Our New Ride

Here is a picture of our ol' Buick, I know, classy right? (I told Arnold that it's a pastor's car). We finally gave her up for adoption yesterday because we were pouring way too much money into this car. This has been Arnold's car for the past few years and finally the air went out. Since he's in this car all day every day for work, and since it is the middle of summer in NEW ORLEANS, we had to do something. I'm going to miss this car because she provided a lot of laughs. Probably one of the best times I had in this car was when me, Arnold, my dad, my brother, and Peyton (a loaded car) pull up in the Buick to Commander's Palace, one of the nicest, most expensive restaurants in New Orleans. We all pile out, hand the keys to the valet, and instruct him to be VERY careful with this car because she's a classic. It was hilarious and so embarrasing.



Here's our new ride. Arnold found the Odyssey on Craigslist for a really good deal. So now I get to drive the van and Arnold will drive our other car. I am now officially my mother.

Busy After Vacation

Well, we're back from Destin and settling back into the routine. But it's never easy coming back from vacation. There's always so much laundry, there's no food in the house, and the place is in much disorder. A nice vacation and then double the work when you get back. What can you do? I've been to Target, the movies, out to eat, and to the aquarium tomorrow. I just have too much to do, and too much other stuff that's more fun than cleaning the house! Last night we saw The Proposal. It was okay, not my favorite movie in the world. I was a little disappointed because I love Sandra Bullock in romcoms, but I defintely prefer her in Two Weeks Notice or While You Were Sleeping. Tonight my old roommate and her husband and son are coming into town. Then tomorrow I have free aquarium tickets that expire on June 30th, so we've got to go!
I have ten weeks to go in the pregnancy, if I go full term (which I'm hoping I don't go to 40 weeks...38 would be nice). So I'm trying to enjoy this time because once an infant is here, they're 24/7 care! You moms know that.

Hope you guys have a fun weekend!

Our Destin Trip

This past Friday, we left for Destin, FL for a mini vacation and for Arnold's nephew's wedding on the beach. We missed the wedding on the beach because we didn't get word that the time had changed. But, we were the first ones at the reception! We had a really great time. Destin is beautiful, and I am wishing I was still there playing on the beach.


We loved our condo on the canal.





As expected, Peyton loved the sand.


Peyton and Mommy


Look at those moviestars on the beach.


Destin


Me and Janna before the tour began.


For the wedding reception, we went on a two hour tour on a boat in the harbor and bay. It was really fun.

Peyton loves her cousin Cody.

I'm not sure why my pictures messed up on the post below. Has anyone else been having trouble with blogger?

Fun Pictures

Peyton was falling asleep today eating her lunch. And this is why children should not be up at 6am.


Look at these faces. ahhh!!


Peyton and Janna made a fort.

Being Pregnant

I thought I would blog a little bit about being pregnant since I haven't mentioned little Walmart (as Arnold said her name will be) lately. This post may be boring to some, but for those of you who are pregnant, maybe you can relate!

1. I am so extremely tired that I can hardly function or keep my eyes open at work. Why oh why must babies sit on the bladder? And does it have to be several times a night?? Come on! By the time I finally fall back to sleep, I'm up again stumbling through the dark (probably crunching a few wandering roaches on my way).

2. I've gained thirty pounds so far. You may not think that's a lot (or you may think it is!), but keep in mind that I still have 11 weeks to go!!! Oh boy, I'm on my way to a 50 lb. weight gain...yikes! This freaked me out a little bit at the doctor's office yesterday when I was weighed. I've had one too many bowls of icecream, cake, and pizza this time around. oops

3. You would never believe how exhausting it is being pregnant and dealing with a 20 month old. Some of you may, but I'm here to tell you if you don't know...wow!

4. Poor little baby #2 Arredondo. She has no name, we hardly think about her (we're too exhausted), and if not for the big watermelon staring me in the face everytime I look down and the occasional kick, she would go unnoticed. I guess that's what happens with baby #2, #3, etc. But I know we will love her just as much once she gets here.

5. Anybody got any new snack ideas? I've tried everything and am getting very tired of some foods.

The Beach

In honor of our family going to the beach next week, I decided to change the blog up to reflect something that looks a little beachy. We are going to be going to Destin for a few days for Arnold's nephew's wedding, and just to hang out. We have a nice condo rented, where the wedding is being held. I cannot wait to go. I haven't been to the beach in forever, and haven't been to a Florida beach since I was 13. And Arnold and I haven't been on a vacation in forever either. I'm sure I will have lots of pictures to post and stories to tell. The bad thing is, I still have one more week to wait, which is going to kill me! I'm ready to go now!!

Water

This morning after my doctor visit, I had to run by Office Depot to pick up something for work. I was really thirsty, so I picked out a vitamin water and went up to the counter. The cashier told me that it would be $2(for 20 or so ounces)! I put it back and grabbed a Dasani water thinking it would be about $1. Well, the Dasani was $1.50! Of course tax was 12 cents (on $1.39)! I know I'm probably a bit too frugal sometimes, cheapskate, tightwad, etc whatever you want to call it.(I get it honest...cough cough Mama). But really I'm just trying to be a little careful these days with spending since we are about to add a new addition to the family. I find this a bit ridiculous though. I should have never paid 1.50 for water when I can get it for free. I know when you go to amusement parks, they will charge you $3 or more for a 20 ounce of Coke or water. They know you're desperately thirsty, hot, but you're on vacation so splurge a little. Well, I drank every drop of that water, and I still have my bottle. So now I'm going to refill it with some free water. I guess that's what I was really spending the $1.50 on anyway, the bottle. I think I may keep that bottle for a while.

You Remain

Today I thought I would post some Scripture that I read this morning. What a comfort to know that the Lord never changes even in an everchanging world full of hurt, disappointment, and sadness....

"He also says, 'In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.'"
Hebrews 1:10-12

A Smelly Story

The other day, while in Peyton's room, Janna (my sister who's staying with us for the summer), asked me if we threw Peyton's diaper in the Diaper Genie. I said, "No we don't use it, why?, Have you been throwing them in there?" She had. Oh my goodness! I opened the Genie to empty them out, and the whole thing was full of diapers. And not just any old diapers, but smelly, stinky, poopy diapers. And how long had these diapers been in there? A week...not a five day week, no, a seven day full week! The smell was unbelievable, atrocious, terrible, horrible, gag-inducing, nasty, make you sick, yuck. Have you ever smelled dirty diapers that have been festering with no air circulation for one week? Well, Janna knows now not to throw the diapers in there. And we wondered why Peyton's room was starting to smell bad!

Mountain Pictures and Others

What, you might ask, is this? Well, someone in South Carolina has found a way to fry macaroni and cheese.

She looks like she's posing in this picture.

Peyton at my mom's.

My mom and Peyton in Waynesville, NC.

Lake Junaluska

A beautiful mountain stream.

Homemade mountain decorations. I love all the homemade stuff they make in the mountains.

Haven't seen a Pepsi machine this old in a long time.

The beautiful NC mountains.

A pregnant woman's dream...a gift shop with homemade fudge, jelly beans, taffy, and chocolate turtles.

Peyton at one of the gift shops.

Starting Off the Summer Right

This has to be the longest blogging break I've ever taken! But I've been so busy. Tomorrow I'm going to try and post pictures since I forgot my camera today. But I had a great time in SC! Here's a few things we did...went to Broncos, my all time favorite Mexican restaurant anywhere in the world, went to the mountains of NC, had a Memorial Day cookout, saw family, and just bummed around. We had a great time in the Maggie Valley mountains. There's lots of little shops, restaurants, and it's very pretty and peaceful...a nice getaway from New Orleans! Of course a teething toddler is not always the best company, but we survived. And one of my favorite things is mountain taffy, so I was happy.
When we got back to New Orleans, my poor suffering malnourished husband (these were his descriptions) had totally rearranged every room in the house. This was a good thing. Our apartment was getting a little stale, it needed something to spice it up. I got a new rocking chair, and Peyton had a little pink car that she can drive. What a good husband!
My sister Janna also came back with us, and we've had a good time so far. We've been to Target(her favorite place!) where we both spent WAY too much money, the pool, and the grocery store to buy ingredients to make Chocolate Delight (what could be better than a sister that shares your love for sweets when you're pregnant?).
Peyton in the meantime learned to climb out of her crib and the pack-n-play this weekend. Oh she's so proud of herself. So now she's adjusting to sleeping on a little mini daybed. Janna said she fell out of it last night. Poor thing, but it's kind of funny. :) Before you think I'm a mean parent, she fell right onto some soft pillows.
But what a great way to start off the summer!

PS-You know Peyton seemed sick when we got to SC and then a day after we got there my throat started feeling scratchy. I had been praying that the Lord would heal her and shield me from this. And so now I have to testify that He did, and I'm so thankful that I didn't get sick and that Peyton is better! Praise the Lord!