Hanging Flower Baskets

Last Fall, we went to visit my in-laws. They live about 4 hours north of us. One day while we were there, we went to the plaza. My MIL wanted to buy the boys some new toys. And they have to have the cutest toy stores around!

While Mikey was running around the grass, and I was nursing Danny, I spotted these gorgeous flower baskets. They hung all the way around the Plaza. Full of flowers. Gorgeous, colorful, and fragrant flowers.

Immediately, I told Mike, I wanted some of those. And we put them on our "to-do" list. Honestly, I didn't think I'd get them. I'm not going to lie. Because out "to-do" list is pretty long. And our boys come before everything else.

Today Mike and I took the boys grocery shopping. And we took a short detour. To the Dollar Tree. And I found some hanging baskets, and the liners! For $1 a pieces. I wanted to cry. We bought 12! And they had seed packets...4 for $1. We bought a bunch. Mikey helped us pick some flowers.

I'm so excited. And I hope by summer that I have some beautiful flowers. Mike is also trying to figure out how to hang the basket around our backyard. I'm so excited! The first "home project" that feels feminine. And super exciting! I can't wait. :)

♥Rach♥

Welcome to Our Family Danny!

Mikey has a new baby brother! Daniel (Danny) waited for his Daddy to come home! Mike was able to come home for a week. And he arrived early on July 14th. The night before, I had begun having some fierce contractions. And I labored well into the morning of July 15th. But it was all worth it. Just to meet our little man! Danny we love you so much. Our family was definitely not complete without you. I see an entire lifetime of fun ahead for our family! But for now, I'm going to be spending lots of time with my boys!

♥Rach♥

Love 21 Maternity

Ya, I'm still pregnant. My husband is still 100s of miles away fighting a fire. But my in-laws are here with me and Mikey. :) They surprised us for the holiday. I'm so glad they did!

In other news...

Did you know that Forever 21 now has their own line of maternity wear? It's called Love 21 Maternity. I found out about it on twitter.

They don't have much. Just 7 tops and 6 bottoms. But it's cute stuff. All between $4.80-19.80. Not bad at all! And I really like this outfit...




If I wasn't so far along in my pregnancy, like weeks from delivery, I might take the hour drive to do some shopping. But it's good to know. You know for next time around! OK, maybe my MIL and I have planned a small trip to the city tomorrow. :)

♥Rach♥

Crying Like a Big Baby

I've been really down today. I just can't shake it. And I don't know why I'm feeling this way. I'm thinking, It's because Mike is away fighting the wildfire in CO. And I'm due later this month. I miss Mike so much. It feels like he's been gone for months.

Poor Danny. I hope his daddy doesn't miss his birth. He went north a few weeks ago. I was so stressed out. But he had to fight this fire. Now, he's in CO. Maybe Mike might get to come home just for a few days. Or Danny can wait a few more. Or maybe, I'm just dreaming.

My parents are in LA. That's where I'm originally from. And my in-laws live 4 hours north of here. But I have great friends. I just miss my husband. My in-laws are supposed to be planning to come down here and stay with us for a while. My FIL has agreed to watch Mikey when I go into labor. And my MIL is going to be with me at the hospital. My parents are going to come after Danny gets here. Because last time, they didn't get to spend a whole lot of time with Mikey. We're trying something new here.

But I'm still sad. The gloomy and stormy weather we've been having in the afternoon/evenings/nights isn't helping either. But there's not much you can do about that. I've been crying at commercials, pictures, songs. I'm a little emotional these days. But right now, I'm going to go snuggle up with my napping boy. I feel like I need a nap too!

♥Rach♥

He's Not Coming Home

About a week ago, we thought Mike would be coming home. Instead, his team is headed to CO. To help with that fire. I'm really starting to freak out! I'm less than a month away from my due date. And it looks like Mike won't make it home before Danny is born.

Worst of all, my in-laws can't come until July 20th. I'm praying that my boy stays put until then. And my parents are visiting my sister in GA for the long holiday weekend. An extended week. Because my sister just had my niece! Yesterday! Little Madelyn Grace is a sweety pie! I wish I could be there too.

But my parents will be coming after Danny is born. I'm so excited! Maybe they will bring my little sister and her darling family. :) But I'm still scared and nervous. We have great friends here. But it's not the same without our families. Especially Mike. I hope it all works out. Because I want Mike to be here for Danny's birth. :)

♥Rach♥

Pretty Little Liars

I'm loving this new show! I know, it's targeted to teens. But I really like it. I can't lie. And I find myself wishing the week could go by faster so I can watch the next episode. Am I nuts? It's like an inside to the "cool club." Which I wasn't a part of in high school. No matter what people say. I just wasn't' that cool.

I really like the style of the girls. I wish I was younger so I could pull off some of their fun looks. And the makeup is amazing! I just love everything about this show! Are you watching?

♥Rach♥

Nearby Fire

We have a big fire right outside the city limits. A wildfire! It's ridiculous! None of our "Hot Shot" teams are around either. Most of the ones from the southern part of our state, are up north. Fighting the big wildfire. Worst of all, this fire was started by the fire academy! Yes, they were doing training for the new recruits. I can't believe it!

Our fire department has requested that some fire fighters from AZ come. And they're on their way. With a plane too. I can't believe this! Isn't this nuts?

In other fire related news, Mike is still up north. It makes me so sad. But there's not much else I can do. Besides taking care of my little man, our pup, and the house. And of course, the little man growing in my belly!

♥Rach♥

Pearl Earrings

I'm from the south originally. LA Baton Rouge to be exact. I grew up around all these really amazing Southern women. Always wearing their pearls. And I've always wanted a pair. But the real ones are kinda pricey. So I buy mine at Claire's. 3 pairs for $6, or something like that! But I was doing some google searches, and I saw these...



They're beautiful! And over $1000 a pair. Because they're Mikimoto. We definitely can't afford those. And I really don't need some that expensive. On a recent trip to the mall, I seen some for $300. Maybe if I'm really good, I'll get a pair for our 3rd Anniversary in January!

♥Rach♥

Peonies

Over a month ago, I planted some peonies. Well, the bulbs. Because they were much cheaper. Think $5 for 2 bulbs vs $25 for 1 plant. I don't know much about gardening. Our poor strawberry plants last year learned all too well!

But I thought I'd take a chance. And I planted 4 bulbs. All outside the kitchen window. I planted other kinds of bulbs around the yard. Those flowers are HUGE! Well not the flowers. But the leaves to them. The stems are starting to come out too. I think we should have flowers in no time!

My peonies are not showing any sort of sign of life. It makes me so sad. Because these are one of my favorite flowers. I found this garden forum. And it didn't help much. But it made me a little disappointed...



Look at that gorgeous flower! I just wanted a few of these. Looks like I should probably have tried them in a pot first. Oh well. What can you do now? I'm just going to keep watering them. Maybe by some miracle, they'll come to life. I hope so!

♥Rach♥

Another Fire

Mike is headed north. Remember, he's part of the "Hot Shot" team that fights wildfires. The fire house where Mike works, almost all the guys are on the team. Everyone left today. I'm sad. I'm exactly 1 month from my due date.

There is a big fire up north. I'm hoping that it isn't too bad. I really don't want Danny to be born without his daddy being here. Let's just hope that no other fires begin either. Because I'm not sure how good I'm going to handle Mike not being here for the birth of our son.

♥Rach♥

Happy Memorial Day

We had a pretty amazing day today. And none of it could have happened without all the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Thank you all!



We took Mikey to the park. Mike wanted to take the wagon. So we loaded it up and left early. You know, before it gets hot out here.



When we got back home. Mikey napped. And Mike got to grilling. Can I say it? My hubby is an amazing cook! He didn't just grill all the meat. But he made some amazing food too!



And of course, Memorial Day is all about remembering those people who sacrificed so much for us. For our freedom. And just to allow us to be safe. Thank you!

♥Rach♥

2 vs 1

Lately, I've been stressing a little bit. About going from 1 little boy, to 2. You know, this is a big adjustment. I was almost in a panic by this time during my 1st pregnancy. But we had a ton of support! And I did OK. Mostly because of Mike.

Now, I'm really stressed out. 2 little boys. Am I in over my head? Fine time to think about that. I'm a nut! Mike keeps telling me to just breathe. That it's going to be OK. I know he's right. But I also know it's going to be a little challenging.

For one, we're definitely not going to sleep. That's not new. All new parents lose tons of sleep! My worry is whether or not we are going to have enough time with each of our kids. You know, will Mikey feel neglected? Will we pay enough attention to the baby? I always feel like parents don't take the same amount of pictures of 2nd and 3rd babies. They forget to document all those things that they did with their 1st baby.

I want to be a good mom. But most of all, I want for my kids to feel loved. To feel special. And know that we love them so very much! I just hope I'm ready for everything in our future.

♥Rach♥

Just Like Dad

I had to go exchange some shorts for Mikey that my mom sent him. And while we were in line at Old Navy I saw this shirt...



I just had to get it for him. I know it's long sleeved. And it's a million degrees out. But I bought it big so he can wear it this fall. Mike really liked it too! He wanted to know where his "Hunk" shirt was too! :)

♥Rach♥

Clothes Shopping with Mike

Recently Mike and I went shopping at Target. He wanted to get me some summer clothes. When I was pregnant with Mikey, well in the summer I wasn't this big. So lots of my summery clothes don't fit. Here I thought that Mike was saving money to get himself his new TV. Really, he was saving up to take me shopping. What a sweetheart!

Here's some of what I picked up.



These cute denim shorts. For only $18! I like the dark wash. I got 2 pair. :)



And a couple of these t-shirts. I got them in purple, aqua, white, blue, and yellow. They were $13.



And some of these tanks for $10. In pink, teal, grey, black, and a striped red one.



I got a pair of these crops. For $25. On me, they hit a little under the knee. And I really like them for when we go to the park.



I also got this cute top! For $17.



And my favorite find was this dress. For $35. Isn't it cute?

My husband is a sweetheart! I can't believe he did that for me! Now, not matter what season we get pregnant next time, I should have the clothes that I need. Unless our baby is due in the dead of winter. But we're not going to think about that now. No we're not! instead, I'm going to go wash my new clothes so I can wear them. :)

♥Rach♥

Around the Town

I LOVE Mike dearly. And I love that he's a fireman. But I just couldn't go with another Fireman themed room. Mikey's room is adorable! I really love it. But I wanted something different for Danny (he's already got a nickname!) I want some jungle animals. Mike wanted fire trucks. And we settled on this crib set with all sorts of cars, trains, and boats.

It's called "Around the Town." And we paid about $250 for everything. Including the mobile, some pictures, and the curtains. :)



Mikey already loves it! We got it in a few days ago. And I set it all up that night. The next morning when I was making breakfast, I found him sitting in his brother's room. Pointing to all the different pictures. He started to tell me what everything was. So cute!

That was Mike and I's compromise. I really like it. Mike painted the room a green to match the little trees. And it really makes the bedding pop. It's such a difference from our Fire Engine room.

If you didn't know, Mike picked out everything in Mikey's room. And we've decided to try once more after Danny is born. I'm hoping for a little girl to spoil. :) And Mike has said that I get to pick everything out for her!

In case you're wondering why we didn't just use Mikey's crib and bedding, like my mom is. We bought him the crib that grows into a toddler bed. Which he's using right now. And the bedding, it grows with it too. We just had to buy a few things. I really like this company. That's what we went with on Danny's too!

♥Rach♥