Baby,

You are almost 6 weeks developed.
I don't personally feel you yet, but my body sure does. You"ll be happy to know your future feeding vessels are growing each day [it's quite uncomfortable, but well worth it].
I'm also doing my absolute best to make sure I am getting the proper nutrition to help you grow nice and strong. Tonight your papa made us orange chicken and rice with sweet potato fries [it's one of our favorite meals].
I had a pretty long and hard day at work today, so your papa, being the sweetest guy around, offered to give me the night off from cooking. He's the best, I can't wait for you guys to meet.
This weekend we'll be at the start of getting our office transformed into your new room. It will be so sweet, I can just about guarantee it.
Even though we know you are growing into a strong healthy human being, right now you're looking more alien like than human and we're still not sure whether you're a boy or girl. Which is totally fine!
Your papa and I LOVE animals. So without asking his approval, I'm just about certain he's gonna go for my animal themed nursery idea. Which is good in your case, considering animals are appropriate for either gender.

Like, here's one adorable crib bedding I found and Love...

And just look at how adorable these sheets are!!



Now, don't get too excited and come out too soon!! I've had to hold back my own extreme excitement so that everything stays nice n snug inside my belly.

So, as you can see, I've begun virtual window shopping already.

You should see the list I have prepared for you!!

Well, next Tuesday is my first appointment with the doc, you'll meet her in about 8 months.

I haven't even met her yet! So say a little prayer that all goes well with our first meet n greet.

And get growing!! I want to hear your little heartbeat so I know all is well with my little angel.

May God watch over you little blessing.

Muah.

pondering while shopping

20 minutes ago I contemplated writing a new post. I told myself I didn't have any inspiring or thoughtful words. So I let myself off the hook.

And yet, here I am, blogging away. We'll see if any inspiration comes of this.

At times when I'm alone with my thoughts, I think of my husband, and what an incredible person he is. One of things that most attracted me to him was how he flooded me with affection. I fell in love with him so quickly, partly because of this special trait. It's one of the ways we both feel loved. So thankfully, since we both need this constant affection, 4 years since we started dating, we still love to cuddle eachother, kiss, hug, nudge, poke, pinch, and yes...we spoon...pretty much every night.

Too sappy for ya?? I'm getting to something, don't worry. Mr B has a lot of other traits that I love and appreciate. And tonight, while sitting at the computer, I was reminded of how amazing he is at budgeting our money. Now, he may not think I feel this way. Because I know I sometimes nag(bitch) about our spending habits and that he doesn't keep me in the loop about how much money we have to spend on a weekly basis.
But I looked down onto his desk, and there lies a huge ledger. The kind an accountant would use when budgeting over like 100 expenses. He uses this humongous ledger book because it keeps him organized, up to date, and confident. I cannot say that I completely understand all the numbers lying about in different columns that do not ever seem to add up correctly. But I know he has a system, one that he's tried teaching me through failed efforts(teaching is not one of his strong points, his logic is sometimes way beyond mine). He has successfully kept us almost nearly out of debt(we're getting there) and up to date on all our bills, while still managing to take his wife out for breakfast or dinner every once in awhile.
I'm so thankful for my money conscience man!! Only I, and God, know how much of a relief it is to me to not have to worry about expenses. I love you Scottie B

Speaking of money, I get the sinking feeling we will have none come Jan 30, give or take a few days. We've got a bun in the oven! It's been cookin' for 4 weeks now. We are soooooo super de duper excited to have a baby!! But I do have a small fear growing inside me that this baby is going to put a halt in our path to becoming debt free. But that is life. Something always seems to get in the way of saving money these days. I know we're not alone. Thankfully I have a budget conscience husband.

Back to baby news. The shopping has begun! Well, atleast the virtual shopping has begun.
Here you can see my baby must have list grow from what it is now into something that may be just a tad bit overwhelmingly ridiculous. But I don't care, it's so much fun! And so harmless, afterall, it is just a wishlist...[wink].

'Round Here

Things have been a little more crazy than normal around here lately. I say that because usually our home is pretty quiet and mellow. The way Mr B and I like it.
But we have a 7 month old puppy now and she really takes up a lot of our energy...in a good way.

When we moved here, one thing I couldn't wait to do was get a dog. And mostly just because I wanted somebody to walk with everywhere.We walk everyday!! Sometimes 3 walks in one day. It's wonderful, and I haven't got tired of the scenery yet.

We live in the Lakeview neighborhood, just a few miles north of downtown Chicago. Another name for it is the Southport Corridor. It's a very desirable place to live. Everyday moms are out walking with their kids, people are jogging, and dogs are exploring. It's a busy street, not because of all the car traffic, but because of the people traffic. Addi and I do a lot of people watching. Just yesterday we sat down at Leo's Coney Island for a $2 beer on the patio. It's been quite chilly out this month and yesterday was the exception. I think the temperature got up to 90 degrees!!

I brought a book along to read, but was too distracted by all the people and dogs walking by. Many of which drooled over my girl, Addi. She is quite the attention getter. She loves the attention from people....and other dogs of course. We met a big girl named Bella. She is a Spinoti(who knows if I spelled that correctly). Her breed comes from Italy. She was very lovely, a sweet calm disposition. Her owner, Mary, was friendly as well, considering she decided to sit down and have a beer with us...haha!

Addi makes friends very easily. She is quite popular already at the Dogaholics dog park on Southport. It's maybe her most favorite place to be in the world. She starts galloping when she senses we are getting near. She gets along great with everyone, Molly the bulldog, Blanche the American bulldog, Riley the lab, D Rose the shepherd puppy...just to name a few(FYI, they're not all pictured). It's a blast watching them all play together.

My niece, Emilee, just went home yesterday after visiting for a week. She wanted to take Addi to the dog park everyday just so she could pet the other dogs. It was really cute. We had a great time together, shopping, walking, going to Starbucks, we saw a play, and a movie, and I took her to her first Cubs game at Wrigley Field. I miss my girl already.

So our house is a little quieter since she's left. But tomorrow my mom gets here. I'm so excited to see her! It's been since November that we've seen eachother when she drove with Mr B and I out to Minnesota for our big move to the midwest. I am really looking forward to her seeing our home and life here in Chicago. I just know she is going to love this area. It will be only her second time to Chicago. Hopefully we can make it to a Cubs game this weekend, they are playing the Giants. She'll be here just in time for some great weather.

It's been beautiful these past couple days. It's about 80 out today. Although, there is rain in the forecast...hopefully not too much.

Mr B has been working so much lately.

Trader Joe's had their grand opening on Friday. They have been very busy. The store is beautiful. It's very bright and airy with windows all along 2 sides of the building looking out onto Diversey. Addi and I like to take walks to go visit him. Monday he finally got a day off and went golfing with a friend from work. Since he's off on Sunday, I'm hoping we can make it to a Cubs game together with my mom.

 Speaking of the Cubs...it's time to step it up!! It's no fun watching them lose so often. Let's hope for a great series against the Giants!! GO CUBS GO!!!!

Addi Girl

So we've been a little busy these past few days. Its been almost a week since we brought "baby girl" home from PAWS Chicago.
She is as sweet as can be. Such a lover, and just as lazy.
She is doing great! We are helping her along with some potty training issues, but she seems to catch on pretty quickly.
I can't say the same for separation. She really is having a hard time when we leave her alone for more than an hour.
She is only 7 months, so I'm hoping this is something she will grow out of once she builds up some confidence. She is still just a pup and after a stressful ordeal of a vet visit, exploratory surgery, abandonment by her owners, and a couple weeks spent at a kennel waiting for an adoption I'm sure it's pretty understandable that she have some separation anxiety.
We're gonna try a daycare where she can socialize and get used to being away from us for a few hours.
It's really like having a child. They need constant supervision, a food and potty schedule, and lots of love and attention. It's so rewarding though. She loves to snuggle. Aside from the little issues we are working on with her, it is comforting to know we have a pretty well behaved dog. (Compared to our last beast. Poor Wrigs.)
Well, here she is....

adoption day at PAWS

on our way to aunt Robin's

Add caption

papa's girl

our baby girl

Add caption

at the vet for a checkup-everyone loved her, she loved everyone

We can't wait for you all to meet her!

just something I came across

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace
was on him, and by his wounds
we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

I am completely lacking discipline these days. it is really starting to hang on me like a wet blanket. I'm lacking discipline in multiple areas of my life. but one that it is completely unprioritized more than anything else is the discipline to read my bible. I really can't read anything lately. I could say, "I don't know why". but I do know. it's a lack of discipline. ugggghhhhh. what to do. I seriously keep thinking that one day, I will just snap out of it and get back on a reading binge. but it's been like 6 months. there's been no snap.

I came across this verse tonight. I thought it was very relevant for today's meaning. but you know what? you know what makes me very sad? I forgot it was good friday. I know. how could I? but I did. I just busied myself all day with worldly desires, and I should have instead taken the time to be alone with God. of course, he calls us all back to him in his own way, and mostly on our time unfortunately. but I think he's up there waiting patiently while I finish writing this post.

well, I found this verse tonight for a reason. it brought me back to him.

I am in LOVE

Does this precious little angel make you melt?

mr b and I are in LOVE. We found Penny, a bassetthound mix, at the PAWS rescue down the street.
She is 7 months old, just a puppy. and she is as sweet as can be! she is very docile. she just walked right into the room we were waiting for her in, put her nose to the floor and began sniffing out the entire room with ears dragging on either side of her head. so hound dog. it was precious.

she loved on us, gave us kisses, rolled over to show us her belly, and then we said goodbye.

we just adore her, and we want to adopt her. but because she is so docile and sweet, level 1 on the canine-ality[personality] test, she could go fast. meaning, most people out there looking to adopt are looking for a level 1 personality, just like Penny here.
if it's meant to be....it's meant to be. and if not, well then, there are other fish in the sea....rather dogs in the kennel.

Penny, we hope to see you tomorrow. but if we never meet again, I hope a loving family has welcomed you into their home.

Love, mr & mrs b

Sharing

I've been busy working on a new craft.
I thought I'd share it with you.
It's for a special person's birthday.

This little project was quite time consuming. 2 days worth of cutting and rolling mini rosettes (not a full 24 hours worth each day....but you get the idea).

I decided to adorn my wreath [made by Jill] with some rosettes.....

And my sis who I love (and so does she) sharing crafty ideas with, made me these hair clips

.....actually, my lovely niece Noonie did the braiding for the hair clips. Aren't they so talented?! Such a great mother/daughter team.

Later today, mr. b texted me this:

scottie b:  I'm about to eat a rattlesnake sausage.

me:  What rattlesnake would let you eat his sausage? That's gross!

scottie b:  [sent me a picture]