101 of my favorite things, in no particular order

Ok, so Amanda did one, and it was amazing, so here is my go at it.

1. Being a mom

2. When Michael looks relieved to see me, like he missed me.

3. Getting surprise CD's that Amanda took the time to burn and decorate just for me.

4. Laine recognizing me, and flashing me a great happy smile.

5. Home cooking a meal from scratch that the family LOVES.

6. Getting to spend the whole day my family with the Rosendahl's doing whatever.

7. Movie nights with Amanda

8. Spur of the moment date nights with my husband.

9. Having such a wonderful sister in law who loves to watch her nieces, almost any time.

10. Being so lucky that I have a mother in law that lets us live with her, so that we could better afford me being able to me a stay at home mom.

11. Feeling like I am home wherever Michael and Josie are.

12. Having a person here in Texas, is a major reason why I am still sane here.

13. Finnegan, knowing that my kids have a cousin already!

14. That Amanda and Erik had Laine, so that Josie will have a family friend around the same age.

15. When Josie wakes up in a great mood and comes out of her room exclaiming MOMMY! ready to be swept up into my arms with a big hug and kiss.

16. Getting to have another child at what seems like the right time.

17. FALL, AUTUMN and it feeling like it in Texas. UGH I spend the whole day outside with Josie.

18. Avery, I grew up with a similar family life that she will, I am happy to be able to relate to her that way.

19. Feeling little baby kicks, especially for the first time.

20. Not having to cook or clean every once in a while.

21. Holiday traditions, making new ones, and sticking to old ones.

23. On the off chance that neither of use is pregnant, or breastfeeding getting to go to Molly's Pub with Amanda and drink too much and make fun of things.

24. Getting all ready to go out and do something fun.

25. Spontaneous little adventures.

26. French toast.

28. My grandma's chocolate chip cookies.

29. little baby socks :)

30. The way Josie looks at her stuffed animals sometimes and then hugs them so tight that it has to make them feel real, just like the velveteen rabbit did.

31. Sleeping in and having coffee brought up to me :)

32. Quiet time alone.

33. The fact that Amanda blogs, which drives me to want to blog more too. THANK YOU!

34. The holiday season.

35. Kids seeing snow for the first time :)

36. Kelly and Brian's Cabin in the woods, and the camp fires we have there.

37. My parents, as crazy as the bunch of us are because of them LOL

38. coffee time

39. The way Josie runs.

40. When Michael cleans up with me after dinner.

41. That as little as she slept through the night in her first year, Josie sleeps all night now :)

42. Chipotle, mmmm

43. Going on vacation, anywhere.

44. scuba diving

45. grabbing a cup of coffee at Barnes N Noble and looking through the store

46. Pedicures with someone else.

47. a great haircut, and a new outfit, with new underwear even lol

48. Watching someone open a present that they TOTALLY WANTED!!

49. The way Amanda and I get each other to do things that we say we wanted to do, without the other really knowing it.

50. Thursday nights

51. Love songs that remind me why I love Michael the way I do.

52. Pictures in general

53. Happy endings

54. Sunday mornings with coffee, the sunday paper ads, and pajamas.

55. Jeans that fit just right.

56. How michael always thinks to call me, to say hi, or chat, or whatever, after 4 years still!

57. Evening walks with Michael and Josie to get the mail, or look for the moon and stars.

58. Walks and playing as a family in the park on cool days or evenings.

59. Caramel Soy Latte's

60. Soy Chai Latte's

61. Getting everything on my list done.

62. Getting Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving.

63. Steel drum bands playing on a beach at sunset, and me laying in a hammock without a sunburn, lol.

64. laying down or sitting and talking forever about nothing with Michael.

65. My car being clean, inside and out.

66. Laying down in a bed with crisp clean sheets, and a super fluffy comforter.

67. Hot chocolate with marshmallows.

68. Movie theater popcorn at the movies.

69. Hearing Josie sing little songs that she makes up herself and sings.

70. Visiting my family.

71. Key Lime Pie from the Key Lime shop in Key West Florida.

72. cake, or cupcakes, with non whipped cream icing.

73. Jeff Noon books

74. The Cure

75. Olive Garden salad and breadsticks

76. my sisters relationships with their husbands :)

77. Stars

78. Tattoos

79. Design and design culture

80. Blueberry coffee

81. long sweaters with pockets.

84. The color Green

85. Dingo is still one of my biggest fans :)

86. Getting to sleep from when you go to sleep at night until you wake up the next morning, on your own schedule

87. grilled cheese with tomato soup.

88. Indian food.

89. Blankets

90. Amanda and Amanda's mom's potato/egg salad YUM

91. flip flops

92. Seeing or doing something totally amazing, and having someone there to share it with.

93. Being married. for 3 years already!

94. How Michael still always gets the door for me.

95. Baby feet, heck all of them are adorable

96. Appreciation for hard work done.

97. The way that I can tell Josie makes soft spots in her Daddy's heart.

98. Rootbeer with crushed ice.

99. Having my house look, feel and smell, like Christmas.

101. My best friend Amanda, for all of her love and inspiration. You so rock. :)

They were all dressed up with no place to go :(

Josie is in LOVE

Josie was given the Cars Soundtrack from her Aunt Sarah on Saturday after her nap. At first Josie was confused, because she recognized the songs, but didn't know why she couldn't see the movie. So we were about to go and run some errands, and we brought the CD with us. She liked it SO much. She was dancing in the car the whole time, and cried when we turned the car off because she wanted the VROOM VROOM music. (she cried and said "aaah vroom vroom!!!????) it was funny and horrible at the same time.

One of the errands we had to do was get the blinds cut down for the bedrooms, they were too wide, so while they were being cut, we picked out some new paint for the downstairs bathroom. (I am sure that I will post the before and after pics when it gets finished- I started the primer job last night) And while we were walking to the paint area, we saw some little trash cans, one was a Cars one, it was only like $6 and Josie refuses to use it as a trash can still, its what she puts her Cars cars in. lol.

I am 23 weeks along today! I got my first 3 kicks to the ribs this morning. According to Baby Center, she weighs just over a pound and is about 11 inches long from crown to heel. :) She can hear noises now, so she will get to know her friends and family too. I have almost all of her clothes ready. (I think, at least for a newborn) Nicolette Elise McFee is the name that we have chosen. Daddy prefers Nicolette Elise, and sometimes I prefer Elise Nicolette, but Daddy stands firm on Nicolette Elise, so I will let him have that. :)

Josie's second Birthday videos lol

Old video of Josie saying No (a lot)

Goals I try to make each week

So I am half way through my pregnancy, and the weather is going to get a little more manageable to be out in, and I have lots of things that I do each week, sometimes daily, yet I have no real structured schedule. We do things as they are needed. So here is my go at making an ideal list composed of daily do's and weekly do's. (to be updated as it comes to me)

As a mom:

1. provide a variety of healthy food options to Josie, to help shape a healthy well rounded diet that she will carry with her for a lifetime (trickier than it sounds for a 2 year old)

2. take a daily walk with Josie around the block, Dingo likes to go too!

3. Get out of the house several times a week, either to a store, or park somewhere to visit, practice patience and sitting well and also to see new people and colors and shapes and places!

4. Art projects at least 3 times a week, including Play doh, coloring, painting etc.

5. Telling Josie I love her multiple times a day, snuggle time, and making sure I show her how much I love and appreciate her, which she is awesome at returning the favor :)

6. Reading on how to help myself get thorough the birth of the new baby... Reassuring myself that I should not let myself wimp out and elect for a repeat C-section because of the fear of the unknown.

7. Work on Potty training for Josie bit by bit.

8. Pushing myself toward giving cloth diapering a try with the next child.

9. Reading at least 2 stories to Josie every day.

10. Teaching manners, and how to listen and be a good person, and doing my best to do the same in my own actions.

For the Home:

1. Keep the house tidy. Sweep, mop, vacuum at least once a week.

2. Kitchen needs cleaning after every meal.

3. bathrooms cleaned weekly.

4. sheets cleaned weekly.

5. Laundry as needed. When basket is full, or sheets changed, straight to washing machine!!!

6. Groceries bought, within budget, with all tastes in mind (again not always easy or affordable)

For me:

1. Spend more time with my person on Thursdays especially to watch our shows, and for our kids to spend more time together... since they are going to be best friends :)

2. Blog more

3. Go on more Dates with my husband, even if its to the movies, or for coffee at a bookstore.

4. Take more pictures and Video (as soon as I get my video camera!! Thanks to my dad and sisters for that one for my birthday! I can't wait to use it!)