Recently...

Visited Charleston

Had my first baby shower

Hit the 26 week mark

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

A few things left unspoken...

Let's talk pregnancy, people! This post by Amanda over at MODG started me thinking about all the awkward and strange things that happen while you are pregnant.

1) Umm hello, less space! I swear if one more person tells me I should eat more because I'm eating for two I'm going to scream. Yep I get it that there is an extra person inside me. Know how I know? Because my stomach is now in my throat, and I have no idea where my lungs went. You trying eating a lot when your stomach is pushing up against your ribs.
2) Maternity apparel for short people - It's practically non-existent. And what is out there - seriously, I'm pregnant not dead, and no I don't want to pay $100 for "designer" maternity jeans. Just because I'm pregnant does not mean that I'm suddenly going to dish out lots of money on clothes that I'm going to wear for only three months. Especially frumpy crap (I'm talking to you WAY too long shirt) or over-priced tees. Thanks, but no thanks! Maternity designers ( I use the term loosely) - help a short chic out!
3) Your body is no longer yours. Yep that's right - baby has taken control. From what you like to eat to your emotions, you no longer have control. It's like an alien lives inside you going "You no longer like sweet stuff. Today you like salty stuff." Seriously your body is not your own. Hey, I warned you.
4) 1,200 different opinions/facts: Yep everyone suddenly has an opinion from your well-meaning friends to the internet. Great, no problem. EXCEPT - everyone's opinion is different. Not even the different baby emails that you get will be consistent on baby growth and development or your growth and development. Seriously, isn't this supposed to be scientific stuff?
5) People want to touch your belly - Weird! And think it's cute that you are gaining weight! It's like an alternate universe where a beer gut is the trendy thing to have.

But despite the cons, I just try to laugh about it all. Why? Because there is a tiny lil miracle growing inside me.  A soft little kick in the belly, and I'm reminded that it's all going to be worth it in the end.

It's Fall, Ya'll

                                                      (source)                                                           

Well, it's supposed to be. We are supposed to hit almost 90 today. Umm, it's October. Oh well, I'm sure cool temps will be back soon. In the meantime, how was everyone's weekend?

I started my weekend with a Heartwalk for the American Heart Association. I am always blown away by the number of people that show up in support of these events. Awesome! I also did a lil shopping for Baby Snick. It's so hard to resist adorable, pink lil girl clothes. I also did some cooking - lasagna and Brunswick Stew. Both from scratch and both delicious! Last but most importantly, I got lil girl's room ready for the furniture to go in. It's already a precious room. I can't wait to get it fully set-up. Oh how quickly the time is going!

Happy Monday, friends! It's going to be a good week!

Love Is...

(weheartit)

I'm sure we have all seen this email, but I just thought these answers were amazing. Love defined by children between the ages of 4-8. Just as a disclaimer, only my favorites made it on the list below.

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'

Billy - age 4 (I love this because the Hubs say my name differentely than anyone elses.)

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other..'

Karl - age 5 (So cute)

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'

Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'

Danny - age 7 (My parents do this ALL the time.)

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'

Emily - age 8 ( I hope in 8 yrs Baby Snick is saying that about the Hubs and I.)

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'

Bobby - age 7 (I just want to hug this kid!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'

Nikka - age 6

'My mommy loves me more than anybody.You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'

Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'

Elaine-age 5 (So true!)

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'

Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'

Mary Ann - age 4 (My lil fuzzball must really love me because i leave her everyday, and everyday she showers me with kisses.)

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.'

Karen - age 7

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'

Jessica - age 8

Tell someone you love them today, and remember if you mean it - say it alot!

Finally Friday

                                                                      (photo credit)

Like the use of alliteration? I can't remember the last time a week felt as long as this week has. Whew! Am I glad this week is over. Not only because it was a long week, but I've been anxiously waiting for this weekend. We are heading to my parents tonight to spend the weekend. We will be celebrating lil bro's b-day, Dad's new job, and my double-bonus from work. The boys will be heading to a football game tomorrow. I'm not sure what I will do while they are there, but I'm sure I will find something to get into. Perhaps more baby shopping, or house shopping or shoe shopping...see the trend.

Another reason for this weeks countdown, my bestie finds out the sex of her baby today. Our pregnancies are just a few weeks a part so it's been super fun. I'm so excited for my friend. Finding out the babies sex has been one of the most memorable moments while being pregnant with Baby Snick.

I realized I did not divulge the origin of the nickname Baby Snick. My grandmother, who passed this past Easter, used to call me snick. It was short for snicklefritz. She has a large number of grandkids and couldn't get my name out one day so she just said "snicklefritz." The name stuck. Dad and I knew right away what she would have called my baby - Baby Snick. So baby snick she is!



Nostalgia and Rollercoasters

I'm not sure if it's pregnancy or just being stuck in this town too long, but lately nothing has sounded as good as home does. I've been going to visit my parents as much as possible. I think another factor is the friend factor. This time last year I was surrounded by friends that I had really grown to care about. However, starting in January, they slowly started trickling to other duty stations. We stay in touch as much as possible, but different time zones and busy schedules make it difficult. I wasn't prepared for that part of Army life.

On another note, did you know that when you are pregnant you aren't supposed to ride rollercoasters? Could someone please send that memo to my hormones. They certainly have not gotten the message. Poor Hubs, in five minutes flat he can go from the greatest man on the planet to the person driving me the most crazy. He has been very sweet in putting up with me. Yes putting up with me, these hormones are NO joke!

Ending on a happy note, have you seen this video? It makes me smile!



Thanks, Naomi for sharing it. P.S. If you haven't checked out her adorable blog, you really should.

It's a...

Lots going on with our lil family. First and most exciting, it's a ... GIRL! I'm not sure that excited even covers it. Our due date moved up so baby Snick (family nickname) will be here in early February. This week we have really started working on her nursery i.e. cleaning out the crap that is in it. We also should be getting her crib and dresser ordered either this week or next. I have all kinds of ideas for her nursery. 

In other news, the hubs is still waiting to hear about the job change. Keeping my fingers crossed. Oh speaking of the hubs, he felt Baby Snick move for the first time tonight. It was a very exciting moment for us both. While I have been feeling her rumblings for a while, I've been anxiously waiting for the Hubs to get to experience it. It was truly a priceless moment. 

We've almost made it halfway through the week! Here's to a fabulous hump day tomorrow! 

A Day to Remember

Like many Americans, I will stop tomorrow for a moment of silence to remember the many Americans who's lives were so quickly taken that day 9 years ago. It is a day that forever changed our lives. The Hubs joined the army because of 9/11. I am so proud of him for his decision and all that he has done while in the army. Despite the challenges that we have faced over the last three years, I will always be proud of his service to this incredible country. 

On a happier note, tomorrow is also my sister-in-laws one year wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, Liz and Wade! We love you guys. Photo is of Liz with her parents. 

*All photos by me. 

Everday should be a weekend day

Just a few more short work hours, and I will be on my way to see my family for the weekend. I love long weekends. Here are a few other things I'm loving today:
Ice cream - seriously after looking at those pics I'm ready to head to the nearest store.
Lil Baby Bump - it's starting to show and I'm starting to love it.
Cooler nights and mornings - there is hope that fall is around the corner.
Dresses - can't get enough of them right now. they are the most comfortable thing to wear at work with the baby bump.
The Hubs and the furball - they make me smile everyday with their silly, sweet personalities.

Got big plans for the long weekend? What are you loving today?

Moved, Training and Baby

I have a confession to make. We have been thinking about lots of other things than baby around our house. Don't get me wrong - we are thrilled. And we do spend lots of timing thinking and talking about baby. However, we've had this little thing called Major Life Changes that we've been dealing with. First, we were looking for a new place. Second, the Army has been throwing us all kinds of curveballs. We are still dealing with those. Hopefully by the end of the month, we will have some answers by the end of the month. The hubs is looking at some major career changers so it's been pretty stressful. Third, we found a place and moved. We were so blessed to have 7 incredible friends come help us. Can you believe we were out of the old and into the new place in three hours? So amazing!

I have several real life and bloggie friends that are pregnant. It is all over their blogs and facebook pages. I feel a little guilty. It's not that we aren't super excited for the lil bug. There have just been major things going on. Plus we were in that don't-look-preggo-not-feeling-sick limbo. There were a lot of days when I had to remind myself that I was in fact pregnant. Recently, my pants have been letting me know that I am pregnant. It's a good feeling except that most days I just look like I ate too many wings for lunch. Oh well I'm sure soon I will wish for those days.

I know I continually promise to blog more. It is in the plans as soon as I get this new place in order. Bring on the nesting!

Since we are talking babies today, I leave you with one of the cutest "we're having a baby" announcements that I've seen in a long time. Guess What?

30 List Update

Remember the 30 List? I thought I would give you a quick update. You see one of the lil items on there has been the reason for my blogger absence. I truly do miss blogging and hope soon to be posting regularly. In the meantime, back to the list. So how have I been doing?

Well the GRE/grad school item has been a major fail. I also have not been running as much. In fact, the half-marathon has been indefinitely put on hold. I have been wearing lipstick - silly item on the list but still important.

However, the biggest list success has been the one about expanding our family. I'm thrilled to say that in Feb 2011 we will be welcoming a much anticipated addition to the family. The hubs and I were thrilled to find out in early June that we will be having a baby.

As we wait for this much anticipated event, we have a lot going on. We are moving again. We are still at the same post, but with lil squirt on the way, a move was necessary. The hubs is going after a career change. We will know by the end of Sept what our future for the next year or two holds. Keep your fingers crossed.

I apologize for the lack of posts, but as you can see there has been a lot going on. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. We are off to spend some quality time with the Hubs family. Got anything fun planned this weekend?

Happy Birthday, America

(photo by Me)

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." - Ronald Reagan