Trick or Treat?

Mena and I went to her playgroups Halloween party yeterday and had a ball.  There were close to 50 people there but was very well organized and not the least bit out of control.  I loved it!  They had games and crafts for the children and even a small dance floor.  Perfect for those times when they needed to let off some energy.  We had two special visitors, Elmo and Mickey Mouse.  Most of the kids loved them but my Mena was a tad scared.  She loved them from a distance.  Although here a few days later she is still telling me that she didn't like the big Elmo, she only likes little Elmos!  We had a costume parade and got candy along the way.  There was great food and drink.  Each child got to leave with a pumpkin of there choice which Mena was excited about.

Lighthouse Catholic Media

Our business is going really well.  We went to our work conferance two weekends ago and got rejuvenated and excited again about our mission of evangelization in the Catholic church.  This past weekend we had our first parish kick off and it was very successful.  We were at the parish for four masses and a pancake breakfast promoting the cd's and the CD of the Month Club.  Then on Monday night, Steve Ray came to speak at that same parish.  We were there again to promote Lighthouse.  He promoted the program during his talk which helped too. 
Our goal for this year is to get 500 new cd of the month club subscriptions!  I know we can do it.  Think of how many lives can be touched from them and it only cost $5 a month.  Do you have someone with a birthday coming up or how about a unique gift of faith this Christmas?  Check out http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/ and use promo code 1740 if interested!  You can also click on my sidebar button.  Yes I know, this is a shameless plug!  But seriously this cd club can bring you so much deeper in your faith and help you grow closer to Christ.  Isn't that what we all want?

I've been so busy lately...or was it slacking???

I have had so many blogging moments in the past week or so but have not found time to get to the computer to actually blog about them.  Sorry if you have been a faithful follower and I have not kept up my end of the bargain! 
To start things off...I had my ultrasound on Tuesday and everything looks great.  The baby is growing in my uterus where he/she is supposed to be and I have a new due date of June 26, 2010.  Very exciting!  I have not started showing as of yet.  I am 6 weeks today.  I think I am actually loosing some weight first rather than gaining which is exactly what happened with my pregnancy with Mena.  The baby likes using my excess fat and I know I have plenty of that!  I have another Ultrasound on this Tuesday just to make sure they can hear the heartbeat and that everything still looks okay.  So far we only see one little tyke in there!  We are so excited here at our house.

Nursing Rhyme

Well, I am finally pregnant again!  Hooray!!!  I have been thinking a lot about nursing lately.  I loved nursing Mena.  She actually nursed for 25 months and it was wonderful.  I found this poem/rhyme set to Dr. Seuss Green eggs and Ham and wanted to share it with you...

Would you nurse her in the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?
I would nurse her in the park,
I would nurse him in the dark.
I'd nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.
Can you nurse with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her `till she's full!
Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy's milk is the best start!
Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?
I would nurse him at the game. I would nurse her in the rain.
As for those who protest lactation, I have the perfect explanation.
Mommy's milk is tailor made It's the perfect food, you need no aid.
Some may scoff and some may wriggle, Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude, Remind them breast's the perfect food!
I would never scoff or giggle, Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude, I KNOW that this milk's the perfect food!
We make the amount we need
The perfect temp for every feed.
There's no compare to milk from breast- The perfect food, above the rest.
Those nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy's milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can't be beat.
I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I'll meet her needs, I'll always try.
It's not about what's good for you,
It's best for babies, through and through.
I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads and ma'am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.

What has she been up to?

Here are some shots of what Mena has been doing lately.  The drawing is the first time I have ever seen her draw a pattern.  It was so cool!

I'm pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's official... the stork is coming to my house on June 20th, or there abouts!  It still feels very surreal to me.  We have been trying for so long and now that I'm pregnant, I am shocked that I really am.  I guess that's what happens when you have been waiting so long for something. 
I have my first ultrasound next Wednesday.  I can't wait! 
Dom and I found out we were pregnant yesterday on our roadtrip to Illinois for a Lighthouse Conference.  The phone rang, Dom answered, and begged her to tell him the results of my blood test first.  She made him give me the phone, of course.  I said, "please have good news for me."  She said, "Congratulations Amanda, your pregnant!"  I can't tell you the intense joy and excitement that I felt.  It was ust the best feeling!  We proceeded to call everyone we could.  Most were not home, but we were able to get in touch with all of them sooner or later.  Dom's family was thrilled and when I told my mom, she screamed with excitement.  It is so wonderful to have such a wonderful response from everyone. 
We then got to our conference.  I told people here and there and all were happy to hear the news.  At the social that evening Dom and I were talking to some people and I told them we were expecting.  The women got the whole rooms attention and announced that we are expecting our second child and just found out.  Everyone clapped and I got a lot of congrats.  That was so much fun for me.  I do like the spotlight sometimes and so I absolutly loved that attention!  I mean, I felt like shouting my news from the rooftops, so it was nice to have a stranger do it for me!  I have been feeling sick to my stomach off and on and I am soooooooo tired.  All good signs!  Mena is thrilled that there is a baby in my belly.  I am sure she will talk more about it every day. 

Swine Flu Vaccine Video

Here is a very important video about the Swine Flu vaccine.  Please be educated before deciding what is best for your family.  This video is by Mary and Dr. Renee Tocco. video: Swine Flu Vaccine and here is the
Swine Flu Fact Sheet.

Is it Friday Yet?

I am so anxious for Friday.  This Friday I get to find out if all the tests and such from this month have been fruitful.  That's right, I will find out if I am pregnant in just a few short days from now.  I really hope I am.  I don't really feel any different which makes it so hard.  I was hoping for a few more signs so I could convince myself either way.  The waiting period is so difficult for me.  I always seem to get my hopes up and then get let down.  This month could be different though.  This month we had it down to a science!  Oh, I pray that this is the month that God will bless us with a baby, maybe two! 

Also on Friday, hubby and I are going to Illinois for a Lighthouse Catholic Media conference.  JUST THE TWO OF US!  I am really looking forward to this mini vacation.  The car ride alone is so much fun for Dom and I (5 and a half hour trip).  I am really looking forward to a phone call during the drive from my Drs. office, regarding my pregnancy blood test results that I will do before we leave.  The conference should be great.  Mena will have so much fun with her Cia Cia.  The one who is getting married next Friday!  Did I mention I love Fridays!!!!!!!  Please hurry up and get here. 

Autumn "stained glass windows"

I whipped together a craft for Mena the other day.  I cut fall colored tissue paper into squares, taped sticky side out a piece of contact paper on the window in our kitchen, and let Mena have at it!  She made some beautiful Autumn leaves on our doorwall!  I love having a door wall for crafts like this as Mena can reach things so much easier!

Sleepy Wrap

I totally want this so badly!  A fellow blogger was recently raving about these and I just found a giveaway tonight for one.  The giveaway is at Just For Me...and You.  It is for a Sleepy Wrap.  I would love to add it to my wrap collection. 
UPDATE:  I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!  I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

Amon Maternity

There is a great contest over at Just For Me...and You!  Although I am not pregnant yet, as far as I know, I find out Friday...I would love to win this $50 gift certificate to Amon Maternity.  Awesome!

Jumpstart Pet Rescue for Wii (Review)

I was so excited to try out the new Jumpstart Pet Rescue for the Wii.  Although I don't actually own a Wii, I have always wanted to play one.  What better way to convince my husband that we need one, than to show him how much our daughter could learn!  Just kidding!  I am thrilled that Jumpstart created this game for young children, ages three to six, because there is such a lack of educational games out there for this age group. 

On with the review...
We went to a friends house to try out Jumpstart Pet Rescue.  My daughter who is almost three, wasn't very interested in actually holding the controls.  The first thing that caught her attention was when the pets popped up on the screen.  They show up when scenes are loading and Mena got a kick out of seeing the various animal friends.  There are many similarities between this game and the online Jumpstart games.  She was able to pick her charactor by changing clothes and features.  She absolutly loves doing this on the online game and was thrilled to be able to do it again.  Same thing with decorating her own house.  She went right up to the tv screen and pointed out what she wanted. Then we ventured around a little.  I noticed it was hard to keep her focused on the game since we were at a new friends house but the thing that got both the kids excited was the Movie House!  They have many different music videos and you should have seen the kids busting moves to Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes!  This could have captivated them for a long time but I decided to keep looking around.  There is so much to do and see.  We went to the school house and played some learning games.  There were alphabet games and counting games in this particular house.  Perfect for what I am working on with Mena right now. 

We had explored all there was in this area of the game and thought we were done.  I was a little bummed.  Then I saw the map on the bottom left hand corner.  I clicked on it and so many more options of where to go opened up for us.  We explored these worlds too.  I can't believe all of things for the kids to do in this game.  I am so happy to have a learning game for Mena that is fun too.  That is always what we look for as parents of young children.  The music was great!  The activities were great!  I would recommend this game to anyone with young children.  I did find that Mena (almost three) was a little young for this.  You have to take into consideration that she has never played a video game before though! 

Here is a picture of her dancing to one of the music videos on the game.  She really loved that part!  My daughter is a DANCING QUEEN!  I think any preschooler would love the music in this game.

See what Jumpstart has to say about this great game for preschoolers!  The ESRB has rated Jumpstart Pet Rescue "Early Childhood."  Be sure to check it out in a store near you.  For a list of carriers, go to the above website.

Wordless Wednesday!

My new do!  (Don't mind the messy house.  My mommy got a little behind, but has definitly cleaned since then!)

Cousins!

Cousins!

Apple Painting

Here is Mena painting with an apple.  We first read a book about apples and talked all about how they grow.  I then cut an apple in half and we talked about the variouos parts.  Mena ate one half of the apple for a snack and then we painted with the other half.  At first she tried holiding it with her hands but we found it to be rather difficult.  I decided to put a corn on the Cob holder in the apple and that solved the problem.  She painted red first and then we let that dry.  She then painted Yellow on top of it.  I wanted her to do more colors but we both got a little bored after two times!  It was lots of fun.  Try it!

Mena-ism: Burp

Mena just burped.  I said, "Are you okay, Mena?"  She replies, "Yeah, it's just a beep!" 

Things I'm looking forward to this October...

1. Grace's wedding and all the events that go along with it!
2. Going to Illinois with my hubby overnight...the conference for Lighthouse that we are attending will be fun too!  Did I mention, no Mena! 
3. Visiting a Cider Mill, apple orchard.
4. Watching Mena learn and grow as I teach her everyday.
5. Catholic Central football games.  They are undefeated and are soooo fun to watch. 
6. Halloween...I can't wait to see Mena all dressed up and show her off. 

I'm sure I will be adding to this list all the time!  There's always something to look forward too.

Play Planet Park

We went to this park for the first time today.  It was awesome!!!!!!!!  So HUGE and so many fun things for Mena (and Momma and Daddy) to play on.  It is called Play Planet and it is well worth our 20 minute drive!  Mena has been asking to go back since we pulled away. 

Disney on Ice

Many thanks to my dear friend Sharon who won free tickets to Disney on Ice that she couldn't use.  We were more than happy to help her with her predicament!  Dom, Myself, Mena, and her Cia Cia Clare got to go see the show in Auburn Hills.  It was wonderful!  We had so much fun!  Here are a few pictures...

Mena wouldn't sit in my lap except for that one picture.  I was a little sad, had to remind myself that this is typical preschooler behavior.  She wants nothing to do with me when other options are available.  Especially someone as cool as her Godmother!

The show was fantastic and had skating skits from many different Disney movies.  My favorite were the toy soldiers from Toy Story and the whole It's a Small World skate.  Very well done and I would defintily take her again someday.  Thanks so much Sharon!