A New Blog Home

So, I took the plunge and created a new blog. I'm not sure where that leaves me with this one. I suppose I'll figure it out one step at a time.

This new blog, Bringing Up Baby Bear, is more centered around our family. I guess I felt the constant reference to housewife took away from my little ones. And since getting back into the blogging routine, the fresh start felt nice.

So please, COME FOLLOW ME!

Pregnancy Update: 11 Weeks, 3 Days

So, I'm somewhat behind (already) but I did it on purpose. We go to the doctor for the first time today so I wanted to wait and share what information I could from the appointment instead of doing 2 separate posts.

This picture isn't the best because just like Rozlyn, we have a super crazy, active baby. Every time the doctor got the baby in good view to snap a picture, he/she would move. He/she is upside down and the biggest round part in the picture is his/her head and the more blurred part to the right of the head is, well, his/her body. (Boy, I will be happy to not have to use "he/she" in the coming weeks!)

How far along? 11 Weeks and 3 Days (Dr. is saying 10w4d but since learning from my midwife, I'm not going by measurements but the traditional LMP)
Total weight gain/loss: Nothing since last week...So, total ~3 lbs (starting weight 125, current weight 128)
Maternity clothes? Nope
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: I'm beginning to be less tired...unless I have a rough night with Rozlyn then I cash in on a nap with her.
Best moment this week: The nausea has slowed down!
Miss Anything? From time to time, I wish I could have a drink or two.
Movement: Not yet
Food cravings: Chinese food and BBQ (which were the same as with Rozlyn!)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Have you started to show yet: A little, teeny, tiny bump...which I hope to show off next week! (I planned for this week but it just didn't work out.)
Gender prediction: I don't like to predict but I do think another girl!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! With a bit of irritability
Weekly Wisdom: EAT!
Looking forward to: This afternoon's appointment!

P.S. This was written Wednesday but just now published, Friday, due to extreme craziness...and lack of pictures. Hoping to get Mark to help me out with some this weekend for the next update.

30 Days of Thanks - Week 2

To keep with last week's Thankful Thursday theme, there's my list of daily thankfulness.

8th Day of Thanks - For my family near and far. Everyone of you are so dear to me and I love you all with my whole heart.

9th Day of Thanks - My friends, especially the new ones I've made and the ones I've reunited with. Friends are like spices to our life, making life a flavorful adventure. I'm so lucky that my life is full of great friends to my journey so zesty! Haha! (That was on the verge of extremely corny!) :) Love you ladies!

10th Day of Thanks - The end of my first trimester is near. Although the nausea still isn't as bad as my Rozlyn-pregnancy, I'm so over it.

11th Day of Thanks - My passion for baking and being challenged to try new things. (To clarify, I only made the bird nest cupcakes!)

12th Day of Thanks - Food on my table...and my superb cooking skills to make that food taste good! :) Plus the company I share the food with is the best! (I made a super yummy parmesan-crusted ranch chicken that I will have to share soon!)

13th Day of Thanks - The wonderful weather we have been having. So lovely and enjoyable! And perfect for the upcoming holiday festivities!

14th Day of Thanks - My first doctor's appointment to see our littlest baby! The anticipation has been killing me and the minutes are ticking by like hours! Hopefully I'll come home with pictures to share!

15th Day of Thanks - To be attending the last of my beloved Twilight movie premieres with some good friends! It will be such a bittersweet night but I've looked forward to it for so long!

30 Days of Thanks - Week 1

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday post is quite sometime.
But I have been participating in the 30 Days of Thanks on Facebook so I decided I would compile my weekly Thanks on here for the month of November.
And try to keep up with the traditional Thankful Thursdays after that.

Week 1: November 1-7

1st Day of Thanks - The new little muffin I'm baking up. The anticipation and excitement of the sibling bond Rozlyn and this baby will share is overwhelming

2nd Day of Thanks - The husband that's taken care of me for nearly 9 years, has worked to give me everything I need and want, and whom I love wholeheartedly forever and ever and ever.

3rd Day of Thanks - The little ball of sunshine that brightens every day God blesses me with. I'm so insanely thankful and grateful I get to spend every day watching her grow, learn, and just be the silly little girl she is. Our little Rozlyn is the most precious gift we have ever received and every second with her is cherished.

4th Day of Thanks - The amazing, giving, loving parents that have always believed in me and stood by my side. They have instilled in me values and morals that will work to teach my own children. I never understood the love they have for me till I had my own baby and it's such an incredible feeling to know I'm loved that much.

5th Day of Thanks - The home Mark and I built. So much love is shared here and so many smiles start here. The happiness I have from whom I share this space with is the best. 

6th Day of Thanks - That by the end of the day, the debates will be over, there will be a reduced amount of political talk through various media outlets, and a president will be determined. Though I don't care about politics in the least bit, it's during these times that my belief in acceptance and respect is strengthened; to accept that others believe differently than I and to respect others by keeping my opinions to myself.

Election Day - Momma's Voting Partner

7th Day of Thanks - Positivity and happiness. It's important to always look up and forward. Believe in the good of others plus be the good yourself. And always smile, for frown lines are far less attractive than laughter lines.


Linking up on:
black tag diaries
First Day of My Life

First Pregnancy Update

So, I decided to try to keep up with one of these pregnancy questionnaires throughout this pregnancy.
I regret not doing with Rozlyn although it wasn't that eventful anyways, it still would've been nice to refer back to.

Hope you enjoy watching me grow!

(I will post a picture later this afternoon!)

How far along? 10 Weeks and 1 Day
Total weight gain/loss: ~3 lbs (starting weight 125, current weight 128)
Maternity clothes? Nope
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: In need of a lot...I generally sleep with Rozlyn during her naps
Best moment this week: Knowing I'll see the doctor soon
Have you told family and friends: Yes! We made the announcement at 7 weeks with Rozlyn's Big Sister picture
Miss Anything? Energy
Movement: Nope
Food cravings: Chinese food (that I've yet to get!)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: I don't think so...maybe a little pudge by the end of the day
Gender prediction: Hmm...I don't know!
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Weekly Wisdom: Sleep when possible! And remember to eat!
Looking forward to: Our Christmas gender surprise! :D

Linked up to:
My Joy-Filled Life

Growing News

It's big...really big...scary big...
But I'll just let Rozlyn tell you.

That's right.
Rozlyn is gunna be a big sister.
And we will have a new addition to our family sometime around June 2013.

I really, really, really hope to do a better job documenting this pregnancy.
Last time, it was pretty eventful and just a smooth cruise (not that I wouldn't appreciate no morning sickness and little weight gain again).
But overall, I do hope to experience something to put down in the books besides just a gender reveal.

Don't Call It a Comeback

Well, you can call it that if you want.

But I'm going to try my hardest to get back in the "blogging game". I've neglected it so much. And I miss it.

I miss connecting with so many people that I feel share the same interests as I do...the people that you just don't find in your own neighborhood.

I've spent the last several weeks thinking how I'm going to come back. Did I just want to revitalize this blog since it's established and has some followers? Or start fresh and new?

Obviously, I decided to stick with what I know. Drastic change scares me. So we'll see how it goes.

Depending where this new blogging expedition leads, a new blog name may be more appropriate. I just don't know yet.

Anyways, while I try to sort out what I want this blog to "be", I thought so pictures of my adorable chub would be appropriate...since I've been away for so long and all...you've missed out on how much this little angel has grown!

She is 6 months old already!!! Ek!!! Someone needs to build a good, depend "pause" button or at least a slow motion button...I can't take the time passing so quickly.

Until next time my friends,
Lynzi

Planned Projects

So I've been inspired lately to start too many projects at once for Little Miss Roz.
Many projects that, unfortunately, do not benefit her right now.
But I just cannot contain my excitement as a parent.

As I watch Rozlyn grow and learn something new each day, I feel like I need to prepare for the future.
And that's exactly what my recent projects are all about.

Here is the felt board I started a few weeks ago.
This bright idea was a Pinterest-inspired project from Natalie at The Busy Budgeting Mama.
It has been one of the first bigger projects I've taken on recently and I'm completely in love with it.
I get all giddy when I get to spend a few of nights a week cutting out new shapes to add to her felt box collection.
So by the time Rozlyn's old enough to play, I'll have nearly every shape imaginable ready for her.

And since she won't be able to use it for quite some time, I plan to use to play out stories for her.
One particular story I'm really excited to act out is the story of Christmas.
Each year as Christmas approaches I'll retell the story of Little Baby Jesus so she can know and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
And hopefully, it'll create a special memory for her to cherish forever.

Another project I started this past weekend was a scripture book.
I found the idea on Pinterest...obviously.
Carissa over at lowercase letters inspired me with her Scripture Scraps.
Since I will find ANY reason to make a photo book, I decided to put my own spin on it by using Shutterfly to make Rozlyn's scripture book.

Click here to view this photo book larger

You'll love Shutterflys award-winning photo books. Try it today.

I hope you feel inspired to do something for your little ones...whether they will be able to use it now or not.
It will benefit them at some point in their lives and that makes planning ahead so worth it.

Debuting: Rozlyn Chevelle

After being 5 days past her due date and causing mommy 3 days of prodromal labor before going into active labor, my little cupcake is here.

And she is simply the most beautiful thing in the world!

Rozlyn arrived at 2:15 AM on March 16, 2012.

She came into the world at 8 lbs 0 oz and measured 20 inches long.

We were on our way home as independent parents by 5:30 that same morning.

It's been the most overwhelming, challenging, AMAZING experience ever.

While each night is a scary conquest, each day is such a new adventure that as new parents creates this continuous growing sense of love and admiration.

Momma Pics

Today, I am 36 weeks 3 days. 

I thought it'd be appropriate to share some belly pics and an update since it's been a while.

Here are some pictures my wonderful sister-in-law, Carrie, did for me.

She really did such an amazing job.

My 36 weeks baby bump.

This is my favorite shot so far.

I should be getting some more soon so I'll be sure to add them.
And I'll be doing a little mini shoot with Mark this weekend.

I'm so, so excited about those too!

As far as my pregnancy goes, I think I'm pretty dang lucky.

I don't have much to complain about...at least seriously complain about.

I still complain to Mark about back pains and these new crampy feelings I get.

Which my dang midwife was pumped to hear about.

Haha!

Looking back on my entire pregnancy, I can't help but laugh.

I started out thinking I was going to keep one of those cool pregnancy journals to record all those fun pregnancy things. 

I planned to blog almost daily about new developments and stats.

Well, this not-so-typical pregnancy didn't leave me doing any of that. 

Seems to be the simplest thing in the world so there didn't seem to be much to share.

But please, don't throw that in my face when I'm giving birth.

I don't think I'll be that lucky to have the same type of things to say. 

I do look forward to sharing that story with you though.

Just 3 1/2 short weeks to go, my friends!!!

Our Last Valentine's Day

Alone.

Without a little precious baby

To worry about. To invade our space. To consume our time.

And to love with our whole hearts.

But don't be mistaken.

We are quite alright with that.

I did get to spend a nice lunch with my hubby.

Came home to make him a special card from little Stewart and me.

I made the card...Stu just signed it with his cute little puppy paw

(And ate of few of the yummy V-Day cookies I made for loverboy yesterday)

Got a sweet card that my honey made for me.

Picked up dinner for us since hubs isn't feeling too well.

And overall, had a great day thinking about how much love I have for this man.

The father of my child.

My forever Valentine.

I hope everyone had a very special Valentine's Day.

<3

The Rozlyn Epistles & A Merry Christmas

My Dearest Rozlyn,

Today is Christmas Day! Out first Christmas knowing you exist. Our last Christmas as just me and Papa Bear. I can't help by be overwhelmed withe excitement when I think in just 365 shore days we will be spending our first Christmas with you, as a family. I think of what you will be life in those first 10 months. I know you will exceed my expectations and wow me everyday with your presence. 

Today, on the day of Jesus' birth, I know what a wonderful gift He gave me and your Papa Bear. Never forget how great He is and He will always provide to you the greatness you deserve.

Love,

Your Mother

___________________________________

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone's day is just as magical as mine will be!

Is that gas???

Or little baby kicks???

From what I've read, those little kicks start out as little flutters or butterflies.

And it's been said that this starts around 16-20 weeks.

Well, 21 weeks rolls around and I still haven't felt a thing!

But for the last few days, I've felt these strange twinges of gas, so I thought.

(I apologize if that's TMI)

So, I ignored it till last night.

I was cracking up through a movie and it was just too odd that those little odd twinges would hit me as I'm falling apart on the floor.

This is when it hit me, this very well could be my child!

Then, this morning, I woke up unreasonably early and to pass time, I decided to push on my belly.

Sure enough, those strange twinges pushed back at me.

This is the conclusion that I've come to since she kicks when I laugh:

She either has a sense of humor like her mother OR I get on her nerves (like I do everyone else with my sense of humor!).

Either way...I'm glad I can finally feel her.

I'm not sure if I can feel it from the outside yet but I cannot wait for Mark Dean to get home to see if he can feel it.

GRAND!parents

I'm not one to write about hard times or anything of that nature.

I tend to bottle all that up and pretend everything is ok.

I cry alone.

I hurt in hiding.

But lately, that has been hard.

My grandfather died last month. 

I've never experienced lose like this before.

The other day I heard Carrie Underwood's song "Just A Dream".

I cried then.

Alone in my car.

And now, I'm crying out loud.

I wrote this on my very first blog.

It sums up what my grandfather means to me.

So I realized...what the grand in GRAND!parents is really all about.

GRAND!parents are supposed to teach you memorable things - things that will guide you through life - things to build a strong mind and being - and in the end, leave you with things to tell your children but only after they learn them from their grandparents.

And I have come to realize, too, that mine are the best!

I can so happily say that my wonderful grandmother taught me to write a check, order from a catalog, and planted the love seed for the Home Shopping Network and other ridiculous home shopping programs...all this before I was 8 or 9. I can so vividly remember staying at her house and watching old sitcoms that used to be on Nick @ Nite (which are now on TV Land, maybe) and then moving onto the home shopping programs till 12 or 1 AM.

As for my grandfather, being just as wonderful as my grandmother, has embedded in me the silly love of simple science experiments and a love for maps, atlases, and road trips. I can remember standing in the kitchen where he showed me the split spoon experiment. I can remember standing at the kitchen table where he showed me how to look up the coordinates of a city in an atlas (and between my grandfather and my dad, I got it down pretty quick and owe a lot of geographical knowledge to them).

And with the love these 2 share, they created my mother, who I owe all of my being to (as if, I don't owe just as much to my dad). I envy the love that they share - that they share with each other, with my mom, and with me.

And the creator of my wonderful father - she was just as grand! Though she left while I was quite young and been gone for many years now, I can still say I learned from her. I learned how to argue and be very headstrong. This she passed on to my father first which then passed to me. And when I get the slightest whiff of some down home country cookin', I can't help but think of her - even then I didn't eat that stuff, I can still see my wonderful family sitting around her kitchen table.

Yes, they are grand! So very, very grand.
And they are the best because they are mine.

The Rozlyn Epistles

So, I've seen a lot of "Letters to..." on momma-to-be/mommy blogs.

And thought I'd join in on leaving sweet things for my dear child to see when she grows older.

So, here's my first epistle to my sweet daughter:

My dearest Rozlyn:

I am half-way to meeting you. The wait is killing me. I hope these letters to you will help me to pass the time as I wait for your arrival. It will give me time to tell you of the hopes and aspirations I have for you, sweet one. 

I want you to create your own path in life. As your mother, I want the very best for you and I hope the choices you make will be the best. I know there will times that you will struggle and fall but always know I am here for you. And remember that these challenges you will face are along your path of life to make you who you are to become. As I sit here waiting to meet you, I realize that you have already begun to create your own path...ultimately, you will be the one to decide when to make your debut. And as bad as I want to meet you, I will be patient. As long as you are safe, you are free to discover who you are and who you want to be. This means letting you stay in the womb, close to my heart as long as you need. 

Sweet child of mine, you do not the intensity of the love I have for you. And you probably never will. But this love runs deep and I know it will only continue to grow. I know because I feel it each day.

With Undying Love,

Your mother

Nursery Inspiration

In my head, the nursery is complete.

I can't say it's all my own creativity.

But building the nursery, piece by piece, has def. been a creative outlet for me.

Here's what has inspired me:

(mostly all from Pinterest)

White furniture.

Neutral walls with lots of pink!

Ruffles!!!

An adorable sidetable

And a little inspiration from Etsy, too.

White Ruffled Valance

So, I've started a few projects here and there.

We'll see how it all comes together.

I'll def. be sharing it with you when it's done!

A Little....

GIRL

is in our future!!!

Our little Rozlyn Chevelle.

This is the special picture text that we sent out to our family and friends.

And here are a few more from the shoot.

And here's a profile picture of our sweet little girl .

I would post more but since I don't have a clue what I'm looking at when I'm looking at the ultrasound pictures, I figured it'd be best if I didn't.

Maybe when we get the 4D ultrasound done, I can make more sense of what I'm looking at! Haha!

Gender Reveal Plans

We had planned on having a gender reveal party but there have been a few things in my family that a party would only complicate things even more.

So, I decided to do just a simple text to the family.

But I had to make it cute,

in some way or another.

I, first, took these adorable pics over the weekend.

And posted them on Facebook for our family and friends to vote on whether 

they thought the baby was a boy or girl.

So, come Thursday, I'll be sending out a text to our family and friends with a special reveal picture.

Then that evening, I'll post it on Facebook...and of course, right here!!!!

After I get home from shopping!

Re-Vamp

I'm thinking a little blog revamp may help me get back into the blogging game.

Construction begins...
NOW!

A Special Visit

Yesterday, I got to see our bambino again.

13 weeks 3 days

The picture isn't the best.
But our baby is still a cutie pie.

It was the most amazing experience so far on this journey.

Throughout the ultrasound,
the baby had the hiccups.
And the whole time, it was sucking it's thumb.
Each time, it would hiccup, it'd release it's thumb and fly to the top of the sac.
Then fall right back into place, thumb in mouth.

So. Darn. Cute.

After our appointment,
Mark Dean and I went to Pappasito's
to celebrate our ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.
A few days early.
And it was, by far, the best meal I've had in a very long time.

It's so hard to believe it's been one year.
One amazing year.
That is for sure.

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their week.
Time to hit the books.
Again.