out today- keep your fingers crossed. If you could do one thing today what would that be?

-Amanda

What??

If we are now comparing Lindsey Lohan to Princess Diana then I am so done.

Lindsey Lohan Crashes with Paparazzi

-Amanda

Don't Tell the Hubby

How to spend $100.00 at Old Navy in less than 15 min. Buy this, this, this, 2 of these, and this. When I was growing up my Mom and I would go shopping and when she bought too much she would take the tags off and throw them in the clean laundry hamper. Knowing my Dad he would have never looked in the laundry hamper (or any where you had to clean stuff) so she would just fold the new clothes as if they were clean laundry. Good trick- right?? I don't do that I swear. I am more of a "Honey I bought some stuff today, is that okay?" as I am wearing a piece of lingerie. No I am soooo kidding! It would probably work though :) I just let him know ahead of time my intentions of spending. He is really good about saying yes :)

Got any good tricks that I can use though??

Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

For the Harry Potter Fans

Please tell me that I should continue reading "The Order of the Phoenix" Harry Potter book. I am only on page 357 and normally that is a at least a book and a half, but this one has 865 pages. Is it so good that I will miss out if I don't read the whole thing? Will I not be able to understand number 6 when it comes out? Just seeing if my valuable "me time" (you know those few precious hours when the children are napping) is worth reading a 800 page book.

Thanks,
Amanda

Gotta Love National Holidays!

Just wanted to say "Happy Memorial Day" which in Stay at Home Mom lingo means "The husband is home for three days and I can go to the bathroom by myself. Yippee!!!!!" So however you are spending it- as for me I will be eating my brains out tomorrow at a friend's BBQ- I hope you have a good one!

-Amanda

Okay so this is my all time favorite

I have gotten 4 searches in the last week for "Shove it in my old mouth" Now I wonder what the hell was I talking about if that is anywhere in my blog! So gross! If anything I just came up with a name for a really good porn :)

-Amanda

To Whom it May Concern

To Who it May Concern:

Is it necessary that it requires 2 sticks of dynamite to open a DVD package now a days? I mean I can understand one security sticker on the side of the DVD box, but two more and then a bullet proof plastic wrapping around it. I have a child you see who really wanted to watch her new "Dora the Explorer" DVD and she did not want to wait the 30 min. it took to open the package. Also I am sure I have exposed her to many more "not so nice" words that I used while I was trying to get it open. Just a thought, but maybe you can actually make stickers that peal off the package so I don't have to use my oh so precious finger nails to do so. Your compliance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Amanda

My Heart Belongs to Target

Jon came home early today since we were house bound and he knew I was going a little crazy. Great husband right? Anyway, I decided that I would head for the gym instead of sitting on my butt all afternoon. So on my way there I must have been thinking about stuff other than my work out because I ended up in the Target parking lot. My gym and Target are across a main street from each other in two different shopping centers. It was like the spirit of Target guided me there and wanted me to spend more money than I already have (and that is A LOT). I did end up going to the gym since that is what my real priority was. So strange though. Reality check for me- I must go to Target way too much :)

I hope everyone is having a good Wednesday! Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

So Now I Think I am Mental

UPDATE: I am fine. The doctor thinks that my recent weight loss (almost 40 lbs.) has messed my cycle up. I was never pregnant and he said that everything looks great. As for my mentalness I feel so much better knowing what is going on. I deleted the last post so no one else has to read about what is going on with my woman parts :)

Thank you so much for your support. You guys rock!!!!!

And one more thing- my kid has hand, foot, and mouth virus. Doesn't that sound super gross? Well anyway, it is one of those 20 something childhood illnesses that they can get. Oh how I love preschool and all the things she brings home! From new colorful language to nasty sounding viruses! Well at least you can only get this once so I will not be dealing with it again :) But still yuck!!!

-Amanda

Is the Cart Half Empty or Half Full?

Well I ended up going to the grocery store this morning and spending $200. What in the hell did I buy? I would expect my cart to be out of control full, but it was not. Being on a diet is expensive and I am a sucker for anything "New and Improved". Plus having a child who is a semi-picky eater does not help. I should buy stock in chicken nuggets and hot dogs. When I was at the check out, the clerk said to me "Do you have any coupons?" and I said "No". ( I am not very good at the whole clipping coupon thing) She then said "Well with a bill that high you should start." Was that a weird thing to say? Is that any of her business? I mean I am spending money in your store which then pays your paycheck. If she was trying to be helpful and suggest that I could save more money then she could have said it a better way. Just kinda rubbed me the wrong way is all- would you have been?

Have a great Monday!

-Amanda

Lucky Girl Part 2

I am home. Got my hair done today. It is very blonde. Now all I have to do is get tan and then I will look totally Californian. "Monster in Law" was cute. I am not a big JLO fan, but she was okay in this. It was Wanda Skies who plays Jane Fonda's assistant in the movie that was too funny. Might be one of those movies though you wait for on video :)

Did everyone have a good weekend? What did you do? Fill me in!

-Amanda