Andrew Weekend

We spent Monday-Thursday acting like it was Friday night so by the time the weekend actually rolled around we were plum tired. 

I had been wanting to take some time to have an Andrew weekend where he got to pick everything we did and I would cook him anything he wanted or take him anywhere he wanted to go. I just thought it would be fun to celebrate what a great husband and soon to be dad he is. And let's face it... every weekend is Charlotte weekend and the boy deserves a break once in a while.

Late Friday afternoon we decided this would be a good weekend to do it since he didn't have to work Saturday so we headed to the grocery store to get all the things to fulfill his requests. He chose Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese (say that 5 times fast) for Friday and steak, twice baked potatoes, Caesar salad and homemade brownies for Saturday. Man food.

We came home and I got to cooking and he got to sanding a piece of furniture that we had been putting off painting for a good six weeks. He got a coat of primer on it and we sat down to eat and I honestly can't remember what happened after that. I guess we went to bed.

Andrew got up ridiculously early Saturday and I slept until 9. We had coffee and he finished a big research paper. We continued working on the piece of furniture and confirmed the fact that I can't paint anything in less than 9000 very thin coats of paint. And it's still not finished.

He decided he wanted leftover Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese for lunch and to go to City Park. So we did. When we got there, there were about 2 billion other people there because someone decided to get married and someone else decided to have a barbecue competition. 

We spent 15 minutes finding a parking spot and 10 walking around before we decided it was windy and cold and not close enough for me to get to a bathroom easily. So we went back home.

We hung out and painted and got going on cooking dinner. Andrew decided he wanted to rent Skyfall so after we enjoyed our steaks (which by the way were cooked by Andrew and by far the best he has ever grilled) we sat down to watch the movie and have brownies.  

And since we are approximately 83 years old in our hearts, around 8:30 we decided it was getting late and we'd better go to bed and finish the movie the next day. 

Sunday was pretty normal. We went to church, ate more leftover BCM&C (he loves the stuff) and I grocery shopped while Andrew helped a friend move. I also got to stop by the hospital and visit with my friend Stasia who just had a baby girl! 

We cleaned up the apartment in mad dash like always and hosted Lifegroup. Then we finished Skyfall and went to bed early. Again.

And that is the story of how Andrew chose to spend his special weekend!

And how I gained three pounds.  

The Weekend I Felt Like a Tired Whale

This weekend pregnancy fatigue and discomfort really started setting in. I was having a hard time accepting the fact that I probably needed to slow down and rest, especially on the weekends. In my initial denial I committed myself  to baking 4 dozen muffins, completing 3 major nursery projects, taking a friend's maternity pictures, cooking 2 labor intensive meals, going to breastfeeding class, going to Sunday school and church, and hosting Lifegroup. 

By Saturday at 1:00PM I found myself so tired that I wanted to lay down on the carpet at the breastfeeding class and take a nap. It was clear in the first 10 minutes that babies have an innate ability to find the boob and Andrew was there to take notes, so what was the harm? I made the choice to exercise my social graces and not lay down in the middle of the floor but my exhaustion resulted in a little meltdown later that afternoon. I felt like I just couldn't be all I could be anymore and it was driving me crazy and making me feel behind in life. 

The good news is, Andrew and I ended up having a really helpful conversation about priorities and resting and making the most of the next few weeks together and not over-committing and avoiding run on sentences. Not really about that last part.  

I didn't get everything done that I had planned, but I think I got the important things done. The others can wait. Or be forgotten altogether. It helped that the city of New Orleans went under a boil water advisory on Sunday which meant I couldn't wash my dishes. Oh darn. 

I did complete a couple of nursery things that I am pretty happy with. 

I bought the wooden letters at Hobby Lobby for about $10 and painted them. The stripes were an afterthought. I may do a little tutorial about it because it got a little confusing and there might be at least one other person in cyber space as remedial as me when it comes to crafts. 

I covered this lamp shade with a $3.50 fabric scrap, also from Hobby Lobby, and painted the base of the lamp. 

If it weren't for my stellar photography, you would be able to see that the fabric is not perfectly smooth and flat on the shade. But it's OK. The weird part faces the wall and no one can see it. And I doubt anyone cares if it's a little bumpy. James certainly doesn't. 

And for kicks, this is me 32 weeks pregnant and tired. That's the outfit I wore to Lifegroup. Paint-stained sweatpants, non-maternity shirt that almost doesn't cover my stomach, and bedroom slippers. That's what I call doing life together. 

It's getting increasingly harder to angle my head in a way that disguises my 3-7 chins. But here's to trying!

Linking up! 

Nursery in Progress

I really didn't want pregnancy to take over the entire blog but alas, in these final weeks, it is sort of my whole life and I really have nothing else interesting to talk about. 

Everything in my world seems to be centered on all the things to do before the baby comes and all the  things we will be doing after he comes. I certainly don't mind it, but you may feel otherwise. I wont be offended if you take a 7-11 week hiatus from reading. I can't say I wouldn't do the same. But be warned, when you return it might be all about babies... I've been told they have a tendency to take over as well. 

So here is what's up with our nursery. It is by no means complete but it is further along than it was, say, when we moved to New Orleans. I should put a disclaimer out that I follow sort of an organic process when decorating. I don't really have a vision of what the finished product will look like or an inspiration photo. All my rooms kind of unfold piece by piece.  I do know that I want it to be calm and serene. Boyish but not in-your-face boyish. Timeless and practical. 

These are from when we moved in.

We are keeping a double bed in the room for multiple reasons, one being that we live far far away from the nearest family member and we foresee visitors in our future. 

Our crib came from Pottery Barn Kids and our changing table came from a furniture place in Auburn, AL. We scored an amazing Black Friday deal on it. 

These are the fabrics for the crib bedding. My mother in law is making the bedding. She is an incredible seamstress. She has made the most beautiful crib bedding for my niece and nephews and I knew long before James was a thought that I wanted her to make ours. 

I changed out the pink and green quilt for a white one and my mother in law is making shams out of the geometric fabric as well as a monogrammed throw pillow. 

We got the rug this past weekend at... wait for it... Kmart! And I couldn't be more pleased with it. The pictures kind of cast a shadow but its a soft blue and taupe check. 

We bought the baskets from TJ Maxx, aka, Basket Mecca. I fell in love with that bicycle basket and decided it would be perfect for toys. Andrew loved it too because he cycles as a hobby and loves all things bike related. 

The chair was Andrew's grandmother's. She rocked his mama in it and his mama rocked him in it. You know I LOVE sentiment! The side table and lamp are getting makeovers this weekend. And the beautiful sign was made by our neighbors who gave it to us as a surprise shortly after we found out we were having a baby.

That's it so far! Hopefully the next time I post about it, it will be the finished product. Even now I just sigh every time I walk by. I am falling in love with it and with visions of a tiny little boy who will call it his. 

30 Weeks

Oh if I could ever get my life together I might rule the world. Or at least feel good about having my life together. 

That's the thing with this pregnancy business... the minute things start to get into a routine a new stage hits and you are back at square one. 

I used to only wake up to run to the bathroom 1-2 times per night. Now its 3-4. Overshare? 

I used to be able to eat full meals and feel like a normal person. Now its multiple snacks all day long because for some reason real estate in my stomach is sparse. And I do so long for a big meal...

We did a lot of fun stuff this weekend that included working on the baby room and going to dinner with friends and I would tell you all about it and show lots of pictures but I am off to a Dr. appointment. 

They used to be monthly, now they are every 2 weeks. But I'm totally not complaining about that. 

Hope you all had a fab weekend and a lovely Monday! 

28 Week Pregnancy Update

My friends Stasia and Ryan have been doing these fun little pregnancy updates on their blogs and I have always thought I might like to do it but consistency has never been my strong suit. 

Today I decided there is no harm in throwing one in there even if it’s kinda late to start and I might not do another one. Who’s with me?

Also, the past three week’s pregnancy photos have looked ridiculous and I decided to just leave them out for fear they might land on Awkward Family Photos. Or this blog post. (Please click over to it, it is hilarious.)

So here is a little personal information that you might or might not find interesting to supplement.

Oh and here is a little comparison pic from 24-28 weeks. I thought it would be a good one since I have on the exact same outfit. Just to deal with the elephant in the room, I realize that the “bumps” in the rear and on either side of my mouth are the ones growing most rapidly. It’s ok, I accept myself as I am.

How far along? 28.5 Weeks 

Total weight gain? You wish…

Baby Related Purchases? We haven’t really bought anything ourselves yet, but we might be purchasing supplies for some furniture redo’s for the nursery soon. Does that count?

Movement? A whole flipping lot of movement and I love it. And it is strange. I told Andrew that it feels like when your eye gets a twitch and you can’t control it or you have a muscle spasm, except it’s your whole insides.

What I miss about not being pregnant? Getting excited for spring/summer clothes. Wearing normal clothes. Exercising hard. Not gaining weight. Being able to suck in.

Cravings? Cupcakes. Nipped that one yesterday.

Anything making you queasy or sick? I have been feeling sick in the morning again and I really don’t know why. I usually feel sick if I get too hungry.

Gender? BOY! Goodnight you moonlight ladies… rockabye Sweet Baby JAMES! (Name that tune and I’ll giveaway one free shout out.)

Labor? No, thank goodness. But I get some painful tightness in my tummy when I exercise which might be Braxton Hicks? Maybe?  Maybe not?

Symptoms? Other than occasional crazies I still feel pretty a’ight. I have random days of extreme fatigue that come out of nowhere but they are pretty manageable.

Worries? I worried a little about our 28 week appointment since I measured so big last time. I am still a little worried about the results of my glucose test. I hope those Krispy Kremes didn’t do me in.

Best moments of the week? The baby shower, duh. Also, having a great appointment and finding out that I am measuring right on track now.

Looking forward to? Really getting the nursery together. Mardi Gras parades. The New Orleans baby shower later this month.

Size of baby? By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. 

What’s the baby is up to? He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Disclaimer: I know I keep things kind of light on the blog but in all seriousness, I am so so thankful for almost 29 weeks of healthy pregnancy. I recently came across a forum for women who were due in April like me but are not going to be united with their sweet babies until Heaven one day. It was so humbling and I am so grateful. If you will, please join me in praying for these women. There is a Healer who intimately understands the pain of losing a child. Let's be fountains of His grace. 

Recipe, Rain, Research

And the Pioneer Woman does it again. 

We've been eating these this week and they are delish.

I took about 9000 shortcuts on this recipe and it was still pretty majorly great. 

via

I did not grate my own cheese. I did not cut up my own pineapple. I did not put a skewer through my pineapple. I did not pre-toast my tortillias. I did not use fresh jalapenos. 

And they were still the bomb. Try em!

In other news, the weather in this part of the country has gotten downright depressing. I can fully embrace a few cold and rainy days. I like to snuggle up with hot chocolate and be sleepy just as much as the next guy but after about three of those days I have reached my limit and currently we are pushing two weeks. 

It took me exactly one hour to get to the grocery store Monday because apparently when it rains people get into their cars and lose their minds. There was no danger involved in my taking this picture because I was going exactly 0 miles per hour... for a very long time.

We attended our first prenatal class last night. It was technically the second class but we missed the first one and are making it up in March. I was by far the least pregnant person there and the one taking the most notes. Five pages. Zeal is one of my best qualities. It was information overload and I am glad I have all of my notes to go back and do some research of my own on all the options for delivery. I am an information junkie and I want to know everything about everything that MIGHT happen to my body and baby. 

At the moment I feel like things tend to get a little over-medicated but I'm not ready to make any bold statements about that here on the blog. On the flip side, I am extremely grateful to be living in an age where we can know exactly what is going on with babies in delivery and have so many options for their health and safety. Amen? 

It's a... BOY!

So it’s official, we are having a baby BOY! We found out Monday at our 20 week ultrasound. Seeing our baby for the first time in many many weeks was one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced. It was so amazing seeing a recognizable baby rather than a teeny alien baby. He was perfect and beautiful and perfect!

We waited with so much anticipation all day for our appointment but the few minutes we sat in the waiting room felt like HOURS.

When the nurse was measuring all of his little baby body, I spotted the telltale parts and immediately said, “It’s a boy isn't it?!” She confirmed it and Andrew and I lit up with excitement.

When we left our appointment we immediately called our families to tell them the good news and that our precious baby boy would be named James Timothy. James is Andrew and his daddy’s first name and Timothy is my daddy’s first name.

That afternoon we ventured out baby shopping for the first time. We hit four baby stores. I think it was the most enthusiastically I had ever seen Andrew shop! We tried to use a little restraint and only bought one special thing for baby James, an adorable Christmas stocking from Pottery Barn Kids. I wanted to get him something that he would have forever and Andrew liked the train because his stocking growing up had a train on it. Now every year we will remind him that the stocking was the first gift mommy and daddy bought him when they found out he was James! (I am also going to have his name put on it.)

At 20 weeks, my tummy seems to be getting bigger and bigger. I am trying so hard not to go overboard with the Christmas goodies that abound but it has not been easy. My appetite is back in full force and I have cooked more the past 2 weeks than the entire time we have lived in New Orleans!!

 Gah! I can't believe we are past the halfway point. Here's to this being the BEST half!

The Big Announcement Post

I’m sorry for being MIA for what seems like an eternity. Since my last post was about evacuating for hurricane Isaac I thought I should let you know that yes, we are still alive. We did not get blown away like it may have seemed.

We have been going through some major life changes and I tend to sort of retreat from the world during major life changes. Andrew and I got some very exciting and overwhelming news and I have been taking time to process it in my own head, with Andrew, and with close friends and family.

Sometimes I feel like the internet, with its countless uses and advantages can tempt me to surrender life’s sacred things to public spectacle. Maybe I have a tiny introvert living inside of me but I often just want personal things to be personal for a while before they are given over to the internet for opinion. I know it sounds odd coming from a person who LOVES to blog but I think everyone using the internet should wrestle with where to draw the line with sharing.*End soapbox*

I realized that I couldn’t keep our changes a secret forever nor did I want to. I just needed some time to soak it all in before telling the world (or the 5 or 6 of you who read this). So without further ado… sometime around April 28, 2013 Andrew and I will be receiving the most unexpected outpouring of God’s love, a baby.

We are thrilled, humbled, overwhelmed, and overjoyed. I really don’t have the words.

Otherwise, there is not really much to report on life in New Orleans the past few weeks. For me it has consisted of nausea, working, sitting on the couch, nausea, sleeping. 

Rinse and repeat. 

Andrew has been a super hero. I don’t know how he does it but somehow he has managed to wait on me hand and foot, work long hard hours, take care of the house, and maintain his school work. And by maintain I mean make all A’s. He’s one of those people who can do it all and it makes me so proud and a little jealous.

I’m hoping when this sickness business is over we can get back to some of the fun things we enjoy + baby projects. Until then, I’m trying to take it all in one day at a time… sometimes it still doesn’t seem real!