Life's a Beach

It's too bad it can't always stay that way... or I guess if I lived in a beach chair by the pool with my own waitstaff, I wouldn't appreciate it.  But, it sure was glorious this weekend!  Matt and I got away for a much too short beach weekend at the Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach.  I spent much of my childhood on the very same beach, so it was funny to be staying in a hotel there... let alone the Don!  They know how to class it up.  I definitely recommend it for a nice get away.  We spent most of the weekend laying in very comfortable lounge chairs, ordering cocktails (virgin pina colada for me, of course) and lunch poolside, and relaxing.  Most of my family lives in St. Pete, and I actually didn't even see anyone except my cousin and his fiance who came to visit us for a bit.  There just wasn't enough time.  He has an awesome camera and is a fantastic photographer, so we were going to snap some maternity photos but the weather wasn't great and frankly, I looked like crap (I did not get myself picture ready because I refused to leave the beach/pool... Matt was with me on that one).  We were originally going to see them around sunset, but we didn't get to experience any sunsets while we were there due to some crazy fog.  Bummer.  Thankfully, we had good sun on Saturday until about 4 and on Sunday until about 2.

Sweet maternity suit... the tan legs are an illusion.

The life!

Chatting by the beach... the fog didn't scare us off!

Fake smile.  Matt looks hot though.  :)

Ha!  Check out that belly!  34w4d

Who cares that it's foggy... I just wanted to lay on my belly.  It wasn't as comfortable as I hoped, but I did it!

Crazy fog.

Our prime spot for Sunday... got a few hours before the fog rolled in.

We really enjoyed the time away, although it truly went by way too quickly.  Two days just wasn't enough!  I'm thankful that we were able to get away and enjoy some time just the two of us before our little pumpkin decides to arrive.  It won't be long now...

Reflecting

Sorry Maddie.  Gotta sit up taller!



Max photobombs.  The cone is back.  That second three looks like an eight.  Oops.

I spent a little time yesterday evening reading back on the posts I've written since being pregnant.  It's so weird to go back to that place where everything was so new, I thought a belly that now seems flat looked so pregnant, and the days just crept by.  I think the beginning of a pregnancy can be a scary time for a lot of people, but especially if you've either experienced a miscarriage or infertility.  If you fall into one of these categories, you truly understand how fragile life can be in those early days or know that if something happens, it's not as simple as waiting a couple of months and getting horizontal, ifyouknowwhatI'msaying.

It was hard to even go back to that place now that I'm less than seven weeks away from D-Day and I can feel this little girl growing and moving all over the place.  The time is flying now.  I know that there are no guarantees, but it's a much more pleasant place to be emotionally even with raging hormones and inadequate sleep.  If I could pick her birthday, I would choose March 28 (the day before mine), which is all of six weeks from today.  I know the rest of this time is just going to fly by.

I had my last ultrasound at the perinatologist last week.  Although she is a peanut, Greer is growing on the expected growth curve.  Praise the Lord for that!  I really wasn't worried about it at all, but it was still reassuring to see her growth curve follow the normal one even if she's measuring less than the 50th percentile.  I'd prefer a little six to seven pounder anyway.  :)  They estimated that she weighed 3 lbs 14 oz (+/- 9 oz) and everything still looks great.  We got to see her "breathing," but she just didn't want us to get a good picture of her face.  It was funny, because for the third or fourth time, we caught her sleeping (or just chilling) in there with her hand/forearm over her forehead, which is how I often catch Matt sleeping.

Not cooperating for her closeup.

Sleeping like her daddy.  (That's her hand on her head above her nose.)

 

The doctor I met with for my 32 week appointment told me I'd only gained 18 lbs!  God bless her.  I told her I think that's from my 9 week appointment, and I didn't have any issues eating during my first trimester.  :)  I did find out my true starting weight (it was in my chart from the RE), and I'm up 23 lbs.  I said I didn't want to put on more than 25-30, so I think I will be okay.  Most importantly, I feel good and I don't feel heavy yet, so I don't really care what the scale says.  I know how to get it off when I need to!

In other news, we are heading to the beach for a few days soon and PRAYING for good weather.  I told God I feel really selfish praying for sunshine and mid-70s, but I just need it for my soul.  All I want to do is dig a hole in the sand for my belly (that will be a really good nap) and frolick in the Gulf.  I'm definitely bringing sexy back with my maternity swimsuit.  ;)  FYI - if buying a maternity bathingsuit from Target, go smaller than you think.  I bought medium bottoms and they are GINORMOUS.  Like, I don't even think a small would fit and this girl has plenty of junk in the trunk.  Better yet, just buy a non-maternity bottom and go w/ just the maternity top if you're in your 3rd trimester.  A regular tankini a size up from your usual will probably be sufficient before then.  (P.S.  I never thought I'd be buying a maternity bathingsuit... bonus of being pregnant during the winter.)

Out of the mouth of husbands

More accurately, out of the mouth of my husband.  Oh, the things he says.  As I told my best friends in an e-mail, it is a good thing I don't have self esteem issues.  :)

Scene: Matt has just returned from being gone for a five day ski trip.
Matt: Your belly is bigger since I left.  I can tell.
Me:  Why, yes it is.  It has grown all of one centimeter.  You are so astute!

Scene:  I am changing for bed the day after Matt has returned from his ski trip.
Matt (in a tone that is somewhere between embarrassed and repulsed):  Holy cow, your belly is huge.
(Side note: my belly is actually not huge for how far along I am... I measure completely normally, but most people comment that my belly is small... then again, they don't see it in all of its veiny, outie belly button glory!)

Scene:  Laying in bed chatting a day or two later.
Me:  I think it's hilarious that you are so scared or turned off by my belly and find me so unattractive right now.  I like to tell people.  It's funny.
Matt:  Why do you tell people that?  That's not true.  I don't find you unattractive.
Me:  Well, you certainly don't tell me otherwise.
Matt:  {crickets} ... moments later...  At least you haven't gotten fat!

He sure knows how to make a girl feel good.  ;)  Now, if you don't know my husband, you will think he is the meanest, worst husband ever.  Thankfully, we have a pretty open relationship, and he knows when something will hurt my feelings and when it won't.  I literally taunt him with my belly.  Bless his heart, he just does not think it's cute.  I wish he loved my pregnant belly and found me irresistable at the moment, but it's just not his thing and that's okay.  I am glad to know he at least doesn't think I've gotten fat!  However, I will also tell you this story to redeem the conversations above.

We were out to dinner on Friday evening and got on the topic of the fact that we're about to be parents.  He has said on more than one occassion that he wishes Greer would be here even sooner, but he hasn't really elaborated on why he feels that way.  He proceeded to tell me how he cannot wait for her to be born and he just wants to raise kids... all the time he spends watching TV, playing on his phone, or reading he'd so much rather be spending being a dad.  (I told him he may wish for lazy days watching TV and playing dumb games on his phone soon enough!)  He said that the nine month wait has been way too long, not to mention the waiting we had to do to get pregnant.  He also said that he's ready to start the process for #2 as soon as possible!  God help me.  Ha!  I think I need and deserve a break.  :)  If God blesses us with a miracle without assistance, then so be it.  I would be THRILLED.  But, I don't think I'm ready to go through the whole IVF process again any time in the near future... especially considering #2 could easily end up being #2 and #3.  :)  At least I know that he's not so turned off by me being pregnant that he doesn't want me to be pregnant again!

I just cannot wait to see him hold her for the first time.  I know he is going to be so in love, and I am sure I will never have loved him more than in that moment.  He has such a tough exterior, but he has the softest heart when he lets it show.  And, I know that no one will be able to bring that out of him like his daughter.  Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.  Obviously, I would never choose to experience the heartache of infertility, but I truly think it makes all of this that much sweeter.  We know better than to take this for granted.  God is good, and His timing is perfect.

YHL Does Atlanta

Jenn and I waited in a two hour line last night to meet the dynamic duo from Young House Love!  Quite a feat at almost 8 months pregnant and underdressed for the cold.  :)  But, I didn't get cankles!  Hooray for that!  (I actually haven't had any swelling in my ankles at all... God willing it never happens!)

They were as sweet in person as they seem to be on their blog.  And, I laughed as we got closer and I could hear Sherry interacting with the other attendees, because I could hear the Jersey in her.  You can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can't take the Jersey out of the girl!  I had nothing enlightening to say and the Clara Conversations are my favorite thing ever, so I told them I hoped Greer would be as funny as Clara is!  Sherry assured me she would be.  I trust her judgment.

Katie Bower was there with her boyfriend and Weston, but we didn't wait to see them.  I was spent.  #pregnantgirlproblems  I did, however, want to advise Katie of the best bacon in existence (store bought anyway - Eden Farms... sooooooooo good) and snuggle that little bubba.  He is so precious!  I can't believe I'll have one of those in just over a month and a half!  Jeremy isn't half bad looking in person either.  ;) 

Even with the long wait and the cold weather, it was a fun night with my BFF.  Though I'm convinced we can make anything we do together entertaining.  :)

I'm alive... and I'm having a basketball!

I think I'm having an over-inflated basketball, at that.  I believe I have some catching up to do, so picture overload alert.

A little side by side comparison in the same dress... it cracks me up how much bigger my butt looks because my lower back has so much more arch to it these days... or at least that's what I'm telling myself.  Just let me have it, people.  Don't ruin it with the reality that my butt might actually be bigger.

28w3d - same days as my lovely Atlanta baby shower, here with my handsome hubby before a delicious meal.  Need to get some baby shower pics!  Ahem, Jenny.  ;)

28 week u/s of our sweet girl - front shot... u/s tech said she has chubby cheeks... well duh, she obviously comes by that naturally (see below)

profile

Matt - I die over the tush!

Me with my Gram and Great Gram (and partial namesakes... for Greer too!) - Elizabeth Frances and Frances Elizabeth (my middle name is Elizabeth, as will be Greer's)

How Far Along: 30 Weeks!!!!!!!

Baby's Size:  Estimated at 2 lb 5 oz at the 28 week u/s, she should be somewhere around 17" long and around 3 lbs now.

Gender: GIRL!

Movement:   No lack of it.  My goodness.  Don't get me wrong, I love it.  I relish it.  I actually start to worry some if I don't feel her for awhile (rare).  But, she is officially all up in my ribs.  And it can be uncomfortable at times.  Occassionally when on the phone, one might thing that I'm running a marathon, but no... it's just that much effort to talk and breathe at the same time.  Ha!

Sleep:   Yeah, not so much last night.  Some nights are better than others.

Maternity Clothes:  See photo evidence above.  Although the dress I wore for my baby shower was not maternity.  And I can get away with a few tops and sweater dresses that aren't maternity.  But, yes.  This belly can't fit in much else if it's not stretchy!

Symptoms:  Joy.  Belly obsession.  Awesome skin (sarcasm).  Slightly decreased mobility.

Aversions:    Nothing really.  I love food.

Cravings:    Also nothing really.  On occassion I will crave something, but it's not a regular thing.  I do still love my rootbeer.

What I miss:  Sleep.  Fare thee well for awhile, my friend.  ;)

Feelings toward pregnancy:    I pretty much love being pregnant.  But, I really can't wait to meet this girl who will make me a momma.  And, I REALLY cannot wait to see Matt hold her for the first time. #watchmegoandgetallemotionalonya

Best moments this week:    Monday was a holiday?  :)  A good CrossFit workout with the ladies class on said holiday.  Every day this girl is thriving inside of me and I get to experience this miracle is a pretty good moment.  Also heard some fantastic news from one of my favoritest cousins (I have lots, and yes I play faves).

What I'm looking forward to in the next week:   I finally ordered bedding (well a bumper and skirt), so I am looking forward to getting it.  I ended up not going the custom route, as I couldn't justify spending that kind of money when I didn't even spend that much on our own bedding!  I just got the basic bumper and skirt from Serena & Lily in punch and will get sheets from PB Kids.  Keeping it a little more simple.

Well, hello!

And, happy 2013... the year we become parents!  This is going to be a drive-by posting, because I don't have time to say too much.  However, I need to record that I miraculously stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve although I was incredibly exhausted.  And thank God I did, because I believe it was that night (when you don't sleep, it all runs together) that I said to Matt that our daughter would be born in three months and he said he wished it were sooner.  I do not wish it were sooner (I'll take the last week of March), however I found that incredibly sweet.  :)

Apparently blogger does not want to let me upload any pictures, so hopefully that will be rectified before mid-week as I will have new glamour shots of Greer to share and a few weeks of bump pictures.  I cannot believe that I'm in my third trimester as of this week!  Wow.  Just wow.

Free Design Services

If you've been here awhile and seen any of the transformations we've made in our house (just peruse here), they were (almost exclusively) done with the help of Capella Kincheloe.  I never in a million years thought I could afford the services of an interior designer, especially one as talented as Capella who worked under famed designer, Michael Smith (yeah, the Obamas hired him to do the White House interiors... and Capella worked on the project... NBD).  But through IDESIGN, we were able to create a home that we love while sticking to a reasonable budget (I have a Pottery Barn sofa next to a $25 side table from Craig's List... holla!) and not spending a fortune on design fees.

And, you can do the same thing... for FREE!  Capella is giving away a free IDESIGN for any room in your home.  You'd be dumb not to enter... unless you won't use it, in which case, let someone else have a chance!

Happy 2013!

Merry Christmas and some pictures!

Flourishes Of Joy Religious Christmas Card

This season, send Christmas cards personalized with family photos.

View the entire collection of cards.

Atlanta skyline from the Christmas Party last weekend.

Botanical Gardens light display!  Much better in person :)

Who doesn't love a good photo booth!?

It's Santa... I know him!

2012 family photos

Hosted the last leg of our neighbor roving Christmas party last night... a few pics of the spread (hot cocoa/coffee bar and desserts)

 



Happenings

Things have been busy busy busy!  I think that's the norm this time of year.

The senseless murder of so many innocent educators and children really hit me hard on Friday.  Sometimes I wonder why I long so deeply to bring a child into this broken world.  But, I know that God loved us so much that He gave us free will instead of creating us to do exactly what He wants of us.  And, He sent down His Son from Heaven to pay for our free will with his life.  If that isn't love, I don't know what is.  I just pray for those families having to live the unimaginable and for the health of this world.  When we prayed The Lord's Prayer at church yesterday, the last few lines struck a cord with me... "deliver us from evil for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever."  And, I pray that my daughter will be a light in a world that sometimes seems so dark.

Anyway, I can't really think about that for too long because there's just no way to make sense of it.  So, how about some belly pictures?

And some baby pictures?

I had my 24 week ultrasound last Monday, and little miss looks perfect!  I labeled these for my mother in law because she was having trouble "getting her bearings" and figuring out which end is up.  The glare doesn't help.  They estimated that Greer weighs 1 lb 6 oz, and her overall measurements are in line with her gestational age.  Her legs were actually measuring a week ahead, so maybe she has some hope of being taller than me!  However, she looks like me.  I never thought I'd be able to say that from an ultrasound, but her mouth is definitely my mouth.  I am hoping she has her daddy's nose and eyelashes.  :)  Four more weeks until we see that sweet girl again, and I feel good that the low PAPP-A was just a freak thing and that she will continue to grow as she should.

I'm still having sleep issues, but otherwise I feel great.  She is active, and I love it.  I had my 24 week OB appointment and glucose test on Friday, and I was measuring 24.5cm (right where I should be) and am up 13-15 lbs (not exactly sure what my starting weight was but I'm guessing 130-132).  I'm still doing CrossFit, though some exercises are becoming more difficult.  The great thing about CrossFit is that every movement can be modified to work for the individual.  So, instead of doing box jumps on the 20" box, I do step ups.  For burpees, I just go to the plank position instead of dropping down flat.  Instead of running, I row.  You get the idea.  I am noticing that it is becoming increasingly more difficult and uncomfortable to bend over.  I was very busy Saturday cleaning the house, lifting things, etc. and my lower back was quite sore.  I also notice that my feet get sore much more quickly than normal thanks to the extra weight.  But, really, I am still able to do everything I've always done, for which I am very grateful.

In other goings on, we attended a fun holiday party on Saturday night, at which Matt took full advantage of his DD and paid for it most of yesterday.  :)  But, no rest for the weary as we had church to attend, our church membership interview (we decided to become official), and a family birthday dinner yesterday evening.  Lucky him, he's off until 2013!  We are having the entry way and halls up to the upstairs (basically, the only thing that hasn't been painted downstairs since we decorated everything earlier this year) and G's room painted today (and tomorrow assuming they don't finish).  SUPER excited to get home and see it!  G's room will be done today, and I got to see it getting started and it looked good.  I was a little worried the wall color was going to be too dark (BM's Cape Hatteras Sand), but the furniture, bedding, and window coverings in the room are (or will be) all light, so I think it's going to look great.  We're painting the "common areas" BM's Pale Oak, which is one shade on the paint chip darker than our kitchen (Sea Pearl), so I think it will be a good color.

Lastly, for the requisite Christmas decor photo (some of it anyway)...

Crazy to think we'll have five stockings hung by the chimney with care next year!  We are hosting part of our neighborhood roving Christmas party this week, as well as a Christmas brunch this weekend so between work and everything else (including another Christmas party to attend this week and squeezing in time to watch the Miss Universe pageant Wed at 9 ET on NBC), I don't think I will post again before Christmas.  So, to all of my beautiful bloggy friends, I pray that you are filled with the hope that the miracle of Christmas brings, when God sent his Son to earth to save us.

Oh, and in very superficial news, I got an iPad (and I love it).  If there are any good apps I should know about, do share (pretty sure I have the main ones... Epicurious, Facebook, USA Today, ESPN, etc.).  I will share with you three my aunt clued me in on that are awesome - Big Lens, Pic Collage, and Photo 365 (we'll see if I can keep up with that one when Miss G is born).

22 weeks!

I think my belly has finally outgrown my butt!  My sweet, almost 7-year old nephew James informed me last weekend that my belly sticks out further than my boobs.  Kid cracks me up.

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Baby's Size: About 11 inches and getting close to one whole pound!

Gender:  GIRL!

Movement:  All the time.  I love it.  But, I have a feeling I'm not going to love all of it before too long.  :)  I'm already getting some questionable kicks/punches/headbutts in the bladder, behind my bellybutton (which kind of hurt), and in my spine?  I have no idea, but I am feeling some crazy, awesome, weird movement.

Sleep:  Maybe next week?  Still not great, but it could be worse.  It will be worse!

Maternity Clothes:   Oh yes.  Other than a few dresses and tops, I haven't attempted to not wear them in weeks.  Belly panels are my BFF.  I've decided I prefer the full panel, which stinks since I bought some jeans with a demi panel that are otherwise cute but kill me to sit in for any longer stretches.  Oh well.  Live and learn.

Symptoms:  Pure, unadulterated joy.  Nesting.  Tiredness.

Aversions:   Salmon still doesn't sound fantastic, but I could eat it if it was done well.  Otherwise, I am not currently food averse... which is good and bad.  ;)

Cravings:   ROOT BEER!  OMG.  All day long.  I just want root beer.  And I can get it from a restaurant in my building in a styrofoam cup (there's something about a soda out of styrofoam... and I'm neither a soda drinker nor a styrofoam consumer... I was president of the ecology club in middle school and I still take that seriously).  Thankfully, they don't also have crunchy ice, otherwise I might be there daily.

What I miss:   Sleep.  But, I wouldn't trade this for anything.

Feelings toward pregnancy:   Still just amazed.  And so grateful for this experience and God's provision.

Best moment this week:   My surprise shower and the Gators beating up on the Noles.  Edited to add: my mom, aunt, sister, and nephew all felt G kick!  And, Matt finally felt her after all of them too.  :)

What I'm looking forward to in the next week:   Perhaps a little more nesting and maybe even ordering her bedding.  I'm 99% sure that I'm going to do custom bedding from Carousel Designs.  I'm looking at these fabrics but in a custom order, because I don't love this ready to go design.  I have been searching for fabrics I like using a coral/melon color, aqua-ish color, and a citron green.  And bam.  So, now I just need to commit. #firstworldpregnancyproblems

Also, last night I attended a crafting session at my friend, Jen's.  She lives in my neighborhood and has a room above her detached garage called The Craft Room.  It's a real business.  So, she's been hosting nightly crafts where all you do is show up with the fee for the craft of the night and get on with it.  She is SUPER creative, and it was really fun.  I made this lovely string art for my girl.  It's about a 12x12 wooden plaque and will be hung on her wall in a grouping with other art and pictures.