Happy Birthday....of sorts...

Today is the birthday or anniversary date of when Angelica Rose entered the Church. Hard to believe it has been THREE years since she was baptized. We are slowly figuring out special ways to celebrate these days in our home. We will spend today watching her Baptism video, looking at her special Baptism Book, talking about it, saying a rosary offered up for her, have a special dinner while we light her Baptismal Candle and then a special Mmmmmint Chip Coldstone Ice Cream cake and sing "Happy Baptism Day" and have her blow out her candle until next year! I have ordered some faith focused or religious gifts and will always invite the godparents over...unfortunately one of them lives in VA so Grandpa we will miss you!!! Tonight she might get an extra special treat of going to watch her Aunt (alli verhofstadt) in another CSTOCK show, Seussical, the Musical. Saint Rose of Lima, Pray for her.

22 Week Update

Today I had my OB appointment...everything looks good and I love hearing the heart beat. I was joking with my doctor that because we were not able to see my baby's little face (she was facing my back during the ultrasound and we couldn't get her to move) that I will just say I am having nightmares about her having one eye or something so that we can get another ultrasound. She laughed and said, "well, I am ordering another ultrasound!" Then I at first got worried that something was wrong. But she explained that baby's at this age tend to go in 90 minute sleep cycles and we might have just had the ultrasound during one of them, but that she likes to see a visual of the face and front of the head so she wants to have another one done at my next appointment. So in 4 weeks we get to see this little one again....so excited as she will be bigger, we hopefully will see her little face and check again to confirm it is a girl....and my grandparents will be here so that might want to come too!!!! I also have to do the yucky glucola testing that day so at least the ultrasound will give me something to look forward to!!

Small Successes, vol.3

1) Yesterday spent a day at Tacoma Mall with family and friends and FOUND a top for my sister's wedding....and in the SAME Color as the bridesmaid dresses. So at least I won't look REALLY ODD and out of the mix (minus the fact that I wont be in the same dress, wearing the same shoes, and will be sporting a big belly!). The best part is I like it, it fits and was on sale for $14!!!! It is quite roomy so I still have room to grow in the next month!

2) Managed to get gifts ordered and they arrived all in time for Angelica's baptism celebration today. Also made life easy and picked up a Mmmmmmmint Chip Coldstone Ice Cream Cake to enjoy tonight!

3) Finally made a decision to NOT have the garage sale we wanted this weekend because we just aren't quite ready (might just wait until after my sister's wedding) and now hubby will be installing a new radiator in our van....luckily he found one at the junkyard for only $75 instead of the $250 we were quoted! Also made plans for our little family / anniversary getaway next weekend to enjoy the Lavender Festival and some down time in Port Townsend!!

Patience and Prayer

The other night Angel had a meltdown at bedtime...I am learning that she is a bit of a perfectionist (have NO idea where she gets that from!) and also very scrupulous (which I am trying to be very aware of). I had forgotten to do part of our bedtime routine and without just vocalizing her concern and being upset that I forgot....she started to fuss and cry. We have this rule we are working on that if she doesn't listen and obey the first time for something then I just continue on with whatever it is and she can choose to join or not. Well, this happened to be right at prayer time. So I continued with our bedtime prayers while I thought she was just pulling an overtired fit. Finally she was able to tell me why she was upset and I apologized that I had forgotten something and talked about how she just needs to talk about it instead of crying. So once that was settled she asked to say her prayers again....so I obliged (how can you say no to that?) and then we finished and I tucked her in. Only to have her start fussing all over again!!! I said, "Angelica Rose, what is the matter this time?". To which she replied: "Mama, I didn't tell Jesus that I was sorry for being disobedient!" So she knelt down and told Jesus she was sorry, blew him a kiss and into bed and sleep she went! I was proud of her connecting the dots and realizing her actions.....now if I can just get her to do that BEFORE the tantrums!!!

Just Cute

I love overhearing Angel talking and the phrases she uses etc...I try to remember them and write them down in her baby book...the things kids say just make me smile and laugh!
Angel to Papa (when asked to do something): "Papa, I will in just a couple whiles."

Angel to Emma (overheard when they were playing in the sandbox): "Emma, did you go stinky?"
Emma: "No, Gel-Ka, No"
Angel: "Well sum-pin (how she says something) stinks and I think it's you!"
Emma: "Oh."

Angelica to Papa: "Papa, I want to look at my priests."
Papa (kind of perplexed): "I don't know what you mean..."
Angelica (running and grabbing her book of saints we have been reading): "This papa, I want to look at my priest." Really meaning she wanted to find her patron saint!

Angel loves it when I tell her stories about when she was a baby or when I was little and I always usually start with "once upon a time...there was a little baby...." Well the other day I asked her to tell me a story...and she got very excited. So she did and this is how it started:
"Once upon a time, there was a big mama...." Oh gee honey, thanks!!!!

Our Fourth of July

We had a very nice Fourth of July....it was another beautiful day (which we are very blessed and lucky to get around here on the fourth!!) and we spent it with our family. The girls enjoyed some time playing in the sandbox and eating popsicles...then it was off to Marmee and Poppy's house to relax and have some fun! We sat outside for hours just watching the girls play in the pool although they had more fun dumping the Little People in it and then using measuring cups to pour water over all of our feet!! We enjoyed a nice dinner and then mom gave us all an Independence Day - American History quiz....we didn't do too bad!! After baths it was time for the fireworks...thanks to dad and Jason setting them off in the backyard! Angel and Emma loved the sparklers...but after that it was downhill. They did not like the fireworks at all....the noise most of all...so mom and I ended up inside with them looking out the window. Maybe next year.....:) We had some yummy dessert....mom made a yummy lemon angel food cake with lemon dressing and fresh fruit and whip cream....Emma ate up all the strawberries and Angel finished off the raspberries. We headed home tired but thankful for this great country we live in and all the blessings we receive....a special thanks to all the men and women who sacrifice on a daily basis to make sure we are able to continue enjoying and celebrating these freedoms!!

Angel found a fun ball to bounce on...

...so Marmee joined in....

...then Angel got a ride...

...and then made herself comfortable!

Emma felt left out so she went by herself and found her own ball....so funny!

Angel and Emma were a little concerned about what Poppy and Papa were doing with all those fireworks!

Friday Fun

This past Friday it was very nice to have hubby home....the girls loved it. It was a HOT day....91....so in the morning we grabbed some coffees and doughnuts and headed to the park before it got too hot!! After the girls got red and rosy cheeks we headed home to set up the pools to cool off. I enjoyed getting together with a dear friend to catch up and it was a nice break to have!! Hubby figured out that the radiator in the van needs to get fixed (ugh.....tired of car issues!) and that night the girls crashed early after a long day in the sun and we FINALLY watched the movie Fireproof that we have had on our blockbuster rental FOREVER. We enjoyed it and definitely think the message is one that is important for today's culture and times...think everyone should support and see. The LOVE DARE in the movie has been very popular too and we have a friend that did it for her husband during Lent....might have to try one year!! Hope all had a good weekend as well!!

Small Successes (vol.2)

Here is my second time participating:

1) FINALLY got Emma's first year scrapbook completely finished and also making HUGE progress on her baby book. Updated Angel's baby book and organized all my pictures and just need to put into albums.

2) Ordered the Little Saints Catholic Preschool Program and am eager to receive it and start plans for the upcoming year using this plus supplemental materials and other EASY ideas we already have planned. The late fall could be interesting with newborn!

3) Working on getting ready for a garage sale. I FINALLY went through my entire wardrobe (this needed to be done for years) and have a MOUNTAIN of clothes to get rid of...some will get thrown away and what doesn't sell at the garage sale will go to St. Vincents, Goodwill or try to sell online. Also went through all of my clothes...the girls shoes...and working my way around the house. Our office room is turning into a "must sell or get rid of" pile of stuff. Can't wait until it is all gone!!!

I love my Papa!

Stylin for you Aunty Megs

Girl's Rooms

I realized when I posted the picture of Angel's new bed, that I love the girl's rooms. They are two of the most peaceful, colorful rooms in the house and so much fun to decorate. Angel's furniture is my sister Megs old furniture that Jason sanded and stained and looks so cute now. Her bookcase my grandfather made last year and Marmee made her curtains. Emma's room has been the nursery room, Angel's first room. I love the green and lavender and Marmee made those curtains as well. The wicker dresser used to be my baby sister Alli's and the white shelf was mine growing up that my dad made. I realized as I was taking the pictures that I have done a big cross-stitch for each of the girls....due to how long those projects take and my limited amount of free time, this new little baby girl might have to get something smaller!!! AAHH, guess I need to start looking!

FIVE bucks well spent!

This past weekend a neighbor (thanks Linda!) called to tell us a house down the road had a toddler bed and mattress for sale. So we drove down and took a look. The bed had quite a bit of crayon marks on it and was covered in stickers that had been on there for awhile. It was also a bit wobbly due to missing bolts, but Jason said everything looked fixable so we decided to take it. They wanted ten dollars for it, but when I looked in my wallet I only had five. We told them that we would be back with ten, but then they said they would give it to us for FIVE BUCKS!! I spent a good hour using a Magic Eraser to clean all the crayon markings off and then used LOTS of goo-g0ne and a Pampered Chef stoneware scraper to get the stickers off. A little 409, some polish and Jason bought new bolts and tightened everything up....we had a beautiful brand new looking wooden toddler bed and mattress....for FIVE BUCKS. Angel and Emma were both very excited (Emma likes to call it her bed) and had fun "helping" fix it up. Angel is enjoying her brand new big girl bed a lot and loves to help make it in the mornings!!!

Resting after hard work
The brand new bed!!

Angel's Music Request

Angelica: "Mama, can I listen to some crunchy music?"
Me: "Some what honey?"
Angelica: "You know, crunchy music.....like Let's Go Girls!"

I laughed so hard....she definitely is our daughter...requesting COUNTRY music and wanting some Shania Twain!!!

OH BOY

We just got back from our ultrasound appointment.....

....and....

Angelica and Emma are now officially big sisters to a....

...beautiful and healthy and cute little body...

...adorable two little feet...

...and BABY SISTER....IT'S A GIRL!!!!

So another little girl joins the Hartsell clan. We are so excited and blessed that everything looked strong and healthy....from spine to brain to heart...amazing...even got some great shots of the umbilical cord. Amazing to see those arms and legs moving about. Her heart rate was 162 and she weighs about 12 ounces right now. We tried to get some shots of her face but she was laying facing my back and no matter how many times I rolled over we could not get her to move...she was too comfy. The first pic above is of her body area/profile which I labeled below: She is laying face down so you see the side of her face and ear, and she is resting her hand on her head, so arm is bent. The second picture above is her two tiny feet, no explaining necessary.....SO CUTE. She had them crossed over each other most of the ultrasound. The last picture is the GIRL shot....I labeled below as well...back view of her bum and two little thighs! So now back to the drawing board for girl names!! The ultrasound based on weight and measurements gave due date of November 15th versus the 7th....but that could be based on small size etc...so will be interesting to see if doctor changes it at all when I go to my next appointment. (funny though because that was the due date we calculated originally based on our NFP charting!!!) Either way I am *guessing* (hoping) I go early anyways...Angel was one week early and Emma was two!!! So looks like beginning part of November....It was a little bittersweet ending the ultrasound, I love watching and seeing the little one....unless necessary I probably won't see this sweet little girl until I can kiss her little face in about 4 months!! Thanks for all the prayers...keep them coming!

Why Not?

When you can't decide which bib to wear, why not wear them all??

Big Day

Tomorrow is the big ultrasound day....3:45...so excited...please pray for a healthy baby, this is the first chance we have had to see this little one!!! Any guesses, boy or girl???

Happy Birthday Poppy!

(I love this picture taken last year on Father's Day, me & dad & two of my sisters)

Today is my dad's birthday....we love you!!! Look forward to celebrating this weekend and hope you got your birthday message today, but here it is again:

Happy Birthday Kim!

Happy Birthday to Jason's sister, Kim. We hope you had a wonderful day and congratulations on getting into nursing school!!! Miss and love you!