BEST. GIFT. EVER.

This was my first year as part of
the extended Vieira family gift exchange.
Auntie Ronnie, Marty's Godmother (Madrinha),
pulled my name this year.
She really wanted to get something that would
be helpful when the baby comes,
so she got me this very spacious little number--
perfect for a growing baby bump:)

I have to admit,
this nightgown is quite comfy.

However,
every time I look at it
I can't help but think of the
Rita Delvecchio character from
Saturday Night Live.

"Mother Nature, yeah, sure. Hey, if you see her, send her over. I want to introduce her to the blunt end of my shovel."

I hope this outfit is still around
when I become a salty old woman like Rita.
It really adds to the effect.


We really had a wonderful first married Christmas together.
Marty and I filled stockings for each other,
and he got me a fantastic diaper bag for baby V.
My parents sent us some great gifts--
I am especially excited for our new Kitchen Aid paddle!
I managed to ruin the one from our wedding
the first time I used it.
Apparently, the silver ones don't go in the dishwasher.
Marty's parents also got us some very thoughtful gifts--
our favorite gift from them was the appointment
we can book at a novelty ultrasound place.
As soon as we are able to go,
we will know if we are having Kaio or Dorothy!
The little goober thwarted us once,
but this place guarantees you find out the sex
no matter how many appointments it takes.
HA!

We hope everyone had a great Christmas,
and we're looking forward to starting an
exciting new year!

Rewards Program

Over the last few months,
I have been doing all of our grocery shopping
on a strict budget:
$50/week maximum for weekly grocery and
food storage items.
And I love it!
Not only are we saving money from smarter decisions
and fewer trips to the grocery store,
but we are also being blessed by having
pantry shelves that are overflowing.
Every single week I am amazed at just how much
I am able to buy for our little family.
We are definitely feeling the
rewards of smart budgeting and living within our means.

Last night,
we decided to tack on our own rewards program
to this smart shopping endeavor.
I never actually hit the $50 we have set--
some weeks there is only $1 left over,
some leave us closer to $10.
So, we have decided to start
collecting all this "change."

Here is our lovely bank o' change.
When we start getting a good chunk
in our trusty change bank,
we will use it to go out to dinner
or perhaps a movie.
Maybe both if we are feeling crazy.
Every time we get to go on one of our
change dates,
it will remind us how budgeting actually
opens up opportunities
while keeping us safely within our means.



And,
to let you see it before the holiday has passed,
here is our perfect little Christmas tree!

It was love at first sight,
this cute 3 and 1/2 foot tree
with all sorts of goofy branches sticking out.

Enjoy the holidays, everyone!

Playing mom and dad

First of all,
let me say that suddenly having 4 children
is a shock to the system.
In a good way.
Most of the time.
I mean, look at these faces...

One thing Marty and I quickly realized
was life is easier with 4 kids
when you have activities planned and ready to go.
So, when the "big kids" got home from school,
we all worked together
to make peanut butter cookies
(a little treat for our Friday night movie).

Thankfully, Eva also left us a gingerbread house
to do as a group.
The kids were awesome:
making plans,
working together,
including everyone
(except for poor Lily who
had to stay strapped in her seat--
we threw her an occasional piece of candy:)

Marty also spent some time
helping Isaiah learn to play
"Jingle Bell Rock" on the piano.

We loved spending the weekend with the kids;
however,
we did NOT like how little sleep you get
(I guess we need to start getting used to it).
We also quickly learned
that church meetings are QUITE different
with 4 wiggly-ones in the pew with you.
But the joys
always won out.

The weekend made us
even more excited to be parents so soon
(potty problems,
runny noses,
sibling squabbles,
and stinky diapers included).

Thanks, Challen Family.
We love you!

a trip to PA

These are just a few of the fabulous people
I got to give Thanks with last weekend.

AND
you know what's even better?
I get to spend all of this weekend with them too!

Thanks for sharing your family
and your home, Skeeves.
We love you!

Giving some Thanks...

it is something
I should do more often.

There are obvious things in my life
that I am thankful for:
family,
friends,
pregnancy,
our home,
the church,
food,
clothing,
etc.
But here (in no particular order) is the
TOP TEN LIST
of less obvious things I am thankful for.

1) Vacuum Cleaners--yes, indeed. The little vacuum we got for
our wedding does not have a bag; it sucks the dirt into
a clear tube that you dump after a few rooms.
I don't know if it is finally having my own space
or if it is being able to see all the dirt that the vacuum actually pulls up,
but I love that machine.
I beam as I move from room to room. Sad, but true.

2) Freezers--what a fantastic invention!
Not only are they the keeping place for the ever important
pint of ice cream, but they also house all the
frozen leftovers I will THANKFULLY be using as I get
more and more pregnant.

3) Price Rite--could there be a more chaotic place
to do your grocery shopping? I think not.
The food aisles are tiny. The carts all seem to squeak.
You pull your groceries directly from the boxes they were shipped in.
Marty and I were almost crushed when a display of kool-aid
juice bottles collapsed at the end of an aisle.
Oh, but it is wonderful!
Everything is cheaper than Shaw's or Stop and Shop.
I now make it my first stop every grocery shopping day.

4) Lower Gas Prices--I think that little
explanation is necessary here.
I filled up at BJ's for $1.79 a gallon the other day.
I don't know what is happening to the economy,
but I love the way it is effecting gas prices.

5) "Buy one, get one FREE"--what genius came up with this idea?
Seeing a little sign that says this magical phrase
(especially when I already needed to buy the product)
just makes my day.
Marty is probably sick of hearing all of my in depth explanations
of the unexpected deals I find at the grocery store.
Tough. It brings me joy.

6) Lap Tops that won't quit--Framingham State
requires all students to get a laptop when they begin classes.
So, I did.
It worked pretty well for my years there. I can't complain.
However, the other day it blue screened (typical).
I turned it off and attempted to re-boot.
Error: Hard drive not found. WHAT? What does that mean?
I turned it off and on over and over.
I pushed every key on the keyboard.
I opened the back and a piece fell out that I could not identify
to return to its proper location.
I stood on top of it in anger.
I tired again; I am blessed.
It started up without a problem and is still working today.
THANKFULLY.

7) Subway--I don't know what it is about this pregnancy,
but I cannot get enough of the veggie delight sub from Subway.
This baby loves every veggie in the store
topped off with a little American cheese and a squirt of Southwest sauce.
Oh, with plenty of jalapenos.
Even if they cause heartburn
I can't help myself.

8) Ebay and Craig's List--In attempt to scrounge up some
extra money, Marty and I have been trying to sell
many of our "Why did I buy all this stuff when I was single" items
that are laying around the apartment.
Cathartic? Yes.
Lucrative? Often.
What a great combo.

9) Energy Saving Lightbulbs--and not just because we save energy.
Don't get me wrong, that is the main reason to use them.
However, when you turn them on they start out quite dim
and slowly warm up until they give off full light.
My little eyes love this,
especially in the morning when I am still waking up.
The harshness of the morning light turn on has been alleviated.

10) AND My Winter Thermals--I splurged on a great pair
of thermals at EMS a few years ago,
and they are still kickin'!
Now that the weather is cold, I wear them everywhere.
I wear them at home as an outfit in themselves.
I wear them under my outfits to run errands
and smile when the wind cannot make me hurry into the store.
I even wore the leggings under my dress to church last week.
THANKFULLY they still fit over my pregnant body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SO, that is my list for today.
May you all enjoy a wonderful tomorrow
filled with delicious smells, tastes,
and lots of love.

Marty's changes...

I started thinking the other day
just how rude it is of me
to only be charting my changes through
this pregnancy.
Marty deserves some of the spotlight
in this pregnancy as well!

Marty--week 6

Just as handsome as ever.
No morning sickness
(lucky man)
or weird cravings.

Marty--week 24

Isn't his baby bump adorable?

Marty has been such a wonderful husband
during this whole pregnancy.
He deserves plenty of praise for
the nightly backrubs he gives,
the maternity yoga classes he willingly attends,
and letting me choose all the meals we eat.

And those are only the things
I can think of quickly.

Kim--week 24

Can you believe we are almost
through the second trimester?
I'm going to miss this stage--
no throwing up,
not too uncomfortable.
But the third trimester means
our little one will be here soon!
Here's to 16 more weeks!

last year at this time...

Marty and I were gearing up for a drive to NC
so that he could meet the parents.

I was nearing the end of the most difficult semester
of my undergraduate years.

And Will was gearing up for the start of his
2 year mission in Argentina.

And Now??

Will has been faithfully serving for almost a year!
We are all so proud of him
and grateful for your prayers in his behalf.

I have not only graduated
but also have my first "real" teaching experience
under my belt.

And Marty and I have been married 7 months
with a 23 week old bun a-cookin'.

Some days I start to feel a little stagnant,
so I like to play this game to help myself realize
just how much I have changed/accomplished
in only a year.

How about you?
What have you done in only a year?