Bargain shopper

Ok so my favorite store is Ann Taylor Loft and about a year ago they got a maternity line--well I was browsing the clearance items and they had clothes from the winter still on there for super cheap! I just had to share my good news that I bought a wrap dress, a pair of jeans, a pair of khaki's and a shirt with shipping for a whopping $38!!!!!!! The dress itself was originally marked at $90 and had been reduced to $5!!!!!! I know it's early and no one really cares about my shopping adventures but I was so excited! Also, on other news--I filled out a form tonight to learn info on becoming a consultant for Southern Living at Home. A few years ago I went to a party and loved the products and had thought about it for a while--the girl I jobshare with needs to work a little more and when the second one comes I don't know what I will do about working-I definitely will be cutting back probably to just being a sub--so anyways, thought this would be a fun way to make some extra money and decorate the house! But don't worry I won't be one of those pesky women--they drive me nuts sometimes!

Natalie's going to be a big sister!

Well it's official--we are expecting baby #2! I am only about six weeks along and the due date is Valentine's Day! We are thrilled with the news to add another member to our family. I have been feeling pretty good-have had a couple waves of nausea when I get hungry around dinner time and more tired than usual but so far no complaints. When I was pregnant with Natalie I don't remember quite when it hit but I threw up just about every morning. Natalie was the first person I told (I found out June 12) because she was in the bathroom with me and she was so sweet even though she didn't understand what was going on. I became teary and said "Natalie, Mommy is going to have a baby-you are gonna be a big sister"and she ran up to me and gave me a hug and a kiss-just what I needed then! I pray that the baby grows to be a healthy and happy (not to mention easy like Natalie) baby but also for the baby and Natalie to grow up and be great friends--I really think a bond between siblings is very strong. Steven and I have already been arguing over names--we have such different opinions on names. I know that we will find a name that we both love in these next 7 months! (though ideally he would come over to the Kim side so I don't have to compromise!--I really love the names I picked out--Lindley Grace for a girl and Rylan Hunter for a boy-Steven says there is no way for either but I am pretty sure I could convince him to pick Lindley). Anyways, Natalie had her 2 yr appointment and everything went well-she is 34.5 inches (the 75th percentile for height--which ever since her 1 month appointment she has stayed in the 75th percentile) and 27 lbs (which is in the 50th percentile).
It truly amazes me that we all start off being less than a grain of rice!

So proud!!!

Last night I went to a friends Pampered Chef party and Steven watched Natalie--well he was changing her diaper for bedtime and Natalie got up and said "Pee pee" ran into the bathroom, sat on her little potty and peed! I am so excited however a little bummed that I missed the momentous occassion. We haven't been pushing potty-training-we have introduced the potty to her and encourage her to sit on it every once in a while but that's about it-so for her to go on her own without any prompting is huge!

Anyways, things are going well-the summer has seemed pretty busy. Today Natalie goes for her two year checkup so I will be posting later about that. We have been busy with doing house repairs-we are hiring some painters to get all of the wallpaper out of our house (finally) and paint and repair our foyer, up the stairs, laundry room, and our bathroom. We will tackle some of the other rooms later. This week I power washed our fence (which made a huge improvement) and we are having a fencing company come repair our fence. We recently also had a landscaper come out and do some stuff to our house and will have Mister Curb come out soon to add a little more curb appeal. I think after that the only other house project for this year will be to take up all the laminate flooring and replace with either tile or hardwood...............Guess what-I just went to check on Natalie-she peed and pooped in the potty again without any cues--all on her own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited--I wish I just took a picture but I just flushed it. Anyways, we also got family portraits recently and the address to check it out if you want is www.karaguffeyphotography.com go to online proofs and password is Natalie-I really think they turned out great. I think I will close her-will write again

The Weekend of Weddings

Well we survived our busy weekend--Steven and I were in two different weddings this weekend. Steven was in Devin's wedding (I used to work with him and they became good friends when Steven and I started dating) and I was in Lindsay's wedding (friend that I met from Highview and have stayed in close contact with). It was such an honor to be part of both of their days. Devin's wedding was at his parent's house out in Simpsonville which was a beautiful farm setting (though I am not sure how the guys stood out in tuxedo's in the 90+ degree heat). Lindsay's was at Southeast and Mellwood Art Gallery which was a beautiful/different setting. We had a lot of fun with the photographers (there were 4 of them) and I am looking forward to seeing how they turned out. On Friday night, we both went to our separate rehearsal dinners and I went out with Lindsay and some girls for her bachelorette party--we had such a good time. It was nice to let our hair down and just act silly--of course wouldn't you know that our church (Springdale) was having their middle school lock in there that night (we went to Kingpin). Anyways, I am so happy for both of them and what their future holds--the roads they have both had to travel have not always been the easiest and they deserve nothing but the best! Will post some pics in a couple days!

Natalie's 2!

I can't believe it that Natalie is two now--we had a great week of celebrating-three times to be exact! In Hawaii we had a small celebration with her cousins and aunts and uncles and then on the day of her birthday (May 20) Steven took a half day off work and we went to lunch and to play at Chuck E. Cheese--she enjoyed herself there-but I think Steven had more fun! She loved to watch the robotic mouse while we were eating and then loved the games that involved balls and the one where you have to smack the alligator. After her nap, we went out to Mom and Dad's for a steak dinner and cake--always appreciated! She opened her presents there and really dug into them-tearing the paper off. The big gift we got her was the Rose Petal Cottage--which she absolutely loves playing with-we also got her a pool, Barbie, magnetic dress up doll, and an Alphabet School Bus. I am looking forward to being outside this summer with her-she got a sandbox and picnic table from Mom and Dad, a new tricycle from Steven's dad and Sherry, and lots of new toys and clothes from other friends and family. Thank you everyone for your thoughtfulness and generosity! So her party was today (Saturday) and the weather was beautiful out. It was a Hawaiian themed luau-and I think it went well. I love to entertain and really plan a lot for her parties but I always get nervous that things won't go well and that people might feel left out if they don't know anyone. But thankfully everyone seemed to interact well with one another. I made Kalua pig--(pulled pork), teriyaki chicken kabobs with pineapple and peppers, and cut up fruit and veggies. My friend Michelle made a delicious coconut pineapple cake that I enjoyed! Natalie had been talking about cake all week when I talked about her party but when it came time to sing Happy Birthday she got very shy and clingy--she doesn't like the spotlight on her-that's for sure! Anyways, I am so blessed to be Natalie's mother-she has such a sweet demeanor and easy going personality--I am sooo thankful for her and the past two years and look forward to watching her grow through the years. Happy Birthday Natalie!

Special thanks to all those that celebrated her life with Steven and I--we are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! Love you guys!

Hawaii

Well our summer had a wonderful kick-off with a Mier family vacation to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The trip there was a long day (23 hours) accounting for a long layover and a delay but thankfully we got there! Natalie only slept three hours but thankfully I don't think there were any tears-she is soo good! We were blown away by the place we were staying-huge house with plenty of room for everyone, very nice touches (like flowers in the toilets!), and all the sporting/swimming equipment you could dream 0f (b-ball courts, shuffleboard, kayaks, snorkel gear, bicycles, etc) and a plantation where we would go out in the morning and pick fruit right off the trees (Dad and I even made fresh squeezed orange juice). The trip was relaxing and so good to catch up with everyone as we don't get to see each other too often. Some of the highlights of the trip for myself were the luau-which was so much fun but I think my favorite part about it was seeing the excitement on Natalie and nieces Caroline and Keighley's face. They were dancing around and Natalie who is usually very cautious and likes to stick pretty close by me ran up to where the big girls were and got between them to hold their hands (it was precious) and was dancing with them. I also enjoyed the volcano trip (though the drive there and back wasn't too fun--the most windy roads I had been on--we all felt a little carsick). We went up 3,000 feet to one of the only active volcanoes in the world and explored a lava tube and saw some steam vents. I was a little disappointed because I didn't see a science project volcano (though some of the park was closed off due to high amounts of gases) but it was incredible to see lava meet the ocean. Dad, Jason, Gary and myself stayed behind while everyone else went home and went an extra hour and a half (after a quick stop to my first Thai restaurant) to where the lava was actually flowing into the ocean. When it got dark you could see lava spewing off the waves. I also really enjoyed brunch out with my parents and siblings (no spouses or kids) on Mothers Day to a crepe place and then dinner that night everyone went to this very expensive but gorgeous restaurant (makes Ruth Chris look like Applebees) that Jason treated us too. Snorkeling in Hawaii was amazing!! The water was crystal blue and they had such beautiful and tropical fish--everywhere! Everyone that snorkeled also came in close contact with huge sea turtles on several different occasions. Another big deal on this trip was that Natalie started speaking in sentences saying "Mommy, I want up" "I want to wash my hands" etc...I was soo proud!!!!!!! I know this vacation will hold so many special memories for myself. Anyways, I guess I can now say I am a blogger!!!! (Tiffany I hope you are happy!)