some photos

Here are some photos that I think are cute and silly that I wanted to share. As much as I want it to be spring we've had fun times entertaining ourselves as we've been stuck inside during the winter.

One of Noelle's favorite activities to do indoors.

This happens a lot and she would sleep with more of her stuffed animals if we let her. The dog to the right of her face is "ricky" and she HAS to have him sleep by her EVERY night.

I love her curly hair. And I wish I had just a little bit of it.

listening to my ipod

feeding her baby. getting ready for her little brother or sister, maybe.

Noelle is constantly getting out books for us to read to her. But I also find her reading to herself a lot.

taking her blood pressure. She did this all by herself. She watches me do this almost every morning.

putting her baby in timeout. A little sad but even funnier I think.

First Photo Book

I have really been wanting to do this for a while. In fact I even have my own software to do it but I just haven't gotten around to it. I've never been one who scrapbooks. So I thought digital scrapbooking was the way to go. Honestly I haven't tried it. I think I will one day. But I've really been wanting to make a NICU photo book for Noelle and one for her first year. And finally yesterday I got around to doing the NICU book. I thought I better try to get these finished before baby #2 comes around. Because I probably won't do them afterward. So if you want to see it go here. I think it turned out really well and I can't wait to actually get it in the mail.

Valentines Day

This Valentines wasn't too exciting for us. Noelle had a hard night last night and so we both woke up a little later. But I did make pink, heart shaped pancakes. This is a first for me. I'm not very good at making pancakes to begin with. I always make Michael flip them because I always seem to ruin it. But I have to say that with a little patience I was able to successfully make yummy pancakes that Noelle actually ate. Then I took a paper stencil and cut out the shape of a heart in the pancakes. The two below are the ones I am proudest of. Then we just had a normal day. Grandma Fullmer came to visit Noelle and brought a little purse full of goodies. Noelle loved that. She also got a visit from her aunt Alyson and our friend Kat. It was very nice to have company. After Michael got home from work we gave Noelle her little "Valentine basket" that had some stickers and chapstick in it. She's obsessed with chapstick lately. I made some cupcakes to take around to some neighbors and we took a couple of Noelle's friends a sweetart valentine. She really enjoyed giving it to them herself. She just gets this light in her eyes when she gives someone something. It makes her so happy.

my pink pancake creations

Noelle dressed in pink and red

And of course, Happy Valentines Day to my love, Michael. I am so grateful for him in my life. He knows me so well and he means everything to me. He puts us first and I love him more every day.

Cousins

Last week Noelle got to meet her new cousin Eric for the first time. I thought it went really well. She wasn't so sure at first but she kept giving him kisses and calling him "baby Tanner" (my brother's name). I didn't want to stop holding him it was addicting. He is so cute and it makes me so emotional just holding him. Anyway, Noelle has been the only grandchild and this is going to be so good for her. I'm afraid she may be a little jealous in the months to come but she is a really sweet and thoughtful little girl and I think it will pass. I'm hoping it will give her a little practice as well as she will be a big sister this summer.

Not so sure at first

smiling at little Eric

Holding Eric, I love this one

I'm in heaven

Pregnancy update:
I'm 15 weeks. I'm feeling much better lately. My energy level has certainly changed. Although I still get super tired at the end of the day. My blood pressure has been low :). Since I've been pregnant some of the cravings I've had have been:
Pickles (this was at the very very beginning, never thought I would crave that)
Cafe Rio Salads
Mint chocolate chip ice cream
hummus (weird)
apple juice
orange juice (this is my current craving, it just tastes so good to me and it seems like the baby likes it)

I got a little bug a couple of weeks ago and since then there isn't much that actually sounds good to me. And that's saying a lot. I get sick if I don't eat so that's what's kept me eating. Chocolate does not taste the same. It doesn't make me sick it's just not very good to me. We're going to be finding out the gender of the baby in two and half weeks. About three weeks earlier than last time. I feel a little more anxious about knowing the gender this time around. Last time I felt I was having a girl but I couldn't tell you that this time I've had a feeling either way. Plus then we can know if we need to buy a whole new wardrobe or not.

Go Me!

So this may be a silly post to some but it's really a big deal for me. My blood pressure has been good for over a week now! It's actually been low. Not on the border between high and low but LOW. Lower than it's been in a long time. I've been taking my blood pressure every day and I'm glad I have been because it's kept my motivation up to eat well and exercise and it's helped my worries lessen. That's all, go me!

New Recipes

Just in case anyone wants to know I posted 9 new recipes on my recipe blog. I've been having fun trying new recipes and I just want a place to keep track of them. Check it out if you want any of the following recipes:

Creamy Sausage and Tomato Dip
Oreo Cookie Balls
Banana Banana Bread
Creamy Tomato and Chicken Spaghetti
Crepes
Chicken Rice Casserole
Hamburger Rice Hot-Dish
Teandra's Pizza
Taco Pie

There are also other yummy recipes besides the ones posted above.

Something that inspires me

Little Eric

My little nephew Eric Robert Fullmer II was born today and he was 6lbs 9oz and 20.5 inches long. We're so excited that he is here and his mom sure did a good job at bringing him here. I look up to you Nina. Michael and I got to hold him today for a little bit and I was in heaven the whole time. Congratulations you guys! He is one handsome little guy. We call him little Eric.


For those of you who don't know he was named after my brother who passed away 2 1/2 years ago. I already see a little of Eric in him and I can feel his perfect little spirit. So good to have him here.