Before you toss those Christmas cards...

...why not help out St. Jude's instead in their Recycled Card Program?  I recently found out about this, and it makes my heart flutter. 

St. Jude's will take your old Christmas cards (the basic ones, not the ones with your family, friends, and neighbors posed picture on it!), and make new Christmas cards to sell! 

As their website says:

Operated by Kids, Corp., a program for the children at St. Jude’s Ranch to learn entrepreneurship skills, the children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive "green" holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of "going green".

Ready to pitch in, right?

Card Donating Tips

All types of greeting cards, including Christmas, are used.

Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)

We can not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.

5" x 7" size or smaller is preferred.

 

Mail donations to :

St. Jude's Ranch for Children

Recycled Card Program

100 St. Jude's Street

Boulder City, NV 89005

I mean... who wouldn't want to help out these precious children?

Here's the website for all the details:

http://www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

Preggers Post - Week 22

Don't be tardy for the party....  which is exactly what I am today.  Sorry folks! 

Time for your Preggers Post of Week 22!

Baby Boy Smith

Is finally ONE POUND this week.  (Shocking, as I've gained more than 10 pounds so far...)  The other 9 may or may not be the vast amount of holiday food consumed Thanksgiving-Now. 

He can grip his umbilical chord and perceive light.  So, if Mr. Smith holds a flashlight to my stomach, Baby Boy Smith may squirm away from it.  I'm not saying we've done this or anything, but it would be cool to notice if he dances away.  Gives the "Blinded by the Light" song a whole new meaning...

Momma Smith

Not much new in this category.

Still feeling large.

Still gagging at the morning teeth brushing, or in rare occasions, full-out throwing up if I eat something with a "bad bite."  I can't go into detail about it, because I will, for real, get sick.  Ask Mr. Smith. 

Still not making it through an entire night's sleep without 2-3 bathroom trips.  Getting thirsty between 6 - 9pm is not helping this matter either.  But seriously, it's like the Sahara, that's how thirsty I get. 

Got my first leg cramp recently and thought I was dying.  Apparently you get these fabulous things whilst preggers.

In Other News

Sister bestowed with me one of my top Christmas gifts - a Pregnancy Pillow.  OhmygawitissowonderfulIneverwanttoleavemybed.  That should sum it up!

Baby Smith racked up SO many cutie patootie things at Christmas, including onesies, pacifiers, and a Fisher Price Nativity Set. I could swoon, it was just so cute!

My sweet parents and brother came to our house yesterday and painted the Nursery, moved out furniture, and cleaned.  It's really starting to take action now, people!

Holiday Hoopla

This past weekend was jam-packed, people.  Jam.  Packed.  Friday night we ventured to Tuscaloosa for the annual "Gang Christmas Party."  For a more accurate description and pics, check out Sister's blog. 

Saturday was spent running errands and picking up a couple of last minute things.  Read:  I went to one store and one store only.  Mr. Smith and his fam love to wait until the weekend before to get things going.  I cannot partake in this tradition because I would have a mild panic attack.  Plus you never know what these pregnancy hormones may do in a crowded environment.  You've been warned.

I even got to grab a quick lunch bite with Mrs. Baker. who was "recovering" from her morning facial.  Ah, what a tough life.  I don't know how she manages it.  I can talk that way because I've known her since we were, like, 5-years-old.  Those pics will remain buried; however, because nobody needs to see those. 

Mr. Smith and I headed back up to The Ham to rest a bit, let The Pooper romp around at the dog park, and change before heading to Montgomery for the future Mr. and Mrs. Hal Mooty's Engagement Party. 

Here's the Gang:

Doesn't the Future Mrs. Mooty look exquisite in her Christmas green? 

Love it. 

Sweet Mrs. Dee Mooty.  Such a precious blessing in our lives! 

Because I'm cheesy like that, I made Mr. Smith pose with me in front of the hostess Christmas tree.  It was gorgeous.

I heard putting your hand on your hip makes you look skinnier in your pictures. 

Every little bit helps. 

Special thanks to Mrs. Bremmerman for letting me borrow her cute cocktail dress. 

FYI - before you get pregnant, make sure you have a BFF who has already been there and done that, that way you can borrow all her cute clothes. 

Monday night, my sorority sisters and I had our Annual Christmas Soiree, held this year at Mrs. Grinnell's fabulous new home. 

Our tastes have changed just a tad over the years, as has our prowess in the kitchen.

Look at these scrumptious smoked salmon "thingys" Mrs. Grinnell served.

I may or may not have eaten 13 of them.

My Baked Brie with Granny Smith apple slices. 

Instructions on that fast and easy recipe coming up soon.

We played Dirty Santa with ornaments this year.  A lovely change of pace!

Mrs. Grinnell scored the "hot item" of the night - a customizable ornament. 

Lord knows we all love monograms around here!

Mrs. Wallace got these cute white/silver ornaments to go with her White & Silver Themed Tree this year. 

But they were quickly stolen by Miss Smith, who may also use them for earrings.

We play dirty people.  Hence the name, "Dirty Santa."

Nobody was ready to go home quite yet, so we attempted to play this...

But just ended up laughing the whole time anyway. 

Then again... that was the whole point, right?

Group Pic Time!

Preggers Post - Week 21

Time for your weekly Preggers Post Update!  Bet you're all on the edge of your seats, right?

Baby Smith

Baby Boy Smith is the size of a large banana this week.  And speaking of food, he is getting his taste buds this week, which means anything I eat, he can taste through amniotic fluid.  What a great development for yummy holiday food! 

I can officially feel Baby doing his holiday dancing now.  While last week's post did not confirm "bubbles" feelings, I can now say maybe those peeps were right.  There are two kinds of "feeling the baby" right now:  the gradual shift of the large banana throughout the day, and then the little kicks and jabs from his dance moves (read: bubbles).  I can't wait for Mr. Smith to feel this from the outside - it really thrusts it into reality, ya know?

Momma Smith

Growing by the day, I swear.  I can now fit into those work maternity pants I snagged at Old Navy a couple of months ago. 

In fact, this is who I kind of resemble today in my red shirt:

My sense of balance is slightly off as well.  Must be my extending front that's making me slightly off with gravity.  Speaking of extending front, this does not come with reinforced ab muscles, but rather, no ab muscles.  Lying on my back usually leaves me relying on Mr. Smith to help me up, unless I can turn over to my side. 

It's kind of funny, I guess, if you're not the beached whale in the situation.  Reclining back in a comfy couch does the same thing.  Amazing how much you rely on silly things like ab muscles until you don't have the luxury of them anymore. 

We're also educating ourselves on upcoming Baby's arrival.  I'm reading like a fiend (what else is new?), and we've watched "The Baby Whisperer" DVD.  Hilarious.  Particularly the part about changing a diaper, and asking your bundle of joy for his permission into his Circle of Trust before changing his diaper.  Come back to me, say, in 6 months and ask me how that's going.  We're watching "The Happiest Baby on the Block" this week, which we've heard great things about. 

In Other News

In other exciting news (depends on who is reading this, I guess, for the "excitement" level), I have fallen in love with Diapers.com.  Yes, my friends, IN LOVE.  I recently discovered this heavenly place on ebates, where I get 1.0% on all purchases there. 

Upon further investigation, I literally jumped with joy at their 30% Cash Back deal with diaper ordering.  Yes, that's not a typo: 30%.  To test it out - surely this was too good to be true, right? - I ordered a dose of Pampers, ranging in size from Preemie to Newborn to Size 1 to Size 2.  With my order, I scored a FREE 72 ct. Pamper Thick Care Baby Wipes pack, and a $1 coupon.  Order Total:  $48.55.  The order arrived on my doorstep 2 days later.  The next day (after arrival), Diapers.com let me know I had $13.07 credit in my Account, to use at my leisure. 

Apparently, from now until March 31st, all my diaper orders receive 30% cash back, just from them.  That's not to mention any cash back from ebates. 

I swoon.  I die.  I love. 

Christmas Perspective Amidst the Holiday Madness

The Holiday Madness is upon us, folks.  We're running here, there and everywhere in between this week and next, visiting friends and family, and all in all having a swell time. 

This week, Mr. Smith and I had our annual Gateway Junior Board Christmas Party, last night I had dinner with Mrs. "Snuggles" Bremmerman, tonight we're catching our breath, and tomorrow we enter another Weekend Whirlwind of Christmas and Engagement parties. 

Next week promises just as many holiday hoopla's, so watch out! 

Don't get snagged into this tornado of fun. 

Amidst all this craziness, is a five month pregnant woman trying to get her bearings.  And learning to catch her breath when she can't run quite as fast as she use to, to the next event. 

And the sporadic crying spurts don't help either. 

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" was on the radio this week and I promptly burst into tears in the car.  Luckily I was by myself, otherwise I'm sure Mr. Smith would have had me committed to the looney bin. 

Something about being pregnant at Christmas, hearing the Christmas Story, and being able to actually emphathize with Mary is rocking my world.

What she must have been feeling, not just as an expectant mother, but as the expectant mother of...um... the Messiah is quite the shock to the system. 

What kind of pregnancy was it?  Did she get sick in the mornings?  Did she crave certain foods?  I mean, my seatbelt's starting to be uncomfortable, so how was that camel ride in the cold? 

Did she worry just as much as me if she would be any good at this at all?

Oh, Mary.  I hear you, girl. 

And thank you for helping me keep this all in perspective. 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:3

Preggers Post - Week 20

Preggers Post - Week 20!

We're halfway there, people!  It's all downhill from here, right? 

Why does everyone laugh when I say that? 

Baby Boy Smith

This week grows to the size of a cantaloupe.  Since this week's "What to Expect" was about the growth of Baby's, er, "boy" parts, I'll spare you the details. 

Still no name. Good Lord, this is hard!

I can for sure feel the Baby inside now.  However, all you liars out there who said sweet things like it would feel like butterflies or bubbles are on my naughty list.  It literally feels like a cantaloupe is hanging out in my pelvic region.  And which sometimes shifts over to my left or right side. 

Did I mention my frequent bathroom trips?  See above paragraph for why this is so. 

Momma Smith

Things I miss halfway through:

1.  Normal morning teeth brushing

2.  Full night's sleep (going to bathroom at least twice a night still)

3.  Sleeping on my tummy

4.  I would kill for some sushi

5.  Buttoning my pants

6.  My strong stomach - if I get one "wrong" bite of something, I'm done.  And you'll probably have to watch me sitting there trying not to lose it at the table.  I hear it's an attractive show.  Ask Mr. Smith or Mother about it. 

But I digress. 

Things I'm loving:

1.  Maternity clothes

2.  Elastic waistbands

3.  A good excuse for 2, 3, 4 helpings at meals

4.  McDonald's Oreo McFlurries

5.  My new maternity black tights, which I broke out this week.  My "normal" tights were rolling down my stomach during the day.  Not exactly comfortable.  Or self-esteem building. 

6.  My tummy butter - my stomach's starting to stretch and I can feel it, I swear it.  And itch.  A lot.  Or I just have fleas, which is a possibility since Cooper sleeps with us now. (Special thanks to Mr. Smith for that addition to the bed.) 

New Developments

1.  We picked up our nursery furniture this weekend!  Special thanks to Brother-in-Law for his muscular assistance.  It's still in boxes, because we're planning on moving furniture and painting within the next few weeks.  No sense in getting it out and getting it dinged or spotted with blue paint, right? 

2.  We're done with the Daycare Child Development Center selection!  Whew!  Huge load off my shoulders.  We have a guaranteed spot next summer as of this week (once Grandmother Daycare is finished), plus we'll be on a waiting list for Mr. Smith's work daycare Child Development Center.  Just in case. 

3.  Mr. Smith and I have registered for Childbirth Education Classes at the hospital.  This five week course will be once a week, for about 2 hours.  We'll cover everything from the third trimester, to labor & delivery, to breathing exercises, to newborn care.  We start next month. 

I may have to buy a new notebook I'm so excited. 

Did I ever mention how nerdy I am?  The above sentence should clear up any confusion on that part.  If not, then my Netflix Queue of "The Baby Whisperer" and "The Happiest Baby on the Block" should solidify any questions. 

4.  I've officially been put on a spending freeze by Mr. Smith for Baby.  Maybe I'll snap a picture of his closet and let you see it for evidentiary support. 

Maybe not.  I'm a little embarrassed. 

But, I mean, is he just supposed to run around naked?  I think not, Mr. Smith. 

I.  Think.  Not. 

Jam Packed with Jollies and Jingles!

 Whew.... our weekend was jam-packed with lots of holiday goodness! 

Friday night we started off with our annual Falcon Christmas Party.  Why that name, you ask?  Mr. Smith and his fellow Falcons went to Central High School in Tuscaloosa, AL.  The Falcons were their mascot, and us wives lovingly refer to them as the Falcons.  It's better than "lost boys" which I coined early on. 

Last year we started the tradition of the five Falcons and their Falcon wives getting together for some Christmas dinner, Dirty Santa, Catchphrase, and good times!  Although some Falcons were missing (the Burns and Mrs. Pilsch who is about to birth her third munchkin any day now), we had a blast! 

Mrs. Carroll hosted this year's Soiree, and served up lots of homemade goodies, including Wassal, a delicious drink that I just couldn't get enough of.  Maybe it was her super cute container? 

Yes, this is homemade pecan pie and homemade coconut cake.  YUM!

Holiday Photo Op with Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Falcons Fly Together...

(I've refrained from putting pictures of the Dirty Santa on here.  Ahem  These boys take the word "Dirty" literally, and let's face it - this blog is G-rated.)

We missed you Burns and Mrs. Pilsch!



Saturday we picked up our nursery furniture!!!  More details to come on that fun adventure.

Saturday afternoon was spent with Sister, watching The Nutcracker, performed by the Alabama Ballet.  I can't wait to take Baby Boy Smith next year - I saw lots of little boys in the audience so I can do that!

I may or may not have dozed off during Act 1.  But everyone knows Act 2 is the best one. 

Sunday afternoon was spent with Sister again, whilst Mr. Smith was off hunting us a deer.  (And he finally got one!  Sorry Bambi - Mama needs to eat.)  Sister and I caught a matinee of Burlesque.  Think Coyote Ugly meets Dita von Teese.  I know I'll never look at Famous Amos cookies the same way again..... 

Brrr.....how about some Chili?

Hope y'all have stayed warm this week!  I made a nice, big batch of Homemade Chili for us to eat on all week - delicious-in-my-frozen-belly!

You'll Need:

About 2 pounds ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped (or if you love onion, 1 whole one)

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Large can of tomato sauce

1 can of Rotel (we used Mild)

1 packet of Chili Seasoning Mix

1 can light red kidney beans

1 can dark red kidney beans

Combine ground beef and onion in large saucepan. 

Cook until beef is browned and onions are tender.

Drain grease when finished.

While that's cooking and draining, combine all your other ingredients in a large pot. 

Once meat is finished draining, mix it with other ingredients. 

Simmer for at least an hour on Low heat. 

Since that took an hour to simmer, I made myself a little snack to pass the time.

What?

I'm PREGNANT for Pete's sake.  

Hmmm.... all done! 

Served with shredded cheddar cheese and Frito's!

Wordless Wednesday: 2010 Christmas Card!

Preggers Post: Week 19

Baby Smith

Grows to about six inches this week, and is now the size of a large mango.  He is able to dance around in there at leisure, but much to mother's chagrin, I cannot really feel him yet.  Dang you anterior placenta.  Also, the arms and legs are finally in proportion and cartilage is turning to bone.  

No name yet.  Mr. Smith is particularly picky about this duty, but I'll keep you posted. 

Momma Smith

Large and in charge.  I'm pretty sure I've started waddling instead of walking as my means of transportation these days.  To sum it up, I kind of feel like this:

I've experienced my first middle-of-the-night-oh-my-Gawd-I'm-starving moment, and helped myself to an Oatmeal Creme Pie after stumbling to the kitchen around 4am yesterday. 

Yesterday morning, seeing as it was 30 degrees, I decided to wear a wool blazer to work.  All was good until I tried to button it.  Ha.  HAHAHAHAHA.  Seizing the opportunity for comedic improv, I performed this little number for Coop Dawg and Abby:

I don't know if they were more impressed or frightened. 

They probably think I'm going to eat them.

And I thought I was doing really well with the whole Pregnancy Hormones/Split Personality thingy.  But you should ask Mr. Smith about that.  He has some thoughts of his own regarding this.  At one point Sunday he specifically requested for his sweet wife to return.  Ahem.  My apologies. 

Onward to fun stuff...

Like I said yesterday, Mother and I did some serious damage Saturday shopping for Baby Boy Smith. 

I myself have done some serious damage with the Old Navy & Gap holiday sales, and don't even get me started on ebay.  Yes, ebay.  I love it, as I've said before.  I love it even more now that I've discovered brand new with tags baby clothes on their ebay baby boutiques.  Somebody stop me. 

Our nursery furniture is slowly but surely arriving at JC Penney's, so I'm sure we'll be picking it up in the near future.  Read:  Mr. Smith will be picking it up whilst I supervise. 

Toodles Poodles.

O What a Wonderful Weekend!

Wow!  It's Monday, already?  Again?  Funny how it sneaks up on you like that.  Gets me everytime. 

Our weekend was wonderful.  Heavenly, really.  Lots of things checked off the To Do list, whilst being fun and fabulous at the same time!

Friday night Mr. Smith and I stayed in for Movie Night, which is quickly becoming a favorite tradition.  We're sensing these Movie Nights will quickly change to Disney themes, so we're trying to cram in those not exactly appropriate for little ears.  For instance, "Get Him to the Greek" was hilarious.  For us.  Not munchkins. 

Saturday morning, Mr. Smith galavanted off to Livingston to reunite with some long lost fraternity brothers for a little hunting, football, and (I'm assuming) frosty beverages.  Sometimes it's better not to ask for the finite details for such trips.  Especially when they arrive home safe and sound the next day. 

Saturday morning I was greeted by my brother and his lovely girlfriend, who visited for a couple of hours and picked up a handful of household items to relieve me of my cluttering anxiety.  Special thanks to them for this! 

My mother came down shortly afterwards, and we had a fabulous Girls Day, jetting around Birmingham doing mother-to-be and grandmother-to-be things such as lunch at Nabeel's, shopping at Korduroy Krocodile and other cute Homewood baby/maternity shops, catching a matinee of Morning Glory, and finishing it off with some Japanese food at Seikisui.  I suggest you visit Korduory Krocodile at your earliest convenience; well, you might want to give them a chance to re-stock their Baby Boy items, since we did a little damage to their supply.  :)  Thanks Mom/Grandmother-to-be!

Sunday morning Mr. Smith sculked back through the door, but we were soon quickly off again, running errands around Hoover that are awesome to be at during the holidays.  Please sense the sarcasm.  We ventured into the Galleria to exchange some blue jeans and ran screaming for our lives as soon as the exchange was made.  It's a madhouse in there, I tell you.  MADHOUSE. Enter at your own risk.  The Post Office and Michael's were no better, I'm afraid.  And after such insanity, we decided that only milkshakes from Johnny Rockets could set us straight.  They have been known for their healing properties, you know. 

Sunday evening was spent addressing Christmas cards, which went in the mail today! 

Yea!  I love the holidays! 

Lesson of the Week

Lesson of the Week

Ever Expanding Pregnant Belly/Face/Really-All-Over

+

Sweatpants

+

Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Syrup

=

Not a good time to watch the 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. 

Don't try this at home, or your self-esteem will be squashed for good.

Onward toward the weekend! 

Wordless Wednesday: Welcome December!

Stick a fork in me - I'm done with all my Christmas gift shopping!  All presents are wrapped and waiting under the tree.