This is serious. :)

I found this on Youtube and I just wanted to share this very very important political message. :) :)

Just a quote :)

I saw this one over at Talia's blog
and I loved it...just thought I'd share.

"I think the most significant
work we ever do, in the
whole world, in our whole
life, is done within the four
walls of our own home."

-Stephen R. Covey

Oh so true! :) I'm big on quotes, they inspire me. :) What's your favorite? :)

33 weeks :) :)

Colin may be here in 5 weeks!!! :) AHHHHHH!!! I can't wait. :)
Katie was born @ 38 weeks, so I'm secretly (or not so secretly now!) planning on the same for him. :)
We're still scrambling to get his room ready, and I just got his carseat cover in the mail today...I'm definitely in hard core nesting mode, wanting to get everything ready.
I just can't wait to meet him. ♥♥♥
Just wanted to share that. :)
P.S. I'm sorry for the lack of pictures lately, *still* waiting on more RAM for our computer before I can upload the several hundred that are stuck in my camera. ;)

I feel like butter....

I had my first ever real massage today (prenatal massage by Sandra at Bodytree Works, I highly recommend her!) :) and ahhhhhh I feel so much better!
I hadn't written it on here with my baby updates because I felt like I had been complaining a lot, but I have had a pinched sciatic nerve that has been hurting very very badly for the past month or so.
Lots of back pain before that too, but this had gotten to the point that I couldn't even roll over in bed without crying out. *but* the good news is that hopefully that won't happen anymore! :)
I have several places on my back and neck that really need to be adjusted by a chiropractor so I'm going to try to get that scheduled...it would feel oh so nice to not have these pains anymore! :)
Yay for massages! I'm going to go soak in the tub with some epsom salts now. ;)

This is random....

But I just drove home and had to stop 7 times just in our neighborhood for the school bus, and I noticed something that made me feel sad for the poor kids that were running home with freezing noses and cold ears. Not one of them had anyone waiting outside, or even waiting with the door open to give them a hug.
I think I have just been really spoiled with being home schooled, my Mom was always there since she was my teacher. :)
Anyway, I here by vow that if I am at home when Katie and Colin get off the school bus on cold days like this I will be waiting with a cup of hot cocoa and a warm hug.
The end. :)

Must watch! :) :)

Tomorrow's the night when Jeremy Larson will be performing on the tonight show with Mute Math!! :) :)
Yay! I can't wait to see. :)
Elsie posted a link to a new interview that they gave, you can read it here.
Go Jeremy!! :)

It's how I'll be spending my Tuesday nights...

I'm hopelessly addicted to watching this show every year. :) :) (along with millions of others!) So spill, did you watch the 2 hour season premier tonight? :)
There were a lot of talented singers shown tonight!
P.S. I am 32 weeks along now, oh myyy it's getting so close! We can't wait till little Colin is here. :)

I am in love....

100% complete love!!! I was reading Danielle Thompson's blog tonight (who always inspires me with her cute finds and creations!! :)
And oh my....Pottery Barn teen. It is love. ♥
I know that I am an adult now...and I know that my husband might not love it if I doused our house with so much cuteness. :) But I really really want to!
These are just a few of the things that had me saying "oooh, cute! That's so adorable!" :)
I am off to bed now, hopefully before Katie wakes up again, she just did a little bit ago but I managed to get her back to sleep. ;)
Charin

2 years old :) :)

I am still waiting on more RAM for our computer before I'm able to upload any new pics (sigh) but I wanted to list some things that Katie is doing right now! ;) I love being able to document all of those little things on here. :) Having said that, I would understand if not all of you read through these because there will be a lot! Are you ready?? :)

Katie Shae...
*Loves Dora, Spongebob (bobpants is what she likes to call him) :) Wonderpets and the Backyardigans
*Has a vocabulary of over 300 words (I am such a nerd, I actually started jotting them down one day! haha I just think it'll be fun to look at later)
*Has started saying "Mama (or Daddy) come back! Sit here!" when either one of us leaves to run an errand or get out of the car without her. That is the saddest thing!
*Loves coloring :)
*Does NOT love wearing bows or anything in her hair, much to her Mama's dismay. :)
*Really likes her baths and playing with the floating letters that we have in there that she can stick to the side of the tub
*Is identifying colors everywhere she looks, I love that. :) She confuses pink and red but does really great with green, blue, purple (people! haha) and yellow.
*Is absolutely obsessed with soccer balls!! :) There's an episode of the Backyardigans where Pablo turns into a "soccer monster" and ever since then she's been a little soccer player. :) She yells "Socccccer!!!" before she kicks the ball, so cute. :)
*Loves making her baby dolls and teddy bears nite nite :) She covers them with a blanket and loves on them.
*Asks to drink Pepsi all the time, that is her Daddy's favorite drink!
*Still uses her noonie (Pacifier) and Mama and Daddy can't bring themselves to get rid of them just yet. ;)
*Likes to tell us to "come see!", usually back to her bedroom. :)
*Loves reading, and often brings me a book and asks me to read it to her.
*Says "Thanks!" and "You're Welcome!" a lot, but only when she wants to. :)
*Gets really excited about going bye bye, and has learned to say Wal-Mart. We shop there a lot, for our groceries and everything. :)
*Loves to dance silly little dances
*Sings twinkle twinkle little star :) now nearly every time she sees a star she says "like a diamond in the sky!" :)
*Asks to eat cheese at random times during the day, I would say that's her fave food of the moment. Unfortunately she has started opening the fridge and then coming to us saying "cheese?" Hopefully it won't ever be left open for too long. :)
*Is not interested in potty training at all yet, hopefully soon!
*Only naps for maybe an hour during the day, and not every day. She has just started sleeping better through the night again, only waking once or twice...especially if we bring her to our bed when she wakes up. haha :) It's just easier to do that when you're dead exhausted!
*Says "here you go, Mama Daddy (or Daddy Mama)" when she's handing us something. :)
She calls us by both names a lot of times. :)
*Is very particular about clothing...hers and just everyone's in general! :) A few times she has picked my clothes out for the day! Luckily those are the times I'm not going anywhere because she picks out pj's. :) She made my day a few weeks back when I came out of the bedroom wearing black exercise pants and a baggy t-shirt and she ran up to me, gave me a hug and said "Oh Mama!!! Cuuuuttte!" :) :)
*Asks to eat "special bites" which are usually things like candy or snack cakes.
*Pats her Mama's belly and kisses it every day. ♥
*Asks for me to call her Grandma nearly every day. :)
*Loves playing with her cousins Jathan and Jared, and everytime she sees a picture of her cousins Gabe and Zoe she gets excited. :)
*Has just started pretend playing with her cooking set and tea set :)
*Still squeezes our hand anytime she's trying to go to sleep or is stressed...she's done that since birth and it's special. :)
She is so beautiful and precious...every day she gives me something to smile about. :)
Love my sweet baby girl!

I miss you, Spring! :)

*sigh* I am so ready for warm breezes, flowers, blue skies and sunshine. Flying kites with Katie :) and lemonade.
I miss Spring!!!

:)

With a little help from a random number generator, I have a winner to announce! :)
Congrats jen! :)
I will be contacting you to get your *fabulous* CD to you :)
Thanks so much to everyone that entered!

I have so many pictures to share from Katie's birthday parties, but my computer is moving very very slowly...we are getting some more RAM added to it and I may have to wait until then to post more pics. But soon soon!
:) Charin

Two years ago today :)

I became a Mama!! :)
It's so hard to believe that our baby girl has grown so much...time goes by way too quickly.
Two years ago we had a tiny little newborn that was the best snuggler in the world (she still is) :) and now that same sweet girl is sitting down eating some cereal and a banana and saying "Daddy home, Mama?" :) Aww :) She's ready for him to get off work today!
We are having her 2nd round of birthday partying today, I'll be back with lots of pictures if my computer will cooperate. :)

Very Special Giveaway!! :) :) :)

Hi everyone!! :)
I have a special giveaway to share, Jeremy Larson's *BEAUTIFUL* CD! Jeremy sent me an extra copy of his first album to giveaway, it is magical. :)
If you aren't familiar with his music, you will be hooked. :)
I have it playing in my car non-stop! And I'm not going to lie, the first time I heard "Make Believe" (the first video) I cried. :) I met him through my friend Elsie and he is a very cool guy, besides being very talented. ;)
You can check out his online store by clicking here... his second album is just as beautiful as the first (Kevin loves it even more, actually), and Elsie and Jeremy designed some very fun and quirky merchandise that's also for sale! :)
I will be choosing a winner next Monday the 5th, so feel free to leave your name in the comments section for a chance to win. :) If you don't have a blogger account you can still enter by selecting "anonymous" and signing your name there.
Happy Monday!
Charin

Merry Christmas!!!!!
I hope you all have a very Merry one. :)
I'm off to my in-laws to spend Chrismas Eve with them...I'll be back soon with a very special giveaway on my blog! :)
Charin

Eight years ago...

Eight years=
2 1/2 years of dating
a dream come true wedding
buying our first home
changing jobs
changing cars
a few disasters here and there ;)
having our absolute dream come true, becoming parents to our beautiful baby Katie Shae
a lot of growing up
a lot of happiness
a lot of memories
and here we are after 8 years together, with our second little miracle on the way :)
Life is a journey, and even with living through ups and downs life is still beautiful :)

Happy "being us" anniversary Kevin! ♥

Update ;)

I got a call from my Dr's nurse this morning and she said that he is not overly concerned about the protein levels at this time. They were high, but I guess not high enough to warrant anything new being done.
They're still going to monitor everything closely and I'm going back in Monday....I'm really glad that I'm not being put on bed rest! :)
The only thing is that I still *know* that something is going on because of the way I've been feeling, I was hoping that it would be something that had a quick fix. ;)
But baby's fine and I can make it so that's the important thing! :)
Have a happy weekend!
Charin

:)

I wanted to share something a little happier than my past two posts have been. :)
This made me smile a lot tonight...
Mama: "Katie, where's Colin?"
Katie: (Patting Mama's belly) "Here!"
Aww :) A minute went by and Katie said "Hi Colin!" and patted my belly again.
She's going to be the best big sister :)

Further testing is needed...

Don't you just *love* hearing those words? ;)
I went back to see my Dr. today, and I had more protein showing up which means that I may be developing preeclampsia. I am going to be doing a 24 hour test tomorrow that should let us know something for sure.
I'm 28 weeks pregnant today, I just want Colin to stay healthy and we'll deal with whatever comes between now and delivery.
I'm going to go back to resting now. ;)
Charin

Hi :)
I just wanted to do a quick post to explain my lack of blogging (I stillllll need to post Thanksgiving pictures!)
I haven't been feeling the best lately, still trying to get over this yucky cold. I'm going on five weeks of having that, yuck.

And last week we had a scare with Katie, she had climbed onto a kitchen chair and fell off before I could get to her...her gums were bleeding and she had a cut and knot on her head. :( I was so scared, we had been very fortunate in the past and she had never really even gotten a bruise before. We rushed her to the ER for them to check on her, and she is ok now...but that was miserable. :( My poor baby. The only thing she has left from that is a *huge* canker sore that she keeps accidentally hitting with her sippy cup. We'll be really glad when that heals! I'm just thankful that my baby girl is ok.

And then yesterday I called my Dr's office because I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions off and on all day at work. I just wanted them to mark it on my chart, I wasn't all that concerned about it. Anyway, they said that I needed to go to the hospital to have a non-stress test ran on the baby, so that of course made me nervous. :(
I was admitted to a room where they strapped me up to a fetal monitor and they poked my belly around making sure that Colin was being responsive. All of that looks good, his heart rate is good and he was moving around once I laid down.
But the not so great news is that I may be developing preeclampsia. I'm really hoping that I'm not because it is definitely way too soon for him to be born, and from what I hear if you do get it they put you on complete bed rest.
I'm going back to my Dr. this coming week for a follow up and I'm hoping for good news. :)
I'm just a little worried because I do have several of the symptoms, like dizziness and spotty vision off and on and severe back pain and really bad nausea (even when I'm taking my chemo anti-nausea medicine).
So anyway, just trying to take it easy and hoping for the best. ;)
If you read through all of that I'm impressed! :)
Charin

For my local friends...

My friend Gena is a new Stampin' Up demonstrator, which is really good news for me because Stampin' Up is the only place that I know of to get my *dream* scrapbooking pen, the uniball signo!! :) :)
When I was teaching at Scrapbook Addiction I know that some of the ladies that took my classes asked about them...because I use this pen on nearly every page I make! haha

So anyway, if you are interested in ordering 1 (or 5 like I normally do!) send me an e-mail at charinkellie@yahoo.com and I'll get you hooked up with Gena! :)
Happy weekend :)
Charin