Peach Cobbler...

Don't worry - I didn't have any of the good stuff... I ate the peaches from the middle, and this cobbler was made with Splenda...

Oh how I want one of these... with homemade ice cream and caramel. Wow.......

Anyway... let me tell you what I DID eat today...

Breakfast: 2 pieces of 45 calorie toast with all natural peanut butter... Peanut Butter is staple... In fact if you haven't read this blog yet, do...

Oh, and I shouldn't forget that the most important treat of my day is nonfat caramel macchiato. Best. Treat. Ever.

Lunch: ham sandwich with wheat bread, lettuce, onion and fat free ranch from Planet Sub... YUM.

Dinner: SALAD with salsa as a dressing...

I also have started my workouts. I am doing P90X. That's right ladies, and if there are gents out there, I am doing it. 90 days. Nonstop. I'll keep you updated. I have made protein shakes after every workout, and the last TWO days have been great! I have felt great. I can see clearly barley the light at the end of the baby weight tunnel, but slowly but surely I will see it.

:) Happy Day Readers.

Back With a Baby

Oh Readers, if you are still there, I am so sorry... But I have been a little busy. Look why. :)

This particular picture was taken by Emily. She's amazing! We did all of her newborn pictures, and they are pretty amazing! Our announcements will be in the mail soon. 

Here are a few more pictures of our sweet little girl, because I know you want to see them want to brag. :)

And these are just some from the first two weeks... Little Baby H is now 6 weeks old today... WOW! SHe is getting too big with all those smiles and noises she makes now. But, isn't she beautiful? :) 

So now onto the future of my blog... There is only one negative to the entire birthing process ... baby. weight. EW! Today is the first day I have been cleared to do any rigorous workout. So, blogger friends, please join me on my weight loss road to skinny. ish. 

I will be blogging daily, fingers crossed, on my food intake, workout regimens, and probably wishful dishes that I'd like to indulge in. 

I also would like to give motherly funny advice that I've learned recently. Here is a list of ten because you have missed so much...

1. Always put a diaper under your baby's bottom IMMEDIATELY after removing the dirty one. This is crucial for your changing pad/hand/shirt/laundry/water bill.

2. Never hold a naked (no diaper baby). See above.

3. DO let your husband turn down the monitor volume after you fall asleep... And DON'T get mad at him. You will still hear it unless you have recently become hearing impaired. And you might just become hearing impaired if you leave the volume up. You will hear him/her scream... they have fantastic lungs. :) 

4. DO allow 1.5 hours to get ready to leave the house with a newborn. Inform all friends that punctuality has left your vocabulary for the time being.

5. DO have weekly date nights... even if they are to go get a drink when you don't want to leave the baby for very long. Your husband will be so grateful and it will be fun... Promise.

6. Allow ample time in the evenings for "Baby Car Rides..." When your baby hits the "screaming" stages, you'll know exactly what I mean.

7. Remember that you will never have time for your top ten list and may have to stop at seven, because your baby is up and hungry in her bed. 

TTFN! (Ta-Ta for now!) In honor of the movie coming out that I will see...

39 Weeks Pregnant...

Okay so I mentioned a while back that I will feel close to giving birth when I made it to 35 weeks...


News Flash: I still don't feel close. :) The doctor told us Tuesday that it could be ANY day... she guessed this weekend. What does this mean? JJ and Linzi got it in HIGH gear... Well, tiny detail gear. Luckily the big stuff was done. Here are a few interesting things I never thought I would do.


1. Speak to my husband through a baby monitor.


2. Place a lamb stuffed animal in my child's crib to perfectly place the baby monitor.


3. See my husband's nose hair through a baby monitor.


4. Use the word nipple and reference a bottle... Not that I never thought I'd use them.. but I didn't think I would say "I think you just sterilize the nipples." Ew. I will come up with a new word... like top of the bottle. That's more appropriate.


5. Chase our dog around for the same exact baby sock she keeps mysteriously stealing...


6. Have an in-depth conversation about whether or not we still need a table for 2 with a high chair, or is that rude if we don't acknowledge baby girl and say a table for three?


7. Call people to ask a non-important question and all of them think I'm in labor... and being depressed because that is not WHY I am calling.


Either way, we are very close to meeting and loving on our baby Hallie. We are so very thankful to God for the precious gift of her and we pray for a healthy and happy baby!


*SIDE NOTE: Please continue to pray for all of the tornado victims. I cannot fathom what they must be going through, but I know that God can heal all wounds. 

Master Bathroom...Suite

Hey readers! 


JJ & I have been house hunting recently... slowly but surely we will find "the one." One thing that I feel like I won't budge on is having a bigger master bathroom. Of all the things to put on my list, I feel like this is the weirdest... but I won't budge. I want to make sure I have a tub to soak in and enough space to where I don't share a sink with JJ. I love him - but bathroom cleanliness is not his absolute forte. He has many fortes so I don't feel bad saying that. That being said - I have come home before with the entire house cleaned. So he has it in him. :) Here are some bathroom pictures I've seen that I am going to share with you... Keep in mind that for our first home, this will probably not be a reality. A girl can dream...

A few highlights: I really love it all... but I am obsessed with the tub, the vanity, and the beautiful floors and walls... Okay everything.

I love copper... This is my favorite tub I've seen. I'm sure Oklahoma homes have tons of these... Right??!!

How neat is this? I don't know about you, but after showers I sometimes just want to soak in a warm bath for a while. This is one of the best 2-in-1 things I've ever seen! So exotic... Again, I'm sure tons of these are floating around homes in Oklahoma.

Ok, so this is something I would never do. This is just here strictly for entertainment. It reminds of the bathrooms in City Bites where you KNOW they cannot see you, but it still freaks you out. I mean I would hold it so long I'd have a bladder infection before I'd go in this restroom or City Bites. Anyone else feel that way??

What do you think readers? Any room in a house that you consider a weird "no budge" on the wish list? 

How I'm Learning...

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mommies and mommies-to-be. Today I got my very first Mother's Day Recognition from Chick-fil-a in the mall. A lady handed me a pretty cream-colored carnation and told me Happy Mother's Day... and truthfully, this was the first time it truly sank in. I am, basically, a mommy. Hallie may not be visually here, but she's here and has changed my entire life. As most mom's probably are at first, I think the thought of being responsible for an infant is terrifying at times. There are two (and even more than that including grandmothers) women have unknowingly prepared me in the best way possible. 


Meet Bev (my mommmma). Those of you that know her - meet her again.

She is beautiful - both inside and out. She has great taste in many things, of which I attribute my attention to detail. She is very funny, very caring, very comforting, very happy, very loving, and most of all a very wonderful role model. I can't imagine how it was raising two GIRLS... especially through high school and teenage years. (Let's face it ladies - we were all brats) But this woman did it with such grace and never-ending energy that I only can dream of having half of. The patience it took to raise me was probably more than I could ever imagine and I am so proud to call this beautiful lady my mom. I love you so much, Mom, and it's because of the way you and Dad raised me that makes me feel even the slightest ease about being a mom very soon. I have a lot more to learn, so be ready to teach. :) 

Now, meet Jan. (my MIL)

This is a special picture from the wedding. :) She is also beautiful on the inside and out as well! From horror stories from movies or other people, I am considering myself incredibly blessed to have this woman as a MIL. She is such a great lady and so much fun to be around. I have no complaints and enjoy every time I get to spend with her! She has also become a great role model in many ways, and I can't wait to see how much more I learn from her now. She has raised two wonderful kids, one that I married, and I know they both look up to her as well. Could I be anymore blessed? Thank you Father! I love you lots, Jan, and as I said before - I have a lot to learn so be ready to teach. :) Happy Mother's Day!

I will leave you with a verse that I think explains these two women well and what I feel describes the kinds of women and mothers God wants us to be. Please read it and either think of your own mommy or woman in your life, or think about how you can be that way for your family. What great lessons our Father teaches us daily - even when rereading a scripture. 

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Hats of the Derby

I am so fascinated by sports and their traditions. I can generally watch any sport with my husband - ask him! I think that's one of the many things he is grateful for about me... ;) Kidding. However, there is one thing I just don't like - and it is the Kentucky Derby. I was traumatized a few years back when a horse was injured and had to be put down. I am not even an active animal rights activist. Don't get me wrong -- I love animals - but I am never that involved in activist things. I just don't think I can watch another derby in fear that something might happen. I am scarred. However, one thing that I really love about the tradition is the creative hats the "Derby Ladies" wear. Here are some of this years... we will call them "highlights." Some are beautiful and others are... well, you'll see. Enjoy.

L.O.V.E. And the mosquitoes might have even stayed away from her face... Brilliant and Classy.

You know this hat was heavy and her neck got a serious workout... Great feathers.

REALLY? I mean I'm impressed with the clown that created this hat, but... REALLY?

He is too cute for words.

This sort of looks like a bonnet. I am thinking Laura Ingalls Wilder meets 2011. 

FAB. They win in my book... at least of the pictures I have seen. I can't help but  humming every tune of the album "98 Degrees and Rising." Tell me you listened to it. On repeat. Maybe still occasionally? 

Today, Tomorrow, and So on....

TODAY...


I washed baby clothes, blankets, towels, etc. I washed it in Dreft, and it smells like baby.


TOMORROW...
I will wash the big kid's laundry (A.K.A JJ's work clothes, and some extras...)
I will make a tasty treat in which I will blog for all of you... STAY TUNED.


SO ON...
I will be patiently awaiting the arrival of Miss Hallie... IF I make it through Sunday and she comes after that, I think I will be satisfied. :) Can't wait to love on her and cuddle her!!!!!!!

Too Soon?

After recent events, my mind has been pretty patriotic. :) I am very thankful that we live in a country whose military sacrifice their lives for me (and everyone else) and whose Government seems to try their best to do what is right. I don't know everything that is going on as no one but our Government truly does, so I'm not going to go on a political soapbox. For some reason, it really bothered me to log-in to Facebook to see people giving credit to either our current president or our past. Why does it have to be about that? Why can't it just be about our country as a whole?  So here is what I am doing... Realizing how important of a day yesterday was and thanking God for the blessings in my life, I am going to take the tension down a notch. I'll leave it to say that I am so thankful to ALL people involved in keeping this country safe for my family and yours. May God bless you and I will continue to keep you all in my prayers. 


Here is what Hallie and I will be wearing on the 4th of July. :) Too soon? Maybe... But, again, you try being on rest at home. It's amazing how far in advance you'll plan. 


For example, when JJ gets home, I already have some ideas for him as to where he & I will be vacationing over Spring Break 2012. It will be our first getaway since Hallie being born. 


Hallie's attire will be simple, fashionable, yet subtly red, white, and blue. :) 

Best Bow Ever.... Again, thank you Etsy.

And a Gap dress that we got from our sweet friends, Bailey & Nick.

I will be wearing...

this dress from Top Shop and I love it, with some unidentified red wedged sandals. If you know of any, I am accepting suggestions. I am so anxious to wear real clothes!!!

Peace, Love, and America -

Linzi

Baby Girl

One of the nicest things about having a baby girl is the idea of dressing her up! We are getting her newborn pictures taken a few days after she is born, and I have been having way too much fun finding bows and cute "naked" outfits for her to wear. 


As most of you know, I have had to relax a LOT lately so little Hallie can cook just a little longer! So little things like getting her outfits in the mail make a huge impact on my day...


I decided to show you her first outfit. Obviously, this is not Hallie in the picture, or anyone I know for that matter... But what a cutie! 

For those of you who do not shop at Etsy, I highly recommend it... ESPECIALLY if you have a little girl on the way. I've ordered way too many bows. :) This particular outfit is from Gorgeous And Company and I suggest you check her out!! Beautiful things for great prices! 

Anyway, I chose this particular outfit because her headband resembles my wedding veil. See below. :)

So how's that for something a little sentimental? 

XOXO.

ROYAL win.

Okay, we can all admit that Kate Middleton could wear anything and it still be beautiful on her.

 For example.. if I wore this little number to church --

an usher might point ME to the senior citizen section... But SHE looks incredible.

This, however, trumps them all. She is so classy and beautiful, and I love her tiny bouquet. 

See you next Sunday... I'll be in this...

P.S. Go to Emily's blog and find a CUTE tea idea she posted today.

I can't wait...

.... to wear SHORTS

And I would like these... here's to hoping my legs aren't QUITE this pasty. ;) Although my current shade of legs could give this mannequin a run for its money.

Things I Look Forward To...

Happy 33rd Week to Hallie! As I look back, I have to say that the pregnancy has really flown by. It has not always been great, never been comfortable, and pushed my limits to how physically tough I am... But I would never take back the blessing of our sweet girl that we get to see in 7 short weeks or less. For her, I will go through any pain or lack of sleep! :) 


There are so many things I look forward to. If I were going to talk to you all about the sentimental things, I would talk about seeing Hallie's face, holding her in my arms, watching JJ be the best daddy ever, and raising our girl to grow up knowing the real Father who brought her to us. But today, I am not going to do that... I have come up with a list for your enjoyment of the little things in life that I will appreciate that I might not have appreciated before. 


Here is my list of things I look forward to -- in no particular order -- enjoy!


1. Real Clothes that don't have seams. ties, or waistbands to compensate for a large belly


2. To see my toes when I look down... please don't judge the appearance of my non-pedicured toes. I can think of something the Easter bunny can bring me... Are you reading, Jage?? :) (yes, we give each other Easter Baskets)


3. To reach for things I drop in the car and actually be able to pick them up


4. To sleep in my BED!!!!! This has been a big one. Because of some things that have gone on while being pregnant, the only place I have been able to sleep is our recliner. My husband sleeps on the couch next to me. I can honestly say that I, without a DOUBT, have the best husband ever. Sorry. 


5. To walk up stairs and not feel like I ran 2 marathons, 4 entire track meets, and pulled a truck


6. Dr. Pepper... ANYTIME I WANT... with no guilt. (Notice I said with no guilt, because I have definitely given in a few (lots) of times)


7. WARNING: If you are grossed out easily do not read. Number 7 is to go through a night and not have to use the restroom 3 (or 30) times.... I mean, there is nothing I won't appreciate more than a working bladder. Too much information?


8. Cinnamon Dolce Lattes with Soy... I miss them so much I'll probably drink them in the summer.


9. NO heartburn --- I have never experienced heartburn before and my husband deals with it frequently. Let me just say that I completely underestimated its power. They say babies give heartburn to you if he/she has hair... Well if that's the case -- Hallie will come out with hair that I can put in an up-do. 


10. This one is not as funny. I miss RUNNING. I cannot wait to go outside (100 degrees or more) and run around the neighborhood. I mean, I actually have motivation to workout and run when I am able. I am not saying this won't go away, but right now I long for it. :) 


I hope you enjoyed my list! 


For those of you that have never been pregnant and I scared you out of ever trying - don't let that be the case! Mother's Day is coming up and to think that I will either see my baby girl or be close to that is the best thought ever. It trumps everything else I mentioned! 

Introducing...

Miss Hallie's Baby Bedding

After much thought... and patience from JJ... Hallie has bedding that will be ordered and shipped THIS WEEK!!!!! 

P.S. The countdown begins -- I am now 29 weeks, rounder than ever, and ready to see our sweet, sweet girl!

A Diaper CLUTCH? Neat...

Ok, readers... my new pastime is obviously looking at everything baby. We can't wait for our little one to arrive. 3 months from today, or around there, we will be parents! We can't wait and having been praying every day for a safe and healthy baby. 


Look what I found.


I don't know about the practicality of it, but the idea is AMAZING.


It is called a diaper clutch from Bird E Studios. 

Yep, just like a wristlet except it hold two diapers and a package of wipes. LOVE. 

The best part is that the creator donates part of her proceeds to give blankets to sick children in the hospitals for comfort. 

And since I am such a sucker, I now might buy 12... 

As big as a...

Okay, readers...  This is another honesty session. Before I became pregnant and had many of friends that were or have been, I resented phrases such as "as big as a while... as big as a planet." 


I am going to use this time to apologize to you all. When those phrases were said, and I rolled my eyes thinking you all looked stunning, I did not know the "pregnant" feeling.


The problem is that I am only six months pregnant and I find myself waking up every day thinking that more and more! I am beginning to absolutely hate the pregnant models who are not actually pregnant. It gave me such unrealistic hope - I need to write a letter about that. 


As I know that I am nowhere near as big as I will be, I can't help but wonder what I will say. I already feeling planet-like... Will that make me a solar system? 

An Extraordinarily Early Birthday List

Okay... don't you dare judge me. 


Yes, it is true that my birthday is in July.


Yes, it is true that I could change my mind.


And, finally, yes... it is true that I have created a blog post for all to preview my birthday selections.... five months early.


Here is the deal. I am pregnant...6 months pregnant to be semi-exact. I am so looking forward to wearing normal clothes again, but am not ready purchase them. I can't wait to see our sweet baby girl and get to cuddle her and love on her. This will all be possible on my birthday. So please enjoy my birthday lust day.

Piperlime, I love you. A true, yet materialistic, love.

I can't decide if I want these...

Or these... or BOTH (yeah right) via Dillard's. 

I really love stripes right now. I think it's because Spring is quickly approaching and stripes are always so clean and fresh... Hence my last wish list item for now...

 from West Elm inspiration

I love GREY. I am thinking of redoing our bedding set since we are moving/house hunting, and I want something clean and relaxing. This reminds me of the beach for some reason, and that is where I long to be at this windy, Oklahoma moment. 

Also, it doesn't hurt that white forces you to keep a clean room. It also doesn't hurt that I am nesting and cleaning every inch of my room on my day off. 

I encourage each of you to create an early birthday list. Your happy mood will thank me later.

Back from Christmas Break :)

Hello there... I have been taking a much needed Christmas Break. It was absolutely wonderful and I hope all of you had a great Christmas season! 


JJ and I celebrated our very first Christmas together. It was so special. My sweet husband bought me a heavy duty camera that I can use to take pictures of our sweet baby on the way! We were way beyond blessed by both families and enjoyed spending the holidays with them and making new traditions. 


JJ and I also celebrated our 1st anniversary as a married couple yesterday. We had the entire day to spend together and somewhere in the midst of it, we decided what our child's name will be - boy or girl. 


I have become more and more aware of God's glory and how wonderful He is when you let Him completely take over your life. There are many things that have made us anxious in different ways, until recently we realized that none of them were as important as we were making them. God has a way of showing you when you are completely blowing things out of proportion. The point is that God will take care of everything - and that no matter what happens in this life, there is an eternal life waiting for us that is much better. As wonderful as my life is, God has much more in store for me and I am so excited to see what that is! I encourage all of you to pray to Him to completely take over your life and take your worries and struggles along with it. 


We also went to Chicago... I will upload pictures when I am not so lazy. We were given a gift of vacation to NYC from my parents this Christmas. Unfortunately the blizzard stopped us from entering NYC, so we went to Chicago. It was such a wonderful trip and I am so thankful for my parents and how much fun we had! As much as I loved Chicago, I learned a few funny things throughout the week... 


1. When you are passing through the street, you and everyone around you are invisible. In Chicago, they don't see you coming. So you either get out of the way, or you get run over. EVEN IF YOU ARE PREGNANT. And it's possible that since I am pregnant, I am further blowing this out of proportion.


2. Grocery shopping is an event in the city. Really! They let you try everything and eat samples until you don't need lunch anymore. As you can imagine, at this point in my life, that was incredible. 


3. IT REALLY IS THE WINDY CITY. Wow, was it cold! 


Along with seeing Blue Man Group and Wicked, combined with spending quality family time, IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!! 


I hope you all have a blessed week!!!