Newest Addition to the Family

I'm sure you have heard the news by now and if you haven't, don't cry.....I got rid of my big ass monster Jeep named Chuck. 

It's been coming for some time now. Bobby and I have been looking at cars for about 8 months now, I kid you not. I am extremely picky when it comes to cars. I only like a certain look and I like my cars to be original. I don't like anything cookie cutter in my life. My house, my car, my husband, my dogs, my clothes, nothing. I am as original as they come and I like my lifestyle to reflect that. And I knew I didn't want a 4 door car. That was the issue. I wanted an SUV because that's what I like. And Bobby refused to buy me a new car because "when you drive it off the lot it automatically loses it's value"! Do you know how many times I have heard that speech? So we looked at used, which didn't bother me but finding what I wanted in the price range was hard. We started this process last September and it ended with us consistently fighting and him wanted one thing and me wanting another and neither one of us willing to compromise. So we decided to refinance the Jeep and got our monthly payments lowered and that was good for the time being. When I got pregnant, the Jeep factor once again came up. I told Bobby that I love Chuck and was going to have a hard time replacing him but I felt like it was time. We kept putting it off thinking we would have time but this pregnancy is not slowing down and we both wanted me out of it when MM gets here. And with us moving farther away, I really needed something that was good on gas. So I gave in a little and told Bobby I would look at 4 door cars but it would be my decision, not his. And he was good with that. So last week, I told him I had been looking around and found some that I liked and he totally turned the tables on me. He said "What if we lease you a brand new car instead of buying used?" I couldn't believe what he had said. So he showed me what he was looking at. And I agreed to go look at one. 

Before my Jeep, I use to drive a brown Kia Soul named Bean. I loved my Kia Soul. It was original, cute, stood out and when you saw it, you knew it was me behind the wheel. I don't know what made us trade it in for the Jeep, I was trying to reflect on the exact reason why but I don't remember. Anyways, I have always loved Kia. My sister has driven a Kia, I have driven a Kia and my sister in law Angie has driven a Kia. They really are great cars and have come a long way. So that's where we went. 

Let me introduce you to Snoop.....my brand new 2015 Kia Sportage EX Premium. Black Cherry exterior, Dark Grey interior, fully loaded, mid-sized SUV. I love it so much. It is such a safe car which was a big factor to me and I wanted a few features that this car came with. I wanted a back up camera, I wanted a sunroof, I wanted navigation, I wanted leather seats and I wanted it to feel big inside. I don't like being in a car that makes me feel like I am dragging my butt on the ground or my head hits the top of the car. I like it comfy but sleek. And Snoop has it all and more, way more! 

It also has push start/stop, cool and heat front seats, blue-tooth, duel air, finger sensor to open the door, voice command, quiet engine and really good gas mileage. If you like what you see or want more information, head on over to Southwest Kia on 1-20 and Hampton in Dallas and ask for Edwin. Oh and tell them I sent you. We spent 6 hours at that dealership, they will remember us! They seriously have the nicest staff and work extra hard to get you the price you need. And they offer really good trade in values for your car. 

Chuck will forever be one of my favorite cars I have ever had and I will miss it this summer with the top off and my hair blowing, but being in something that is safe for my child without giving up what I really want in a car is more important. 

8 years ago

April 29, 2007 was a really big day for Bobby and I. We had been dating a solid 3 years and were ready to take it to the next level in our relationship. 

NO....not marriage. I made that boy date me for 7 & 1/2 years before he put a sparkly ring on this finger and said I DO! 

A dog. 8 years ago today, we drove to Kansas (a 6 hour one way drive) to pick up a sweet French Bulldog we had saw online named Momma's Boy. We picked him out from all the rest because he was about a month older than the rest of them and was about half the price of all of them. The older a puppy gets in the litter, the cheaper he is. But we didn't care. We could tell he had personality just from the pictures. So when we were decided on his name, we googled so many different ones but nothing stood out. At the time, the TV show The O.C. was out and one of the characters on it was named Bullet and he was this large Texas guy who Bobby and I both loved and that's how we came up with Bullet. Plus he had this little bulls-eye mark on his forehead so it just fit. So we drove 6 hours to get him and when we met him he ran to us and jumped on us and we knew it was right. When we went to leave, he ran over to the fence, got on his hind legs with his front paws on the fence and said goodbye to his friends and then ran back to our car. The 6 hour car ride home was a little over whelming. He peed on the floorboard and refused to sit in the back seat where it was safe. So once we got about 2 hours away, I allowed him to sit up front with me and he fell asleep on me. 

I found pictures of that day and few of the following days with him for that first time. He was so little! 

Bullet- April 29, 2007 will be forever one of my favorite days in my life. You have been a best friend to your dad and the most perfect dog to me. You have the funniest personality and are super stubborn. I didn't get to live with you for the first 5 years of your life but I can't image those days anymore. People say that when they come back in the world, they want to come back as a dog to me because of how much I spoil them, but what they don't understand is how much more you give me than I give you. I love you Bullet! Happy Adoption Day!

Baby Talbert

Dear Diary,

I've got some really exciting news. I am going to be an aunt again! Angie is pregnant and is having a boy according to her doctor. She is only 10 & 1/2 weeks along but they say he is looking good. And Angie already has a name.....so super jealous that she already can decide on one for him. Jace Lewis Talbert will be his name. 

For those of you who remember, Angie lost her baby girl at 20 weeks due to her organs growing on the outside of chest and with such devastation, still managed to keep her head above water and know it was all in God's hands and look how he rewarded her and Matt. It didn't take her very long and now she has a wonderful little boy growing inside of her. I'm so excited that my MM will have someone so close to his age to play with. Poor Billie Marie....that girl is going to run the show with all these boys! 

Little one- You have no idea how much you are already loved. And how lucky you are to be brought into such a beautiful family. I can't wait to meet you and spoil you and love you as much as I love all my other children in my life. Keep growing strong and I will see you in November! I love you so much! 

Love, Aunt Dani 

200th

I can't believe it. This is my 200th blog post. What an adventure I have been on so far. I was trying to think back on what my favorite post out of 200 would be and I honestly can't pick just one. Maybe the announcement of my pregnancy with my pups or my weekly updates on my pregnancy or the ones where I talk about family or my Dear Diary Tuesdays. I honestly don't have a favorite. I take a lot of time and pride in doing these post so they are all like my babies. So Happy 200th to me and Hold The Gluten Please. I'm thinking Cupcakes in celebration! I had a wonderful weekend and a lot happened but I will wait to share those with you sometime this week. 

I want to know if you have had a favorite post in the all of these 200 blog post I have done. Did one stand out? Did one make you cry? Or laugh? Did one make you wonder what in the world I was talking about? Do you read these everyday or just when something catches your eye? I always love feedback and look to improve my blog everyday. This blog is me...the real me. The me my husband has to deal with and the me that I love and hate. I try to be as honest and real as possible and I want to hear from you. I have a lot coming up in my life that I can't wait to share with you but if there is some sort of topic you love, let me know. I do my best to keep up with the times but sometimes life gets in the way. I do plan on adding recipes to the blog again like I use to. Just trying to get all my ducks in a line before I share them. 

I thank all of you for coming to Hold The Gluten Please and taking the time out of your day to read. And I thank you for all the responses lately, they have been wonderful. If I could, I would raise a glass of red wine and toast but I can't so how about you do it for me tonight! 

Love you all :) :) :) 

25 weeks

How far along? 25 weeks and 3 days

Total weight gain? 13 pounds and it is all belly and boobs. I am still waking up feeling really cute in the morning but by 8pm, I look SUPER pregnant. That photo was taking about that same time at night. 

Maternity clothes? Love them. I tried wear my running shorts the other day and couldn't. My belly is to low for them to fit comfy. 

Sleeping? This week has been better than last week. One night MM wouldn't fall asleep until 1:15am so I didn't fall asleep til then. And he woke me at 5am. I know he's preparing me but I don't want to be prepared......I WANT TO SLEEP! :) 

Best moment this week? Ummmmm.....it's a secret! ;) ;) ;) But one I will share in the next weeks...! 

Worst moment this week? I had a really bad dizzy spell at work this week that lasted 30 mins. I had a few sips of Orange Juice with my eggs and that's what did it. I have had to go strictly eggs in the morning now to avoid getting dizzy. Any sugar or carbs automatically make me feel faint and hot. I have to wait til for lunch for anything like that. I use to eat oatmeal every morning and I miss it terribly but I must do what I have to do. 

Do I miss anything? Someone had a Blue Moon the other day in front of me and even though I can't drink beer cause of the gluten, I really wanted to snatch it out of her hand and guzzle it. And then someone had a really nice glass of red wine in front me and I wanted to do the same. Almost there....Almost there.... 

Cravings? Ice cream and I have not had any yet. It seems to be when I can't have sugar,  I want it most. And warm cookies. Doesn't matter what kind of cookie. As long as it's warm and gooey and oh so yummy! 

Aversions? Nothing. Everything is getting better. 

Pregnancy symptoms? Just the dizziness and tired. And I get short of breath easily now. 

Belly button? In 

Stretch marks? None

Looking forward to? Registering this weekend. Babies R Us tonight and Pottery Barn Kids tomorrow. I can't wait to pick stuff out for him and go through colors and just really find the things he will need. I remember registering when we got married and it was so much fun. And I registered with my sister for Landry and loved it. Bobby is going to have more fun tonight where I can't wait for tomorrow. I love decorating so I am looking forward to picking out some stuff for his room. 

It's about to get REAL!

OK Victoria Secret.....you can stop sending me daily emails of beautiful super models in swimsuits, constantly reminding me that I am growing larger everyday and I can't even get one boob into those swimsuits. 

I have always embraced my body. I run and do a little weights. Nothing to brag about but it always seemed good enough for me. I never was the skinny girl or the girl who shouldn't be eating that. I was always in the middle of the road and I liked it. I like having some curves and so does my husband. And there is a difference between having curves and being fat. And now that my body is growing because of a certain someone growing inside of me, I have noticed I have felt more down about myself because of it. My husband y'all, is gorgeous. Like shouldn't be allowed to walk this world gorgeous and here I sit, large and sometimes in charge and I am starting to hate it. And I don't want to hate it. I want to embrace this time in my life but its hard when cellulite takes over your butt and back thighs and your arms are starting to look like Jello and the farther along I get in this pregnancy, the less working out I can do. And now that it is about to swimsuit season, I keep making jokes about how I will be the whale in the pool but these jokes I keep making are starting to become a reality. At my moms house, I don't care how I look. I don't care if things are out because they don't care. But around my gorgeous friends, UGH! 

So that lead me to looking at the internet for some bathing suits for myself this year. I am not one for sharing swimsuits. My sister in law Kristen gave me one one year that she had only worn on her honeymoon so that didn't bother me but wearing someone else's that wore it awhile I just can't do. I want to get 2 or 3 and I don't want them expensive but I want them good quality for when I am pregnant again, they will last. Motherhood Maternity seems to be the best place to find swimsuits for pregnant women. I also found a couple at Target I like. These are the ones I found that I like. They are going to make for awful tan lines but oh well. It is what it is right now. 

These 4 are from Motherhood and this first one I have loved for a long time. It is Jessica Simpson ($59.00) and I love the skirt part of it. The second one ($36.98) looks comfy and like it would really show of my waist line and my belly. The third one ($26.98) I am just OK with. I wish the skirt part wasn't so long. I do like how you can take off the straps so you can tan that part of you. And the last one ($36.98) is just way to cute not to share. With the ruffles and the band around the waist. 

These next 2 come from Target. The zig-zag one ($34.99) looks really stylish but I'm afraid my boobs will pop out. And yes, I like that 2 piece ($24.99). I will be at my moms a lot this summer swimming and no one there will be looking so I am thinking about just doing it. They don't care and they love my ever growing belly. I just don't want the bottoms to be too small on my booty. I don't mind flaunting the belly, but no one wants to see my cellulite butt! 

What do y'all think? And do you find they run true to size or should I go up one size? Tell me your favorites and for those that know me, this should be easy for you to know what I would be most comfy with or you think would look best on me. The one for sure is the Jessica Simpson one, I just don't know what other ones to get. Maybe I will order them all and only keep the ones that work. That way I know.  

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day but does that mean exactly? It is an annual event, celebrated on April 22nd, that everyone comes together world wide to demonstrate their support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970 and is now coordinated globally and celebrated in more than 192 countries. 

The idea came from Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the 1969 massive oil spill in California. He announced the idea for a "national teach-in on the environment" to the national media and persuaded a bunch of high power people to promote it. As a result, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Thousands of colleges and university's organized protest against the deterioration of the environment. Everyone came as one to support this major cause. Earth Day 1970 led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Act. 

In 1990, it had reached over 200 million people in 141 countries and paved the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit. Today it is celebrated all over the world and is taught all throughout schools to help promote saving our planet. There are a lot of ways you can help out. You can recycle, you can pick up trash, you can donate, you can teach your children about the importance of Earth Day and how we can do it in our everyday lives. Below are links to donate if you would like. 

https://org.salsalabs.com/o/1807/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=7091

https://support.nature.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=D5B7E96E9E088AD5EF2F431609FB8B93.app243a?df_id=13740&13740.donation=form1

Baby Registry Must Need List

Dear Diary,

Last week I asked a bunch of different moms about the things they can't live without when it comes to their baby. Bobby and I are registering this weekend so I thought I would share the list of the most common things I heard from these gorgeous moms. 

Big things-

• Video Baby Monitor- to help ease my mind at night and be able to see him sleep
• Sound Machine- to help him sleep at night and at naps
• Humidifier- one that produces cold air, not hot. 
• Body Scan Thermometer- can get baby's temp much easier
• Honest brand Diapers and Wipes- had already decided on this before a few of them mentioned it
• Avent bottles- I used these when I was a nanny and remember loving them so much 
• Swaddle wraps- to help them sleep
• Puj Tub- I bought one for Kent and Kristen still uses it for the Billie Marie. Can be used up until they are old enough to sit in real tub 
• Mamaroo- my sweet sister gave me one 
• Jogging Stroller- because I am a runner and when I go, he goes
• Boppy Pillow- to help with breast feeding or bottle feeding or when I want to lay him in my lap and see his sweet face
• Baby gate- would have never thought to register for one
• Pack-N-Play- this is a huge must for vacations and over night visit to Mimi's and Grammy's house 
• Bouncer- even though I already have a Mamaroo, a bouncer is nice for a quick put down and can be transferred from room to room with ease
• Decor- because it can get expensive and people will buy almost anything you put on the list (includes sheets, lamps, pillows, rugs, blankets, anything else he needs for his room)
• Highchair- cause he will need to sit up and eat one day
• Small crock pot- This is actually something I came up with. You keep water in it all day and night and keep it on low temp and when you make a bottle or pull frozen breast milk out of the freezer, you simply place it in the crock pot and it warms it a natural way 

Small things-

• Nail clippers
• Butt paste
• Wipe carrier
• Gas drops
• Teething tablets
• Wash clothes
• Baby medicine
• Nose plunger 
• Laundry Detergent for baby
• Bags for dirty diapers

Things I can avoid on my list- 

• Diaper pail- can make the room smell really bad and the trash bags that go in them can get costly
• Swing- since I already have a Mamaroo and will want a bouncer, this is a waste of someones money and space at my house. 
• Clothes- as much as I want to register for this, I was told people are going to buy it anyways and to save space on my registry for things I really want and need. Plus, he has Janet Clemens and Debbie Lewis as grandmothers and Kent Samuel Lewis, Colton Levi Talbert and Hayden Timothy Smith as cousins I can always take from :) 

I have decided to register at Babies-R-Us and Pottery Barn. I'm a huge fan of Pottery Barn decor for babies so most of that will come from there and everything else come from Babies-R-Us. I thought about Target but I hate their registry program and Buy Buy Baby is not found in some cities so I am trying to keep it as neat and easy as possible. 

Thank you to all of you who helped me out. Registering this weekend is going to go so much smoother knowing what I really need to look out for and what I can avoid looking at. 

Love, Me

Pink Frosting

So this weekend I was able to finally go take Billie Marie's 1st birthday photos for Kristen. I told Kristen about a month ago that if she wanted me to, I would take them. So we have been talking non stop about what she was going to wear and when we were going to do it and the week we decided on didn't work out because their whole household came down with the stomach bug and Kristen didn't want me catching it. Luckily the weather was perfect for our photo shoot and let me tell you.....Billie did AMAZING! Girl just sat for me and looked where she needed to look. I told Kristen to put her in modeling because how well she did....and she's gorgeous on top of it all. After I got home and looked through them all, I texted Kristen and told her she was going to have a hard time picking one. So she sent me the ones she wanted to use and told me I could sneak peak one of them on my blog if I wanted. 

 I mean come on right! Girl has it going on. And this is no photo shop, no doctoring. Just her and the camera. I would love to take all the credit and say it's because her Aunt Dani was behind the camera and that's the reason she was perfect but I simply have to give 95% of the credit to baby girl. Oh....and she by passed the frosting and drove right into the cake part of the cupcake. MY GIRL! 

In a couple of weeks I will feature the whole photo shoot (including the few I did put into my phone and added some photo shop features to). It is to die for. I got so teary eyed looking over them because it feels like yesterday I went to visit her for the first time. My sweet Hummingbird is going to be 1 in a few weeks and I don't know how this Aunt is going to manage and not be a blubbery baby. All of my nieces and nephews mean the world to me and they just keep growing faster and faster and I am doing my best to keep up! 

_____________________________________________________________

Bobby and I also went house looking and possibly may have found the one! Fingers crossed and prayers sent up that it works out. We both walked in and just said "Wow....this is it. This feels like home and feels like us." But I don't want to jinx it so I won't say anything else! 

24 weeks

I hate this photo of me (it looks like I am wearing a wig) but it was so funny of Dash I couldn't resist using it. And Bullet looks fake to me. Hahahaha I love my dogs 

How far along? 24 weeks and 3 days

Total weight gain? 12 pounds even though I am starting to feel like a house

Maternity clothes? Are the best! I have never been one for yoga or sweat pants. When I am at home, it's usually tights or shorts and either a comfy top or a sweatshirt. But I found these sweatpants from the H&M Mama line (that I simply adore) and bought 2 pairs and OMG.....I will wear these even after he is born. Bobby always compliments them on how comfy they look. And they aren't saggy (which I hate). They are fitting and soft and I could wear them all day if I was allowed.  

Sleeping? This week not so good. I got about 12 hours in 3 days. I finally slept really good last night, like really good and now I feel really refreshed for the weekend. 

Best moment this week? I can't say I have had one. This week has kind of been a drag for me. Minus the every 3 hour kicks from inside my stomach, it's not been a good week for me. 

Worst moment this week? Lack of sleep. Almost fainting at work. Having dizzy spells. My blood sugar dropping quickly. And all of this was just on Monday! I finally sent a message to my doctors nurse asking her if I was OK and she sent me back a message telling me to up my protein. That because I have low blood sugar, I really need to eat as much protein in the morning as I can stand and that will help. I started that Wednesday morning and so far so good. But feeling like you are going to puke everywhere, going from freezing to hot in a split second and not being able to see because you are so dizzy, is one of the worst feelings. Especially when you have a little one growing inside you and you are it's main source for everything. 

Do I miss anything? Again, not really. I really want to go running but that's about it. I've gotten past the point of sushi and wine and wanting them. I mean don't get me wrong, if my doctor told me I could have a glass of wine everyday I might just kiss her but it's not something I just think about like I use to.  

Cravings? Peanut Butter.....creamy.....straight out of the container! It's me, a glass of milk, peanut butter and a spoon at night on the couch. I have established my own container since I am eating straight out of it. And boy do my pups love me the most right now. Bullet gets a few licks from my fingers and Dash gets to lick my spoon when I am done. They sit and wait patiently (I don't mess around with the begging crap they pull on their dad) because they know I will be done soon and it's their turn. 

Aversions? Not as bad this week. Nothing just turns my stomach except meat but even meat I am ok with now. If it's cooked the right way or in something. And now that I have to add more protein to my diet, Bobby has really stepped up the meat around the house. I do my best and stop when I just can't. Don't want to make myself sick. 

Pregnancy symptoms? Tired, dizzy, moody. Some days I feel really good and trucking along and the next day I am a major bitch and my back hurts and I can't walk well and I don't want anyone to talk to me. I find I am like that when I don't sleep good at night. I am finding it hard to sit in one spot very long. Either I get uncomfortable or my back starts to hurt really bad. Baths and heating pads are my best friends. I have yet to rope Bobby in with the back rubs yet because I am holding off to the last moment I just can't stand it. I am thinking about going for another maternity massage in the next weeks. I was going to try to go every 6 weeks but they are expensive so I am spreading them out. 

Belly button? In 

Stretch marks? None

Looking forward to? Finding a house we like. We have to be out of ours in less than a month and I am starting to feel the pressure. We do have a place to go if we don't find a house but I really don't want to have to move to move again. Or live out of a suit case for a week or something. It's all very nerve-racking but I am staying calm. Trust in God...Trust in God....that's all I keep telling myself. 

I decided to take out Gender, Name and Due Date because you all know this is a boy, he goes by Mighty Mouse and he's due August 4th. The fact that he's a boy won't be changing, even if we do come up with a name, I won't be revealing it and he will make his debut when he makes his debut. And that day can't come fast enough for this Momma!  

The Younique Foundation

What you may have not know about Younique is that every purchase you make, helps empower sexually abused women. The company this year is inviting women who have been sexually abused to a retreat. The purpose of The Younique Foundation retreat is to provide a safe environment for participants to start or continue healing from childhood or adolescent sexual abuse. They are committed to providing the women with a healing environment; where they can learn, grow, and reflect. Younique's goal is to help strengthen her and better prepare her to thrive despite the trauma that has impacted her life. And it's at no cost to them besides the plane ride to the retreat. There is a simple application to fill out and if selected, will be given at least a 2 months notice for you to have time to take off work and get everything in order. 

Also, there is just 1 more day in my Easy On Your Eye's party on my Younique page. So go make a purchase knowing you are helping give back to beautiful women around the world. 

https://www.youniqueproducts.com/DaniLynnLewis/party/1691797/view

If you are wanting more information on how you can attend yourself or know someone who would like to, please reach out to me and I can send you more information on it. This is very confidential so trust that I will not tell anyone nor share if you would like the application. I highly respect privacy and will not abuse your situation in any way. 

Help....again!

I need some advice. 

Yes, I kept children for over 12 years and consider myself very knowledgeable in children but when it comes to what a child really needs (besides love and food) on a daily basis, I feel like I have fallen behind. That's where you come in.....

Besides a crib (because I already have a few picked out and I am not registering for that)....what are some must haves items I need to register for? Item's you find you can not live without or have heard from other moms. Bobby and I will be registering in a few weeks and with so many products out there, I really want to know what you use on a daily basis. And if there is a certain brand you like better or recommend, give it to me. I'm talking from bedding to gadgets to bottles to devices....any products you love I would love to know about. Just make sure the product is still available. 

Or if there was a place you registered at that you thought was best, would love to know that. I have started looking into some products but with so much out there and they all claim to be the best, I thought this would be best to just ask you wonderful moms instead of trusting the manufacturer reviews. 

So let me know either by commenting below or on Facebook. And it can range from really expensive to your $5 finds! Thanks in advance. I really do appreciate it. 

 

April 14, 1865

Dear Diary,

Do you know what happened today, April 14th, 150 years ago? President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. 150 years ago! That's a long time in history and yet it still is one of the worst assassinations known to man kind. President Lincoln was and is one the best presidents to ever step foot in the presidency role. Most of you know the story about how Lincoln went to Ford's Theater to watch a play and Booth came up behind him and shot in the back of the head. 

But did you know that Booth and 6 other men had planned to kidnap Lincoln just weeks before but Lincoln never showed up to the spot where they were waiting. And did you also know that he brought 2 other men with him to assassinate VP Andrew Johnson and Security of State William H. Seward but the 2 men couldn't go through with it (even though Seward was stabbed multiple times)? I had never known that till I read about it. The shooting of Lincoln always trumps the planned kidnapping and other 2 attempts but I wonder what would have happened if he had been kidnapped instead. Would he have survived, would he have continue on as President and have done other great things. I know he would have been around to see the thing he worked the hardest on go into play the December after he was shot, the Emancipation Proclamation. 

10 facts about President Lincoln and why to me, he is one of the best President's to ever walk this world. 

1. He made the decision to fight to prevent the nation from splitting apart.

2. He was an unfaltering commander in chief during the Civil War which preserved the United States as one nation.

3. Lincoln's foreign policy was successful in preventing other countries from intervening in America's Civil War.

4. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which began the process of freedom for America's slaves. The document also allowed black soldiers to fight for the Union.

5. He was a strong supporter of the Thirteenth Amendment that formally ended slavery in the United States.

6. Legislation Abraham Lincoln signed into law included the Homestead Act, the Morrill Act, the National Banking Act, and a bill that chartered the first transcontinental railroad.

7. He set an example of strong character, leadership, and honesty which succeeding presidents tried to emulate. Barack Obama stated during his campaign that he would look to Lincoln as a model. (what happened there...?) 

8. He gave a series of great speeches before and during his presidency including the House Divided Speech, the Cooper Union Address, the First Inaugural Address, the Gettysburg Address, and the Second Inaugural Address.

9. He wrote a series of famous letters including the letters to Grace Bedell, Horace Greeley, Fanny McCullough, and Lydia Bixby.

10. Abraham Lincoln's quotes are among the most famous quotes in the world.

Lincoln stands for freedom, he stands for rights. He stands for independence and love. He stands for equality and that we are created equal in the eyes of God. He gave a voice for the mute, he stood up when people tried to go against him, and in the end a coward who hid for 12 days before getting shot himself took his life. Lincoln didn't want to go to the play but he felt obligated. I still think Booth would have found a way to kidnap him or murder him either way. 

Thank you Abraham Lincoln for being a voice we can stand behind, a voice in the dark that started the whole equality thing, a person we can look up to and only pray to have as much courage as you have shown in your days. Many people were saved based off the things you did on this Earth, the things you put into play and I, for one, thank you!  

Love, Me 

Where did the weekend go?

What a busy weekend. I went to sleep and it was Thursday, I woke up and it was Monday. There have finally been some houses come on the market that we are able to go look at and that's what we did this weekend. We saw 2 on Friday and saw 2 on Sunday. Neither of them felt right to me. I just know there is one out there for us and I'm not settling for just anything. 

Saturday I finally got my hair done. Being pregnant, you have to wait till a certain time in your pregnancy to do anything to your hair besides a cut and it was about time. I love the girl I go to....April Barnes. She is soooooo good and so knowledgeable and works well with what you want. She never pressures you go to the extreme and she takes great pride in making sure your hair is where you want it to be. It takes us a good 3-4 hours for me to do my hair. First I put an all over color, usually some sort of chocolate brown mixed with a dark purple tint and we let that sit. I have red undertones to my hair so when she mixes the chocolate with the purple, I just love the color it becomes on my head. You have to look really good and in the sunlight to be able to see the purple tint. Then she washes that out and adds in about 7-10 different foils of champagne blonde. She likes to do it in a 2 step process so the blonde doesn't bleed into parts of my hair I don't want it. I don't like adding to much blonde or to bright of blonde. I want it to accent my hair color. And the champagne color we pick is perfect for that. This time we added something really cool. I added 2 strands of purple. Unfortunately, you can't see it very well. It didn't take quite like she and I wanted but that's ok. We will get it next time. In this photo you can kind of see the purple strand she added to one of the blonde strands. 

If you are looking for someone new to do your hair, I highly recommend April. She never steers me wrong and it is always the best quality hair products she uses. And she really works with your hair and takes the time with it. And if she doesn't think it will look good or will work for you, she will honestly tell you, which I love.

 https://www.styleseat.com/aprilbarnes

After I got back home, I pulled into a very clean garage. Bobby has already started cleaning some stuff out since we move in about a month (rather we have found a home or not) and starting to throw away some junk. I love that I have an organized husband and a husband that stays on top of situations like this. Lord knows me and my pregnancy brain can't keep anything straight these days. I told him I had made a promise to a 6 year old that I would go watch her play t-ball. It was my sport (softball) growing up and I am so excited she is trying it out. Bobby decided to come along with me and away we went. If you have never been to a t-ball game, there isn't much going on. The kids stand in the position they are given and either dance around or pick flowers or play with their glove or stare off into space. It cracks me up. The only time they really do anything is when they hit the ball off the T or if the ball comes to them and they throw it at a random person. Sometimes they will get another kid out. Other times 4 of them all go for the same ball and can't pick who gets it. Landry did pretty good. I don't think she likes it very much but I think it's cause she's bored out there. I hope she sticks with it and becomes a catcher like I was. 

I am finally far enough along to wear the shirt I had made from www.cafepress.com . I can't tell you how many people love this shirt. And even if you aren't pregnant, it's what every girl wants you to do and say: "Feed Me And Tell Me I'm Pretty". And yes, Dash is never far away from me. He somehow manages to photo bomb almost all my selfies. 

House looking takes up a lot of time and I am starting to feel the pressure a bit. I just want to walk in a home and it feel right. Both Bobby and I are very respectful of each other in that if it doesn't feel right to the other, than it's not worth investing. It needs to be what we want, not what he wants or what I want. We look everyday for new homes to pop up and I pray every night that one does. I always wanted a pool but told him it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, I could always build one. But Sunday, he told me that he wanted a pool too. So we are at least on the same page for it. We won't turn down going to look at a house without one, because it could be the perfect one but knowing that a pool is important to us both makes it so much easier. 

Today is Sprinkles 10th birthday so head on over to your nearest location for a FREE cupcake, today only, limit one per customer. 

23 weeks

How far along? 23 weeks and 3 days

Total weight gain? 11.8 pounds 

Maternity clothes? Totally and I love them. Maternity clothes are so comfy! 

Sleeping? Like a baby. I do wake up at 4am every morning and it takes me a good 30 mins to go back to sleep but I have a feeling its just my body getting ready for night time feedings. 

Best moment this week? I have 2! 1) I have been feeling him kick for a couple of weeks now but Bobby has yet to feel him. Well Saturday night, we were laying the couch and I had just eaten a bowl of cereal and this little guy starts kicking up a storm. Like he was on a sugar high or something. So I grabbed Bobby's hand and pressed it to my stomach and we got really quiet and bam! Right into Bobby's hand. This was the moment I had been waiting for. He did a few more kicks for B to feel and was done. Seeing my husband's face light up when he could feel him was pure perfection. 2) Seeing him on the sonogram. He is still breached so it is hard to see his face. But he did give us a great butt/penis shot and he loves to show off his legs and feet to me. They look like chicken legs and for some reason, his feet seem big to me. 

 His hand and profile. Best they could get for me since he is butt down still. 

Worst moment this week? On Monday, I had a really bad dizzy spell that made me run to the bathroom to try to throw up. I never actually did throw up but there was a small window that I could go either way. I was sweaty and clammy and couldn't breathe or stand good. Asked my friend Julie about it and she said she thought it could be my blood sugar. Asked my doctor about it and she said the same thing. That I have low blood sugar so when I don't get enough, I crash. And it will only get worse the farther along I go. I need more protein, like eggs, nuts and cheese to help me balance myself, since meat is just not my thing right now. 

Do I miss anything? Not really. I am getting shortness of breathe more and that's a pain and I can't make it through a whole hour workout without a potty break in there once or twice but for missing anything, I am good. 

Cravings? This week has been nothing really. The first week I didn't crave chips or cereal. 

Aversions? Almost everything. I have to be in the mood to eat and when I do eat, it tends to be pretty bland. I just get tired of food and tired of the same stuff more easily than I did. The bigger he gets, the less food I want. Which makes sense since my stomach is getting smaller but trying to find 3 meals a day is a struggle for me. 

Pregnancy symptoms? Everything has been good this week, besides the dizzy/sweaty spell I had going on on Monday. I do notice if I work out a little to hard or a little to long, I feel sick afterwards. I am just really trying to keep my weight good and help keep the swollen-ness down and working out helps both. I just need to not do so much and make it a lighter workout and just walk when I feel tired some days. 

Belly button? In 

Stretch marks? None

Looking forward to? Our house appraisal finally came back this week and it was really good so our house is almost officially sold. Just waiting on a few papers to sign and that will be it. But now it's time to find a house for us to live in. I love house looking so I can't wait to get started. 

Gender? All Boy! That's what the sonogram technician said when she saw his bottom area. 

Name? Mighty Mouse. As far as a real name goes, nothing. Boy names are hard. So hard. I've decided to give up on it for now and come back to it after we find a home and stuff. Get us settled and then I will find the time to really think about a name. 

Due? August 4, 2015- even though MM is 4 days ahead of schedule according to his size and weight (he's 65% for size and weighs 1 lbs 5 oz), they still are keeping me on the August 4th day till we get farther along!