pull out the pink.....

cuz we're having a baby GIRL!

I can't even describe how happy and thrilled and still slightly shocked I am that we're having a little girl.  Her name will be Cora Rose Burkey.  This whole pregnancy thus far, i have had this gut feeling that it was a girl.  I didn't say anything to anyone except Mark of course, for fear of:
a.) being wrong
b.) being made fun of at the prospect of a girl.  We all know what people say about having a girl when your a Burkey.  Well don't fret Burkey girls....that is not true! You have hope!

Anyways, today I was so nervous to find out.  I kept telling myself not to get my hopes up.  I kept preparing myself for what I would do when the words "it's a boy" came out of the tech's mouth.  And then she goes "it's a little girl!" And i lost it people, I mean...talk about embarrassing!  Doesn't help that i've been 10times more emotional then normal this pregnancy.  And then all morning long I just burst into spontaneous tears of joy.  Mark could so much just look at me and say "babe...can you believe it?" and there were the flood gates....

I'm so thankful for this!  Mind you, if she WOULD have said "it's a boy" my heart would've been so happy.  To give Owen a brother would've been awesome.  Because now of course i'm nervous that they won't be close since they are opposite gender...i just hope i'm proved wrong.

Whelp, that's all!

girl.girl.girl!

Mom Seasons.

So, Owen was born 2 years ago.  Since then, i guess you could call me a stay at home mom, but i don't really like that label, especially since it does a poor job at explaining what a mother/wife really does.  For the first 5 months of owen's life, I stayed home full time with him, making money by buying and selling on the internet.  Then, I got a FULL time nannying job in Nashville which i brought owen with me.  After that, we moved back to Indiana, and I nannied for about 6 months until I found my current job as a house-hold manager, where i've been for 7 months.  I currently work 12 hours a week where owen does NOT accompany me.  So, I'm still home the majority of the time, just not 100 percent of the time i guess you could say.

I tell you all of this because I feel like throughout these 2 years of being a mom, i've gone through major seasons.  For a couple months, I will be super-mom and super-wife and just pretty much super woman.  My house is clean all the time, the laundry stays in decent shape, I cook wonderful meals every day, I pack my husbands lunches, I do play-dates,  we go on trips to the zoo, park, you name it, I organize, I work outside the home, I work out, i play and teach my child, etc etc etc, lets be honest...the list could go on and on.   and then...I hit a different season.  I wouldn't call it "depressed" but maybe just bummed out?  These seasons look more like this:  I'm exhausted, i'm burnt out, i'm tired, i'm sick of all the same meals, my routine is so monotonous it drives me insane, my house is a mess, my laundry is piled sky-high, i'm bored, i feel unappreciated,  my kid is going-stir crazy from lack of play-dates, etc etc etc.  It's during those seasons that i feel like JUST a stay at home mom.  It's a rut.  And lately, i feel like i'm in that rut.  Maybe it's because it's not warming up outside or something.

Being a wife and a mom is so rewarding, but i guess just like anything, you have to remind yourself why you do exactly what you do.

I'm not sure why i'm blogging about this...probably because it feels good to get some thoughts written down.  And nice reminder and motivation to myself.



Is anyone with me when i say COME ON WARM WEATHER!!!!

i thought 18 months was rough...

so i thought maybe we'd be in the clear with the "two's"

wrong.

it's semi terrible. at least today!

2 year old bday party!

Whelp, it's certainly been a busy week.  Between planning for owen's party this past sunday, work, and cooking a lot more ,(we've been eating a special diet that definitely takes more prepping as far as work in the kitchen)  Owen's 2 year pictures, visiting baby emma, we've had quite the task list!

Here are some pictures of Owen's big day!

We gave owen a big piece of chocolate cake, and he actually wasn't as into it as i suspected he would be!

foooood!

i bet you can't guess the theme of this birthday?  ;)

So much fun!

In other news, today marks 20 weeks pregnant!!! That's half way done people!  Up until this point i've been feeling anxious and nervous! Nervous to add ANOTHER little ball of energy into our household.  But recently, i'm starting to not feel as nervous...still anxious...anxious to know boy or girl, anxious to hold this little one! i'm getting more and more ready and excited every day.  I also hear that the transition from 1 to 2 babies isn't as hard as the transition from none to 1.  If that is true, it makes complete sense to me! 

baby is now 6.5inches long!

and some pictures of our visit with crystal and brandon's new babe:

:)

have a great weekend!

She's HERE!

Emma Pannabecker made her arrival TODAY during owen's 2nd birthday party!!!! She was 7lbs 1 oz!

(see previous post)

stole that picture from Brandon's facebook.

Anyway, i haven't got to meet her yet but i'm so excited.  Crystal is one of my best friends in the world, and i am so thrilled and happy for them.

:)

Beautiful!

lately.

March has proven to be a crazy month.  I feel like that's how most months are in our house, and i KNOW once our 2nd little bundle comes around, it'll be CRAZIER!

We've been having some warm days.  and we are so thankful.  Makes our days go by so much quicker and happier too!

:)

I'm now 19 weeks and we'll be finding out gender hopefully by the end of this month, and MAN! I'm so anxious/excited/nervous!

I can feel the baby moving around a lot.  It's really sweet.  I'm feeling pretty good, praise god!  Sickness seems to be pretty much gone, now i'm just dealing with major major pain!  Mainly in my back. It's intense.  

Speaking of babies, our friends Crystal & Brandon are expecting their 2nd little baby, and their 1st little girl, ANY DAY!  And for sure by tuesday...well, she's getting induced then if she doesn't go before hand.  any who, i'm so excited for them!  I'm sure i'll post about her when she makes her arrival.  So stay tuned!

We also watched Nestor for over a week while my parents went to Florida.  Besides the occasional terrorizing from Owen, and the occasional pooping in my house...he did pretty well.

Another crazy thing happening this month.  In fact, this weekend to be specific, my dad is moving to Alabama.  He has a job there, which he isn't able to find work here, so that's that.  Really weird to think about.  But that's the scoop.

This weekend is also Owen's birthday party, and i'm sure i'll have pictures of that up too before too long!

Things are busy busy, but at least life isn't dull!

Heavy Heart

My heart is so heavy for the people of Japan.  Japan suffered a very large earthquake, followed by a tsunami 3 days ago.  I watched the news and couldn't believe it.  I can't really comprehend or wrap my mind around what it must be like to be there right now.

Today, they were covering more of the news of Japan, and how they are having nuclear explosions, due to the effects of these insane disasters they've had. While I was at work today watching this news on the big screen tv of my employer, watching these people cry and look for their loved ones in ruins, and beg for water, i was overwhelmed with emotion.  Crying while i'm cleaning out the refrigerator...now that's a sight!

I'm praying and thinking of the people of Japan, and asking God to have mercy.  I invite you to join me.

18 weeks.

2 more weeks and i'll be half way done.  Hard to believe.  I've been really nervous about adding a 2nd little one to my already FULL work load with a 2 year old, but the past couple of days i'm so ready for some newborn snuggles.

Baby is almost 6 inches long!  

Birthday Celebration, 2 year old style

breakfast, big boy style.

icecream at 9 am.

present time!

love this new playdoh!

the best part of the day:

:)

My Baby is 2.

Happy Birthday Owen Michael.

Two years ago today:

it's amazing what changes in 2 short years

This baby who was 100% dependent on me and Mark, and could do NOTHING, can now carry on conversations, say his abc's,  &count from 1-10.  He is still dependent...but each day is doing something new for himself..getting a little more a more independent.

how bittersweet for a mom.

Happy Birthday to you, Owen Michael.  Thank you for putting so much joy in my life.

i love you.

fat tuesday.

Tomorrow is fat tuesday.  The last day they will be making these little gems:

okay so they are super un-healthy and terrible for you.

but their only here once a year...so do it!

Meijer and Martins has them! 

:)

for those of you who don't know what i'm talking about read this:

(you'll have to click on it to get the FULL picture..as it's too big to fit entirely on this blog)

and i don't even like doughnuts normally...

but i LOOVVVE paczki's!

AWESOME & EASY recipe. (feed large groups, freeze it for later, lots of leftovers!)

So, the people I work for are really awesome.  They are also very generous with their time and their resources.  Today at work, i made a HUGE HUGE HUGE skillet supper that they are giving to the homeless shelter.  As i was making it i realized how awesome it is for a few reasons:

1.  It is cheap to make.
2. You can make a TON or a little.
3. Great for large groups.
4. Great if you need to make meals to freeze to have for certain times.
5. Very versatile.  Can use for several different types of meals.


Here's the recipe:
(this is for a LARGE number of people!  I'd say like a family of like 20.  Or smaller and expect leftovers!


Ingredients:
10 tbspns. oil (can be veggie OR olive oil)
5 onions chopped
5 green peppers chopped
6 cans of corn
5 cans of stewed tomatoes
15 cups shredded turkey or chicken (could probably do just about any meat- make sure already cooked)
5 tablespoons cumin
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
3 1/4 cup picante sauce (I just used salsa, because that's what i had lying around)


Directions:

1.  Put oil in LARGE pot
2. Add onions and cook until tender.
3. Add ALL other ingredients.  Cook until hot and peppers aren't SUPER crunchy.  (Unless of course you like them like that!)


it is sooooo yummy.

Here is a picture i snapped REALLY quickly with my cell phone just so i could show my husband...so it's not a good picture...but you get the idea:

Here are ways you can eat it:

1.  Over rice.
2. *this is what i would do& DID do:  Buy a thing of tortillas and mexican style cheese.  Put this mix in the middle, with a bit of cheese and eat taco's. YUM.
3.  Eat on Naan bread.  (Indian style flat bread.  You can buy it in normal, wheat, and garlic flavors...i find mine at target)


ENJOY!!!!

17 weeks.

17 week belly.

Good news! I'm starting to feel better!!!!!!  I'm not really experiencing much sickness during the day...usually it comes in the late evening.  Much better then it has been.  I'll take it! :)

More pregnancy stuff is kicking in...more sleepless nights, expanding tummy, my back is hurting VERY much & i'm feeling hungry a lot.  In 3 weeks we'll find out gender.  I'm super excited. :)

Owen is turning 2 on thursday.  What a big boy.  

Today was one of "those" days where I just needed a break...

behold:

two is fun. two is fun. two is fun.

(i am repeating this over and over to make me feel better!)

:)

side note...owen moved up to a size 5 diaper today.  Not that big of a deal, but just yet again another reminder that he is not gonna slow down!

Mark.

warning:  mushy lovey dovey post.


I love my husband.
I'm afraid statements like that have really lost the value of what they are supposed to mean.  I'm afraid saying "i love ___"  can mean, I like that thing or person a lot, that thing or person is cool, that thing or person is attractive, and so on and so forth.  But i really LOVE my husband.  In saying that, yes, i like him, i think he is cool, and attractive :)  But, I also admire him, am bettered because of him, grow closer to God with his help, am encouraged because of him, and so on and so forth :)

It's crazy to think we are where we are today.  Married for almost 3 years (very happily i might add)  with a 2 year old and a baby on the way.  And to think back to where we used to be.  Two kids that knew each other through church and other people.  Our paths crossed now and again, and man! How we had no clue what was in store for us.  But moving on from that...because this isn't a blog about how we ended up together...although that would be a good one...and a LONG ONE!

Tonight Mark & I sat and chatted about some things in our past.  More specifically, relationships in our past.  It's not that we don't already know this information about each other..because we do, but sometimes sitting down and reviewing where we were and what we were doing in life before we were lead to each other is a huge blessing.  Just talking to him tonight makes me realize how loved I am.  Just the fact that we are together, not by chance, but on PURPOSE and for a REASON really does make my life worth living.

I am so thankful to the Lord for a husband who supports me, encourages me, loves me, is an awesome father,  a protector, a leader, and so so so so so much more!
I don't feel like my brain is adequately producing the words that I WANT to write to say how blessed i'm feeling tonight.
:)

i love my husband!

Owen is boss-awesome.

tell me...why do i find this picture exciting?

My kid PEED IN ONE TONIGHT!!!

Owen peed on the potty!!

wahooooooooo!

(i think it might of been by chance....but who cares!!! he is so big!!)

2 years old in 9 days.