Bed Time Stories

Last night Brandon and I found ourselves getting ready for bed at (this-is-embarrassing-to say) 7:00 O'clock. We probably didn't crawl into bed until 8:00 or so, but still we started the shower, making lunch, and settling down process way early. We-were-exhausted.

Usually what happens when we crawl into bed is:

1. I distribute the vitamins.

2. We choose a story to read to Alivia.

3. We read it.

4. Brandon tells her good night.

5. Brandon tells me good night.

6. 30 seconds later I am fast asleep.

Last night was a little different. We talked for about 30 minutes about the fears we are experiencing as soon-to-be-parents. We talked about frustrations, hopes, the future, and everything in between.

The conversation settled down, and the next thing I know Brandon was getting out of bed at 10:30 to turn off the lights. Yes, we both fell asleep with the lights on last night. This was the perfect way to end my last day on the truck route.

Catch up on some rest today.

Just A Few Details

The view from the door.

Her Closet. "All because two people fell in love."

The bookshelf.

Our baby girl's crib. Her fabulous Grams made her bedding! It-is-one-of-a-kind and we love it.

Her beautiful rocking chair we got at Canton. We found it green, and I love it so much. Thanks to my husband the bargin shopper!

The Sock Monkey her GG got her. We love it.

These are just a few pictures of the space we have prepared for our little girl. We can't wait to bring her home and watch her grow. I am sure there will be more pictures to come. Almost everything was homemade just for her. The bedding, the dresser was re-finished, the "A" was covered with fabric! We have enjoyed the process of painting pink walls and getting Alivia's room ready for her! 11 days until her due date!

Get creative today.

The Question

Yesterday, after spending two hours in front of a TV watching a basketball game (to me that is two hours of pure torture) my husband asked me a question that completely made my day.

He asked: Do you want to go hang out in Alivia's room?

Most people wouldn't quite understand why this makes me so happy, but Brandon does. There are days I find myself laying in the floor of her room for hours just waiting for her arrival. I rock in her rocking chair and over look the hard work we put into her-little-space. Last night my husband and I played Yahtzee in the floor of our little girl's room. It totally made watching that basketball game worth it!

I love everything about her cute little room, and the only thing that could possibly make it better is a little girl sleeping, crawling, learning to walk, and then a bigger little girl telling me someday she is too old for a pink room.

Tomorrow I will be posting pictures of Alivia's room! Come back and check it out!

Hang out in your favorite spot today.

Weekend Update-His World

Happy Sunday to you all. No I am not Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon or Tina Fey. This week through me for a loop so I decided to surprise post today since I dropped the ball (kind of like Duke) on Thursday. Have you ever heard the expression "Time is passing before your eyes" (or something like that)? This has been our weekend. Sadly, Megs and I did not get to take that little weekend "Babymoon" trip we were hoping for. Maybe when Liv is in college and her brothers and sisters (yes plural, I doubt I will win the battle for only 2 kids) are too cool to hang out with M&D we can take that trip. Friday night we decided to finally check out the local diner here in town, just for a little nostalgia. So we cruised through the front door at our normal dining time of 6pm and were stunningly welcomed by gray hair, bifocals, rascal scooters and the evening news. Let's just say we brought the average age of the place down about 4 decades. Saturday we spent with Gramps staging their house for possible sale. Then it was off to the Masonic lodge for the district meeting and G-Grandpas 50 year service pinning. Yes, Saturday night with the local Mason's which again Momma and I brought the avg age down to around 35. Hey but thank you Mason's for some good second dinner!!! Now I know what the Mason's do and that "Every young man should be a part of it". Some couples do B&B's for the weekend or go camping. We just surround ourselves with Knowledge and Experience....Thanks Momma for a great weekend.

Surprise yourself today!!

Get-A-Way

Well, Brandon and I had big plans of getting out of Perry this weekend. The plans probably wouldn't excite anyone else, they were low key, simple, and nothing to really brag about.

First off: We can't go too far. Being almost 38 weeks pregnant the Dr. didn't want us adventuring off anywhere were Brandon would have to deliver Alivia on the side of the road (if I am like my mother, this is still a possibility living in Perry and having her in Stillwater).

and

Second: It probably wouldn't be the smartest decision to blow all of our money 2 weeks before we bring home a money eater.

So, after much thought (and a week where everything went wrong with Brandon's work schedule) we decided that our get-a-way will have to wait. Probably until Alivia and all of her brothers or sisters are off to college..

Our-new-plan: Our get-a-way is going to take place in the beautiful Perry, Oklahoma. How romantic.

Change plans today.

Ready

So, I had my 37 week check up today. It was an adventure, to say the least.

My appointment was at 10:20, and I didn't leave the office until 12:00. Dr. K was called in for an emergency C-section. So, instead of rescheduling like they suggested I decided to wait around, because there was no way I was driving back to Stillwater tomorrow to see him.

2 hours in the Women's Clinic was enough for me. It is so funny, because I remember 8 months ago sitting in the waiting room with Brandon, excited for our first ultrasound, nervous about the new things that were happening in our lives. I remember looking at the big 9 month pregnant women, jealous of how cute their belly was... oh how the tables have turned.

I am now the huge 9 month pregnant woman. Lucky me.

One thing I am ready for: Not having to pee in a cup every week. That-will-be-awesome!

Enjoy your adventure today.

Mr. Armstrong has had a crazy week. There will probably be no: His World this week. He is such a busy bee right now! Happy Thursday everyone!

Plans

I am a planner.

I often wonder why we try and take control of our lives so much that we leave no room for what God really has planned for us. His plan is the one that matters (That-is-easy-to-say, but hard to trust).

Someone else I know is a planner too. Mr. Armstrong. We both wish we could see everything God has in store for our growing family. We both wish to see beyond-today. Beyond-this-week. Beyond-this-year, but we can't. I think in a way the unknown is beautiful. I will admit sometimes it feels like a bad nightmare you wish you could wake up out of and discover what the tomorrow holds, but this is unrealistic.

Things we are learning this week (and everyday): Things change. Habits are broken. Time meant to be spent together is taken away. As a planner, I will admit: I like things to go as planned. So, yesterday when we received a call from Brandon's work about him needing to make an extra trip to Muskogee today (on the day we usually get to spend together) I was not a happy camper, and neither was he. At this time in my life driving in a bumpy truck for around 6 hours does not sound appealing, so I stayed home.

There are all kinds of little things that need to be done around here anyway.

Adjust today.

One Year

Well, this morning I am off to spend the day with the best-Henderson-Coffee-Salesman-in-town. But before we head out I wanted to tell the cutest little boy in the whole-wide-world:

Happy 1st Birthday Mr. Jace!

It is hard to believe that a year ago this little guy came into this world and forever changed it! He is such a blessing and we love watching him grow and change. We hope he is enjoying his 1st Birthday with his daddy in Arizona! Know that all three of you are in our hearts today! Alivia can't wait to meet her awesome cousin and spend endless hours getting into trouble with him! We love you Jeremy, Sarah, and Jace! :)

Celebrate today!

Top 5

This weekend was much needed. Just some quality time with my handsome husband. We are now under 3 weeks until the big day and excitement is in the air. At any moment I feel like I could just pop this little girl out. Here is a list of my top favorite things from the weekend:

one: Seeing Sarah, Jace, Mom, and Dad on Friday night (Great way to kick-off the weekend).

two: Watching Brandon get excited every time we go check on our asparagus growing in the backyard and more are sprouting.

three: Finishing up things in Alivia's room (Brandon says we are 100% done, I however believe I will never be able to say that. We are close though).

four: Opening every window in the house and enjoying the warm afternoon breeze while we napped yesterday.

five: Trying to plan our last little get-a-way before our lives are forever changed. Hopefully Alivia can wait until next week. I want some alone time with her daddy this weekend!

Yesterday two girls I know went into labor and had their babies. I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a little-bit-jealous. I know our time is coming though, and I am soaking up my time with Mr. Armstrong because I know things will never be the same...

Cherish the little things today.

88 Degrees

Yesterday-was-beautiful. Hitting the high of 88 degrees it was on the verge of being too hot in our house. We had all the windows open and every fan blowing. The house smelled like spring, and I even enjoyed an afternoon nap. It was the perfect day off.

Brandon and I discussed something very important yesterday while trimming the rose bushes. We were both sweating from the afternoon sun, I was having a hard time bending over, and my feet and hands were so swollen from the heat - it was horrible.

We have decided that all of our babies need to be early spring babies. There is no-way-on-earth that I would want to face the summer months being pregnant. I couldn't imagine how miserable I would be with a child in my stomach at 110 degrees. Hopefully God has the same plan.

Well, here it is: The day we all have been waiting for - Friday. The weekend is just a few hours away.

Enjoy today.

Walks & Squats-His World

So here we are sitting at 36 weeks, one more childbirth class to go, already been preadmitted to the hospital, got the car seat, room is ready, now just have to wait.

Many times I have wondered, what will that moment be like when Megan goes into labor or her water breaks. Will it be like in the movies when everyone gets frantic, or will I need to break out the Sham-Wow to clean up the womb juice?

However it happens I know it is getting closer. One way we have learned to help progress labor is by going on consistent walks, this is something we have been doing on and off for a while now (except when it was -30 degrees outside). Also Megan can do squats to help Alivia get into the right position and to get lower. I will soon post a pic of her doing squats!!

Speaking of walks, headed out the door now!!

Go for a walk today!!

Things to Remember

So, let me begin by saying: I didn't blog yesterday. This pregnant woman was exhausted after a long-but-wonderful-day-with-her-husband. I couldn't even gather up the strength to type a few words on the computer. Hopefully the rest of the week will allow me to keep posting!

Yesterday, I was riding around in the truck with Brandon. There were several moments throughout the day that I felt very emotional. The simplest thought would cause me to tear up. I kept thinking about everything that is going to change in the next few weeks. Good change.

I was wondering if I would always remember the feeling of my baby girl kicking inside my belly. Or will it be something that when I look I can't remember exactly how it felt. Over the past 9 months this little thing has been growing inside me. I can't help but to remember the moment Brandon and I saw Alivia for the first time, when she was so tiny we could barely see her on the ultrasound monitor. I remember very vividly Thanksgiving night feeling her move for the first time. I remember seeing her move for the first time on Christmas morning.

I hope and pray that these memories last. That I can forever remember the simple details of my baby's journey into this world.

Remember today.

A Week to Celebrate

The past week will always be a special week in Brandon and I's life. There are so many special occasions that will be celebrated and remembered.

March 9th: Like I wrote about last week, March 9th is my Mom and Dad's anniversary. This year they celebrated 26 years!

March 11th: My favorite-big-brother turned 25 years old this past week. Even though he is Arizona workin' hard, his day was celebrated and we missed him very much! Happy belated b-day bro!
March 12th: This past weekend we went to Durant. Brandon's cousin Kayla's wedding was on Saturday. It was a beautiful ceremony with a beautiful bride! We were so glad we could be apart of her special day. We are so happy and excited for her and Loyd!

March 13th: Another special anniversary was celebrated! Brandon's brother Aaron and his beautiful bride Summer celebrated yesterday. They have officially been married for one year. We miss them very much and can't wait to see them in April! Congrats you two!

This week in March will always be full of celebrating. Special memories were made, and they will always be treasured. We are so thankful for our families and the joy they bring into our life.

Celebrate something today.

Nesting

Everyone has been asking me if I have started nesting yet. They always ask me if I have started cleaning and organizing the house for our little girls arrival. Until yesterday my answer was always something like this: I think about cleaning a lot, but I never put my thoughts into action.

Well, yesterday I cleaned for a good 6 hours. I scrubbed bath tubs, finally picked up that pile of clothes left over from Sunday, cleaned the kitchen, mopped everything room in the house that requires it, and vacuumed my little heart (and back) out.

That's right. After my marathon of cleaning I could barely walk. My lower back was so tight I couldn't even stand completely upright. There are perks to experiencing such back pain.. My husband gave me a wonderful back massage, and I think our childbirth class instructor would be proud of us for practicing massaging for labor!

Who knows if I was nesting or just cleaning the dirtiest house on the block. Time will only tell. 29 days.

Give/Get a massage today.

*Brandon and I are going out of town for the weekend. Come back Monday when we get back in the swing of things! Happy weekend everyone!

March Madness-His World

Finally it is here, March Madness. I have always been a huge basketball fan and still am to this day. For those that are like me I am sure this weekend has been circled on your calendar since tip off in November. There is just something special about the NCAA tournament, anybody can have a chance at the title. Anyone can battle their way to the first weekend in April just to cut down the nets and watch their "One Shining Moment" video.

March is different this year for Megan and I. This year we will still be filling out a bracket and making a wager on who will win the most games (she always wins by picking her favorite jerseys). But life as we know it is different but for the better. In April instead of cutting down a net we will be bringing home our first child, a baby girl. With two more weeks left in our Childbirth class and a few weekly doctors appointments, the time is drawing near.

I still hope to get in a few basketball games this month, and hopefully the Final Four, but I can't tell you how excited I am for the experience of holding my little girl for the first time!! I hope she likes basketball!!

Welcome the madness today!!

What is Marriage?

Today is my Mom and Dad's 26th wedding anniversary. I am positive that they could define marriage way better than I could, because for Brandon and I it has just been {almost} 2 years. We are still learning everyday what a good marriage involves (and I have a feeling that we will be learning for many years to come).

Over the past 22 years (the years I have been around to witness) my parents have set an amazing-example in their marriage for my brother and I. Sure, they have/had their disagreements, but I believe that is a healthy part of marriage. Challenging moments that in the end only bring 2 people closer together.

Marriage is complicated. It is learning how to hold hands and fight at the same time. It is learning how to love even when your partner is doing the most annoying thing ever (beat-boxing is just one example in our house). It is putting aside your differences. It is a never-ending-pursuit. It is hard. It is a challenge. It is difficult, but so rewarding. It is learning how to let things go (like loading the dish washer a certain way {I am now just thankful the dish washer has been loaded for me}). It is taking walks. Showing love. Spending time together. Being intimate. It is not perfect, but that's what makes it beautiful... Marriage is complicated.

Pursue the one you love today.

Congrats Mom and Dad! Love you both!

Soggy Tuesday

Well, you probably guessed it: We went to work with B today, and let me just begin by saying the weather was horrible-and-gross. It never really rained, just misted all day long. It made for a long day traveling around Stillwater in a cold truck (it-was-totally-worth-it-though).

Tuesday's are becoming the busiest days of the week for sure. Today the alarm went off at 4:15 (which seemed way to early after my sleepless night). We are home for a few hours, then it will be back on the road to Stillwater tonight for our childbirth preparation class. We will probably roll back into town tonight around 9:30.

These long days are special and I will hold them dear to my heart in the up coming months as our world changes big time. Nothing makes my heart flutter more then catching Brandon smile at me as we drive down the road. This soggy Tuesday ended up being a pretty darn good one.

Cherish the calm before the storm today.

A Mess

Well, my mother would be proud to know that even though I am a married woman, some of the things that used to drive her crazy still happen to this day. Yesterday morning was not a good morning. Every little girl/ hormone crazy teenage/ and (I am hoping) grown women have experienced this. I couldn't find anything to wear. However these moments have tripled in the past 2 or 3 months as things are "just not fitting right".

The bad news is: It's not just my clothes anymore. It's also my shoes, and it absolutely horrible. Yesterday morning I tried to get my favorite pair of boots on for like 10 minutes. No matter how hard I pushed, pulled, and held my breath they would not go on my super swollen feet and ankles. It was a very sad moment.

I felt like crying for a few minutes, gathered myself like a big girl, and changed back in to the good-ol'-maternity-jeans and a button up shirt that no longer can be buttoned all the way. Brandon told me I looked adorable, I smiled, and the only thing left from the bad experience was a huge pile of clothes on the floor of our bedroom....

Blow the bad moments off today.

The Winner!

We weren't quite sure how we were going to choose who would win this give-a-way. We decided on something that was simple-and-fair. We put all of the names on little pieces of paper, Brandon shook them up, and I picked the winner!

Congrats Allie, you are the winner!

Just send a quick email to meg.armstrong@live.com with your mailing address and your Scentsy will be on it's way this week!

Thanks everyone for commenting. Come back next month for another free give-a-way! (This time next month we could be parents! That will definitely make First-Friday interesting for us!)

Frist Fridays Extended

Due to some technical difficulties we had yesterday with the blog we are extending the give-a-way deadline to 12:00 tonight! You sill have time to get your votes in! Comment on yesterday's blog if you are interested!

Take your chance today!

First Fridays- March

Okay everyone! It is that time again! It is the first friday in march and it is time for another give-a-way! This month Brandon and I decided to give-a-way a Scentsy! We received 3 for Chirstmas (we have decided that we must stink really bad or something), and we wanted to share the smelly goodness! There are 4 options to choose from. Have your pick:

#1. Bloom Plug-In

#2 Groovy Rustic Plug In
#3 Taro Plug In #4 Weave Green Plug In If you are interested in looking at more designs check out my cousins website here. She would be glad to help you out in anyway!

So, if you are interested in winning a free scentsy the rules are very simple. Check out this post for all of the rules, but all you have to do is comment on this blog (remember Facebook comments do not count!) before midnight tonight. Tomorrow Brandon and I will pick a winner and they will have 48 hours to contact us at via email!

**Remember if you become a follower of the blog this week and you comment on this post you will be entered into the drawing twice**

So, just tell me which scentsy you like and what your favorite smell is! Happy give-a-way people!

Win something today.

"What is Childbirth?"-His World

This week Meg and I had the great experience of starting a weekly childbirth class. Let's just say it is going to be an experience. First of all it started at 7pm and runs until about 8:30/45ish, yeah I know that is not late but understand too that Meg and I had been up since 4am and put in 100+ miles, but that is besides the point.

After learning about the babies natural positioning, kegals and changes to the woman's body, we participated in a stomach breathing exercise(why in the world would you tell a room full of pregnant women to focus on making their bodies heavier!!! Seriously!!). Finally a break, but before the break we were asked to write down on a sticky note "What is Childbirth?" What? This is a room full of childbirth virgins, how do we answer that. Second of all 50% of the room will never know....because we don't have a uterus!! Anyways like I said this will be an experience, I hope Alivia is enjoying it, who am I kidding she is probably sleeping through it.

Next week: A live birth Video!!! JOY!!

Take deep breaths Today!!

Childbirth 101

I have shared Angie's blog with you before, but after last night's Childbirth preparation class I had to share a post of hers I read a while back. Hope you enjoy.

Click here to read.

P.S. I have been traveling around with Brandon this week and I am very tired and tad cranky... 7:00PM bed time tonight!

Get some needed rest today.

Touching My Toes

As I write this my feet are resting on a pile of pillows, the washer is running, Brandon is lounging on the other side of the couch, and the sun is shining into our house. Despite the swollen ankle issue that seems to be occurring more often than not, today has been beautiful.

I often ask myself at what point did moving around became so difficult. A few months ago touching my toes wasn't a challenge at all and now, going into my last month of being pregnant, everything is becoming a challenge.

Getting into Brandon's work truck is getting harder everyday, but nothing is going to stop me from climbing up there to spend the day with my man. I realize that my days riding carelessly around with my prince charming are coming to an end. In a few short weeks Alivia and I will be waiting for his arrival everyday at home (impatiently, I am sure). I am soaking up every-second of smelling like coffee and riding in a loud truck.

Treasure special moments today.