tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75655624609582591552024-03-14T06:57:29.719-05:00A Bride In Boots (and a baby)A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-36349601982196469872012-05-10T13:53:00.002-05:002012-05-10T14:05:06.225-05:00On my first Mother's Day - A letter to Maggie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzKW_7_KqfMahSTi6nAfMZPcQhL9Vzkk2TGzBbgWUbjJoOXwRSL8UdiBG0cW2FJuIJHAjZpZ_MAsQAlWWArd8Nv-gYwzxSkbeF9Onk4CqbiV6UkzOi5iFEax8ebibhVLMa8drLzFzxb0V/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzKW_7_KqfMahSTi6nAfMZPcQhL9Vzkk2TGzBbgWUbjJoOXwRSL8UdiBG0cW2FJuIJHAjZpZ_MAsQAlWWArd8Nv-gYwzxSkbeF9Onk4CqbiV6UkzOi5iFEax8ebibhVLMa8drLzFzxb0V/s320/IMG_0026.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Dearest Maggie,<br />
<br />
As I reflect over the last nine months we've had together since you came into our lives, turned it upside down, and made it more wonderful and exhausting and rewarding than I ever thought possible, I wanted to pause and reflect on all the things I love about you and getting to be your mom. With it being my first Mother's Day, I'm even more sentimental than usual (evidenced by tearing up with big crocodile tears when I watched the Publix commercial the other night when the little girl helping her pregnant mom in the kitchen is encouraged by mom to talk to her baby sister in mom's belly and after much thought, decides to tell her "you're really going to love Mommy"- ugh, it gets me every time!) and just want to stop time and soak up every spare moment I have with you, and because I think this is a day just as much about you as it is about me, I want to tell you some of the things I love about you. Here are a few things I don't want to forget:<br />
<br />
How you squeal with delight when I blow raspberries on your bare belly. <br />
<br />
How your eyes light up when I sing our "wake up" song that I made up when you were just a few weeks old, or your other favorite, "I'm a little teapot..."<br />
<br />
How you babble to yourself in the middle of the night or when you wake up in the morning, and I can tell you are having an entire conversation with whatever you see in your crib.<br />
<br />
How you have chosen to go from our baby who sleeps 10-11 hours each night to one who has decided to wake up 2-3 times a night, absolutely and positively ready to party.<br />
<br />
How you finally give up and go back to sleep when I rock you, and how your little head nuzzles into my neck to find the perfect spot and your open mouth leaves a little pool of drool on my shoulder.<br />
<br />
How you watch with wonder when we blow bubbles on the front porch.<br />
<br />
How you stare at people when we go out to eat, until they acknowledge you and you reward them with a big smile. You have never met a stranger. <br />
<br />
How you look when you smile with those two tiny bottom teeth peeking through. <br />
<br />
How you love to watch the train that goes by behind our house, and here me say "chuga, chuga, choo, choo, choo!" and how amazed we are that it actually never wakes you when you're sleeping. <br />
<br />
How you still sleep with your arms behind your head when you're on your back, just like you did in your ultrasound picture. <br />
<br />
How you get the hiccups when you laugh too hard. <br />
<br />
How your laugh makes your dad and I both laugh. <br />
<br />
How you make a funny face when you try a new food for the first time, and how you make this awful gagging face when you really don't like something (like the peas). <br />
<br />
How you love, love, love to be held, and cry when I put you down and I'm out of sight (really relishing this one, as I know it will soon change once you are on the move).<br />
<br />
How you watch your friends at daycare intently, and decide you're going to keep up with the big kids by trying to do everything they do. <br />
<br />
How you can cry like the dickens but immediately quiet when I pick you up. And sometimes look over your shoulder and grin at your daddy when I do it. :)<br />
<br />
How sweet you smell when we get you out of the bathtub. I wish I could bottle that baby scent. <br />
<br />
How you have decided you love bathtime, which you used to be very apprehensive of. You love to eat your bath toys, splash in the water, and put your hand under the running water.<br />
<br />
How you adore your exersaucer, and will bounce and bounce on your tip-toes until your little cheeks are flushed.<br />
<br />
How you still love your snugabunny bouncy seat, even though your bottom almost grazes the ground when we bounce you. <br />
<br />
How you beam at your daddy when he plays peekaboo with you in the kitchen when I'm feeding you. <br />
<br />
How you do your "conduct the symphony" hands and find them utterly fascinating. <br />
<br />
How you attack your bottle like it is the last one on the planet.<br />
<br />
How you can be oh-so-dramatic when you have to do something you don't like (i.e. sit in your high chair). <br />
<br />
How you hate to have your nose wiped (and who could blame you?) <br />
<br />
How you scared us to death with your high temp of 105, but amazingly, still managed to laugh. <br />
<br />
How you are always so happy in the morning, no matter what kind of night you had. <br />
<br />
How you love to give kisses, and how you grab my face with both hands to plant one on me. <br />
<br />
How you get so serene and peaceful when we go for stroller walks in the late afternoons. Without fail, it instantly calms you. You are such an outdoor baby. <br />
<br />
How you manage to do at least one adorable thing every single day, and how you have made my heart grow tenfold since the day you arrived. <br />
<br />
How you have made me a better version of myself, and though I often don't know what the heck I'm doing, your smiles make me feel like I'm doing something right. <br />
<br />
Words can't do justice to how my heart swells with love for you, my beautiful baby girl. Thank you for giving me the honor of my life in letting me be your mom. It is the best job I have ever had. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-54978084164436558352012-05-10T09:35:00.001-05:002012-05-10T09:44:57.775-05:003 Month Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUVfkfcdevx1yHYHm9f91Xdc-z4-Dm7aLH5Z0eAlMi__X2sGLcjMJ17lVjPIDpCs2IFoZUsvFfygRj-oYnQ1Mfb2DQ0FAVuRrRPDX2Yb5aIkRMGvf0cCjxy5YYsi8XcwuMks0d4UHdq9C/s1600/Photo+Dec+25%252C+11+56+54+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUVfkfcdevx1yHYHm9f91Xdc-z4-Dm7aLH5Z0eAlMi__X2sGLcjMJ17lVjPIDpCs2IFoZUsvFfygRj-oYnQ1Mfb2DQ0FAVuRrRPDX2Yb5aIkRMGvf0cCjxy5YYsi8XcwuMks0d4UHdq9C/s400/Photo+Dec+25%252C+11+56+54+AM.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maggie, 3 months (photo compliments of <a href="http://www.lindseyrsmith.com/">Lindsey Smith</a>)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Who is a little behind? This sweet thing turns 9 months next week, but this photo was just too beautiful not to post. We loved it so much, we used it for our 2011 Christmas card, with the caption "Best Gift Ever" because she absolutely is. </div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-16682136939897103552011-11-24T01:55:00.002-06:002011-11-24T10:55:04.211-06:00Maggie's Monthly Milestones: 3 Months!<div><div>Oh Maggie, when you read this when you are a teenager (if blogs are still around then) don't be embarrassed when you see that I am a big ball of emotions tonight. I am writing you this on Thanksgiving Eve, and I have such a full, happy, grateful heart that it might just overflow. It is after midnight and I'm thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for this year, but you absolutely top the list. I think back to Thanksgiving last year, and how you weren't even a twinkle in our eye yet. I used November 19 as the start date in all my pregnancy calculators to tell me when you would arrive, and now here we are, a year later, and you are alive and well, making your dad and I fall in love with you more every minute. How could I have known the joy you would bring? All I know is I simply cannot imagine life without you. You, my dear daughter, make Thanksgiving so much more special. How much sweeter life is with you in it!<br /><br />So I've not been on top of our monthly photo sessions, and usually realize we need to do them a few days after your monthly birthday has passed, but your dad and I did sing happy birthday to you on your 3 month birthday. You smiled at us and my heart swelled. In fact, you smile at us a lot in the morning, which is just about the most perfect start to a day I could ask for. And we all know I am NOT a morning person. But you have made me become a lot less grumpy.<br /></div><div>I have a closet full of adorable clothes for you, but I end up snapping your picture in whatever "play clothes" you happen to have on at the moment, because I don't have the heart to change you into something less comfortable and risk you having a meltdown before picture time. I kind of like that you're not all done up in your finest duds though, and that we capture you just as you are. Because you really are one cute kid (though you have taken after your dad in the picture-taking department and are not even remotely a fan).<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaOBfFBZPh5KL1KT-huxyg8wcoXh5HCRFpFbTuVseVbGvaWjY5wA_ODuE91IjATvjEJMaCvSgHeiqZHjN8-5-nKd2tZDAnVnWpL-jbCVmBdCAxC7tQh7fvIUG1sEAeZWjKSAgMA-30p_e/s1600/Maggie-polka+dots.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677966440004774562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsSHl65k6WlePJ0uu4GN4XDkaUiQMfRb7DkD05IfZSHDnp7PihPL15Yz11WAQxVn2kV-J3j6a2xs57zsiOXjxDBT0D6NBtAOtPGnCh4OQuVPthTJ_p03BL5ZjT-RSOTHhEp3X2ojE1p90/s400/Maggie-3mos.JPG" /></a>However, because I did have to break down and buy you a proper smocked gown (and was a sucker for this hot pink number because you are absolutely infatuated with polka dots) I had to snap a quick picture of you in it. You seem to be debating if it was worth the outfit change.<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677966311809042338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaOBfFBZPh5KL1KT-huxyg8wcoXh5HCRFpFbTuVseVbGvaWjY5wA_ODuE91IjATvjEJMaCvSgHeiqZHjN8-5-nKd2tZDAnVnWpL-jbCVmBdCAxC7tQh7fvIUG1sEAeZWjKSAgMA-30p_e/s400/Maggie-polka+dots.JPG" />So, since we have a trip down to Alabama planned for early tomorrow morning and Mommy needs to get her behind to bed, I'll go ahead and get to your monthly milestones. Oh and right now, I'm watching you sleep soundly on the monitor in your brand new Halo Sleep Sack - you have been busting out of your Miracle Blanket for about a week so we had to find a new trick. This seems to be working out nicely, because you have barely moved since we put you down. That's my girl...</div><div> </div><div>Weight: 12 lbs, 6 oz. Goodness, you are growing! We actually went and got you weighed today, and got the thumbs up from the nurse on how you're tracking. Makes this mama so proud to know that breastfeeding is making you grow so big. I remember thinking I would never make it to three months nursing, but now I feel like I could do it in my sleep (and sometimes do!).</div><div> </div><div>Height: ?? I'm not sure - we'll get this checked next month at your four month appointment, but I definitely put a onesie with footies on you the other night and your toes could have busted the seams. I reluctantly decided it was time to add those to the "officially outgrown" pile - man, they were one of my favorite pairs! </div><div> </div><div>Clothes: 3-6 months. Though a few 0-3 month things will still work, you have pretty much outgrown all the clothes that took up the majority of your closet before you arrived. I loved how easy it was to put you in a short-sleeved onesie or even your Baptist Hospital t-shirt and a diaper for the first few months of your life, and am trying to get the hang of putting you in layers and long-sleeves! I've also started trying to put shoes on you - since you've been a barefoot baby for most of these first three months! </div><div> </div><div>Eye color: Still a dark bluish-green. Here's hoping they'll stay hazel and not turn brown! </div><div> </div><div>Doctor's orders: No visits to the doc other than the weight check-up. Your next appointment is on December 14 and you have to get the second round of shots. I truly hate those more than you do. </div><div> </div><div>Biggest accomplishment: You have become Queen of Tummy Time! You really just got the hang of it this last week, but now you don't even cry when we put you down on your tummy. You'll sit up on those chubby arms and look at everything around you, cooing and sometimes even smiling. This is a big improvement, since before you had a three minute max! Also, one night last week you rolled over, which took you and us both by surprise!<br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677966055456488082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YSZpKL_TW-T6Iqr2eCcrLWpLrs5CYYlQ8qSwNUvNs7X5QyeMzkWzsoVXbEvnBLC2OOHH1su5y6YZK46dBtdprJIAWTuZsX2cpd8zmuMVjWyKxpgRwogdds7mgCR07lHVSAro0R48Vd-0/s400/Maggie-tummy+time.JPG" /></div><div>How we spend our day: I started back working two weeks ago, but thankfully I'm in the office only two days a week and working from home the other three. You like to wake up around 7 a.m. and Dad gets you and brings you to our room so I can give you your breakfast feeding. You are usually pretty hungry but after about 20 minutes nursing, you lay back on our propped-up knees and give us the biggest and best smiles of the day while we play. You are so stinkin' happy in the morning, which you HAVE to get from your dad. After that, you go back down for a mid-morning nap, which is by far the longest one of the day. Once you wake up from that, I change you out of your pajamas and we do some kind of activity - tummy time, reading books, activity mat, etc. - until you get sleepy again and go back down for a nap in your Snugabunny seat, which you love. I try to get things done around the house or run errands until you wake up, then nurse again and have more play time. You've started to really like Baby Einstein, so sometimes I'll put on a video that you'll watch with wide-eyed wonder. When Dad gets home, I hand you over so he can get some "Maggie time" while I try to figure out something for dinner. He is wonderful to lend a helping hand or offer to pick something up, which I so appreciate. I used to love to come up with new things in the kitchen but I have no idea when I'll find the time to do that anytime soon, so I'm leaning on recipes from memory. After dinner, we have family playtime (or bathtime twice a week) and then you'll nurse once or twice more before going down for the night. You love to be swaddled and read to before bed - your current favorite book is "Bear Snores On." I try to loosely follow the acronym E.A.S.Y. which I read about in Secrets of A Baby Whisperer, which is Eat, Activity, Sleep, You Time. It seems to work really well for you, unless you're going through a growth spurt and it's more like, Eat, Eat, Eat, Sleep!<br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677965460791555474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPwmGk98x8dU6cHCE8AyewDq29JjJCTLdQ6H1ZJfV43iCNMVYU49AuwFK3L4dSA565Nms6CLQn0GJ29WyMAJUmvHODa_CepaWtRc14mHpsbsFTU9MfWBkx1fdje9Xzx8lUL_p0qnypCPl/s400/Maggie-11-14-11.jpg" /></div><div>Likes: All the same things from 2 months - early mornings playing in the bed with mom and dad, polka dots in any form or fashion - you will just stare at them as if you are mesmerized!, and being swaddled when you're sleepy. You also seem to like when I sing the ABC's and Pat-A-Cake, seeing yourself in the mirror, your new Play and Learn Puppy your Uncle Dan bought you, and inspecting your toes when you're sitting up - which you're doing so well! You can sit up in your bumbo without help now, and love to be facing out when you're sitting on a lap. </div><div> </div><div>Dislikes: You seem to be warming up more and more to bath time, so I wouldn't even consider it a dislike anymore. You definitely don't like outfit changes, which we have to do quite frequently because of your tendency to have the occasional "blowout." </div><div> </div><div>Trips You've Taken: We've pretty much stayed put this month, since you traveled so much last month, but we've still taken you out to restaurants and twice to church. You slept through the entire service both times, despite the loud worship music. I know we're probably pushing our luck, but you're such a good baby, we can't help it! </div><div> </div><div>Sweetest Moment: Seeing your Dad get down on the floor with you and helping you to do Tummy Time, or really just seeing him with you anytime. He is so in love with you, Maggie. And I fall more in love with him when I see the two of you together. </div><div> </div><div>You are an absolute joy, Maggie, and though there are many times I've messed up and misread your cues or done something wrong, you are really such an easy baby. I am so excited that we get to experience our first holidays with you, and surround you with friends and family over these next few weeks. May you always know how much you are loved!<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijXTyS6wMs-mjMFJJpswQK7-tOB6A5xXeFeoxeZck9XoK-OALbWPoXOrgfWeAZzZOHPQOqaTiop6PUC3CVWsrQ7_xSL3Vszz3FmrRVxCFrm8bTdynfD8Wj8q3ZvDWLG2p-dcioLf_hLgi/s1600/Maggie2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677965451752591602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijXTyS6wMs-mjMFJJpswQK7-tOB6A5xXeFeoxeZck9XoK-OALbWPoXOrgfWeAZzZOHPQOqaTiop6PUC3CVWsrQ7_xSL3Vszz3FmrRVxCFrm8bTdynfD8Wj8q3ZvDWLG2p-dcioLf_hLgi/s400/Maggie2.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-72525490753306595122011-10-21T10:27:00.026-05:002011-10-25T10:37:07.489-05:00Maggie's Monthly Milestones: Two Months!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoFIfQhjE3ClLFvf6iOEHi4j0Y3e-MYRjg4JZwea1xqG-1ovVSt8l8Os7M-06iekyJa62o9lWy0ZIapcmwfIDxZ5fkPwhE0w-PjvpBho8PUGxMbttGQ8UFITp-STysc_4e8ylFHsvonyu/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+263.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665969791921081426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoFIfQhjE3ClLFvf6iOEHi4j0Y3e-MYRjg4JZwea1xqG-1ovVSt8l8Os7M-06iekyJa62o9lWy0ZIapcmwfIDxZ5fkPwhE0w-PjvpBho8PUGxMbttGQ8UFITp-STysc_4e8ylFHsvonyu/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+263.JPG" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPUuCkf6Abhjq-nJLKEmUNQGeSF_eqSEM_a7W2EksaQL_eQty9vyfIDPHGfGOZTlFQIHMHUz9f9aemSsGOztuL0UAIWJhxEkAxwancsCu6IRrCM6YDUy1YyLvNs3Stpz_n1BRK7dhdHTu/s1600/IMG_9725.jpg" /></a> Oh Maggie, I cannot believe you are two months old! So many people say the first two months are the hardest physically due to lack of sleep, breastfeeding, etc., but I've found that they are definitely the most emotionally rewarding as well. I am so smitten with you, and am trying my best to sear all of these sweet moments with you into my memory, as they are going by so fast. I look back over the hundreds (literally) of pictures we have taken of your first two months of life, and you have changed so much already. I love seeing what new thing you'll do next!
<br />
<br />
<br />I feel like I finally hit my stride on the mom thing around 6 weeks with the whole where-do-you-find-time-to-do-anything-other-than-stare-at-your-child routine<em>.</em> I woke up one day recently and realized I was halfway through my maternity leave before I go back to work part-time. Don't think I didn't hug you a little tighter that day. Being home with you these first months has been pure bliss. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, and I am so thankful I took as much time as I did to enjoy seeing the world through your beautiful blue-green eyes and didn't rush back to work. Best decision I ever made, other than marrying your daddy.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>Speaking of, let me just tell you how crazy your daddy is about you. I knew the moment he met you in the hospital and had those big tears in his eyes that you had him wrapped, but you've managed to melt him even more over these first few weeks. I used to make fun of him and call him the Tinman because of how little emotion he would show, but you have come along and started to change all that. He loves to kiss us both before he leaves for work (he says sometimes we're even sleeping in the same position), call and check and see "how his girls are doing" throughout the day, and most of all, come home after a long day's work and scoop you up in his arms for some "Maggie time." He has a position he likes to put you in where you stare right in his eyes, with your arms hanging loosely by your side, and you get all relaxed and comfy and it looks like you feel completely secure. And you should, sweet baby, because he works his tail off for us. That's how I get to shop for you all the time. :)
<br />
<br />Life with you is better than I could have ever imagined. Truly. You have turned our world upside down, but it is a more beautiful and complete world because you are here.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />So let's see your stats, shall we?
<br />
<br />
<br />Weight: 10 lbs, 7 oz. We're in the double digits! Your dad and I made a bet on what your weight would be at your 2 month appointment, and what a surprise to see you surpass both of our guesses! This put you in the 50th percentile, up from the 15th percentile at your 2 week visit. The doctor was very proud of you, and so was I! I believe we've finally gotten the hang of breastfeeding, and thankfully, it seems to be working!
<br />
<br />Height: 23 inches (75th percentile - you must get that height from your dad and not me)
<br />
<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KVw2nYiNp-iZLE1mUmLmoxw6ygIvA55_ULJ6ECJO03zmiXXN7-AE1nF7P5UNeCAnGomVqviMdsuU4iq80XQ9JqvCSawtVQXL1YtvEY9-3Qs5tZSJcv_sw3Q47mlS5-FiFWBMFzR-vbOr/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+276.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665973533493569394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KVw2nYiNp-iZLE1mUmLmoxw6ygIvA55_ULJ6ECJO03zmiXXN7-AE1nF7P5UNeCAnGomVqviMdsuU4iq80XQ9JqvCSawtVQXL1YtvEY9-3Qs5tZSJcv_sw3Q47mlS5-FiFWBMFzR-vbOr/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+276.JPG" /></a> Look what a good patient you are!
<br />
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2BdnKKaBNSn2QggVs6rzo6MfpiwPkqOOVbt2SiZTj1tk0pYI7mFfi0c5RkGiMbfuex-FXYQDBzyH9YB-a-A99h4EHlvlyOe6WFB1JFk1F46_ADC-kH5Tm0gYdCoSIIrCeYCSKQ-fgxtj/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+277.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665973521927631906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2BdnKKaBNSn2QggVs6rzo6MfpiwPkqOOVbt2SiZTj1tk0pYI7mFfi0c5RkGiMbfuex-FXYQDBzyH9YB-a-A99h4EHlvlyOe6WFB1JFk1F46_ADC-kH5Tm0gYdCoSIIrCeYCSKQ-fgxtj/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+277.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br /><div>Clothes: 0-3 months. I had to pack up all of your sweet, tiny newborn clothes after finally realizing how hard it was getting to get them over your head when I change you. I'm not afraid to admit it tugged on my heart a little to put them away.
<br />
<br /><div>Eye color: Dark bluish-green. They still could turn brown like mine, but I'm hoping they'll be hazel like your dad's! </div>
<br />
<br /><div>Doctor's orders: I was dreading our two month check-up a little, since I knew you were getting those first immunization shots and I had a sneaking suspicion I would cry just as much as you did. Turns out I was right. It broke my heart to see you smiling and cooing the whole time, and then have you let out the saddest cry when they poked you. Dad took off work to go with us and be my moral support, which I definitely needed. You were fine by the time we got out to the car, but I could hardly put you down the rest of the afternoon! Made me so thankful for your health - I simply cannot imagine what some parents go through like those in the NICU, seeing their children hurt. I thank God everyday how happy and healthy you are.
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>Biggest accomplishment: That first big, beautiful smile! Oh, my heart just melted into a little pool on the floor when you flashed it at me. You are so happy after your first feeding in the morning, and the minute I'm done nursing you, you look up at me and give me the sweetest grin. You're also holding your head up now, and trackings lots of things with your eyes. You love the polka dots on your carseat, and the birds on your mobile in the snugabunny seat. And best of all, you are STILL a sensational sleeper! Once we got the doctor's orders to let you go at night and not wake you every three hours, you've gotten into a routine in these last few weeks of going to bed around 11 pm, and you usually sleep until 6 or 7 am! Those are the same hours we had before you arrived - how thoughtful you are to let us continue and keep them! Finally, your dad would probably say it was a big accomplishment to move you into the guest room. We did that right before your two month birthday, and though I hated having you across the hall, I have been quite proud of how well you have done in there. I don't think you even notice the train that runs practically in our backyard. Perhaps our biggest accomplishment this month was having our first date night, and leaving you with your favorite babysitter, Katy. Your dad and I were invited by one of his clients to see Sheryl Crow play a private concert at the Ryman, and we got all gussied up and had a date. I only texted Katy twice to check on you, which I thought was completely justified. You did great for her but I couldn't wait to get my hands on you when we got home!
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAHmtKjYCP7X_pFcG9oGEobBtRh5sPwWJzDEi741UdgAf6834Vbzg_kaGc11el_HJCbFX_7i3YA1uIG0q1cAzhRp4jHDz9-knfIbMb-HGoSXaDvA0o5XJ8EaTgnlDG-Elf0BogZq7PfOY/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+141.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665970707678254338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAHmtKjYCP7X_pFcG9oGEobBtRh5sPwWJzDEi741UdgAf6834Vbzg_kaGc11el_HJCbFX_7i3YA1uIG0q1cAzhRp4jHDz9-knfIbMb-HGoSXaDvA0o5XJ8EaTgnlDG-Elf0BogZq7PfOY/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+141.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>How we spend our day: I've decided that this was hands-down the best time to have a baby. The weather has been so perfect for our neighborhood strolls, and you still seem to love being outside and feeling the fresh air - sometimes it instantly calms you. I have loved seeing summer turn into fall with you, and especially enjoy seeing the changing leaves, the arrival of pumpkin spice lattes, and the start of football with new eyes - it's been so nice to stop and slow down rather than go, go, go all the time. Your'e good for me like that.
<br />
<br /><div>Likes: Early mornings playing in the bed with mom and dad - your favorite time to smile! Also, i've discovered you love polka dots - on my padded armrest on your carseat, on the nursery curtains, anywhere you can find them! You still seem to like being swaddled, though sometimes you'll bust out and we'll find you with your arms up by your head in the morning. Your new favorite position is being held over my shoulder - I love it because you just fit right into the crook of my neck, and I can kiss the top of your fuzzy little head.
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAptQ4IeVQUG9ozNcYxvM2UJg4T6ywHIH-WxuUgkmCyQWWwPNnakAe_aK1GBVQ9CF4ezE1H2q039PVJXsi5C5maJsYycHTaguE4bLVi5MorwMOGXNWLEefLosarwQh_7UfYorHBXC1V_m/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+152.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665972038277277010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAptQ4IeVQUG9ozNcYxvM2UJg4T6ywHIH-WxuUgkmCyQWWwPNnakAe_aK1GBVQ9CF4ezE1H2q039PVJXsi5C5maJsYycHTaguE4bLVi5MorwMOGXNWLEefLosarwQh_7UfYorHBXC1V_m/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+152.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br />Dislikes: Bathtime, though you seem to be warming up to it, slowly but surely. You're also not a fan of being woken up, having your diaper changed, and being put on your tummy for tummy time...but really, who would enjoy those things? </div>
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLgyI55xjFsJg7ETxvgEpCEmCBKuAj4uEEuMYEboAHI9tL_iT75W6JvVz8qX0ELBMAGhPJaP28-KGx0ftVc4uJvwJn2J9HfjmB9sEJDUwgUvWbPe_pn2YTsZIxlRzqdA6gQh-Vfr9_Uaq/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+099.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665970694248529714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLgyI55xjFsJg7ETxvgEpCEmCBKuAj4uEEuMYEboAHI9tL_iT75W6JvVz8qX0ELBMAGhPJaP28-KGx0ftVc4uJvwJn2J9HfjmB9sEJDUwgUvWbPe_pn2YTsZIxlRzqdA6gQh-Vfr9_Uaq/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+099.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br /><div>Trips You've Taken: What a traveler you have been this month! We've gone to visit both sets of grandparents on back-to-back weekends, first to Virginia (a 9 hour car ride that usually takes 6) and then to Alabama. If anything, you're teaching us that we can't plan like we used to, as the on-the-road nursing and changing stops you need dictate our arrival these days. We've also had the Turman family come visit us, and it was so much fun having all of your cousins ooh and aah over you. You've also gone to your first football game, seeing Vanderbilt defeat Ole Miss, though we only came for the last quarter.
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPYOP_cYPucsd3LylHyDoMbxqBOiMtWuAwEFxGuFuvT91mQP3t_teaDjR3tvOq782npOxaR81rUA5QnG0Xp7EOHaDYuIUXrqP56qbwlE_EGHlHWz_KrxhyphenhyphenQjJXElwk0WmXMty8R8KPVzl/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+110.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665970696885193538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPYOP_cYPucsd3LylHyDoMbxqBOiMtWuAwEFxGuFuvT91mQP3t_teaDjR3tvOq782npOxaR81rUA5QnG0Xp7EOHaDYuIUXrqP56qbwlE_EGHlHWz_KrxhyphenhyphenQjJXElwk0WmXMty8R8KPVzl/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+110.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br />I didn't want to push my luck, but you slept just about the whole time. We also took you to church for the first time, and even to brunch afterward at our new favorite spot, The Garden Brunch Cafe. I got the Bananas Foster pancakes, which were to DIE for. Better enjoy eating things like that while I'm nursing and burning those calories!
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665970676418579778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6GdgL3egi6eFj3BTjyQQjYHhhSzr22Kbdyk4m6-dEEMvdAUHx7Y3v6LLbtbHpAhkKdnYqi37Hzrb1LE3Ak7CJKYx_T55BsgH4rOfcO_qk9kPsn8XqFWa7U-aY0GhG9ReXGG4vV_HY-Qi/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+079.JPG" /> Uncle Chris and Aunt Treva came to visit you over Labor Day Weekend
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaXo1vGC8A1Nv9anXnrIS4Fn39md56S3tt3n73ChZeFCC4z6c6L3kgVkv3SSuyAtGtBFi-A04QK0ncQWMoX_O_nufj4pn7TvSMERuL7QHCkWCOcc7eZPzd2OUDTLqVHvQ6CqkPh6WnvQm/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665970674083654706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaXo1vGC8A1Nv9anXnrIS4Fn39md56S3tt3n73ChZeFCC4z6c6L3kgVkv3SSuyAtGtBFi-A04QK0ncQWMoX_O_nufj4pn7TvSMERuL7QHCkWCOcc7eZPzd2OUDTLqVHvQ6CqkPh6WnvQm/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+073.JPG" /></a> Mimi came too and covered you in kisses!
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rJuTk0XFiDN6Et00ZVxwxm5FYW2ZyeaW8YF5nNmmis0n1yHe3EJ7mSsq2DBqZ4UhyphenhyphenjsE9ou4MKAdI1aThsuX0Nzfs3EpCHDDFvb2ggKrIaojyqTc1D31fEOL8JRA-iFvoKh-T_ezRTMI/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665969831800223122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rJuTk0XFiDN6Et00ZVxwxm5FYW2ZyeaW8YF5nNmmis0n1yHe3EJ7mSsq2DBqZ4UhyphenhyphenjsE9ou4MKAdI1aThsuX0Nzfs3EpCHDDFvb2ggKrIaojyqTc1D31fEOL8JRA-iFvoKh-T_ezRTMI/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+043.JPG" /></a> Logan, McKenzie and Lucas all wanted to hold you
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHT0R-jj3Q6qbW7-4VtdFTzVBLbaaTLxWLCouzw-vbOee9FACikfeKVAWfB93pQ4j1Yg5NXy2OcAW3sByxll39fWNol3sfmFOuXWppj8tzEFENNiJRmnAgEAvHD3E5Khs4-boVnNZJRx9/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+168.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665973490519993986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHT0R-jj3Q6qbW7-4VtdFTzVBLbaaTLxWLCouzw-vbOee9FACikfeKVAWfB93pQ4j1Yg5NXy2OcAW3sByxll39fWNol3sfmFOuXWppj8tzEFENNiJRmnAgEAvHD3E5Khs4-boVnNZJRx9/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+168.JPG" /></a> You and your handsome daddy after church at the Garden Brunch Cafe
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorw05nI6ghFSenZ1r9HNcHd3fQmPeTQAOYOF7aNpDlzbpT63_8TKTamrdt-GqPpgPWnQfuAksYolpbvIxSi6ZdstwMoCP0O6XoGGnk8Y-XSX7zkthF4O07Da382GYN7Dr79_NtZRujF7Z/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+215.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665972771437671954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorw05nI6ghFSenZ1r9HNcHd3fQmPeTQAOYOF7aNpDlzbpT63_8TKTamrdt-GqPpgPWnQfuAksYolpbvIxSi6ZdstwMoCP0O6XoGGnk8Y-XSX7zkthF4O07Da382GYN7Dr79_NtZRujF7Z/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+215.JPG" /></a>Cousin Audrey holding you for the first time
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE8TcSGu94zHGr0fgMbe6bKBu0LiAmMIaN3BfTwy7l2SxUWPF1ZW7vvrVrundhhZ6siRUUtMnLN-B4kAYFQ1W7bw2ILBJurtLrWe1nWkGfLx3skMhRlVxwmzmw4tVW_UYyxSFiw7Ie8un/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+209.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665972766243496370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzE8TcSGu94zHGr0fgMbe6bKBu0LiAmMIaN3BfTwy7l2SxUWPF1ZW7vvrVrundhhZ6siRUUtMnLN-B4kAYFQ1W7bw2ILBJurtLrWe1nWkGfLx3skMhRlVxwmzmw4tVW_UYyxSFiw7Ie8un/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+209.JPG" /></a>Granddad was a big fan of your gameday outfit
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8sZwDsO3ONQIMcK9AuHzYLWO6jirnZx4O-RNaV0Qyhy1F15-uJQtGtV0HMx8enITuOwAlLndUXQsPHSkuH9vKAG5ZR5_LsoJ4LISuG1efnErmdP4NS3aC5ftKUt2EkyXvoTxBu2CGwLN/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+212.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665972066138045842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8sZwDsO3ONQIMcK9AuHzYLWO6jirnZx4O-RNaV0Qyhy1F15-uJQtGtV0HMx8enITuOwAlLndUXQsPHSkuH9vKAG5ZR5_LsoJ4LISuG1efnErmdP4NS3aC5ftKUt2EkyXvoTxBu2CGwLN/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+212.JPG" /></a> Perfectly at ease with your namesake, Aunt Margaret
<br />
<br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWE_gJYDbyb3a3tO5t1nZkIKRvi5jQ_NnI04GuXxZWn9OTSfkMjNmGWDeEUtgUjAyCw_-rad8eSCRYnXQBwCnJA2kY_s_wRWcbH9Ss0Y-K7GLWStxIvmHf4DKhVX2NmIsAn70pw2zxKV7/s1600/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+205.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665972062086420626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWE_gJYDbyb3a3tO5t1nZkIKRvi5jQ_NnI04GuXxZWn9OTSfkMjNmGWDeEUtgUjAyCw_-rad8eSCRYnXQBwCnJA2kY_s_wRWcbH9Ss0Y-K7GLWStxIvmHf4DKhVX2NmIsAn70pw2zxKV7/s400/Maggie+-+up+to+2+months+205.JPG" /></a> Your first time meeting your Uncle Andrew
<br />
<br />Sweetest Moment: Without a doubt, that first ear-to-ear smile. I will do just about anything I can to get it out of you because it absolutely melts me. And thankfully, you love to give it! Sometimes, I'll even get a coo or a giggle to go along with it - I think it's your way of saying you love me too. :)
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw7E3kCZeydPQBrwn6llymBU5QE2e9cep17Z28KlwxcNv8k10zaU6eba5SQC1Al7nO6gXQDTJogdzwKCXtqkYulkZnCRO06EWCDw6J24sN0cJseKe7h6JLPqKJRkyrIi_vCq-73KlQTre/s1600/Maggie%2527s+1st+smile.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw7E3kCZeydPQBrwn6llymBU5QE2e9cep17Z28KlwxcNv8k10zaU6eba5SQC1Al7nO6gXQDTJogdzwKCXtqkYulkZnCRO06EWCDw6J24sN0cJseKe7h6JLPqKJRkyrIi_vCq-73KlQTre/s400/Maggie%2527s+1st+smile.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667453625017607874" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>Here's a sneak peek of the next post - Maggie's first photo shoot!
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya-xr3fiPz_n-beKy7IdC0nA0Mad40G5Y5Zj-qvBLOIcdaXCmC-pUyuMd4zPKLDX936xJqbB-gBoUeOpgqUxnemVkZCeLBe3boEeAWVuS_Dyhm_3sBd7Zr-s3H-ehY-Q1WUdeXiYd-Qq8/s1600/IMG_9586.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665976486268149762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya-xr3fiPz_n-beKy7IdC0nA0Mad40G5Y5Zj-qvBLOIcdaXCmC-pUyuMd4zPKLDX936xJqbB-gBoUeOpgqUxnemVkZCeLBe3boEeAWVuS_Dyhm_3sBd7Zr-s3H-ehY-Q1WUdeXiYd-Qq8/s400/IMG_9586.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />And after that, I've got to do a recap of her labor and delivery story. I must get it down before I forget the details! Let's just say that it was not according to plan (as in no time for an epidural), but worked out absolutely perfectly. From moment one, Maggie has been full of surprises!
<br />A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-63159077592847809502011-09-21T13:40:00.004-05:002011-09-21T14:17:00.643-05:00Maggie's Monthly Milestones: Month 1In an attempt to remember all these precious "firsts" of Maggie's life, I decided to start a monthly installment called "Maggie's Monthly Milestones." I do love good alliteration. :)<br /><br />Maggie, at one month old, here you are!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZM6PV5MwtWjAYEXTV7sv1Fl12NfHCnKDUbYr9apcqzGH7OYICPoTcM-NYyaxlMpkPi2kT0pdpspLq5RXKwGwzB0i0EGHc6ilY5X0_X9rqU36hyphenhyphenXUdcQgL0efmrQoGAN6a_4pF4hJGnE3/s1600/Maggie+-+1+month.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZM6PV5MwtWjAYEXTV7sv1Fl12NfHCnKDUbYr9apcqzGH7OYICPoTcM-NYyaxlMpkPi2kT0pdpspLq5RXKwGwzB0i0EGHc6ilY5X0_X9rqU36hyphenhyphenXUdcQgL0efmrQoGAN6a_4pF4hJGnE3/s400/Maggie+-+1+month.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654892870637131794" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 8.1<br /><br /><strong>Height:</strong> 21 inches<br /><br /><strong>Clothes:</strong> Newborn (you probably could have worn preemie those first few weeks though)<br /><br /><strong>Eye color:</strong> A beautiful dark blue<br /><br /><strong>Doctor's orders:</strong> At your two week check-up, doc said you were doing great! He told us to keep up the feed every three hours routine, and then let you go at night. Made our day to hear that, since you have proven you are quite the little sleeper. (You take after your mom like that).<br /><br /><strong>Biggest accomplishment:</strong> Sleeping for a 6 hour stretch. Could you please keep that up?<br /><br /><strong>Funniest moment:</strong> On our way to a pediatrician appointment, you had quite a blowout that your lucky Daddy got to change, since Mom was getting ready. Upon coming into the nursery to see if we were ready to go, I see a stack of diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, and a very overwhelmed look on Dad's face as he said "I don't think you understand what just happened here." You had a very pleased look on your face - I think you were pretty proud of your first BIG poopy diaper! <br /><br /><strong>How we spend our day:</strong> Since we are breastfeeding (and loving it now that we have the hang of it), we start the day with a nursing session in bed, while Mom watches the Today Show when she's not watching your little jaws work. After Mom's cup of coffee (welcome back, beloved java), we go for a midmorning walk in your stroller, since you seem to love to be outside and in anything that moves, though you typically sleep the entire time. We really took advantage of the beautiful weather, and the exercise combined with breastfeeding helped Mom get back to her pre-pregnancy weight pretty quickly. Once we're back home, we nurse again, then you're usually back to sleep for an afternoon nap on the sofa (surrounded by your boppy) while Mom tries to get things done around the house, though I usually just want to stare at you! Once Dad gets home from work, he gets his Maggie time by giving you a bottle of breast milk and taking over diaper duty. You usually go back to sleep while we eat dinner, and then nurse twice more before bedtime. Bedtime varies from day to day - it could be midnight or it could be 2 a.m., but you do love sleeping in your pack and play in our room, and have been sleeping there since your first night home. Mom has the camera set up in the bedroom so she can look at you on the monitor at anytime - and does so often through the night to be sure you're still there! <br /><br /><strong>Likes:</strong> Being swaddled, being read to at bedtime, being held by all your visitors, short sleeved onesies or your Baptist t-shirts (they are the easiest for changing), going for rides in your carseat or your stroller, and taking a nap in your swing! <br /><br /><strong>Dislikes:</strong> Bathtime, though you seem to be warming up to it, slowly but surely. Being woken up, having your diaper changed, and being put on your tummy for tummy time. <br /><br /><strong>Trips You've Taken: </strong> We've made you quite the foodie! You've been to Taco Mamacita for lunch, Germantown Cafe for Sunday brunch, and Jimmy Kelly's for dinner during Restaurant Week. Also, two trips to the pediatrician, one trip to the grocery store, and two trips to Target! <br /><br /><strong>Sweetest Memory:</strong> Seeing you smile in your sleep. It absolutely melts Mommy's heart. I can't wait until you actually smile AT us! <br /><br />Until next month, my love. Thank you for making this the best month of my life!A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-74503665443475143312011-09-16T00:26:00.017-05:002011-09-21T13:33:36.470-05:00Introducing...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLciSmmlFo5D3jR8-8C_oCJ4x-6ovmp73soCZzu30JqWtN5TXFpZg1id_6VRvKBzUCLGJ5gGrkgJQGolVet5YCwjXnhPi4FUt8X17iG_OJFYBQHOyP1AGwFdVXBkfZV5hgAzOuIDCn-wx8/s1600/Maggie+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652834791563516034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLciSmmlFo5D3jR8-8C_oCJ4x-6ovmp73soCZzu30JqWtN5TXFpZg1id_6VRvKBzUCLGJ5gGrkgJQGolVet5YCwjXnhPi4FUt8X17iG_OJFYBQHOyP1AGwFdVXBkfZV5hgAzOuIDCn-wx8/s400/Maggie+2.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Miss Margaret Mae "Maggie" Turman!<br /></span><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652828286799941378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyDLHLFxrcNR0F0yUcpNq35LRZruM_USCqYDvyTSaGVLXvpT84yEKX6BFsIDU81eLWP8Mbwo8dPGiKK3n6uY2iDPnF2valAud8t1AQo-K2QLs14MDAfL-fgnzRWHwCMExa0P5ONzEf5zV/s400/Maggie1.JPG" /><br />She arrived on August 16, 2011, weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz. and 19.5 inches long. I had quite the labor story, with an unexpectedly natural labor (no epidural!) that took only 2.5 hours, from my water breaking at 11:45 p.m., arriving at the hospital at 1:15 a.m., and hearing her first cry when she came into the world at 2:20 a.m. Best moment of my life.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652831240242045938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwACXGUgcuSCNxIPMa7PS9Y7xT6U3hofahq81mB3Mm1WvuzfNFHww5EQGCj3wHUSLqYh560tnsigj8m3UutVQLd97eK0x9rtR0N2m1VzHqGRHxFm5IUcBkffcuywfYQjHjQUAFaIwds8M/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+003.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Her proud daddy is completely smitten. :)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652826328819170658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IXBaL8LD9EVcf61vetT6nEQvawKD9aV0tx5MGpFpe6tLrMk_jnGR2fpH1MzoolOJIsdrC7l3QKvSKcZbApfNBJbB1O7fqq6ZIzWu1UyVe7MGv0PBHi6ED1pSQi8uqgyOUELGya27PWfh/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+046.JPG" />10 tiny fingers, 10 tiny toes!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652832564488243570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaCnBCVDzpQ9dAffqSvtSbfiko-my6hRLYkIf_JzJc7WCOkJTGIyX6cClgarRvF_JLxOs_lktgleyNXcAJb0dfGfNLJ0Y27X3kvqOuBIIs7Cqsapv5gS4wGgTlteeCMszXS2Yb6RdP9eh/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+005.JPG" />Angel. Baby.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652827725325549682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUaamznJjvo-E46v08O6C7clj-ovSMJGxc3R4dlmk48sEgzNCX-OYJoVnRW4rqFV3jbBjXjUGVpO05wgoRypzOOs4bTz554PXHqqOlde97XrqwQeL9_gtM67lMOplhAINg-v3ata0G4gB/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+061.JPG" />Modeling her hospital door sign, lovingly made by an Etsy vendor right here in Nashville and announcing her name, which we had kept a secret. It was quite the hit with our nurses!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652826312017367170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcAghHhwQ3dDmuEBs2RSf8NtrT7Wpuvdzn4JMx9gyHqHNVegPxh7Fr4Zy0yH8DhSCdySlRIYUZbmtWB2iDJ0l2vsJGPhEzEbOihqVmgk6wgR6s1y1aj5Ld-caOqxZy0eoHBbkBD9KdXIH/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+050.JPG" />Our second morning together, in one of the rare moments I took my eyes off of her.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdhnnUqJEPEY1PdXG2BQ0hRVBNVQiXOcinw40bxiYqVSW-ktm1l3EH764lcfKb-DMtlhtOUlAZRIDcRCWURqRtsQ6h2QlYvNVaVBgHBhANaJhZVwNsHu2knprb82cUdAc1zFlVqDRkt2c/s1600/Maggie+Mae+Turman+072.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652938059191538818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdhnnUqJEPEY1PdXG2BQ0hRVBNVQiXOcinw40bxiYqVSW-ktm1l3EH764lcfKb-DMtlhtOUlAZRIDcRCWURqRtsQ6h2QlYvNVaVBgHBhANaJhZVwNsHu2knprb82cUdAc1zFlVqDRkt2c/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+072.JPG" /></a> Heading home from the hospital! Daddy has never driven more carefully in all his life.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhsaxadGymWn_dUvQuc_tYY93eVKU_YnWMIgt-1ccdWWqby1WljHOz0EQrOUmXGsrwfS5inZ4_nimE4IVQFWl8YEPV4-IzKdfJncwJ4jnaFtZG7L48cyKUduET34A3TMEnQG2RsJyMpiR/s1600/Maggie+Mae+Turman+070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652827736111502178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhsaxadGymWn_dUvQuc_tYY93eVKU_YnWMIgt-1ccdWWqby1WljHOz0EQrOUmXGsrwfS5inZ4_nimE4IVQFWl8YEPV4-IzKdfJncwJ4jnaFtZG7L48cyKUduET34A3TMEnQG2RsJyMpiR/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+070.JPG" /></a> As IF I could sit anywhere but right beside her.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652831257573867506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbhlJgHRKbMglaHCG3uCn_XzoGBYHIkN1XGYikBXrSF5vMJ-Qbni6bPLdxOw-Q-wamrtXBUTefg8-ECaFs8TxdO7v2V1eHVRC854U9qddgaA0SguorMBLeu1LPvVf7XJXTEOCm0lT_GwN/s400/Maggie+Mae+Turman+074.JPG" /> I had to be able to look at this adorable little face the whole way home. :)<br /><br /><br />My Maggie,<br /><br />Since the moment we met you one month ago today, we have fallen so in love with you. It is absolutely, without a doubt, the purest love I have ever known. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of heaven by showing us how beautiful life can be. You are such a good baby, and have inherited my ability to sleep just about anywhere! You love your carseat, your swing, and your walks in your stroller, and can sleep in all three with ease. You also love the bassinet in your pack-and-play, and thankfully, have slept there every night since you were born. We learned early on the swaddle is a game-changer, and have mastered the art of rolling you like a burrito to help you sleep soundly, though you've already started trying to bust those arms out.<br /><br />You are completely at ease being held by all of your admirers, from our families who came to see you that first day in the hospital, to our friends who have steadily visited (and brought lots of lifesaving delicious dinners) in the weeks since you came home. We've passed you around like a hot potato, and love seeing how content you are in everyone's arms. You always seem to fit best in mine though. :)<br /><br />You're quite the foodie, having visited three of our favorite restaurants in your first month - Taco Mamacita for lunch, Germantown Cafe for Sunday Brunch, and Jimmy Kelly's for a fabulous dinner during Restaurant Week - and slept through each with complete and total ease. You weighed 7 pounds, 5 oz at your last checkup with the pediatrician, so you've gotten back up to your birth weight after getting down to 5 lbs, 14 oz, and then some! You love to eat and can get fussy if you don't get fed exactly when you're ready for it, but who doesn't get ornery when they're hungry? You seem to equally enjoy nursing from me and taking a bottle of breast milk from Daddy when he gets home from work, so we hope to keep up that routine as long as you'll let us. Your Daddy took two whole weeks off from work to be with you, which went by in a blur. We didn't know what date it was, but we sure loved laughing over every funny face you made, and capturing everything on camera we could!<br /><br />You have your daddy's long fingers and toes, and your mom's microscopic toenails. Though it's still hard for us to tell who you favor, your Dad thinks you have my lips, and I think you have his pretty eyes. You have our olive complexion and dark hair, and are starting to rock a pretty solid mullet with more hair in the back than on top! I have lots of pretty bows ready and waiting for you, but we'll have to wait until you get a little more hair first. </p><br /><p align="left">All the sleepless nights, diaper blowouts, and marathon nursing sessions are so very worth seeing your sweet face when we wake up each morning. We are overwhelmed with gratitude and awe that we get to be your parents, and we love you more than you will ever know.<br /><br />Happy One Month, sweet Maggie. May the months go by slowly so we can savor every moment!<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 334px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652831222308789010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcgL7rLW26f2IKkBe7RjGqXjV91IXR0opRf8Wr28iAR7OoApEfjXLaqGOdqbqtnqayA9aTKffaUKhH6cElLMsvrhUGEyJ-j9OmTCiRLvYpYdB9y7LR7RvC37spl88wy8ExKb07hxfaK_j/s400/First+Family+Photo.JPG" />A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-24278028332487162062011-08-06T16:59:00.011-05:002011-08-06T18:29:30.778-05:0037 Week Bumpdate - We're Full Term, Baby!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbop2NHjxD2UeLLLCQWobgL3F6VXhLZVdvUZkXDYqEnOZrrwyduNWPRoaMyd2KLncegG_FWjy6V9X54d9Sq0QByVQk6r4rABUPNAQP97BB0B8eQ65EPDTFIMc3uLEDgcZ_Aj25oK1hqPhx/s1600/36+weeks+full+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637866685737110802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbop2NHjxD2UeLLLCQWobgL3F6VXhLZVdvUZkXDYqEnOZrrwyduNWPRoaMyd2KLncegG_FWjy6V9X54d9Sq0QByVQk6r4rABUPNAQP97BB0B8eQ65EPDTFIMc3uLEDgcZ_Aj25oK1hqPhx/s400/36+weeks+full+2.JPG" /></a> Photo taken at 36 weeks, but I'm actually 37 weeks tomorrow! </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0gWBCm881V15uT78oa6DB-ntuRUwDxYG90xMFSan5L0NzBjgqbquWipmTPB72eJ4vR2wFsjalInSakkyl5xNFizix4CgKyonjkjvHsNwiT9CAGfM0w_Nc424L5X_xG-8GH9r6by-bzoM/s1600/36+weeks+side.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637866517210481682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0gWBCm881V15uT78oa6DB-ntuRUwDxYG90xMFSan5L0NzBjgqbquWipmTPB72eJ4vR2wFsjalInSakkyl5xNFizix4CgKyonjkjvHsNwiT9CAGfM0w_Nc424L5X_xG-8GH9r6by-bzoM/s400/36+weeks+side.JPG" /></a> So here we are at 37 weeks, folks. It's pretty surreal to be sitting here on the sofa typing this post on a lazy Saturday afternoon, knowing Mr. T is in the nursery putting a surprise finishing touch on the nursery, feeling yet another Braxton-Hicks contraction, then looking down and see this little lump move across my big, bodacious belly, knowing we are three weeks and counting from meeting our little girl. Who as you can tell from the picture, is very clearly running out of room in the womb. I can now tell which lumps are her feet (always kicking me on my right side), and which one is her cute little bottom (just to the left of my belly button). At my doctor's appointment last Friday, the doctor confirmed she is still head down, my cervix has softened, and I'm about 70% effaced. WHOA. That means it's almost showtime. And whereas a week ago I was freaking out about that, all of a sudden in the past week I have become so, so ready. I'll let the bumpdate below explain why:<br /><br /><strong>Symptoms: </strong>Hmmm, which one to choose? Sadly, the pregnancy insomnia is back with a bang. Four times this past week I've woken up around 3 a.m. to use the bathroom, all to come back to bed and toss and turn for two hours straight. Sometimes it's because I can't get comfortable, sometimes it's because she's keeping me company with an acrobatic act, and sometimes it's because I'm thinking of all of the things I still need to take care of before that fateful moment when I say, "it's time." I'll think of things I need to pack, wash, organize or do, and then I have to fight the urge to get up and do them right then so I won't forget. Because that's the other big thing I've noticed lately - I'm forgetting LOTS these days. I actually read today that your brain cells do actually decrease in the third trimester, and lemme just tell you, I am living proof. I literally panicked the other day and couldn't remember if I had written a thank you note to a dear friend. Turns out I hadn't...for a gift she had gotten us two months ago. Awesome. Thankfully, she totally understood my forgetfulness, but now I have learned my lesson and am tracking those thank you's more than ever!<br /><br /><br /><strong>Weight Gain: </strong>So they say there are early gainers and late gainers in pregnancy. Clearly, I am the latter. I was feeling semi-proud of myself for keeping things in check up until about 34 weeks and then WHAM! I started packing the pounds on like nobody's business. According to my trusty books, the baby went through a growth spurt a few weeks ago and gained a 1/2 pound per week, which also seemed to showed up on me! I went from being able to still wear some of my more forgiving regular clothes and bottoms with my belly band to literally wearing nothing but maxi dresses and maternity jeans or pants. Thank goodness it is summertime and sundresses and flip flops are expected. Because that is about all I can rock these days. I'm up to about 20 pounds, with three more weeks to go. We were able to get an ultrasond and see that Baby T is measuring almost 6 pounds a week ago, so we have both gone through a growth spurt. Within the last week, I've had some pretty significant swelling in my hands and feet, so much so that I'm down to about two pairs of shoes I can comfortably wear. Bye bye, fun high heels, hello flats. Which becomes barefoot the minute I get home from work. Poor tootsies.<br /><br /><br /><strong>What's different:</strong> Um, everything. I have truly loved every minute of being pregnant up until about two weeks ago. Long story short, we had a little scare that sent us on an unexpected trip to the hospital. We went on a little "last time for just the two of us trip" over the weekend and I started feeling pretty crummy pretty much the minute we left. (Sidenote: we have decided we are cursed on trips - I was sick the first three days of our honeymoon, sick the entire week of our one year anniversary because I was six weeks pregnant, and sick on our babymoon. What gives?) After calling the doctor on call after things kept getting worse, she thought we should get up early on Sunday and come into the hospital. I could really tell the baby had been less aftive when we were driving back, and once we were admitted, I asked them to check her on the fetal monitor. Five minutes and several alarmed looks later, they rushed me to Labor and Delivery, finally telling me that the baby's heart rate was 205 - scary high. Turns out that I was dehydrated and had an infection, and she was simply mimicing my symptoms, bless her heart. Talk about scary - we went from the doctor telling us we might need to do a c-section that night to getting her moving and her heart rate back in the normal range in about two hours flat. The positive that came from all of that was that we got a trial run of what to expect at the hospital (the staff was amazing, which was such a comfort) and also a lesson in how we are so not in control of any of this. It made us realize how lucky we've been throughout this whole pregnancy, and how her health, and mine, has been such a blessing. I think we needed that reminder.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Cravings:</strong> The other night while getting ready to watch the way-overrated Bachelorette finale, I absolutely, positively had to have a brownie. Brownie a la mode, actually. But I didn't want to bake a full pan for fear I would be tempted to devour the whole thing, so on an impulse, I ordered a Chocolate Thunder From Down Under from Outback. Mr. T picked it up and when he showed up with it, I devoured it in about five minutes flat. It wasn't pretty, but it was sooooooo worth it. And the baby kicked in delight for a good thirty minutes afterward. I think she likes sweets too.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Aversions:</strong> None!<br /><br /><br /><p><strong>Sleep</strong>: Not the greatest. But trying to enjoy it as much as I can, while I can! </p><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>I am loving</strong>: Sitting in the nursery and rocking in my chair. Listening to her dad read Dr. Seuss books to her at bedtime. Having the hospital bags packed and knowing we're ready when it's time to go. Sterilizing her sweet little pacis and washing her tiny little clothes. The smell of Dreft. Looking in my rearview mirror and seeing her carseat. Opening her closet and staring at her adorable clothes for the 100th time. And more than anything, knowing I will meet her soon. </p><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>I really miss:</strong> Sleeping on my stomach. Like, for real. That is going to feel like heaven in a few weeks. When I do get to actually sleep...<br /><br /><br /><strong>I am looking forward to</strong>: Meeting her, seeing her face for the first time, and telling her in person how much I love her, rather than having her hear it through the gurgle of my stomach. Plain and simple. </p><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>I'm spazzing about:</strong> The crazy, unbelievable, amazing thing my body is about to do. In one way, I'm totally in awe of all that is happening even now to prepare me for birthing this baby. And in another, I keep thinking "how in the world am I going to do this?" Is that normal?<br /><br /><br /><strong>Movement:</strong> Every day! We confirmed she is head down, and like I mentioned earlier, I can tell where all her little limbs are now. Sometime when I touch her foot, she moves it in response. I think she's ticklish. :)</p><br /><br /><br /><p><strong>Milestone: </strong>Baby T is now 19-22 inches long and weighs about 6.5 pounds. She's busy making last-minute preparations for life in the real world by simulating breathing by inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, sucking on her thumb, blinking and pivoting from side to side (though I can tell she has a favorite position). We are officially full term, and would gladly welcome her any day now, but my doctor seems to think I'm tracking right on time for my 8/28 due date. Wow, next time I post, I could be a mom!!! </p>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-46284056046718420772011-07-20T09:08:00.008-05:002011-07-20T09:27:08.489-05:00Party InspirationWell I satisfied my craving for a chocolate dip cone last night, but whether it was the hot, humid weather we walked in to get said treat or the fact that the ice cream cone immediately went to my fingers, my ring finger was so swollen that I couldn't get my wedding rings off and proceeded to have a minor meltdown when we got home. And by minor meltdown I mean a total come-apart. I slathered cocoa butter on that baby and followed Mr. T's suggestion to put ice on it, but it took both of us to get them off. So I will be sporting my faux ring from now on, because the thought of having my rings sawed off makes me want to cry big fat crocodile tears. No thanks.<br /><br />On a happier note, I came across the most adorable idea for a <a href="http://http//www.laylagrayce.com/blog/2011/06/30/celebrate-with-kate-baby-landers-gender-reveal-party/">gender reveal party </a>the other day, which I thought I would share. I've always been a bit skeptical of these parties, especially with the idea of throwing one myself, but this one truly is the cutest thing I have ever seen. They did a duckling theme, and my favorite part is use of a fun gender-neutral yellow in the paper goods and most definitely the "Waddle It Be?" on the invite. Just check out this eye candy...(click photos to enlarge or view on <a href="http://www.laylagrayce.com/blog/2011/06/30/celebrate-with-kate-baby-landers-gender-reveal-party/">blog</a>).<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 174px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631438359308652594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWHMr6WpUF9a8VQ_ApgZ0cmo87uJWozUOZB3cPSWSHJALN3kFo1oMLNVs7X_P6Z3Fgbtv8LSwY0XuBIkkQgom6b0o-0o77ezSw7WmL30i7IAXrgKtpffG_AAJUUzYqOcrBu8H1OQMfxQM/s400/gender+party.bmp" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtx31s8OIeEpuG6i7l5wqrw9PTmfITKC_oP1Vm09Gp_rG3hT-ATYBaqV2NsgVkj_2MPUAUIYzzWmHJVLx1u3keUtghtR9woWPRK_Wyu-dtcK2sFdsYUASViSjSIPSlUAALbRn-UHFVzW7w/s1600/gender+party+4.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631438365265422018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtx31s8OIeEpuG6i7l5wqrw9PTmfITKC_oP1Vm09Gp_rG3hT-ATYBaqV2NsgVkj_2MPUAUIYzzWmHJVLx1u3keUtghtR9woWPRK_Wyu-dtcK2sFdsYUASViSjSIPSlUAALbRn-UHFVzW7w/s400/gender+party+4.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIboUnGNgF2s0AKi4d9nDDw168KKeDUuhgU783ZCAKEU5ijMNolXdyvFNaCbWIYoBw9WR1Uedkcxw1-K8hZTBSp7ZUi-K_MjUgoxhjmh84i7hf9WcGYNHZuhnNjBBkoZ6blDIp-q_yfBX9/s1600/gender+party+3.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631438364689255922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIboUnGNgF2s0AKi4d9nDDw168KKeDUuhgU783ZCAKEU5ijMNolXdyvFNaCbWIYoBw9WR1Uedkcxw1-K8hZTBSp7ZUi-K_MjUgoxhjmh84i7hf9WcGYNHZuhnNjBBkoZ6blDIp-q_yfBX9/s400/gender+party+3.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxJ0zh3CIqiwN4v8dAY4UbiMSEtUd0JVnlUVGvjJBlo78tPpsifaLDv1wNfK7FROw7fSeqb39KWiGGAndHccu6LHFdTKw17iLTCwCXDi-M6xBcxGDkkdn_Alsr7oZ3eNKwYI6KQ1i8P0s/s1600/gender+party+2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 182px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631438361169629730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxJ0zh3CIqiwN4v8dAY4UbiMSEtUd0JVnlUVGvjJBlo78tPpsifaLDv1wNfK7FROw7fSeqb39KWiGGAndHccu6LHFdTKw17iLTCwCXDi-M6xBcxGDkkdn_Alsr7oZ3eNKwYI6KQ1i8P0s/s400/gender+party+2.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWHMr6WpUF9a8VQ_ApgZ0cmo87uJWozUOZB3cPSWSHJALN3kFo1oMLNVs7X_P6Z3Fgbtv8LSwY0XuBIkkQgom6b0o-0o77ezSw7WmL30i7IAXrgKtpffG_AAJUUzYqOcrBu8H1OQMfxQM/s1600/gender+party.bmp"></a></div></div><br /><br />Is that not adorable or what? <br /><br />As for us, we elected to call our families the nano-second we got in the car after leaving the doctor's office at our 16 week appointment because we were bursting at the seams, and pretty much had our baby girl's name picked out within two days. And though we are keeping it a secret from friends (which has driven everyone crazy but everyone with kids tells us is a fabulous idea), we call her by name every single day. And might I say, from the first time we said it out loud, we knew it was absolutely perfect. (And don't worry, as a girl from the south, I do have a few things monogrammed with her name that are ready for her arrival). <br />5 weeks and counting, y'all!A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-44516595791046262312011-07-18T16:35:00.007-05:002014-03-27T14:11:49.522-05:00Ode to Ice Cream<br />
<em>Ode to Ice Cream</em> by A Bride in Boots<br />
<br />
I could eat it every day<br />
And while I'm pregnant, I just may<br />
<br />
Cold and creamy, it's such a treat<br />
When I'm melting in this crazy heat<br />
<br />
Moose tracks and mint chocolate chip<br />
Or a dip cone from Bobby's Dairy Dip<br />
<br />
I'm not picky, I'll eat them all<br />
Until those glorious first days of fall!A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-6046673121301098312011-07-07T15:29:00.011-05:002011-07-12T13:49:35.315-05:00Just Call Me Big Bird (aka 32 week bumpdate)<div>I know what you're thinking..."bless her heart, she's blown up since that 28-week post!" And I would have to agree. According to the baby books, little miss is having a growth spurt, gaining almost a 1/2 pound a week now, and it's clearly showing up on her mother! I'm actually quite okay with it, until it came time to take our 32 week bumpdate picture and Mr. T started snapping away, only to have me demand about 10 re-do's because I was not a fan of any of them! I just kept thinking how much I look like Big Bird in this beloved Old Navy linen shirtdress. Why did no one tell me I needed to retire it? People, speak up! Save this mama some embarrassment! <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626710480441294050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOQZ0X6BBVM3hQkT0C_LGC8OgpRZMlWfRYkDYoujfaXNndinjlpWbNThzC3BOqlxAuWO8BQ2g-C0-m7i6J-X8xPHJlK3g9h8onlQIM-sShTc3j_TEEyJHmjgRjA6tHjrljCaQxqAx2a2n/s320/32+weeks+front.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626710492342628674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TzdBfX2EaWzGkGyZzjiskhFald-II7J_rdfnVCQm623pBO0h-8MVL-G74shOunqJyEtNr96dX3f-mWXXMcQ06yOYd2wVCZ0O3GxOjc5U7PPI28ikL-ss5fayu5MOYVIVxgMswvyYzvTr/s320/32+weeks+-+side.JPG" />Oh, that side profile really isn't flattering. Repeat to self: I am only posting these pictures for posterity. However, I do think it's funny that everytime we do these photos, the term "barefoot and pregnant" comes to mind. I do kind of love going barefoot whenever possible these days. My little piggies are not loving the stilettos like they used to! </div><br /><br /><p>So since I was flabbergasted at how large and in charge I looked in this photo, I thought I'd try a different outfit. Besides, I had ordered this dress from Piperlime (for $28!) and it arrived moments before our photo shoot began, so I figured I would see how it photographed. (Sidenote: remember when Alicia Silverstone's character did that for all her outfits on Clueless? I remember thinking as a 12 year old that I should soooooo do that.) Well, the outcome wasn't much better. Even though I went up a size thinking that would do the trick, I suppose this is evidence that I should just push the normal clothes to the back of the closet and resort to maternity wear only from now on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNWXEWgUYBiBVjXVr7Mf3XrRbvbnNVjQRb4vBFXn7Nrr1qAnFrfQBSHFOi0wN4XQWvizBh6OKag_Y8EAmhOM7yAkQGPm82ZM7XYCHs9kjVrXzBtv9jGKb4CRZfBikIy4-7cjleXgO_LqF/s1600/32+weeks+front+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626714551845627202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNWXEWgUYBiBVjXVr7Mf3XrRbvbnNVjQRb4vBFXn7Nrr1qAnFrfQBSHFOi0wN4XQWvizBh6OKag_Y8EAmhOM7yAkQGPm82ZM7XYCHs9kjVrXzBtv9jGKb4CRZfBikIy4-7cjleXgO_LqF/s320/32+weeks+front+2.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626710503979186946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3ZYv-X_HxzNwL-fiC6sNukEWVTaJaIlDkY8yUDLwyFRSqYHeSVkRADHfH_o5zSOVUL0oniwMjyrAMPiT0-mUBvHvGUeJL3MOF7Hiek35mmUTejM-4gfTId-NjZN8Nl2iMVGiWHGSsuJv/s320/32+weeks+side+2.JPG" /><br />Clearly not my best fashion moment. And yes, it was still wrinkled from being all packaged up. I would iron it...if I wasn't going to promptly return it - props on the free shipping and free return policy, by the way. Or maybe I'll keep it and wait to bust it out once I have my post-baby bod back. I mean, it was only $28...<br /><br />So enough with the photos. Lawd knows I nearly had a come-apart when we took them, so I certainly don't need to linger on them any longer. The funny thing is, I think I was just having a "fat day" that day. Probably because I had three people at work tell me I looked like I was hiding a basketball under my shirt (all on the same day, I might add, when all anyone had said up to that point was "you don't even look pregnant!"). I just try to remind myself it means that Baby Girl is growing, just like she should, and then I'm usually over it. Because truthfully, that's all I want is for her to be healthy. And if that means I'm a big mama, so be it. </p><br /><br /><p>With that behind us, let the bumpdate begin! </p><br /><br /><p><strong>Symptoms: </strong>Introducing the newest one: lower back pain. Boo. The pain tends to get worse when I sit still for long periods of time, so by the end of a day in the office, I feel like I have slept on a bunch of 2 x 4's. It got pretty uncomfortable at the U2 concert sitting on those hard metal bleachers for hours at a time. And let me also mention that these seats were two rows from the top of the stadium. Oy. I can't tell you how many sympathetic looks I got as we climbed those stairs. Also, Frequent Urination Fairy is hanging around. And she really annoys me. I'll feel like I'm about to literally wet my pants, only to relieve myself and have just a few drops. I'm always like, "seriously?"<br /><br /><strong>Weight Gain: </strong>At my 31 week appointment, I had gained 12 pounds (but more like 15 if you count what I lost in the beginning). Doc says I am right on track and baby is measuring perfectly. The above photos demonstrate it has definitely picked up in the last few weeks, so I must be a 3rd trimester gainer. I'm estimating 20-25 pounds or so by the time she arrives. I hope it's not much more than that or I will be as wide as I am tall! </p><br /><br /><p><strong>What's different:</strong> I can really tell my center of gravity is shifting as my belly grows, judging from the way I waddle when Mr. T and I take our after-work walks. It is actually getting pretty comical to watch me get around. I literally have to have him tie my shoes, pull me off the couch, and set me up in bed in the morning. But thankfully, since he <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7565562460958259155&postID=7588070964158309965">wore the empathy belly</a> at childbirth class, he understands just how hard these things can be! </p><br /><br /><p><strong>Cravings:</strong> Still the old faithful: ICE CREAM! Truly, I could eat it every. single. day. And I love a cold glass of skim milk before bed every night. Baby needs her calcium! </p><br /><br /><p><strong>Aversions:</strong> Nothing much comes to mind, but I do find myself getting full pretty fast when I sit down for a meal. Something that will be so good at first bite will make me feel like I'm literally about to pop after four or five bites. Weird.<br /><br /><strong>Sleep</strong>: I love looking back and seeing how much has changed in just a few weeks. Last time I said it is a "rare occasion" when I have to get up to relieve myself in the middle of the night. Well now it is a nightly occurrence! Thankfully, I don't have trouble falling back asleep, so I suppose it's Mother Nature's way of getting me primed for those early-morning feedings.<br /><strong><br />I am loving</strong>: Baby Showers! I've had two so far and they were an absolute blast! There is nothing like celebrating Baby T with sweet friends. A separate post with lots of pictures to come on that, but here's one of my favorites from our couples shower our dear friends, the Emils, threw for us. My baby daddy loves to feel my bump. We're headed to Virginia this weekend for a family baby shower that Mr. T's mom has put together. She combined it with a family reunion on the family farm, and I am so looking forward to it! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHEHxN1adoBCH83xZ_08j40JPNHvg-sJ9qhkDUlhe0aKU0oUVMbRM9gde_Bu8Evlt2zasa9v1LKitgIyuZonGMrh4GqPZ9-PpHuLN7nq6BluMOwLkmj3K4mZN2GqqnxV-5v1npq1Z12_G/s1600/038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626728284962721250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHEHxN1adoBCH83xZ_08j40JPNHvg-sJ9qhkDUlhe0aKU0oUVMbRM9gde_Bu8Evlt2zasa9v1LKitgIyuZonGMrh4GqPZ9-PpHuLN7nq6BluMOwLkmj3K4mZN2GqqnxV-5v1npq1Z12_G/s320/038.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong>I really miss:</strong> The beach. What I would give to hightail it down to the Gulf Coast for a few days of R&R. I see all these fun pics on Facebook of friends at the beach and I have major fits of jealousy. Oh and sushi. Lawd have mercy, I have been craving sushi like nobody's business! Oh and sleeping on my stomach. I feel like a roly poly going from side to side throughout the night!<br /><br /><strong>I am looking forward to</strong>: Really and truly finishing up the nursery. Just a few final things and we're ready for the unveiling. I adore it - it is truly my favorite room in the whole house.<br /><br /><strong>I'm spazzing about:</strong> Ummm, the fact the baby will be here in SEVEN WEEKS! The hubs reminded me we should think about packing our bag soon (he's a planner like me). I'm going to the doctor every two weeks now, and after this next visit, she'll start checking dilation. Whoa.<br /><br /><strong>Movement:</strong> All the time. And I absolutely can't get enough. She loves when Mr. T reads Dr. Seuss to her at night, and always gives him a little kick to let him know she liked story time.<br />She also has a favorite position she likes to burrow in, and it makes my stomach stick out on one side. We'll find out in a few weeks what her position is - I'm hoping she's head down!<br /><br /><strong>Milestone: </strong>Baby T is now 16.5 inches long and weighs 4.5 pounds. Fat stores are continuing to be deposited under her skin, plumping her up and making her look even more like a newborn. All her little bones are beginning to harden, except for those in her skull, which will remain pliable so she can make it through the birth canal. And she's the size of a honeydew melon! </p>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-66434934770285675352011-06-29T08:53:00.004-05:002011-06-29T09:01:47.806-05:00Even I Can Do This...<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE14nx9zGCtAI1qe5ylSXPs_g8hjYZ5Aqzq2QhY2XeY2x5-8BycGsttUczBXpdipHsNHlDuSaZmSnG1Gdth2YNb7m1n7JBhX13w3bVWMPjbRZEWrxzGNiJFFKfFy439-Odk23QcUWwiRO/s1600/strawberries2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623640017975127874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE14nx9zGCtAI1qe5ylSXPs_g8hjYZ5Aqzq2QhY2XeY2x5-8BycGsttUczBXpdipHsNHlDuSaZmSnG1Gdth2YNb7m1n7JBhX13w3bVWMPjbRZEWrxzGNiJFFKfFy439-Odk23QcUWwiRO/s320/strawberries2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Recipe </span><a href="http://blogs.babycenter.com/life_and_home/red-white-blue-stuffed-strawberries-so-easy/?scid=momspreg_20110628:2&pe=MlV6QUJlYXwyMDExMDYyOA.."><span style="font-size:85%;">here</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div align="left">Have I mentioned the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday? Because it is. The days are long, the food is yummy, and having Monday off is the thank-goodness-for-holidays cherry on top. </div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">We're headed to the U2 concert on Saturday so Baby T can jam out to some good tunes in utero. You'll find me under the shade wearing my most comfortable sundress drinking a liter of H20. And possibly eating this entire tray of strawberries I intend to make for our tailgate before the concert begins. Oh and P.S. the strawberries will be coming from the Farmer's Market and they will be local. I'm a strawberry snob that way. :)</div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Happy birthday, America! </div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-57012961778144373792011-06-27T16:03:00.004-05:002011-06-28T10:32:54.623-05:00A Few PromisesDear Little One,<br /><br />I promise to:<br /><br />Never forget when we first found out about you. The disbelief that turned to shock that turned to complete and total bliss once your dad finally made me realize those two pink lines were in fact, the real thing.<br /><br />Remember these moments in the late afternoon hours where all I can focus on are the movements you're making inside of me, and how each kick/hiccup/nudge is a reminder that your life truly is a miracle. <br /><br />Remain grateful, even on the days when I realize I have absolutely no idea what to do when you cry. Because a cry means you are healthy and your lungs are working. And that is something I will never take for granted. <br /><br />Hold that first day we saw you on the ultrasound screen deep in my heart. You were a tiny, beating being that we've watched grow bigger by the weeks. I love seeing your little arms up by your head, sleeping just like your dad and I do, and wondering what else you'll do that will take after us. <br /><br />Remember what it felt like to dream about what you would look like, who you will be, and how amazing it will feel to watch you dance and sing and play and think to myself, "that's my daughter." <br /><br />How we came to choose your name, and how perfect it sounded the first time we said it out loud. I think we've called you by name every day since, but only when it's just your dad and me. We love keeping it a secret from everyone else!<br /><br />Never get rid of that first onesie I bought you, the day I found out you were a girl. It was soft and pink and tiny, and what sold me was the guitar on the front, a testament to your Nashville roots. <br /><br />Foster your love for music by surrounding you with it any chance I get. I hope to always remember how much you like worship music, and how you get really active in church. I like to picture your little arms up in praise in there. <br /><br />Read to you as often as I can, because you seem to love it already. Your dad and I take turns reading Dr. Seuss out loud to you at bedtime, and you kick in response to our voices everytime. <br /><br />Remember how it felt to sit in your nursery, once I finally got the last piece of furniture in place. Even though it's tiny and you will soon outgrow it, just as we will soon outgrow our first home, it is my favorite room in the whole house. <br /><br />Never miss an opportunity to tell you I love you and how lucky I am to be your mother. I hope you'll share your hopes and your fears with me, call me in the middle of the night whenever you're feeling lonely and need to talk, and come to me when you find yourself in a hard place. I promise to always listen just like your best friend would. <br /><br />Tell you how beautiful you are anytime I think it. Which I know will be often, so I'll have to make sure and tell you when you're being a sasspot too, just to keep you grounded. <br /><br />Treasure the feeling of being about to burst with love for you. I can now say I completely understand the "mama bear" complex, and how I would do anything in this world to protect you.<br /><br />Cherish the sound of your laughter, knowing that even though we will have no idea what we're doing as parents, we must be doing something right. <br /><br />Dream about your arrival into the world until the day you decide to make your debut, and how kissing each of those ten tiny fingers will finally feel. <br /><br />More than anything, I promise to remember this feeling of gratitude, peacefulness, and deep, unconditional love for the fact that God saw fit to bring you into our lives at the perfect time. My cup runneth over that I could be so blessed. Only eight weeks until I meet you, baby girl. I know my life will never, ever be the same.A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-75880709641583099652011-06-20T10:47:00.008-05:002011-06-20T10:55:35.684-05:00First Father's DayHow did my husband celebrate his first Father's Day? With a 40 pound empathy belly strapped around him at childbirth class.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620330003752596626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eDGV698NFn2zi3ZtLzlyCiE6jHmNOysAZXr0-tZhF7rt67gDSKmoToFAzBWZw27tb60e9zKWB_MIdFi8NXQeHREb8jvR6PbSI7GychBhuTM0s2KoHX8mCL4UyGSkEEHBJEVYfESS4E6v/s320/Craig+belly.jpg" /><br /><br /><p>Don't think I didn't ask him to bend down and tie his shoes either. I wanted him to get the full effect of how difficult that task can be. </p><br /><br /><p>Truthfully, he was a great sport, and even learned how to diaper and swaddle (he even picked out a girl doll). But I had no doubts whatsoever about his fathering abilities, because he already melts my heart each time he leans over my belly and talks to our daughter. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt he'll be wonderful. And in 10 short weeks, I'll get to see him in action and fall in love all over again. </p><br /><br /><p>Happy 1st Father's Day, honey! Baby T and I love you something fierce. </p>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-68169252342918957232011-06-13T13:32:00.012-05:002011-06-13T16:36:39.631-05:0028 Week (Late) BumpdateSo I'm a tad bit behind on the ole bloggity blog, but only because we've been so busy preparing for Little One's arrival these past few weeks. Who knew how much stuff a tiny tot would need?<br /><br />Also attributing to my tardiness is the fact that I have been on the go! Since my last bumpdate, we've made trips to Tuscaloosa to see family, friends, and adorable friends' babies who are growing much too fast (I'm talking to you, Candice, Becca and Kristy!) and I was on the road last week for two work trips in Charlotte and Birmingham. And might I add, I'm a big fan of Charlotte. I think it's earned the #2 spot on places I could live someday. Behind Nashville of course. We all know it has always been and probably always will be my first love.<br /><br />It's crazy to even wrap my head around this, but I'm now at 29 weeks (whoa) so with 11 weeks remaining, it was crunch time to get that nursery in order, so let's just say that <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.etsy.com">Etsy</a> and I have become BFF's lately. Their handmade goodness is too perfect for words when it comes to all things baby, and I am realizing this child has turned me into a complete shopaholic schmuck because I can so easily justify that I really do need that monogrammed burp cloth/bib set/stroller blanket/artwork/you name it. I have just a <em>few</em> more things to add before I'm ready for the big reveal, but I promise it really and truly is coming soon. Pinky swear. But for now, I've been known to just mosey back to the nursery and sit in our new glider and read to our baby girl upon occasion, just because I love the room so much.<br /><br />I recently realized that I was behind on my bumpdates, so after a very full and super-fun weekend with my girlfriends/future aunties who came to Nashville to visit, Mr. T busted out the camera last night for our tardy 28 week photo session. Let's just pretend it's not a week late and Baby T will never know the difference.<br /><br /><strong>Behold the bump!<br /></strong><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617775731511341138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRChuIktM_ximUlby2Zq8L8TwW58vQrpd3V0RPaFRUgnWknIdKb1CWsucSNc3-K2rOMT-Hcxgmf8Kuzk3hav-Z-3jWVxmJYPdwsAWx5XVPBRj2vXerdVZfyB8xb9iOBRDZR3z3JYVWuC4/s320/021.JPG" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BMpA6zYeObAGG-I34u7u6GdLryaYawz5F73k6bAFOHRIBgo0XUcPFQ9QRot_utPvUVvvb7_mGkozTdYKV-qrGgjhH9fe5HS1W-cfcYbaVRDUVM_kr4lImYTu6yKWLHQPwsCPjPBqijf_/s1600/28+weeks+side+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617821039569528642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BMpA6zYeObAGG-I34u7u6GdLryaYawz5F73k6bAFOHRIBgo0XUcPFQ9QRot_utPvUVvvb7_mGkozTdYKV-qrGgjhH9fe5HS1W-cfcYbaVRDUVM_kr4lImYTu6yKWLHQPwsCPjPBqijf_/s320/28+weeks+side+3.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU22RoRBkMehnjdSfeFRpd0OxcqpMWiWr2f2E_0TgHi1ieybpoUvt6uDgdODzwvSxFJ1PAndSGRUmLbe0ALigF0aPZCHTbCV6hNgezwhHdCq7UuYrShBaOOoK0gTNvL7b3HQoR9TNLGqsS/s1600/28+weeks+front.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617821031107139026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU22RoRBkMehnjdSfeFRpd0OxcqpMWiWr2f2E_0TgHi1ieybpoUvt6uDgdODzwvSxFJ1PAndSGRUmLbe0ALigF0aPZCHTbCV6hNgezwhHdCq7UuYrShBaOOoK0gTNvL7b3HQoR9TNLGqsS/s320/28+weeks+front.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Symptoms:</strong> So the frequent urination fairy strikes again. And what's strange is that I'll feel like I'm literally about to wet my pants, and will hightail it to the bathroom when I get home from work even though I've just gone 10 minutes before that, and then when I finally get to relieve myself, I only have a few drops. Baby Girl must be resting right on top of my bladder.<br /><br /><strong>Weight Gain: </strong>At my 28 week appointment yesterday, I had gained another 3 pounds, for a grand total of 11 so far (after the little bit I lost the first trimester). I've heard people either gain on the front end or the back end, but I'm hoping for slow and steady. So far, so good. Though I'm feeling way more large and in charge than the scale shows, I assure you.<br /><br /><strong>What's different:</strong> We can actually make out different lumps in my belly that feel like a head here, a foot there, which are pretty much the coolest thing EVER. And the way she likes to lay is always the same, so that when I lay down, the left side of my belly is always a little higher. I like to think it's because she's going to be left-handed like me. :)<br /><br /><strong>Cravings: </strong>Not too many these days. Though I did get a hankering for spaghetti last night, so the hubs and I high-tailed it to Publix for the extra-lean ground beef I had to have in it. He mentioned making it without the meat and I looked at him like he was a four-eyed alien. As if! Still loving the occasional scoop of ice cream, though I'm partial to Pinkberry these days. Have you tried the new salted caramel flavor? Y'all...it will change your life.<br /><br /><strong>Aversions:</strong> None - I pretty much will eat anything that comes into my path! No, really.<br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Sleep</strong>: Still fabulous, thank the Lord. I've become a bit of an early riser on the weekends, but I actually don't mind it because it gives me an opportunity to take full advantage of the weekend. I occasionally have to get up to go in the middle of the night, but it's a rare occasion.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>I am loving</strong>: Hand-me-downs. My sweet friend Whitney, who has an adorable 7-month old named Sam, has become my fairy godmother with all the wonderful things she's passed down to me. We're talking maternity clothes, nursing bras (which are crazy expensive, by the way), bottles, pacis, a sterilizer, a swing, a Boppy, playmats, and gender-neutral onesies that are adorable. Baby T is such a lucky girl to have a future boyfriend like Sam who shares all of his happies. </div><br /><br /><div><strong>I really miss:</strong> My waistline. And a tan stomach. Especially when it comes time to put on my maternity swimsuit and head to the pool. Sigh. But the bikinis will return one day - at least I hope so!<br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong>I am looking forward to</strong>: Celebrating Father's Day this weekend by attending childbirth classes. How appropro for my baby daddy, right? I feel like the more I know, the less anxious I'll feel. Which is a good thing, because the faster this whole labor thing approaches, the more I think to myself, "Now how exactly is this baby getting out?"</div><br /><br /><div><strong>I'm spazzing about:</strong> I was having some hip pain that I asked my doc about at my visit last week. I thought it might be the sciatic nerve pain I've heard about, and I was right. I've tried to figure out what the culprit is, and I'm thinking it flares up after Mr. T and I go on one of our long neighborhood walks. So I've decided the elliptical is a better idea lately, and it seems to be working.<br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Movement:</strong> Every single day! And I love every single minute of it. I actually told Mr. T the other night I just might miss being pregnant, because those sweet little kicks and flutters keep me company all day long and I've gotten kind of sentimental about them. But now that I'm in the third trimester, I'm sure those feelings will begin to change and I'll just be ready to get this show on the road. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Milestone: </strong>Little One is now 15.5 inches long and almost 3 pounds. That just blows my mind. From here on out, her height growth will start to slow down and she'll just be packing on the pounds, doubling or even tripling her weight before she makes her arrival in a few short weeks. Speaking in produce terms, she's now the size of a cabbage. Though if you could see my belly right now, you would think she's more like a watermelon. Which reminds me, tell me again how I'm going to get her out? Gulp. </div></div></div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-73835720375707584202011-06-03T13:01:00.011-05:002011-06-06T09:51:51.729-05:00Anyone home?<div align="left">Hello? Is anyone out there? If you're reading this, you've received the invitation to follow my now-private blog. I must say, I'm feeling so very good about this decision to go under the radar, and feel much more comfortable now putting pictures out there of myself and of Baby T for people to see. I don't want just anyone laying eyes on my baby, you know. I know, I am such a mama hen. :)<br /><br />I just hope that none of you will regret signing up to come along for the journey, so I promise to try and make it worth your while! And let me just say that it <em>truly</em> made my day to hear from friends and blog-friends alike who said they wanted to keep following along on my little rambles. Most of which have turned to thoughts on pregnancy, bumpdates galore, and other things that everyone tells me I will look back on and be so happy I documented along the way, which is why I'm promising to try and keep it up now that I'm starting my third trimester. I am still loving being pregnant more than ever. Maternity swimsuits, not so much, but still loving all those kicks and tumbles that I'm feeling. But for today, to celebrate the upcoming weekend (the first unofficial one of summer, now that Memorial Day has come and gone and we're in near-100 degree temps here in Nashville), I'm going to play a little bit of catch up. This first photo is one of my handsome hubs and I in front of <a href="http://www.woodfiregrill.com/">Woodfire Grill</a> in Atlanta a few weekends ago, which was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Like, EVER, y'all.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614055692378773186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrXwT3xVVie_ItK63DV9LlpY0Pkh4BlPqJm8rsmTcMZVqMk4iYktw1h8tB9i9KkYzrZaFLU_QUqZzPXD4JvYCbL78LH8Lk2tCiNNuZ_jInZK_0sRGsI_3tGhGB9j3UdFppYkF6aDnfESL/s320/001.JPG" /><br />We were with two other couples and decided to do the blind chef's tasting 5-course meal. Normally I am way too much of a control freak and like to not only choose my order but also my husband's, if he'll let me, but I decided to hand the reins over and let me just tell you, it was a great decision. The service was spectacular. The presentation - over the top. And the food - to die for. And for those of you who are Top Chef fans, you know that the chef was this guy: </div><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614058171298344098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2csMAgyg9_wE6J6aji5ivPJULzDZXa1dOx2WNsqeRaQFowyke32ZtQsok5bwitU-Trqr75jpNIoGcF-AKkZtDv9Gdyhc6lEPuLtLtXoxyra4F8sNO45_ieY7Je05PkY_H2GcAxGzQbKF/s320/003.JPG" /></p><br /><br /><br /><p>Yes, that would be <a href="http://www.woodfiregrill.com/about_us.php#Kevin">Kevin Gillespie</a>, and yes, he definitely autographed our menu and took a quick moment for a photo op. The the girl on the left and I basically knew everything about him from watching him a few seasons ago. I'm sure he was a little frightened by that. </p><br /><br /><br /><p>On the subject of food (one of my favorites, these days), we're headed to <a href="http://www.tasteofmusiccity.com/">Taste of Music City</a> this weekend, and I can't wait to sample some of the local cuisine street-side. Why have I not taken advantage of this event before? It has food, live music, and free admission. Um, twist my arm. I heard a certain watermelon and goat cheese salad shooter would be making an appearance, compliments of <a href="http://www.copperkettlenashville.com/">Copper Kettle </a>(one of my favorite Sunday brunches) and my mouth is already watering. Oh and want to know who I saw the last time I was at Copper Kettle? This guy.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2syNxF0LpOWhCu-HVaekNdps-ccr6ixAreggof68xc79XZcn7fmnrY0leLuNk65JB7JzB_ckubC1dcECl8goh0IKV5B-bnKmwdQElDtArGrPzwDX7IdJGoJ_mknqURdRV_fq1sarqY-w/s1600/Keith%252BUrban%252Bkeith.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614061924524075170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2syNxF0LpOWhCu-HVaekNdps-ccr6ixAreggof68xc79XZcn7fmnrY0leLuNk65JB7JzB_ckubC1dcECl8goh0IKV5B-bnKmwdQElDtArGrPzwDX7IdJGoJ_mknqURdRV_fq1sarqY-w/s320/Keith%252BUrban%252Bkeith.jpg" /></a><br />Just dining with Nicole and Sunday Rose after a little church on a Sunday morning. And no one in the restaurant even seemed to bat an eyelash, which is why I'm sure they love this town. But don't think I didn't freak out. Annnnnnnd time our exit to leave just before they left, so I could see what vehicle they got in to. And take down their license plate number. OK, I didn't go that far. (But I might have, if we had parked a little closer). And yes, he's that dreamy in person too. </p><br /><br /><br /><p>I have some girlfriends headed into town to visit next weekend (yay! girls trip 2011!) and we'll be seeing him play at CMA Fest on Friday night. I'm hoping he sings his new song "Without You" just so I can hear him sing this line in person. When I hear it on the radio, it gets me every time. </p><br /><br /><p align="center"><em>"Along comes a baby girl, and suddenly my little world,<br />Just got a whole lot bigger, yes it did.<br />And people that I barely knew, love me cause I'm part of you,<br />Man, I start to figure</em><em><br />How two souls can be, miles from one another<br />But still you and me, have somehow found each other."<br /><br /></em></p><br /><br /><p align="left">And speaking of that sweet baby girl, I'm proud to show you one of my favorite ultrasound pictures of her adorableness. I realized I never posted any of her ultrasound photos on the public blog, so consider yourself introduced for the first time. Presenting our baby girl (who shall remain nameless until her expected arrival on 8/28)!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuojaafYCYg_QTd-fdAgNuiF11wlDA7YjW5Zibcz37yUx3o_KJOsU04laMsRkdlVcEzY9pV8OPWHvikhjJFd82deB2-AG6GRe975Clt13HG0rrg73eNoHknfxytGjapFKZ6k7UEe5eTgM/s1600/Baby+T.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614064716659600306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuojaafYCYg_QTd-fdAgNuiF11wlDA7YjW5Zibcz37yUx3o_KJOsU04laMsRkdlVcEzY9pV8OPWHvikhjJFd82deB2-AG6GRe975Clt13HG0rrg73eNoHknfxytGjapFKZ6k7UEe5eTgM/s320/Baby+T.bmp" /></a><br />Isn't she a beauty? Sleeps just like her mama and daddy do, too, with those arms up. Love it!<br /></p>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-35071004034268860752011-05-24T15:26:00.007-05:002011-05-24T17:08:55.526-05:00Taking the Private Plunge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyj3QUtoswn74ZlUXjb1D61Qlj2F3kpRj98j-YF2zMUwhKEzWbLsTrC9u4hJsk9PRrORsfE2TRoT6i2aJG9GRHZDBXG01PQGVUjYPRU9t5Wx1Cwo9AU4CnWC2XVIzRhWkRkEdHuIQHIgQ/s1600/privacy+please.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyj3QUtoswn74ZlUXjb1D61Qlj2F3kpRj98j-YF2zMUwhKEzWbLsTrC9u4hJsk9PRrORsfE2TRoT6i2aJG9GRHZDBXG01PQGVUjYPRU9t5Wx1Cwo9AU4CnWC2XVIzRhWkRkEdHuIQHIgQ/s320/privacy+please.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610388080202310626" /></a><br /><br />Things are changing around here, folks! I've decided it's time to take this little blog of mine private. As in, invited users only. And I've got a self-imposed deadline in mind of June 1, which is one week away. That's right, once I make my mind up on something, I like to get 'er done. No major reason for the change, but with our baby girl making her way into the world in three very short months, I just thought the time has come. <br /><br />So...if you want to keep reading, just comment below and be sure to include your email address and I'll put you on the list. After June 1, you can sign in with your email and password and keep following along. Though I have to warn you, the belly is only going to get bigger in these last few months, so I don't blame you if you'd rather not watch me grow. :) <br /><br />Think I'm trying to make your lives complicated? I promise I'm not. But the more I think about it, the more I just can't stand the thought of sharing all our sweet little firsts as a family with a world of complete strangers who happen across my blog. I'm all about sharing our lives with family, friends, and blog friends I've made since I started this little blog about two years ago, but I'm thinking I need to draw a virtual line, just for my peace of mind. <br /><br />Thanks to those of you who have followed along, and especially for the comments along the way (blog love makes me sooooo happy). See you all on the private side!A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-57241629071477622802011-05-12T12:07:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:32:24.680-05:0024 Week Bumpdate!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605877960952337250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNebfclDGefPmmMtTF-jt9b7imty2TavG0dglCynbOMXhQ25J8idL3EJxQ601CVvJE-dmkO2M6QG0D1cethhQHwV_VXS2Q-EQ6oL0I4HHdVIPXk5kUL1L0pInwR2vTlsSpXnhC4hVbkVn/s320/24+weeks+side+3.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoHnVsUF1JEODHJh8RigY4Dvl-bygziL4cFG7NmLBRW4FZap4uGzaE3zSW20q-LDpkp98mxO2EhnWwAdSgkZAX33hhQUfg83-5y7fBsm5ez1fFgi128iw-IixkeKt6lhcrE5qDVoNy7pW/s1600/24+weeks+side.JPG">
<br />
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605877965257302002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoHnVsUF1JEODHJh8RigY4Dvl-bygziL4cFG7NmLBRW4FZap4uGzaE3zSW20q-LDpkp98mxO2EhnWwAdSgkZAX33hhQUfg83-5y7fBsm5ez1fFgi128iw-IixkeKt6lhcrE5qDVoNy7pW/s320/24+weeks+side.JPG" /></a>
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC-NWZdDxN7zbgVzyMAM6jU_6qobDMYylPNsMkyjJMAMa6rxoCeAaOp5KEiJRNEHM0-2EvAQg1kMghkYC9KMCdLmIfqctXeg3DpUksfpREmx5re01rWR4wbPtAXNxTA442cfmA1cEhQRd/s1600/24+weeks.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605877956799139778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIC-NWZdDxN7zbgVzyMAM6jU_6qobDMYylPNsMkyjJMAMa6rxoCeAaOp5KEiJRNEHM0-2EvAQg1kMghkYC9KMCdLmIfqctXeg3DpUksfpREmx5re01rWR4wbPtAXNxTA442cfmA1cEhQRd/s320/24+weeks.JPG" /></a>
<br />Well hellooooooo, belly! As evidenced above, we have a more than bona fide bump, my friends. And though the buttoning of the pants is no longer happening, (not even close) I can honestly say that this is one body metamorphosis I don't mind one bit. And actually, at the risk of completely annoying all the women who really aren't fans of the whole pregnancy process, I have to admit I have loved every minute of it so far, with emphasis on this second trimester I'm about to finish, because it is light years better than that first trimester where I was nauseated nearly every day from weeks 6-12 in the dead of winter. The books are right when they tell you this trimester is the best, because I have truly never felt better and I can already tell being in my last trimester in June, July and August will be a little bit uncomfortable and, let's face it, hot. So I'm trying to take the time and enjoy these 70 degree temps with walks outside with Mr T. whenever possible, and taking full advantage of the little things like being able to still tie my tennis shoes. :)
<br />
<br />On with the bumpdate!
<br />
<br /><div><strong>Symptoms:</strong> Monstrous appetite these days. I eat three square meals and snacks in the mid-morning and (usually) mid-afternoon. But food has never tasted so good! </div>The only downside is that I burp constantly. Not very ladylike, but I can't help it these days!
<br />
<br /><div><strong>Weight Gain: </strong>At my 24 week appointment yesterday, I had gained almost 10 pounds. A little under the normal range due to all the nausea I had in the beginning, but right on track! I have a feeling if the appetite keeps up, I will have no problem continuing to catch right up. Bring on the cupcakes! </div>
<br />
<br /><div><strong>What's different:</strong> The linea nigra has appeared! Subtle, but definitely there. And my innie belly button is on it's way to becoming an outie - strange to feel it starting to protrude where there used to be nothing. </div>
<br />
<br /><div><strong>Cravings:</strong> Lately, I must say it's been sweets in any form. And cinnamon frosted mini wheats, which I've just discovered and have changed my life. But I've discovered these Weight Watchers English Toffee Bars that only have 100 calories and are perfect for satisfying my sweet tooth after dinner. I highly recommend. Oh and the other night, I almost made Mr. T go for a run to get me some chocolate milk at 11 p.m. But then I felt bad because he already gets up at the crack of dawn anyway, so I suffered through. The <em>nanosecond</em> after I took my glucose test yesterday, I bought some and downed it in one solid gulp. Deliciousness.
<br />
<br /><div><strong>Aversions:</strong> Eggs aren't quite so appealing these days. Not sure why. But again, I have trouble gobbling down breakfast in general, unless it's after 9 o'clock. The other aversion I'm having is trying to drink the recommended amount of water I'm supposed to unless I have a lemon slice in it. That's the only way I can get it down. </div>
<br />
<br /><div><strong>Sleep</strong>: Better than ever! I very rarely wake up to go in the middle of the night, and if I do, I usually have no problem falling asleep. The exception to that was a few nights ago when I happened to hear Mr. T leave (at 4:45 a.m. - yes, he's a freak) to go to the gym. For whatever reason, I couldn't go back to bed, so I got up and drank a half cup of coffee, toned down with lots of french vanilla creamer. Since I haven't had a cup this entire pregnancy, I was feeling all a-tingle with the caffeine jitters for a good hour afterward. Don't plan to do that again. I kept picturing my baby in there with her eyes all bugged out. Sorry baby, please forgive your mother for her moment of weakness.
<br />
<br /><div><strong>I am loving</strong>: The kicks! Oh, I cannot get enough of them. Crazy that at my 20 week bumpdate I was just starting to feel "flutters" and now they are full-fledged kicks. Keep 'em coming, baby! <strong></strong></div>
<br />
<br /><div><strong>
<br />I really miss:</strong> The other night we grilled out and it felt like a perfect summer night and I was seriously salivating over Mr. T's ice cold Corona with a lime. I think I'll be more than ready to have one of those after she makes her debut, which happens to be just in time for football season. Score! </div>
<br />
<br /><div><strong>I am looking forward to</strong>: Finishing the nursery. I'm having so much fun looking high and low for just the right touches. My thoughtful, amazing, talented husband painted it last weekend and it truly looks fantastic. He put in lots of sweaty hours to get it done in a two day period, and I am so proud of how well it turned out, so much so that I've decided it deserves it's own separate blog post. I'm really happy that everything in that room has been a (manual) labor of love. We also got our nursery furniture in earlier than expected, and were able to put the crib together last weekend too. Who knew what a handy team we make? </div>
<br />
<br /><div><strong>I'm spazzing about:</strong> Not really spazzing, but anxious to get my results from my gestational diabetes test yesterday - we won't know for 10 days but really hoping for a negative. Especially so I can continue to enjoy those aforementioned sweets I've been craving. :)</div>
<br />
<br /><div><strong></strong></div>
<br /><div><strong>Movement:</strong> Every single day! I think I've figured out when she is most active - right after I wake up, if I lay still for a few moments in bed before I get moving, and a few minutes after I eat dinner, especially if I lay flat on the sofa and just let her do her thing. I can even see little jumps in my belly sometimes. They are definitely my favorite thing so far. </div>
<br />
<br /><div>Next up: the nursery post! Seriously, y'all are going to want to hire my husband the next time you need a painter. :) </div>
<br />A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-47960444173020973652011-05-03T16:20:00.013-05:002011-05-04T13:53:22.970-05:00Whoa...Movement!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 319px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602606147437991890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-O7KFGJSK_0PQprbK3nY4sHvhgszwSSk43eYU7bXr33zWj6OdvxNXaPS_FlNsSid5npEhmjLkvKeW9luMVSUT6AWHxIwnruOp5a_P9Y7JtOEML9WMHDNZIk0dfwBhAbE-l9nkB8YXLFNs/s320/baby+feet.jpg" /><br /><br />Right this very moment, Baby Girl is kicking me like cuh-razy. Like, I can see the little jumps through my shirt. And I am in absolute heaven. It is truly the coolest thing in the entire world to feel those little nudges, reminding me she is growing and somersaulting right there in my belly. <br /><br />She started the "flutters" on April 14, which was my 21st week - I know because naturally, I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget. I was so anxious to feel something, we would try everything. Saying her name, shining a flashlight, gently pressing my stomach. And nothing. Girlfriend was stubborn. But then, I felt...something. And at first, it's just like you read in the books - it's so quick and so fleeting, like a really light popcorn popping or butterfly wings fluttering that you almost question if you felt it at all. <br /><br />But then...<br /><br />Then it starts getting good. Then they start to get a little stronger. And bigger. And you start to notice a pattern (my little girl loves to get moving right after a meal). I like to think it's her way of telling me she appreciates good food just like I do. And without fail, almost every time I call to Mr. T to "come feel!" and he puts his hand on my stomach, she'll stop, just messing with him. But lately, I can tell when she's being active, and he can usually catch a few kicks during our TV time on the couch. And every time, he has the same one-word response: "Whoa." Whoa is definitely right. It never, ever gets old. And I'm pretty sure she has him wrapped around every one of those precious fingers and toes with every movement she makes (now evidenced by my husband's sweet comment below - he's the "anonymous" one.) :)<br /><br />I love to picture her tiny feet in there just kicking up a storm. Crazy to think she's delightfully oblivious to what's going on outside the womb, and is just fine just doing her thing in there. And with all that is happening in the world around us, from the lows (terrible tornadoes) to the highs(captured terrorists) and everything in between, I am so very thankful for the moments of peace that come with those little movements, and I feel like all is right in the world again. <br /><br />Keep kicking, little one. Your mother falls in love with you a little more every time you do.A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-53507768359385178512011-04-29T10:20:00.008-05:002011-04-29T11:06:55.519-05:00My Home's In Alabama...No matter where I lay my head.<br /><br /><br /><div>Two days ago, one of the deadliest tornadoes in recent history came through my hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In a word, it was horrific. And my heart is broken for the people there. Thankfully, my family lives in Northport, a hop away from the heart of the damage, but I have several friends whose homes have sustained incredible damage, and who I know had to be out of their mind scared when those storms came through.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>After work on Wednesday, bracing for yet another bout of bad weather here in Nashville but hearing that tornadoes were coming through Tuscaloosa, I called my parents to make sure they were in their "safe place" in the house, a place I actually have memories of going to several times as a child with pillows, blankets, flashlights and weather radio in hand. Tornadoes were actually a pretty common occurrence where we lived. But we <em>never</em> experienced anything like this. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I could hear the fear in my mother's voice when she said three tornadoes were on the ground, and one that was estimated to be a mile wide was very close by. Trying to sound strong and positive, I told her to take cover with my Dad and Dixie, my dog from college who now lives a life of luxury with them, and to call me after it passed. By the grace of God, they did just that, and I immediately felt a sense of relief in hearing they were okay. Only by this time, I watched in horror as the most ominous, evil-looking tornado appeared on The Weather Channel, and blacked out half of Birmingham, the city where I went to college, just as I turned it on. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601032490706638482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGitoyDNLBsaJpU9uteDM-a9qTlOOi1GPqC3mtV-iqtvcIM25zijiprQIlajvT0Ln7kS_15MviXscDpGmXg-DxGu_dSzGtPrDvQ-E69eAzApr9QH3tiu0Abf50j2SN2AWiY7ijPbWvmihs/s320/tuscaloosa+tornado.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>To say it was surreal to see Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, places that are so close to my heart and where many friends of mine still reside, on national news, is a massive understatement. But hearing numerous weathermen say this was the worst tornado they had ever seen only heightened the fear I felt at seeing this actually take place in front of me on the television. Words can't describe the shock and awe I felt, or the hit-my-knees thankfulness I had that as far as I knew, my loved ones had been spared. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>But what I saw in the hours following was what really did me in. The devastation, as the mayor put it, was "catastrophic." Entire neighborhoods were erased from the map. Longstanding local establishments, like the Krispy Kreme where I would get to see doughnuts coming fresh off the conveyor belt, were destroyed. McFarland Boulevard, one of the city's main streets and one that I've traveled at least 1000 times, was one of the hardest hit roads, and I could hardly even recognize it. University of Alabama students who lived in nearby Forest Lake, a neighborhood I too had lived in after college, looked perplexed as they began to realize their homes were gone. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>It was absolutely heartwrenching, and yet, even though my heart broke and my eyes were wide with shock, I couldn't bring myself to stop looking at the photos. I couldn't bring myself to blog about it yesterday, because I wanted to make sure every single person I knew was okay first. And thank the Lord, they are. They are shaken, but they are strong. And the city is already pulling together, helping out, and making me so very proud to claim Tuscaloosa as my own. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>These are a few images taken from our local paper, <a href="http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/">The Tuscaloosa News</a>.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD01qQd_imyiXjyQVWLGu0cUpiCX6tzN2U0KmJtowNAjBlPyRiO6PZ5MA-1GqMbG7W-13bYwr0X6Sri2m-kPPdGlpbpMP1i9Nazq9Pv-xd-RPJbMPW6hVyU3cv8p_eRvHiLsnIRRRFEmG3/s1600/tuscaloosa+6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031144761793202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD01qQd_imyiXjyQVWLGu0cUpiCX6tzN2U0KmJtowNAjBlPyRiO6PZ5MA-1GqMbG7W-13bYwr0X6Sri2m-kPPdGlpbpMP1i9Nazq9Pv-xd-RPJbMPW6hVyU3cv8p_eRvHiLsnIRRRFEmG3/s320/tuscaloosa+6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXt5I9A0NX8thuasi0JeV1xl9ttL37sKn-owXkkIDsPRArjRVqghhJe5vH0N4QkQDLL5ZPjLetqwgs5SW6Tfx8Qt5OwJ_lFoe6OkBCF0gwTA9e-F4IGYaVxG6dZzdIliyGuHRaaRitgQB/s1600/tuscaloosa+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031144708464578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXt5I9A0NX8thuasi0JeV1xl9ttL37sKn-owXkkIDsPRArjRVqghhJe5vH0N4QkQDLL5ZPjLetqwgs5SW6Tfx8Qt5OwJ_lFoe6OkBCF0gwTA9e-F4IGYaVxG6dZzdIliyGuHRaaRitgQB/s320/tuscaloosa+5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaQcGXc-g4uSjrisgjBpB8vkK3wr9vahZEymheTsebAGmU4oloivfLWeUQONvLq-82Wcat4cIyDaR4GTeCJXxx4b0yeJUMdNjKr85nNHqawxgH8u_DiVyfojMUcmEfzLhJa2swIFZc96c/s1600/tuscaloosa+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031136115679298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaQcGXc-g4uSjrisgjBpB8vkK3wr9vahZEymheTsebAGmU4oloivfLWeUQONvLq-82Wcat4cIyDaR4GTeCJXxx4b0yeJUMdNjKr85nNHqawxgH8u_DiVyfojMUcmEfzLhJa2swIFZc96c/s320/tuscaloosa+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo90fCBL4tBORp7UxWSIZXMbw-r_47_ZOufmA7dDrwaJXKwTgV0an4cnup9AdhlgAtuEIOml4xiLqefw_IWLEcn6YcEtrd8ryQCYIj98pyqh_f_1CxDOFzog0hYowD5MQmcNKjL9i7Cf8/s1600/tuscaloosa+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031132436008770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo90fCBL4tBORp7UxWSIZXMbw-r_47_ZOufmA7dDrwaJXKwTgV0an4cnup9AdhlgAtuEIOml4xiLqefw_IWLEcn6YcEtrd8ryQCYIj98pyqh_f_1CxDOFzog0hYowD5MQmcNKjL9i7Cf8/s320/tuscaloosa+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNzSLrzPaxUCNhVeVJZjhIBgWc3AKP7_-U91X53sDU6gBn82Dnndf2M4YrUpQgWw4f34l1afHelQGimDWmXDTy27STFXxVN5xm3Z0vgVzaazbMcKsdWJwBIqMHHIfy4cvi_5CHJLEiLTU/s1600/tuscaloosa+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031131880897890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNzSLrzPaxUCNhVeVJZjhIBgWc3AKP7_-U91X53sDU6gBn82Dnndf2M4YrUpQgWw4f34l1afHelQGimDWmXDTy27STFXxVN5xm3Z0vgVzaazbMcKsdWJwBIqMHHIfy4cvi_5CHJLEiLTU/s320/tuscaloosa+1.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_oreiTzwEl9C4MJGLQspXYA1by9xpyV4OhzyNFE1WbLuPmMCQfR2ZxFIw4b9edZH7VPDHM7L1O_NAFi3SiP2fpYSIz5l4vjKKMHzM1yXQScpGP9rXT19Jp2KjW_iomvrmo-lCJRF4NFw/s1600/tuscaloosa+11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031742623364706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_oreiTzwEl9C4MJGLQspXYA1by9xpyV4OhzyNFE1WbLuPmMCQfR2ZxFIw4b9edZH7VPDHM7L1O_NAFi3SiP2fpYSIz5l4vjKKMHzM1yXQScpGP9rXT19Jp2KjW_iomvrmo-lCJRF4NFw/s320/tuscaloosa+11.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxwDWdh71Oy70lJWyOuSWOEY5L6xafyuUNGntZgNS2T6ukK_rcnuzMhxEjjGJ1ZUNUX1TvNDiTTpTAwelf7AVIuabdEjpoP5gvWQah-34eul14vhjRJ28Rffwfp6re9hFTtucEHlHi7-a/s1600/tuscaloosa+10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031736574511218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxwDWdh71Oy70lJWyOuSWOEY5L6xafyuUNGntZgNS2T6ukK_rcnuzMhxEjjGJ1ZUNUX1TvNDiTTpTAwelf7AVIuabdEjpoP5gvWQah-34eul14vhjRJ28Rffwfp6re9hFTtucEHlHi7-a/s320/tuscaloosa+10.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHAEEMVzVB6DkobBJ3Vjq5y3SlhWZMNMYkeS9FpWCcb_r_JLfzehF7hKHL0XDK8jPgEIt2hN5TuylvroEJNy9RLvBHgM8Fbis0NR6vo_Tz-NjFVLpxpKv5-AFTk6hi2USJRHUFTgQK3Qk/s1600/tuscaloosa+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031728211946114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHAEEMVzVB6DkobBJ3Vjq5y3SlhWZMNMYkeS9FpWCcb_r_JLfzehF7hKHL0XDK8jPgEIt2hN5TuylvroEJNy9RLvBHgM8Fbis0NR6vo_Tz-NjFVLpxpKv5-AFTk6hi2USJRHUFTgQK3Qk/s320/tuscaloosa+9.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXdLUDhgQiWeic4bQkZvpHkw_R7Rjqrja9k_RuH8tShJANvhRHa3n9gTgc1IBghMrcEt4ZUGangB2w9jsgIzRS_dDJTK5qR41vc5GnL-SbVhna61R08wzkwNxZ7WjRaejKef5wZyTyx2i/s1600/tuscaloosa+8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031725501765202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXdLUDhgQiWeic4bQkZvpHkw_R7Rjqrja9k_RuH8tShJANvhRHa3n9gTgc1IBghMrcEt4ZUGangB2w9jsgIzRS_dDJTK5qR41vc5GnL-SbVhna61R08wzkwNxZ7WjRaejKef5wZyTyx2i/s320/tuscaloosa+8.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOK0AB8wA8j1GKwH3fZeIDgbmiymOtCDpnkq_rTYx_F_Ra2z6zSMLz1P72oNFi40YWgJDXRSCajFF-vc9CjJBOq_QqNpRujjtVF-eNdIhNaNdDIbbe6rLDIAGV154cxdophnk9rq-UXUW/s1600/tuscaloosa+7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601031722457035458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOK0AB8wA8j1GKwH3fZeIDgbmiymOtCDpnkq_rTYx_F_Ra2z6zSMLz1P72oNFi40YWgJDXRSCajFF-vc9CjJBOq_QqNpRujjtVF-eNdIhNaNdDIbbe6rLDIAGV154cxdophnk9rq-UXUW/s320/tuscaloosa+7.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601032483872555730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGunJFA-rvbqiAleK-pIGwkDanj2SroTRQwzmWulmgXNMZUR9Sk9IGxEyR0P-4gfAJSi5-V8DK8etVg4UiwOR5e3qai5IumD8ww-KuKHeoX90tQmOR9UX3oJR4exg1gg4BPIscdfpBje8c/s320/tuscaloosa+12.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 219px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601032486448050578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzXPIEcQV-epFMSYnYtLkQVX9NvEEfWPTUptwaaPJHdqakm3wST5MIC9raNHpLLyMg0EgOXXGuTLqwDDWk-AiTUKBxr61BMH5G1zz3nXlUQSizir6-d8xY8je5wn0PRmDRU7h4JMsQoF6/s320/tuscaloosa+13.jpg" />To show you how close to home this really is, that last picture is of my friend, Chris Gaddy, in the blue shirt. He and I went to high school together and planned our 10 year reunion a few years ago. I just saw him last fall on campus at one of the Alabama football games. Unreal that he is pictured right there in the heart of it. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>President Obama is walking through the devastated areas right now. I am so glad to see a sense of urgency and respect for doing whatever it takes to get Tuscaloosa back on its feet. Know that you are being covered in prayers, people of Tuscaloosa. With 42 dead and nearly 1000 injured, I cannot imagine what it must be like to have your world turned upside down like this. But like the mayor said, there will be areas of the city that are hurting for a very long time, but I am confident our great city will rise even stronger. </div></div></div></div></div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-8428549242096205132011-04-20T16:32:00.022-05:002011-04-22T10:58:27.871-05:00eBay, the Baby WayThanks to lots of great advice from lots of great mama-friends (and also because of the sight of the price tags in some local baby boutiques), I started perusing Craigslist, Overstock, Amazon, Etsy, and eBay for some of my nursery essentials.<br /><br />Jack. Pot.<br /><br />Seriously, the thrifty bug has bitten, and it has sparked my desire to find a better deal on just about everything. Great if you have tons of time on your hands, bad if you're working full-time and baby is due in 4 months and some of these items take, oh, 12 weeks to ship. But that's not the point. The point is I've scored some major deals, I'm proud as a peacock, and I'd like to share them with all of you who perhaps like me, were feeling a bit overwhelemed with all of the neverending options in BabyLand. And because I'm honest, I also like the idea of having written proof of how much money I've saved so that I can convince Mr. T when we really do need that to-die-for little seersucker dress with bloomers for our baby girl. And that sweet sundress. And those baby cowboy boots...you see where this is going.<br /><br />So let's recap the first purchase that came from Craigslist. That in reality was a little like a drive-by drug exchange because we had to meet the seller 20 minutes outside of town to pick it up. But for this little godsend, also known as the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Travel-Lite-Bassinet-Betsey/dp/B000WII9XA">Graco Travel Lite Crib</a>, brand-new and still in the box with a nifty little price tag, I think it was a very wise first purchase. Go us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597787275615936146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmdaMk5NbZJ22lTVfyT56Iv69nZSxP3L4-oC5q2vTVI2Wh1NHmQpRYvXS-ywiLVawT4Umdt8vwVRGwt76qkRUwIjuWXNWXbl-kZtq0uPZwpd4z-J24wTdphBNYFbe7MjnRRkewR3MDRWV/s320/graco+travel+lite+crib.jpg" />Things that made me happy about it: a built-in bassinet, a size that is 20% smaller than a standard pack and play, and push-button packability for easy traveling. I also loved that the gender-neutral pattern was called Barcelona Bluegrass, a fitting and subtle tribute to this baby girl's Nashville roots. I mean she was made in Music City, after all. :)<br /><br />Next up? By this time we had discovered the great news that baby girl was indeed a baby girl, so it was on to the bedding department. Lawd, I had a TIME with this one. Basically, I had three cardinal rules: no pink, no themes, and no cheap fabrics. Now granted, I've seen adorable nurseries that use every pattern and shade of pink, but for me, I always knew I wanted to do something a little different. And the color that kept drawing me in was the sweetest, lightest shade of lavender. Kind of like this one called French Lilac from Benny Moore, only we use <a href="http://www.porterpaint.com/">Porter Paints</a> exclusively (shameless plug - they are a client of my husband's).<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa7L7GdSFoAcAnrSUhiPxYYkBClXPMXju5WJ2o0sBPD-xN6MimfSpSrAOxEeVhKvWepe0_0WwYm9hJnk_frWqyRa-OrLJkci7VwdIb9QQbIRjEDVbhC_ZbFGr3uoi-mBOTMw8nGGY6MI5/s1600/Benjamin+Moore+-+French+Lilac.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597795859546122498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa7L7GdSFoAcAnrSUhiPxYYkBClXPMXju5WJ2o0sBPD-xN6MimfSpSrAOxEeVhKvWepe0_0WwYm9hJnk_frWqyRa-OrLJkci7VwdIb9QQbIRjEDVbhC_ZbFGr3uoi-mBOTMw8nGGY6MI5/s320/Benjamin+Moore+-+French+Lilac.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Great - paint color decision now made. Ah, but not so fast on doing the happy dance. Now most normal people would choose their bedding first, and then match the appropriate paint color, but I like to make things difficult on myself when it comes to home decor and do things backward. So the bedding search was on. And let me just tell you, there really aren't that many options out there that use lavender and white like I had pictured in my mind's eye. Though I did find this one, which I absolutely adored for its silk shantung simplicity, until I saw its $800 price tag. As IF. I don't care if the sheets are spun silk, I could never bring myself to pay that crazy price. And like the baby won't eventually spit up all over that pristine white. And so I kept shopping. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597790414296285314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNNJ2N322wnOvk9RwisbyZrHkLdT7evIfc_XC56if0zMd1dMDPvINGmMwFhjMdwX3xy3l9CtMfQmdd8y8jWNkJODXQM5fml3EuJ3PUvs6rZML6GhQK8AnTcmMzdn6tlqpgq6_rS3lahNf/s320/emily+bedding+-+olena+boyko+-+sweet+retreat.jpg" />But what I DID find while taking a break from searching high and low for the bedding was this adorable little black chandelier on eBay. And it was truly like love at first sight - I knew I had to have it. Our nursery is a pretty small room, so a large fixture might have been overwhelming. But she was just the right size...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkt1Ievh_198X2hdssgmxnIEuc6xP08GW1I3mZB-TJ97uszSRfZ7hR_mcvZ4vdM9AIQeQBLYKBzvLz85LygbHbu04w3u0eQhsBYP-kAszD5vzAsfFhml2bBWvL76STMwiuG9cogs4j1Mo/s1600/paulines+stuff+-+chandelier+-+ebay.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597795577953752754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkt1Ievh_198X2hdssgmxnIEuc6xP08GW1I3mZB-TJ97uszSRfZ7hR_mcvZ4vdM9AIQeQBLYKBzvLz85LygbHbu04w3u0eQhsBYP-kAszD5vzAsfFhml2bBWvL76STMwiuG9cogs4j1Mo/s320/paulines+stuff+-+chandelier+-+ebay.jpg" /></a><br />A few clicks later, and one bid that thankfully, went unchallenged, she was mine. And not only did I fall in love with her (even though she hasn't arrived yet and my fingers are triple-crossed she's being shipped in the best darn packaging one can provide), but that little purchase set the tone and inspiration for the rest of the nursery. I decided on a combination of black, white and lavender, with a little bit of sweetness, a touch of glamour, and a whole lot of sass.<br /><br />So when I found this bedding that had those very same elements, I knew we had a winner!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujvcOl6a0TsTUrlykF8xPCPwn9REzAd0iIZicLyE-SyJKmIR76BopNGtz6a_7tkq2MaT3FPBcWvKh3CEuiXaEvAkdkitJHw1ZANQnM1ntA77u1Bom1VrJMUXSQQqOByu58O7Jx_P4mvoe/s1600/jojo+-+beyond+bedding.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597790425603189730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujvcOl6a0TsTUrlykF8xPCPwn9REzAd0iIZicLyE-SyJKmIR76BopNGtz6a_7tkq2MaT3FPBcWvKh3CEuiXaEvAkdkitJHw1ZANQnM1ntA77u1Bom1VrJMUXSQQqOByu58O7Jx_P4mvoe/s320/jojo+-+beyond+bedding.jpg" /></a><br />Loved the simple design element. Adored the color combination. Crazy about the teeny black bows. Not so crazy about the organza crib skirt trim, but figure that's an easy fix. And most importantly, utterly delighted with the price tag - a whopping $99!!! Allow me to mention that she retails for four times that. So needless to say, two bids later, she was also mine. New eBay junkie, party of one. And yes, I realize many of you jumped on the eBay bandwagon like a decade ago. What can I say, I'm a late bloomer.<br /><br />Elated with my newest purchase, I was on the prowl for some fun fill-ins. And the beauty of thrifty finds is that if you only spend $99 on your bedding, you are totally justified on splurging on some "non-essentials."<br /><br />Some that I like? Scalloped mirrors from PB Kids (hello lavender background!):<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597792780776784018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQPotCnwte0YLxq_QNJ2sv39RL1Bfxfuh1uvdB6TE-fajLAdp7URpxCuTP5D68CiOPLQ6LjMwezXrjBU9sEGI2Pm8nWaDZa_FDZZ0Tznz3J9ACjP0_YwOPUJ8a0QQE91AGideicA9syTq/s320/pbkids+mirrors.jpg" /> </p><br /><br /><p>An over-the-top white resin picture frame, scooped up at TJ Max for $10 (similar to below):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLVpoaKVG0lW4BqG7mqLwP7ZCl8sv5Me78dZ3NGlmUfHfsxOkFD5mmgsMQBJy3Jn1HAbgSoL1LxSU3KK8Qs37zoPefgPu4L_FicTpHYg-NHtMeGKHC2xHbG43KiOXG1YpQZnvrOjUDiE2/s1600/white+frame.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597799595001570770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLVpoaKVG0lW4BqG7mqLwP7ZCl8sv5Me78dZ3NGlmUfHfsxOkFD5mmgsMQBJy3Jn1HAbgSoL1LxSU3KK8Qs37zoPefgPu4L_FicTpHYg-NHtMeGKHC2xHbG43KiOXG1YpQZnvrOjUDiE2/s320/white+frame.jpg" /></a>A wow-factor rug, to bring in another fabulous design element. I'm contemplating <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Sabrina-Off-white-Wool-Rug-5-x-8/4574786/product.html">this one</a>, which is only $150 on Overstock!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597799435845978450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw3xcZ4c4CeL6RrB7BBItG65BA9sdJNoKgqRQaUir7vl5GsC2snUird8081D4J58ONH65tr62gPXahF0lV8XuS0I4njLARWOwXJrFa6GoGg9uCvaUnkSHTBYinEkVeF8yFAhwDXYIlWRU/s320/Overstock+rug.jpg" /><br />And how could I forget our white shelves, which were actually a wedding gift from a dear friend and made an appearance in the space formerly known as our media room, so no purchase required. How perfect will they be??<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-SQXLAl9h7n_u5Sy1m4VNNJ8Y3ixKFVS4VDcjWT1BHPs_2JEB24__yO0dlm9zUfA9K3_bg-fJsCcUu-z2-1G-Z-Kb0uXyjf8wXj9A-L1dk_cTsiKOzkkAEONqaO_vClRI-pc3A0tVcJm/s1600/shelf+decor.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597801092834869106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-SQXLAl9h7n_u5Sy1m4VNNJ8Y3ixKFVS4VDcjWT1BHPs_2JEB24__yO0dlm9zUfA9K3_bg-fJsCcUu-z2-1G-Z-Kb0uXyjf8wXj9A-L1dk_cTsiKOzkkAEONqaO_vClRI-pc3A0tVcJm/s320/shelf+decor.jpg" /></a><br />And for yet another fun pattern, I'm digging these striped panels for window treatments. The little ribbons even match the bedding! I think it's meant to be. </p><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjilDx55VdSvwK814sS4tbeAMZxTg4LXVP0ALG65iwmYT86SnBnx12nwEPlV6pvkh-OPmbIF1zFd82EUj2Cyfp01kc_w8l2ffDk4m3KFYyb23FEFYB36FUudxfwZiGP7YtRJrTWP31Wb_m/s1600/maddie+boo+black+white+stripe+panel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597799344725440594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjilDx55VdSvwK814sS4tbeAMZxTg4LXVP0ALG65iwmYT86SnBnx12nwEPlV6pvkh-OPmbIF1zFd82EUj2Cyfp01kc_w8l2ffDk4m3KFYyb23FEFYB36FUudxfwZiGP7YtRJrTWP31Wb_m/s320/maddie+boo+black+white+stripe+panel.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div>And for those of you who may be skeptical of three different patterns in one room, just feast your eyes on this fabulous little nursery. Just substitute the aqua for lavender and she could be my nursery's cousin. Proof positive that having fun with with different patterns can be done well.<br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP967TkC09CaKGBu_xfM4k2kVAKmP5KSG0aP6reQnVrl33Ba1aCvHUOUEQFfKHM15k85WWghpw2JBAMHYHpDm9yy1Ekjov02Jrs4wW8zWZTyRJqxmIUgrWZsoJMGMm8b8l3hVMs-x0c2jq/s1600/mixed+pattern+nursery.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598035932517355698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP967TkC09CaKGBu_xfM4k2kVAKmP5KSG0aP6reQnVrl33Ba1aCvHUOUEQFfKHM15k85WWghpw2JBAMHYHpDm9yy1Ekjov02Jrs4wW8zWZTyRJqxmIUgrWZsoJMGMm8b8l3hVMs-x0c2jq/s320/mixed+pattern+nursery.JPG" /></a><br />So there you have it, my nursery inspiration board in blog form. Because I'm not tech-savvy enough to do an actual one. Four months and counting to make it happen - wish me luck!A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-12716986013806564752011-04-13T12:01:00.021-05:002011-04-13T15:23:33.516-05:0020 Week Bumpdate: It's a GIRL!!!Be still, my beating heart! Prepare yourselves, this is about to be an exclamation point overload kind of email. Today I am overjoyed to tell you that we found out at our 20-week ultrasound this morning that this amazing little baby in my belly is a beautiful, albeit a bit stubborn (ahem, much like her mother) because she wouldn't show her face much, healthy as can be and measuring just perfect baby GIRL!!! Oh, I could just burst with happiness. I just keep thinking, "how blessed are WE?" <br /><br /><br />And seriously, how can I already love her so incredibly much? I've heard mamas say that before but when you see that baby moving and kicking and putting her sweet little hands up to her face and knowing she's doing all of those wonderful things right inside of you, you just fall in absolute love. It is the closest thing to God we'll see this side of heaven - of that I am certain! <br /><br /><br />So a few details, just for posterity's sake...ever since our 16 week ultrasound where we got a "sneak peek" and the ultrasound tech said she was 96% certain it was a girl, I've been trying not to get too excited, because that little 4% still lingered and taunted me. But man, I was so hopeful she was right. Now obviously I would love a girl OR a boy, and of course we desired a healthy baby first and foremost, and I know for a fact that boys love their mamas (my husband is proof positive!) but there was this part of me that longed for a little girl. For a lot of reasons, really, but mostly because I cannot wait to have someone to shop with. And talk about boyfriends with over a glass of wine. And hopefully share shoes with, providing I pass along my great sense of taste. :) OK, those aren't the real reasons. I really just can't wait to have a daughter, period. One that will most likely have my sass, my husband's sweetness, and just be the perfect mix of the two of us in looks, mannerisms, and personality. I can't imagine seeing my child and saying "oh, she has my nose!" How fun!! The ole husband just isn't going to know what to do with himself. I have a feeling she already has him wrapped around her little finger. The way he talks to her at night, I can already tell. Talk about melting your heart...and I'm already a bit hormonal. I could cry just thinking about it. <br /><br />OK, back to our appointment. Let's just say I was a not-so-hot mess this morning. As in a complete nervous wreck. My eyes popped open at 4:45 a.m. and I didn't have a prayer of getting any more sleep. I took advantage of the quiet time, said another prayer that we get a good report today, and tiptoed downstairs, turned on the news, and read in my Pregnancy Journal (sidenote: reading about what the baby is developing that week is truly one of my favorite things. I cannot get enough.) I could barely eat my Eggo waffle (don't judge, it was whole grain with blueberries) and as usual when I'm running behind, could barely put my hair in a quick ponytail before flying out the door for our 8:00 appointment. Mr. T is always on time and I never am and I'm sure it annoys him, but thankfully, he doesn't let it show. Usually. :) <br /><br /><br />We get to the doctor's office, and do our ultrasound first. Only my stomach is in knots from all the nervousness and I have to go to the bathroom. Well wouldn't you know the ultrasound tech came the minute I left and tells Mr. T she hopes I didn't empty my bladder, as that will help the ultrasound. Whoopsie. Thankfully, it had already refilled to her liking by the time we got back to the room, and that baby was kicking and squirming up a blue storm! It's crazy to see it on the screen and not be able to feel it inside. I'm so ready for that first big kick that says "Boom! Mom, here I am!" She was upside down and seemed to really like her position, as nothing could get her to move and show her sweet little face. Our tech got right down to business and did the gender shot first thing. Love her for that. Oh, it was music to my ears when she sang out "It's a girl" and pointed out the three lines I'd been hearing from friends were the sure sign of a female. I think I asked if she was sure and probably offended her by doing so, but I had to be certain, people! She went on to take all the measurements, pointed out all the major organs, measured the heart rate (148 this time) but honestly, as much as I love seeing all of that, I could not stop smiling just thinking we were really having a baby girl. :) She showed her a face for a nanosecond, yawned the most adorable yawn you've ever seen, (arms still up by her head - it seems to be her favorite position and one she gets from both her dad and me, that's exactly how we sleep) and then went back to nestling face down. Bless her heart, she'd had a big morning. We briefly met with the doctor afterward, who gave us an enthusiastic thumbs up after looking at her ultrasound, and said everything was measuring just right. All her organs and systems looked perfectly healthy. You don't even know how much that was music to our ears. I promise you I took in that moment and realized how incredibly blessed we are. And then I nearly skipped out the door, my heart nearly overflowing with happiness and sheer gratitude. :) <br /><br /><br />So now for the 20 week bumpdate: <br /><br /><strong>Symptoms:</strong> Now that the nausea is completely gone, I feel like a brand new woman! I love the energy that comes with the 2nd trimester and honestly feel better than I ever have. I was having headaches for about a week or so, but thankfully, those have gone away too. I still have to tinkle all the time, but I suppose that is expected. <br /><br /><strong>What's different:</strong> Let's get close here. "The girls" have grown so I had to go up a bra size - that's a difference I don't mind at all! :) <br /><br /><strong>Cravings:</strong> Not nearly as many as I was having, though I do get a hankering for a dipped ice cream cone now that the weather is warming up. And let me just tell you, it is dangerous that Bobbie's Dairy Dip is so close to our house. Pregnancy + Hot Nashville Summer = More Trips for Ice Cream. Uh oh. <br /><br /><strong>Aversions:</strong> Breakfast in general. I'm lucky to get a protein shake down. Working on it though. <br /><br /><strong></strong><strong>Sleep</strong>: Oh I have major news to report in this category! Mr. T and I used a portion of our tax refund and splurged on a little happy for ourselves - a king size bed! We bought the frame at Ikea, a pillow-top mattress here in town, and are both loving all the extra space! Make room for the body pillow - it makes sleeping on my side so much easier! And eventually, make room for a little girl who can crawl between us. That thought makes me so very happy. <br /><br /><strong>I am loving</strong>: The first (and hopefully only) pair of maternity skinny jeans I purchased the other day from A Pea in the Pod. They're actually pretty darn cute, and the belly panel makes wearing jeans so much more comfortable. Also, I kind of love that my pants no longer button with ease, so I'm wearing them with the top button undone and a belly band on top. Love that thing! <br /><br /><strong>I really miss:</strong> Bikini shopping at Target. They WOULD have the cutest ones ever out right now. But I did bust out my black one-piece the other day to get some sun on the back deck, and instantly felt like a mom, which actually wasn't so bad. I just miss having a tan stomach. It's the end of an era, I suppose! <br /><br /><strong>I am looking forward to</strong>: Decorating the nursery! I purchased the most perfect bedding on eBay for a whopping $99 (it retails for $400) and it will be delivered next week. We're also painting next weekend, and hopefully buying the furniture soon. There are just too many options out there on cribs, and being indecisive is not helping matters. Any suggestions, mamas? <br /><br /><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong>I'm spazzing about:</strong> The fact I'm really having a girl. I cannot stop smiling. <br /><br /><strong>Movement:</strong> Maybe a few tiny flutters here and there, but just when I get still enough to tune into it, it goes away. Like I said, she's a stubborn little thing and I guess she'll move when she's good and ready but man, I'm so ready for a big soccer kick! But Mr. T tells her every night, "That's okay, baby, you take your time." Sweetest thing ever. <br /><br /><strong>And finally, the</strong> <strong>Belly Shot:</strong> Here's the bonified bump, in all it's glory! Definitely getting bigger by the day! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595147321051984418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyFwXH_JwfzG6108K-RQRIoxyDIPuT7LFBFuaXOA1Dg7EUst5vm1itcpsm2pVefSIa46Rwb5pxjRzFZSEx823eQJOnY7B-qr1F1FU87yrvutz6HwwNdcPGDYCQE_1LMwuL1GADsau1jP0/s320/20+weeks+front.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30-39KFXyJkW9OgbCWzIouwILoshT4sQAs1BkYDkZ63dOv8yeFUD7wbStdENswVXJZ40HEnOyIuAv772VGrDrKjkPgfd5PGJDG_6wCxgAz92EXjhlV_UcgdDHmnmlH3t5yBTAWet0zC1w/s1600/20+weeks+side+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595147329406818258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30-39KFXyJkW9OgbCWzIouwILoshT4sQAs1BkYDkZ63dOv8yeFUD7wbStdENswVXJZ40HEnOyIuAv772VGrDrKjkPgfd5PGJDG_6wCxgAz92EXjhlV_UcgdDHmnmlH3t5yBTAWet0zC1w/s320/20+weeks+side+3.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodnaqAufUd7EPgxrDIKy85fLuxIPEC645HfCjs50EkdrmqHZ69KhS5hK-9ewUMm1wJhAhCByRobcKzi4CrY9IGMovUJAiYCrjJcY9oudEmEOCGnDzxs9G6D8ZU20PZLr6-E297DUyir5r/s1600/20+weeks+side.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595147328386955010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodnaqAufUd7EPgxrDIKy85fLuxIPEC645HfCjs50EkdrmqHZ69KhS5hK-9ewUMm1wJhAhCByRobcKzi4CrY9IGMovUJAiYCrjJcY9oudEmEOCGnDzxs9G6D8ZU20PZLr6-E297DUyir5r/s320/20+weeks+side.JPG" /></a> <br /><p>20 weeks down, 20 weeks to go. We're halfway there, people! Come on, 8/28!A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-57767186695867710152011-03-30T13:21:00.005-05:002011-03-30T14:16:03.639-05:00Nursery Quote Heaven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgBczJ_OBLX8JuME3fkaEqzWsOMcG-_sFSVedhXUMSb_ajs9iD06-ZNX2nq7D3fIKalSI1NdqaJQKdTu4HF6Ve029Skdf0NPdPmg7FF8GLL4Z6TZ_QbcEzPAIoxKpSCHXjT2Hyd07UopV/s1600/Emerson+quote.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589943395797303682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgBczJ_OBLX8JuME3fkaEqzWsOMcG-_sFSVedhXUMSb_ajs9iD06-ZNX2nq7D3fIKalSI1NdqaJQKdTu4HF6Ve029Skdf0NPdPmg7FF8GLL4Z6TZ_QbcEzPAIoxKpSCHXjT2Hyd07UopV/s320/Emerson+quote.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>To know me is to know that I love a good quote. Like, LOVE them. And in thinking about the decor for the baby's room, I've decided that I'm rather fond of the thought of our little one being surrounded by these same inspirational thoughts that make (her) mama's heart smile. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm envisioning hanging a few of these prints gallery style in crisp white frames, grouping together a few favorites above the crib, and having one or two of the most excellent ones stand on their own. Besides, I'll need a positive thought or two during those 3 a.m. feedings, right? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGYk4wdJDGlxVgR02lS-IT5-cl1Sk1qhpE9N-upHzG-tFvh6Hnol3Qa9vRRRd11DVKd4TrMvTRG7rmHRgVYj13Lc4PgRDxWFBQwVF1TmNUoxJA5HcKdHnhBPM7AYWDBflFZI0RFFdmGDH/s1600/quote+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589940262751235346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGYk4wdJDGlxVgR02lS-IT5-cl1Sk1qhpE9N-upHzG-tFvh6Hnol3Qa9vRRRd11DVKd4TrMvTRG7rmHRgVYj13Lc4PgRDxWFBQwVF1TmNUoxJA5HcKdHnhBPM7AYWDBflFZI0RFFdmGDH/s320/quote+4.jpg" /></a> <br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUbWtb2OraBVFJk1EM-cVYO4ncsQz3lbalsIEVlDTgjpSlW9zP2I_D0ccgKW_LI_PgRgBLWVbcrBzIhyE9PkRRDmeTcInYp6rEl8ugwwyFGiFYp252LjwJyHt67bKx8vGEucM-Xp8nQg6/s1600/quote+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589940257475567218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUbWtb2OraBVFJk1EM-cVYO4ncsQz3lbalsIEVlDTgjpSlW9zP2I_D0ccgKW_LI_PgRgBLWVbcrBzIhyE9PkRRDmeTcInYp6rEl8ugwwyFGiFYp252LjwJyHt67bKx8vGEucM-Xp8nQg6/s320/quote+3.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-7POcF7Uo4UJbbedp4LPHQQMMx9NkyfZ-WPcX2ud4-jCj-gSRdk4IGEkcs99ld0LDTGDAri9Uq9QmFL3BltfTvUXOGlkpy5MUNTSq4f6Hdm_-4naJszn6ZyldijxErWf98itv0c2u8jh/s1600/quote+14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589944519347928914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-7POcF7Uo4UJbbedp4LPHQQMMx9NkyfZ-WPcX2ud4-jCj-gSRdk4IGEkcs99ld0LDTGDAri9Uq9QmFL3BltfTvUXOGlkpy5MUNTSq4f6Hdm_-4naJszn6ZyldijxErWf98itv0c2u8jh/s320/quote+14.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNOc4x1SgV7N6ShvuXbDpJLbX26DEyhk-D8E2kQ7Un80VuFNIEpBnPXgF8L1KP5jOYQeqxT-rhVS88QtNC2PIRcz1kEWrxDmnxtdE4jTKkkx7IqKOPcE6cjh7oUVATeO7_PLUdCyRDg3Z/s1600/quote+13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589944520984085362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNOc4x1SgV7N6ShvuXbDpJLbX26DEyhk-D8E2kQ7Un80VuFNIEpBnPXgF8L1KP5jOYQeqxT-rhVS88QtNC2PIRcz1kEWrxDmnxtdE4jTKkkx7IqKOPcE6cjh7oUVATeO7_PLUdCyRDg3Z/s320/quote+13.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHBuRvHm2gyrkBvvWOhwGs0BWexr4nnWeG_PRE0v6wvteEN050X7W0Dl6vxFqkEELDiYDbRunMRXoXIK4N1gspwCWCLYuwMkHp7jbnQoXoUW0jRcbE-k1C1X7EyPo3OmpznAMut2Wpu9Y/s1600/etsy+quote+2+-+penny+wishes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589940254299622786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHBuRvHm2gyrkBvvWOhwGs0BWexr4nnWeG_PRE0v6wvteEN050X7W0Dl6vxFqkEELDiYDbRunMRXoXIK4N1gspwCWCLYuwMkHp7jbnQoXoUW0jRcbE-k1C1X7EyPo3OmpznAMut2Wpu9Y/s320/etsy+quote+2+-+penny+wishes.jpg" /></a> <br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk-cIbpRSW7T8DIPhTMtP6pQ6rGVkqAEP-7kDAhdHmFusLTKRCQQ8mi31N92t3LDBSUuc82EobkRL1YzM2xOATzf5t-LpHBPgrOZGbx3g2-G4RoStvLuE8O6Tz-DX1ROTB9UnxKXe4HqO/s1600/etsy+quote.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589940250384323858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk-cIbpRSW7T8DIPhTMtP6pQ6rGVkqAEP-7kDAhdHmFusLTKRCQQ8mi31N92t3LDBSUuc82EobkRL1YzM2xOATzf5t-LpHBPgrOZGbx3g2-G4RoStvLuE8O6Tz-DX1ROTB9UnxKXe4HqO/s320/etsy+quote.jpg" /></a>via <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/?q=quotes+that+inspire">Pinterest</a> </div></div></div></div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-10798004196070995022011-03-24T14:56:00.009-05:002011-03-25T09:03:25.122-05:00The Baby's RoomIn an effort to get inspired for nursery room decor, I've been perusing Blogland and the world wide web to find something that makes me swoon for Baby T's room. And while the options are truly endless from the old faithfuls like <a href="http://www.rhbabyandchild.com/">Restoration Hardware Baby & Child</a>, <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/">Pottery Barn Kids</a>, <a href="http://www.serenaandlily.com/Baby">Serena & Lily</a>, and the like, I think we're going to end up getting different pieces from different places to put together a room that is as peaceful, beautiful and serene as the one in my mind is.<br /><br />So here are some of my most favorites...I'm really digging the lavender look if we can confirm it's a girl in April. And it just so happens to be one of the <a href="http://www.pantone.com/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20752&ca=4">spring 2011 pantone colors</a>. Score.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587740990733610306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_Axvt0xi3Wxt3hR_haJJb_hVCjdzgI0YLLv5EHdNVkumgzSVCmWFOnbkW4cDgm9NQcpqoB1H7ZVsmfZwOh_BdBQMhedQ4bVY6PTmyNrXyd0R93T5cIf8iDJJPZdrMNN93v6_e5Hh4O8l/s320/RH_MartineHeirloom_nursery.jpg" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ijEX2BfUV33ljrVowQ0sJeeCSA_wC2oCbKrBOaJRohk8PjDHlQxjjCUzX5kP2U6IgUVQ8cBRR0FJIQJxvpdeFglEXaN3FmF4Yi5-5pfW_f1R7blVHtnTfCawcvKto39-uEOu9AlQRHbe/s1600/neutral+nursery.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587739848770496194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ijEX2BfUV33ljrVowQ0sJeeCSA_wC2oCbKrBOaJRohk8PjDHlQxjjCUzX5kP2U6IgUVQ8cBRR0FJIQJxvpdeFglEXaN3FmF4Yi5-5pfW_f1R7blVHtnTfCawcvKto39-uEOu9AlQRHbe/s320/neutral+nursery.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_XHo_dxo8vYhnoa4hdpU3WqqKhUYWv27V7ufC-Mv6ZHRng22wO7rbSrNLV28yoyevAuq7ddZ5btuJwFo68U1Yhf0aBguKNxZoYOuaFazjr1O_dPaUgUBqXyAy7QoioLi3yAK5z8JtOCq/s1600/lavendar+nursery.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587739845603276466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_XHo_dxo8vYhnoa4hdpU3WqqKhUYWv27V7ufC-Mv6ZHRng22wO7rbSrNLV28yoyevAuq7ddZ5btuJwFo68U1Yhf0aBguKNxZoYOuaFazjr1O_dPaUgUBqXyAy7QoioLi3yAK5z8JtOCq/s320/lavendar+nursery.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinztlNubcrUV0FZMMaOxr0Wij-JRhLBZMtjrhzZM6sUN5-MNu24y8VvgEnLt2eZVVoSjcNnYPtmCcWDzrb_Ur5sL1uPyn5zTEhHTNFaCrpuMkM_GrDrfdsHFLM30t6CyArM9AhtN6LSumf/s1600/iced+lavendar+nursery+%2528PB+Kids%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587739841308659890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinztlNubcrUV0FZMMaOxr0Wij-JRhLBZMtjrhzZM6sUN5-MNu24y8VvgEnLt2eZVVoSjcNnYPtmCcWDzrb_Ur5sL1uPyn5zTEhHTNFaCrpuMkM_GrDrfdsHFLM30t6CyArM9AhtN6LSumf/s320/iced+lavendar+nursery+%2528PB+Kids%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNfzfSVI_d0Z9AbvsWgYYUP8zYYEkchP6idgt559SY_8tSuTmKqg1me2vkTfQNfiKW7tDVJ7CC-fKcpFgz_r2r0hH_6Km4doq5X771drNmJt4kMPutDBonDZGhKIeIvvOjlwNN0JP8P0e/s1600/baby+blue+wall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587739834044627970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNfzfSVI_d0Z9AbvsWgYYUP8zYYEkchP6idgt559SY_8tSuTmKqg1me2vkTfQNfiKW7tDVJ7CC-fKcpFgz_r2r0hH_6Km4doq5X771drNmJt4kMPutDBonDZGhKIeIvvOjlwNN0JP8P0e/s320/baby+blue+wall.jpg" /></a><br />It's funny, I'm usually not drawn to pastels at all, and have even come across a few nurseries that have played with bold colors and patterns that are lovely, but something in me is drawn to the softness of these sweet rooms. Now the only question is, who could I get to help me do that stencil on the walls? I'm 210% in love with it.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>What's even funnier is that this baby in my belly won't even know or care about their room until they are at least a year old, right? So really I could keep the room (which used to be our media room that was used maybe three times) candy apple red with the 50' flatscreen and it would never know the difference. But we all know I could never do that.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>So for all you mamas and mamas-to-be out there, where did you find your nursery inspiration?<br />Help a sister out! </div></div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-12395019527045233992011-03-17T13:18:00.009-05:002011-03-18T13:05:39.347-05:00Let the Madness BeginIs it just me or does this weather make you want to quit your inside job and do something that places you outside doing just about anything for the months of March-October? I plan to take full advantage when my maternity leave rolls around, and get that sweet baby out of the house and enjoying the world as much as (she) will let me!<br /><br />In other news, I filled out my first "March Madness" bracket. Truth be told, Mr. T and I filled them out last year but we didn't put our money where our mouth was, so to speak. So this year, I'm in a pool with several of Mr. T's friends (hello, girl representation) and plan to whoop UP. No mercy, boys. Bring your A game.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585118560631822562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceFGMvEpodNAmHMWh44VJvlRXdNX_0lvSXofwriOD0YpYvkayKG17NRuHsZsTZiDqvdqHlAA002TNOnt8qRJUirdy0qBeFcaASoFmBAJHItQdbQ97VxfsYTq5xWH3AtzEaaUs3VGJKgIc/s320/march_madness.jpg" /><br />So since I know you're dying to know, here are my picks for the Final Four:<br /><br /><strong>Ohio State, Duke, Kansas and Pittsburgh<br /></strong><br />With <strong>OHIO STATE</strong> going all the way, baby.<br /><br />Now let me assure you, my heart belongs to college football, not basketball, in case there is any question. And I truly believe you can only really, really love one sport. But Mr. T gets so darn excited every year when March Madness rolls around that it's easier just to join in the fun. In fact, his college team made it to the Sweet 16 so his heart is invested like you've never seen. So that's exactly what I did. I filled out my bracket, promptly started trash talking on the message board to him and all of his buddies, and plan to take them all down like Julie Brown. If Mr. T is going to be watching basketball for every spare minute of the next three weeks, then I might as well have a reason to watch too. Say it with me: Baby Fund.<br /><br />So how do I pick the teams in my bracket, you ask? Namely these factors:<br /><br />First, if I know someone where that college is located and like that person, that automatically gives them an advantage (example: my best friend Stacy lives in D.C., therefore I picked Georgetown in the first round).<br /><br />Second, if I like that location or general area, then that team also gets an advantage (example: we recently visited San Diego on our anniversary trip to California and loved it, so naturally I picked San Diego State).<br /><br />Third, attempting to have some sort of allegiance to the SEC (let's not mention how my Alabama Crimson Tide got the shaft), I try to sprinkle in a few teams from the SEC. But I strongly dislike Tennessee, and double dislike Bruce Pearl, so no matter what, I can't root for them. So go Georgia. Why? Because I like Mark Richt, and yes, I know he's the football coach. As I said, my reasoning makes total sense to me.</p><p>How about you? Who are your picks?</p>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565562460958259155.post-75713889623743488432011-03-14T13:38:00.013-05:002011-03-14T14:16:28.133-05:00Birthday Recap and 16 Week Belly Pic<div align="left"><br />Oh, what a weekend! I honestly can't think of a single thing that could have made it any better. First, we celebrated the ole birthday (by the way, turning 31 was way less traumatic then turning 30) at my favorite restaurant, Red Pony, down in Franklin, with two of our good friends. P.S. Red Pony's Shrimp and Grits = Best meal I've had in months. Seriously. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">But this wasn't just any birthday dinner. Oh no, sneaky Mr. T had a surprise planned, and when we walked outside to get in the car, he had a driver waiting for us to take us there in style in a beautiful black Mercedes Benz! I bet I made the baby dizzy I was jumping up and down so much. And grinning from ear to ear for the whole ride. Literally, I couldn't have stopped smiling if I tried. He had even thought to have sparkling water for us to enjoy in lieu of champagne. My husband is wonderful, y'all.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008798598791330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKSzmNRo8kVs6mKcuAXQkeR_oyR5gIjPF92Na3O0uDMJ1fSg8cmzC8fWEZv6dyA3hEpTMcbGlk1jtPKdaIxKkuFsbLX0zcQp1D8IuWIY4QO56S_iVynlU1DDd2ftbUoXdJPLXHuwAodLc/s320/001.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008803946700306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNY3WZOg1J_HrB-hb-S6UQ0WdTw4st98p1H3pQ_3JJ1XS5h6BSSqHZ6XBo2FB59HlrF6Md9HnbbWpUK9hYU4K4X_i45v96R9woWc35wQPpXbnkRrDeXf7y1S_YoOxqpWXXZCkpDrR3C7W/s320/002.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008816829608818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgI4gmyx_3lOocZ4RcAvb5s8sHczk753607QfJqhe9p0i7rCILk7ouwr9EvXofqir8NeH5D-neKbaof5ylyFFSpLaDrO8rcqQV7v4fGIfCUcnZxonXGWhR6b5bnV9QzQ5rG-knceMeAVr/s320/004.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008804548705362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuMtZOrVLs2zw_LsxWeYv0vMkvkIg9iL0GReIf0hHssajz752_AU2pPNGmJA6IUVU4p6hGMSnTH619KBLOgIO1p4VCF26xdIORJNBROlLvkqHS8qDVa4HUqBiUXczzrZIkFtZBorxUaQD/s320/003.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584008818478875746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79AtUEx4eqxaljI1FDNgzzpzg-Nj9GIH59gbLPy2UukUFngAV1xuHISuG6I-nZWa24TWP9RLwcxKECXqg-j7AFfgvu2oiyCMgXL5C22Kuj_yRRe5b0B923vH-cfCC1jcMH6sCT8sltQ8-/s320/005.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYzV4IYP9sAYujoxPk0muHGaoVKKD2uTvl2hIU_PmydGp8mulMCgn-NNJmUpCkBhko6r7aFlRNU8lZSEogP4M9W2orndet_LBjJQbt4hR1MtGLK4LUpqr5twy4yVtYankKbwfwebkjjnd/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584009289828384642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYzV4IYP9sAYujoxPk0muHGaoVKKD2uTvl2hIU_PmydGp8mulMCgn-NNJmUpCkBhko6r7aFlRNU8lZSEogP4M9W2orndet_LBjJQbt4hR1MtGLK4LUpqr5twy4yVtYankKbwfwebkjjnd/s320/009.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:78%;">With our wonderful driver, Boyd. Can you believe he's in his 70's? He was awesome.<br /><br /></span></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-4c-ACXVBHh9E1kj6h6HsIvQC1e7g3mt5VHLCNbVfHaaVcNGkOFK9dX1wTPrelJlf0zNzd0NmZqNNOmCUufExWXBcqzmIaqbZMinCZqa3ZqsnqVI46ZiObxpFqjkabAZlWlYF6Zw4C0P/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584009287638754882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-4c-ACXVBHh9E1kj6h6HsIvQC1e7g3mt5VHLCNbVfHaaVcNGkOFK9dX1wTPrelJlf0zNzd0NmZqNNOmCUufExWXBcqzmIaqbZMinCZqa3ZqsnqVI46ZiObxpFqjkabAZlWlYF6Zw4C0P/s320/008.JPG" /></a><em> </em><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Love our friends, Liz and Adam!</em> And wow, I look way pregnant here.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLTrzssEa0xjrI290jwSlDXSHBrSbClvq3-UVJCW38qIyoerYB3uw25579h88estzborOnPEezkyqOlnwp-OOd5BUq1H_gS0l-MdHox4CRkcGWYuaH-NtSkxXJFbIb6rMsTPyLuspcH7V/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584009283204832418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLTrzssEa0xjrI290jwSlDXSHBrSbClvq3-UVJCW38qIyoerYB3uw25579h88estzborOnPEezkyqOlnwp-OOd5BUq1H_gS0l-MdHox4CRkcGWYuaH-NtSkxXJFbIb6rMsTPyLuspcH7V/s320/007.JPG" /></a><em><span style="font-size:78%;"> I spy a Benz. And a very hot husband :)<br /><br /></span></em></div><div align="left">So yes, I would say that Mr. T has officially spoiled me. He has managed to pull off a birthday surprise for the 3rd year in a row. Two years ago he proposed (that was a biggie) and last year he helped throw a surprise 30th birthday party. You have set the bar high for yourself, babe!<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Saturday brought the most beautiful day we have seen in months, so naturally, I got my hair done to continue the birthday celebration. (Oh yes, my birthday is celebrated for a week rather than a day, starting the Sunday before and ending the Sunday after. I strongly encourage you to do the same.)</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">That afternoon we headed to East Nashville for a fun baby shower for our friends Alison and Justin. I would show you a picture of the guest of honor but you would hate her because she's due next month and has only gained 15 freakin' pounds. The nerve. I can't believe I'm friends with someone who would do that to me and make me look terrible when I gain a LOT more than that. She seriously looks great. But the shower was lots o' fun and we got home just in time to make it a movie night. I had rented <em>The Town</em> on Netflix and while it was nothing like I expected, I do give it four stars. It held a pregnant woman's attention on a late Saturday night, so that is to be commended. I'm notorious for falling asleep about 10 minutes in...just call me Grandma these days. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Oh and I can't forget another fun thing we did on Saturday...our 16 week bump photo shoot!<br />We took these right before we headed out for the shower. And as you can tell, Mama and Baby T are most definitely growing! I had to unbutton my pants for the first time after our post-church Sunday lunch. The baby seemed to like it better that way. :)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGvGcDHipB4Oa6P37QOL-zO0OxcKNlIWw5GLXoyYWmpE6lTN70UuGWSBCOYg1KrHg5APkTNpMZFI8wfJUkhF3OksJJF0W35Uhcs9xzIddDHab1whZPXOMIPgKYzNcWehXqWSs-UFkd1d7/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584007133503733362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGvGcDHipB4Oa6P37QOL-zO0OxcKNlIWw5GLXoyYWmpE6lTN70UuGWSBCOYg1KrHg5APkTNpMZFI8wfJUkhF3OksJJF0W35Uhcs9xzIddDHab1whZPXOMIPgKYzNcWehXqWSs-UFkd1d7/s320/017.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXof8guHRTyPShU0BP7ymIYtv2vmFEUFtuN4w8xsSaElYunZ2F9087QKS0nI9dnc5hyphenhyphenH5iiB6Oo84n6mGeoXNFbUkVNibGr8c9sMFjWKM1KBw6KxE6QA5BAoetzCHFWdSDbzj47EtEVGe_/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584007135049629746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXof8guHRTyPShU0BP7ymIYtv2vmFEUFtuN4w8xsSaElYunZ2F9087QKS0nI9dnc5hyphenhyphenH5iiB6Oo84n6mGeoXNFbUkVNibGr8c9sMFjWKM1KBw6KxE6QA5BAoetzCHFWdSDbzj47EtEVGe_/s320/014.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0tdOWAFgMxftnNnMXmoD201OTP8msGUkk4Gn3jQA3P2c36OgqyM-N1RRB45PDi48awEzsCK8VDMIyILsTX5UL_EHfrUhqSsCsi45JgHD9TAXKmoNyibt38jsBSAKDnw2_6h17Xk7escb/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584007126983110050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0tdOWAFgMxftnNnMXmoD201OTP8msGUkk4Gn3jQA3P2c36OgqyM-N1RRB45PDi48awEzsCK8VDMIyILsTX5UL_EHfrUhqSsCsi45JgHD9TAXKmoNyibt38jsBSAKDnw2_6h17Xk7escb/s320/012.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy-7dmKA9K2At0g45Ws2yQc_7O7sUIHZ3V8j_UTNk8RWle9d7U6aYjkICBvTlJhVVo368_OpPXF3SWNvTvS-tP_vT869HxZcm1FmlT2A6Dci0iE8ramjZ-6_T2uds2NzXhxsAKNygLS6o/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584007124704395298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy-7dmKA9K2At0g45Ws2yQc_7O7sUIHZ3V8j_UTNk8RWle9d7U6aYjkICBvTlJhVVo368_OpPXF3SWNvTvS-tP_vT869HxZcm1FmlT2A6Dci0iE8ramjZ-6_T2uds2NzXhxsAKNygLS6o/s320/011.JPG" /></a><br /></div>A Bride In Bootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13906768815141354939noreply@blogger.com6