The Pregnancy Story: 2nd Trimester

So this is usually the mile marker that most Moms-to-be are looking forward to reaching. It usually means they are out of the "I can hardly keep my eyes open and I need to throw up at the sight of my favorite food" phase.

But this wasn't the case for me. Not trying to brag I had my share of preggo woes but morning sickness and food aversions weren't an issue for me for either pregnancy. I was extra tired but that's to be expected and almost something you're used to as a mom. Especially running the daycare. I was in bed every night by 8pm, explains why I wasn't blogging like I should have.

& the Bump Arrives!!!
11.27.11
On the way to North Carolina for Thanksgiving I noticed a little something new in the mirror when I walked by in the hotel room.
I definitely started to show way earlier this pregnancy than with my first DS.

I was excited to finally "look" pregnant but totally not ready for the remarks of people. I will never get used to people saying whatever they want to you when you're pregnant. I am obviously a very sensitive preggo. My husband will attest to that. But who cares have some tact people!

BOY OR GIRL?!?!?! 
12.21.2011
So we were blessed to get an extra ultrasound to see the baby. It wasn't your typical 20 week gender u/s. I happen to be 17 weeks so there was a huge chance that Dr. George could see if we were Team PINK or Team BLUE.

Jason was able to get off work and I had so much anxiety of the whole thing. Of course being that we have a  son, I was looking forward to the possibilities of having a little girl. But I was going to be happy either way. Health of course is the biggest concern. We wanted a healthy baby and blessed again, that we were getting.

The appt went great and right away I could see his little man parts! Dr. George says "and you see that??" I quickly replied "his PENIS!" lol & so it was clear as day. Jaxson was going to be a big brother to a little brother!!

The Name Game:

What to name the baby of course was the immediate conversation. I was set on a girl name only because as long as I could remember I knew what I wanted to name my daughter. But I had a few choices for boy names and Jason and I could NOT decide!!
My favorites were Carter and Nolan. Jason & I both liked Cooper at first but shortly I was over it and Jason was still hooked. He also had his favorite, Ty. Which I was NOT a fan. Looks like this may take a while.
Since we didnt know the first name we could hardly even start to think of middle names...this was going to take over my thoughts until his name was chosen.

20 Week Ultrasound

1.18.12

Confirmed again! It's a boy & we couldn't be more excited. Dr. George was able to take great measurements and check for all the important things. Says baby looks great! His heartbeat is strong and he was measuring a week ahead of my due date. Going to be a big boy just like his big brother & their daddy!!







My Bump!! My Bump!!! 

24 Weeks

25 Weeks

26 Weeks

27 weeks

Super Friends Party Party: The Food

DESSERT TABLE

Cupcakes & Candy
Treat bags to make & take home :)

 REFUELING STATION: DRINKS

 MAIN DISHES

 SIDES

Mom's 55th Birthday Party!

I have been wanting to blog about this for MONTHS! But considering it was supposed to be a surprise. I couldn't until we had the party! SO here it goes....Enjoy!

My mom Elisa, is my hero. She is a breast cancer survivor, a great teacher, a wonderful mother, a fighter, and one of the smartest people I know. She does everything for our family and ever since I became a mother, I have a new appreciation for ALL the work she really had to do dealing with me, and my 2 brothers. && now to make her even more awesome she is the best Gigi (grandma) to my son! He loves her so much. I have learned soo much from her. One of the things I can thank her for is my creative side and the ability to match things and create a theme! We love a theme.


Her 55th birthday was fast approaching and I just couldn't let another year go by with out doing something special for her and honoring her with her OWN party! I was on a mission to not only do this all myself, but to do it as a surprise and really give her a special birthday! 

First I had to come up with a theme. She loves Paisley so it was and easy pick when I found this cool pattern at Party City (partycity.com)

Look familiar? You may have seen it in the E circle at the top of this post. Since I was buying plates, napkins and a banner from the website I figured they wouldn't mind if I used their picture as an inspiration for the items I needed to create to tie everything together!

I was creating this party on a budget so I needed to be thrifty and creative. I copied the image so that I could use the pattern to create the invite, cupcake toppers and water bottle labels.
I am a self taught graphic artist which really means, I do the best I can with copy, paste and the paint program. ;)

I used a website called picnik.com to create the invitation. Love this site. It's great for picture touch up's and editing as well as creating things. I can spend hours there!! 

The Pregnancy Story: 1st Trimester

So its been forever since I posted. I don't want to be one of those moms who use pregnancy as an excuse for everything but I WAS PREGNANT so for this I will! Running the daycare, being a full time wife and Mommy and then being pregnant had been a bit more work than I had hoped. Everything went great health wise, but by blogging time I was exhausted! First few months I was in bed everyday by 8. Then by the last few months sleep was a distant memory. I slacked. So I want to try to catch up a bit a get what I can down now about my pregnancy to share and to help me remember one day!

We were TTC..well we were Cing lol.

THE BACK STORY
Jason & I had some stuff planned and coming up but we had decided when that was done we would start trying for baby #2. Our last obligation was in August and we tried in September and well that was all the T we needed. I knew pretty much right away I was PG, and basically counted the days til a test could confirm. And well....

there you have it. Based on my LMP I was due 5/28/12. But I was barely 4 weeks pregnant so I had to wait a month for the doctor to tell me for sure.

THE FIRST DOCTOR VISIT
My doctors appointment originally was to see a midwife. A midwife delivered Jax and I had a very good experience. I saw her once the first visit which means an ultrasound! Those are the best kind of visit. & nothing compares to the very first visit when you see the baby for the first time and hear that heartbeat. What an amazing moment.

our little gummie bear :)

From that appointment we learned the due date was 5/29/12. It was a great visit and everything looked good!

SO IT BEGINS 

I immediately saw changes to my body. I decided to try to take pics in same position to document what was happening. I also thought it wouldn't hurt to have some inspiration pics to know the body Ill be working hard to get back!!
Even now looking at this while 7 weeks PP I am devastated to the fact that I would do anything to even have that 10 week body back. :/ I just had surgery {story for another day|} so as soon as I heal its back
to working out!!

8 Weeks in :)

It wasn't just my belly growing. But my hair and nails took on a life of thier own! I was super excited because I never had my own nails before. If I had a manicured french I definitely was wearing tip nails. Now these were MINE all MINE!!

Jax Super Friends Birthday Party: Part 1

So the theme was picked a few weeks ago around the time we let go of the "binky" 

Jax & I went to Target & I decided to get him a new "big boy" toy. He choose batman. && so it began. 

The toy came with a DC Super Friends DVD && Jax seriously overnight has become OBSESSED with anything SUPER! 

After searching online I found the cutest idea!! to make it more super BAM BOOM! than about a specific character. Some of the party will have characters and stuff but not focusing on any really specifically!

Using Pinterest.com (my new OBSESSION!! ) i found some REALLY cute ideas and things I will DIY for cheap..so I have to start NOW!!! <3

The Invitation is complete!! && I am soo siked. It took me forever to get it right, but with Picnik.com I was really able to create the PERFECT invite for Jax's 3rd birthday party!

The Hall of Ruffin was a MUST! I like to have a area for phot ops at my parties. With our capes we would be making there MUST be a city to save!! 

I collected boxes for a few weeks and when I had the right amount and sizes then I got to painting.

I picked cheapest grey spray paint at Home Depot. I think around $1 a can. I bought 10 cans! :) 

Mission Accomplished!

It was a great weekend/beginning week with our Big Boy Jax!! He has officially went 5 nights & 6 naps w out his binky! So this I consider: mission accomplished! 

Just goes to show you when you set you mind to something and follow though, you will have success!! 

It started Thursday morning with the "binky fairy" (aka ME!) coming in at 4am to remove the bink that is usually somewhere around his bed on the floor. Of course not that morning because it was still in his mouth. Luckily it was barely in there so like a flash I plucked it out and darted out the room. I had already placed the cookies on his dresser the night before. I wasn't sure how it would be and I didnt want to forget the most important item in this whole mission....THE BLACK COOKIES!
Jax like most kids really LOVES chocolate. Except he calls it black. Black cookies, black muffins (brownies) etc. He said he wanted the binky fairy to bring him black cookies, LOTS of BLACK COOKIES! So with that request I decided to make the mini brownies that look very much like a "black cookies". (i had also picked up a fun "yo yo" cookie from Publix, I really wanted this cookie box to make a LASTING impression!)


For the next hour or 2 I didnt sleep much, waiting for the yell that I normally hear EVERY morning, "Hey MOM!, Do you know where my binky is?!" Which at that point if I want to sleep anymore, I go blindly in his room sprawling out on the floor in the dark searching for what would feel like a binky. This morning was a little different, this time I was hearing the starts of some fussing. Both Jason and I were up and in Jax room before he even could get a full cry out. I think he just knew it was "gone". He was sooo sad. Even with showing him the cookies for a few minutes he really was just so sad. I let him hold me and I slowing attempted to distract him. "Do you see what is in that box?" How many cookies do you think are in there?" "Will you share your cookies with your buddies when they get here?" At this point....the tears have subsided and he says meekly "no" 
Ok, I said, where do you want to hide them?" By now we are in full on cookie mode...he runs off to get a chair and he sit with his cookies to eat them!! 

Sitting to enjoy black cookies at 6am

At nap I was super nervous, bc technically he had not gone to sleep with out the binky yet. This was one of the reason I was so reluctant to take it away in the first place. Not only is it his "lovey" and security since he was born, he has ALWAYS been a awesome sleeper and rarely puts up a problem at bed or nap. (KNOCK ON WOOD!!!) && I really didn't wanna mess up the good thing we had going. But he was becoming sooo attached and obsessed with it that I really had to make a change and decide to get rid of it. I made sure to take my time in getting him to bed that day, I really wanted him to be tired. I promised him when he woke he could have another cookie and reminded him that when Daddy came home he was bringing him a present. I asked him what he wanted from the pro shop, and at his request Jason brought him home 2 grips, one white and one black. 


He really loved his grips from his daddy and has even slept with them every night! Jason is right when he says its the coolest toy, bc with Jax imagination it really can be anything! Fishing pole, bug sprayer, shooting gun, and of course...a golf club!!  


I am so proud of Jax! (and Daddy & Mommy too) we did it!! And we are all still in one piece. 
xoxo

It took me forever to recover!!

With how far behind my trip got me with daycare and life in general, it took me forever to find the time to sit down and talk about my trip. I am super bummed I didn't get my blogging done right after I got home, but after the trip home that took over 24hours...I didn't have the energy!

My Trip sans the departure home was AMAZING!! I loved sleeping in. It was really nice to not have to worry about getting things done or arranged around any kind of nap or sleep schedule.

My first full day in the city there was one main mission I needed to be on...FIND SHOES FOR WEDDING! I had the perfect dress. Black. Pretty, but simple. So rocking shoes was the goal.

Oh do I love New York City!?
Yes! Yes I do, but I love to VISIT New York City.
I decided years ago that I couldn't see myself living there again. Once upon a time as a famous actress...maybe.
As wife & mom, No thank you. I am wayy too much a Florida girl!!

Anyway! Please forgive me. I'll be back another day to fill you in on the trip meanwhile.... The daycare needs me!

New York, New York!

So I was packed and ready to go the night before. I guess when you are only packing for one its easier than packing for 3. I was still really nervous about leaving Jaxson. I have never left him more than one or 2 nights in a row. But he will have a great time! && so will I! Know whats funny? It took 4 adults to replace me while I was away. Jason, Gigi, Grandpa & Cassie!

Can't forget the laptop!

Jason was able to bring me to the airport! I was so excited and I had PLENTY of time before my flight. I booked my tickets with a budget as the main deciding factor, so a flight with a 2 hour delay in Atlanta was going to be ALL mine. & I was soo ok with sitting around not doing anything but waiting...tick tock. No toddler to chase. No extra bags to carry! Life was good.

Ew, I hate having to take off my shoes for security...

wish you were here Mom!

I have to comment on the fact that Southwest Florida International Airport is really nice. && if I were coming here for the first time I would be impressed by how clean and simple it seems. I have flown into a LOT Of airports...and this I can really say is true. Maybe because it's new it can still be nice! I had to check out my Mom's favorite store while waiting for my plane. New York trip and Brighton, she wishes she was with me!

The first flight was a breeze and I was in Atlanta before I knew it. but BRRRR! the whole terminal was an ice box. I hadn't been out of Florida 3 hours and I was freezing my buttt off. I found a sports bar where I could sit, order some lunch and relaxx. && that's exactly what I did! 

Ecco Domani: don't mind if I do!

I had 2 glasses a wine and a really BAD burger. I should have went to MOES! But the wino inside didnt allow it. After all they don't serve Ecco Domani at Moes's! Priorities People Priorities!

I found this cool store where everything was $10! (guess that's the new $1 these days) and I actually bought a blanket! I figured there was NO WAY! I could be comfortable for another hour there.. it was  freeeeeeeezzzzing. I was excited to get this thing out of its bag and onto my goosebumps! I found the gate and sat down. People watching is so much fun at the airport! My friend Michelle said something funny, "traveling is so confusing to some.." LOL. Ain't that the truth. But luckily not for me! I love to travel and visit new places! 

the Book is Re-Made in the USA

One of the things I find myself watching and paying closer attention to, is military men and women. Im always wondering all sorts of things about them, where they are going or coming from? What they have seen? Do they know how much support they have?  I could go on and on. I just so happen to sit by a military man chatting it up w a young man. I found there interaction to be sooo intriguing. I wish I could hear what they were saying. I could see that they seemed to be sharing books they are reading with each other. It was a really cool moment to me, and I wanted to get it on camera.

I arrived in New York on time! I flew into LaGuardia and as soon as possible  I quickly headed off to baggage claim. 

Huh? This place is confusing && GROSS! yuck. Smelliest airport in the world! I was ready to get my bag and get the HECK out of here. They had 5 flights coming on to one belt, && no one around me was on my flight, I was beginning to think I wasn't it the right place. After asking I was assured, this is the one! It was very nerve wracking as I watched the bags go by over and over, none of them were mine...and slowly the selection of bags diminishes.....leaving just a few stragglers. Which a airline lady quickly grabbed up and took off on a cart, WAIT!! this cant be all the bags? My bag was NOT here.
panic. sets. in.
I call out to the lady,"excuse me. Where would my bag be?" She asks, "what airline."  "Airtrain", I replied.
She looks at me says "not my airline" and pushes the cart off and leaves.
Nice. Welcome to New York....
Panic is to say it mildly, I have never had this happen before. I knew I should have gotten a direct flight!! I asked another worker. I was pointed in the direction of lost luggage...please please please be there!
RELIEF! I am not even half way in the room and I can see my cute little green RUFFIN tag...Apparently while I was sipping on Pinot, my luggage was arriving in New York.

I've always LOVED seeing my name in print!

The car service car came and the ride was quick. It seemed so weird to be in the city alone, but it was nice at the same time.

Almost can see the Manhattan skyline

It was awesome to see how my brother Eddie was able to make my grandma's apartment finally his own. She passed in February and he is taking over the lease. The apartment looks great with the changes he has be able to make. Im so happy for him. We ordered Chinese and talked til midnight. It was nice to catch up with him!
Loving my trip so far!!

UPDATE!!!

With how far behind my trip got me with daycare and life in general, it took me forever to find the time to sit down and talk about my trip. I am super bummed I didn't get my blogging done right after I got home, but after the trip home that took over 24hours...I didn't have the energy!

My Trip sans the departure home was AMAZING!! I loved sleeping in. It was really nice to not have to worry about getting things done or arranged around any kind of nap or sleep schedule.

FRIDAY

Union Square

My first full day in the city there was one main mission I needed to be on...FIND SHOES FOR WEDDING! I had the perfect dress. Black. Pretty, but simple. So rocking shoes was the goal. Eddie knew there was a DSW at Union Square so even know it was almost lunch by the time we got moving...we headed there!! Oh man do I love the city! But I love to VISIT the city I decided years ago that I couldn't see myself living there again. Once upon a time as a famous actress...maybe. As wife & mom, No thank you. I am wayy too much a Florida girl!!

Found the Shoes!

Later that day I went to get a mani/pedi w. with Falon. I have known Fal since I was about 3 years old. We grew up in the same neighborhood, Stuyvesant Town (where I was visiting) and went to preschool together.

You can always know a REAL friend; when you don't see each other often but when you are together its like you just saw each other yesterday! When we were done we met up w Eddie to go to dinner at Hane, a really yummy Sushi place in Stuyvesant Town.

it was soo dark but it was the only pic I took!!

SATURDAY: Brynn's Wedding Day!

I had some time to kill before my hair appointment. So Eddie and I decided to get some food and walk down by the village. I really love this part of town, it really makes me feel like good!! 

We past a flea market and we just HAD to go in and check it out. There was such a eclectic arrangement of items and people.  

LET THE STRESS && PANIC BEGIN. 

While out shopping and killing time before the hair appointment our meeting/leaving time was pushed forward almost 45 minutes which in girl time might as well be a week! The stylist doing my hair took  forever (unaware of my dilemma) on the person before me and ran 15 into my depleting getting ready time. I literally had to run from the salon to the apartment jump into my dress and run back out the door. I was a sweaty mess by the time I got into the car service. But we made it JUST in time!!  :)

Brynn & Stephen Maxwell

Brynn w/ her daddy! 

Booked Tickets...is it Thursday yet?!

So I was FINALLY able to book the tickets for New York to go to Brynn's wedding. I am really bummed  that Jason and Jax can't come but I am definitely just going to focus on just having a great time with great friends! Brynn was my very first friend in the world. We got our first haircuts together! I can NOT wait to see her walk down the aisle. I am sooo happy I am able to go! I leave Thursday and it  CANT come soon enough!! I am going to really try to make this a vacation for myself. I don't really get much time without having to take care of Jax. && between Jason's busy golf schedule and the daycare. I def dont get time to myself. I am really excited to just go, relax and have fun!!  :)
All I have left to do is pack...oh yea and find shoes for my dress..
I really want cool shoes bc my dress is kinda plain. hmmm. ShoppinG!? YES PLEASE!
xoxo
Corey

Weekend with the girls for Britney!!

I can't believe it has come and gone already! :( BUT it was an AMAZING! && well NEEDED trip!!
Seems like ALL the girls were ready for a trip away from reality.
It all started almost 4 months ago when I heard B. was touring her new album Femme Fatal. She had  JUST released, which already had 2 HOT singles that I couldn't STOP jamming to.. LOL! Natalie really hooked it up by sending me the whole album so I could officially NEED to go! We had already decided that IF she toured..we were MOST definitely! going. It happen to just worked out PERFECTLY that Nat's already planned FL trip fell on the weekend her tour was coming to Florida too!

2 girls IN!, && now we had to see who else wanted to go! So, naturally I created a Facebook invite. :)

Quickly...Juliann, Brittany, & Lisa were added to our list! With a hotel room full and tickets ordered our trip was under way!
THEN
WE
WAIT.....
FINALLY! It was here!!!  OMG SOO SOO EXCITED! ...

Now DON'T judge, Im a Britney fan....
NOT a I dress like her, have her picture on my ass && all over my room kind of fan
but I would def make a trip to see her in concert ...haha
(you get my point.)
Well this was my 3rd yes, 3rd time seeing her LIVE in concert and I was MORE excited about this trip than EVER.

FINALLY Friday, The time was here! Juliann picked up Natalie and I from my house && of course I wasn't 100% ready.  I was MOSTLY packed. Jax was on to me leaving and was making EACH and EVERY morning task a HUGE ordeal. TODDLERS! Anyway. That wasn't getting in the way of our trip...

SOON, we were at Dunkin Donuts: YES PLEASE! Can't forget the COFFEE :)

We added the address to the GPS && we were OFF....

YAY! We are here!!!

We got to Miami wayy before check in. So what to do?! NO brainer..
SHOPPING!

We headed to mall  and it was INTERESTING to say the least! While out I couldn't help but describe almost everything as interesting. (thats my way of NOT saying something rude) LOL

Since none of us were totally convinced what we were going to wear to the concert that was the main focus. After Target's RUDE sales women in the bathroom.

 && a VERY disorganized and NOT clean Marshalls...things were looking well..interesting.






It may of been our hungry bellies so soon we were in Five Guys YUMMM!!

We were starving!!! Juliann & I decided to share a fries...Which I never do, bc I never share fries...lol BUT they come in a HUGE thing and there was PLENTY for sharing. I was wearry to try the seasoned fries, which after questioning Juliann we decided they aren't THAT spicy. (I don't really DO spicy.) It was slammed in there so we had to really search out a place to sit. Juliann grabbed us some peanuts && I guess we looked confused bc she was like "What? You don't like peanuts?!" lol
The food was sooo good, we quieted down, so you could tell we were enjoying it. Hoping they weren't to hot (as in temp) I quickly grabbed some fries once they seemed cool and munched away...

YOWZEERS!!! SPICYYYYYY! lol. Juliann felt bad. I was relieved bc I would have ate the whole order...including her half! So it was all good!

When we were finished we headed out to find the car. hmmm. This maybe tricky. Which garage, which entrance, which street??? Walking around to find the parking garage entrance we came across a kiosk where these young girls were selling boutique style clothes. Natalie found the coolest dress. OFFICIALLY one outfit decided! Yay!
It was almost time to FINALLY check in so we headed back to the hotel.

Marriott Biscayne Bay Miami, Fl

The hotel was SUPER nice! All the girls seemed really happy with the hotel choice. It is so hard to book a hotel online when you don't even know where you are trying to book. Luckily all the searching and reviewing paid off! Besides being a ridiculous late check in (4pm) It was really nice hotel and I would totally stay there again!

Our Room!!

We had great views from our room and all over the hotel!

View from our room :)

We loved hanging by the pool bar for some drinks while we waited for Lisa & Brittany to arrive!!

Pre_Game Cocktails!

It was almost time to start getting ready but we needed to make a quick run the liquor store (well not so quick) we decided to head out at 5PM on a FRIDAY...not a GOOD idea...HOLY TRAFFIC!
When we got back Lisa & Brittany had made it in!! Let the PARTY begiN!!

Cotton Round trying to hitch a ride to BritNey!

We went into girly mode....make up and straighteners on...before we knew it we were ready!!! :) Time flys when your having fun. After a few drinks (and a couple shots) we headed off to the Arena.

Off to the concert!!

Of course we had to ask the first person we saw for a group shot! Luckily we got a few good ones. We were definitely having blurry pic issues.

We got our $35 t-shirts on!!!

Between the $18 cocktails and the $35 T-shirt, I was slowly going broke before Britney even made in on stage. But the shirt was SO cute and the cocktail was VERY yummy, so it was totally worth it!!! 

and the countdown begins.....

I could hardly stand it. Waiting... TICK TOCK! Thankfully they counted it down so you really knew how long you had to wait!!! Let the SHOW BEGIN....5....4...3...2.....1

She did a bunch of songs from this newest album and they were AMAZE! But what I liked best was that she threw it back OLD SCHOOL w a TON of her BEST hits!!! I was LOVING it! She even did her version of Rhianna's S&M. It was awesome. Im sure she was auto-tuned and previously recorded, but who can dance and move that much and not need some back up help!!! The show was amazing and that girl can bring it!! Her body was slamming!! I could only pray for a stomach like that after 2 kids!!!

OMG! There she iS!!!

I was UBER pleased with our seats. I had no idea what to expect when you pick from a diagram of arena! Im glad where I chose bc we were close enough for a great show with out spending our whole life savings on tickets!

Great times!!!!

What a great show! It went TOO fast! Of course she ended w bang; angel wings, confetti and LOADS of glitter & lights!

Brit- you had me at "hit me baby one more time.." lol