All About MEme: Mission Impossible

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

Dun... dun ... dun.. dun.. .dun...dun.. (spy song)

Your mission should you choose to accept it ... 

Channel your inner Action Hero!

You inner SPY!  Top Secret Stuff!  We want it!

Secret Agent Man! We're throwing caution to the WIND!

CUZ we have the spy skills and spy tools to do it!

The only MISSIONS I’ve been on lately involve …

• Re-decorating and Craft-attempting
• Organizing, Nesting, and Cleaning
• Napping during the day (but not sleeping at night)

Let's be honest, none of those things are going to make much of an action-packed blockbuster movie.

Things that seem IMPOSSIBLE …

Getting the H1N1 Vaccine without standing in line with hundreds of other people in the pouring rain … while continuing to maintain some semblance of health and well-being.

Having my stolen GPS returned despite the fact that Secret Agent CPV did track down our exact model on Craigslist!  After searching other listings, he also found out that the same guy has another GPS unit and an in-dash navigation system for sale - the exact objects taken from two of our neighbors!  Without clearance from his supervising agent (that would be me), he even talked to the guy on the phone!  My little Ethan Hawk tried to set a big, fat trap and asked for the serial number on the back of the GPS - made up some random excuse about certain serial numbers having problems with the batteries.  We have our number because this secret agent keeps a serious paper trail!  But our dumbass nemesis has a smarter sidekick brother who apparently tipped him off to the trap.  And now we are back to relying on the cops!

Maintaining my sanity and shreds of patience while going off my contraction-controlling medication.  After 12 weeks of hindering my contractions - with only some success - it is time to stop taking the meds and let my uterus do it's terribly grumpy thing.  Should be a delight!

Capturing a good maternity photo ... not because my friend and photographer, Deann, isn’t super talented.  I have complete faith in her, and she is so sweet to offer.  But because I am feeling Ugly … notice the capital U?!  Aside from the extra lbs, the gray in my hair is unsightly; my skin has never been more pale; and my smile is not quite reaching my eyes these days.  But, hey, it's all digital, and there's always Photoshop :)

Giving a little something-something to the hubs.  Yeah, honestly, the chances of that happening before the new year, are slim to none ... completely improbable.  I just can't find the energy or the drive to make it happen; ya know?  As terrible as it is to use our unborn child as an excuse ... ummmm, hello, growing a human here - keep that thing away from me, kay?!

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A few more spy-related tidbits ...

I thought a lot about what my spy name would be, and I even consulted this handy-dandy Spy Name Generator ... you can, too :)

Here are my favorites:

• Chelsey McPerky
• Kristy Whisper
• Jordan Goodbody
• Georgina McCheeky
  

Knowing what a huge James Bond fan I am married to - he owns every single JB movie, I asked CPV for some of his favorite female spy names.  His list clearly relates to the last item on my Impossible list ...

• Pussy Galore
• Ivana Humpalot (Austin Powers)
• Dr. Holly Goodhead
• Xenia Onatopp

Yeah, I'm going to leave you with that ... where can I possibly go from there?!

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Your mission, should you choose to accept it ... and oh, we so very much hope that you will ...

• Put together a post that remotely resembles an answer to the prompt.
• Be sure to copy/ paste/ post our super fabulous button thingy (at the top of this post) on your post somewhere! (That's how we'll grow and we THANK YOU 100X for helping!)
• Come back here and link up with Mr. Linky! (If you can't see it at the bottom of this post, hop over to Supah's place and link up there.)
• Visit the 3 blogs above your name if you have time and leave them a comment!!(This is the secret to growing a blog!) ... and if you're first, ... well then aren't you special! You'll just need to visit the 3 below your when name when they appear and leave a comment!
• Look for a comment from SupahMommy and MommyBrain; we've made it our personal mission to visit and comment on all of our meme links ... that's how much love we have for you all :)

Misadventures of the Volvo Kind

Less than a week ago, I had the GPS, attachment-thingy, and charger stolen from my car ... while it was parked in my driveway!  All three things were in different locations: GPS in the center console, suction cup on the windshield, and charger in the glove box ... but the blankety, blank, blank punks got all three pieces!  I am assuming this increases the street value.  I can't complain too much (at least according to my husband) because my car - in the driveway behind my house - was left unlocked.  Apparently we didn't see the motion detector lights go off.  Regardless, I am slightly pissed and more than a little creeped out and missing the voice of Veronica; she was always there to tell me when to turn and where to go.  Devastating!  Somewhat comforting (but also awful) to know I wasn't the only one - several neighbors had a similar experience.  Freakin' punks!  So rude!

And, well, the Volvo failed me again today.  In the form of a big FLAT tire.

I dragged my friend Tammy and her son Owen to the local Toys R Us for some bargain shopping of the Hasboro game-variety.  We were leaving the store.  On our way to Jimmy John's ... mama-to-be and kiddos were starving.  But we didn't get very far before I realized the back driver-side tire was completely flat!

Panic set in.  I was not cool under pressure.  And I certainly wasn't cool under the pangs of hunger ... low blood sugar = impatient MommyBrain.  Frantic calls to my husband - who didn't answer - and Tammy's husband left us with the conclusion that we were on our own with a flat tire and two toddlers.

Hoping I was still covered under warranty, I put in a call to Volvo Roadside Assistance.  Tammy ran across the parking lot and flagged down a trucker; that's my girl ;)  All the while I am trying to figure out how I am going to get to Jimmy John's - sooner rather than later - for a much-needed lunch break!

Another mommy friend, Jamie, and her son Kyler were also shopping at Toys R Us, and I felt reassured to know we weren't going to be totally stranded.  After learning that a "tiring-changing guy" was on the way, we went in search of Jamie ... and almost called for her over the intercom ... that's just how hungry I was!  In my head I was thinking, let's find Jamie and send her to pick up some sandwiches! 

Which wasn't necessary since Lance, the friendly and helpful tire guy, was there in less than 30 minutes.  I snacked on a fruit roll-up from Tammy's endless supply of snacks and managed to maintain my composure while the tire was being changed. 

When my husband finally called me back, he wanted to know why I wasn't changing the tire myself.  After all my dad did teach me how to change a tire before he'd allow me to drive as a sixteen year old - even made me practice three times in the driveway.  

Hello?  33.5 weeks pregnant (and starving)! 
Hello?  Two year old to entertain and keep safe. 
Hello?  Only vague idea of where the spare is located. 
Hello?  Free roadside assistance.  'Nuf said!

Our four-hour ordeal ended with a less-than-50 mph drive home and a stop at the service station near my house to drop off the tire.

My fear is that these things tend to happen in threes.  What's next?!

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Oh, keep this on the DL, but CPV is working a CraigsList sting operation to get our GPS back ... and I think he's actually found a listing that could very well be the one taken from my car.  How crazy is that!?

All About MEme Prompt: Mission Impossible

THIS WEEKS PROMPT FOR MONDAY!

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

Dun... dun ... dun.. dun.. .dun...dun.. (spy song)

Your mission should you choose to accept it ... 

Channel your inner Action Hero!
You inner SPY!  Top Secret Stuff!  We want it!
Secret Agent Man! We're throwing caution to the WIND!
CUZ we have the spy skills and spy tools to do it!

Tell us about a time that you pulled off a MISSION that seemed IMPOSSIBLE.

Tell us about a time that you tapped into your inner SPY self.

Tell us who you'd like to SPY on  for a day and why!

What would your spy name be? (Makes me wonder ... is that like a stripper name?)

Tell us which Spy Hero you love and why you'd make a good sidekick.

• James Bond 
• Jason Bourne  
• Matthew McHey Hey   fine  * pout face 
• The Mission IMpossible Guy:  Ethan Hunt! 
• Get Smart Dude 
• Austin Powers 

You may re-work it however you'd like. :)

Think on it and come back Monday to Link up!

This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds ...

WW: Owl-dorable Big Girl Room

It's finally finished, and I am loving the end result!  More importantly, NHV is loving her new big girl room!

This was a big transition for a little girl.  We moved her out of her crib and into a twin-size bed.  We also moved her into an entirely new room; the nursery is being prepped for BGV 2.0, our second daughter.  (Read about that transition here, here, and here.)

The Big Girl Room Reveal ...

Bedding: Circo Love & Nature Collection from Target

My NHV loves owls, and I love color.  This bedding is the perfect combination of both.  It's cute and appropriate for a two-year old, but I think it will easily grow with her.

Throw Pillow:  Custom-made by the very talented LadyBeez Designs

Wall Color: Summer Harvest by Behr

The bedding is plenty busy, so I went with a neutral yellow.  Yellow also happens to be one of my favorite colors :)

Bed and Dresser: Handcrafted by CPV

Inspired by Pottery Barn and Land of Nod, both pieces were designed and handcrafted by my super talented husband.  They are incredibly sturdy with no shortage of tiny details.  The bed includes a handmade guardrail; you'll see it in the last photo :)

Underbed Storage: Floor Bins by West Elm

This was such a lucky find, especially since they are apparently no longer available.  I needed flat bins - no more than 9 inches high - with large dimensions.  I found 2 sets of 2 - on clearance - for about $50 total.   Found what I was looking for and discovered a great design store! For now, they are filled with books and dolls and assorted toys.  I have plan to make photo tags of the contents to keep things organized :) 

Curtains: Chocolate Brown tab-top with accent ribbon added by me :)

NHV likes a dark room, and she's a good sleeper ... so I had to go with a curtain that would be dark - on the occasional sunny morning here in the NW.  I pulled the brown from the bedding and added the colorful ribbon stripes to make them more girlie.  I am working on a "tutorial" for this NO-sew project.  These curtains are my favorite contribution to the room.

 

Decor: Circo Love & Nature Wall Mural Appliques

I originally thought these were kind of cheesy, but I really like them now.  It was so easy (and cheap) to apply, and the owls are so adorable!  Besides, as CPV pointed out, it is a two-year old's room :)

Canvases: Owl-Inspired Storybook Art

I am working on a "tutorial" for this one.  I am so happy with the way these turned out :)  My friend Tammy also surprised NHV with an owl-dorable square canvas - that she painted! (It's propped on the dresser right now, but it will hung on the door to Natalie's new big girl room!

Name: Wooden Letters and scrapbook paper from Michael's

Here's my "tutorial" - ridiculously easy with a big impact :)  (The letters look crooked in this photo, but trust me they are very straight - thanks to my meticulous husband!)

 

This has been a work-in-progress for about 8 weeks ... with many, many other projects and life things getting in the way ... my husband and I are left wondering how Trading Spaces pulls together a room in one weekend?!

You can see more great photos and Word-less-ful Wednesday
posts here and here.

BGB - Photo Teaser

Many more photos and details to come :)

BGV 2.0 - An Update

The twice weekly doctor appointment extravaganza continues.  And I must admit that I am growing very weary of it all.  Last week's appointment was a disaster - not from the standpoint of the baby's health but from my own physical and emotional well-being.  I hit a low last week ... feeling like I just don't want to be poked and prodded and monitored anymore.  But I stayed the course and kept my appointment for today... the experience was much better, and I wish I could say the same about the BGV news.

It's not terrible, awful, alarming news.  Actually, it's more of the same.  Today's measurements showed that BGV has slipped below the 10th percentile again.  (Sad face.  Bottom lip sticking out.)  She's making progress, but it's very slow progress.  I really wanted to hear that she's just my late bloomer - that she had this amazing growth spurt and shot up into the 20th percentile.  I set my expectations too high and set myself up for some disappointment.

But I am doing my best to focus on these facts

• that she IS still growing ... 
• and her heart looks fantastic ... 
• and the measurements (head, belly, leg) are showing consistencies ... 
• and she's a true wiggle worm ... 
• and she weighs about 3 pounds 12 ounces!

Because of the "lack of adequate progress,"  I win the grand prize of continued twice weekly doctor's appointments.  Oh, the joy!  At least I am getting to know my baby girl before I actually have her in my arms :)  And I am trying to think of those ultrasounds - with the soft lighting and warm belly jelly - as a weekly prenatal massage.  (How's that for a euphemism?)  Since Chad is able to keep NHV for me on Mondays, I do enjoy a few hours to myself ... driving in the car and listening to a radio station, reading a book or magazine while I wait, ... small pleasures :)

I did remember to take a few belly shots last week ... 

 

My friend and talented photographer has offered to take some actual maternity photos of me ... I think I should definitely take her up on that offer ... otherwise I will be forever known as the faceless mommy-to-be!

All About MEme: Shopping Spree

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

First Evah Shopping Spree-Spree

Want to find out what this is all about?

Click here for the prompt.

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First of all, you should know that this prompt came about because of a very vivid (pregnancy-hormone-induced) dream that I had just the other night.

[Insert Wayne's World Dream Sequence Prelude Here]

Take your brain back to the scene in Pretty Woman ... I know you know that one.  She's been shot down by the snotty sales person ... and her "John" takes her back to the shops, throws around a bunch an obscene amount of money, impressing everyone, and giving Vivian a once-in-a-lifetime shopping spree experience!  There's music playing, a very appropriate and up-beat Pretty Woman.  Outfits are assembled and tried on ... one after another ... by helpful sales staff (Seriously? That seems like an oxymoron to me!).  She dances in front of the mirror.  She smiles.  Everything fits and looks perfect.  And someone else is paying.

Yep, that was my dream.  I played the part of Vivian.  And Supah, she was my Richard Gere ... in a very non-John kind of way.  I'd try on an outfit, come bounding out of the dressing room, and find Supah there with some kind of funny commentary.  Imagine that?  Supah with a sense of humor and an opinion!

Anyway, I woke up with a smile on my face and that damn song stuck in my head ... and a strong desire to spend some money!

So here goes ...

 

And I am not about to pretend that I am not very pregnant, soon to be even more sleep deprived, and about to spend the next year of life as a human milk truck ... that little dose of reality just won't go away, not even for a MEme.   Besides, I'm nesting and this way I'll cross two items off my To Do List! So my purchases will be less glamor and more practical ... but indulgent nonetheless.

Item #1: Hospital Delivery Gown

A standard hospital gown a) doesn't fit me, b) is so unattractive, c) has been worn by many other people, d) all of the above.  It's really C that gets me; I hated knowing that a bunch of other mommies had worn that same gown ... yuck!  This time around, I want my very own - never been worn - delivery gown.  It's going to be a cute pattern.  It's going to be my size.  And, did I mention, I will be the first person to wear it?!

I'll be sure to spend lots of time looking down at my new special gown.

Item #2:  Belly-Bandit

I am a little obsessed with this product. I've seen it in all the Pregnancy magazines I've been reading during my many, many doctor appointments.  This little delight promises to flatten your belly and "accelerate post-baby healing" - all while giving you extra back support.  I'm like sign me up ...

 

and give me this lady's tan while you're at it!

Item #3:  Nursing Bras

I hated every nursing bra I wore during my first stint as a lactator.  Of course, I went cheap, and I was never properly fitted.  This time, I promise to do it differently.  I will spend a little dough on this very important article of clothing, and I will find one that actually fits ... no matter the cost (Supah's buying, right?!)

Please ... like those abs have carried/delivered a baby in the past ... evah! 

Item #4: This Wrap Hoodie

I saw this at Old Navy the other day, and I am kicking myself for not buying it.  It looks so comfy.  It could be worn over anything.  It unwraps for nursing.  I love the color.  It's a very updated, more pulled together look than throwing on my husband's college sweatshirt ... dontcha think?

Item #5:  Ugg-like Boots

I've never jumped on board with this trend, but I really like the idea of a "shoe" that looks and feels like a slipper ... and doesn't require the extra step of tying and will keep my tootsies warm during these cold winter months ahead.  So I am going for it! 

While I am sure the suede ones would be more waterproof, 

I love the look of these scrunchy sweater boots!  

And just look at those cute buttons!

Bonus Item:  A tiny morsel of sparkling pushing jewelry sure would be nice ... hint, hint ... 

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Now it's your turn to play along ... my favorite part of all this mayhem!

• Put together a post that remotely resembles an answer to the prompt.
• Be sure to copy/ paste/ post our super fabulous button thingy (at the top of this post) on your post somewhere! (That's how we'll grow and we THANK YOU 100X for helping!)
• Come back here and link up with Mr. Linky! (If you can't see it at the bottom of this post, hop over to Supah's place and link up there.)
• Visit the 3 blogs above your name if you have time and leave them a comment!!(This is the secret to growing a blog!) ... and if you're first, ... well then aren't you special! You'll just need to visit the 3 below your when name when they appear and leave a comment!
• Look for a comment from SupahMommy and MommyBrain; we've made it our personal mission to visit and comment on all of our meme links ... that's how much love we have for you all :)