Instagram Widget for Blogger

Yesssssssssssssssssss!

Yes!  More over-sharing on the internet.

It's no secret that Blogger has some less than desirable features.  I am usually jealous of all things Wordpress, but just can't justify switching over (aka paying money to write this little blog).

Last week I came across a helpful Instagram widget tutorial for users of Blogger.  It was a tip posted in a Facebook group I'm in called Secret Blog Tips hosted by The Blog Guidebook.  Check out my sidebar...

Can you see my Instagram feed via slideshow?

For those of you still using Blogger, this tutorial from SnapWidget will help you install your own Instagram gallery to your blog.  It took me less than five minutes to complete.  

Happy blogging!

Looking back {Our wedding}

Jeff and I started dating in high school.  We actually went to freshman year homecoming together back in 1991.  (I bet you wish I had a picture to share!)

We dated on and off like typical high-schoolers, then went our separate ways in college, but always remained friends.  We began dating again after college once we were both in the same hometown again.

In 2003 we packed up and moved across the country to fulfill my dream of living near the beach in San Diego.  We lived together for many years before he proposed in the winter of 2009.  

I knew I did not want a big wedding, and was perfectly happy jet-setting to a beautiful beach destination to tie the knot.  It quickly dawned on me that we already live in a beautiful beach destination!

After searching the city beaches for the perfect spot, we decided to get married just a half mile from our home at the Catamaran Resort and Spa.

Here's how it went...

November 21, 2009

I saved my favorite picture for last...

It took us eighteen years to make it official.  And of course, we wouldn't change a thing!

It's Tuesday and that means I am linking up again with Melissa from Growing up Geeky. Head on over to take a peek into other bloggers' weddings.

Ready or not, here we go...again {It's a BABY!}

Surprise!

The words I said to Jeff at 7 am the morning I took a pregnancy test were more like, "Don't kill me for waking you...but I'm pregnant."

After whipping the pregnancy test at his pillow, I am pretty sure I started crying.

He responded with "Seriously?!  This is good, right?!"

My blank stare and tear streaked cheeks made him question everything, rightfully so.  I cannot hide my emotions no matter how hard I try and this was NOT at all what I expected...

Sure, I had been napping during the day, puking, only eating carbs, and not able to cook anything for dinner the past few days.  But being pregnant did not cross my mind.  I couldn't be pregnant!  I just had my "period" and had been drinking all vacation long. 

I expected to start trying to conceive baby #2 as soon as I came home from our summer trip to Chicago.  I expected it to take a while, since I am officially of advanced maternal age now.  I expected to have a baby next summer.  I expected things to go according to my plan.

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" -John Lennon

So here we are 12 weeks into pregnancy #2, happy (nauseous, tired, and still a little bit in denial) as can be.

My plans were just that...plans.  My real life is way better than anything I could have planned!

It will be March 13th before we know it, right?!  

Leila is convinced she has a baby in her belly too.

Let's be friends

My long-time BFF has a daughter just seven months younger than Leila.  The girls don't get to see as often as I imagined (due to nap schedules)...but we have plenty of time.   We're not going anywhere!  

Kennady (16 months) and Leila (23 months)

 

Budget-friendly toddler adventures

I have said it before, and I will say it again, I LOVE where we live. Jeff and I have lived in San Diego for nine years and we can still feel like tourists any given day.

Who wouldn't love living in a sunny beach town?!

(Honestly, I could do without the high cost of living and underfunded public school system.)

Now that I entertain a toddler on a daily basis, I have begun to see San Diego with a new set of eyes.  The possibilities for fun on a budget seem endless.

A new picnic spot, a local bake sale, a free concert at the library...fun, fun, fun!
Leila with my mom and Aunt Carrie
Watching the local elementary school kids rock out

After seeing this list posted on one of my favorite local blogs last year, I was inspired to make a list of my own.

Here's what I have so far...



It's time to take advantage of your hometown! Start your list today.

I plan on adding activities that are not specific to San Diego like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, nature walk, and pet store to mine after reading the posts linked up here...


Please share your favorite budget-friendly activities!

Mission Bay on Dwellable

From bad to worse

These are by far my favorite series of photos I've taken of Leila.

She has quite a personality and these show off her silly-crazy-fun side!



She had no idea where that cracker went.



And this is where I drew the line. Bath time!

I'm linking up again this week with Mama G over at Growing up Geeky. This Tuesday's topic is your favorite photo. Any photo taken by you is fair game! Link up here...

I'm hoping this one (my official entry) wins the prize.



Is it strange that my favorite photo of her is a silly one? It looks like she totally forgot the cracker was on her head.

Biker Babes

My life just got a little cooler.


Months after getting a bike seat (and helmet) for Leila's birthday we went for our first ride! This will definitely be a new way for Leila check out our town. We've been limited to playing at our local park because of her old two nap schedule. But now we have time to run a quick errand, check out the waves, head to the library, run near the jetty, AND play at the park.

I'm sure you are probably tired of me say it, but it's true. I love this town!

It does have some drawbacks though. For one, we've had three locked bikes stolen from our carport area. We have no yard and could never afford one anyways. This place has more bars than taco shops, and less pizza joints than I'd like. Also, you cannot go one day without almost stepping in dog poop.

Guess that's the price you have to pay for paradise.

Beach town perks

My parents left today after spending twelve days here in San Diego. When they visit they stay in a vacation rental within walking distance of our apartment. Almost every evening we would walk over for dinner. Besides the obvious perks, no cooking or clean-up for me, check out the awesome view on our stroll over.


I have to say it again...I LOVE this town!

Goodbye Baby, Hello Toddler!

I love that Leila is a toddler. It is her personality that I love the most. Her spunk, her fearlessness, her stories (oy,oy oy,oy really means more than you think!), her dramatic tears, and her love for the outdoors.

I know I have said it before, but Leila is FUN to hang out with. Never did I imagine that my tiny blob-like baby would be such a cool little person in just one year.

Look how big I look!


Dr. Seuss said it best...

I hear so many moms talk about how they miss the baby days. Not me. Don't get me wrong, I loved my blob baby.

But now Leila is a toddler and we're smiling about it!

Just in case you haven't heard...

And so is this toy drill Daddy taught me how to use.


Teething is no match for this thing.


You should have seen the drool on her chin after 15 minutes of carrying it around like this.

Buddha Belly

Every time I wear this shirt I get a lot of compliments (thanks Val!). This is Buddha at 25 weeks (June 6th)...





This was Buddha at 20 weeks (May 3rd)...

It's a GIRL...

...and the shopping has begun!!!! I am so happy to finally know what has been kicking at me these past few weeks.  She looked so cute on the ultrasound with one hand up in the air (and possibly in her mouth!).  As soon as I could, I hit Old Navy to buy her the first not-gender-neutral onesie.  Thanks to Betsy, we celebrated with a Strawberry Dream cake and this little girl now has her first outfit...a cute fall dress!  Just a little over 4 months until we get to meet her.

Jeff's birthday dinner with friends!

Gloria made my day

I LOVE the cashier at Ross.  I might go back tomorrow.  She told me I have beautiful skin and that I was glowing.  I almost cried. 

I swear she could not see my belly with my purse on the counter!  Maybe the maternity clothes I was buying gave it away?!?!  No.  What cashier actually reads the tags on the clothes people buy?  She was just truthful, in a I-want-to-jump-over-the-counter-and-kiss-you kind of way :) :) :)

(Ross did not pay me in any way to promote their store.  But seriously, go there to feel good about yourself.  I will...everybody is doing it.  Do you think Gloria makes a good a baby name or  have I gone too far?)

It's a BABY!

Less than two months after our sunny San Diego wedding we found out we were pregnant!




Here's how it all went down...

I was studying weeks before, for the final exam for the completion of my MAE, when it dawned on me that something about me was different.

I had slept 17+ hours after the night of a friend's 30th birthday bash, I was late (and I don't mean for work), and I had no desire to drink!

Anyone who has met me knows that the last clue was straaaange.  I figured I was just stressed out about the upcoming exam and decided to brush off my thoughts, knowing there was NO WAY I could study when I could be learning all about a baby growing inside me!

I decided to wait patiently (and silently) until after the exam.

January 16th, the day of my exam, finally arrived.  A very focused me took (and passed) the exam early Saturday morning.

After a long morning it was time to face the facts.  I headed to the local CVS and bought two essentials: a pregnancy test and and a bottle of wine.

Surprised I didn't have to explain myself to the cashier, I nervously went home and kept myself busy until I was ready for my second test of the day.  A million thoughts crossed my mind.

I should wait for Jeff to get home. 
What if I don't "pass"?  What if I do? 
I better do this before I carelessly open and drink this entire bottle of wine!

In less than the three minutes the box told me to wait,  I saw as clear as day... Pregnant.

I do not even remember my reaction.  Let's just say it went something like this: HOOOOORAY!  We did it!

I texted Jeff right away and of course he didn't believe me even with this photo of the positive test. When we were finally able to talk I reminded him of all my symptoms.

I'm pregnant. We're THRILLED. Now what?!