this girl.

Hi all! Here lately, this girl has about had it w. all this morning sickness crap. I have not felt this helpless in . . . I can't even tell you how long. The last 'spell' of this was about three weeks ago -- when I had a horrible cold / flu like virus that then turned into a severe sinus infection + morning sickness (and it all lasted for two weeks). I started feeling much much better the last week . . . to the point where I began thinking that wow, 'Maybe it was all at once and now it's over' . . . In a way, I was kinda lucky for that. But now, I am getting another 'wave' of morning sickness. UGH. I know the old sayings, "The sicker you feel, the healthier the baby." But, lets be real . . . that's for the birds. I wasn't hardly this sick AT ALL w. H and (in my opinion) he was a pretty healthy baby.

The worst part about this go round, is that my sickness lasts ALL DAY. I go to bed w. it, wake up w. it, talk myself out of gagging all day, and complete the cycle w. going to back to bed w. it. BLAH. The smell of food / preparation of food / thought of food makes me GAG. I can't stand up fast, much less get up to pee w.o feeling a bad swarm of nausea. We have just completed week 9 and all I can think of is . . . 3+ more weeks of this jazz. GREAT. I live off Emetrol, a nausea medicine for Children that was KEY when we all had stomach virus' last year (twice).

Today, I was lucky to have my sister help me. She picked H up from school and had him all afternoon. THANK GOODNESS! Mom and dad helped me A LOT last time and I still can't thank them enough for what all they did for me! But, dang . . . I know plenty of people go to work feeling this way / deal w. their own kids / TEACH (ugh, couldn't imagine) / do plenty of things . . . but I keep feeling like my life is coming to an end! I mean really Erica . . . Get a grip! Right? I have to constantly tell my self, you did it FINE w. the first one! I drove to work / worked all day / lived a 'normal' life w. H . . . Why can't I do it w. this one!

It's safe to say . . . baby no.2 is completely different! WHICH, I have always said . . . baby no.2 will be 'Hell on Wheels' . . . and w. only 9 weeks in . . . I'd say my 'motherly instinct' is CORRECT.

oh boy.

Me:  "Houston, Look at this sweet lil' baby. This is Hudson."

Houston: "Ooooh, Shit."

CRAP.

zoo.

A couple weeks ago, we went to the zoo. It's nice to spend our days how we want . . . and to see Houston get all excited over the animals there.

The 'giaffe' was his favorite . . . however, he wouldn't get his picture taken w. them. Laugh. He was frightened when we got close and fed them . . . but when we were far away, all he could say is, 'Ma, giaffe. Giaffe, Ma.'

I didn't get many photos that day . . . but here are a few funny ones :)

everyday.

Everyday Houston LOVES to get into the bath tub . . . sometimes twice a day . . . He's an addict. j.

baby no.2

As some of you already know, baby no.2 is on it's way!

due 09.27.12! Stay tuned as we keep you posted on our baby bump's progress!

*p.s. all props goes to my sis, Jess, for doing these photos for us! she planned the whole thing . . . from the outfit to actually taking the photo. all we did was shower and get dressed! 

Houston talking . . .

Finally, he was caught on camera talking! Now you can hear some of the things he says :)

Click here to see his video.

sick. ugh.

I should be blogging about fun exciting things . . . let's face it, no one wants to read how sick I am . . . but I want to explain WHY I haven't downloaded my photos, much less, unpacked from the Mountain trip this weekend. Therefore, I can't blog about the Mountains . . . till maybe later today or tomorrow. smile.


This weekend, as you know, we went to the Mountains . . . the good ole' mountains of NC in Foscoe ? Close to Boone and Blowing Rock. Jess, Houston and I drove up Friday afternoon and returned Sunday afternoon. However, while we were there, I think my immune system had taken a toll. Houston didn't sleep well, AT ALL -- of course -- so, I had no sleep . . . and then we walked around all day Saturday -- lugging Houston and his bag-o-snacks / juice / diapers -- just in case of that ONE time he wanted something to drink / eat / poop. Needless to say, I was exhausted!! Not to mention, as we walked in and out of each store, I was getting hot and cold / hot and cold . . . sweaty inside, cold outside. I don't think the combo of back and forth temperatures did good for me.

On our ride home I was so nauseous and dizzy riding down the mountain roads as my head was filling w. pressure -- which NEVER happens to me on mountain roads -- we grew up going down these roads, I thought I would be able to handle it . . . However, I continued to drink my drink and chew my gum . . . hoping something would give me relief. Once we finally made it home, it was like it all went downhill . . . and fast. The next thing I knew, my nose was stuffy, I had a headache, I was coughing, my body was exhausted, I was getting cold chills, I was tired, my head felt it was going to explode, I didn't want to eat due to nausea from all the nasty drainage and snot! Yuck. Makes me gag thinking about it.

Monday, I called Mom and asked her what to do for relief, cause I knew my doc. wouldn't give me anything unless I had to have it . . . She said Netty Pot -- ugh. I was in desperate need to try ANY natural 'remedy' for relief. I tried steam shower. I tried a warm wash cloth over the face. I tried boiling water and pouring it down the sink while my face was over the steam. I was taking Tylenol. I was 'resting' all day. I called a friend who is a Chiropractor to come and see if he could relieve some pressure w. the pressure points in my face. I did the Netty Pot. NOTHING. Not a single sigh of relief.

Tuesday, I woke up and my chest was achy. I decided to call the doctor. They didn't get back to me for 2.5 hrs and all they said was . . . 'Since you don't have a fever, it seems it's just a nasty cold / flu like virus . . . fluids, Tylenol cold and sinus and wait it out.' UGH. Really? Come on! I have a two year old toddler pulling at my leg constantly . . . I need something than that.

So, my lovely parents came over and brought me a sick kit and took my kiddo for the afternoon / night. They said they would keep him till I am better! God, I love them! I feel bad to 'put' him off on someone else, but this girl can't even get up without getting dizzy and wanting to vomit. I tired yesterday after they picked him up to somewhat clean / pickup the house . . . and couldn't do it. I found myself over the sink, waiting for something to come out.

Right now my house is a disaster. I haven't picked up a single toy Houston has pulled out since Sunday and our bags are still in the floor from Sunday when we walked in. Matt is coaching JV soccer and has been gone till about 8ish most nights . . . so once he gets home, I am ready for bed. We've have had long days here lately . . . and all I can do is pray that this will pass, fast! I woke up feeling a little better today, but not near as much as I was hoping for. I can now breathe thru one nostril! Hoping for two for tomorrow . . . 

bath time.

This is our bath time routine now a days. . .  It starts out w. H. in the tub . . . plugging his ears cause he doesn't want to listen to me as we wash / talk / clean up. Typical man. And then, it's followed by getting dressed and brushing teeth. Brushing teeth is our BIGGEST battle at night right now. I mean, why would you want to brush off all the yucky stuff? Savor the flavor, right? YUCK. All H. wants to do is suck all the tooth paste off . . . and not actually 'brush brush' those teeth!