17 Weeks Baby Belly

I wore a tighter shirt for this pic, to really accentuate the baby belly action going on down there, especially since my last picture was of a baggy-ish one.

Hello, baby! And hello, boobs! Gah!

I've felt pretty good this week - between Baby Dude's birthday and Toy Story party (OMGHE'STHREE!), along with getting a lot accomplished at home, organizing-wise. (Is it possible to be nesting already almost half-way through!?)

This week I haven't really had any particular cravings, per se. I know I passed on the birthday cake, though. I'm not really into sweets right now. At all. (Shocking, right!?) But I am feeling a penchant for pumpkin, since October's about here. (Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Bread anyone?)

Working out is beginning to get tough, though. I am really beginning to feel a limitation being pushed upon me. I'm going to be taking more walks and slowing my runs, it seems (as though I wasn't already slow enough already).

I feel I should be doing more than belly pics, to commemorate this as my last pregnancy. Anything you can think of?

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Toy Story Birthday Party

This was Baby Dude's first big-deal birthday party, where he was old enough to realize everything happening. He'd been talking about it being his 'birt-day" for weeks now, but doing all of THIS? This was HUGE to him.

As huge Toy Story fans, we've amassed quite a collection of Toy Story paraphernalia. We broke it all out for this shindig, and set up his play set action figures on the table as decorations.

We hung color coordinating ribbons, and hung dangly ceiling decor with a huge helium Toy Story balloon from Party City.

I flipped my two-tier centerpiece and aligned Buzz Light Year, Woody and Jessie to hug together in the center.

To create the "Andy's Bed" cake shape, we needed to bake it in a 9x13 pan, and make some gingerbread dough to roll out and cut into the shape of the headboard. We then cut out thick "pillows" from the dough, and, with the excess dough, we created cut-out cookies in Disney shapes. Can you guess who?

I may or may not have gotten flour on my pregnant belly in the process. Whoops!

Meanwhile, I was busy at work creating the homemade "Pizza Planet" pizza for the party. I used pre-made dough, organic pizza sauce, and made cheese pizza, sausage pizza, and sausage with peppers pizza.

Time to sing!

Here's our all-natural finished product - our Andy's Bed Toy Story Cake! A from-scratch made vanilla cake made with homemade whipped cream icing, gingerbread headboard and pillows, and melted-then-frozen chocolate chips, cut into pieces to signify the cow design on Woody's vest, topped off with a miniature Woody and Buzz on the top, and a number three candle.

The headboard was secured with metal barbecue skewers. Neat, huh?

The cake was so delicious, Woody tried to crash the party, but he missed.

Silly Woody!

Happy Toy Story Birthday, Baby Dude!

Have you ever done a themed party like this? What did YOU do?

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Baby Dude is THREE!

Hi. I'm Baby Dude.
Today, I'm fwee (three).
I wike Tars (Cars) and Buzz Wite Year. And Woody. And "Po Sawrai" (Power Rangers Samurai).
I wike to eat mommy's eggs for bweakfast (my cream cheese omelet) and wick the pwate cwean.

I wike pwaying "kick baw(ball) now" (otherwise known as "soccer").
I wike video games, jumping on da twampoween, and being a super hewo.
I wike pwaying hide 'n seek (even if he isn't good at it).




I'm a big boy.
And I wanna go to stool (school).
---

I can't believe how big he's gotten.

Second Birthday

First Birthday

Going home from the hospital

I can't believe he's three and not teeny-tiny anymore!

Happy Third Birthday, sweet Baby Dude. Mommy loves you.

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

F is for Fail (and for Feeling Fat)

Losing weight.
Eating right.
Staying active.
It's one of my main focuses during my weight loss journey since 2008.
I don't think I can begin to explain to you the feelings of dread I feel when I step my bare feet onto the scale, only to see the numbers keep rising.
Yes, I'm pregnant.
Yes, I know I'm not big like this anymore.
But I certainly don't feel thin like this with a baby belly, either.
But if I'm (still) doing everything right, why is the weight piling on, such as it is?
Why can't I stay thin and be all belly?
Why are my thighs rubbing again, and pants getting too tight?
Why do I feel so flabby, so gross?
Why do I have to be one of the unlucky ones who can't stay thin while being pregnant?
I'm so freakin' tired of this stupid struggle.
I don't want to see all my hard work undone.
This is my last baby, and I want to enjoy him/her, but dammit, can't I enjoy him or her without becoming a freakin' house?

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Belly - 16 Weeks

It's kind-of hilarious that I have to keep googling "Pregnancy Calculator" to remind myself how far along I am. I kept up with it for all of about two or three days on my own.

Pregnancy brain sure has struck hard here.

Or maybe it's that whole being-a-parent-to-eleventy-billion-kids thing.

Or both. {shrug}

Regardless of which it is, though, I seemingly missed my 15 weeks belly shot. (Or, ahem, maybe I didn't, because there were a few belly shots taken, but they came out weird looking, and decided not to share them. A girl's got to have standards, y'know.)

I still maintain my belly has a strange squarish look to it. Am I the only one that sees it?

I'm going to update weekly, not only with a belly pic for the duration of this pregnancy, but with my cravings and notable happenings, too.

This week's cravings have been for vegetables. We have three meatless meals on the menu this week. I'm sure my kids must not be too pleased with me. (Heh.) Currently, I'm scarfing down a bowl of minestrone, and contemplating mugging my fridge for the chopped red and green peppers we used in the meatless taco salad we had two nights ago. (Or, oooh, maybe sauteeing them with some garlic and putting them in an omelette? Who cares if it's lunch time and in the afternoon?)

I've been experiencing a twinge in my back on my left side. (A preggo with back pain? Surely not!) I also thought I felt a knot back there yesterday, too. I did entirely too much cleaning/laundry/organizing yesterday that left my back aching and knees crying. Despite working out, I need to calm it down, yo.

Also? I feel flickers of movement inside. The baby's dancing in my tummy! Just wish I could feel it on the outside, too, so that I could share the baby's Macarena with the rest of my family.

Soon, though...

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Kids Sleep Anywhere - The "He Didn't Even Make It Up The Stairs" Edition

You know you're tired when.....

...you can't climb the stairs to the playroom.

(My kids have a knack for this sleeping anywhere business. Check out my kids sleep anywhere series!)

Do your children do this, too? Have you shared photos of your children sleeping crazy-like? I'd love to see them!

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Fun Tailgating Gear for Families - My Segment on TV

Welcome WOAI-TV viewers! Thanks for tuning into my segment on San Antonio Living about fun tailgating gear for families. I hope you enjoyed it! For those regular readers who were unable to tune in, see the segment below!

And yes, to quell your curiosity, I am indeed the mother to six children, currently expecting our seventh crazy blessing in March of 2012. The stories and pictures I share here on Crazy Adventures in Parenting showcase my often humorous take on parenting, depicting the lighter side to this parenting business, and highlighting other topics important to me, such as staying active, eating healthy, and not losing my freakin' marbles. You can find out more about this site, me, and my family from here. Stick around a while and take a gander at our everyday craziness, will ya?

These tailgating products were quite a lot of fun to get to know and implement, and sure have come in handy for our family. Helped keep our kids out of the rain at our kids' soccer games this past weekend.

Here's the more detailed information I promised you, as well as ordering info for the products I showcased on the show.

Sizzle-Q

Image courtesy of littlegriddle.com

The Sizzle-Q is an all stainless steel barbecue griddle able to fit on any grill, allowing the avid tailgate chef the opportunity to expand their grilling options to more than just burgers and dogs. With the Sizzle-Q portable griddle, you can now cook eggs, bacon, pancakes for breakfast, or perhaps quesadillas and sauteed veggies for lunch, even delicate fish filets, pizza and more, all on your grill, making you the hit at the next tailgate party. Easily portable, just place the Sizzle-Q on any grill to transform it into a griddle, and lift off to use the grill for hamburgers, hot dogs and so forth. Sidewalls on three sides keep your food on the griddle, allowing for every square inch of cooking surface to be utilized, and the full front grease trough catches run-off liquids to prevent flare-ups. Clean up is simple and easy, no need for a sink. One size fits all grills.

Why we like it: Dude! Pizza on the grill! And eggs! Pancakes, even! Sweeeeeet!

Price: $69.99
Info available at www.littlegriddle.com
Ordering and store look-up here.
You can even follow Little Griddle on Twitter

Drink-N-Plate

Image courtesy of drinkandplate.com

Drink-N-Plate is probably one of the most ingenious ideas for barbecues, tailgating, social gatherings, parties and more, allowing the party-goer to enjoy their meal and drink held with one hand, freeing up your other hand to eat with a fork, dole out drinks to the kids, pour condiments, and much more. The Drink N' Plate is a combination of plate and drink holder, allowing the entire meal to be carried conveniently and easily. Dishwasher safe.

Why we like it: Now I don't have to wish to have eleventy-billion arms at picnics and barbecues anymore. (Well, at least ONLY at picnics and barbecues....)

Price: $14.95 per pack of 6. Family pack, party pack, and wholesale pricing available.
Info and ordering at www.drinkandplate.com

Thermacell Outdoor Lantern

Image courtesy of
thermacell.com

The ThermaCELL Outdoor Insect-Repellent Lantern is the best, non-toxic option for keeping mosquitoes and other insects away. I like it because it allows me to ability to be worry-free about spraying bug repellents around food when entertaining outdoors. It is both a powerful insect repellent device and long-lasting outdoor LED lantern, with both functions being usable separately or together. Providing a 15x15 ft (or 125 square foot) mosquito-free zone, it is 98% effective against thwarting mosquitos, black flies, and no-see-ums. It is also non-toxic, safe and non-intrusive, being DEET-free, silent, portable and odor free, weighing in at a mere 13 ounces. ThermaCELL utilizes allethrin, an artificial version of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. Designed with a frosted globe, the lantern offers two illumination settings. The butane cartridge which powers the mosquito repellent provides 12 hours of power and is located on the interior for aesthetics and ease-of-use. 8 LEDs provide the light from the lantern, which has two settings controlled by a switch that is located on the base of the lantern and is powered by 4 AA batteries.

Why we like it: I freakin' hate flies and mosquitos, and my husband is a human pincushion for those blood-suckers. Bring. It. On.

Retails for $31.99
More info at www.mosquitorepellent.com
Order from here.

Sport-Brella Chair

Image courtesy of sport-brella.com

The Sport-Brella Chair is nothing like what you see at sporting stores, as it's not only a portable fold-up sport chair, but it has an mountable 360 degree swivel umbrella which can be moved from one side of the chair to the other and can be swiveled at 3 different points at the push of a button to offer complete coverage from the sun and wind at any conceivable angle. The umbrella opens out to 46 inches wide and has a UPF 50+ lining for maximum sun protection. The Sport-Brella Chair also has a built-in cup holder, attached bottle opener and item pouch for valuables. Folds down instantly and fits into a compact carry bag.

Why we like it: It's comfy. It has a bottle opener for hubs. And a place to store my phone since little fingers don't mess with it. Momma's happy.

$39.99
Info and ordering at http://sport-brella.com/sport-brella-chair

Sport-Brella

Image courtesy of sport-brella.com

Think of the Sport-Brella as a portable yet large 8 ft. wide group umbrella that gives you the ability to shield yourself and loved ones under instant protection from the sun, rain and wind. The fabric offers a 50 UPF protection from the suns rays. The Sport-Brella's umbrella action open mechanism allows it to be set up in just a few seconds, and includes top wind vents, and side zippered windows for efficient airflow (to prevent it from blowing away) as well as offering additional visibility. It also offers internal pockets for gear and valuables, and a convenient carry bag that includes tethers and ground stakes for use when needing additional stability.

Why we like it: If I wasn't sporting a pot-belly while pregnant at the moment, I'd totally pop a squat underneath this thing and play "tent" with my kids, too. They have entirely too much using this!

Retails for $59.99
Info and ordering at http://sport-brella.com/sport-brella

Speedminton 

Image courtesy of
speedmintonusa.com

Speedminton combines tennis, badminton and racquetball, for a fun and easy to learn game, as well as a great form of exercise. Completely playable anywhere, anytime, even at night. Use whatever dimensions desired and play with or without a net. Fun and portable like badminton, use the cones to set up your field (if you desire) and go. Comes with two racquets, three birdies, tiny chem-lights for at night and eight cones.

Why we like it: I like to pretend I'm a tennis player in another life, so this helps me fulfill that fantasy, even if I suck at it.

Price: $39.99
Info located at www.speedmintonusa.com
Order from here.

Here was my live segment today. The preggo belly is poppin' out, can you see?



What do YOU think of these? Aren't they cool? Do you have any favorite tailgating/sports products you'd like to share with me?

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Run Like The Wind, Bullseye

I am still running, even though I'm not running nearly as fast as I used to, nor as often. But I'm trying to keep my running legs as fresh as they can, but isn't easy. This new baby weight that's amassed, as well as the belly that pokes out of my Nike running shirt, makes me feel like I'm running with paint cans strapped to me.

The air seems so thick in my lungs, while the sun feels almost prickly against my skin.

This morning's run began quite temperate and cool, with the sun tucked neatly behind the much-welcomed clouds we're currently experiencing. Despite the new (finally) lower temps, I still felt like I was laboring out there, like I was re-learning to run again, as though it was all new to me, a little wobbly and uncoordinated. I do my best to keep my legs fresh while racking up miles on the elliptical often, almost daily, with this summer being too brutal to experiment on the Texas roads. But I still feel almost broken.

I know this is all an adjustment, being pregnant, living in the Texas heat, adjusting what I once new as normal and making it a new normal. I know I will have to forego speed for a (long) while, and just take it as it comes for now, being grateful to continue to run at all. But time is short, and in a few months it'll be too tough to even run at all.

I really treasure these quiet times, between my breath and my feet striking the roads, taking in nature's sounds and the thoughts in my head, body moving with a purpose, endorphins coursing through my veins, feeling so alive.

I am a runner -
a pregnant runner -
who wants to keep running, but is struggling to find her way (even before pregnancy was an issue).

Here's to hoping I can find it, soon.

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Oh Boy! (Or Girl?)

The Douglas clan is growing again. Quite accidental-like. (As some of you may already know.)

I'm pregnant. Due March of 2012.

Thoughts going through my mind when I saw the plus sign appear:

Yes, Baby Dude was supposed to be the last one. In fact, there I lay, having just given birth to Baby Dude in 2008, inquiring about a doctor recommendation for my husband to get "the snip" and.. well.. let's just say, that is one hell-of-a story you won't want to miss. Soon, I promise.

For now? I'm busy eating peanut butter and jelly like an addict and wondering why I don't run as fast as I used to. Duh.

The first (of many) belly pics

My belly has a angular look to it, don't you think? Maybe I'm giving birth to a square? *snort*

So, hey? Anyone have any recommendations on a larger car? And peanut butter.. do you have any peanut butter on you, by chance?

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Remember 9/11? Sure. How About Remembering to Live, Too

Alright, so, I lied.

I told friends on Facebook that I couldn't write about today's tenth anniversary of 9/11 because the news coverage has been so stifling, so crippling to watch, it's silenced my ability to be able to say anything at all. And it has - almost horribly so.

While I understand what the television networks are trying to do today (and all.this.week), I have to tell you, they're failing miserably. They want to focus their memorial efforts on reliving that horrible day, bolstering ratings by showing "never before seen footage," interviewing celebrities and everyone under the sun they think will draw in viewers, instead of focusing their memorial efforts on what they should be doing, and doing what I am going to do:

Remember the fallen by focusing on loving the living, and live for each day instead of watching it pass us by. 

If 9/11 has taught us anything, it's that tomorrow is never certain. One night you can be happily delving into the lotion-scented tummy of your baby, and the next, gripping your sofa with tears as you watch your world in chaos.

We can continue to relive that moment, in sadness and in pain, or we can learn from it, improve upon it's horrific value in our lives, vowing to make sure we never let it happen again, and make sure that if tomorrow is our last, that we make each day count.

I will never forget those who were sacrificed ten years ago, but I don't think they'd want us sad over their losses for forever, either. I know when I finally leave this Earth, I will want to be remembered, but not mourned for life's eternity.

For today, and every day, I will overly cherish my family and friends, grateful for their presence in my life, in honor of what this country endured ten years ago. Today, my family is together. Fed. Happy. Almost healthy (Baby Dude has a fever.) Football-clad in Pittsburgh Steelers gear, ready for some football and good food.

Today I will not sweep 9/11's memory under the rug, nor have I ever, but I refuse to let myself succumb to the pain of that day anymore, because agonizing over it isn't going to change that it happened to us, it's only going to sour the fact that

We. Are. Still. Alive.

Make today and everyday count, friends.
Volunteer to help your community.
Reach out to someone in need.
Donate to help others.
Invite that single soldier over for a meal this week, it may be the only home-cooked meal he sees.
Hug your children extra tight, and say a few more "I love you's" for no reason, other than to make sure they know.
(Make sure you say the same to your spouse, too.)
Call your parents, for no other reason than to tell them how much you appreciate them.
Smile and hold open a door for a stranger.
Offer your child's teacher some help at lunch-time (or anytime).

Do. Something. Spectacular.
And life-changing.
Take that leap.
Make a bucket list with your family (or yourself) and cross those things off.

Live life because you've still got yours.

And don't ever, never forget them, but don't forget those that remain, either.

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!

Six Hours of Soccer in the Texas Heat. ZOMG!

The day started off with the morning sunrise shining rainbows through the front door. Then I hear, "Mom? I can't find my cleats and shin-guards."

"Look in the bathtub."

"The BATHTUB!? Uh .... why???"

"Just look, baby."

It's called "Toddlers." They're weird, okay?

With five of my six children playing this year, Baby Dude felt really left out, so I put him in some of his sister's old soccer clothes, and despite the fact he was swimming in them, he thought he was hot stuff, matching his big sisters and brothers.

Of course, I had to get the obligatory "First Day of Soccer" photo. Unfortunately, aforementioned morning sun was making them wince like pirates instead of smile like excited children. D'oh!

"Babe? Why don't we face them towards the house, so they can actually smile and not look constipated?" My dear, sweet, brilliant husband suggests.

"Ah, okay, fine. We'll do it the easy way, I guess..."

Wa-la!! BETTER!

And we're off! We pile into two cars - my husband left to meet his team early for their 9:30am game. I ran to Walmart to get ice and stock our cooler filled with eleventy-kajillion bottles of Gatorade and water.

After arriving and immediately getting lost, because the soccer fields are huge! And ginormous! And confusing! (4000 kids signed up for this soccer league, yo!), we finally find the kids, doing quite well despite the heat already becoming a factor. I was super-impressed, they didn't seem to have lost any ability whatsoever.

And he scores!! WOO!!!

They tie!! And I love that they do the parent's congratulatory "tunnel" here. AWESOME.

Faces blurred of other children not my own.

First game done... whew! Unfortunately, it was only 10:30-ish by this time, and we had about an hour break until the next two games at 12. We sat in the shade, drank assloads of Gatorade, made PB&J sandwiches, and hung out, doing our best to stay cool.

First up - my second-grader Super M, who was a liiiiittle too eager to play, he blew off his team's cheer. Whoops!

He got tons of practice throwing in...

And even scored a goal, too!

And poor Baby Dude was missing out on all the excitement.

His team also tied - woohoo!

Meanwhile, on a teeny field nearby, my four-year-old, Baby Sis, was rippin' up the soccer field herself, scoring two goals before I even got there. I joined her game as she was sitting, every so Little Miss Muffet-ish under someone's green umbrella.

Another child came off the field, and she generously shared the umbrella with him, but for whatever reason, felt the need to shoot him the "stank face" (I think she's in the "boys are icky" mode).

Faces blurred of other children not my own.

Goal kick with Coach Daddy!

And another parent tunnel, yes!

Faces blurred of other children not my own.

The noon games finished up around 1:15, leaving us some in-the-shade-time at the concession stand again until our oldest's 2pm game. By this time, we were all feeling it.

Poor dude.. the heat tuckered him out. 

Her coach played her the entire heat-zapping game - first half as a mid-fielder, second half as the goal-keeper.

And they tied, too! And it was a gooooood game. All these kids have a lot of heart.

I tell ya, when we got back to the car at 3:25pm and turned on that air-conditioning, nothing ever felt so wonderful to me than my car's seat and air in my face.

First day of soccer was a success! Unfortunately, Baby Dude ended up with a 103 fever, though..

Never miss a thing! Subscribe today for all kinds of crazy parenting fun!