NC Visit, Baby Shower, and Anniversary

What a packed and wonderful weekend we had! We headed to Kernersville Friday night for dinner with Danielle at China Palace. If you don't know, China Palace is a delicious restaurant in Kernersville. They've been there about 22 years so that should say something! Josh LOVES their sesame chicken - better than any Chinese he has ever had. Seriously, go give them a try! After dinner, we went to Danielle's in Advance and had a great time catching up with her. Danielle and I have known each other since our days back at Statesville Middle School. We love us some Danielle time! I love hearing her and Josh together - their laughs are loud and infectious! We were so busy talking and prepping for the baby shower that I didn't capture many pictures of us ... see below for one from the shower.

Saturday morning we had a photo shoot with Amber of Help Me Help Others Photography. I met Amber when I worked at RMIC. It was great to catch up with her and see her new interest in photography. She is doing so great! She is so patient and kind and puts you at ease - even if you aren't photogenic! She literally had to tell me when to open my eyes ... I'm horrible with pictures! If you are in the Winston Salem area - check out her site. It goes to charity and she really is a sweetheart. And the photo shoots are quick - so you can squeeze them in easily! Also, thank you Dale for the hug! Here's a sneak peak of the session:

Quick pic of me and Amber after the photo shoot.

We found a quick break in the rain and got in a few shots.

Body by baby

After the photo shoot we rushed to Cracker Barrel to have lunch with Josh's dad and Lainey. His dad did the sweetest thing - he gave Josh a couple "daddy gifts." I actually got a little teary eyed as he opened a few items. See pics below for details:

Josh with his Daddy-to-be Survival Kit

A sampling of the cute stuff from kit.

After lunch, Josh headed to High Point to hang out with the Church boys while I headed to shower. I am so thankful so many people came out to help me celebrate our little Peanut! The weather was horrible! It poured the rain - yet, several people came out. Unfortunately, we did have a few that couldn't make it due to bad driving conditions. I got to see a lot of friends that I haven't seen in years! Thank you all for coming! Here's a few pics of the event:

Party Decor - And Danielle with the Guess The Celebrity Mustache game :)

The Lovely Hostesses ... Danielle on the left and McKenzie on the right (with Savannah's head in the corner).

Present Time

We didn't get a picture of every present, but here's a few: Starting at the top left going clockwise - Mollie gave me the blanket my mom made for her first son and a cute piggy bank, Emily B. made me a sweet baby blanket, Grandpa and Lainey like to buy cute clothes, specifically this outfit that says Mommy's Little Peanut - how appropriate! And last, but not least, the cutest little boots and cowboy hat from Sarah! Everything was adorable, but these are the only pics I have - stay tuned and you are most likely to see Peanut in or using the gifts you gave! FYI - I got hot and Donna let me borrow a hair clip. So not photogenic ...

We missed a few people, but here's most of the group. 

Whoa Nelly! Just thought this one was funny - Sarah and I joking around. I love how her little one is looking at us like we are crazy!

Nice photo of family at the shower!

Random friend photos captured before everyone left. Starting with the top left and moving left to right and where I met them, row by row: Melanie - Bridge friend, Sarah - Middle school friend, Heidi - RMIC friend, Crystal - RMIC friend, Keith (Grandpa), Bohannon family - Bridge friends, Donna - Bridge friend (and Matching with Friends worthy opponent!), Mollie - Winston Salem Party friend :), Jamie & Parker - RMIC friend.

It was a great day! I'm so thankful for each and every person that came! You all came into my life in a different way, but I know it was on purpose! I can't wait to see you all again!

Sunday was our 7th Anniversary! How else do you celebrate other than a delicious breakfast at Cageny's in Kernersville? 

Is year 7 the year of the pancake? We look a little tired but breakfast was delish!

After lunch we stopped by the Church family's house to say one last good bye. Their boys and girl love Josh. Then went home where Josh quickly started putting baby stuff together. He really is going to be a great dad!

What have I been eating? Everything ... we were surrounded by delicious food all weekend. I even bought a cooler and take out containers so I could take shower leftovers back to VA! On Monday I enjoyed sausage balls, spinach dip, apple dip, and cake! Delish!

32 Week Update

Today I am officially 32 weeks along. I had an ultrasound this morning and everything is going well with Peanut. He is growing and everything is well. That's about the best you can expect from an appointment!

They expect him to be about 5 pounds now ... and I still have 2 months to go! What!?!?!?! The doctor said not to worry. There is a chance that he can plateau weight wise but they are going to keep an eye on him. This is actually good news. They have been monitoring me due to a thyroid issue that they feared would make him a light weight - not in this case! Have they seen his parents? Kidding!

Baby Shower, Birthday, and New Year's

Jam packed - that's how this holiday season has been! But I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

Saturday (12/28), my family had a shower for me at my Grandma's house in Cana, VA. I think it had been at least 2 years since I had seen some of them. That's just too long! We used that as a good opportunity to take some family pictures.

It's hard to fit us all in ..

Cousin Hope and Aunt Nannette

Uncle Jason, Cousin Aiden, and Uncle Donnie

Cousins Cara, Ila, and Leslie

Cousins David, Solomon, Ananias, and Carrie

Cousins Darlene, Cariah, and Cooper

Lots of nuts ... too many to list :)

Daddy with Grandma and some of Daddy's brothers and sisters ... too many to list!

Daddy, Grandma, and me

Daddy and Momma with the grand kids

 Sunday was my birthday. I needed that time to relax!

The first thing Josh has bought for Peanut on his own - an Appalachian State shirt - how sweet! 

The coolest "Mommy and Me" bag. Mom holds the orange handles and the little one holds the blue handle. Pretty cool and Josh found it all on his own! 

The best picture I could get of the two of us on my bday ... 

My birthday treats - a cake made by Josh and a K&W chocolate cream pie from Ingrid.

Flowers from Josh - I came home after the shower to a clean house, clean laundry, grocery shopping complete, a cake baked, and fresh flowers. He is quite the Trophyhus! I'm one lucky girl!

 For New Year's we went to dinner with Amber and Sam then went to Carrie's for some games. We had a great time and actually made it to midnight. Probably the last time I'll be able to do that!

And, what have I been eating (since I'm no longer running) ... 

O'Dell's dog basket! Had to get one on the way home from the shower. You can't beat two hot dogs and crinkle cut FF for so cheap!

Amber loves them too!

I reach 32 weeks on Friday (1/3/14) - so stay tuned!

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Saturday we celebrated Christmas with Josh's family. We ate dinner at Village Inn Pizza and I couldn't have been happier! The food was fantastic and the company was even better! I didn't get many pictures, but here's one of the boys. All my iPhone pics were blurry. That irritates me to no end!

And here's a pic from their Christmas card with one of my Christmas mustache magnets :)

When we returned from NC, my sister from Maine was in town. Yesterday, Christmas Day, my family spent the day at Mom's eating and playing games. We had a great time. Here's a few pics since they say it better than I could.

What our Christmas Card might have looked like .... if we made one this year!

The whole family together for once!

Christmas Eve Presents (Chaos)

More Christmas Eve

Papa and the kids being silly!

Christmas Day Fun

More Christmas Day Fun

 I'll be 31 weeks along tomorrow so next week I hope to have another update. 

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!!

Almost forgot these ... here's our tree scouting :)

We crossed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, ... kidding! We went to Kroger!

And here's a sneak peak of the Nursery ... it's starting to come together!  

28 Weeks Update

Hello third trimester! The second trimester seemed to fly by! Here's a little update since last time:

This week's doctor visit went very well. I had the glucose test but I haven't received the results yet. I'm hoping they come back saying I do not have gestational diabetes! Peanut is growing very well despite my thyroid issue. He is in the 70th percentile per the ultrasound. That is comforting yet scary! How big is he going to be??? Josh was able to come with me this time and see Peanut in the 3D ultrasound. On the screen, he looks amazing! The pictures don't do him justice. He didn't exactly cooperate so I don't have an new great pictures to post of him. The doctor said as he gets more meat on his bones the 3D images will be clearer. I go back for another ultrasound in a month or so and will hopefully be able to post more pics then.

How's life been? Danielle came for a visit. It was a ton of fun hanging out doing girl stuff! We even found time to see the Hunger Games with Josh. Thanks for visiting Danielle! Here's the only pic I got of that visit:

Then came Thanksgiving. We spent the day at my parents and then Keith came in for a visit (no pictures! I've really got to get better at using the camera. I mean, that is what I bought it for!). I can't believe how this year is flying by.

I've only got two more working weeks of the year - that sounds exciting! I'm only taking a week off for Christmas, but it sounds better when I say it this way!

From here on out, I'll try to get pictures every two weeks. There isn't too much going on (other than the holidays) as I'm trying to take advantage of the down time I have. I'm getting lots of sleep and generally resting. I hear those days are numbered and I don't want to waste a single one!

Until next time!

November Baby Update

Feels like it has been a while since I last posted. So here's a quick catch up:

I've been experiencing some acid reflux/indigestion or something nightly. That's no fun! Going up and down stairs and walking or standing a lot wears me out more than it used too. Today is the last day of our Be Well challenge for work and I'm looking forward to not having to wear a pedometer daily! It's kinda sad to see how quickly I wear out these days. Though, it was motivating to make me walk a bit more. I'll have to be careful to not get lazier. I'm sleeping pretty good still. Getting used to sleeping on my side and getting up 2 or more times a night. It doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would because it's really easy to fall back asleep. Perhaps it is practice for the months ahead ... wait, I don't think anything can really prepare me for that .. he is worth it though. Getting out of Josh's car is becoming more and more difficult. It's kinda funny cause now he has to give me a boost or just a lot of extra time to get out. I'm sure it's a hoot watching me get out in our driveway since it's a hill. I'm just not that used to being down so low since my car is a lot higher.

This month's ultrasound gave us great pics of Peanut! Here's a few:

Look at  that cute little face!

I think he has his momma's legs :) It's incredible the clarity!

Josh has been great! He has put all the nursery furniture together and it's really starting to look like a nursery! The only major item I am missing is a rocker/glider. I'm trying to decide what type I want (and if I need two - one for upstairs and one for downstairs). Nursery furniture is not cheap so each piece has been a major decision and Josh has been very patient! Once I feel like the nursery is "complete," I will post a few pictures. The colors are green and blue and it seems like we have a nautical theme. We didn't intend for it to go that route, it just kind of happened. It's so funny how you go to a store and there are like five rows of baby gear: 3 girl, 1 boy, 1 neutral. It limits your boy options quite a bit! But we are frugal (I think so) and are piecing things together.

Things are starting to pick up as the holidays get closer. Last weekend the Church family came for a visit and we had a great time catching up. We went to Colonial Williamsburg for the first time ever. It was a beautiful day and perfect for getting in some good walking and eating. Here's a couple cute gifts they gave us. They are too cute not to share!

Next weekend Danielle is coming for a visit (it's on the calendar so I hope we can make the date!). Then it's Thanksgiving and before we know it, Christmas. I can't believe how fast time is flying by! It feels like just yesterday we found out about little Peanut and now we are only a few months away from meeting him. This time next year, my life will be completely different than it is now. It's hard to imagine, but I am looking forward to the changes and hearing his little giggles in the house!

I'll try to be on time for week 28!

It's a ...

BOY!

We went for our full ultrasound Tuesday, and the only good shot we got of peanut was the one that proved he is a boy. Go figure, right? I'll go back in a month for them to check a few more things and hopefully he will cooperate a bit more and I'll have some good peanut pics to post. Until then, here's a few pics of us:

Got Trophyhus to join in the photo fun.

This one's for McKenzie - she loves the little heart shots!

Overall, we are doing very well. I'm over the sickness and have a fair amount of energy most days. Most foods/drinks still don't taste "right" or how I remembered them but I've been able to keep everything down. I'm very thankful for that! The doctor says everything looks on track with no known issues - even more thankful for that! Josh is a real trooper. He's been very loving and kind and is listening very well to my ever changing demands. I love my husband!

We've started the nursery process. So far, we have a crib. Josh and I used our Columbus Day off work (today) to clean out the nursery room closet. How do two people accumulate so much junk? Thankfully, we found a different closet to shove it all into! So if you come for a visit, closets are off limits!! Seriously, I cannot guarantee that you will escape unharmed. Organizing the nursery slowly is something I am going to struggle with as I want it all done now (or yesterday)! But we are trying to be slow and spend as we go. It's a lot of big decisions and I'm trying to make smart ones. There's so much you can buy ... but only so much you actually need. Pacing myself is not one of my strengths!

The hardest decision so far - baby names! I'm pretty sure we will not share the name of the baby until he gets here. So in the meantime, we have to find one we agree on :) We've started a list and change it quite often.

That's all for now! Check back in a few weeks :)