I told myself I wasn't going to tune in to the baby to see if I could predict the baby's gender. However,something is telling me...

10 Months

Wow! I am a big boy now. I am 10 months old. I am almost ready to take my first steps...but for now, I love to cruise around the furniture! I love to talk. My favorite sound is 'Dada.' I also like 'Mama, baba, nana, and mmmm.' I am trying to let Mom know when I want a bottle by saying 'Baaaa....Baaaa.' She is just catching on.

I love my trucks, my new orange ball, and my favorite books are 'Colors' and 'Good Puppy.' I also like 'The Giving Tree.' My favorite songs are 'Old MacDonald,' 'Baby Sails a Silver Boat,' and '10 Little Monkeys.'

My favorite foods right now are blueberries, sweet potatoes, and green beans! Mom even let me try a bite of pudding the other day. I said, 'Mmmmm.'

I can't wait to try cake and ice cream! Daddy says I have to wait until my first birthday party. Only two months away!

Mmmm Italiano!

My mom bought some flat bread from Busch's Market and forgot it at our house. She called to be sure Jeff and I would eat it up! So, today for lunch we did! It was really simple to make. I topped with marinara, fresh mozzarella, home grown tomatoes, and basil from our own basil plant. They were perfect and two was just the right serving to feel fulfilled, yet not too full. I can't wait to try some new toppings next time!

Jeff completed another task on my 'to-do' list. He transformed our utility space in the basement from a dungeon to a more workable space. This part of the basement will remain 'as-is,' with the possibility of Jeff building a folding station for folding clothes against the wall. On the opposite side of the wall, we hope to turn the other dungeon area into a bathroom and living room. Probably not until next spring..

Name Game

Jeff and I have been bouncing names off of each other for the past few weeks. I said I wasn't going to give it to much thought until we found out what the baby was, but here is my list of names so far...in no particular order...

And, please refrain from telling me that you dislike a name, because I love them all!

Boy
Vincent Charles
Nikolas Alexander
Jose Manuel

Girl
Luciana Bella
Olivia Skye
Julianna Reese

Craving....EVERYTHING

Lately, I have been having many many cravings. And, they are UNCONTROLLABLE. There is no one thing I have been longing for each day...more like, when I want something I HAVE to have it. Some of my cravings include:

- 7 Layer Burrito - Taco Bell
- Cherry Doughnut - Meijer makes the best!
- Orange Juice
- Dill Pickle
- Mustard...I had to eat something with mustard
- Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Raisin Bran
- Avocado
- Olive Burger - Honeycreek Inn did NOT disappoint!

Isn't it a little early to be having cravings? Right now, I am craving an omelette...the kind you get at a nice breakfast restaurant, loaded with veggies and cheese. Ahhh, but I don't think I can convince Jeff to take me out for breakfast...considering we have dinner in the oven and it is 6:00PM. Maybe this weekend!

Ode to Jeff

I have to hand it to Jeff...he has really stepped it up over the past few month. I always knew that Jeff would be an amazing husband. And, I used to chalk up his cooking and cleaning to living in a one bedroom apartment with nothing better to do. Boy was I wrong. The man is a machine.

When we bought our house, it was incredibly overwhelming realizing all of the projects that we had ahead of us. Jeff worked feverishly on the house, getting it ready for move-in day. I figured it was a phase...he would burn out and all of the little projects that I wanted done would go to the way side. However, Jeff has surprised me...I dare say SHOCKED me with his continuing efforts on the house. Every day after work, we eat dinner and Jeff tackles one project after another. Just last week, he turned our dungeon of a laundry area into a clean, workable space. And, somehow after working for a few hours, Jeff manages to make time for Matthew and me...usually a walk and reading to Matthew.

I admire Jeff's tenacity and his drive for perfection. He never ceases to amaze me at what he can build or dream up for our house. Our house is not even close to where we want it. She is a work-in-progress. But, slowly and surely she is coming along thanks to my talented husband. Next project...the roof and guest bedroom upstairs. Good luck Jeff!

Pink or Blue?

Some women say that they can 'sense' the gender of their baby before an ultrasound is ever done. With Matthew, I was sure he was a girl...until about one week before my 18 week ultrasound. Then, I was seeing blue. With this baby, I am not even attempting to 'tune in.'

However, I did have an interesting dream last night...

I dreamt that Jeff and I were with our doctor and she was going to tell us the gender of the baby. She explained that they do two tests. The first was a piece of paper with a tiny footprint on it...the footprint turned pink. She said 'It's a girl!' Then, the doctor did the ultrasound and we all saw that the baby was undeniably...a boy!

So, that is interesting...

More pictures from the weekend...

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Summer Fun

Matthew had so much fun at the cottage this weekend! He went swimming, played with Grandma and Grandpa, and got to spend lots of time playing with mommy and daddy. He is such a happy little munchkin! Stay tuned for more pictures...

Matthew Loves to Read!

Here is Matthew reading 'Good Puppy,' one of his favorite books! Matthew loves to read and likes to turn the pages all by himself. Not sure why the quality of these pictures is so low, but I hope you all enjoy them anyway!

Fun in the park!

Mom, I don't want my picture taken. I want to play!
This is more like it!

I want to go back in the swing!

Homemade Granola Bars

As a working mom, I need something tasty, nutritious, and QUICK for breakfast. Solution: granola bars! However, store bought granola bars have left me with something to be desired lately. So, I decided to try my hand at homemade granola bars. I must say they turned out pretty well. They are delicious and I enjoy knowing that there are no preservatives, additives, or artificial sweeteners in my breakfast. Next on my cooking agenda...perfecting my homemade pizza.

9 Months!

My big boy is 9 months old! Wow! I have said it before and I will say it again...where does the time go? Matthew is pulling up on everything (including his mother), crawling all over the place, standing on his own, and laughing out loud. Still waiting for those first steps with video camera close by!

They say...

That each pregnancy is unique from any other. I am now 100% a believer in that theory. With Matthew, I was energetic and felt great throughout my entire pregnancy. I am just under 7 weeks, and I feel tired and very sick. I was so nausous last night, I could hardly sleep. I guess it is a good sign, since morning sickness is usually an indication that the baby is developing well. Still, this is one mean trick that God plays on pregnant women. Pray for me. My stomach is churning as I write.