We have a little announcement to make...

Yep, it's a girl!!  We are so excited about this little one, who we will refer to as LL on the blog. 

Yesterday was out anatomy ultrasound.  We have had this on the schedule for two months, but because real life is real life, The Boy from Texas ended up out on the pipeline for a 30 hour job and he could not be there. 

Technology to the rescue!  We were fortunate that he happened to be at a time where he was in his pick up and in a place on a hill with phone service, so we Face Timed him right in. 

Our sonogram tech is the same who we had for our anatomy ultrasound with Braun. When she called me back, she said, "I couldn't believe it when I saw your name on my schedule! At least you are not remodeling your house this time!" Truth!

Right away she got just the right angle to make the announcement...pink it was!

And LL looks just perfect. Measuring right on track, estimated weight of 11 oz.  All organs look perfect.  Of course, that's what really matters and we are so grateful for a healthy little one!

I had been a little concerned because I have not felt her move yet, and BB was absolutely all over the place by now!  No need for concern. Turns out, this time the placenta is anterior (in the front) instead of posterioir (in the back). So when she kicks, the placenta is basically like a pillow between her and me.

She posed quite nicely for the camera, including sucking her thumb and crossing her legs at the ankles like a lady. 

Just 20 more weeks until we meet this little girl! (She better be ready...this brother of hers is probably gonna make her real tough real fast!) 

My Favorite Etsy Shop....and a Discount for YOU!

I've slowly been adding some decor to Braun's room, so when my sweet friend Britt (you all know her as Super Mom) opened an Etsy Shop, I knew she'd have something perfect.

First, because she's an amazing photographer.  (She did shoot our wedding, maternity, and newborn photos, you know!)  And second, because her life on the ranch with her brood of kids and zoo of animals would match up perfectly with our farm animal themed room.

And I was right.  Of course, the difficulty came in choosing which print we needed.  I adore this one. And this one.  Oh, what about this one?  (She also has some absolutely beautiful religious photos as well....like this.  And this.  Seriously, I can't stop.)

I finally made a decision and placed my order.

My package came perfectly wrapped--I would have expected nothing less from her--and ready to open!

Here is what I ended up choosing.....it's called "Got a Carrot?"

Ours is printed on foamboard, but when you order you can choose between a print, canvas, matboard, or foamboard.  I really love the foamboard because it's sturdy enough not to need a frame, but will still allow me to frame it and add it to our gallery wall if I decide to do that!  Sizes range all the way from 5x7 to 24x36.

So...if you are hunting some home decor or a gift, check out Britt's Etsy Shop.....just click here!

And....because she is insanely awesome, Britt is offering 20% off to Figuring Out The Plot readers through July 1!  When you check out, just enter the promo code THEPLOT and you'll get the discount.

I'm already plotting (get it...like the plot?)  my next order!

52 Week Photo Challenge: Week 22

52 Week Photo Challenge: Week 21

No Stones from This Mama

I swore I would not blog about the dang gorilla.  But here we are.  (And I did manage to keep quiet about this whole bathroom debacle, so that's batting .500.)

Last week, BB managed to sneak a large piece of tape into his mouth and choke on it.  I have no idea how it happened.  The Boy from Texas and I were both in the room watching him, yet somehow, he pulled it off.  It was extracted after a lot of gagging and prying and tears from more than one party involved.

So when I watched another mother get absolutely trashed in the news and on social media when her child snuck into the gorilla enclosure, the first thing I felt was sympathy. 

Because kids are freakin' hard.  You have to watch those little people all the time and, sometimes, they still manage to do dangerous things.  This fact does not make you a bad parent.  It does not make him a bad child.  Bad, scary, crazy things happen to curious little kids.  Even those with really good parents.  You sign up for that when you sign the birth certificate.  We all do.  Good luck and Godspeed. Becuase you'll need it.

Sure, your kid might not ever wind up sneaking into a cage with a wild animal.  But I'll guarantee you that your kid is going to do something dangerous that you'd never expect.  Something that happens when you turn your head for two seconds that will scare the crap out of you.  If you have kids, it has probably happened in the last 24 hours.  If you don't have kids and think this will never happen to  you, get ready, sister.  You're in for a wild ride.

 Before you are quick to condem another mother, let's give a quick thought to Jesus' advice about casting stones.  Because I'll guarantee you, He'd have something much different to say to that poor mama.

So, go ahead and cast away your stones at this woman.  I'll be over here hoping my kid doesn't find something else to choke on tonight.  No stones coming from this mama, I'll promise you that.

Our Typical Day: May 2016

It seems like time flies by and life changes so quickly that it's hard to remember what life use to be like.  What did we do in the evenings before BB arrived?  What did I spend my free time on before I was married?  In an attempt to try and remember what daily life is like, I figured it might be fun to periodically do a recap of a typical day.

I haven't been shy about telling people that I had a really rough transition into this parent thing.  But this stage we are in now is an absolute blast.  I can't tell you how much fun this little red headed fella makes our lives.  So let's take a look at a normal day.

BB wakes up between 7:00 and 7:30 and beckons us to his room.  Usually by the time we get in there he's standing up peering over the crib rails with his blue eyes and a big grin.

As soon as he wakes up, BB has his bottle.  8 oz of formula and this kid is a happy camper, ready to start his day.  While he plays with toys (or water bottles, or drawers, or the humidifier...), I get ready for work.

Next, we load up in the car and head for town.  We have about a 45 minute drive (one way) every day.   BB is usually really good--playing with his toys, talking to himself, or taking a nap. 

I drop him at the baby sitter and he is always all smiles when he sees his sitter and her kiddos.  After that, I head to work. 

During the day, BB plays, has 2 more bottles, breakfast (fruit and cereal), and a snack or two. 

At lunch I generally either go for a run at the pond by my office, go to the gym, or run errands. 

I pick BB up about 5 and we head home.  He almost always sleeps on this trip, so when we get there he arrives ready to play!

He is usually all over the house for the next couple of hours while I make dinner.  Running laps in his walker, playing in the mirror, chasing toys and water bottles around the floor...it's hard to keep up.  Depending on the weather, we may take the dogs for a walk. 

Usually around this time, The Boy from Texas is outside working on the barn he is building himself, mowing, feeding the dogs, etc.  When he comes in, BB enjoys some dad time. 

Before we eat dinner, BB has one last bottle.  Then he plays while we eat, and he usually ends up standing at our feet wanting to share in our meals.  We oblige and he seems to like pretty much any food we give him. 

After dinner, the playing continues until he eats his dinner about 8:30.  He has meat,  veggies, and cereal.  After that, it's bath time with Dad. The Boy from Texas has handled baths from Day 1 and I think they enjoy the big time splashing and playing with the fishies. 

When he is all cleaned up, it's time for lotion and jammies.  Then we get his binkie and walk or rock until he goes to sleep.  Some days this takes a few minutes, some days an hour.  He is almost always out between 9:30 and 10:00.  I put him in his crib and (knock on wood!) he has been sleeping through the night like a champ!

After he is snoozing, The Boy from Texas usually watches tv, I get stuff ready for the next day, and we hit the hay pretty shortly thereafter. 

And there you have it.  It's not flashy or exciting, but I sure would not trade this little life of ours!

52 Week Photo Challenge: Week 20

52 Week Photo Challenge Weeks 13-19

I suck at posting these, but I am determined to keep going. I have the photos but just can't seem to get them up on the blog.  Because the 2 minutes it requires from me is apparently too much?  What do I do all day?

Anyway, hopefully I can get back to the weekly posts after this one big catch up!  Here we go!

Week 13 

Week 14

Week 15 

Week 16 

Week 17 

Week 18 

Week 19

Advice to the Class of 2016

Graduation season is upon us. I just love seeing the smiling faces of sweet kids on their graduation announcements.  I got to thinking the other day about things I wish someone had told me when I was 18 and about to head out into the world.  So I jotted down a list. Maybe I will make this an annual thing.

My senior class photo....14 years ago.  How did that happen??

1. Always send thank you notes.  Paper ones. That you place in the mail.  Texts and Facebook posts don't count. When someone gives you a gift or does something kind, buy a box of thank you notes, get a pen, and write a note. It matters.

2.    If you need money for something, work for it.  (I am not referring to anyone in particular here and I am not trying to piss anyone off. Also, there are emergencies at which asking for help is more than ok and I, myself, frequently send money to people in crisis and donate to non-profits and charities. That's not what I am talking about here.) There is something that makes young people today think it's okay to ask everyone for money.  Can't afford the expensive weight loss shakes and video? Start a go fund me account.  Can't afford to pay for school or lessons or classes?  Beg for cash donations.  I see this kind of thing on Facebook constantly. This makes me nutty. Don't have something you need?  Go get a damn job. Already have one? Get two.  Chasing your dreams is hard. Get to work. 

3.  Learn to be smart with your money.  I swear, there should be a "don't be a  money dummy" class for all seniors in high school.  It's so easy to get yourself in trouble. Get on a budget now.  As soon as you can, start a monthly contribution to a savings account.  Even if it's just $25, make it every month without exception.  And for the love, don't get caught paying the insane credit card interest rates.

4. Do not knock your hometown.  It's okay, good actually, I think, to leave and go see the world. Go meet new people with different ideas and experiences. But don't bash on your hometown. Because the people in that town are the ones who cheered you on at basketball games and brought casseroles when your grandma died, and bought whatever crap you were selling as a school fundraiser.  That town, those people are your roots. They made you who you are. Appreciate them. 

5. Be kind to people different from you.  Just because someone is different than you does not mean you have to be rude or hateful. In fact, you can even be friends. And you might be surprised what you can learn from each other and what you have in common.  I grew up never knowing anyone who was vegetarian, Jewish, or a tree hugger.  I am a meat-eating, cattle raising, non-hybrid car driving Christian, but I have friends now who fit into each of these categories.  I have friends who I guarantee you have never once voted for the same political candidate as me.  I have friends who pray the rosary, a former classmate who reads the Koran, and a buddy who spent two years as a Mormon missionary. And I am better for knowing them all. What would the world be like if we all were kind and respectful to those different than us? I pray one day we will know. And I plan to do my part to make that happen. Please do yours. 

6. Go to class. It is seriously very hard to fail a class in college when you show up. I don't care if you are tired or hungover or heartbroken or whatever. I had one class where me and two of my guy friends literally played Sudoku puzzles Every. Single. Day.  But we were there. Go to class. Butt in the seat.  One day when you put on a cap and gown again, you will thank me. 

7. Dream big.  Then go a little bigger. I think this is the number one piece of advice I would give kids. Especially kids form small towns.  You don't even know what possibilities exist.  No one ever talked to me about law school when I was growing up. I literally never thought of that as an option.  I never knew anyone who traveled to Europe on vacation or even thought about living in a big city apartment by myself.  It never occurred to me that I could watch golden helmets run out of the tunnel in South Bend or not die after running a half marathon.  But I was able to do all of these things. Dream big. Keep your mind open. Never sell yourself short.  You have no idea how much you are capable of. 

Here's to you, Class of 2016.  The world needs good people.  Go be one.

16 in 16 Report: January - April

Okay, I am guessing maybe I'm just bad at these things, but I swear these lists are harder and harder for me to keep up with.  I blame a little red headed boy for distracting me.  Here's where things stand after the first four months of 2016.

1.  Run a half marathon. Keep running during the pregnancy. (So far, so good.)

So....once again, a baby is going to prevent this list item from happening this year.  No worries though, I will run a post-two-babies half marathon in the future!!  For now, I'm hoping to continue running during my pregnancy.  Last time, I was so sick and losing so much weight, I had to stop in the first trimester.  This time, I'm good to go!  Here we are in the second trimester and I'm continuing to run (just a mile at a time) several times a week.

2.  Continue monthly photos of The Baby from Texas until he is one year old.  (7/12 complete)

Although the 7 month photos were a couple weeks behind schedule, we took them so we're calling this one a success so far.

3.  Read a classic.  (No progress)

4.  Go on 5 dates with The Boy from Texas.  (2/5 complete)

I'm going to count our afternoon at a pig show for this one.  BB's Grammie watched him and we just hung out watching our friend judge a county stock show.  Probably not the classic date, but we really enjoyed it!

At the end of April we went to a 4-H fundraiser and had an absolute blast.  BB spent the night with his Grammie and we really enjoyed a kid free evening of dinner, dancing, and sleeping in the next day!

5. Send an encouraging note to a friend once a month.  (4/12 complete)

January: I sent a little note along with a book to a friend who recently found out she was pregnant. 
February: Failure.
March:  Failure.
April: I made up for the last yep months by sending 3 in April. First, I sent notes and onesies to 2 pregnant friends. Second I sent a little note and some stationary to a friend contemplating a new adventure.

6.  Go to adoration twice a month.  (4/24 complete)

January:  I went to St. Hyacinth, down the road from my office one Thursday and while on a work trip I found a tiny little perpetual adoration chapel in Waco.

February: I went to my very favorite Adoration Chapel while on a work trip to College Station.

March:  Failure.

April:  I went to St. Hyacinth down the road from my office.

Going to have some major catching up to do on this one. Why is it something that is one of my favorite list items is so easily set aside?

7.  Read 5 new books. (1/5 complete)

I recently finished "For the Love" by Jen Hatmaker. I  love everything she writes, but this one was hands down my favorite.  Here are a few of my favorite quotes.

"The gospel is perfectly demonstrated through the daily labor of parenting."

"Do not look sideways for answers."

"Theology is either true everywhere, or it isn't true anywhere.  If it isn't also true for a poor, single Christian mom in Haiti, it isn't true!"

"God measures our entire existence by two things:  how we love Him and how we love people.  If you get this right, you can get a million other things wrong."

8.  Knock off three more bucket list check marks.  (No progress)

9.  Cook 20 new recipes.  (6/20 complete)

You can see all these recipes if you click here.

- Potato skins
- Stuffed bell peppers

- Turkey cranberry wraps 
- White green chile chicken enchilladas
- Chicken stir fry
- Cajun chicken pasta

10. Pray the Divine Mercy 200 times.  (9/200).

I'm way, WAY behind on this one for no reason other than I've not made myself do it.  Getting serious now.

11. Add 10 new clothing items to my wardrobe.  COMPLETE!

I was able to knock this one off the list completely thanks to Stitch Fix and my Christmas gift cards!  I've added the following items to my wardrobe.

- White jacket
- Polka dot sweater
- White work shirt
- Orange flowy shirt
- Grey sweat shirt
- Green sweat shirt
- White cut out shirt
- Wrap dress
- Black blazer

- Work jeans 

You can see several of these here.
12. Make 4 Shutterfly books. (2/4 complete)

So far I've knocked out 2 Shutterfly books thanks to the free book deals they offer!  First up, I made one book of my pregnancy with BB.  Second, I made a photo book of  his birth.  I am not a scrapbooker and there is no way I'd have time to keep up with something like that, but these books are so quick and easy to do that they work great for me!

13. Hike in Palo Duro Canyon.  (No progress)

I'm a bit concerned about whether my big ol' pregnant self can pull this one off, but I'm not taking it off the list just yet.  Hope springs eternal!

14. Complete a  52 week challenge and a monthly family photo.  (Minor progress)

I've managed to get behind here, but I'll be catching up in the next few weeks!

15.  Keep up with my perpetual calendar.  (Minor progress)

I'm way behind again.  I'll get on it.  Why is it that I don't take the time every night to just stinkin' write something down.  I keep it right next to my bed for crying out loud!!

16.  Finish Uncle Black Belt's book.  (Minor progress)

We are rolling on this one!  Uncle Black Belt is writing away and I've got Chapters 1-5 completely finished.

Bonus: Project 365 with the girls. (So far, so good!)

In 2014, High School Friend, College Roomie, Mrs. Arizona and I completed this. When the three of them all agreed to do it again, I could not chicken out.