12 Week Recap

12 Weeks - hooray for the last week
of the dreaded 1st trimester!

YAY for the last week of my first trimester.  I can't say I'm sad to see it go.  I've been officially 'puke-free' for a few weeks now and finally getting color back in my cheeks :)

The highlight of Week 12 was the it was almost 80 degrees on Thursday.  While this had nothing to do with pregnancy, it sure did make this Momma-to-Be REALLY happy and in a fab mood!  I even rocked an awesome maxi skirt and some stellar jeweled flops.  I'm so ready for summer - although I know when I'm the size of a house and it's 110* outside in August I may be wishing differently.

The little bit of spare time we've had this week has been focused on organizing and packing things for the big move.  Our official closing date is Friday, March 2 and we're SOOO excited.  I'm just ready to be in the new house and settled - and able to breathe and relax a little.  I feel like the Little Engine That Could, reminding myself "I think I can, I think I can". 

Friday night we went to the Charlotte Checkers game - it was so much fun to get out of the house and actually do something fun and random.  Since finding out we were pregnant (and buying a house), I haven't really felt good enough to go out and we've been saving for the closing, so we've been incredibly hermit-like over the past 3 months.  But the weather is getting warmer and I'm feeling better, so I got the itch and we went out on the town!  I even stayed out until 11:30pm!  That sounds so nerdy, considering 11pm used to be REALLY early to me, but I was proud that I made it out that late - we even swung through to hear Troy's band on our way home.  Who says preggo women cant rock it out with the best of em? 

The rest of the weekend was pretty low-key...alot of packing, Nothing But Noodles takeout and alot of napping.  Dana told me when I sleep the baby grows, so I'm taking that advice and taking advantage of any naps that I can, while I still have the chance! 

I did have my first pregnancy-related dream.  It wasn't too weird, but I dream really weird things even when I'm not pregnant, so I'm sure I have it coming to me.  This one was me in labor with a little boy - and he came out the size and looks of a 4 month old.  I was so disappointed, wishing that I had the little itty bitty newborn baby instead of the linebacker.  Drew laughed when I told him about it - although in the back of his mind I'm pretty sure he was thinking "football scholarship" and incredibly proud of the giant I birthed in my dream.  When Dana was pregnant with Ava, I dreamt that she came out speaking Spanish, and that wasn't even my baby, so who knows what I have in store as far as pregnancy dreams go.  But at least I can mark the first off my list.

WEEK 12 CRAVINGS:  This week I have decided to defy what all of the perfect, by-the-book, clean cut Mommas to Be say and have a large sweet tea w/ extra lemons for Bojangles.  Never being one to really follow the rules, I think I did a pretty great job during the first trimester of sticking to the rules.  But now that the most fragile time of Baby Sac's development is over, this rebel Southern momma needs her fix!  So every morning on my way to work I pull in the drive thru and order a large styrofoam cup of the best liquid crack that this state has to offer.  Its so sweet that it usually lasts me until lunch so I drink water for the rest of the day so Baby Sac isn't going too crazy in there with the caffiene and sugar :)



Reason 3,263,489 why I love being a Southerner.



WEEK 12 AVERSIONS:  Thank the good Lord, dare I say that I think my aversions have finally started to subside!  The only thing that really gets me these days is brushing my teeth.  But thankfully it's not bad enough to actually make me puke, it's more of a 'gag, then mind over matter' thing. 

WEEK 12 "To Remembers": While I had a fab time at the Checkers game, I'm no longer a candidate for the 'cheap seats'.  If it had been a John Mayer concert, you'd expect me to pay top-dollar to get me as close to the stage as possible.  However, for a minor league hockey game I told Drew to just get whatever tickets were cheapest.  This landed us in the nosebleeds, higher up in the TWC Area than I've ever been...and while it was a fun, cheap night, I dont think it was worth the stair climbing - which is especially irritating when you have to pee every 10 minutes.  For a normal person, it would have been a welcome thight/butt-master workout, but for me it was a little miserable. 

ON TO THE 2nd TRIMESTER!!! 

Dear Baby Sac - 3mo Letter

Hi Baby!!

Wow, what a crazy 2 months it's been!  I'm SO thankful that I'm finally in the 2nd trimester and that I'm no longer as sick as I was a few weeks ago.  YAY!! 

So, by now you've graduated from a tiny litte embryo to an official fetus!!  This makes mommy and daddy VERY happy, because this means that the most critical part of your development is completed!  You're the size of a small apple and you're fully formed!  Yay for no more tadpole, bean or gummy bear references!!  We saw you on an ultrasound last Wednesday (when your GA was 11w3d), and we were in awe, just watching you bouncing around!  You're so active and I can't wait to feel you move around!  You stretched your arms and legs and you look like a perfect little person!  Grammy went with us so she could see you for the first time and she was just as amazed as we were.  You're such an incredible little blessing, and there are already SO many people who love you SO much.

Your first profile picture!!  See what a cute little face you already have!?  I cant wait to cover it in kissies!!!

In just the past month you've grown from 1 to 3 whole inches and you weigh about 1 ½ ounces.  Your head now sits on your neck and if I could look in and see you close up, we could see a little whorl of a hair pattern on top of your precious little noggin!  Your head is still pretty big and makes up half the length of your entire body (which is a funny thought to me, because if I compare that to my body, that would mean my head is about 2 ½ feet big.  I seem to think I'd make a fabulous bobble head though).  Your eyes are moving closer together and your ears are continuing to form.  I told daddy the other day that he needs to start working on his tone and his words because in a few more weeks you'll be able to hear everything we say and do!  You have taste buds and you've developed the sucking reflex, which we saw last week at our ultrasound when you were sucking your thumb!!  It was so cute, and I wasn't even stressed, thinking about how that would probably put you in braces years down the road.  I have a feeling everything you do will be cute (at least at first, haha).  You're beginning to practice swallowing too!  Teeth buds have begun to form, as well as your fingernails and toenails!!  If you're a girl, Grammy and I already cant wait to take you to Ivy's for your first mani/pedi!  And dont worry about missing out on the fun if you're a boy, you'll still enjoy the traditional Christmas Pedicure with the rest of us!  Dont worry, even your daddy does it...although your feet will be NOTHING compared to the craziness that his are.  No 'cheese graters' for you and your soft little feet!!  Your major organs, as well as your sex organs - which will let us know whether you're a boy or a girl in 32 days (SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!).

We got some good news today - the loan for our house is out of Underwriting and we'll officially be moving in 2 weeks or less!  That gives me plenty of time to make this house a 'home' for our family and I couldn't be more excited.  Your Grammy and Grampaw did such a great job creating such a loving home for me when I was growing up, they set the bar pretty high, but I'm determined to make them proud and make sure you always feel safe and loved at home. 

Now, time for this month's 5 things.  You're gonna laugh in a few years when I test you on all of this...
***1.  You have a big brother.  Well, he's not an actual human brother, but a furry feline one!  His name is Greyson and honestly I'm a little nervous to think of how he'll react to having to share mommy and daddy's attention.  He's been mine for almost 8 years and we sure have been through alot together!  I laugh to think of how he'll react to you crying - and how he'll enjoy us being home together for a few months after you'r born.  I tell him all the time about you and how he has 6 months to learn how to share, but for now, he's enjoying mommy as much as he possibly can :)

Mommy and Greyson - I think he thinks HE is the baby!

***2.  Mommy loves Mexican food.  You're going to be born craving fajitas and guacamole and tacos and enchiladas!  The good news is that these foods are pretty soft, so when you have teeth and can start eating big people food, you'll be able to eat this kind of cuisine with us before most of the rest.  OLE'!!  :)
***3.  Both daddy and I are really artistic.  Daddy is so good at architectural and design stuff, and I'm creative, always thinking of new things and ideas, so with our powers combined you're sure to be an artistic genius!  I cant wait for your first drawing or to see what hand you'll write with!
***4.  We love goig to sporting events.  In fact, tonight we're taking you to a Checkers game!  Although you cant see or hear what's going on, it won't be long til we're toting you to Clemson football games with Grammy and Poppy and Knights baseball games with Uncle Boo!  You're gonna be the cutest little fan ever!!
***5.  While we're on the subject of sports, I should probably go ahead and warn you about how much daddy loves his Ohio State Buckeyes.  There aren't really words to explain this to you, but I feel compelled to warn you.  He gets it honest because your Great Grandpa Art loved the Buckeyes.  I'm sure he'll tell you all about Grandpa Art and what an amazing man he was as soon as you're old enough to listen.  I know it makes daddy happy to think about him looking down from Heaven and seeing his great grandbaby rockin scarlet and grey in a few months.  You're actually due the day after college football season starts for this year, so I'm pretty sure within the first few days of your life you'll experience firsthand the insanity that is Buckeyes football, but I know daddy is super excited to share his love for the Bucks with you, and for you to cuddle up and watch the games with him. 

Well, only about 190 days or so until I get to meet your sweet smile face to face, and I've never been so excited about anything in my entire life.  In the meantime, keep growing big and strong and know how much daddy and I love you.

All my love little one,
Mommy.

Birthday Bauble

I wanted to write a separate blog post to say a special thank you to my amazing Hubby for the PERFECT Birthday gift he gave me this year.
Usually he goes to one of my favorite stores, City Art Works off Woodlawn and picks out something really trendy and cool - a big pair of earrings (since I'm a SUCKER for big earrings), or a really cool ring or bracelet.  But this year, he outdid himself when he broke out the blue box with the white ribbon - ladies I know you know what I'm talking about ;)

I LOVE Tiffany (what woman doesn't) and honestly I would have been happy with the box, since I collect them, but what was inside was the best gift!


The EP 'Bean' - for my little bean...from my Big "Beans" :)



This gift was extra special to me for a few reasons:

• It's called the 'Bean' - which represents the tiny 'bean' growing inside me right now.
• One of my nicknames for Drew is "Beans" - this came from an auto-correct fail when I first got my iPhone where I meant to type 'Babe' and instead it corrected me by having me send the word 'Beans'.  It's stuck ever since.  :)
• It's sterling silver, rather than white gold.  Considering my allergy to white gold, I can wear this every day without it turning me into a blotchy, itchy mess.  And it's so dainty and goes with everything.  In fact, I haven't taken it off since I put it on.
• It's from the Elsa Peretti Collection, which has always been my favorite Tiffany Collection.  Everything in this Collection is timeless and simple and so perfect.
• Hello - it's from TIFFANY.  Like I said, what woman doesn't love that blue box w/ white ribbon!?

Anyway, thank you for letting me take the opportunity to brag on how awesome my Hubs is and how he treats me like the Princess that my momma still calls me.  This pregnancy thing is the hardest thing I've ever gone through for many reasons, but I also know that it's no walk in the park for him - and to have him love me as much as he does and always smile and give me the benefit of the doubt everyday right now is really the most amazing gift he could give me.

I LOVE YOU, BEANS!!

11 Week Recap

 

11 weeks. 

11 weeks already!  YAY!!
This was a pretty exciting week, considering Sunday was my  29th birthday and I told myself that it would be my little gift to myself to 'officially' announce the pregnancy on FB - so I took a deep breath and updated my status to read :

It was so crazy to read all of the comments and congratulations!  Definitely made for a fun and exciting birthday :) 

After church Drew took me to Pewter Rose for brunch.  I had a virgin mimosa (who knew OJ w/ sparkling water would taste just like the real thing??) and I decided to test my 'new and improved anti-morning sickness' stomach by ordering the eggs benedict.  As Julia Roberts says to the snotty chicks at the retail store in Pretty Woman when she comes back in and asks if they work on commission, "BIG mistake.  HUGE!"  While it was sooo good on the way down, the richness of the dish got to me around 4:30 that afternoon and it was anything but a nice birthday present.  I was so sick that we had to cancel dinner with Brandon and Denise and I ended up sipping on ginger ale to round out my day of celebration.  Fun, huh?  I've decided that a) since next year is the big 3-0, Drew and I will be doing something totally fun and exciting to make up for the last birthday of my 20s, and b) I wont be eating eggs benedict anytime soon.  I should totally just stick to my beloved preggo craving-induced french toast.  

I stayed home from work and rested Monday because the eggs benedict debacle sure did wear me out. 

Wednesday was the most exciting day of Week 11 - and maybe the most exciting day since finding out I was pregnant and seeing the heart beat!!  Momma came to town and we had lunch with my dear friend, Krystyn, who is also expecting!!  It's always fun to get together with other preggos and compare stories.  After lunch momma and I headed to meet Drew downtown because I had my NT scan!!  I opted for the scan because 1) it was covered by our insurance and 2) it gave me an extra ultrasound!  YAY FOR ULTRASOUNDS!!  And let me tell you, this one did not disappoint!  Baby Sac showed up immediately on the screen and (GASP!) actually looked like a real life little baby (instead of the previous fuzzy-gummy bear looking image we'd seen 5 weeks prior).  He/she was dancing and stretching and sucking their thumb!!!  It was the most exciting thing ever and I could have sat and watched the screen forever.  It was the craziest thought to me that this little human is moving all around inside of me and I cant feel it (yet).  I cant wait for that!!  (Only about 3 weeks or so until I start getting the little baby flutter feelings, and not long after will follow full-on judo-chops to my internal organs!!)  I've never been so excited about being beaten up...lol.  Anyway, Baby Sac was measuring right along (actually bigger by 2 days, but Drew says that's because "he's" going to be a linebacker), and the heart rate was a strong and healthy 178BPM!  The fluid on the back of the baby's neck (which was what the scan was for - it tells the chances of having a neural tube defect such as trisomy or Down's), measured perfectly and Baby Sac was cleared as being a happy and healthy (and extremely active) little bundle of joy.  YAY!  Music to this expectant momma's ears :)



Isn't this the sweetest little face you've ever seen!?



Love how their head is at a 50/50 ratio to their body right now...



Baby Sac is either fist pumping already, or doing the Tomahawk Chop for their Uncle Boo's Atlanta Braves.

After my scan I had the routine bloodwork done and had my 3 month checkup with Dr. Hardy.  He is such a nice man and I really like him alot - but I'm ready to see my favorite, Dr. Belle!  I'll see her for my 4 month checkup (March 15) and then on March 28 she'll tell us whether we're having a Boy or a Girl!  Ahhhhh!!  This is going SO quickly and (now that my head isn't spending most of it's time in the toilet), I'm really loving being pregnant!  I'm trying to just love every second and not take any of it for granted because I know in 6 short months, it'll be over and I'll have to share Baby Sac with the rest of the world :)

The rest of the week was pretty low key, considering Wednesday's excitement!  We started packing, which has sucked because moving always sucks and because I get tired so easily.  So, with new pictures and confirmation that Baby Sac is happy and healthy, we move along to another week.  YAY!!
Side Note - I have to say RIP to one of my all-time favorite musicians, Mrs. Whitney Houston.  When Dana sent me a text Saturday, Feb 11, I was so sad!  I think it makes me even sadder to think how terrible today's music is and that all of the classics are passing away.  It's definitely up to me and Drew to make sure Baby Sac knows GOOD music - and once again, that they are protected from ever having to endure the pain that is listening to Ke$ha.

WEEK 11 CRAVINGS:  Friday afternoon I got a CRAZY craving for coffee ice cream with chocolate chips sprinkled on top.  I have no clue where this came from, but it was one of those things that I knew I couldn't just talk myself out of.  I had to have it.  So after dinner, Drew took me to Cold Stone Creamery and I indulged in the most delicious scoop of coffee ice cream with chocolate chips on top.  In a waffle cone.  And I ate EVERY single bite.  I was actually sad when it was gone. 

Seriously, one of the best things I have ever eaten.

WEEK 11 AVERSIONS:  Cleaning out the pantry.  I made a deal with Drew that I'd clean out the pantry while he cleaned out the fridge - and the smells of both combined had me constantly gagging.  SO glad that's over.

WEEK 11 "To Remembers": While I was sad that my magnificent coffee ice cream cone was there and gone so quickly, it reminded me of the 'everything in moderation' mantra that Dr. Hardy keeps repeating.  This was the first caffiene I've allowed myself since finding out I was preggo and although it was only one scoop, it had me wide awake until 11pm!  (Crazy night owl I am for staying up til 11 on a Friday night, I know - but for someone who is completely passed out by 8pm most nights, this was quite the accomplishment).  I laughed, thinking about the acrobatics that I'm sure Baby Sac was performing in response to my stimulant - and then felt guilty for the image of him or her having blood shot eyes and acting like the tweaked out guy in the old Mad TV skits who had too much caffiene.  So while it was amazing, it's definitely something I'll enjoy - but only 'in moderation'.

15 Questions: The Pregnancy Edition

So back in the day when I worked at Senderra, my bud, Ashley Nelson and I used to send '15 Question' emails back and forth, to break up the ridiculous monotony of our day.  It was so fun and always so random, and this past week she emailed me all the way from her new home in Oregon with an all-things-pregnancy themed '15 Questions'!
I figured it would be fun to add it to my blog since it's a bunch of my random answers to her random pregnancy questions. :)
ENJOY!!


1. weirdest craving you have had thus far
French toast.  I guess that’s not really ‘crazy’, but I seriously want it like all the time.  Oh, and there was a night when I went to the grocery store and got green olives, pickles and extra sharp white cheddar cheese and housed most of it when I got home.  I can't tell whether that was because I really 'wanted' it or I just just trying to meet pregnancy cravings protocol.

2. names you are considering
BOY – Cohen Lees Jaroscak / GIRL – Annsley Day Jaroscak  

3. how you broke the news to drew
He didn’t even know I was taking a test while he was in the shower and it was Christmas Eve so we were getting ready for Christmas Eve service at church – it came back “YES” immediately and I ran downstairs, wrapped the test in Christmas tissue paper and put it in a gift bag.  I made him open it immediately after he got out of the shower – wearing nothing but a towel ;) (FYI - towels dont stay on too long when you're dancing up and down all crazy-like).

4. nursery detail you are just dying to have in place
Hmmm…well, we’re closing on a new house at the end of the month, so I guess just HAVING a nursery is a big deal.  I’ve already picked out my furniture though and I’m so excited for all of it.  I have to admit though – I’m incredibly stoked about a comfy glider rocker J  

5. thing you are most nervous about changing with this new season
Girl, a million things worry me day in and day out right now.  I just want the baby to be born happy and healthy – so I pray…A LOT!  

6. paula deens response to bein a grand!  (ashley has always referred to my momma as 'the young paula deen')
It was Christmas Day at my Mamaws – I wrote out a poem I had found from the baby to their grandparent and framed it and had her open it before anyone else got there.  She got halfway through it, realize what was going on and was crying so hard she couldn’t get a word out.  It was amazing and definitely one of the best moments of my entire life.  Glad Drew got it on video.  

7. most exciting part of being preggers right now
EVERYTHING!  It’s so much fun!  Well, the morning sickness sucked, but I think I’m pretty well over that so I’m just hanging out!  People are nicer to you, lol.  I guess the most fun right now is how pretty I feel.  I’m in the fun/cute stage right now – ask me again when I’m HUGE and miserable…lol.  But for right now, it really is a different kind of beautiful – with a growing bump it’s really just cool and pretty much the best accessory I’ve ever had!  

8. all natural or hand me some meds
Hand me the meds…ASAP.  I watched a Baby Story last week when I was home sick and that put the fear of God in me to never, ever consider natural birth.  As soon as I hit the hospital, I want an epidural and IV drip stat.  

9. how many little sacs you anticipate having in the family tree
2.  MAYBE 3, depending on if we have 2 of one gender.  Who knows though, with our luck we’d end up with 3 boys or 3 girls…lol.  

10.thing you expect to enjoy most about being a mommy
The unexplainable love.  Dana says it’s the most amazing thing and I’m already SO much in love with this baby.  I cant wait to see what he/she looks like.  

11. what has been surprising about it thus far
How fast your body changes.  It’s crazy, but I already get winded just walking up the stairs and my sciatic nerve has already started bothering me.  First trimester has been a little rough, but I’m already rounding the corner and sliding into 2^nd tri!!  

12. # of virgin ritas have you had since finding out
ZERO.  I haven’t had a virgin anything yet (with the exception of white sparkling grape juice, if that counts).  Dana did bring me some virgin ritas but they’re still in the fridge.  This weekend is my birthday though, so I plan on getting a little crazy with my sober self. (***NOTE TO MY READERS: I did not get crazy with my sober self...I had the stomach flu on my bday, so unless diet ginger ale and Gatorade counts, I was pretty lame).

13. now your brother can truly be called 'uncle' his response to this was
He hugged me tighter than he’s ever hugged me before.  He’ll send me random texts asking how his ‘nephew’ is doing.  I guess whether Baby Sac is a boy or girl, they’ll be donning Braves apparel asap if Uncle Boo has anything to do with it.  

15. thing you want non-pregnant people to understand about those with child
I cant go out and drink, but I can still go out and have a good time.  You cant smoke in Charlotte bars anymore, so it's not really like the 'You've got a baby...in a bar' type of scenario.  I don’t mind being the large and in charge preggo at the bar with my Pellegrino!!  

14. have you started shopping for the chrysler town n country yet?
Haha – NO!!  NEVER!!  I have a Chevy Equinox right now and it has plenty of room for a first-time family so no plans for a mommy-mobile.  Even if I did trade in the Nox, I’d be getting another SUV – no grocery-getters in the Sac house.  

10 Week Recap


Week 10 came and went pretty uneventfully, which I guess when you're pregnant is a good thing.  I'm already closing in on my 11th week right now (and that blog post is gonna be a GOOD one!!), so I hope to one day be caught up enough to have the timing more up to date. 


Week 10...right after 4 pieces of french toast.

Which may explain why I look 6 months and not 10 weeks :)

 

Anyway, week 10 was full of Superbowl food (yay, pizza and Rotel cheese dip!!), more french toast (can't get enough) and cravings, which come and go like the wind so usually if I wait long enough they'll pass.  Besides, I'm craving things that I cant even come close to touching for the next 6 months, like ShockTop (umm, when's the last time I even had one of those - like 2006 when Dana and I used to close down Bailey's on Wednesday karaoke night!?).  I do have to admit that I'm a sucker for any and everything "donuts" right now.  Boston Cream, Raspberry Jelly, my beloved Chocolate Covered and just plain iced...the big ol donuts with the hole in the middle or donut holes from DD.  Loving the donuts, but like everything right now, in moderation.  I must confess how happy they make me though.  For the glorious minute or 2 that it takes me to devour one, I'm like the happiest preggo in the world.

I had dinner with my friend Amanda at Cowfish (where I realized I miss sushi more than I thought I did), but where I also realized that you can put anything in a wine glass and make yourself feel a little bit special. 

Here's to you, Perrier and Pellegrino.  :)



Yay for Preggo Happy Hour!!

• WEEK 10 CRAVINGS:  Donuts.  See above.  And don't judge.
• WEEK 10 AVERSIONS:  I actually ate chicken this week!!  I'm not a complete FREAK!  YAY!  Thank you, DD Peckers, for the wonderous concoction known as 'hot ranch'.  I could put the stuff on my shoe and eat it.  (Which, given weirdo preggo cravings I may).  No new aversions this week, just thankful for the one day that I craved and was able to enjoy my hot ranch chicken fingers.
• WEEK 10 "To Remembers": To always be thankful that Denise introduced me to VitaFusion Gummies.  OMG - so good, I could eat the entire bottle and have trouble restricting myself.  But the REAL props come to the fact that they're making me eh-um-'function' like a halfway normal person!  YAY FOR FIBER!!! :)



8 & 9 Week Recap!

Okay, so I've been a little REALLY slack!  I've been busy at work and this is where I usually Blog from, so while my boss is in NYC today, I'll take full advantage and play a little bit of catch up on the past 2 weeks :)



8 weeks!!  First maternity shirt :)

WEEK 8
Week 8 was pretty uneventful.  I was so sick the Wednesday of that week that I left work at 10am and on my way home made a pit stop to visit my friend, Karla.  Karla is mommy to (almost) 3 year old Dylan and Anabel, who was born in November of last year.  It was so nice to visit with her and get some great mommy advice and to hold the baby a bit!  It made it even more real that in a few months I'll be holding one of my own - kind of surreal, but REALLY cool!  Karla also has incredible style and is my size, so when she insisted that I take the 2 boxes of maternity clothes she had set out for me, I couldn't have been more excited!!
Friday of that week I had dinner with Dana while Drew went to the hockey game downtown for 'Guys Night'.  I cant tell you how much I enjoy every minute I get to spend with Dana and how blessed I feel to have her as my best friend.  We've been through so much and to have her guiding me through this new chapter in my life, after having gone through it a year ago, is such an amazing thing.  There's no question I can't ask and while she already knows I'm crazy, I doubt anything I say or do could surprise or offend her.  And being able to spend time with Ava is indescribable.  I love that little girl so much and having her around makes me that much more excited for my little one to be here!  I cant wait to find out if I'm carrying her best friend or her future husband.  ;)  And here's a REALLY cool piece of trivia - Dana and I share the same birthday, February 12th, and Ava was born on September 2nd - THE SAME DAY AS BABY SAC'S DUE DATE!!  Guess some friendships are just meant to be!
This was the week that I really realized how much my life is changing from some of the people around me.  I'm so thankful for the friends that I have and for their support, but I now know that I'm no longer the girl everyone calls when they want to go grab a glass of wine after work or for a night out on the town.  While this was a tough reality for a minute, once I thought about it, I realized that I'll gladly trade that title in a million times for the title of "Momma".  It's definitely different...and I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

• WEEK 8 CRAVINGS:  FRENCH TOAST.  While I'm not usually a breakfast kinda girl, I wanted french toast so badly this week that I just had to have it - and only Cracker Barrel whole wheat sourdough french toast (with hasbrown casserole and bacon) would do.  So of course Drew, being the amazing husband he is, dressed me in my finest gown (i.e. sweat pants and an Ohio State hoodie) and saddled the horse and buggy (the F-150) and we ventured out for Saturday night date night - and let me tell you, it DID.NOT.DISAPPOINT.  I housed the entire meal in record time.

• WEEK 8 AVERSIONS:  Chicken.  Again. 
• WEEK 8 "To Remembers":  To thank God each day for the creation of the Boppy pregnancy pillow. 



9 weeks - in the bathroom at work.
So chic.

 WEEK 9
Last week, Week 9, was probably the hardest for me as a whole so far.  Just when I had started telling people that I was feeling much better and when I thought the "Morning Monster" (as I have appropriately dubbed it) had left the building for the most part, it reared it's ugly head again and I was sick every single day.  It had to have been a male that named it 'morning' sickness because they sure had no idea what they were talking about.  What exactly relegates it to the morning...especially when you're gagging the entire way home from work and finally puke once you hit the door at 5:30pm.  Last time I checked, 5:30pm isnt close to being considered 'morning'.  I was so sick Thursday that I stayed home from work which not only allowed me the luxury of puking in private(thank God for small favors), but also gave me an opportunity to catch up on 4 hours of Real Housewives and 3 hours of "Its a Brad-Brad World".  Nothing nurses you back to health like Bravo tv on DVR.  I'm serious - doctors should seriously prescribe it.  I finally broke down and had the dr call me in a prescription for Zofran, which provided me enough relief to make it to Daddy and Trig's that night for MUCH anticipated (and personally requested) crepes...Daddy's specialty!  I remember being little on Saturday mornings and wakling up to Daddy and asking him to make crepes.  They've been my fave since way back then and I love that all I have to do is say the word and he's whipping up a batch.  Add to that now, Trig's hashbrown casserole (although I usually just eat the baked cornflakes from the topping) and you got yourself a gourmet breakfast-for-dinner specialty!!  And thank God for the Zofran because I had barely eaten all week, and because of it's magical anti-nausea powers, I plowed through 5 crepes, 2 servings of hashbrown casserole and a handful of bacon with GREAT delight!  Thanks again, D&T...it was awesome!!
Since before we got married, Drew and I have set aside Friday nights as 'Friday Night Date Night'.  Now, when we were younger and non-preggo, this would usually entail a night of dressing up and hitting the newest and coolest restaurant.  These days, it's whatever I feel like eating, and dressed in whatever clothes are most comfortable.  So we ventured out to Zack's on South Blvd - one of my all-time fave Charlotte staples for some fried trout (hey, the doctor said I need to up my protein, and I had been so sick all week that I didn't feel the least bit guilty for the 5million calorie meal).  Of course, all of this came after I waked in the door and puked after work...Drew asked if I felt like going and trust me, nothing stands in the way of the crazy preggo and her cravings!  So once I had - ehhmmm - made some room, I got what I wanted.  In all of it's fried, greasy glory.

Saturday was laid back and relaxing and Sunday we went to Forest Hills with Neff.  It was such a great sermon, appropriately focused on leading your children and how your actions and words today will shape not only your children, but your grandchildren and future generations.  It was awesome and we were SO blessed.  However, I must say the best part came during the closing praise and worship.  While I had been humbled all sermon thinking about how my Mamaw/Papaw and my parents had paved the way for me, I was again reminded of family as in the middle of a Chris Tomlin song, the lead singer broke out into some good ol southern gospel hymns.  I bawled as I remembered Grammaw Julie cooking in the kitchen and singing the same words as she cooked biscuits - and how Mamaw would sing the same words as she cooked shrimp - and how Momma would sing the same words as she cooked cornflake chicken.  It really made me realize that it's up to me to carry on the tradition - and I will proudly...as I cook whatever it is that Baby Sac grows up to love. 

• WEEK 9 CRAVINGS:  Zack's fried trout.  See above.
• WEEK 9 AVERSIONS:  Chicken.  And hot chocolate (only because I threw it up about 6 times this week).
• WEEK 9 "To Remembers": To be thankful for the naps that I take advantage of now, because in a few months I wont be able to enjoy another one for about 18 years.

My Wish...For You...



I'm one of those people who really focuses in and pays attention to song lyrics and what they mean.  I guess that's one reason why I love music so much - I can relate to most any song in one way or another.

I have heard the following song many times on cd, played at wedding, live in concert and I've always loved it.  I've related to it in the past because it reminded me of one of my dearest friends, Brittany Spaulding and how much she loved and wanted to live life.  I loved it because it says things that I know related to her life here on earth as well as her life now in Heaven.  It's one of those songs that transcends the barrier between life here and life beyond.

I heard it for about the 1,000th time this morning on the way to work - and I realized that while it will always remind me of Britt, I now relate to it in a completely new and beautiful way.  Every word is exactly what any mother would want for their child - and it perfectly describes everything that I want for Baby Sac, now and forever. 


MY WISH
~Rascal Flatts~

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' til you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish, yeah yeah

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish.