I know, I know. Christmas was 3 weeks ago, and I’m just now getting to posting pictures?  Life is busy.

The high lights:

-Savannah got way too many toys. I guess that happens with a Dad who’s a kid at heart himself and many sets of grandparents.

-She got pretty much all things princesses. The only thing she asked for this year (she went right up and told Santa herself) was a Snow White dress.  We used this desire as a bribe to reward her for sleeping through the night (it worked!) and so Christmas she finally got it. It’s funny how much she loves princesses and yet she’s never watched any of the videos, fine by me.

-Mark’s big gift from me was Panther’s football Tickets. He’s a huge sports fan and didn’t think we could afford tickets right now. His face was priceless! (Once again, I love me some mommy board finds!)

-I got mainly house stuff for Christmas and loved every minute of it. Between gifts and giftcards, we’re almost all set to go now!

-We had our Kaylee Christmas visit, staying the night again.  Savannah and Kaylee had a blast playing  together, I love watching them and the friendship they have formed.  Kaylee is really possessive over Savannah being her “baby sister” and doesn’t like to share play time with her brother, poor Blake gets left out. Mark and I had fun hanging out with their parents as always.

-I gave Kaylee a photobook for Christmas that shares a little bit about her birthfamily. Most of it is my family of course since that’s what I have more access to, but I contacted Kaylee’s birthgrandma for some information about her Birthdad growing up I could include. I added a page or two or random facts like birthdays, where we went to school, our hobbies, eye color, etc. and also shared our dating story and some pictures.  Kaylee liked it, but was totally confused that her birthdad is not Mark.  Hm…don’t know how to explain that one to a 5 year old!

-And to end my winter break with a shabang, I had my visit with Victoria!  We had our week jam packed with things to do and it was a blast (exhausting, but a blast)!  I saw historical things like the Liberty Bell in down town Philadelphia, we went snow tubing in the Poconos (so much fun, everyone should go!), went bowling for her birthday, got our nails done (first time since I got married, what a treat), painted pottery, ate the most amazing burger and french fries I have ever had at The Pop Shop (it was on the Food Network, it’s that good!), and finally got to meet her birth family.  It was so much :-)

-I, however, decided I can ever live in the north because the drivers and the road designs (ie. lanes just suddenly ending with no warning signs) stresses me out way too much.  We seriously almost crashed 20 times.  I love my easy going south.

And the big news:

We close on our house next week!

I am unbelievable excited and have been shopping like crazy to get the rest of the house things we needed. We also bought paint tonight while it was on sale at home depot.  I cannot wait to see what a difference the paint makes. We just need a washer and dryer, food, cleaning supplies, and blinds and we’ll have a home :-)

I’ve been blessed to be able to take trips by myself since Savannah was born thanks to my wonderful in-laws helping out with child-care.   I truly believe that getting some “me time” is refreshing and only helps better my relationship with Savannah because it’s so exciting to come back home to her.   The first 2 years after she was born traveling by myself went to halt since I needed to be with her to nurse or simply because the money wasn’t in the budget, but for some reason since this past August  I have managed a girls weekend beach trip, a long weekend trip to Indiana to see Bre, and now a new opportunity has arisen to visit Victoria up north for her birthday! This will be the longest trip away yet, nearly a week. Whoa.

This southern girl is going to experience the big cities like Philadelphia and maybe even New York City!

I’m so excited because I get to see her “territory”, our visits so far have always been at my house. It’ll be neat to see places and meet people I always hear about :-) And, it’ll be neat to see places I’ve always seen on TV or movies.  Or go snow tubing (we don’t have much snow down here, yall). Or go to museums because we’re nerds like that.  Or, just talk for hours like we always do!

Also? Southwest Air has some amazing deals.  Truly, truly a blessing to find their deal which ended up saving me about $130 in air fare and baggage fees (seriously, charging for bags on top of your ticket price is ridiculous!).

So, for you readers who are familiar with Philly or NYC,  we need your help: What is there fun to fun to see and do that’s cheap?  Any tips on taking the train from Philly to NYC? Or how to navigate NYC? Or, um, any tips what-so-ever you have, like how not to get mugged?

(Who wants to bet I’ll really be missing Savannah and Mark by the time the week is over despite how much fun I’ll have had? Me.)

Remember last year before one of our summer road trips I was desperately looking for kids music that didn’t hurt my ears? I discovered Laurie Berkner, Sesame Street Songs, and Lisa Loeb.  Good stuff.  Now we’ve added some Choo Choo Soul to our collection and even some classical music because Savannah loves to dance to it (she is loving dance class, by the way!).

But, the focus of today is this little gem of a CD: Music with Mommie.  I was given this CD last year and I seriously think it’s one of my top favorite kids music ever (it may be tied for first with Laurie Berkner of course…).  The CD is based off one of those classes you can take with your child to encourage interaction between mommies and babies, learn about music, and just to have fun.  This group in particular is based out of Tennessee and their voices are beautiful, with a little Tennessee twang and country style music twist to these popular songs (but not overly twangy, that would annoy me).  It’s very easy listening if you have to listen to it over and over like Savannah requests. And plus? Since it’s songs that encourage interaction, it adds a little entertainment with the hand motions that are easy to guess what they are (like I’m a Little Tea Pot, Shoe a Little Horse, etc).  And for sleepy time during car rides? Savannah loves the ABC and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star songs. Her top favorite song is Six Little Ducks though :-) What kid doesn’t like quacking like a duck?

Even when we aren’t on a car ride, we play this CD some times just to dance around and play. I doubt many people have heard of this CD because, ya know, they aren’t on Noggin, you probably can’t fine this CD in a local store, or even iTunes. In fact, I wouldn’t have heard of them unless some one given it to me (not for a review, just because they thought Savannah would like). So, I wanted to spread the word in hopes of supporting an awesome growing company.

I suppose I should say how my trip went, and, well, let you know I’m still alive. In short: It was not the greatest trip ever.

Example 1: Savannah whined or cried much of the time.  Typical 2 year old? Yes.  Bored girl? Yes. Why?

Example 2: It rained the entire trip. Poor girl. We prepped for a week to get ready to go for the beach and she was SO beyond excited!  And…it rained and rained and was freezing cold for 3 out of 4 days.  And this beach was not Myrtle Beach, folks. There is nothing to do for a 2 year old but the bowling ally (which, was one fun and happy event of the trip) and the aquarium (also fun…I got to watch a snake peel a layer of skin! I normally HATE snakes, but behind a think glass and something this rare to see was cool in my book). So, we ended up watching a LOT of movies.

Example 3:  On Wednesday, it was still a tiny bit chilly but rain wasn’t supposed to happen so we finally get to go to the beach without freezing our buns off.  I do not lie…no more than 20 minutues after setting up at the beach, me in the beach chair settling into a book, them playing in the water (Crazy kids…)….it starts to rain.  It had been completely clear the entire day until, of course, we go the beach.  It was ridiculous.

The high lights? As I said, bowling with Savannah for the first time (and I beat Mark the second round!), going to the aquarium, discovering the amazingness of Quiznos Subs and their giant warm cookies (we ate there 3 times…), and FINALLY getting a warm and rain free day on Thursday (the day we left, of course) to enjoy the beach.  We’re all a tiny bit golden now, and very tired.   I’m so done with long trips right now. And that wasn’t even that long of a trip in total (5 and half hours all together). At least we ended on a high note…

Now, my summer vacation is officially over and it’s back to school for me.  I’ve already got one week down and the class is very laid back and fascinating.  Its just the way to spend the next 2 months of my life if I have to take classes (my next class in July is with the same teacher as well).

But for the weekend, I’m off to the mountains to visit my Mom. Alone!  I have never left Savannah with Mark for a weekend out of town so I am happy to break that and have a relaxing weekend away.  Have great weekend, folks!

P.S. Still waiting for miscarriage. Yet, my belly is growing so not sure what is going on.  My gut and answer to my prayers keep saying “wait” so I am.  I’ll prob. call for a check up in a week or two. Yes, I know the risk of infection but I trust my God to tell me when to make the next move.

You guessed it,  I’m still hanging in there. I think I did a lot of my grieving in the days after finding out that the babies might not live after the first ultrasound, so finding out on Monday that it was what they expected didn’t hit me as hard.  I still feel the cycles of grief, ranging from sorrow to anger, but for the most part I’m doing fine.  I still have no signs of a miscarriage, which probably is the hardest thing right now because, guys, I’m carrying around dead babies and that’s just weird to think about.  Based on the growth of the ultrasound Monday, it’s probably been well over a week since the one with a heartbeat passed away and we’re easily stretching into two weeks.  I’ve read about women taking as long as 6 weeks before it happened naturally, or they went in for a D&C.  I’m not ready to go for surgery yet, so I will continue to wait for God’s timing. I trust He has this in control as well and has a time for the final end.

Thankfully, we’re going to the beach this weekend, and really it could not come at a more needed time.  Not that being out of school and spending my days now reading books and playing with Savannah isn’t relaxing right now, but my soul longs to be at the beach. It always draws me closer to God as I sit in the sand, in awe of the ocean’s majesticness and that He created it all.

And in other good news, Mark is offically a college graduate, finishing with 3 A’s and 2 B’s (I’m quite proud!). And, I’m offically a senior finishing with 3 B’s and 2 A’s.  I’ve fallen a little lower on the grading scale since my sophmore year of straight A’s, but I’m assuming it’s because the classes are getting harder now and I’m thrilled to even just pass some of the classes!  I’m so happy that I am now done with British Lit, Spanish, and Math forever.  It’s a much welcomed day, as those topics were not my favorite what so ever but were required. It’s all English classes and Women’s studies for the next year :-)  It’s hard to believe I’m hitting the home stretch, it seemed forever away and now it’s so close I can feel it.  And really, it seems just like yesterday I was graduating high school, where have the past 4 years gone?!

I probably won’t be around until we get back from the beach, so have a wonderful weekend and week!

I realize this is my first ‘real’ post in oh…about a month. I promise I have good reason, plus I’ve just not felt like writing.  And honestly, I still don’t, so lets tell the story of our lives in the past month through pictures!

First, we had our spring break in Tennesse with one of my bestest friends Breanna and her hubby. Hurrah for seeing good friends!

We rented a cabin at the VERY top of mountain and enjoyed a goregous view the whole time (minus the rainy clouds the entire trip…).

While in TN we took Savannah to see the fishies and she had a stare down with the gigantic ones. I think the aquarium was the highlight of her trip, she is still talking about it nearly a month later.

By this point in March, Savannah had been teething her last molars (thank God!) and Mark had some serious strep throat issues before we left to TN in which I had two babies to pamper and I feared we would have to cancel our trip.

(pretend sick Mark is here)

Then after spring break midterm papers and exams where due, so we all were busy and stressed.

(pretend stressed picture is here)

But then, life settled down and we got some gorgeous family pictures done by a local photographer! They turned out AMAZING, I cannot wait to get prints and post my entire room with them.

Then at the end of March, it was MY turn to get sick.  A cold turned into a nasty sinus infection/cough. However, I still managed to make it for a Victoria (and my family) visit last weekend!  We painted pottery together and just enjoyed lots of late night chats among my coughing fits :-)

And then, less than a week later…we were surprised by this:

That’s right! Baby # 2 in on the way :-) It’s not exactly how we planned it, but we are thrilled non-the-less.  Baby Snowball is due some time mid-December, which means I can still get summer and fall semesters done (I always go past my due date anyway, might as well be productive while I wait!). Then, I’ll take spring semester off so I can do all the baby wearing, nursing, stay-at-home-momming I want with TWO kids. 8 months later in August I’ll finish up my last semester and graduate in December 2010. Which, means I will only be 1 semester behind. Perfect timing if you ask me. Ya know, as far as unplanned things go.

Seriously though, we are excited as are all our parents and friends which is such a relief and NEW experience since I’ve had two other unplanned pregnancies that was met with grief the first few months. I guess being married and being more prepared pays off :-) So, expect this blog to take a new shift in writing topics as I go through this journey again in a whole new light.

1. We’re officially on spring break, and it kicked off to a fantastic start with Mark waking up with flu-like symptoms.  So we’ve had days of doctor visits, medicine dosage and waiting on him (yet also trying to avoid him).  Now, we think he has strep-throat but he is doing much better since he first came down with it. And Savannah and I are still holding up (*knock on wood*)

2. Tomorrow we leave for Tennessee to stay in a seriously AMAZING cabin with one of my best friends and her husband.  I’ll show you pictures when we get back, because the view? Is to die for.  I’ll be quite content to just stay inside and stare at it all day.  Or play pool or air hockey. Hopefully it will be as relaxing as we are hoping for since Savannah is tagging along with us. And last time she went on a trip? It was miserable and we got no sleep. Praying for the best.

3. Speaking of my best friend, she could use some prayers right now. I won’t say specifically why, but she needs some extra thoughts right now!

4. On a random health note: I started taking fish oil supplements and they have done wonders for my skin! It’s much more moisturized and smooth, the reddness has gone down, the big nasty puss filled zits have gone away.  And better yet, people are noticing the difference!  Plus, they’re just good for you all around from your brain to joints, unlike the antibiotics I considered taking that would do more harm than good. It’s only been about a week since I started, so I can’t imagine what a month will do in helping even things out. Hurrah!

5.  On a Savannah note: She’s only been to time out once since I posted about the discipline issue.  The last time, I sat in a chair WITH her during time out and having her calm down so we could talk about what happened (I read this in Girlfriends Guide to Toddlers).  It apparently threw her off so much that she doesn’t want to do that again. haha.  Or maybe we’re just hitting one of those short-lived “my child is an angel” phase. Cause right now? She’s amazing all around.

6.  It has been absolutely gorgeous here! This weekend was in the 70’s and clear blue skies. Savannah loves being outside, she asks constantly. She just loves to run and run in circles and explore the plants and rocks.  Oh, to be young.

7. Giveaway update: There is still lots of time left to enter from a free pair of eye glasses. Only ONE person has entered, come on now!

Something for you none-poor people might like:  A Free Disney Pass on your b-day next year!

I wish we could go, I haven’t been to Disney World in 7 years and Mark since he was a wee little 7 year old.  And I know Savannah would LOVE it, but, the hotel cost is ridiculous.  And the food cost. So we poor people have to stay home. Boo.

And really, I’d rather put the thousands of dollars it would take to go down to FL for a vacation into buying a newer car.  Or to put towards our own house. Grand idea, huh? 

Still, I thought I’d pass the saving onto you guys incase you hadn’t seen it all ready. I hope some one gets to enjoy it :-)

Oh, it’s been a busy day. Savannah and I headed out this morning to take a small day trip to visit my friend/old room mate and her son (Savannah’s boyfriend friend who is 2 weeks younger than her). We were pregnant with our kids at the same time and we both shared the lovely experience of living at a maternity home together. Forever bonded, yes indeed. We ate a wonderful lunch (all child meltdowns aside, thank God for Pacifiers) and went swimming. It was so nice to be around other Moms my age with kids the same age. And ya know, just be around other people in general.

A note on my experience driving in a completely unknown area: Mapquest sucks. Thank God for signs! And cell phones! And great neighbors!

Tomorrow holds another day trip–to the beach! Since Mark and I couldn’t take a “real” vacation this year, we’re going to at least satisfy the beach urge a little bit with a nice day trip with Savannah and my siblings. It should be fun. I hope. A car full of kids, 2.5 hours away from home. I sure hope it goes smoothly.

Last time we were at this beach, Mark and I were fresh newly weds. *insert awing sigh here*

It’s with bittersweet sadness and joy for me to post that we’re home again. Mark and I had a wonderful visit with Breanna and her family, but man, we’re tired. Of course, I’ll post more about that later when I have more time, I have pictures uploaded, and I get settled in. We still have not seen Savannah yet as she is napping right now, but I’m sure she will be bouncing off the walls when she sees us again :-) We sure did miss her!

Also, while I was on vacation I apparently won a blog makeover from You, Me, and a Baby! My blog certainly needs a new look and a touch of “me” to it, so I’m thrilled that I won such a prize. It came at the perfect time, since that’s what I wanted for my birthday coming up :-) Any ideas for what I should do? I need help dreaming of what would be fitting for this little place of mine.

I’ll be back soon with a real update and pictures! Hope your weekend was as blessed as mine :-)