-It’s always strange to me when moms get up in arms because their parenting methods are being attacked.  Not that it doesn’t happening, because it does. I’ve seen it,from all groups on the parenting spectrum, and I think it’s quite gross. It’s strange because….many of the moms that I “know” (follow on twitter) have no issues with “attacking” other parenting methods.  So….I don’t get it.  It’s ok for you to vocally attack, demean, disagree with other parenting methods, but when it happens to you…..oh, ok. o_O  Tons of blog posts, comments, tweets about how “disappointing” it was that Beyonce “only” breastfed for 10 weeks and *gasp, the horror* maybe only did it to lose weight, but when people say that a 3 year old is “too old” to be breastfeeding, it’s a problem?  I’m really just trying to understand. I wish we could leave each other the hell alone about these parenting choices.  Because that’s exactly what they are.  Choices.  That really? Aren’t gonna matter that much.  I mean, my daughter is 2.5.  I really doubt that the fact that I breastfed or wore her is gonna matter more in the grand scheme of things than talking to her about sex, or making sure she’s prepared for college.  We haven’t even made it to the important shit yet!  SO WHAT a 3 year old was breastfeeding. It’s so NOT a big deal! I doubt he’s going to need to nurse before and after his first job interview at 16, lmbo.  You didn’t co-sleep with your daughter?  I’m pretty sure that’s NOT one of she’s gonna hate you about as a teenager. Relax.

-Oh, another thing.  Why is it ALWAYS the main perpetrators of “Mommy War” drama that are always crying about stopping said Mommy Wars.  Girl, I saw you on twitter last week talking about how gross formula is / how baby wearing is for hippies / how letting your baby cry for even a minute is abuse / how cloth diapers are disgusting, etc etc.  If you’re always talking about how you can’t stand drama, yet you’re always IN drama.  It’s you, boo.  Sorry to break the news.

-Speaking of twitter (and my blog, really), It’s been brought to my attention that I give off a persona of sweet, southern, innocence..even “perfect”……… LMBO!!  I realize that in my efforts to remain PC on social media, I think I come across as one dimensional.  I’ve actually been called fake by anonymous emailers in my comment form.  That’s laughable as well.  I don’t even have time to be fake, lmbo.  I’ll own up to sweet and southern, but innocent, perfect? Absolutely not.  I’m actually QUITE ratchet. Ask Krissy, lmbo.  I’ve been known to leave a whole HEAP of shade in her inbox before she even wakes up in the morning.  I’m not some prissy, perfectionist SAHM, with a spotless house, toddler, and husband. Far from it.

-I had more, but I’m tired now.  Yes, it’s only 10am, I’ve only been up since 7am, but I’m tired. Fight me!

Can you believe I haven’t gained ANY weight aside from the 2lbs I regained from the 18lb loss? O_o. I’ve added about 4 inches to my waistline though. It feels….odd to poke out so much, lol.

Again, thank you, every one of you, for your kind words, prayers, good vibes, etc! I am beginning to see the light at the end of the hyperemesis tunnel! I lost a total of 18lbs over about 6 awful weeks, before finally leveling out to a week of NO weight loss last week, so I don’t have to see my dr again until I go in for my 12wk ultrasound, next week.
I have been able to eat, whatever I want (with the exception of drinking milk, it just doesn’t sit on stomach well), and I’m hoping to have actually gained some weight when I go in for my next appointment!
I am very excited to return to work soon, within the next few weeks, because prenatal care is quite expensive (on the surface. We’d much rather just pay for care we’ll actually use and have a high deductible than pay a large monthly premium. It actually ends up quite a bit cheaper to have a higher deductible.) And then I have a nursery to DIY, so that extra income will supplement us nicely. I should also enjoy it while I can, because realistically, theres no way I’ll have time for Visual Luxe between an active toddler,a newborn,a house, and a husband. Not for a while at least.
Speaking of husbands, mine has been amazing during what has been an incredibly difficult time for me. He has been working from home so that he could keep an eye on Izzy, as well as doing all of the cooking,cleaning, shopping, etc, without a single complaint. Without me even asking, actually! This last week, I’ve been able to start contributing to the household duties again, and I’m crossing my fingers that by next week, he’ll be able to return to normal, as I know that maintaining 2 careers, while also caring for Izzy, as well as the responsibilities of home, has taken quite a toll on him!
I’ll leave you guys with a (bad) picture of my incredibly obvious bump. At 11w4d, I’m showing as much as I was at 14wks or so with Izzy! I had read that this was totally normal, but after losing so much weight this trimester, it’s still….surprising! My tummy wasn’t really flat before, but it never poked out further than my boobs, lol!

You ladies were so awesomely supportive of sad little post last time, that it’s only right to share the joy! We have a healthy little bean, heart beating away, at 8 weeks 3 days. I’m still not really feeling too much better, but I’m managing! I lost 5lbs since my visit last week, so i have to go back next week to make sure I’m not losing too much weight, but other than that, everything with the baby seems perfect! Thank you all so, so much for your kind words of encouragement on the last post!

I wasn’t going to say anything at this point, because i wanted to make a cute, happy little announcement. I’m pregnant. And it’s anything but cute right now. But I’m grateful. I have to keep reminding myself that this is temporary. I had a hard, very hard time in the beginning when i was pregnant with Izzy. what I’m experiencing this time makes that pregnancy seem like a breeze, even though i know i was extremely sick then as well. Most days i can’t even keep water down. I’m battling a fever, and a sinus infection, for the 2nd time since i found out i was pregnant, 3 weeks ago. I’m 7 weeks now. And I’m struggling with it. The depression, the dehydration, the fear that the baby won’t get what it needs. This is not standard “morning” sickness. I have been through zofran, through two forms of phenergran, with mostly no improvement. The only thing that seems to be working is the unisom/b6 combo, which makes me uselessly drowsy. Today…..was a bad day. But i KNOW that this baby is a blessing, and I’m grateful for the gift. This is just….quite the test! And for several more weeks, at least. If any of you have experienced hyperemesis, please pass along any suggestions, remedies, etc that helped you through it. I’m going to try to see my OB tomorrow, to check on my fluid levels,and make sure the baby is ok. Your thoughts, prayers, good vibes, etc, would be much appreciated.

So today is my 25th birthday. I’m now “a quarter century” old, as a certain someone likes to say. I woke up, among other things,a snotty mess, lol. This sinus infection won’t leave me alone, but I’m determined to have the best day i can anyway!

Tomato is a fruit, right? This is one after Izzy got into the refrigerator this morning after I grocery shopped. I heard her in the kitchen, and knew she was getting into something, but I had no idea my produce would be her victim.  (I’m posting this from my phone, so I’ll link the badge later!)

So, after seeing everyone doing the photo challenge last month, I wanted to join in on the fun! I’m cheating a little, because my first photo that I’m using wasn’t taken today (it’s from last weekend), but it’s the one I wanna use, sooooo…all of the others will be new photos though, promise!

In 2 weeks, I’ll be 25. Whoa. Seems like I was “just” turning 24!

Also in 2 weeks (plus a few days), we’ll have been homeowners for a full year. Again, whoa. Seems like we were “just” signing closing papers! The house looks quite different than it did when we moved in, so I think I’ll take some pictures to give a little update. We still have a lot of changes we want to make, including building a fence, replacing the carpet with hardwood floors, counters and cabinets in the kitchen, some type of gazebo/pergola in the yard, landscaping in the front, etc, etc! All of that isn’t going to happen this year of course, but it’s fun to look forward to it!

It’s almost time for us to buy seeds and plan our garden for this year! We’ve decided to stick with just the one box again this year, instead of adding to it. We learned a lot the first time around, but still made a lot of mistakes, so we want to take this growing season to “perfect” our gardening before expanding.

Izzy is getting to be sooo good at communicating! She also likes pretending to be a ballerina, cowboy (?), frog, puppy, “kitty-cat”, and princess. And sometimes she does combos, which are hilarious. She’s also really good at expressing her emotions. If she stomps up to me one more time with her arms crossed talking about “I’m MAD mommy!”….

Yeah, remember how I was supposed to update my short story every Friday? Well, 3 days after posting the first chapter, I developed ANOTHER sinus infection. *sigh* I was trying to just wait it out, but on this last Friday, I felt like somebody was shoving razors down my throat, so I went to dr, and they prescribed another round of antibiotics. Do y’all understand how much I hate taking pills? *sigh* But I bet you I’ll finish THIS round, diligently.

Let me tell you about how my hair didn’t give a SINGLE damn about that relaxer though. I’m fro’d out, and so I shall remain.

I mentioned (and initially started) this before, but I’m thinking about adding actual products to my Visual Luxe brand. Party printables, invitations, all of that good stuff. Also, did you know that Visual Luxe did tee shirt design? I’ll post some samples as soon as I clear it with the clients, since some haven’t “officially” launched anything yet.

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives though? Don’t watch it. Ever. Unless you’re eating something really, really, really awesome. I’ve watched it while eating a delicious, but simple dinner that I prepared. I didn’t even want to eat my food! OMG, the food that he finds at these places! I seriously want everything I see.

I can tell it’s getting warmer, because the ants are back out, in full force. I battled with those things all last spring and summer, and it’s looking like this year will be no different. It’s a problem in general, here in Arkansas, and in my city, but still. *shudders* I HATE ants with a passion. And those little bastards BITE. I can usually keep them at bay, but if you have tips, please do send them my way.

So, remember in my Randoms post I mentioned that I wrote fanfiction?  Well, I’m not sharing any of that, lol.  Not yet, at least.  What I WILL share, however, is an original story, with original characters.  If you would like to follow along (I’ll be updating at least every Friday) you can read the story, Nothing to Lose, by clicking on it’s title there.  I want to send big, big thanks, and the biggest hug ever to my wonderful muse, Krissy.  This girl has given me names, helped me tremendously with plot lines, given me incredible feedback, and just been all around awesome!  Anywho, again, you can read along here, and please, please, feel free to leave feedback (even correcting spelling/grammar, seriously!) !  I love it, and even though I have no plans to write professionally, feedback does help me improve my craft, and I want to be the best I possibly can!