Friday Favorite: Modern Medicine

Who says you can't take anything while breast-feeding?

This is my daily dosage.

(fyi none of these are pain meds either - been off those for several weeks, though I'm thankful for them as well)

The ladies in the house are all a bit under the weather - yes, all three of us.  Hopefully we'll be on the up soon.  Michael has been busy working late nights so either he hasn't been around long enough to 'catch' it, or it really is allergies. . . . . {curse you mountain cedar!}

This is the sickest Rylee has ever been.  She's had a runny nose and allergy issues before but nothing that affected her eyes/mood/or energy like this week.  She even fell asleep watching Elmo, poor girl.

So this week I am particularly grateful for medicine to help us get through it . . . . . as well as do many other things a bit more comfortably.

enough said.

Friday Favorite: Surviving and Aunt Missy!!

I've abandoned my "Friday Favorite" posts for a while, due to one of my MOST favorite things: Kelsey.  But today I am especially grateful to her for ANOTHER reason . . . . . . Aunt Missy comes to visit!! I keep telling myself that going to the airport early won't make the plane come faster.

Also. . . . . the ladies of the house survived the past couple days while Daddy has been out of town for work meetings.  Sure, all we've eaten is left-overs and if it weren't for company, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have touched the dishes in the sink either.

Friday Favorite: A new 'do

I love getting my hair cut.

The price of a cut is substantially more in Texas, so I don't get it done as often as I'd like.

I wish I could get it cut once a month.

Its hard to believe I used to have long hair.  Like middle of my back long hair.  Once I chopped it(nearly 2 feet, about 2 years into college) except for the breif moment I 'grew it out for the wedding' (which you know, was about shoulder length) I've never gone back.  Actually, if I can put my hair in a pig tails (let alone a single pony-tail) it is too long and I start itching for a cut.  Get it it off my neck!!

I put it off for far too long, but this was the week.

I even went to a new gal.  So far so good . . . . though I'm debating going shorter in the bangs. . . . hmmmm . . . still thinking. . . . .

Friday Favorite: A Healthy Pregnancy

I'll be honest, I complain about pregnancy a lot.

I don't particularly love this condition.  Sure it has its fantastic moments but for the most part it pretty much sucks.  I'm actually quite jealous of those crazies out there that love pregnancy and 'never felt better'.  I actually thought (you know, the first time around) that it might be the same for me. Its not, and I feel a little betrayed.

I try to sort of stay positive and keep my complaints to Michael as much as possible because, well, its his fault.  But don't be surprised when you ask me 'how I'm feeling' if I tell you the truth.  No verbal filter is part of "pregnancy-brain".

That being said I am very grateful.

Grateful to have come this far.

Grateful to conceive drug-free.

Grateful to feel the baby move. (though I'm more grateful for this during the day)

Grateful for Michael's excitement.

Grateful for everyone elses excitement.

I am so excited to see Rylee as a sister. . . . .

There are so many that have it much, much worse, and I am grateful.

I'm grateful Michael goes along (and even enjoys) the 'surprise' of it all.

From day one Michael said "girl". It took me about 7+ months to even be able to verbalize what I 'thought' the gender is - it lasted about a week and I was right back to flip-floppping. I want a girl *slightly* (like 2.4 %) more just because they'd be close in age and I cried as I boxed up all of Rylee's favorite clothes (and shoes) that no longer fit her. But having one of each right off the bat would be pretty great too.

Still my favorite thing when people ask "what I'm having" is to say "a baby" or "a human".  I get some great looks.

And another thing - coming up with names is a million times harder this time around.  I sortof feel more pressure, and we (michael and I) don't really care for each others #1 choices.  It'll come, it may be a good thing we have 2 extra days in the hospital to finalize it though!

While on the subject of gratitude remember how when I was pregnant with Rylee we took a picture every week of that pregnancy?  And remember how I posted the last half-ish of the pictures on our blog sidebar (not within posts so I could view them forever)?  Then remember how our computer crashed just after she was born and the last 4 months of 'new' data aka the maternity pictures were lost (as our external cyber hard drive subscription had lapsed)?  Remember how I was devastated?  And how since all that hard work was 'useless' I didn't even atempt to take that many pictures with this pregnancy?  WELL. . . . low and behold Michael's gmail account had those pictures saved all along!  He found them first on his phone a while back (of all places) then figured out how to get them via the computer.  I was overjoyed.  Then felt a smidge of guilt as maybe I would have taken more pictures this pregnancy had I known. Ah well, I have a tentative photo-shoot set up and some fun things in mind so not all is lost.  

Anyway, after we went through the photos the other day Michael was comparing my baby bump to bump.  Thought I'd share.  I think I look the same.  Michael doesn't . . . . what do you think? boy/girl? high/low?

Grow baby, Grow!  I'll love up on you soon enough -just not before New Year's mmm-kay??

Friday Favorite: Ketchup

Ketchup isn't exactly MY favorite . . . . . but it is Rylee's, making the things she does for ketchup my favorite.

yes, she is liking ketchup off a plate. . . .

 and her arm.

 mmm. delicious.

yea, she gets if from her Father.

Friday Favorite: Veterans

I am very thankful to all the military veterans, past, present and future that serve our country.

When I think of the sacrifices from those serving and their families for our freedom I'm overwhelmed.  I often take my freedom for granted, but I am truly grateful.

(Slightly more so due to more recent exposure - as San Antonio has 5 military bases)

  

(photo via VeteransToday.com)

and, Happy 11-11-11

Friday Favorite: Daddy's Home!

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home, glad as I can be!

After being in the same state for only 3 days in the past 3 weeks we picked Daddy' up from the airport today!

(for some reason their most recent reunion kiss wouldn't upload)

After being a single parent for the majority of the month, I'm glad his work trips are over too.

We missed you Daddy, Welcome Home!

Friday Favorite: Family-Temples-Testimony

Nothing brings a family together faster than a funeral. 

My Grandmother passed away almost 2 weeks ago, and while I miss her dearly I'm grateful to have had her in my life and to have known her as an adult.  I am so thankful I was able to make it to Utah for the services.

She has always been so thoughtful.  She never missed a birthday (including Michael's!), and she has 50 Grandchilren! We kept saying how amazing it was that all 50 cousins were able to make it.  That's the first time we've all been together in one place since, well, probably ever (and we didn't even document it with a photo :( ) She has such a strong testimony of the gospel, loved her scriptures and the temple.  She truly has been an amazing example for me.

While in Utah, I especially loved the late night chats with the immediate family, not only catching up on life, but sharing stories about Grandma and Grandpa I hadn't heard.  It only made me feel closer to her.

Here we are just last March (after my other Grandmother's funeral . . . . loosing two grandma's is less than 7 months does NOT come recommended)

I don't have a any pictures with the adults (forgot to copy Dad's memory card-bummer) but here are all Rylee's cousins . . . . . 15 and counting.

Oh, and I also got to experience REAL fall. . . . . like changing leaves. It was beautiful, definately in the top 10 things I miss about Utah . . . . along with the mountains.

Lois Duke Wright
Love you Grandma!

Friday Favorite: My Helper

This little girl officaly has chores. It works better this way for both of us. She hands me the dishes from the dishwasher to be put away. She gets mad when a bowl/cup gets stuck and insists on getting the stool so she can reach the top rack. It really is a win-win situation: she hasn't tried climbing into the dishwasher since she's been given the new 'responsibility' and I don't have to bend over to get the dishes of the bottom rack either :) Also, there've been a few times where I would have put off emptying the dishwasher a few hours and she wanted to do it, to not discourage the behavior we went to work.

"here you go Mom"

awesome.

She also has started helping me 'cook', well, more like 'mix' she stands on a chair and "dumps" spices and what-not together and helps me stir it up. Yes, it takes a little longer but its a million times better since she isn't screaming at my feet. She really just wants to see what's going on (sorry girly, it looks like your stuck with your Momma's short genes). I used to have her sit on the edge of the counter while I got dinner ready but the chair is slightly closer to the ground and then she doesn't take up any more counter space.

The only problem is that she can move the chairs around now to climb . . . . . fixing one problem just seems to cause another.

Then, yesterday she spilled some water and I gave her a napkin to clean it up. She was so proud of herself! I figure it won't be too long before she's complaining about chores so I'll take it when I can get it. And I'm lovin a little extra help around the kitchen :)

Friday Favorite: nap time!

The only thing more precious than a sleeping baby is a sleeping toddler. I love nap time.
this is when I get to nap myself, work, think (or not think, you know whatever) and enjoy a little peace and whine-free quiet!

Most of all I love how much happier we ALL are after getting in a mid-day snooze.

After Rylee's early awakening from her nap yesterday (and the terror it caused for the remainder of the day) I am refraining from taking a more recent sleeping picture and am resorting to a few not so recent phone pics.

Friday Favorite: Camera Phones

I LOVE having a camera on my phone. Its the one requirement I have in that department (aside from being able to make phone calls). I love having the ability to capture moments I'd otherwise miss out because I don't have our actual camera on me all the time.

Its so easy to share photos with family and friends.

Here's several from the last 14 or so months:

just being cute. one of my favorite outfits she wore.

she used to fall asleep with her hands covering her eyes. yes, we were at the pool.
rolling up in a blanket


swinging:

her BYU bow - go cougars!

"help"

2010 Halloween outfit

First time down the slide: possibly a top 10 favorite picture of all time.

First time tasting ketchup Forward facing (only when we visit grandma - as she's still rear facing at home)

testing out the camp chair

baby skinny jeans

using Dad's hat to block the sun in the car

trying on Daddy's boots

mmmm french fries

so tired. (the morning after we got back from Utah- she slept A LOT that week)playing at the park

at the park w cousin Chase
putting her shoes on her doll

giving doll kisses

Friday Favorite: a little perspective

Given my current condition it would be a lot easier to list my irritations, annoyances, and complaints - I'm trying to be positive, believe me. Some days are more difficult than others. This little cutie would certainly be on both the pro's and con's list for the week.

I recently had what I now refer to as the worst day of both pregnancies. Just as I was thinking the nasuea was gone - it came back with a vengence. One day in particular this week I couldn't keep a single meal (or snack) down. My shadow quickly followed me to the bathroom after each attempt to eat, waited paitently outside in confusion as to why her Mother was hugging the toilet. When the coast was clear she'd join me offering hugs, kisses, and extra cuddles -vomit breath and all.

My sweet Rylee kept me from throwing side jabs at myself. It was helpful for a few moments to remember WHY. I mean really? who couldn't love that face:

and

Dear Baby #2,

Please stop hating me.

Love,

Momma

Friday Favorite: Ultrasounds

We actually had our 'big' ultrasound right after I got back to Texas. Whoever's idea it was to have a 'weight-check' immediately after a two and a half week vacation is CRAZY! Though, apparently I didn't eat enough Taco Amigo french fries, or sweet pork salad's as it was a fairly 'normal' gain - especially considering it was the first in this pregnancy I'd had any sort of appetite.

Ultrasounds seriously amaze me! Its so cool all you can see through that little machine. . . . 4 chamber heart, no cleft palate, no signs of down-syndrome, working kindey's, blood/oxygen flow to/from baby, 10 fingers, 10 toes, ear placement etc. amazing! If I could have an ultrasound everyday I just might enjoy being pregnant. . . . maybe. At least I can look at the pictures or watch the video any time I feel the need.

This little one was cooperative with our choice and kept his/her legs nice and closed as to not produce any baby-porn. . . . . . the gender shall remain a mystery for a few more months. We will however share a few photos of my uterus for you:

I love watching the baby move around. The tech had a hard(er) time getting a good look of the baby's hands/fingers since they were tightly clenched fists. First the elbow was resting on the knee, then both hands were covering its eyes (like Rylee used to do when she was tired) then under its chin (think Grandma Botsford). . . . . baby wiggled and squirmed and then out of no where fell right asleep. Rylee kept looking at the screen and waving saying "Hi-ya B" (hi baby). Seeing her become a big sister may be what I'm currently most excited about.

Pregnancy wise I'm feeling better - though I still get occational bouts of nausea or dizziness/headaches, and still tire fairly easy. The baby has unfortunately found my sciatic nerve, but luckily hasn't set up camp there quite like Rylee did . . . . . or maybe I just haven't given enough time. I'm starting to feel more movement which is always fun, and I'm over half way - YaHoo!

Friday Favorite: BABIES!

My favorite thing today is babies. Namely brand spankin new babies. My sister is currently in labor as I type. . . . its all I can do to not head straight to the airport put a completely overpriced ticket on the credit card so I can be at the hospital in 4 hours. . . alas, I hope all goes well for her and her little family sans me. (this is Rylee only hours old)

My only other request is that her baby not grow an OUNCE until I can get there, (ok, maybe an once but that's it!!) I can't wait to find out if its a boy or girl, see its sweet face, smell that sweet baby's breath and smother those cheeks with Auntie kisses. . . . be patient my loves I'm comin soon enough!!!

Friday Favorite: 5 Years

My favorite thing today is that it's our anniversary!! Five years ago today I became an Allsop. The weather is all to similar to that fabulous summer day 5 years ago. HOT!! like 110 hot. {I think that was some kind of record for Utah} but at least it wasn't raining :) we had a lot of outdoor plans. . . . and it was beautiful.
Not every day of our marriage has been perfect, but I've been grateful every day he chose me. The reasons I love him multiply every day, and I'd marry him again and again a million times over. I love you Michael.

Friday Favorite: Family

I'm going to start my Friday Favorite by first complaining. . . . . .
Don't get me wrong, I love living in San Antonio. Many great things have come to our lives while we've lived here and I do believe this is where we are 'supossed' to be. But sometimes living 1400 miles away from family is rough.

I do ok most of the time but weekends such as this when EVERYONE is together, except. us. are just plain HARD :( boo. There's all sorts of celebrating going on this weekend (one nephew being baptized, another getting his eagle, giant cousin sleepovers, movies, fireworks. . . . ) and we're missing out on all of it, even the fireworks (county-wide firework ban because of the drought. . . . double boo). You know how we love to party and we're completely missing it!!

It wouldn't be so hard if my family wasn't completely AWESOME.
My Mom and Dad:

and seriously, my siblings are some of my best friends.

This is one of my favorite pictures. ever.I love all of them, and I'm sure we'll be chatting all weekend, filling me in on who is the "fill-in" for most competative gamer, how many rows of corn you had to weed (or peas picked, beans snapped), who cries because they were last to the breakfast table and had to share a stool, and who in the world will do Melissa's hair??

So, even though we're not there, know we love you and you are all my favorite.

XOXO

-Trish

Friday Favorite

So you know how some people have a recurring series on their blog? I decided to give one a try. I'm calling it Friday Favorite. . . . . just an opportunity for me to share some of my favorite things.

My favorite thing today is the tan lines on Rylee's wrists. I'm happy that even though she's "below average" for height and weight she's still got some chunky rolls on her wrists, and legs. The sun sure has a hard time getting inside those little creases creating lovely tan lines. Seeing them makes me smile.