This is where I used to work. Sticks. This is a picture from a wedding reception, I'm assuming, with all the pretty candles inside, but it is still an awesome building. I used to love it when it snowed and I could watch the snow fall as I slaved away in what often felt like a sweat shop. Seriously. NO air conditioning in the summer, and a pretty poor heating system in the winter. We had to wear layers of clothes and scarves and hats and gloves with the fingers cut off so we could paint. Crazy! But I loved it.

They called the other day to see if I wanted to come back to work part time. Ugh. I have often thought about how much easier it sounds to go in for a day and work there than stay home. I got paid to paint really cool stuff for crying out loud! RJ and I talked about it and I thought of a plan to just go in for one really long (11 hour) day and have someone watch Henry one day a week. Sounded so refreshing! The money could go into savings and pay for the delivery. And of course it would just be temporary because of the baby. RJ was totally fine with it if I wanted to do it, but the more I talked about it, the more I decided not to do it. I had to call quickly the next day before I changed my mind again, and now I feel good about it. Maybe someday, if we end up sending our kids to school instead of homeschooling, I could work there again. But in the mean time I'm staying home and keeping up with my own little painting business!

The Top Chef tour is coming to the farmers market this Saturday. I used to love this show and was so excited when I heard about it! But of course. The one Saturday we will be gone is the one Saturday they will be here. There is going to be cooking demonstrations and samples. Seriously. I can barely type about this without crying. I can't quite explain my fascination with cooking shows. I adore them. I don't so much now that I have a kid, but I love pre-measuring all my ingredients and putting them into little bowls before I start cooking/baking. I love practicing my chopping skills. I love reading through cookbooks. I'm such a dork. Oh, I miss you cooking shows, yes, especially you, Barefoot Contessa, but PBS helps me get through it. Especially America's Test Kitchen!

I'll try and post some real pictures later. My picture-less posts can be so lame. Sorry!

Still dreaming.....

of this goodness I had at the fair on Monday.

Hot. Beef. Sundae.

I know it looks kind of gross, but it was seriously amazing.....

Alright. It's still a little "early" in some books, but I'm letting it out anyways. And besides, a lot of you already know!

Announcing.....

That there's a baby growing in the Charlton household! And, of course, we're VERY excited about this little one!!

Right away this time when I had a positive pregnancy test, I went in for blood work to check my hcg levels. They started off low, but the next 2 times I went in they increased beautifully. So with those numbers and this ultrasound I feel great about sharing the news. RJ and I went in yesterday to determine the due date and got to see our little bean and hear the heartbeat. Baby bean did a little jiggle for us too. It was by far my least tense early-ultrasound because the reason was just for the due date and not because of any bleeding. Yeah! We got to just sit back and enjoy it. SO, I'm only about 8 1/2 weeks along, and due around March 20th. And yes, we plan on finding out what we're having! I had thought about not finding out this time, but who am I kidding? I'd be horribly impatient and it was my favorite part about being pregnant with Henry knowing he was a boy. Hopefully in about 10-12 weeks we'll find out!

And, YES, I'm expecting it to be boy #2!!! :)

Other than the usual pregnancy symptoms, we are doing great. I feel nauseous off and on mostly mid-day to evening, but I don't throw up so really can't complain! (sorry to all my friends who get so sick with pregnancy--I can't imagine!) And honestly, every day when my feelings start I'm thankful to have a good "sign" that the baby is still growing. Sleeping poorly at night has been more my issue, but my body is adjusting and with just Henry I can nap when he does so that's great.

So if you think about it, we'd love your prayers as this little one grows. We are so thankful that God has given us this gift and can not wait to meet this babe.

By the way, was anyone else obsessed with this Amy Grant song in the 5th/6th grade? I remember making up dance routines to it.

By the way, anyone else obsessed with the Olympics??? I love it!!!

Happy Birthday to my niece and nephew who turned 3 on Sunday! This is the first birthday I couldn't celebrate with them because they just moved, but I'll see them next weekend.

This was the ultimate meal on that stinkin hot day the other day. BLTs with cheese (of course) on Ciabatta bread from the New French Bakery take and bake line found and Hy-Vee or Dahl's. Good plug, huh. It's a little spendy, but so GOOD! If you've ever been overseas, you must try this because it's really similar and it will totally take you back. Hard crusty outside, soft and warm inside. I get it a lot when we have company. Mmmmmmm. Who doesn't have a picture of their kid in adult sunglasses? Look at those skinny, little legs.

Henry is STILL sleeping and it's almost 8:00! This is miraculous. Well, I have to say that he was up talking from 5:15-6:00 for some reason, but still, this is great! Maybe once a month he'll sleep past 7, (psh, once a month he'll sleep past 6:30), and maybe once every 4 months he'll sleep past 8. Whoops, I just heard him, but a little boy waking up talking instead of crying is music to my ears!

We're off to paint a mural this morning and then find something fun to do this afternoon. Looks like it's going to be a beauty. I think we'll have to find a park.....

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Pictures will be posted later. Promise!

I don't want to write much without photos because it's just not as fun, so I'll save some posting for later.

Henry is getting one of those stinkin eye teeth and is having a rough time with it. Poor little guy. I called RJ today to tell him how much I need him and he surprised me by coming home for lunch. Well, as he put it, his lady put out the bat signal and batman came home.

Any tips/suggestions on how to encourage a 19 month old to stop saying "no" constantly? He was doing it a lot and then got much better, but with these lousy teeth it's become extreme. Sometimes, he is nicely answering your question and showing his independence. That's great. Other times, it's very, well, not that. If you know what I mean. I'm sure teething has a lot to do with it, but still, any advice? Hopefully his teeth come out quickly. I can't imagine how horrible it must feel. And I miss my sweet little boy!!

Good weekend!

An incredibly fun art show. A date. (Yippee!!!!) Time with my mom. Playing in the "water park" with Henry and RJ in the backyard.

More tomorrow.

Me tired.