Bella's Room

Just a quick post to show you the bedding I have picked out for Bella's room!

I absolutely LOVE it! And no I won't be doing the walls like that, but they will be pretty beautiful! The website that I am ordering from also sells the wall paint!

WOOHOO I don't have to match colors!

I had originally wanted to go with pink and green because I had gone with pink and brown in Jenna's room and I love pink! However, when I saw this I fell in love! And I saw so many cute sets with black in them too, but I already have the furniture and don't want to buy new or re-do mine. And it absolutely doesn't go with black. But this works perfectly! Absolutely LOVE it!

~J~

And her name shall be called.....

Yes, we have finally decided on a name for our little Princess.

Her name will be "Bella Reese Diaz."

I know that most of you know we were planning to go with the "J" thing. So here is the reason we decided to abandon it and go with something else.....

We were having a tough time coming up with a girl "J" name that we could both agree on, we quickly agreed on Jenna because we both loved the name. But we couldn't come up with anything else that we just loved. And we didn't want to name our little girl something we didn't love just to make it a "J" name. Also, if we were having such a hard time finding 1 girl name, how could we be sure to find another one if we have another girl in the future? So we thought it was best to just end it now. (hard time with this? Ref: Dugger family)

We have pondered many different names and I have always loved the middle name Reese. And the other night we were in the living room and JD suggested the name Bella Reese! Which we both loved!!! I researched it and it means "God's Promise" and is actually a Latin name. And I think that is pretty cool!

So we are so proud to have our little Princess' Jenna and Bella!

Bella is between 22 & 23 weeks right now, and here is a picture of her development. And NO! That is not a picture of me, it's a picture from http://www.babycenter.com.

She moves a TON! I can sit down and watch my whole stomach move around. Which I don't remember being able to do so early on with Jenna. I really think I'm further along then what they are telling me but only time will tell!

Enjoy the pic!

~J~

Geez people...it's a girl...not a frog...

So I know that most people would think that we would have rather had a boy. So let me take a moment to clear this up and introduce you to our family.....

It's kinda weird because when we announced that we were having a girl with Jenna we were met with total excitement and congratulations. However, now that we are having another girl we are being met with, "Oh, did you want a boy?" or "I bet JD wasn't happy" or "It will be okay, you'll have a boy too."

What's up with this? I mean it's a precious life, a wonderful little girl! And just in case you haven't noticed, we are really good at making super cute girls so this is actually a no-brainer for us. I mean, I am sure boys are wonderful, but honestly I am really good with girls (right now) and JD works a ton, so this is actually perfect for us right now. And I should also be so petty as to remind you that for Jenna we got all PINK stuff so we get to re-use everything and have very little to buy!!!

Here's the deal with JD.......
JD's original plan for us was to have 3 kids, 2 girls first (close together), and then 1 boy (a few years later). The reason for this is..... JD works about 50+ hours per week. All this is good because hey, it's for our business! But at the same time he doesn't have as much time as he would like to be active with the kids just yet. However, his plan is for me to have the girls at home for a few years and do the "girlie" thing! You know, bows, tea party's, dress-up, manicures, pedicures, jewelry, dolls, etc. And then in about 3 years or so have a boy. JD will be able to work less by then and do the whole outdoors sports thing, coach a baseball team, etc.

Now since our original plan, JD has also mentioned having several more kids...but that's beside the point...

The point is, we couldn't be more thrilled that we are having a girl! We are just so excited....and yes JD is too! Now, we did have a plan together for if it was a boy, and would have been very excited with a boy too. But I just wanted to assure everyone that there is not an ounce of disappointment with our new little Princess!

Now just watch out...because you know how cute our little Jenna is...so just wait until we have 2 little girls!!! It will be a flood of cuteness walking around!!!

Pictures to follow soon....

~J~

The results are in and.......

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't be more thrilled to announce that we are having a GIRL!!!
Oh the amount of personality that will soon fill this home!

We went for our sonogram yesterday (Thurs, Oct 1st). And it was actually last minute, because otherwise we would have had to wait for another week (at least).

So bring it on....bows, pink, personality, giggles, fun, matching outfits, etc!

My sister and I are only 17 months apart and most of the time people thought we were twins. My Mom always dressed us in matching outfits and bows. I will definitely do that to my girls...they will love me for it one day!

The sono tech said that the baby is measuring a little big and is growing at 88%, so it's possible that she could come early. I will keep you posted!

And the next question I know everyone wants to know is what we will name her, but we haven't decided on a name yet, and I have no idea when we will! That might be one of those things we decide on when we have her...we'll see! Several of the names that I love are already taken (sad face) by different babies around the same age, so that stinks. But we'll come up with something, and I'll let you know when we do!

Goodnight, sleep tight!

~J~

And Jenna saves the day...or the dog...same difference!

The cutest thing happened this morning.....

So in our bedroom we have a sliding door to the back yard. Usually every morning I open all the blinds so we can have wonderful daylight...helps with the whole energy thing.

I was in our room making the bed and had the door open so Jenna could go in and out. Well, Joey (the dog) has a rival dog "Peanut" (the neighbors mini-dachshund), and every time Peanut comes out, him and Joey have a barking match at the fence. This has been happening for the 2 years we've been here and I don't see it changing anytime soon. I usually just let him bark, after he's done he's pretty wiped out and comes inside to sleep the day away. I figure in this situation...I win.

Well, not today......

Today, while Jenna is playing by the door, Peanut comes out and Joey sees him (it's really quite dramatic...let's imagine background music...dum...dum...dum...).

Joey of course bolts out of the house and runs to the fence to start his super loud and vicious (for a chihuahua) barking. Jenna (who has not witnessed such behavior) is in shock and gets so upset. She literally runs (1st time I've seen her go that fast) to the fence to try to save her dog! I see her, grab my flip flops, and head after her. When I get there she is already hitting the fence (trying to hit Peanut) and yelling quite hysterically at the dogs. I told Jenna to come here, and she turns to me with tears in her eyes, so upset that Joey is getting hurt (so she thinks). I grab Joey and we head inside...she hugged him and was so relieved that he was okay!

The look on her face once we were inside and Joey was safe and sound was priceless! It was the cutest thing ever...she felt so accomplished! However, it wiped her out too! She went down for a nap within 5 minutes of coming inside and that was 2 hours ago! What a trooper!!!

Jenna saves the dog!!!

~J~

E-N-E-R-G-Y

Where is that wonderful 2nd trimester energy? I mean c'mon if anyone needs it it's me, right? I mean, my house is in need of a deep cleaning, my laundry is in need of hangers, and I have a 13 month old! So where is it?

I am sitting here on my big comfy chair, wasting a perfectly wonderful opportunity to clean while Jenna is napping, and where is my energy?

I am just saying..... lately it seems as if after NOON I feel wiped out! This is just not gonna do. I have to change this and quick!

I feel like a silly cheerleader that wants to chant....

En-ner-gy! En-ner-gy! En-ner-gy!

(I know it only has one N, I am just demonstrating how it would sound.)

Maybe some vitamins....or some SUGAR!!! That's it...I'm going to make me some cupcakes...right now!

~J~

Drano gender test....

Has anyone else ever heard of this? So... the nursery supervisor at my church told me yesterday at church to do a Drano gender test to determine the sex of the baby. She said that she doesn't know anyone it has failed on! So of course when I heard that I decided.....heck yeah!

So today I went to Lowe's to get the Drano (crystals) to start the process.

But here's the deal....
She told me that you put about the same amount of Drano as you do "pee" and of course do it outside bc the smell could knock you out...not to mention it causes a pretty big chemical reaction that isn't safe inside. You get a medium to large glass and put a little Drano (crystals) in it and then you pee in a seperate cup and pour it in. Once the mixture bubbles up and settles, then the sex it determined by the remaining color!

Ok, so I know you probably think it's disgusting (and it is and also smells HORRID)...but I did it!
Before I did it I kinda forgot which color she said was for which...so I checked it out online.
And to my surprise it's actually pretty popular (they say between 89-97% accurate, but also an old wives tale) ....however, the colors that all the different sources online said about gender is not the same as what she said (I asked her again)!

So here I have a bunch of different sources and now "WHO IS RIGHT?"

So here's my theory...since it's been a while since she did it last (4 yrs)...maybe she got the colors confused....OR I am just as much in the dark now as before!

I know though....you want to know what the test said....RIGHT?!?

Well...according to my 5-6 different online sources, if the mixture turns dark and muggy then it's a boy and if it stays clear or lighter then it's a girl.

So "according to my sources" we are having a BOY! Which would be really exciting....but I am not getting my hopes up. Because if my friend is right then the same color means its a girl! Also exciting.....

AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!! What do you think?

Either way...I will get my sono in about 3 weeks or so...so we'll know for sure then

~J~

To do or not to do.....

So I am sitting here writing out all the projects that need done in our house before this next baby arrives...and really preferably before the holidays arrive.

I have to move Jenna into her new room by the end of September which means re-painting, re-carpeting, new blinds, trim around windows, staining furniture, new outlets, etc.

Then I still need to finish putting up shelves in my master bathroom and finish out the decorating. (ok, I can live without the decorations, but not the shelves.)

Next, I have to get Jennas current room ready for the new baby, which means new carpet, re-painting, new outlets, new blind, etc.

Oh and lets not forget the BIGGEST of them all....that would be the kitchen remodel! Oh yes! All the cabinet doors have to be replaced, the current cabinets sanded down and re-stained, new sink, new countertops, new backsplash, new venthood, fix the stove, new lighting, taking out the hanging cabinets oh and yes, PAINTING!

Now of course I am going to hire out the kitchen re-model. But just having my kitchen taken away for a week or two is not cool and I have to get this done before I have a new born! I mean, I am going to be working hard as it is keeping the dust and stuff away from Jenna! Then there's the question of food...I mean, I don't want to eat out solid for 1-2 weeks! Especially bc it's just tiring! But I know it has to be done...so complaining about it is just a waste.

You might be asking why we are doing all this remodeling?

Well, let me take a chance to explain....
The house we live in was originally a rent house we had, and of course we had tenants. The house was originally only supposed to be ours for about 6 months and the people we had in it were in contract to buy it from us. However, they fell behind on their pymts and the rest is history. They are no longer here, and well, we are. The only reason we are is because when I saw the house (I was in my early stages of pregnancy with Jenna & didn't know it) I decided to "flip this house!" (total hormones)

Anyways, so here we are remodeling! And in a few years when it's done and we have decided exactly where we want to build or re-locate to (probably Mansfield or Midlothian area) we will sell. But until that it's remodel time!!! We have already remodeled both bathrooms and most of the living room. So things are looking up....

But here's the whole reason for this blog....
So we haven't had a "vacation" since our 1 year anniversary in 2006. I mean that's 3 years! We have had a few getaways, but no actual "vacation." Knowing that we will be having another baby, the possibility of us being able to take a vacation after that will be very slim. And it is MUCH needed. My husband works 50-55 hours a week. Except for Wednesdays and Sundays, my husband doesn't even get home until about 8:45p.m. (on a good day)
I mean, we are so blessed to be able to have our own business, and God has done amazing things with it. But some alone time with my husband would be marvelous!

So here's the deal....do we vacation or get all the remodeling done? Now the perfect thing would be to have my kitchen remodeled while we are on vacation, but do we dare?

Tough choice....because where we really want to vacation is Atlantis in the Bahamas!
We went there for our 1 year anniversary and the place is amazing!!!
(check it out at www.atlantis.com)
I mean...you talk about a luxury vacation...that place is immaculate!

Then there's the tough part of leaving my little girl here without us...ahh! I have never left her overnight...but I figure between my sister and having JD's parents stay here at the house we could manage.

I'll let you know what we decide....just thought I'd share what's been going on in my head today!

~J~

Boy or Girl....which one do I REALLY want?

So being pregnant yet again I get this questions a lot... "So do you want a boy this time?"
And honestly the answer is.... "Do I?" Yes I know my answer is another question, but that's just it, I DON'T KNOW!

Here is how I see it.....
It doesn't really matter what I want, because it won't change what is already inside me. My baby already has a gender, and praying for something won't change the gender this child already is. And for that matter...I would be praying something different every day! That's called pregnancy hormones people!

You Moms can probably relate to this, but when I was pregnant with Jenna I REALLY wanted a girl. But in order to save myself from being let down I convinced myself it was a boy. But this time around, I honestly don't care!

So I compiled a list of Pro's and Con's for either...don't judge me...you know you did it too, I am just brave enough to admit it.

For a GIRL!

Pro's

1. Super cute & girly

2. Great playmate for Jenna

3. I have a girl, I am a girl, I know how they work!

4. I can re-use all of Jennas stuff and hardly have anything to buy!

5. My sister and I are only 17 months apart and grew up extremely close and are best friends to this day...I wish that for my kiddos!

6. Pink, pink, and MORE pink!!!

7. Dolls, barbies, ballet classes, & dress up!!!

Con's

1. 2 girls....ahhh! Am I ready for all this personality?

2. How will I keep all their stuff seperated...or will I?

3. Girl competition...I mean being this close together might mean they would end up liking the same boy!

For a BOY!

Pro's

1. I don't have a boy...this could be really cool!

2. J.D. would have a little man to teach, train, and get his sports coaching skills out on!

3. I would get to register for all new stuff! Since I didn't register for ANYTHING gender neutral when Jenna was born....ehh...God will provide!

4. I could have a Momma's boy! Not in the wimpy sense...in the sweet, cuddly way!

5. Sports, sports, and MORE sports...I love sports...and Jenna could be his cheerleader!

6. Blue, green, trucks, balls, cars, and whatever else boys like to play with!

7. I will have a little man to dress, cut his hair, and style cool hats on!

Con's

1. Boys have a lot of energy....and we don't have a big back yard...what am I going to do to help him release all that energy?

2. I will have to get all new stuff...I have NOTHING for boys!

3. Ummm... I will have to be ULTRA careful changing his diaper...I have had suprises from my nephew....they're not pretty!

Now I know that there are tons more Pro's than I have written down for both girls and boys. And actually, even the "con's" are pro's. Because with each challenge comes the opportunity to grow as a person and as a parent! I am so excited to be having a 2nd baby, and I will be thrilled with either a boy or a girl! I have a wonderful husband who will help me and a wonderful little girl who will be a terrific big sister!

I know that God has always and will always provide! I am looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of a new little baby to raise in a Godly home. And even though it's still years away, I am looking forward to homeschooling my little angels!

~J~

My little Jenna is a 1 year old!

I know that yet again I have waited over a month to blog...things have been so busy around here I just haven't been able to find time to get my thoughts down.

But on July 15, Jenna celebrated her very 1st Birthday!!! That's right this year has flown by so quick and she is now a toddler! It was such a wonderful birthday week for our family. On Wednesday (15th) I made breakfast and her little cousins Andrew and Kyrie came over to eat and brought balloons. Then after some playtime and naps JD, Jenna, and I went to Toys R Us to pick out some toys for her! She had a lot of fun! Then off to church in the evening.

We had her birthday party on Saturday the 18th at the Little Gym. She LOVES that place and we wanted to have a place indoors to be able to have everyone, and it worked great!

After the party she was pooped so we went home and she napped for a few hours then we went to the back yard and hit the pinata with the family and then off to the carnival to enjoy the rides!

She was blessed with tons of gifts and the kids had so much fun playing together!

I am amazed at how fast my little Princess has grown. I vividly remember the day I gave birth to her, and all of the work involved throughout this year to get where we are. But I wouldn't have changed a thing. She is such a perfect little angel! I mean of course she's a kid...but she brings so much joy to our family, and gives us so much life! I have no idea what we did before we had her......life is so full now!

Here are a few pics of her birthday week!

Eating her morning pancakes!

Getting ready to go shopping with Daddy

Playing with giraffe at Toys R Us

Her gorgeous Princess cake

Jenna playing

Hitting her pinata! She tried, but the stick was a little heavy!

Jenna had so much fun at the carnival!

We're expecting!!!!

We are so thrilled to announce that we will be adding to the Diaz family! Baby Diaz will be arriving somewhere around February 21, 2010! I am thinking that if I can hold off a little, the baby could come on my birthday, Feb 25th!

We are so excited to have our 2 kiddos so close in age. They will be about 19 months apart!
I know that it will be a lot of work in the beginning, but I am looking forward to the challenge!

Please keep me in your prayers, really mostly for strength and energy!

I'll be posting more information and pictures when we get them!

~J~

I hate to say.....

But yes, it has been well over a month since I last wrote. Actually, I have tons of drafts that I would write and not finish, (usually due to my child waking from her nap) and never get back to!
So here goes.....
~J~

Future Pianist....

I've been trying to get Jenna interested in the piano...I know this might be premature (since she's only 10 months old) but I want her to have a love for music so that I don't have to force her to take piano and voice lessons.

When I was young I took piano lessons and once it got hard I decided that I didn't want to do it anymore (horrible mistake), however, I was young and completely incapable of making (big) decisions like that.

I can play chords and read (music) some, but it's somewhat difficult and I am kinda stuck at the level that I left off (which isn't great). I would love to be able to play better, so I have started to teach myself again (not making much progress)!

Also, my Mother REALLY wanted us to take voice lessons, but I was too embarrassed to try (I was 10!)! Needless to say, I REALLY wish my Mom would have MADE me take them, I would love to have had professional lessons!

So ALL that to say this......

We spend our day singing around that house, and anytime Jenna even so much as POINTS to the piano I go open it up and sit down so that she can play!

So yesterday, Jenna was crawling all over the house and went straight for the PIANO!!!!!!

She climbed up on it and was trying to play the keys!!!!!

Of course I got pictures!

This was her once I opened the top and she was playing as much as she could!

Concentrating!

So cute....my little Pianist!

~J~

Fun in the sun....

Today we have been super productive....but we took some time to chill in Jenna's pool too!

Now I usually have Jenna in a super cute pink swim suit topped off with a bow, however, all of her swim suits are drying so she just sported the (Little Swimmers) diaper today! And to add to the NON-girliness I had her wear a BLUE hat! This is a "mommy-no-no" if we were to be out in public, but at least we were in our own backyard...and c'mon she's IS wearing her new PINK polish!!!!

We LOVE hanging out together!!! I LOVE my job!

~J~

Pink polish!!!

Well of all the super fun and girly things you get to do with a little girl, one of the OMG! girl moments is..... "NAIL POLISH!!!!!"

I know Jenna is only 10 months, but I couldn't resist! Here is her picture of her first time to get her toenails painted.....PINK!!!!!!

Aren't they beautiful?!? I love my little girls feet....

~J~

Houston, we have a SLEEPER!!!!!!

It's true...we are finally the parents of a child that sleeps through the night!!!!

It's been a loooooonnnnggggg time coming, but alas we are finally here! And as strange as it sounds, saying goodbye to the long sleepless nights are kind of bitter sweet. I mean, when you wake up a lot it makes your night longer, and while you're not getting that solid refreshing sleep, at least the sleep you are getting seems to last a while! But I wouldn't trade these full nights for the long ones ever again!! Now if your child has been one of those magic sleep through the night babies then please...don't judge me...just let me revel (if that's a word) in my wonderful sleep and enjoy it!

Jenna started sleeping through the night about a week ago...but it really got good on Saturday...when she slept until 11AM....that's right people....let's say it together....11 A...M!!!!!
Wooo hoooo!!!!!!! And I know you think that I took full advantage of my time by being a super mom and cleaning and getting the laundry done right? But heck no! I slept right along with her...it was heaven!!!

So if you're the one with the sleepless nights (which usually start during pregnancy), be assured that one day you too will be enjoying these wonderful normal nights again!

~J~

POOPY Diaper = Victory!!!!

Oh yes..... I am serious! I literally jumped UP and down when my daughter made such a bIg poopy diaper that it ESCAPED the confines of her "Huggies" diaper and ended up soaking her pants AND my outfit!

You might think this is sTrAnGe! Do you? Well let me EXplain myself......
For the last month or so my daughter's POOP has been VERY hard (she crys when she makes a stinky diaper) I have tried everything to get it back to normal (normal for a 9 month old), but nothing seems to have worked. So I decided to GET AGGRESSIVE about it and get me a nasty poopy diaper!

Here's what I did: I have loaded her up on prunes...yes prunes (baby food)! Of course that it the ultimate baby laxative so it's no secret...but I had to use a combination of a bunch of stuff to master this....prunes, pear juice, LOTs of water, AND sensitive formula (from Similac of course)!

And the result was AWESOME!!!! I would post a picture, but that would be gross....
Ahhh...the things I get excited about now days! Mommyhood is wonderful!!!

~J~

Woooo-Woooo!!!!

Kids say the fUnNiEsT things....it is true! However, it's gets SO much cuter when one of them is related to you! (I just rhymed!)

Last night we had JD's side of the family over for our weekly

Monday night "24" watch party.

JD's sister, Amy, and her husband have 2 little kids...Andrew (20 months) and Kyrie (8 months). Andrew is starting to talk a lot now.

Don't get me wrong...this boy is SUPER smart...I am convinced that he is waayyy smarter than anyone realizes! But now he is just starting to talk where you can understand what he says. So last night we are all sitting around eating while the kids are playing, JD's parents were asking Andrew to mimic sounds.

Here's how it went:

Mimi: "Andrew, what sound does a cow make?"

Andrew: "Moooo"

Mimi: "Andrew, what sound does a duck make?"

Andrew: "Quack-quack.."

Then telling us that Andrew had learned a new sound

Mimi asked,"Andrew, what sound does Papa make when he goes to sleep?"

(Mimi had told us that he learned how to make a snoring sound)

Andrew said, "WOOOO-WOOOOO!"

See...I told you he was SmArTeR than we thought!

~J~

New blog....welcome!

Ok...so I am making this my NEW BLOG!
I previously had one that I am getting rid of because I want to!
SO I am going to post one of the blogs from my old blog and then begin anew (is that a word?)!
So enjoy......
~J~