The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread!

I have found it, the best thing since sliced bread!

Let me just say that it is a good thing that classrooms no longer have chalkboards because just the thought of chalk makes me shudder. It could have possibly deterred my from becoming a teacher, well not really, but that is how much dislike chalk. We have two chalkboards in our house and each and every time I write on them I have to wrap the chalk in a paper towel so I don't touch it. The worst part is pulling the chalk out of the box and the pieces touch and make this horrible sound. Ughhhh. Well I no longer have to suffer! The chalkboard pen is the answer to my prayers. It writes like chalk and wipes off with water just like the real thing!


My first project with the chalk pen . . . sweet success! Let's just hope we can say the same for Auburn this year!

California Dreaming

Troy, Tucker and I recently returned from our trip to Carmel for my Aunt's wedding. Let me just say that Tucker travels well, but this one wore mommy out! Five hours on a plane with a 14 month old is . . .EXHAUSTING! (The minute we landed I started dreading the flight back.) He was really well behaved, no screaming and no crying. However, he did manage to poop twice during the flight, and from what I hear it is really hard to change a diaper in that TINY airplane bathroom . . . excuse me I meant lavatory. But, I wouldn't know since Troy changed both of them! Just one of the many reasons I love my husband. In between the poop we were just trying to keep Tucker confined. The flight home was slightly easier, only one poop and Tucker took a nap, and so Troy and I got a little rest too.

If you have never been, Carmel is a beautiful coastal town about an hour and 30 minutes south of San Francisco, just south of Monterey. It is like a something out of the storybook. The homes, the beach, the whole town is truly perfect. It is a very dog friendly town, many of the shops allow dogs, but strangely enough, not strollers. I was like a kid in a candy store gawking at all of the homes and shops as we drove around town. I made Troy jump out and grab a flier as we drove by a home for sale, I couldn't resist, I also could never afford this home! It was very deceiving from the front, but boasted 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms for a mere $4.9 million dollars. I got plenty of pictures that I will keep as inspiration for a future home and my dreams.



Check out the roof on this house! I don't even know what it is, I have never seen anything like it.


One of my favorite features on several of the homes were the garage doors. Many of them opened from the center, unlike a standard garage door. Troy is actually the one who picked up on this, shocking! Details are not his thing, typically. That just goes to show how amazing these houses were, even he was interested.

I love the look of the shutter garage doors and the lanterns, it is so unique.

I love the wrought iron on this house.

I'm a sucker for a vine over a doorway or window.

The Newel Post: Take Two

I guess technically this is take 3. One of my New Years resolutions was to update our blog regularly. (Yes I realize that it is June) I did make an attempt at this whole blog thing in January, paid somebody for a blog template and well they took my money and ran. That left me with a bad taste in my mouth about the blog. I moved onto a few of the other items on my ever growing to do list. Meantime, I found a very helpful and most importantly reliable source for a blog design and we are up and running . . . again. I have a lot of catching up to do since the last time I posted I was still pregnant and now Tucker is 14 months old. Time flies when you're having fun!

This is it!

We're off to the hospital!

39 Weeks

I went to the doctor Tuesday for my 39 weeks appointment, the official due date is Saturday. I was again asked if I wanted my membranes stripped, and it didn't sound any better this week. My doctor told me that I am still not progressing and so she wanted to schedule an induction. She said how about tomorrow night? I was shocked, I was just not expecting it to be that soon, but agreed. I had to then call Troy at work and tell him that we would be going to the hospital tomorrow to have our baby. I thought I was shocked . . . The phone calls continued to my family, Troy's family and then friends. Excitement quickly followed, once I had a moment to take a deep breath. Tomorrow is the big day, April 8th will be Tucker's birthday!

38 Weeks

I have been going to the doctor each week for the last 3 weeks now. At this point I am not progressing at all. The doctor asked if I wanted her to strip my membranes, I immediately responded with, "No, thanks though." I am getting very uncomfortable and beyond swollen. I am very limited on which shoes I can even get on. It is getting ugly and very funny for some. It has been unusually warm already this spring, but I insist on keeping the cankles covered.

Baby Tucker's Nursery

At 36 weeks the Tucker could come at anytime really and he would be considered full term. Troy kept saying after the 36 week milestone that if he came tomorrow, we would be fine, "We have everything we need." I however, was not ready and still needed (wanted) the time to finish the baby's room, wash the clothes, put them away, and pack the bags for the hospital. All along I kept telling Troy that I hope I have scheduled induction or a scheduled c-section so that I know when it is going to happen. Troy faked looking shocked and said, "Really, you want to plan and schedule something?" He knows me so well. Well now the room is done, clothes are hanging in the closet and all the gear is put together. Now it is just a waiting game!

These are silhouettes of Tucker's big brother, Bing, and big sister, Nat.

Our friend Tyler's mom painted this dog picture for his nursery, it's made of old wood, has newsprint behind it and looks like an antique piece of art, it is perfect!