Happy Thanksgiving!

So, I am a little late!  I have had this post written for over a week but it was getting all of the pictures from different cameras to post on here that took forever!  I think I may have even forgotten a camera, but I will post with more pictures if I think of it!!
It was my sweet little man's first Thanksgiving!  We had had such a fun, long weekend!  We went to my parents house just outside of Charlotte to spend the night Wed. night and Brody finally got to meet his Uncle Stephen for the first time!  It was pretty awesome and Brody was in such a great mood!  I see fun times in the future!  Then we left Thursday morning to head to VA to visit my side of the family.  Brody was such a good boy and slept most of the way there!  We spent the early afternoon in the country with my dad's parents and relatives.  As soon as we walked in the door with Brody, he was taken from our hands and I didn't see him for an hour as he was being passed around to every woman in the place!  It gave me lots of time to stuff my face with awesome homemade goodness!  :)  We spent a few hours there and then went to my mom's parents house to be with all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.  He was a good boy and slept while I ate feast #2.  I was soooo stuffed! I didn't do much Black Friday shopping because there were no big ticket items that I have been dying to have.  I mean, I really want a treadmill and a freezer to store Brody's baby food, but a $500 sale is still a little steep for me!  We did go to the mall and Brody was such a trooper!  He is such a well-mannered, easy baby.  Brian and I bought him his first Christmas present (a Taggie toy) and my mom got him a couple Baby's First Christmas ornaments.  Brody also got all dressed up to see Santa and took the cutest picture ever.  We stayed through Saturday and got home late that night.  Brody did awesome and went straight to sleep in his port-a-crib.  I'm telling you-best.baby.ever. We (dad, brother Stephen, brother Jason who lives in VA but came back with us, Brian) woke to an absolute smorgasbord of breakfast foods made by my mother dearest.  Then, my brothers, Brian and I went to a Charlotte Checkers game while the 'rents babysat.  We came home to fabulous veggie soup (again made by my sweet mom) and Brian and I headed back home to end the Thanksgiving holiday.  It was so much fun and I was sad to leave my family and going back to seeing Brody and Brian in the afternoons only. :(  It definitely made me thankful for the blessings I have-a warm, loving family, an absolute hunk of a husband, and a sweet, laid back little boy.  

Now on to Christmas!!!!!!!  woooohoooo!
Highlights:  *  warning  * LOTS of pictures!

meeting his uncle stephen for the first time!!

sound asleep for most of the ride!  those lips!

I can ride like daddy! (just kidding!)

in his cute bib

and hat :)

arrived in the country and snapped a family pic

with his uncle jason!

eating his hand

the spread of all the homemade goodness!

these are men talking

my aunt linda with brody

my mom with my meme (left) and christine

B-diddly

what a happy fella!

showing off the shirt I made the day before 

what a sweet guy

smiley pants

my pumpkin pie!

just a pic of the cute paci clip I got at the Southern Christmas show

love to see a worn Bible, used lots!

the barn

I hardly snapped any pictures at my grandma's house! i feel bad but here brody is with natalie (my cousin's daughter)

HAHAHAHAHAHA!  My bro found this in Grandma's closet and decided to walk the runway.  He was looking for something warm to wear while out Black Friday shopping....needless to say, he went with something different.

My happy guy!

so cute.  I was doing my makeup on the couch and I look up and he is just staring at his mama.  Love him.

Hahaha! He slept so hard he knotted what little hair he has!

In Pop's chair

I DIE!  Best Santa pic ever!

Happy Holidays from the Martin's/Shaw's!

Today

was hard.  After a week and a half of being back to work (with Thanksgiving break thrown in there), today was my hardest day yet.  I cried on the way to work, I cried at work (while being milked like a cow in a small office-I hate pumping!), and I cried when the babysitter sent me a text saying Brody was sound asleep and snoring...snoring! She said it was so precious and I just started crying, wishing I could hear him snore and knowing it's because his nose is stuffed up from a teeny cold he has.  I cried while looking at Facebook statuses of SAHM's talking about chores they were doing, places they were going or posting  pictures of the cute things their kids were doing.  sigh   I am just waiting for the day Brian comes home and says, "Babe--put in your 2 weeks notice because Brody needs his mommy more than your job needs you!" I am so mad at myself for not saving up for this day!!!!!!!!  I had a huge opportunity to get ahead and I blew it.  blah-long, personal story.  anyways---I'll keep waiting [not so] patiently.

Let's Be Honest

And I mean, totally honest.  I am writing this post for those future moms out there who may experience this, come across my blog and feel a bit of normalcy in their situation.  Here's the scoop---being a mom is tough!  ESPECIALLY at the beginning.  Your whole. life. changes. in one day.  I reeeeeally struggled with the adjustment the first few weeks of Brody's life.  I just thought it would be so different.  I had wanted a baby my whole life and now that he was finally here, where were those feelings of elation and utter joy?  I felt disconnected with him.  There were so many factors interrupting our relationship.  An unplanned C-section.-I couldn't really hold him until a couple of hours after his birth.  I felt like a failure as a woman and mother because it did not go as I planned at all (see Brody's Birth Story).  I was totally drugged up and in a lot of pain--even after I left the hospital.  My hormones were sooo out of whack.  I would cry all. the. time.  Poor Brian!  I was so exhausted but still felt the need to do housework.  Seriously--sleep, sleep, sleep.  Breastfeeding was painful.  I wanted this so badly for him, but I would absolutely dread when he would be hungry because I knew it would hurt so badly.  He would fall asleep while nursing and I was so scared to move him and wake him that I would sit on the couch, motionless with him, for 2+ hours.  And then it would start all over again.  I was so tired of sitting!  So many things effecting our relationship.  And when people would tell me "It gets better," I couldn't comprehend it because it felt like eons away.  I loved my baby and gave him what he needed, but I didn't like him so much there for a little bit.  I was basically surviving.  People would say this is postpartum depression, but I don't really think so because the feelings left and were finally replaced with elation and complete joy.  It was just an adjustment period.  Now, I look forward to every second-watching him develop and those smiles---holy cow--melt my heart!!  Mamas-to-be, don't feel bad if you don't have that instant bond with your baby.  Take it from someone who knows, you will fall head over heels for your baby, you will eventually get some sleep, your boobs will feel better, you will want another one (if you're planning on more than one), you will eventually think, "I can't imagine life could get any better."  And you know what, it does.  Here's to faith, hope and love.

Hello there!  It's Wednesday and I have the day off!!  Yippee!  I hope Brian gets off early today so we can head to my parent's house ASAP to see my brotherrrrrrrrrrrrr!  I haven't seen him since April during my Spring Break week!  He lives in Indiana (where I'm from) and it's hard to find time and money to get together.  This will be the first time he gets to see Brody and that's so exciting!  We are going to travel to Virginia (parents included) to be with all of my extended family for a big Thanksgiving feast!  Can't wait to eat some food!  I am the type of person that would rather have a whole bunch of sides than eat turkey, ham, etc.  I LOVE me some mac n cheese, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, biscuits, gravy-my mouth is watering!!
Anyway, I LOVE having this day off with my sweet boy!  We had a fun morning, full of smiles and laughing and now he's sleeping away in his swing! I wrote out a list of things I wanted to blog about so here are some things you can look forward to:
Weight Loss!  ahhh!  I think after the holidays (because who am I kidding trying to start dieting now) it will finally be time to get my butt in gear!  I am asking for a treadmill for Christmas (I don't care where it comes from-Craigslist, wal-mart, ordered from the TV)-just something I can run on AT HOME that tracks my mileage and calories.  I also plan on eating healthier and not keeping track of my calories---I will talk more about this when the time comes!
Recipes-Easy meals that don't take very long (sadly, some of these will have to be omitted from my diet once the new year comes).
Crafts! I have a few crafts/ideas in the making so I thought I would share with y'all because if I can do it, ANYBODY can!  This mainly involves clothes for my sweet boy---just hafta wait and see!
Obviously Thanksgiving and Christmas updates/pictures because it will be B2's first for them both.  Watch out for cute pictures!
More background information on Brian and I just to get to know us a little better. :)
Couponing adventures! I have a post that I can do already on some things I bought at Walgreens last week, picture included.  That will be up soon. :)
Cloth diapering my baby-way easier than it used to be!
Some of my favorite things! Not mommy or baby related....
A fashion blog.  Not that I am some big fashionista, but styles I envy and things I would like to own but am too nervous to pull off! :)
So, that's what I've got so far!  Stay tuned!!!

Let's Talk About...

MONEY!  Brian and I went to a financial seminar at our church on Wednesday and it was sooo good!  We had heard this particular presenter speak a couple years ago, but this time we were in a different place in life with different goals we want to achieve.  Our speaker was Joe Sangl-a younger Dave Ramsey if you will.  He actually read Dave Ramsey's book, completely changed his life financially and decided to write books on how he did it as well (with the full support of Mr. Ramsey, might I add).  His seminar is called The Financial Learning Experience.  He was really entertaining, had funny stories and really made you feel like he was the average Joe (no pun intended) who got out of debt successfully.  Now, Brian and I do not have a lot of debt (minus our house) because we do not use credit cards but we accrued some--financial aid, hospital bills and our Jeep.  I feel if we can get these things paid off completely then it will not be a struggle for me to stay at home with my sweet guy.  Well, I was just really excited about the seminar and spent the better part of 30 minutes telling my mom everything that we learned.  I thought I'd share a little with you too! :)  Just some quotes and advice Mr. Sangl gave.
"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." Proverbs 21:5
His reoccurring theme is THERE MUST BE A PLAN!  We need to be in control of our money and not let it be in control of us.  He said that we need to spend our money before the month begins. -- We can just about guess how much income we will make the next month (those of us on salary).  Before the month starts, sit down and distribute your money to areas such as tithes, charitable giving, savings, bills, insurance, debt, etc.  He has this awesome tool via excel where you can insert your income, and all of the above expenses and will total your 'outgo.' If it's in the red, then there is some adjusting to be done, if yellow, you have leftover money to be distributed somewhere (savings, retirement, giving), and if it's green that means your total is exactly zero--where it should end up every month.  He makes sure that we realize people need to have fun too and there are entertainment, shopping, blow money places to budget money as well.  Anyway, the other part of that verse was talking about haste.  How many things have I bought in haste without planning ahead of time.....A LOT! All. the. time.  I go to Wal-Mart to buy bread and come out with $100 worth of junk!  He suggested using money envelopes when going to the grocery store, shopping, movies, etc.  That way you HAVE to stay within your budget.  Thought that was a good idea!  He also talked a lot about IRA's, 401K's, compound interest, etc.  That was a little over my head BUT he gives a lot 'calculators' (totally free) on his website where you just put in the numbers and it will tell you how many months until you are debt free, how much you should be putting into your retirement funds to have 'this much' by the time you retire....He said it is soooo crucial to have a retirement fund and not rely solely on Social Security.  "If you work for 20 years and end with nothing, then you just worked for free and mailed your money off to someone else."  I liked that quote.
Anyway, check him out-- website: http://www.josephsangl.com/
http://iwasbrokenowimnot.com/--another website using the title of his book I Was Broke.  Now I'm Not. which Brian and I purchased and I have begun reading.  You can buy a book here.  His website also gives links to a ton of other resources such as grocery coupon sites,  online promotional code sites, restaurant deal sites, etc.  Seriously, check him out.  I wish I could have you experience what I did on Wednesday.  Just here to help out!

Hey there!--a little update and pics of Brody's room!

Wow, I was on a roll there for a while and then it seems I dropped off the face of the planet!  I had a really busy weekend and then have been WORKING so any free time I have I am either feeding the babes or playing with him!  He is so much fun and sure does love his mama!  I love seeing his smile when I come pick him up and I have so much fun tickling him, singing to him, doing baby exercises and just listening to him laugh!  He is such a great baby and I can only hope my proceeding little tykes are just as great!
My teacher is going to be out of the classroom for the rest of the week so that means substitute!  It always makes me nervous because in the past that meant that I teach the whole day because the sub has no idea what's going on.  Problem is, it will only be my 4th day back and I am still trying to get used to the newness of everything!  Luckily this sub was a previous 3rd grade teacher so I hope she's on the ball!  I have been so exhausted when I get home!  I used to wake up between 9:30-10 and now I wake at 6!  That is sooooo early!
Well, how about I make up for my absence and talk about Brody's nursery and throw some pics in there with it!  A blog is always better with pictures!  We decided to go for a 'surfer boy' theme because if you know my hubs, you know that he is in love with surfing and everything that goes with it!  He is definitely a water boy and I think Brody is too-that's why he wanted to swim for 10 days past his due date!  ...Almost everything in B2's room is either handed down or handmade.  I have two nephews, both 5 now, and it is great to be able to borrow bedding, bookshelves, clothes and a crib AT NO COST!  Best sis-in-law's ever!  Well, here's some pics to pique your interest:

pre-tiki roof

post tiki roof!  Brian made this!  SO HANDY I tell ya!

up close of the hand-painted sign Brian made :)

Brian added palm tree lights around the thatch roof for Brody's nightlight

up close of the bedding

to the left of the bed-bookshelf via sis in law, also framed record albums from her as well

I painted the letters to match the bedding (kind of) and then put up pics from my pregnancy

up close

above the valance-painting my sis in law made and gave as baby gift :)

changing area-glider courtesy of SIL, dresser and mirror from college

Brody's first time in his room!

sign I had made for his door to match the bedding

this is to the right of the crib-beach pic taken while I was pregnant

a view into his closet--doesn't look like this now-no strollers/carseat...now baskets of blankets and hamper and LOTS more clothes!  storage up top holds his bigger clothing (3-6, 6-9, 9-12+)

bookshelf from somewhere...

My dad holding little guy :)

Call Me Crazy

...but I miss being pregnant.  I think I already have that 'amnesia' that people always talk about where you forget the pain of labor and and all the sleepless nights and are ready to have another baby.  I am already there.  Right after Brody was born, I was considering keeping him at only child status.  But now that I am more comfortable in my motherly skin, I want moooooore!!  I love lovin' on my baby!  I would not be upset in the least if I got pregnant again so quickly.  I mean, my body would have no chance of ever going back to its original form but I would be okay with that.  I loved being pregnant.  It didn't hurt that Brody's pregnancy was super easy.  I miss feeling the baby kick and knowing that I was sustaining a sweet little life inside of me.  It's a great feeling.  Don't get me wrong, I want to enjoy every second with my fresh out of the oven little baby, but I've got lots of love to give.  I am hoping we win the lottery so we can have as many rugrats as we can afford!  Barefoot and pregnant---that's the life.  The Duggars got it going on!