Today was a carnival theme. There was shaved ice, face painting, and a clown making balloon animals.
Until next year, PALS!
Until next year, PALS!Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Last Day of PALS
It's so sad that today was the last day of PALS until September. Jocelyn is really, really, really going to miss going and seeing all of her friends.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Carnival!
On Monday evening we met some of Jocelyn's friends at a carnival at a local church. Jocelyn gets so excited about the rides, and then shows no emotion once she's on them.
Mommy wasn't riding this one, so Jocelyn went on with her friend Brady and his mommy, Courtney.
Then she rode the Merry-Go-Round all by herself!
Then she and Brady rode on the helicopters.
After the rides, we played some games. Jocelyn won a bunch of junk, mostly from the game where all she has to do is pull a duck out of the water. She did, however win another game where you have to put your quarters on a picture of an animal, the worker spins a wheel and whoever has their quarters on the correct animal when the wheel stops spinning wins. She chose a stuffed duck when she won that game. Mommy was more excited than Jocelyn.
Then we ate some freshly made donuts. I guess they are all the rage at this carnival because we waited in line for a long time to get one. Mommy was set on a cinnamon one, and after waiting all that time, they told her they were out of cinnamon. Boo! I got what I wanted, though!
Brady had the same!
Mommy still wants a cinnamon donut, so we may just have to go back to this carnival later this week!
Then she rode the Merry-Go-Round all by herself!
Then she and Brady rode on the helicopters.
After the rides, we played some games. Jocelyn won a bunch of junk, mostly from the game where all she has to do is pull a duck out of the water. She did, however win another game where you have to put your quarters on a picture of an animal, the worker spins a wheel and whoever has their quarters on the correct animal when the wheel stops spinning wins. She chose a stuffed duck when she won that game. Mommy was more excited than Jocelyn.
Then we ate some freshly made donuts. I guess they are all the rage at this carnival because we waited in line for a long time to get one. Mommy was set on a cinnamon one, and after waiting all that time, they told her they were out of cinnamon. Boo! I got what I wanted, though!
Brady had the same!
Mommy still wants a cinnamon donut, so we may just have to go back to this carnival later this week!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Puerto Rico
Almost two years ago I made this post on my blog. Our friends John and Vanessa finally got engaged. She said it would never happen. John knew it would. It happened, and this past Saturday, they actually tied the knot!
The wedding was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When I tell people that I went to Puerto Rico for a wedding they automatically think that it was a destination wedding. I guess in some sorts it was, but mostly it was not. Vanessa was born and raised in Puerto Rico. That's where her family is, and that's where they wanted to get married.
So for the last two years we have had the date of their wedding, May 15th, jotted down on the calendar. We were trying--not so successfully--to save enough money to go. There was never a question that Todd would go. He was in the wedding and even if he was not, at least one of us had to be there to witness the event Vanessa so adamantly denied would ever happen! Saving money is not the easiest task with a new baby. We failed badly. We thought Todd would be going solo to the wedding, almost until the last minute. Things changed a lot from the time of the engagement to the time when we needed to RSVP to the wedding. Todd got a new job. Jocelyn got older. I got pregnant again. Todd got a bonus! That bonus was just what we needed! I booked a flight, bought a dress, and was happy I was going to be able to go to the wedding!
Then I worried. I worried a lot about actually going. I worried about leaving Jocelyn. I worried about going into labor at 32 weeks in a place so far away from home, and then being stuck in Puerto Rico for weeks while baby grew stronger in the NICU. But everything worked out. We flew to Puerto Rico from Charlotte and left Jocelyn with my parents. She had fun. She wasn't upset in the least. Todd and I had a great time, and now we are all home safe and sound. It was the first time I spent a significant period of time away from Jocelyn. After seeing Jocelyn everyday for 857 days, I spent one day--one period of 56 hours straight--without Jocelyn. It wasn't as bad as I thought. It wasn't bad at all. I missed her, and was happy to see her when we got home, but I was fine for those two days in Puerto Rico and so was she.
So, like I said, the wedding was on May 15th. It was a beautiful wedding, and when I say beautiful I mean HOT. Well, beautiful too--for sure--but it was definitely hot as well. The wedding took place in Santa Iglesia Cathedral. So beautiful. So hot. I thought everywhere would have air conditioning in Puerto Rico. I was wrong. The part I like most about the wedding was when John said his vows in Spanish and Vanessa said hers in English. I didn't think I would cry, but at that moment I did.
Overall, I think the wedding and trip were great. Everything seemed to go smoothly. Everyone looked great. Vanessa went through with it and actually married John. Everything was beautiful and great memories were made! Oh yeah, and it is on to the next step for these two. I saw Vanessa adamantly shaking her head 'yes' when the priest asked if they will accept children from God lovingly. I'm sure someone got it on tape as well. There's no denying it. ;)
The wedding was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When I tell people that I went to Puerto Rico for a wedding they automatically think that it was a destination wedding. I guess in some sorts it was, but mostly it was not. Vanessa was born and raised in Puerto Rico. That's where her family is, and that's where they wanted to get married.
So for the last two years we have had the date of their wedding, May 15th, jotted down on the calendar. We were trying--not so successfully--to save enough money to go. There was never a question that Todd would go. He was in the wedding and even if he was not, at least one of us had to be there to witness the event Vanessa so adamantly denied would ever happen! Saving money is not the easiest task with a new baby. We failed badly. We thought Todd would be going solo to the wedding, almost until the last minute. Things changed a lot from the time of the engagement to the time when we needed to RSVP to the wedding. Todd got a new job. Jocelyn got older. I got pregnant again. Todd got a bonus! That bonus was just what we needed! I booked a flight, bought a dress, and was happy I was going to be able to go to the wedding!
Then I worried. I worried a lot about actually going. I worried about leaving Jocelyn. I worried about going into labor at 32 weeks in a place so far away from home, and then being stuck in Puerto Rico for weeks while baby grew stronger in the NICU. But everything worked out. We flew to Puerto Rico from Charlotte and left Jocelyn with my parents. She had fun. She wasn't upset in the least. Todd and I had a great time, and now we are all home safe and sound. It was the first time I spent a significant period of time away from Jocelyn. After seeing Jocelyn everyday for 857 days, I spent one day--one period of 56 hours straight--without Jocelyn. It wasn't as bad as I thought. It wasn't bad at all. I missed her, and was happy to see her when we got home, but I was fine for those two days in Puerto Rico and so was she.
So, like I said, the wedding was on May 15th. It was a beautiful wedding, and when I say beautiful I mean HOT. Well, beautiful too--for sure--but it was definitely hot as well. The wedding took place in Santa Iglesia Cathedral. So beautiful. So hot. I thought everywhere would have air conditioning in Puerto Rico. I was wrong. The part I like most about the wedding was when John said his vows in Spanish and Vanessa said hers in English. I didn't think I would cry, but at that moment I did.
Vanessa looked gorgeous.
I guess John looked good too.
My Toddie looked very handsome.
And a couple of us looked pregnant. Oh wait, we were.
The reception was held in the same hotel where we were staying, right across the street from the cathedral. Hotel El Convento. Check here for the history. Amazing! It was definitely a beautiful hotel. Oh, and the rooms had air conditioning. Thank goodness!
The party was amazing! Puerto Ricans know how to party and don't take a break from dancing. John and Vanessa had a live band, who were awesome. They sang, they danced, they entertained. I danced as much as I could, but If I weren't pregnant I would have danced a lot more. A couple of Mojitos would have helped too! By the end of the night I was swelling out of my dress, my hair looked even more horrendous than when the wedding started (thanks humidity for that one), and I was sweating so much that I couldn't down enough water to keep up with it. I called it a night, but was happy that I made it nearly to midnight. The fact that I slept in that morning until 9am must have helped!
The reception was held in the same hotel where we were staying, right across the street from the cathedral. Hotel El Convento. Check here for the history. Amazing! It was definitely a beautiful hotel. Oh, and the rooms had air conditioning. Thank goodness!
Overall, I think the wedding and trip were great. Everything seemed to go smoothly. Everyone looked great. Vanessa went through with it and actually married John. Everything was beautiful and great memories were made! Oh yeah, and it is on to the next step for these two. I saw Vanessa adamantly shaking her head 'yes' when the priest asked if they will accept children from God lovingly. I'm sure someone got it on tape as well. There's no denying it. ;)
Thanks John and Vanessa for the great memories, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
I asked Todd to get some pictures of me and Jocelyn together for Mother's Day! I'm always the one taking the pictures and I barely have any of us together! Here's a bunch!
One with Daddy too!
I had a wonderful Mother's Day! I ate too much, was spoiled with homemade Jocelyn crafts, and didn't have to change one diaper!! Thank you to Todd for all of that! I wish every day could be mother's day!!
Monday, May 3, 2010
It's weird...
...being pregnant.
Baby has been super active today. She has literally been bouncing off the walls all day long. On a normal day I feel her moving around mostly in the morning before I get out of bed (or the 3-4 times I wake up before it's actually time to get up), and in the evening after Jocelyn has gone to bed. Today, she has been trying to make herself comfortable constantly. Since I have been feeling her more, I have been thinking about her more and thinking more about the fact that I have this baby inside of me. I've been through it before and have a beautiful, funny, amazing little girl to show for it, but it's still weird to be pregnant.
You see pictures of the baby inside the womb. You certainly feel baby inside you (and now you can even see baby moving around in there from the outside as well). Your stomach certainly protrudes to make space for baby. It's obvious you're pregnant to everyone, but it's still like it's not real. I have to sit down and really think about the fact that there is this living being growing inside of me. She will come out and be a little person, with her own little personality and features. Weird. A person growing inside me. Moving around, kicking, punching, making me feel like she's about ready to burst out through my belly button at any moment, which, on a side note, is exactly how Jocelyn thinks she's going to come out anyway--when we talk about the baby she pulls my shirt up and tries to pry my belly button open to get baby out. Anyway, I just think it's weird to be pregnant. Amazing, but weird!
When I think about my pregnancy with Jocelyn it's almost like the pregnancy and the result (Jocelyn) were separate experiences. Obviously they are directly related to one another, but it seems weird to me that it was Jocelyn in there that whole time. She went from being the size of a grain of rice to the 6lb 14oz baby she came out as, to the 30lb Toddler she has become. I felt her in there the same way I feel this baby, but now I know Jocelyn--really know her. It's weird that she was the one in there the whole time!
Now I find myself thinking more about what the baby will be like--more than I thought about what Jocelyn would be like when I was pregnant with her. I wonder if she will look like Jocelyn or if she will be completely different. I wonder what her personality will be like. Will she be as laid back as Jocelyn or will she be the complete opposite? So many people have told me to brace myself--Jocelyn is such an angel and this next one will turn me for a loop. It is possible to have two great kids, right??
My predication is that this little girl won't look anything like Jocelyn. They will be those sisters that no one really believes are related--those sisters who tell the other they are obviously adopted. Maybe baby #2 will be all Mommy whereas Jocelyn is all Daddy! When it comes to personality, though, I always imagine her to be just like Jocelyn. Not exactly the same, but close enough. It's probably wishful thinking since I'm hoping she will be as easy as Jocelyn, and not the problem child everyone keeps telling me I will have. We shall see. I have hope that it is possible to have two easy children, and if not, I know I will love her just the same!
In the mean time, I will continue to watch my belly grow. I will continue to feel pushes and tugs, rolls and kicks, and be amazed at what my body can do. I'm growing a baby!
66 days to go, give or take a few days.
Baby has been super active today. She has literally been bouncing off the walls all day long. On a normal day I feel her moving around mostly in the morning before I get out of bed (or the 3-4 times I wake up before it's actually time to get up), and in the evening after Jocelyn has gone to bed. Today, she has been trying to make herself comfortable constantly. Since I have been feeling her more, I have been thinking about her more and thinking more about the fact that I have this baby inside of me. I've been through it before and have a beautiful, funny, amazing little girl to show for it, but it's still weird to be pregnant.
You see pictures of the baby inside the womb. You certainly feel baby inside you (and now you can even see baby moving around in there from the outside as well). Your stomach certainly protrudes to make space for baby. It's obvious you're pregnant to everyone, but it's still like it's not real. I have to sit down and really think about the fact that there is this living being growing inside of me. She will come out and be a little person, with her own little personality and features. Weird. A person growing inside me. Moving around, kicking, punching, making me feel like she's about ready to burst out through my belly button at any moment, which, on a side note, is exactly how Jocelyn thinks she's going to come out anyway--when we talk about the baby she pulls my shirt up and tries to pry my belly button open to get baby out. Anyway, I just think it's weird to be pregnant. Amazing, but weird!
When I think about my pregnancy with Jocelyn it's almost like the pregnancy and the result (Jocelyn) were separate experiences. Obviously they are directly related to one another, but it seems weird to me that it was Jocelyn in there that whole time. She went from being the size of a grain of rice to the 6lb 14oz baby she came out as, to the 30lb Toddler she has become. I felt her in there the same way I feel this baby, but now I know Jocelyn--really know her. It's weird that she was the one in there the whole time!
Now I find myself thinking more about what the baby will be like--more than I thought about what Jocelyn would be like when I was pregnant with her. I wonder if she will look like Jocelyn or if she will be completely different. I wonder what her personality will be like. Will she be as laid back as Jocelyn or will she be the complete opposite? So many people have told me to brace myself--Jocelyn is such an angel and this next one will turn me for a loop. It is possible to have two great kids, right??
My predication is that this little girl won't look anything like Jocelyn. They will be those sisters that no one really believes are related--those sisters who tell the other they are obviously adopted. Maybe baby #2 will be all Mommy whereas Jocelyn is all Daddy! When it comes to personality, though, I always imagine her to be just like Jocelyn. Not exactly the same, but close enough. It's probably wishful thinking since I'm hoping she will be as easy as Jocelyn, and not the problem child everyone keeps telling me I will have. We shall see. I have hope that it is possible to have two easy children, and if not, I know I will love her just the same!
In the mean time, I will continue to watch my belly grow. I will continue to feel pushes and tugs, rolls and kicks, and be amazed at what my body can do. I'm growing a baby!
66 days to go, give or take a few days.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
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