Kitchen Project

My dad came down to Savannah with a mission...to help us with the kitchen and that's what he did! The pantry is GONE! I'm happy, but also wonder how long it will be before I get a functioning kitchen again. We are only hoping to do Phase 1 (meaning...no new cabinets) but new floor (do ourselves), paint, and arrange kitchen to be what it is going to be once we get cabinets and new countertops. I'm hoping to get everything back in the cabinets and out of the living room tonight.

Patience!

We are having a blast with my dad here in town, we are putting him to work with trim at Johne's and the kitchen at our house. They did go golfing on Saturday! Otherwise just hanging out. I think he is a little hesitant on going back to -2 below Iowa weather. But you know how it is...you have to go back home sometime!

Half way there!!

We've passed the half way mark and can't wait to meet our little girl in 4 1/2 months! I'm really trying to take it all in and enjoy feeling her little kicks! I can't believe how exhausted I get picking up Tyler's toys makes me as my belly grows more and more (I'm only 1/2 way there!). Tyler has been so great and so much fun. He is talking more every day and is so proud of himself. Nap and bedtime with Tyler is quite the process...the same 4 books consisting of 3 train books and Clifford book. And then he always asks me to sing to him. So while he stands in his crib he puts his head on my belly and I sing He's Got the Whole World and use mommy and daddy, tyler scott shippy, and little tiny baby in his hands. He really loves it. Sometimes when I point to my belly and ask him to say goodnight to the baby he points to my "other bumps" and says baby baby. It's so funny and sweet!

Anyways, I thought I'd humor you and document my belly shots:

Here is the 20 week belly shot of me with Tyler (above July 2007) and 21 week belly shot with baby girl (Jan 2010). I think the belly's look pretty similar...but I feel so much bigger faster this time around. I was surprised to compare the two pictures. This is my first belly picture I've taken this pregnancy! With Tyler I had one at 12weeks and 16 weeks by now. Oops, I guess that's the way it always is with your second! Scott has helped me finally make a solid decision on our name for our baby girl. It's been tough because one of the criteria I try to accomplish is that it can only be spelled one way. Everyone I ask spells it wrong the first time until I tell them how I would spell it. Scott really likes it and that makes it really special. So.....here it is (and some already know)....

Myla Jo Shippy

It's a ......GIRL!

This week has been a crazy week! Starting with the news that we are having a little GIRL! We told the lady that no one would believe us, so she took some extra "proof" pictures. We are so thrilled to bring a girl into the Shippy side of the family...first since Scott's uncle Leonard had Sara...who I think is Scott's age. Anyways, my mom likes to remind me that my brother was the first boy in her moms side of the family in like 100 years...so I'm sure she shares some of the excitement for the Shippy's. After dinner on Monday night (when we found out) I insisted we go to Target to buy our little girl her first outfit. It was so much fun looking at all the girl stuff. I found this outfit! She is going to be a little Mayflower! I had trouble deciding whether to get newborn size clothes or 3M...Tyler was 9lbs 9 oz...I was 7lbs 13 oz when born and Scott was like 9lbs 15oz. So, being that it is a girl and she is measuring right on schedule she will probably be more my weight...but I want her to wear the outfits longer than Tyler wore his newborn outfits. The up to size on Newborn is 8.5lbs. Also, Aunt Jenny already added to her wardrobe with these cute onesies and my friend Sarah gave her the ice cream onesie and little shorts. I'm a little worried about getting bombarded with pink...but I've decided that we are going to decorate her room in Red, White, and Mocha. I'm going to keep everything basic solids and maybe stripes.

I also found an ITZBEEN at Target that night for a great deal! It's a timer system/night light that helps you with breast feeding, diaper changes, sleep times...etc. So excited! As you can tell...it definitely made for some excitement in our home!

Scott was really moved by the realization that he was going to have a girl. Today he said, while watching Tyler run crazy back and forth across the living room jumping on the 2 chairs, "what is a girl going to do?" I replied, "follow her older brother around and do whatever he does!"

Later that week...I was struck down by the cheeseburgers at McDonald's...or something. I ended up going to the ER to get some fluids pumped in me because I knew I was getting too dehydrated. I'm not usually one to go to the Dr. or ER, but this was for our baby girl. Everything was fine and I was feeling back to myself later the next day!

December and Resolutions....

Where did December go...and why have I been such a slacker on blog updates? First, time just never stops, and second, I guess facebook keeps me distracted....oh and Tyler.

Thanksgiving was great with my parents in town and Johne and Jenny hosting...it was fun hanging out cooking, bickering, and being lazy...until Tyler threw a tantrum that is...first couple days without a paci was pretty traumatic. We had a simple meal with few leftovers. Mom, Dad, and Bert the dog stayed with Johne and Jenny...but visited our house often when Johne and Jenny had to work their retail holiday rush. We just loved having them here...they got to see Tyler play with his new fishing pole (which was accidentally dropped in the river 2 days later), get a family photo taken...with the dog, dad went fishing with Scott, the girls and Tyler went shopping at the outlets...we had a great visit.

December 11th and 12th Scott and I went to Charleston for the weekend for his high school buddies wedding. We had a great time sleeping in, watching real cable TV, and of course attending a beautiful wedding, rehearsal dinner party, and send off brunch! Jenny helped with Tyler on Friday and Grandma and Grandpa had him Friday night and Saturday night.

Tyler's family stocking is done!!! And as you can see I am the only one left to get one made for me...I've heard Mom Shippy has started on it already this year! So exciting...aren't they gorgeous!

Our main gift this year for all of our family was a Weather Stick. We got one last year and love it. It really reacts to changing weather. Go here is you want to learn more about them. I hope they hang them up soon...or already have...let me know!!!

Christmas was so much fun this year with Tyler. He really enjoyed all the opening and chaos of Christmas. It was tough to keep him focused on opening more presents because he was so into the one he just opened. Christmas Eve at Scott's parents was like a whirlwind from dinner to opening presents chaos. I really don't know who got who what this year...and it was especially confusing helping Tyler open all of his gifts and keeping track. We ended up taking pictures and even putting some of the unopened toys in the closet for a rainy day...to spread out the fun. On the top of Scott's wish list was a framing nailer (Lord help us), fishing poles and supplies, lots of tools, and a shovel...that Santa brought him. My wish list granted was a label maker, electric skillet, $ for our kitchen, fruit bowl (awesome wooden one from Jenny), and pyrex glass storage dishes with lids. Tyler got a train set, little people car set, 30 some hot wheels, a Dr. box gift set, train table from Santa, another fishing pole (which he will not let go of...it goes on car rides with us), a little TYLER step stool, a bag of balloons, look and find book, fishing game, and so much other stuff, I can't keep track.

We were so blessed this Christmas and I had a blast shopping for everyone...maybe too much! I loved having a get together with my nephews right before Christmas to get any last minute requests and learn about what they are up to. Matthew mentioned the Flat Stanley chapter books he's reading and a scorpion lego kit he wanted. I finally found what I thought he might be talking about and sure enough right after he opened it he ran over to me and said....I'VE BEEN WANTING THIS!!! I was so excited that I got the right one! James says he loves football so I got him and Tyler matching Football long sleeve shirts and he is reading Stuart Little books, and Andrew loves the CARS disney theme so I got him a CARS race track.This was really the highlight of my Christmas this year...besides making Tyler so excited and happy. and Scott was like a little boy when he saw a shovel next to his stocking.

We had Christmas lunch at Johnny and Jenny's house with her parents and brother who came down again this year for Christmas. We had ham, roasted red potatoes, corn, cheatin bread, and strawberry spinach salad. 2 of the items came from Scott's side of the family and the roasted red potatoes from Aunt Carla in Iowa. Gifts were fun too...Scott got a new small shop vac, $ for the kitchen, a coffee cup and pen with Tyler's picture on it, and we got Johne an air compressor with brad nailer (within 3 days Johne called and said he almost has all the trimmed nailed in!) We really searched for this item...taking 3 of them back trying to find the best deal...lots of effort for 1 gift for him!)

Later that day we went to Rob and Amy's for yet another Christmas dinner. It was really amazing food and it was fun seeing Tyler play with his cousins and follow them around for a few hours. They are so good with him and love playing with him and making him laugh.

We had company to bring in the New Year from Atlanta. Jan, Clete, and 4 month old Chloe came to visit. Clete wanted a Low Country Boil (1 pot=red potatoes, sausage, shrimp (and corn) and 1 can Old Bay Seasoning). It was pretty good actually...usually it weirds me out everything cooked in one pot of bowling water. We had great desserts as well. Scott's parents joined us and brought Chess Bars, I made a chocolate pudding pie and cookies. By 10:30 Scott's parents had left and we all were ready to hit the bed...with kids...sleep is just a little too precious these days. We were all out by 11pm. It was 12:00am somewhere though!

And now to Resolutions:

1. Blog once a week...so I don't feel I have to do my monster blog updates anymore...that take an hour or so...the time really adds up.

2. De-Clutter...with baby coming in May...we need some room.

3. Weekly meal menu...this one is to please Scott. I know it's not that hard and they don't always have to be big huge meals...but a plan is the plan. I know I can do it!

Happy New Year Everyone!