24 1/2 weeks

how far along: 24 weeks last Thursday

total weight gain/loss: EVEN...Lost 7 in the beginning, but had gained it back as of my appt. last Monday

maternity clothes: sometimes, but only because I can't stand my pants tight. And most of the time, they are too big, so I have to pull them up ALL day.---same as 20 weeks except I am wearing them more frequently.

stretch marks: nope. But still putting lotion on all the time!

sleep: great, but annoying. I hate not being able to sleep on my stomach. I roll from side to side and have to move by body pillow with me each time...a process to say the least.

best moment this week: Christmas presents for our baby girl

movement: LOTS!! She is stubborn and not very active in the evenings when Andrew is home with me. So, he has not felt her yet.

food cravings: pizza...so lame, I know

gender: GIRL!!!

name: Elsie Ann Hughes

labor signs: nada

belly button in or out? in

what i miss: sleeping on my stomach!

weekly wisdom: I am not very full of wisdom these days

milestones: none that I can think of....I'm lame I know!

I went out shopping yesterday and found some great deals for little bit. Target had lots on clearance.

We are going out tonight to try to find shelves for her room. We are also putting the closet organizer in tonight.

Stay tuned for some super cute stuff Elsie got for Christmas.

a burden lifted

The few of you that read this blog probably already know this, but I want to shout it from the mountain tops...
WE ARE DEBT FREE!!!!

We took the Financial Peace University class just before we got married (We actually got married in the middle of the class). We completed the class almost 3 years ago to date.

In 3 years, we have paid off LOTS and LOTS of debt to Sallie Mae and Kentucky Student Loans. We bought a house and had a little down payment (not the full 20%, more like 8%). Of course, stuff came up along the way. Dr. bills, car repairs, house issues, etc.

Now, we are ready to save, save, save, and work on our mortgage. We have PMI on our house that we would like to get taken off ASAP. So, that is our next goal. We also want to start saving for Elsie and of course our cars will need to be replaced (andrew's probably soon). BUT for now...we are rejoicing that we not longer OWE people money!! YAY!

A pleasantly nice day...

I had a great day. Nothing spectacular or extravagant, just a wonderful day and here is why...

-2 hour delay

-Professional Development that has a great presenter and wonderful content

-Chick-fil-A for lunch with a fun co-worker

-picking up my plate from Fired Up that I painted last week



-NOTHING BUT good mail!!! Stuff I ordered for Elsie, Christmas Cards, and a rebate check.


-Healthy dinner of pork chops, broccoli, and brown rice

-went with Andrew to register at Babies R Us

-and lastly, BIGGEST LOSER SEASON FINALE!!!

What a wonderful day!!

O what a weekend...

WOW...It's Monday night, and I am one tired puppy. My bed is calling my name VERY loudly. Here are my last 5 days in a nutshell.

-Movie with the family (Morning Glory)

-Company at my house (In-laws)

-Thanksgiving Lunch at my house

-Thanksgiving Left Overs at my aunt's house

-3:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. shopping, lunch, then out one more time

-nap

-Painting Party (thank goodness Mom brought dinner)



-Christmas card pictures

-Start decorating for Christmas



-Baby Shower

-Shopping/Returns

-Hanging out with Emily and Bella in Haubstadt

-church

-teach Sunday School

-finish decorating inside, do all of the outside



-back to work today, meeting after school, grocery, and wrapping presents

-The rest of the week, I will be cleaning because Christmas celebration #1 is at my house on Saturday. We also have to clean out the garage, because that is where we are going to eat. Wednesday night, we are serving dinner with our small group at the Ronald McDonald House. I am tired just thinking about this week.

don't peek:)

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0IctGLdu2YsnNA

Funky Christmas Wishes Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Happy Thanksgiving

Andrew and I are so thankful for many many things this year.

-Jesus' love for us

-family

-time to spend together

-friends

-each other

We are especially thankful after a year and a half of trying, for our sweet baby girl. We are also thankful for our fun and adorable niece, Bella. Andrew got a new job, so we are very thankful for that as well. I mean, there is just so much to be thankful for.

-shopping on Friday with the bestest driver EVER, Aunt Barbie! GO TEAM ODYSSEY!!

-food!! Grandma's dumplings

-the pups that slept with us last night:)

I mean, I could go on forever, SO VERY GRATEFUL!

Half way there

how far along: 20 weeks on Thanksgiving!! 1/2 way done cookin'

total weight gain/loss: I lost 7, then yesterday gained back 1, so I am at -6.

maternity clothes: sometimes, but only because I can't stand my pants tight. And most of the time, they are too big, so I have to pull them up ALL day.

stretch marks: nope. But still putting lotion on all the time!

sleep: ehh, minus the getting up to use the bathroom a couple times a night, it's pretty good.

best moment this week: getting furniture and painting this weekend!

movement: I think maybe, but not 100% for sure.

food cravings: NO! Most of the time NOTHING sounds good!!! It is so annoying at times!

gender: GIRL!!!

name: Elsie Ann Hughes

labor signs: nada

belly button in or out? in

what i miss: sleeping on my stomach!

weekly wisdom: Man, this is such a blessing. I am going to be thankful since it is so close to Thanksgiving and I am so thankful for this baby girl and my fab hubby!

milestones: none that I can think of....I'm lame I know!

Total Cuteness!!

I mean seriously, could my precious niece be any cuter!?!?

Christmas cards....and many more

If you have ever gotten a Christmas Card from the Hughes' household, you know that I love to put pictures on my cards. And most of the time, it's not just Andrew and I, but also Addie and Dopey since they are part of the family too. My favorite place to get Christmas cards is Shutterfly, but they not only have Christmas cards, but many other types of card and even stationary. Come with me as I take you on a tour of the things I love on Shutterfly.


Here you can search any of their Christmas Cards: BEWARE: Their are A LOT TO choose from, the decision may not be easy, but you will LOVE so many.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards

Here is one that is at the top of my list: If you get a Christmas Card from me, this might just be the one.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/with-love-chartreuse-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93476



Here is the link to something I have ordered in the past: I am a kid in a candy shop when it comes to notepads and stationary.
http://www.shutterfly.com/ssc/viewPreview.sfly?fid=6d2681ef200bdede328a6b68bbcad23c5625c431369d420afd12f45bbad520eada27fa73774b895d0c48c55b300ddd96

While the Christmas cards may seem like the most popular, Shutterfly has TONS of cards for other seasons as well:

Is there a better way to show those you love how much you love them:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/valentines-day-cards-and-stationery

Here is a favorite of mine:


You can see here just some of the variety in Shutterfly cards. I recently got a Thanksgiving day card from my bro, sis-in-law, and niece. It was adorable. I am going to definitely get my Christmas cards at Shutterfly, you should check it out
too!

the best part is, you can get 50 photo cards for free!! shutterfly is giving bloggers the chance to share and save! you will have to pay tax and shipping, but what a steal! i can't wait to see our finished product!


*bloggers are eligible to receive 50 free holiday cards. free cards are for 5x7 folded or flat stationary cards. offer ends december 31, 2010. taxes, shipping and handling will apply.

Already so loved...

Our baby girl is already so loved. We found out we were having a girl and ran to Heartstrings in Bowling Green to buy an outfit. We were successful:) Then, we got WKU gear from Andrew's parents. Later, when we got to Adam and Emily's, we were greeted with a bag of girlie goodies. I walked into work yesterday, a teacher gives me another gift!

Elsie Ann Hughes is already so loved and will only be loved more as time goes on. We ordered furniture for her nursery today!!!! Can't wait for it to come!


Elsie's WKU gear. We will have to pair the jersey with a denim skirt and big ol' hair bow!




Elsie's first girlie outfit. As soon we we found out the gender, we drove as fast as we could to the store. Shopping for a girl is addicting!! Bella (Elsie's cousin) found this out the right way:)




The sweet snuggle that a teacher I work with got for Elsie. It is SOOO soft!!!!





Our bag of goodies from Uncle Adam, Aunt Emily, and big cousin Bella. I already started writing in the baby book. I better get ahead now, because later, I won't have as much time.

Thank you everyone for the gifts so far, we have an amazing family and friends!!!! God has truly blessed us with all of them!

We are such mean doggie parents....

I always get the dogs a costume at Target after Halloween for like 2 or 3 bucks. Last year, I couldn't decide on just 2, so I got 3. Today, after church, we tried them on the dogs....here is the product



Rooster Dopey...He was MUCH MORE cooperative than Addie.




Turtle Dopey



Addie is NOT a happy doctor :-(

Week 16

how far along: 16 weeks as of tomorrow. I have an appointment Monday morning.

total weight gain/loss: not yet, actually from 8-12 weeks I lost 4 lbs. NO idea how I did that, but I did. On my scale at home, I haven't gained, but we'll see.

maternity clothes: nope...but they are getting a little tighter.

stretch marks: nope.

sleep: got a body pillow and it has been great, except now that I am congested and can't breathe through my nose at night

best moment this week: looking at car seats, strollers, pack and plays, etc.

movement: not that I know of...

food cravings: NO! Most of the time NOTHING sounds good!!! It is so annoying at times!

gender: 1 week and we will know!! WOO HOO!

name: We have some ideas for a girl, but NONE for a boy, suggestions welcome!

labor signs: thankfully, no.

belly button in or out? in

what i miss: sleeping on my stomach!

weekly wisdom: ummm...I'm not very full of wisdom on Saturday morning

milestones: none that I can think of....I'm lame I know!

Meet Little H

I had an ultrasound at 12 weeks (which was almost 3 weeks ago). We have been trying to scan it, but it wouldn't work, FINALLY I decided to take a picture of it. However, it looks horrible. I went ahead and posted it and hopefully you can make it out.

BIG News!!

So, I am sure that the 5 of you that read my blog have heard by now that Andrew and I are having a baby!!!!!

Little Hughes will make his/her debut sometime around April 10. We should be able to find out the sex around Thanksgiving. So, YES, we will be finding out if we are having a boy or a girl. If you know me, I HATE surprises and I am a HUGE planner. So, for my nerves and Andrew's Sanity, we will be finding out.

We are definitely excited and this has been a long road coming...Here is our timeline...

November 2008...decided we wanted to try to have kids, so I got off of birth control (which later, I feel was a waste of money)

January 2009...really started trying

July 2009...still nothing, but we found out that my little bro Adam and his wife Emily were expecting. This hurt at first, as I always thought I would be the first. After talking to God and realizing that was MY plan not his, and talking to Emily...I started shopping and getting super excited for Baby J's debut.

December 2009...went to the doctor and so began a series of testing. I had an ultrasound (which I had NO idea what was about to happen...if you know what I mean...) Also, had some bloodwork done. Everything was normal.

January 2010...Had an HSG done, painful and NOT FUN...everything normal

February or March 2010...started taking clomid to help me ovulate. NOTHING happened. So, they upped my dosage the next month...STILL nothing happened. So at this point, I know my body has issues with ovulation.

June 2010...the dr. decides that we should try an HCG shot in addition to the Clomid. So, I had to take Clomid for 5 days at the exact same time every day. Then I had to go in for an ultrasound and get an injection....FIRST time DIDN'T work.

July 2010...try the same process... AND IT WORKED!!!!!

When I took a test the first week of August, I didn't believe it. The line wasn't dark enough. The next day, tested again, the line wasn't much darker. The third day...same thing. So, I decided I was going to go get a digital test that either said PREGNANT or NOT. So, I did and it said pregnant.

WOO HOO! I called the dr. and had to wait a month to go, then when I did go, they don't do ultrasounds, or blood work to confirm. So, I insisted on extra blood work to confirm (I'm a freak...sorry). She called to let me know it was definitely positive blood work.

So here we are. Today marks week 10. I go to the dr. in 2 weeks and we should get to hear the heartbeat:)

My favorite Evansville Otter

My younger cousin, Travis, and I grew up together. My mom babysat him several summers when we were younger. When I was a senior in high school, he was a freshman, and I picked him up every morning for school. I have been watching him play baseball for YEARS! (along with football and basketball). When he went to college, I didn't get to see him play nearly as much, esp. since he is a relief pitcher and doesn't play every game.

Now, he is an Evansville Otter. I am very proud of him and love to go watch him play in the evenings at Bosse Field!
Here are some pics of him pitching last night and me with my favorite Otter.

New look in our bedroom

We recently got new bedroom furniture from IKEA. We had an older duvet set (which I was sick of), so we decided to get new bedding and finally put curtains up in our room and make it start to look decorated.

After looking EVERYwhere for a duvet in town, I went online and found one at Target.com:)

Here is the finished bed (I'm not sure why, but the shams on the back grey aren't quite right...

Crazy Busy!

Andrew and I have been so stinkin' busy this summer. It has been so fun and exciting for us. Last summer, I sat at home bored after like 1 week of summer. BUT this summer, I have yet to be bored. The pics below are just some of the things we have been up to lately!

-met this sweet baby and her parents, along with my parents and bro for a nice lunch



-went to Gatlinburg with 29 family members and stayed in a 10 bedroom/bathroom cabin. Hiked 2.5 miles to a waterfall and 2.5 miles back.

-Ripley's Aquarium



-Ripley's Believe it or Not museum



-played with face game with Uncle Chris and Aunt Barbie on the way to Dixie Stampede.




-I LOVE having house guests, esp. these two ladies:)




-had some family and friends over for some smoked pork butt. Andrew sat in the garage for 8 hours watching movies and checking on the meat. Emily, well, she played with her food, even though we told her not to.




-Went swimming at Tim and Carolyns



-went to Aunt Janet's 4th of July party and played corn hole all day!

-Hung out with the most adorable baby girl ever!!



-Made burpies with Valerie and embroidered with Aunt Janet.



-Hung out with Andrew's relatives visiting from Philly. Aunt Carla, Uncle Dan, Melanie, Dom, and Rachel. Since we were visiting in Bowling Green, Andrew got out his gun to shot. Here are Mel and Rachel getting their instructions.



-Celebrated with Andrew's cousin, Mandy and her new husband, Jeff

A week with 2 Children

I am still learning the art of uploading pictures on my blog. Below are pictures of Andrew and I's week with 2 children. We went swimming twice, fishing, splash park, Gattitown, McDonalds, Ice skating, gymnastics, "camp", played pinball, Wii, hung out with the neighbors. We stayed VERY busy!!

Emily in the pool




We went swimming a couple times, but I only got pictures from last night. Tim and Carolyn were very welcoming to us. And boy o boy did we have fun!




Bryce and his fish




Fishing fun!!! Andrew and his friend Chris took Bryce fishing. Emily and I didn't stay, but were there long enough to snap a picture.




Emily didn't LOVE the water, but she still had a great time.




Bryce LOVING the water!!




We went to the Splash Park in Henderson and had a picnic. I lathered the kids with sunscreen and forgot myself. So, I got toasty red...OOPS

Fab 5 Friday

I am a little slow these days not being in school and all...but I finally figured out how to get my pictures quickly to my blog. Last week, I had some issues with trying to download/upload them quickly. This week, I also cheated and used some of the same ones that jochimsjoys.blogspot.com used last week:)

1. HGTV...it is usually always on in the background, even though most of the time I am not really watching it. However, Andrew does like to watch it as well, so it is a channel we actually agree on AND Design Star starts Sunday night and it's one of my favorite shows.


2. My handy little SUV. She tried to die on me on the way to small group the other night, but Andrew and a dear friend Chris, fixed her up and she drove me to Bowling Green yesterday. This year at work, my car was also known as my office. It had plenty of room and served it's purpose well. We'll see how she does this week with 2 car seats.


3. READ, READ, READ!!! I have been reading Karen Kingsbury books like they are going out of print. I hardly ever watch TV, or play on facebook...I have always got my nose in a book. I am even going to a Baxter Family Renunion (based on her books) at the end of June with my friend Valerie.


4. PF Changs!! For being a picky eater, I LOVE this place, lettuce wraps, lo mein, honey crusted chicken, sweet and sour chicken...YUMMO!!


5. IKEA...we went last weekend with Adam and Emily. Spent more money than we expected, but also came home with a new bed, bedside tables, bookshelf, drawer organizers, couch side table, kitchen gadgets, etc. SO FUN!


What are your FAB 5?

Fab 5 Friday...help!

I decided I was going to try FAB 5 Friday this week...only to get a little aggravated at trying to get the pictures on here.

1. My rice cooker/steamer. We use this handy $15 Target steal at least 2 times a week. Mostly broccoli or cauliflower on top and sometimes rice on bottom. I thought that it was so fabulous that I bought one for my mother in law and sister in law for Christmas:)



NOW is where I NEED your help. When I am trying to get pictures for my Fab 5, what is the best way to do it. I would really like to just copy and paste them in, but that wouldn't work. I had to save the above picture to my desktop and upload it...is that the only way to do it?