A Big Announcement

See these two great big cheesy grins?

They're grinning because they've been keeping a secret from you.

Actually, to tell the truth, I've been keeping the secret.  They just found out about it a few days ago, which is why they're smiling so big.

See that little guy in the doll stroller?  He's going to be a big brother.

Princess is determined that it's going to be a baby sister because according to her, "girl babies are better."  Little Man really doesn't get what's going on yet, but I think he'll catch on eventually.  Probably around the same time the baby gets here.

Speaking of which, I'm due September 16th.  In our extended families, we have 5 birthdays and 3 anniversaries in September, most of which are right around my due date.  Should be interesting to see if this baby picks one of those days for his or her birthday or prefers his or her very own birthday.

I have been feeling...awful.  Very tired, very nauseous (Morning sickness is a myth!  Call it what it is: All-day sickness!), very cranky, very happy, very scared, very everything.  I've had to cut down on the numbers of orders I take for the boutique because I barely have the energy to take care of the kids, let alone do anything extra.  Besides, every time I move around, I get more nauseous.

My 10 week checkup was a few days ago and, although the doctor thought it would be too early, she still found the baby's heartbeat within only a few seconds!  Exciting stuff!

Confessions

Random confessions:

1. Sometimes I re-read my old blog posts.  Because I'm that self-absorbed.

2. When I tell Princess that she can get up from her rest time in 5 minutes, what I really mean is that she can get up when I'm done watching the episode of House on Netflix.

3. I cheat at Candyland so it'll be done faster.  Sometimes I win, sometimes I let Princess win, but either way, I'm just trying to get it over with.

4. Rather than spend a whole 48 seconds cutting grapes in half for Little Man, I give Princess twice as many as she should have and tell her to bite half off and give the other half to her brother.

5. I sometimes use the kids' dirty socks they leave laying around the living room to do a quick dusting of the coffee table.

6. When I'm too tired/lazy to make two separate meals for supper (with Princess's food allergies, it's pretty rare when she can actually eat the same thing the rest of us do), I let Princess have a bowl of cereal instead.

7. Sometimes I leave the clean towels in the laundry basket for a while, hoping they'll be used up before I have to fold them and put them away.

8. I believe in letting kids handle disagreements with each other themselves instead of stepping in to referee every time.  But sometimes, I just tell myself that to make myself feel better about sitting on the couch trying to ignore the yelling.

9. I don't floss.  I haven't been to a dentist since I was a teenager.  I would rather have my teeth pulled out than do either of those things.  And, I have never had a cavity in my life.

10. I encourage Little Man to play with dolls when Hubby isn't around.  I figure that the worst that could happen is that he will grow up to be a sensitive guy who will know how to take care of his own kids.

What are some of your confessions?

Chocolate? Yes, please!

My biggest fan, aka, my mom has been not-so-subtly hinting that she'd like to see another blog post, specifically about Princess turning four.  I promise that that post is coming soon, but I have another one I need to write first.  Sorry, Mama :)

Do you like chocolate?  Strangely enough, I actually know a few people who don't.  I'm still trying to determine what's wrong with them.

Me...I LOVE chocolate.  Like, really love it.  So when my sweet friend at Baby Bug Boutique announced that she was now an Independent Chocolatier (the title alone makes me want to sign up too!) for Dove Chocolate Discoveries, a chocolate home party company (you know, like Tupperware) created by Dove chocolate, I just had to book a party.  Especially after she sent me a catalog to drool over, I mean, pore over and a sample of the Chocolate Chai.  

Dove Chocolate Discoveries

I wasn't sure about the chocolate chai tea at first.  Chai tea is something else I love as much as chocolate, but I was a little unnerved about putting the two flavors together.  What if it was too much of a good thing?  What if the two flavors competed with each other and I ended up not really tasting much of either?  What if I loved it so much that I ended up going into debt buying it?  So many concerns...

That last concern turned out to be a very real one.  The stuff was to. die. for.  And for those who just want to stick with regular chai tea, Dove Chocolate Discoveries sells that too.

And now, to torture you a little, I present you with just a few of the mouth watering creations from Dove Chocolate Discoveries.  

Choco-Caramel Crunch

Salted Caramels

Now you can put chocolate on anything!

 You can check out the online catalog for many more delicious choices.  Online ordering is not available yet, but you can email your order to Jessica at babybugsboutique@yahoo.com to place your e-mail order or call 540-287-0143.  If you're really nice, you'll let her know I sent you so she can apply it to my book party that is currently open until February 15th.  Yes, shameless plug, I know.  I wish I felt bad about it, but I really don't.  Because I want to order lots of chocolate from her, but I'll go broke if I do so I need some hostess credit.  Feel free to book your own party as well so you can earn free chocolate too! 

If you donate $1, $5, or $10 to Make a Wish Foundation through Dove Chocolate Discoveries, they will send you a certificate in the same amount to be used towards a future purchase.  Awesome!