I cant come up with a title for this post....

Well, I really have no idea where to start with this. As the title suggests I am just blogging my mind right now trying to gather enough thoughts to jot down. I am taking this time while Marley naps and also, this will most likely be the last post before we welcome our little boy (maybe even the last post for 2014 but I will try and be dedicated on getting the birth story out very soon after he gets here)

So anyways, where to even begin! (Sorry in advance if I repeat myself from the previous blog....it has been some time and this pregnancy brain is ridiculous!)

Halloween:
We had a blast this Halloween, it was the first year we dressed up as a family and it was so much fun! I love that Marley is still young enough that she thinks we are cool, and we are crazy enough to not care if we look ridiculous ;) So we went as a Cat in the Hat themed group. TJ was our wonderful Cat in the Hat, Marley as our beloved thing one and I was the carrier of thing two! Marley LOVED trick or treating. We went to a trunk or treat at TJ's work and Marley learned all about the candy thing; show them the bucket and they put candy in! At first she was confused until she realized she was getting candy and learned it was great! So Halloween we ventured  to Morgan where they do an all town trick or treat with the businesses. It was during the afternoon and we felt really safe (I never realized how scary things could be until I became a parent myself. So this idea was genius to keep kids safe and parents sane!) We walked a ton that day and Marley was such a trooper walking majority of it! She was a bit tired but kept pushing on to get that candy!

After the all town trick or treating was over we packed up to come back home to do MORE trick or treating. We went with some friends who knew the neighborhood and which houses to go to. Marley was exhausted by the time we came home and (bad parenting) we had to quickly find something for her to eat since we didn't really have time before hand! We walked and did our thing until after 8 o'clock and Marley was still going strong! (I tell you, candy is such a good motivator for kids ;) )
With the candy we bought for treaters and all the candy Marley got, we were plenty overwhelmed and ended up getting rid of mostly all of it (Marley became obsessed with all the candy even though it was put up high. She still knew where it was and I just didn't like the little monster she was becoming over candy! ;) )

So anyways, that was our Halloween adventures. Lets see....the next big event was Thanksgiving.

Nothing really happened between Halloween and Thanksgiving except our everyday routine. We had scouts on Tuesdays and doctors appointments ever so often....pretty boring (I even had to check my calender to make sure I didn't miss out on anything important! Haha!)

So we had Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Carney's house this year, and it was a full house! It was great to enjoy some time there and Marley got to know some of her family that was around her age. She had so much fun and we did too! We spent the morning up at my moms house playing games; Jake -my brother- had brought his girlfriend up and her family came as well; so it was nice meeting them and spending time together.

Now at this time I was just under a month from having a baby so I was starting to get uncomfortable and could only eat so much....I love Thanksgiving but with all the heartburn and the little room I had, I was starting to get miserable and have some contractions. But don't be alarmed... nothing cool happened.

We are pretty lame for being Black Friday shoppers (again due to being pregnant and having a toddler we did not end up really doing anything). We didn't hit the Midnight sales or even the early bird sales...we hit the stores at noon-ish to see what was left of the sales and if we wanted/needed anything. We also knew that Cyber Monday was coming and as lame as it sounds we looked for baby things we needed and if they were on sale. Yeah, we are that cool. We couldn't think of a thing we really wanted to buy that day except some baby gate thing and other related items. We sure know how to live it up!

Saturday we traveled up to see Grandma and Grandpa Thompson and spend the afternoon with them. We had a fantastic dinner and played some Phase Ten. I loved spending the time we had with them, and wish they lived closer so we could see them more often.

So that was our Thanksgiving, now on to....well up to now I guess. Haha! We have put up our Tree, decorations and pretty much have the gifts all done. We are just waiting for Christmas to happen!

Last week, was Christmas parties galore! Wednesday we had a church Christmas party (which we ended up missing because we were all so tired- Marley and I went out shopping with my mom to do sub for Santa. Which I don't mind shopping and helping because it gets me out of the house and the day goes by so much faster- helps with the last few weeks dragging by, haha!) But we ended  up playing some games together and just enjoying our time before our house gets crazy with a newborn. Thursday we attended one of two work parties for TJ and that was a fun evening out without Marley; we got to have some adult time (last time we had that was back before Thanksgiving!) So Friday, was a special work party that was specifically for  TJ and his team at ClearView. This company started over two years ago and they were so excited about making such good progress they held a party for them and the wives. We enjoyed another night out, eating, playing games, getting to know the wives' of the hard working men behind the company. I am really proud of TJ and all the work he does for our family to provide enough so I can stay home. Such a great blessing!

Saturday was a rest day for us, after all the partying it was nice to have a break! I went out shopping with my mom again to help with Sub for Santa. I really enjoy helping out with going store to store because its not about us, but making Christmas special for others too. And again, it helps with being SO close with walking around and keeping my mind busy!

Sunday we had TWO family parties and enjoyed so much the time we got to spend with both sides. My cousin actually ended up having her baby that day (she was due on Christmas) and having more parties to go to kept my mind at ease and kept my anxiety down.

Now we have hit the sssllloooowwwww part of our month. We have NOTHING planned! We are trying to keep busy with housework, games, going out to the store for basically anything....just to keep time ticking faster. We are SO close to the finish line that I am anxious but also trying to keep myself calm. I keep saying this baby isn't coming at all (even though I know he will). It just helps with not getting over-excited about a contraction or if I accidentally pee myself and think it was my water breaking ;)

We have a grand total of 10 days left before we meet our son! We ended up scheduling an induction date due to this being a big baby already and the issue of kidney stones. So it really has become so real after getting the date and time we will be in the hospital (if he doesn't come out sooner). So no matter what, he will be here on or before the 26th!

I know this is kind of getting long but this will be my last post with just one kid to talk about....I cant even wrap my head around that though....my posts are going to be so much longer..... haha

Marley is so wonderful, and smart! She sure has changed since she hit one and has a funny and fun personality. She can identify her: ears, nose, mouth, tongue, hands, toes, belly, and also point to others as well. We are working on the eyes (she gets them confused with ears) and started singing the head, shoulders song. She is a little sponge and loves to watch all that we are doing. So now she loves to play in my make-up and has this weird fetish with our deodorant. haha! She loves opening them up and rubbing them on her belly (since she cant really figure out the armpit thing) but least to say....she is always smelling fresh! Like Daddy or Mommy!

She can now actually tell you who is in pictures (as long as its: Dada, Momma, a ball, a dog, a baby- that includes herself- and Jesus) She has started talking more and trying to say more words (which is such a great thing and helps put my mind at ease with development wise- since she was always so quiet-) By the way, it took me weeks for her to even say momma and know it was me -in pictures- she picked up a book of Greg Olsen artwork and I pointed to Jesus and said it once, and she knew who it was and repeats it every time she sees a picture with him in it! It is so special and wonderful that she does know our Savior and it helps with bringing the Christmas spirit into our home :)

Marley still loves helping out around the house and I know she will be an amazing big sister! She picked up her baby one day and started patting her back so gently and holding her like you would a baby. She loves to throw her own diapers away after a changing and getting all the equipment out when its time for a change. We have gotten her a potty and she sits down on her potty whenever we go. We have thought about potty training but that will have to wait until after her brother gets here....no way I will be putting her through that yet.

So that is basically it, I think, that has been going on...I'm just growing a healthy big baby and waiting patiently until he arrives. I spend my days enjoying my little Marley as much as I can and am so proud of the amazing, smart girl she is.


Anyways, this has been an eventful nap hour where I have gotten nothing accomplished in the house but its been a nice break...something I will know nothing of for the next few months. I will post soon about our Christmas and birth story. But until then, enjoy some of our family fun pictures and have a happy holiday season!

With love,
The Carney Crew :)

Her baby is with her all the time. And even sleeps just like Marley

Helping me sweep the kitchen...her FAVORITE chore to help with!

Our little Thing one before the trunk or treat

Again with her baby, giving her lots of loves  :)

The Cat in the Hat Carney Crew

Marley's first experience with snow (she was too little last  winter) and she enjoyed it for the most part. She liked walking int it.

She got these cute mittens and hat from her Uncle Joe from Sea World! Cute little Polar Bear :)

She was having fun dragging her feet in the snow and making us late for appointments ;)

Having fun with Dada :)

And of course we try to squeeze in some picture taking 

She loves showing her tongue to the camera

Here is her little smile she loves doing when we pull the camera out. She loves the flash more than anything!

Just more funny smiles from our camera queen. 

Thanksgiving day, I think this was after dinner just chillin'

This is the last picture of our son before he arrives. Top picture is of his face (upper right hand side you see his eyes, cheeks, nose, and mouth) and then a profile. He is not camera shy at all (which is nice and different since Marley always would hide and not show anything!)

She loves my sunglasses and wants to wear them all the time. She likes them more than her own!

The two of us out at TJ's work party.

And  Marley self entertained my her tongue and camera at the family Christmas party! 

(I forgot to get pictures of the gingerbread houses we made so hopefully for the next post I will remember to take them)

Fall is a beautiful Season

Well, I have not made an update in a long time, so we have a lot to back track since our last actual blog update. My last blog was about the room remodel and I really had so much fun with it! Our next project was to work on our room, which in turn just needed some rearranging of the furniture to meet my needs.

A while back we got this HUGE recliner from DI at a stellar deal for only $10! This is really perfect because it will fit for two kids holding at the same time (back when we bought it, we were planning on having me babysit Marley and another kid) So really this is great for this new addition coming along really soon!

We are basically all set for baby to arrive, just killing time enjoying each other and spending the most time as we can as just the three of us. It really has been so much fun!

TJ and I have a new calling in our Ward as the Wolf leaders, this has been our first month in and it has been....interesting. I am glad TJ is in this calling with me because I can see it becoming stressful on a mom of almost two to do by herself! He has been great with it and we have enjoyed getting to know our little wolverines (what we like to call them)...its kind of preparing us to have our own boy and what it will be like when our kids hit that age. (Scary!)

TJ is back into school now, he is doing the Pathway Program to get back into school. It has been a really good thing for us because it has gotten him back into the groove of doing school and finding the balance needed to work full time, go to school, and be a parent as well. He really is incredible for wanting to better himself for our family. Hats off to him! Because he is starting school again we decided it was time to upgrade to new computers since his had seen better days. It has been nice to have change and something that we both can use. Luckily we have been really good with our budget we have been able to purchase two new laptops responsibly and we sold my Mac.

This baby is growing so fast and time has not stopped...I swear, yesterday was the day we found out we were actually expecting and now we have a little more than 10 weeks left. I have my days when I am more than ready to have him here just so I can feel normal again and play with Marley. But then most days I feel like there isn't enough time at all to get all the things I 'think' I need done and spend the most time I can with Marley, because time as just the two of us is closing in!

Marley is growing up to be such the little lady! She has loved carrying around purses now and getting into make-up. She has watched me use brushes and she gets them out to apply them to her face as well; it is really charming to see how much she really watches! Her latest thing has been with baby's, she had this very tiny baby doll that we have had since she was born that she started to get interested in. We went to the DI the other day and she went nuts when she saw all the babies! She tried to grab them all and hold them all at once!

I recently went to visit my newest nephew who was born on the 8th of October. Before this point I was okay with the fact my due date wasn't for a little bit. After I held him and Marley at the same time together and watching her reaction to this sweet newborn, I became so happy and ready to start this next part into parenthood. Marley really loved this new little one, she was soft with him by patting his head very gently. I really wish I had gotten a picture of this moment but I know I will get another turn at it in just a short while come December.

Since it has been Fall, we have been enjoying the cooler weather (especially me) sometimes TJ has mentioned it being too cold for him and normally its the other way around. But I am hoping to have this nice temperature stay for as long as possible for snow fall, Marley has loved it as well, because we can actually go outside without it being too hot! MY mom has a big tree in her backyard that is now dropping a ton of leaves, we took her out to play on Saturday and she LOVED the leaf pile (we don't have any trees in our yard- which is okay with me, really)

Marley is also doing great with her age range; she is now 21 lbs (50% for her age) and 32 inches long (98%) so, of course she will be tall and skinny like her daddy. She has a few words she does say but what is most impressive (from her doctor) is she has put sentences together. She will say "Whats that" "Where'd it go?" "Where'd dad go?" and my most favorite when she busts into song singing "Let it Go" ALL the time! Whenever we are at church and she wants to join in on the singing she will sing "let it go" and well basically at any hour of the day as well. :) She is also started saying "hello" which she likes to say only when she catches you taking a shower or in the bathroom in general. She says it with a big ole grin on her face as well, so its hard to be upset she gets herself in the shower as well (sneaky girl!) Her favorite game lately is finding her belly button, and ours. Its like playing peek-a-boo with it, because she will lift up her shirt and point at her belly, giggle, put her shirt down and ask us "where'd it go?". She can play that for hours!

She is also doing great about feeding herself with silverware and sitting at the table with a booster seat, like a big girl! It is awesome because we can make her her breakfast and know she will feed herself so we can go about getting other things done in the morning. Its nice because it gives me a chance to actually shower without having her jump in! We have been working on praying and teaching her all about sitting still (long enough for a short short prayer) and keeping quiet. It is really precious because when we do say prayer, she will look at each of us and put her hands in her lap and bow her head -only for a second or two- but even then it is so precious to watch her and see her absorbing everything we are teaching her!

But anyways, I think my time has come to an end with this blog post (I hear Marley waking up from her nap- its my only time to  really get ANYTHING done without her being a normal toddler ;) )

Until next time, enjoy some photos from this last little while!

 Her first time playing in leaves and she LOVED it!

 Since I have finished my remodel project I have been working on baby blankets/burp clothes for our son and for other babies. My mom and I have even discussed about starting to sell them! It has been nice to do this to keep my mind busy when I have free time or cant sleep

 This totally happened. I was talking with Cyndi and I look for a second and find Marley has opened Cyndi's makeup and put it on her lips (like chap stick) such a girl she is!

 Playing at my moms, she roams the whole yard and goes over to the neighbors to play with their cool toys (that's a nerf dart she has in her mouth...she likes collecting all she can to pretend she is putting on chap stick as well)

 Happy girls love ice cream! She is always excited to hang out with her granny because she knows she will get ice cream!

 Who doesn't love selfies at such a young age?

 At a Gender reveal party, at first she was scared of the balloons but came to enjoy them so much!

Crock pots and Hot cocoa

Its finally time, I love crock pot season and appropriate times to drink hot cocoa. I say appropriate because I could really drink hot cocoa year round. It is ridiculous, but its my Mormon coffee :) haha

But anyways I love crock pots...just throw everything in and with a snap of a finger, everything is ready! (haha give or take a few hours) but my point of this is I really cant stand long projects; sometimes even making food can feel like forever! Haha! So, that is why the crock pot is like my best friend!

So, since we found out we were pregnant and I wanted to do something nice looking for their room (I blame my sister-in-law for making it seem so easy! And she is always so good at this stuff, I wanted to give it a try) I so wish I could throw everything in like the crock pot and BAM it show up super nice and be done! I really cant put it, I am like my mom in this area...we like to get things done and get it done fast; if it takes more than a few hours my ADHD kicks in and I want to move on to something else, eventually forgetting about that project I started a week or less ago.

Not this time though! I am trying my very best to make this room look good and be done all the way (not half doing the job). So, here it is the room and all: (SIDE NOTE: I really owe inspiration to my sister-in-law for helping with ideas, answering all my questions, well....basically its helped in more ways than one...I would have given up before I even started. Haha!) ((But I couldn't leave out the fantastic husband I have who keeps me motivated to get things done and helps with the projects so it doesn't seem overwhelming!))

Like I said....everything would be easier if it was like a crock pot...just throw it in and be done with it all!

So this is what I have been up to with the room:


I got these letter blocks at Hobby Lobby, I figured they would be cheaper with one big letter for their name instead of spelling it out. Plus we weren't 100% sure on the boy name so it was a safe bet ;)


I used spray paint because it got the job done a ton quicker and it didn't bleed a lot. The M I had as a trial run and I had this tiny chevron stencil I had to keep moving so it made it a little difficult to make it not bleed.

I got smart and on the spots it kinda bled through I added the stars (Since that is the theme of the room) It made me a lot more calm on making it look better.

I spray painted so stars as well and decided to hang them from the letters. I was going to make a mobile but I figured it might be silly to make Marley a mobile since she is no longer a baby (sniff, sniff). So I used fishing wire to hang them up on the letter.

I got this dresser at DI, and since I didn't have a dresser for their room to put ALL their clothes in I was happy I finally found one and didn't care about the color really. I could easily fix it if needed. This was a little stressful because TJ was thinking we could strip it completely and stain it. I was worried about stripping it and sanding it down and basically it wouldn't be even. So I left this job to him (haha!). Well we went to Home Depot looking for some ideas and if it would even be smart to stain (smart wallet wise) and we found it would actually be easy to just paint it and sand a little bit of the dresser to help make the paint stick better. We had star swatches of the colors we wanted and they matched them exactly! It turned out being super easy to do and I took over that part of the project again.


I found also that painting to me is very therapeutic. I really enjoyed it. I got the dresser done all in one day while Marley took her naps. (Actually that is how I did all my project time, during nap time...it kept us both sane)

Here is the final product, so much better than the original DI version! It was SUPER easy to do and I now want to go around and paint everything! I spray painted the stars on so it wouldn't bleed from the paint.

These are the room before pictures. Sorry it looks weird. I used the panoramic picture thing. I took more to show what it looked like as before, in a non panoramic view.

So this was basically it when you walked into the room. Just this wall that was done and it wasn't even done. I used this shelf as Marley's clothing holder since we didn't have much. It made do but with two kids I was in no way going to shove two kids clothes in that tiny shelf space. Plus Marley is wanting to throw everything out from them. Pain in the butt so I knew clothes would be messier and drive me crazy!

 Here are the individual quotes. I am just missing a picture of Christ with a young boy to match the other side.

I had to make some rearrangements because Marley likes to touch and reach for everything. Her quote was one of them, so I had to move it up and move the picture some.

I made some pillows for the dresser (I'm not sure if you can see but the fabric is star fabric) I was wanting to make star shaped pillows but I just didn't have much luck. So to save more time and my mind I made square-ish pillows with star fabric! I think its a win win!

I moved this shelf to the wall (and away from Marley's bed since she likes to climb up it) and it is now a diaper and wipes holder. Also its a place we put Marley's shoes and socks so she can get them herself.

I also switched out the drapes to match the new theme (pink zebra didn't really do with it) And it is even awesome with the new drapes they kill a bunch of sunlight which is perfect when Marley is taking a nap in the afternoon (sun is shining in her room during the afternoon which makes it lighter in the room) BUT with the new drapes they really block out basically all sunlight and giving the perfect non-lighting for a nap!

I sanded down some pallet boards to make the main quote for the room to tie the theme together. I made individual quotes for the kids to go with a picture of Christ with a child. I had one for Marley and I loved the idea to make it so they can keep the quotes when they grow up and not just for a baby nursery.

I don't actually mind sanding now as a side note, since I have sanded so much! Though if its a big project and involves a real sander I might stay away...these smaller projects that aren't getting touched I don't mind. I don't want to be liable when it comes to splinters ;)










This is the final product of the pallet board, I decided to hang some extra stars I had on the board to tie the room even more together!

 Here is the main wall now! It is way more decorated!

 I made extra stars for each kid (pink and green) so I hung them from the ceiling to fill out the room more.

 Here is the little mans upper view of the stars and his side. (minus the picture of Christ)

 And Marley's side

 A better view of the main board.

I wanted to get a good shot of the boards and the dresser since they are matching (on purpose)

P.S. I decided to give each kid two drawers. The baby's clothes fit into the upper two and still have room. Marley's drawers are full to the rim and I have to use the closet dresser to put even more of her clothes away. This is crazy, she has more clothes than TJ and I combined!

 Here is the baby's side again. We are getting things all put together for when he arrives.

 Marley's side. I even made little drape hooks to pull them away without the hassle (I cant remember the actual names for it) But it is super easy to now let light in without pulling on the drapes!

 

Marley has a cute little vanity she can play with in the corner (and hopefully not pull everything down from the shelves!)















Another view of the dresser (I really am so pleased with it)

But wait! I took pictures of every angle of the room and Marley is no where to be found, and it is somewhat clean...so where can she be?

 She was kicked out and into the door way was the farthest she would venture off. (Why when I was having so much fun in her room?!) So she was making a mess of cardboard, as in it was ALL over the house in little Marley made pieces! Oh my , never a dull moment in the household! (Sorry for the no clothes, I gave her PB&J for lunch and it got all over her clothes so we had to strip her down before I let her play)

Well that is all for now! I will be putting another update up now that I am completely done (well mostly, still cooking up a baby to add to the room) but I have neglected the other updates because I have been so busy with this room. It was a lot of fun doing the room transformation, I am glad I actually went through with it and make their room really nice and not boring.

Until next time!