the bump chronicles

Dear Congressman Allen Boyd...

2009-08-11T21:29:00.005-05:00

As a 24 year old working, educated, American mother , I believe in the greatness of this country. I believe that this country is great because this country was founded on hard working Americans who were given the opportunity of freedom and choice. American people having the freedom to choose is what our Founding Fathers fought for; a greatness and freedom of choice that I believe is worth continuing to fighting for. Healthcare is not a Constitutional right, just as owning a car is not right. Government was created to govern and serve the American people, not to dictate over and control the American people. I am a mother who has worked hard to pay for my son’s healthcare plan; a plan where I know he can see any doctor and receive medical attention immediately when needed. As a man who the American people chose to give the title 'Congressman' and power to, what right do you have to steal from your constituents the right to choose the healthcare they work hard for? Not only that, but why would you allow a government who has yet to prove they are capable of controlling anything, have any control or say in the health and well being of the American people? Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Your responsibility is to be the voice and serve the American people who gave you the right to be called 'Congressman'. Your American constituents are saying "NO" to government run healthcare!

Edit: Apparently I need to make myself a little more clear. I am for fixing heathcare policy, but what I am not for is abolishing an entire system all for a government run health care system. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0525/013-opinions-steve-forbes-dont-doc-american-health-care.html

going strong

2009-05-13T09:53:00.006-05:00

three years ago today i was putting on my wedding dress to walk down the aisle and say "i do." who knew i would be waking up three years later to my 6 month old saying "dada". it by far is the best gift!! it's crazy to see how quickly time passes, but exciting to see where you've ended up and where you still have to go!

being that i can't keep up these days between blogging for work, twitter and facebook...this side project has taken the back burner. however here is a run through of baby b's updates:

17 lbs. at 6 mo check up
25 in. long
roll over from back to stomach and vice verse
sits-up by himself
push himself into sitting position
knows his name and understand simple words, "no, good boy, mama, dada, yea!, eat, etc.)
holds bottle
feeds himself puffs (he's a huge fan)
uses a sippy cup
pull himself up
stand with support
walks with help
throws things
knows when we enter his room it is typically nap/bed time
plays copy cat
says, "hey and dada"

to say the least, i never sit down anymore. b is a mover!!! putting him down is proving to be a bit more challenge these days now that he knows he can trow things and stand up in his crib. He thinks it's party time 24/7. Not only is he a mover, but he is quite the charmer and mr. personality. in all honesty, i have never met a more content and happy baby. we are truly blessed!

at his 6 mo check up, the doctor said, "well the next time we see him, brayden will probably be walking." i replied, "are you kidding? the next time we see you (9 months), this child will be running!"

my side of things

2009-04-16T19:11:00.013-05:00

the past 2 weeks, my mind has been racing like a chihuahua on red bull. i have sat down countless times to write and put all my thoughts out on the table, but my mind races faster than my hands can type. you can thank me later for refraining from posting....you think my spelling is bad now....you don't even want to know what it is like under those conditions!

with so much on my mind, but not knowing where to begin, i figured i would show you all what i have been up to. i keep getting questions about people wanting to see what i'm capable of when it comes to photography. well, the big reveal has come. not nearly as fabulous as the ever so talented genya... being that i am still a work in progress!

all comments are welcome. i can handle constructive criticism, but lets be nice about it :) the images below were just taken from the blog....i don't keep the originals at home. those stay at the office! if you wish to check out the high res ones, you'll have to mosey on over to the VUE blog.

.....no words

2009-03-23T22:29:00.003-05:00

rosie & aaron

my mom sent this to me in an email this morning. i'm not even going to say anything....other than - - absolutely, unbelievably, amazing!! and kinda cute....

their article | http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29164894/from/ET/
their pictures | http://www.flickr.com/photos/aknacer/sets/72157605881081844/
their blog | http://nacedesign.com/blog/

and that's a wrap!

2009-03-21T22:43:00.007-05:00

every weekend this month has been consumed with weddings. however this year, it is behind a lens......WHICH I LOVE!!!! i thought i loved weddings before...now they really do ROCK!

this past thursday, genya and i had the opportunity to step out from behind the cameras and do a little strutting of our own. kylene who owns Forever Photography out of Tallahassee, came over to our neck of the woods to play with us for a bit! let's just say she captured us in all our crazy glory! when genya and i saw the pictures we were amazed and fell absolutely in love with them! here are just a few quickies of me...check out a few of the others with both of us on her blog:

mmm...good!

2009-03-10T20:44:00.004-05:00

today began on a good note: sleeping in until 10am! granted brayden woke up at 6am, but he drank his bottle in bed next to me while practically asleep so i slept as well. after waking up and getting ready, haley, baby b and i went to eat at our favorite little place, Liza's Kitchen, for lunch. sitting outside in the sunshine and 75 degree weather eating my hot muffaletta made my day! brayden sat in his seat and carried on his own little conversation while we ate. we then went grocery shopping...which much to my surprise wasn't the nightmare i expected it to be during spring break.
(side note: my annual spring break tirade will be posted at a later date!) as i unloaded the groceries, brayden took his 3rd nap of the day. have i mentioned what a wonderful baby i have been blessed with?! after he woke-up i fed him his bottle and squash. i refuse to taste baby food in fear i will never be able to forgive myself for giving it to my child. it is better just to not know!

while baby b watched american idol (we want to make sure he is a well rounded child!) i made my infamous peanut butter krispy bars for small group tomorrow night. thank goodness i am not working with a P90X trainer or else i would be in some serious trouble!

since i am on a roll of having a productive day, i thought i might take it a bit further and share my ever beloved recipe with everyone. it has only taken me....well i won't tell you how long...to give this out. i apologize for those who have been asking for it for quite sometime!

here goes:

Peanut Butter Krispy Bars

1 stick of butter (creamy)
2 cups of peanut butter (Jiff - because all moms choose Jiff!)
3 cups of Rice Krispies (i used the store brand...i mean can you really tell the difference?!)
3 cups of powered sugar
1 package of milk chocolate morsels

mix softened/creamy butter and peanut better in a large mixing bowl. add in rice krispies one cup at a time (this is easier than pouring all 3 cups in at once). then add in the powered sugar one cup at a time (for the same reason...your hand will be very sore if you don't). then spread ingredients into a 9x13 pan. put chocolate morsels into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 min. 15 sec. and then stir until melted. pour and spread chocolate over top other ingredients in pan. refrigerate for 5-10 minutes. cut into squares and serve.

promised to be a crowd pleaser....old men love these ;)

now i must go do a little arm and shoulder P90X .....

"mommy, wow.....!"

2009-03-02T00:26:00.005-06:00

baby b has been working on sitting up alone for quite sometime but never really had much success....until today!

a little doodle

2009-02-27T20:55:00.007-06:00

this week has been so jammed packed, it makes me tired just thinking about. therefore, i won't recap. from the moment i walked through the door each afternoon this week, i was ready to put on my favorite pair of sweats (yes, i still wear my college sorority sweat pants to bed....jared has lost all hope) lock my door, turn off the monitor, let jared and baby b fend for themselves and call it a night.

having these spurts of extreme exhaustion gave jared and i cause to worry that brayden may be a big brother much sooner than we would ever like to even subconsciously think about. my 7:30 bedtimes, blank stares, and asking for people to constantly repeat themselves, was the dead giveaway this time last year. thank the good lord that pee stick read 'not pregnant' or i would have been trying to undo that etch-a-sketch. had i been, jared and i would be firm believers in immaculate conception. i mean seriously, give me a break. no one , including myself, wants another year of my pregnant ramblings regardless of how easy i had it in comparison!

disclaimer: now if i was on round 2, we would be absolutely thrilled knowing we were meant to have one more little blessing. obviously now we know that another blessing is meant for later. my body and pocketbook are both grateful!

so with it being a long week, i came home today turned on a little itunes and heard one of my favorites as i laid lifelessly on the couch. yes, i have posted this little tune before, but i can't get enough and you know you can't either. don't hate, you know it makes you smile!

Ordinary Day - Emilie Mover

it must be the baby einstien

2009-02-17T20:50:00.002-06:00

today marks the 4 month mile stone for baby b. after his 4 month check up we can conclude that he is quite the trooper when having needles flying at him as well as being a rather advanced little fella.

doc stats:
Weight: 14.3 lbs.
Length: 23.5 in.
Head Circumference: 42 cm.
Stage Advancement: extremely advanced
Warning: early crawler and loud talker
What to look forward to: solid food adventures

today we spent the afternoon at the studio. he's becoming quite a fan!

valentines day or just another day?

2009-02-14T23:54:00.000-06:00

Having moved this past week and no cable/internet until monday, here I sit updating on my blackberry. Call me bored, desperate, or determined....you decide. I prefer determined...do you have any idea how small these buttons are? Thank goodness I don't have fake nails or this would just be a lost cause!

Happy Valentines Day! More importantly, Happy 17th Birthday Haley (little sister). Because Jared is in the restaurant business, he had to work...lucky for him over the years I've realized what a nightmare it is to try and go anywhere on this Hallmark Holiday. So last night after unpacking boxes we had strawberry cheesecake, wine, and watched an old favorite! Tonight however, consisted of outback take-out, wine, nap time for baby, more wine, chocolate and a good chick flick!! Personally, I don't know if it can get any better than that! Monday night our unpaid live-in nanny (aka Haley) is going to watch Brayden while we go out...we'll see if it trumps tonight...which will be hard to do!

Speaking of baby b... Here are his updated stats:
Almost 4 month...on Tuesday
Continues to sleep through the night
Wakes up between 7:30 and 8 like clockwork!
Rolls over 24/7...its all a game to him
Has been introduced to rice cereal...(video to soon follow)
Has discovered yelling gets attention from everyone which he finds to be hilarous
Has found his true comforts: passy, blankey, and mommy

....My thumbs now need a serious break!

lost in the abyss called life

2009-02-07T10:51:00.006-06:00

don't ask where i have been hiding for so long.....quite frankly i'm not really sure. i always think this time of year is the slowest part, however i have been proven wrong by 2009. the truth is, busyness abounds. perhaps most of that is due to having baby b + working full time + a husband + a house + the every now and then attempt of having a social life. blogging has taken the very back seat on my list of things to do. i apologize.

the past week has really thrown me to the dogs. you would think that by now i would have learned my lesson to keep my mouth shut and not gloat in unfavorable mishaps not occurring in my life......well, God might as well struck me with a lightening bolt yet again. last friday, brayden came down with his 1st cold. tuesday night, i caught the 24 hr. flu.....the kind that involves severe hot flashes, numbing chills, resurfacing meals, and a sore, achy body (which was not a result of a vigorous gym workout). i have now learned my lesson. no more will i boast in saying i usually am unscathed by any flu epidemic and perhaps succumb to the inevitable flu shot.

one reason i have continued to remain m.i.a. is that i was waiting for a certain announcement to be made on another end. now that it has been made, i can can make mine! after the new year, i started working with genya at VUE photography. i know you have all heard my continuous babbling raves.....so when i was asked to join on with her, i was like a giddy little girl on christmas morning! as hard as it may seem, before i ever wanted to plan wedding, i wanted to be a photographer. after studying it a bit on college i fell even more in love with photography, but the doors opened up in the wedding business first. so now, not only am i continuing on with weddings, but i get to do it all from behind a camera. sometimes i have to stop and take in how truly blessed i am. i married the first boy i ever fell in love with, i wake up to warm weather and sunshine just about every day, i have the job most could only dream to have, i have the most precious little baby, and a family who i adore. life doesn't get much better than this!

so here goes.......

here's to a new year

2009-01-04T15:17:00.003-06:00

who would have thought that i would be able to keep my news years resolution of 2008. so here i sit 87 posts later in 2009 and still going strong...at times.

this past year has been a year of ups and downs, tears and laughter, but most of all a year of blessings and miracles. even though jared and i planned on having a baby in 2008, a year ago, it was something that was just a dream and hard to imagine what it would be like as a reality. with brayden actually hear and already 2.5 months old, i couldn't imagine life any differently.

the holiday festivities came and went faster than i could say "merry christmas". i could barely get out christmas cards! Let me just say, for those who make a holiday in and of it self with christmas cards, i commend you! this was our first year and we went the easy route: jared designed, snapfish printed, and out went our christmas postcards (who really cares about the envelope anyways....besides i thought i would give all your postmen something to look at!) I apologize if you did not receive one, we didn't plan very well and only ordered 50....i guess we know more people than we thought. i'll plan better for this year's christmas....that will be one of my resolutions.

as is everything in my family, there was never a dull moment this christmas and new years! poor baby b was passed around like a sack of potatoes and left tired and cranky. i'm sure if anyone is glad for the holiday season to be over, it is him, hands down!

in signing out, here is a rundown of my new years resolutions:

1. continue blogging - whether anyone reads or not (and as much as i had the word 'blog'), it helps me keep my sanity and is exciting to look through old posts and see how life has unfolded.

2. be more proactive - keeping the house clean and life in order as become quite the task...hopefully i'll be more on top of it this year. unfortunately, i no longer have the pregnancy card to play!

3. get in shape - as over rated as this is, i still have pounds to shed from the little blessing that pasted pounds on me the entire year of 2008.

4. take in every moment - now with a little one, i know time is precious and i want to enjoy every moment

5. work hard - i love my job and i want to grow and succeed

6. spent time with family - at the end of the day, they are all i have

7. live a life of passion - i desire to be passionate about my job, my family, life, and most importantly, Christ.

from our home to yours

2008-12-18T10:32:00.003-06:00

steel city

2008-12-14T15:04:00.004-06:00

we may live in the redneck riveria, however that doesn't mean our hearts don't still bleed black and gold! baby b and i are ready to watch our beloved pittsburgh steelers take on the number 1 seat for the playoffs. "Here we go...Pittsburgh's going to the Superbowl!"

sapna + guido

2008-12-12T11:32:00.006-06:00

as many of you know, the month of november was full of indian and ethnic weddings. what an eventful and exciting experience it was! sapna and guido were so wonderful to work with. indian weddings are full of traditions, rich with vibrant colors and never a dull moment!

climie+co (click link to view pictures) from atlanta, took pictures from the entire weekend's events and did an amazing job.

here are a few pictures i took that will take your breath away:

sangeet (friday evening's event):

wedding ceremony:

saturday evening's reception:

christmas giggles

2008-12-12T11:28:00.001-06:00

as if this poor little guy has not been blinded by the camera flash enough, mommy had to go and mess with him again last night. he is a trooper!

genya's vue of baby b

2008-12-09T20:12:00.004-06:00

to say that i am totally stoked about tomorrow's photo shoot with genya from vue photography is a complete understatement! i fell in love and became a bit obsessed with genya and her work before ever meeting her or working with her. i'm sure you are all aware of this due to my incessant chatter about her. strangely odd i know, but it is the honest to goodness truth. she is amazing and her work is unbelievable.....hence to plethera of accolades! being the sweet friend she is, she offered to do a family shoot absolutely free....because we all know i could never afford her magic!

so here i am the night before the big day and rather nervous! have you ever tried to plan a multiple wardrobe change for a photo shoot for your entire family? thank goodness i don't have more kids, i would have given up by now...not to mention bald! perhaps i'm being ridiculous, but i think i care more about these pictures than my own wedding pictures...which by the way i was not impressed with.

back to my dilemmas: blue or black pants? polo or button up? curly or straight hair? pants or dress?

too many choices. i must go decide.

you might be a redneck.......

2008-12-08T00:30:00.006-06:00

i've come to realize that weddings are a free for all...you never know what to expect and at times will never be able to prepare for what may happen.

example 1: the wedding ceremony has begun. turn around to send the first bridesmaid down the aisle.
problem: bridal party is M.I.A.
location: the bar taking shots
solution: yank shot out of hand and loudly reprimand
result: drunk bridesmaid falls down stairs on @$$ while walking down the aisle

example 2: you know you are in for it when the first guest to walk through the door is a man wearing holy jeans, a nasty flannel shirt, has a ratty mangled ponytail and when asked what he would like to drink asks for a "natty light."

example 3: wedding guests ask for to-go boxes to go through the buffet line.

example 4: there is something horribly wrong when people over the age of 50 begin grinding on each other on the dance floor and try to dance dirty....the fact that all rhythm is obsolete is the least of anyone's concern at this point. please. if you are old, no one wants to see you trying to act like a horny 17 year old in front of the poor flower girl. not to mention, most would appreciate to not have their already digested wedding cake resurface.

enough said.

heartbreaker

2008-12-05T21:51:00.001-06:00

he has captured my heart

ordinary day

2008-12-05T19:19:00.004-06:00

you know how you'll be going about your day and a song pops into your head that you heard while watching tv? that's the story of my life...or should i say song? anyways, you get the point. when a song fron a show or commerical is forever embedded in my memory, i end up searching franticly for the download.

this was my latest search. the bounce fabric softener commercial...with the girl in the subway with the blue t-shirt that comes to life.......yes, that one.

emilie mover. mission accomplish.

pottery bar

2008-12-05T14:34:00.003-06:00

last tuesday i went to the pottery bar with a couple girls from church to paint pottery with our kid's hand/foot prints for christmas presents. we had so much fun that jared and i went back on wednesday night for their buy one get one promo to make christmas presents for our families. brayden did surprisingly well as we lathered paint on his little piggies. not only we were able to acomplish the task of finding christmas presents for everyone but it was a great little family outing!

my little peanut

2008-12-05T14:26:00.004-06:00

last night we learned that brayden found his new favorite place. his peanut shell. until now i wasn't able to use it due to nursing and it not fitting....if you know what i mean. had i registered for a larger size i could have put this sucker on and had 2 free hands. i must say i have learned to do and accomplish a lot with just one hand!

i suppose i don't have an excuse anymore for not cleaning the house.

feeding fiascoes

2008-12-02T12:28:00.004-06:00

since brayden was born, the only issue we've had to battle is his reflux. and a battle it has been. poor little guy has had a hard time keeping his food down. we've had to try many different routes, but i'm starting to wonder if this is something he is just going to have to grow out of.....and no solution until then.

we found that bottles worked better than nursing. Formula works better than breastmilk. Cereal in his bottles works better than just formula. dr. browns bottles work better than all other bottles. keeping upright it better than laying down.

so for now, this is what my life has become. incessant wardrobe changes for baby b and i both. if you have seen four christmas, you probably found those scenes of projectile vomiting to be quite humorous. i laughed and almost cried at the same time.

time out. i need to first apologize to my dear little boy. brayden, let me just say that i am thankful you will never remember this stage in your life. formula is absolutely repulsive. in every aspect. not to mention your diapers are now blowouts that smell like a raw sewage infestation and your burps cause severe dry heaving for your victimized parents. you really are 'all boy!' don't worry, i got your daddy gagging while changing one of those blowouts on video. we will save it in order to show your future wife what she is in for when that day arrives. at least you remain content through all these traumatic episodes. your smiles and giggles help me keep my sanity. in the mean time, i'm sorry that this is all you can eat for the next couple of months. it will get better, i promise...or at least that's what i tell myself!

in the land of nod

2008-11-25T11:46:00.006-06:00

from people magazine to parenting magazine. from sleeping in to early rising. from designer purse to diaper bag. from spare free time to absolutely no time.

in the last 5 weeks, life has drastically changed but in the most wonderful way! i have been meaning to update with words rather than pictures for quite sometime. however this is what my life has come to as of lately...a bunch of failed intentions. i wake up every morning with a run down of what i need to accomplish for the day, but for those who have kids, you know that your day never goes as planned! I mean did you really plan to be sprayed all down your shirt during a diaper changing session while running errands, or to leave the house only to realize you left your wallet on the counter, or as soon as you think you've done all the laundry you could possibly do for one day, you end up with more? aside from readjusting to a completely new lifestyle, waking up to brayden's precious smiling little face and coos every morning make the millions of times i have been peed on all worth it!

from day one, i don't think i could have ask for a more wonderful baby! he's so sweet, he even decided to announce he was coming while i was at the doctor's office when my water broke. it's funny how things work. as many of you know, i went almost 2 weeks thinking "today is the day." after many days of nothing, i began praying for the big sign....that my water would break so i would just know! i kept telling jared, 'you just watch, as soon as my mom and sister get into town, i will go into labor." sure enough, my mom arrived wednesday night and that night i began feeling really crampy'. i suppose it was a mother's intuition that set in because thursday before leaving for our weekly check-up, i packed the car with everything from the car seat to the video camera.

after being called back at 2:15pm, just as i was about to step on the dreadful scale, i paused.

me- "ummm, excuse me, i think my water just broke"
nurse & jared - "are you sure?"
me - "well, i just went to the restroom so i'm pretty sure i didn't just pee my pants"
nurse - "umm ok well lets go back to the room"

walking back to the room

me- "yep, pretty sure my water just broke otherwise i just peed my pants 4 times."

after that, we were on our way to meeting brayden in just a mater of hours. my contractions didn't really begin until 6pm. when they decided to finally arrive, they arrived with a mad vengeance! after an hour of the most excruciating pain i have ever felt in my life and ripping out my IV (trying to cope with the pain, i guess i was flailing my arms around, who knows), i demanded the epidural. i wasn't that woman who wanted to be the hero and go "a la natural." i mean really, it's not like any one was going to be giving me an award of accomplishment because i suffered through pain that can not even be described. all i have to say is that epidural was the most wonderful thing i have ever decided to do! once the drugs were in, i was one happy camper. I took a nap and even watched grey's anatomy. At 11:45pm they came in to check if i was dilated and sure enough it was time! with the action the nurses began taking, it was like a full on production was taking place. nurses came in from all directions! Dr. Graham arrived at 12:20. with my entourage of 8 nurses and Dr. Graham, after 20 minutes of pushing and laughing in between (the most difficult part was having to hold my breath!) i was holding my little boy. it truly was the most amazing moment. As they placed him in my arms, tears began streaming down mine and jared's face. brayden ended up being bigger than we expected, a whopping 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 3/4 inches.

Coming home was a breath of fresh air but taking a step into the unknown as my entourage of nurses was not available with the push of a button. We had a few sleepless nights, and diaper changes where a bit traumatic.

we survived.

moving 5 weeks ahead, yesterday was brayden's 1 month check up and he is now 10 lbs. 6 oz. and 22 in. last night he slept 8 hrs. straight. i'm guessing that is why i actually have the energy to sit down and update. brayden is already lifting his head and holding it up, making eye contact, sucking his thumb/fist, and learning to smile. he loves baby einstien and music! it's exciting to see his little personality starting to come alive!

and so i digress......with him still napping, if i wish to get things accomplished, i better get to work!

baby b: week 3

2008-11-07T23:44:00.004-06:00

He likes his space!

Sportin' his preppy out fit from Memaw

notice a common sleeping habit?

he has his daddy's ears

i'm thinking this little guy is a little more advanced than he is supposed to be at this age....lets just say that he rolled over last night! It's kinda sad...i don't want him to grow up too fast!

he loves his daddy....except when he's hungry

hmmm, this is kinda nice...reminds me of a place i once lived

enough with the camera mom!
he goes for the closest things in sight when it's feeding time!
i know i'm cute!

kamyrn and zoe with baby brayden - my favorite little ones!

a typical day

who knew you could be so in love with a little boy!

baby b: week 2

2008-11-01T00:45:00.008-05:00

Baby Brayden's 1st Week

2008-10-22T13:16:00.014-05:00

Brayden Harter Knetzer was born at 12:40 AM on October 17, 2008 weighing 8 lb. 8 oz.

Personal down time is a rarity these days....I'll write about everything soon, I promise!

spelling & grammar disclaimer:

2008-10-14T22:50:00.004-05:00

for some reason i decided to take a walk down memory lane and read my past bloggings. HOLY CRAP!!! my grammar and spelling are atrocious!! i'm pretty sure a first grader would be able to type with less errors. as sad as it may be, it's true....i'm a horrible speller. thank goodness for spell check...that is when i actually use it.

now in my defense, my brain has officially been on vacation for almost 10 months. i've become as dumb as a brick. i remember a lady i used to work with who said that she couldn't do her job because her brain did not communicate properly with her fingers in order to type correctly. oh, how foolish i was to laugh at the poor woman! i just told jared the other night that i truly have become a disgrace as i reread my emails before i send them off to clients...only to find that i type actual words but they do not pertain or have any relevance to what i intended to say.

really what i'm trying to say is i apologize for my never failing spelling and grammatical errors. If you are a elementary teacher, i hope i have not been your daily source for teaching material....you know, those sentences your teacher would write on the board and you had to find all the errors and write the sentence correctly......

oh, how i have regressed......

just shoot me now!

2008-10-14T21:48:00.006-05:00

i don't know what in all of god's creation is going on, but my ankles and feet look like they've been beat with a sledge hammer! i actually have creases from the skin that is hanging over my feet!!! I've learned that when you are pregnant, certain body parts tend to disappear. if you never had the pleasure of experiencing kankles before, don't gloat in thinking you never will. trust me, i know from experience! all I have to say is thank goodness i only have 3 more days!

there's a full moon tonight and i'm going back out to walk my 11th mile for the day....hopefully these feet can carry me!

precious moments

2008-10-13T17:30:00.005-05:00

one thing i look most forward to is having my good friend genya of vue photography take pictures of our new little one and family when brayden arrives! i can't wait!!!! ahhh!

In our doctor's office i kept seeing these precious pictures and finally decided to pick up pure 7 studio's business card. so cute!! I went to their blog and laughed when i saw these precious pictures!

i might just have to snag this idea now that i have my very own peanut sling! i love this!

how hysterical is this picture?!

i have to say though, i'm still very much partial to genya's vue! but now i just have another photographer to use for weddings....since genya is always booked!

lets get this show on the road!

2008-10-11T00:50:00.003-05:00

for 3 days now i have been have irregular contractions...until tonight. around 9:30 they began to be 4 minutes apart....and still continue to be 4 minutes apart. groveling and debating whether or not to call the doctor, i finally decided to after 3 hours of non-stop contractions. the nurse informed me thanow all i have to do is wait the consistent sharp pains to where i can barely breathe through them.....which i'm pretty sure are beginning to make an appearance. let's just say that if this is only the beginning, i'm afraid to find out what the middle and end have in store!

time will tell.....only i'm tired and wish it wasn't 1am!

yep....barely breathing! OUCH!

let them buy gas!

2008-10-10T13:21:00.003-05:00

i now can say that it excites me to purchase gas! gas has dropped below $3.00/gallon. it's a miracle! i'm slightly shocked that such words would ever come from my mouth! i remember strongly stating that i would resort to riding a bike if gas ever reached $3.00/gallon. sad to say i was still driving around my suv when gas hit $4.00 a gallon. all i can say is i'm a prisoner to the convenience of air conditioning...especially these days! what a sorry sight it would be to see a hot, sweaty, pregnant woman peddling her little heart out in 95 degree weather down back beach.

at least there's something to be excited over with the state that the economy is in. so much for my stock in mcdonald's.....i guess i should have pulled all 10 of my shares 10 years ago. eh, i'm not stressed.....$600.00 is nothing compared to $600,000.00.

baby update: no baby yet.

beaches and bellies

2008-10-06T05:42:00.001-05:00

with all the constant, never ending contractions i continue to have, I've been hoping that all the walks jared and i take would start to have an effect. my body is becoming so worn out that i'm beginning to become concerned about my mental stability.

with the beautiful weather we've been having the past 2 nights, jared and i have gone to the beach. i really do love it here this time of year! last night all our long walks did were cause more contractions that ended up being the bridge to no where....hence my writing at such an ungodly hour in the morning. i just couldn't take laying in bed any longer! we have a doctors appointment today and these contractions better not have all been in vain....there better be something going on!

being that i have been quite the slacker when it comes to documenting those monumental "belly shots," i suppose i am trying to make up for lost time now. nothing like having your picture taken at 9 1/2 months pregnant (i had to go and get a new drivers licence on friday.........no comment needed).

a well done turkey

2008-10-02T15:03:00.006-05:00

"Beginning somewhere around the middle to end of your second trimester, your enlarging uterus swells enough to push your abdomen forward, making your navel pop out like a timer on a well-done turkey." - www.whattoexpect.comas insulting and scary as this may be, i have managed to make it 3 extra months without this happening....until now. it's true. i now look like a well done turkey who's timer as popped. accepting this realization required a long moment of silence....

i must look as though this baby is going to arrive any second. since it is such a beautiful day, i headed to my favorite work place, panera, as you all know. after sitting outside and working for a couple hours, i decided to take a walk around pier park and then head over to target to get a birthday present for one of the little girls i used to nanny.

timeout just for a moment....
kamryn is now 8 and in the 3rd grade. i called her mom to find out what she wanted for her birthday and much to my surprise i ended up getting her the jonas brothers cd since she already had the camp rock cd. since when did kamryn stop watching sponge bob and signing songs from the wiggles?! this growing up thing is going to be quite a struggle for me i 'm afarid!

anyways, walking around i had 5 people make comments about how i looked like i was ready to have this baby any day. perhaps the slow waddle and over sized belly gave it away. granted, i didn't take the time to get ready this morning. i look like a homely, unwed, knocked up woman. quite frankly, i don't care what i look like anymore! yesterday my feet were purple and i had kankles! these changes that i can so gratefully attribute to being pregnant are starting to freak me out! i just want to wear my normal skinny clothes again! i learned today, that when you are 9 months pregnant with ridiculously swollen feet, you are only torturing yourself when you walk through the doors of a shoe store. don't do it! i have a gap gift card and ended up having to use great restraint to just hold off a couple more weeks so that i can buy somewhat normal clothes again. thank goodness God has shown his mercy on me in the sense that i have not put on that much weight. perhaps with all this walking jared and i have been doing, i'll be in skinny clothes in no time.....
i'm trying not to get my hopes up. only 16 more days!

hang on tight!

2008-10-01T17:16:00.004-05:00

it is officially october and i don't think i could have asked for a more perfect fall october day! as much as i miss not being home this time of year with all the leaves changing colors, it is always beautiful here in florida. all it takes is the scent of a lit pumpkin spice candle to remind me of home....hence the 5 candles and febreeze plug ins that are all over my house right now!

the past 2 weeks have been rather eventful! last wednesday began all the baby shower festivities that last through this past sunday. to say I am truly blessed is an understatement! God has put so many wonderful and special people in my life who i love dearly! jared and i are well stocked and ready for brayden's grand arrival thanks to all our friends and family! once i have pictures to post, i'll put them up.

speaking of brayden's arrival, i have exciting news! today jared and i had our weekly appointment at sacred heart hospital in destin only to find out that dr. graham is going to be on vacation the week of my due date. now, most people would probably be freaked out in such a situation. i on the other hand laughed and couldn't be happier for two reasons:

Reason for my laughter: my best friend jessica (i've been waiting to have an entire post dedicated to her which will be soon) sees the same doctor as i do. jessica is a little more cautious and nervous about being pregnant and her delivery than i have been....or at least she is a little more vocal about it. at jessica's first appointment, she might as well have made dr. graham sign in blood that she would not be out of town the entire month of her due date. i wouldn't put it past jessica to find ways to induce or stall, whichever it may be, mccabe's delivery in order to see to it that dr. graham delivers her first born! go figure dr. graham be on vacation the week of my delivery....maybe having her sign in blood wasn't such a bad idea!

Reason for my happiness: forget that whole signing in blood nonsense! due to dr. graham being out of town, she has scheduled for me to be induced on October 18th, unless brayden decides to arrive sooner. the end is now officially in sight! so at this rate, i will be holding my precious baby boy in 17 days or less!

i must say, at times it feels like i have been a miserable, swollen, waddling whale for 2 years and other times it feel like the clock is running faster than my swollen feet carry me! does anyone even remember september? i'll keep you all posted. in the meantime, forgive me as i say goodbye. pineapple, herbal tea's, and long walks (i think i'll pass on the caster oil!) are screaming my name!

jeremy riddle.sweetly broken

2008-09-20T09:59:00.001-05:00

Check out this video: Sweetly Broken Video

can't touch this

2008-09-19T18:47:00.004-05:00

low and behold, i do believe in miracles! and if this one is correct, then we might have a baby on the way soon. the 'nesting stage,' as they call it has finally arrived in all it's magnificent glory!

"Many women also experience a certain nesting instinct as labor approaches. If you find yourself with a sudden burst of energy and the need to clean and scrub your house spotless, baby may be on the way! " ~thebump.com

tuesday night was by far the roughest night i have had. i tossed and turn in bed wide awake trying to count how many contractions I was having until 2 am and finally got up because i couldn't take it anymore. after pacing the floor until 5 am, i made my way slowly back up stairs in hopes of falling a sleep. no such luck. the last time i looked at the clock was when the sun was coming up and it read 6:45am. lets just say that 9 am came way too soon. on my way out the door for work, i had to stop abruptly due to the immense pain...the utter shock and absence of breath is comparable to being doused with ice water in the shower. breathing slowly it let up and i made my way to the car. walking up the the door once i arrived 10 minutes later, it hit me again.

after an hour passed and they continued on, i finally took the plunge and called the doctor. mind you, i have only called the doctor twice my entire pregnancy1.) when i couldn't walk for days due to back pain and 2.) for a prescription for pepcid because my throat was constantly on fire from heartburn and indigestion (supposedly brayden is going to arrive with a head full of hair...as the old wives tale goes)...i just haven't wanted to be 'that lady.'

on the phone, the nurse said to make my way to the birthing center. i knew they were just going to monitor my contractions and the baby's and then send me right back home. which is basically what they did....however, i was having 6-8 contractions every hour...but it wasn't time. they gave me a horse pill to stop the contractions...which didn't help and told me to call if i was having more than 6 every hour.

here's my beef with the whole counting thing....if i sat and counted my contractions every hour, i wouldn't be checking into the family birth center, rather i'm be making a beeline straight for the loony house! i would go crazy!

the contractions have continued on since and are only more painful now. regardless, they have not stopping my recent obsession with cleaning and organizing. i have officially confused my dogs and worn them out immensely as i run up and down the stairs. they have no idea what to think! i haven't done one single thing around this house in the past 9 months. you might think i'm exaggerating, but jared will gladly testify! now, i'm unstoppable! i've done everything from 9 loads of laundry (those loads to include baby clothes, blankets, etc.), organizing the pantry and cabinets, to scrubbing the baseboards! jared's biggest surprise...i finally hung up all my clothes that have been in our room since my family was in town. he was running out of bribery options and was about to just give up.

so here i wait. cleaning frantically. i guess i better start counting.

ice ice baby

2008-09-15T15:49:00.002-05:00

the only thing that seems to be constant in my life these days is change....and my craving for fla-vor-ice popsicles. call it silly, childlike, what ever you wish, but i'm addicted. so addicted that one at a time just will not do. maybe my mind is trying to prepare my body for the fact that during labor this is all i get. and at this rate, that is fine by me!! give me one of these (any flavor), along with bags of ice for my hands and feet and i am one happy little lady!

the other child

2008-09-11T16:50:00.004-05:00

much to my surprise, i am not expecting my first child, but my second. over the past month, our puppy lulu has mysterously transformed into a human.

animal planet is her favorite channel...as long as there are animals on the screen, she is captivated.
her dog bed does not meet her standards....she must sleep on the same Egyptian Cotton sheets like the rest of us and her head must be rested on a pillow.
after realizing that the pool is not a giant bathtub, she enjoys the outdoor pool life.
she has separation anxiety when her mommy and daddy leave.

i'm hoping these animal behavior shows have a positive influence and helps her separation anxiety. Who needs the dog whisperer to come to the house when your dog will just watch him on tv?! please notice her rubber chicken. she loves her rubber chicken and brings it to bed with her....my bed mind you. poor callie finally caught on to lulu's high maintenance and expects to sleep in our bed as well. i'm about to set up camp on the couch! i thought callie, lulu, and at times jared, were supposed to be the ones in the dog house? something is seriously wrong with this picture and yet awfully cute at the same time!

mother nature needs to chill out!

2008-09-09T21:13:00.006-05:00

i think it is time mother nature and i had a come to jesus meeting. this heat thing is out of control and seriously cannot be good for this whole global warming ordeal. last night i kindly demanded that the thermostat remain at 73.....and that was only me being nice. i'm pretty sure 68 would be more ideal and conducive to my condition. however at this rate, i'm officially emptying out jared's wallet as rapid speeds. tacking on another $100 to the electric bill would probably cause him to strongly consider slapping a "return to sender" stamp on me and ship me home!

it's not that i have not enjoyed being pregnant, but seriously...those women in hollywood who make comments like "i have never felt sexier" and "i have enjoyed every minute" is full of you know what!!! being pregnant has been exciting, but my days of excitement are quickly coming to an end. I'm ready for the next phase.

In addition to being hot all the time, I feel kind of gross. I get out of breath just walking across a parking lot. And my back hurts. My feet hurt. My ankles are swollen and my toes look like cocktail wieners. My engagement ring barely fits on my ring finger and I'm thinking I should stop forcing it on each morning. and the leg cramps - good lord almighty, the leg cramps have arrived with a dreadful vengeance!! i wake up in tears and loud hollers. poor jared and lulu wake up thinking an axe murderer has enter into the room. when brayden moves around, it feels like he's just got no room left in there. my doctor continuously reminds me that there is room and my stomach will continue to grow. thus far she had not proven to be misleading. it seems, from my perspective, that brayden can't find a position he likes, but he's going to keep trying no matter how much it might feel like he is stretching the very limits of my uterine walls. so i imagine we -- me and my sweet boy -- are equally uncomfortable, as we count down these remaining six weeks of gestation. people keep telling me that i should enjoy these last few weeks of peace and quiet, before there's a crying baby keeping me up all hours of the night. i assume these people have no recollection of what it is like to have leg cramps keep them up all hours of the night. at least babies, even crying ones, have a cute factor to them. nobody keeps photo albums of their leg cramps. at least i hope not. but then again there are very strange people out there...

forgive me as i sign off to go massage my sore and swollen calve muscles with bengay.

baby brayden briefing

2008-09-08T20:00:00.002-05:00

jared and i had a doctors appointment this afternoon. brayden is doing well and growing fast. he is already 5 1/2 lbs. at first i was worried but my doctor quickly comforted me saying he should be between 71/2-8 1/2 lbs. i'm happy with that.....as long as i'm not popping out any 10 pound baby!! according to the dorctor's words, everything is "perfect."

47 more days!

political brain washing?

2008-09-07T20:35:00.007-05:00

today has been yet another lazy day for jared and i...mainly consisting of naps. at this rate 6 weeks seems like an eternity away! I find myself singing "i will survive, hey, hey!" every now any then....here in the knetzer household, jared and i have spent the past 2 weeks immersed in the political realm. as an american citizen i feel that is my civic responsibility to be well educated about american government and politics. the beginning of these past 2 weeks consisted of watching the democratic national convention. my political views are conservative however, i feel that it is important to know what goes on across the board...otherwise i'm making uninformed, uneducated and ignorant decisions. so, i spend that entire week listening to each speech...michelle obama, hilary, bill, biden and obama. hardly impressed to say the least. i'm always intrigued by obama's capability to captivate his audience. i've known people like him before. he's the kind of person who after listening to them speak about the sky being purple will walk away from the conversation seriously considering whether or not the sky really is purple! i'll give it to him, he's a very charismatic and captivating person. but i'm affraid that's as deep as it gets.

i'm pretty sure every american agrees that we are in need of serious change. however, i truly believe former mayor rudy giuliani said it best,

change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy (website)

jared and i listen to talk radio every now and then. one of the radio hosts conducted a survey in manhattan and interviewed individuals who were registered voters. all of them were obama supporters. what was most shocking about this interview was the fact that they do not know why they were voting for him other than for the reason of:

getting the troops out of iraq(even if it is at the cost of loosing the war and our troops dying in vain)

tired of paying $5/gallon for gas (even though not one of them knows what obama's energy plan consists of)

they believe he is going to bring about change (even though obama doesn't have a political record nor has he ever actually brought about change....unless you consider helping people move out of asbestos infested homes as a community organizer...as one of his spokesmen informed us).

when asked if they could name 3 successful things obama has done as a senator, not one person could name even one successful accomplishment. are these really the people that are going to be putting our next president in office?
with the announcement of sarah palin being on the mccain ticket as VP, there has been much excitement as well as controversy. funny how the questions she is interrogated with in the first week of her announcement, are questions not one person has asked obama in his 19 months of running for president. i don't have an issue with anyone questioning her political record and what her accomplishments have been, but is it really necessary to drag her 17 year old daughter through the mud or the fact that her husband had a dui 22 years ago. what about obama's admitted heavy drug use around the same time or his affiliation with criminals and communist fascists? i find it ironic that the party who supposedly is for the middle class and minorities, is berating one who is just that. perhaps their justification is due to the fact that she is a conservative and actually had her child even after finding out he had down syndrome.

after her speech at the rnc, she had the media in a tizzy as they stated her speech was full of pithy, hateful attacks on the obama/biden ticket. i'm sorry, but obviously they have a hard time accepting the truthful facts. last time i checked, sarah palin has more executive experience than obama and biden together and actually has a voting record that doesn't just say "present."

personally i'm quite sick of all the ignorant political rhetoric and democratic propaganda that has flooded all forms of media. for example, i watched the first 20 minutes of the vma's this evening and was repulsed. who is russell brand anyways?? i don't know about you, but he looks like he's been on a coke binge and needs to be in a nut house! and does does he really think we care what his political views are?! he's british and cannot even vote in america. his comments, which no one laughed at, about palin's pregnant daughter were comments that disgusted me. i'm sure if they were remarks about obama's daughter, he would be beaten and burned for years to come. ironic? of course not. go back to britian....

being a soon-to-be first time mother myself, i have never felt the need to be well informed as i have in this election. i've realized you have to be very careful however.....it's quite obvious who the media is rooting for. political brain washing. when it comes down to it, there is a huge difference in someone claiming to do great things and someone who has done great things. i want a president who is capable of bringing about change, not someone who has a hard time making a decision. voting 'present' as commander in chief won't do the trick. promising words are great, but it's time to really look at the facts.

under pressure

2008-09-02T12:02:00.002-05:00

thankfully this past weekend, hurricane gustav missed panama city beach. now my attention is at the plethora of hurricanes that are lurking out in the atlantic. even though gustav didn't make landfall here, i definitely felt it's affects. i had heard from multiple people that with the drop in barometric pressure, women are more likely to go into labor. i asked my doctor if this was true, and being someone who is quick to discredit old wives tales, i figured she would say it was false. to my surprise she laughed and nodded her head 'yes.' gustav may not have sent me into labor, but i certainly felt like it could be a possibility. i spent all day yesterday on the couch with my swollen feet propped up, wedding rings off, and my stomach feeling an immense amount of pressure. quite uncomfortable to say the least.

if these hurricanes doesn't calm down, these next 6-8 weeks may turn into much less!

an eventful upcoming year

2008-08-28T21:16:00.007-05:00

this past weekend, jared and i ventured through tropical storm fay to visit my sister, afton, is ft. lauderdale. after 2 hours of torrential downpour, we made it through the rain and enjoyed a pleasant drive to south florida. prior to this trip, i didn't realize ft. lauderdale was only 40 min. from miami. typically i don't find myself being geographically challenged...i leave that responsibility to my sisters...however 9 hours in a car when you are 32 weeks pregnant is ONE LONG TRIP! I also learned that heat, sodium, constant sitting, and pregnancy leads to ridiculous swelling! i officially have kankles. that's all i will say.

on saturday, we all ventured into miami (praying we wouldn't get off the wrong exit and end up in the back of a drug lord's trunk) to spend the afternoon in south beach. since all of us watch tlc and have dabbled in a little ink, we went in search of the miami ink tatoo shop...which we were not disappointed. i was probably the least excited of the bunch but still thought it was really neat. jared thought it would be cool to get a tattoo at miami ink of brayden's name...until he found out that it would cost $350. at this point, that $350 can be used in much more useful means!

seeing afton was a breath of fresh air! even though we are complete opposites, her sweet spirit and infectious laugh always makes my heart happy! i also finally had the opportunity to meet her new fiance. yes you read correctly....Afton is engaged and is planning a wedding for next october (which gives me just enough time to loose the baby weight)! meeting dan for the first time was a pleasant surprise....his genuine attention and love for afton was encouraging. i'm so proud of afton and her accomplishments over the past year! I'm excited for the future that is in store for her and dan!

"a dull moment" is a term that seems to be void amongst the Moffatt family! in 6-8 weeks there is going to be a new little one to add to the family clan. in a year, there will be another new member. it's going to be an exciting year! being in the inner circle with weddings, i know my year will be filled with afton's wedding and a new baby. thank goodness i'm getting all my ducks in a row now!

the simplicity of hidden treasures

2008-08-16T12:04:00.004-05:00

it's saturday and it's raining outside. supposedly tropical storm fay could be headed our way. Still in my sweatpants and hoodie, I'm quite comfortable. sitting on my couch, lulu asleep by my side, i have my laptop as i design new material for work and a bowl of lucky charms while saturday morning cartoons play in the background. i feel like i woke up and and am partially reliving my childhood - perhaps it's in the simplicity of the things i have grown to love. i love rainy summer days. i love being bundled up beneath blankets and curled up on the couch and who doesn't love having their puppy sound asleep beside them (the fact that she is heavily sedated from being fixed, is besides the point)? forgetting what i have been missing all these years, i have rekindled an old friendship with lucky charms. i've always been a sucker for the marshmallows...or maybe it was a suppressed liking of lucky's irish accent when he said "i love me lucky charms"!

remember the days when cereal actually had toys hidden amongst all those sugary cereal bits in the box? what happened to the toys?! pouring my lucky charms this morning, i suddenly remembered how excited i used to be when i found my hidden surprise....even if it was just a power ranger sticker! the worst surprises were when you bought cereal you didn't even really like, but you bought it because it came with a really cool toy (even if it did end up in the garbage after a day)...and then come to find out you had to mail in the proof of purchases to actually get the toy. what a disappointment to a small child!

Anyways, after pouring my cereal, i realized that the box was just about empty and in i looked to see what toy i might find. absolutely nothing. in all honesty, i was rather disheartened. not that i really wanted the toy, but i think what i was really looking for was a part of my childhood past. i felt robbed!

that's it, i think i'm going to the store to buy a box of cereal that i probably can't stand in search for that toy!

missing person alert!

2008-08-14T17:16:00.005-05:00

please be on the lookout for a woman who fits the following description:

Height: 5'7"...tends to hunch over a bit these days
Weight: 30 weeks pregnant....that's all you need to know
Eye Color: Blue/Green...and probably tired looking with dark circles under the eyes
Hair Color: Blonde Highlights with 2 inch dark blonde roots
Other distinguishing characteristics: has a very distinct waddle
Responds to the name: Wesleyann

if anyone has seen her or finds her, please return her to her rightful owner! Her husband would be most grateful!

ok, so you may laugh at that, but seriously, where did I go?! For the past week or so, i feel as though i'm having an out of body experience...or that the movies groundhog day and freaky friday have actually become a living reality for me! poor jared would like for the woman he married to return as well! This morning i woke up to 30 minutes of the most excruciating pain i have ever felt on my right side under my ribs. i seriously thought i was going to be rush to the hospital. no, not a life or death matter - just my 3 pound, 30 week old child digging his foot into my rib cage. my nights now consist of absolutely zero sleep and constant visits to the bathroom. i suppose lack of sleep contributes to the ridiculous mood swings and constant flood of tears. i used to not be one who cried often....yesterday i cried while watching tori and dean, and the olympics (the olympics is understandable being that hearing the national anthem gets me every time!)...and then i cried because i didn't know why i was crying! forget wearing the majority of clothes in my closet...those days are long long! i'm not a very large pregnant woman, but one would probably beg to differ by the way i waddle around due to having such bad back pain. i managed to keep my wedding band on since we never had it sized, but had to say so long, farewell to my engagement ring....unless i would like to have it cut off due to the immense swelling in my hands. i refuse to have people think i'm just another young, unwed knock-up woman...and we all know that living in the Bible belt, that is every one's first thought when they see a pregnant woman and no ring!

seriously, who stole my body?! i demand you return it asap!

i keep reminding myself that in 8-10 weeks it will all have been worth it...i'm banking on that God given gift of pregnancy amnesia!

fall is in the air

2008-08-11T15:01:00.004-05:00

if you were to ask me what my favorite season is, as tough as such a decision may be, i'm pretty sure i would have to say fall. living in florida makes it a little difficult to experience fall in all its glory, but that doesn't change my love for the season. the cool crisp air, football, apple pie, pumpkin picking, pumpkin spice burning candles, hot apple cider, and vibrant falling leaves....only a few of my favorite things!

last night i went to dinner with a group of girls....i'm continuously taught to never underestimate what may happen when a group of women are in the presence of each other! amongst our many conversations, one of my good friends, genya (vue photography), mentioned that if you're really still and wait for it, you can smell the faintest hint of fall in the air. hearing her say that made me smile as i envisioned her standing outside trying her best to search for the smell of fall...keep in mind we live in florida and it is still 95 outside! once the rain subsides, i might step out side in search of the fall air as well!
another reason to love fall even more - brayden is going to be a fall baby! being that brayden is due October 25th, that means he will be here (hopefully...and i'm not playing around ...he better be here!) to dress him up for his very first halloween. when i mentioned this to jared, he laughed. i think he thought i was just kidding....obviously he hasn't caught on just yet! growing up, halloween wasn't a celebrated holiday but we still participated in costume at church carnivals. i have no idea what we will do this year, but if he is here, i absolutely intend to take full advantage of the situation and dress him up like any first time mother would do!

going bald

2008-08-08T20:07:00.004-05:00

now that i have attempted to join the blogosphere, i have stumbled across a few blogs that i have made a daily habit of checking in on. CF Husband, is one that i have found to be truly inspiring as I read about his wife who has cystic fibrosis and their little baby girl who was born at only 24 weeks (if I had brayden at 24 weeks, i would have had him 5 weeks ago....that's how early his little girl arrived!!!!).

for that past few weeks he has been raising money in support of his wife and CF by going bald. now you may question what going bald has to do with any of this. due to his wife having to go through chemo and having lost her hair, he decided he wouldn't let her be bald alone. i'm not an expert on love, but i have to say when i read that, my heart melted. in each of his posts, his love for his bride and precious baby girl is undeniable.

I encourage you to take the time to read his page. i really believe your heart will truly be touched and inspired!

going on week 29...8 more weeks and i will be full term (37 weeks....40 weeks puts me at my due date 10/25). See, i told you time has flown by.....and you thought i was over exaggerating!

ending on a good note

2008-08-03T14:30:00.010-05:00

my first week working with Kimberly was such a change of pace...and i loved every minute! still working on weddings, but on a much less stressful scale is a breath of fresh air. i think i am going to enjoy my job now so much more!

i'm starting to wonder if there is such a thing as a sense of normalcy in my life. it really is never a dull moment! friday morning i went to the doctor's only to find out that my bank card wasn't working. of course everyone's first thought is, "great she has no money but is going to swear that she does and demand i keep swiping her card as if money is going to miraculously appear." as soon as i was told my card wasn't working, i knew immediately what was wrong and my views on what a crappy bank we use was confirmed!! because jared had to get a new card and our bank issues identical card numbers to joint accounts, my card no longer worked. having this problem before, jared made sure to ask and we were told we would not have any problems with my card. WRONG! i am really beginning to question the qualifications these bank tellers must require, because at this rate they didn't even pass kindergarten in simple arithmetic. minor details of course. after making not one but TWO trips up to the bank after an unsuccessful attempt to get gas, i waddled my pregnant, irritated little self up the the desk and demand they better fix this situation! thankfully the 2nd time was a charm. I'm sure me telling them exactly what i thought about their not so innovative bank and that if they didn't correct the problem i was pulling all our money out right then and there, helped a bit.

arriving home, i unlocked the door only to be graced with yet another unwelcoming surprise. thinking lulu was the culprit, i was quickly proven wrong as she was still securely locked in her cage. it was callie. because callie is very picky about the ground beneath her precious paws when doing her business, her business became a little backed up due to 4 days of rain. being stopped up finally decided to run it's course all over my living room white carpet. if this situation doesn't stop, in 3 months i'm going to start feeling like dean when he said "i feel like i live in poo city!" from tori and dean home sweet hollywood. and quite frankly i don't think i will be able to handle that very well!

so after an eventful afternoon, jared and i headed over to our good friends brett and ginger's house for ginger's birthday. spending time with close friends always accounts for a good time...not to mention the plethora of fruit in which i consumed!!!the birthday girl and meshe was trying to get a closer look

someone please give me a glass of wine!

2008-07-30T16:40:00.007-05:00

i'm pretty sure my stress level over the past 2 months was off the charts! Thankfully my daily routine is starting to slow down. Eventhough my days are a little less stressful, my nights have turned in to sleepless ones. Dr. Graham said that a glass of wine a night is absolutely fine....i have avoided all drinks thus far, but I am now strongly considering my options!!

This past Friday was my last day working at Bay Point Marriott as I have moved on to a new stage in my life and career. Being 7 months pregnant and the only wedding coordinator to dozens and dozens of brides, it began to take a toll on me physically, mentally and finally emotionally. It always amazes me how God opens door when you least expect it! Knowing what I love to do but also knowing where my priorities are, I was given the wonderful opportunity to join forces with Kimberly Bartoli who owns Elegant Beginnings Weddings and Events. Not only am I still able to do what I love, by I'm able to work from home. Nothing beats working in your slippers! Not only am I able to be at home and take care of myself self and Brayden, but I am able to do what I love. I don't think I could have asked for anything better!

After years of searching, God finally led Jared and I to our new church home. For the past few months we have been attending Northstar Church and absolutely love it! Small group sign up is coming up and we're excited to get plugged-in! I've missed being apart of a church that I know it is where God truly wants me to be. After not being involved in a church for quite some time, I realized how hungry I really was for that close fellowship. Not only do we love the church but we have met such wonderful people! I'm excited for what God has instore!

well, we are now less than 90 days away from the big day! i know that i continue to say how I can't believe time has gone by so fast, but i really am not kidding! Everyone keeps saying how i don't even look like I'm that far along....I'm sure all those comments are going to catch up to me soon! If the past 2 weeks are any indication of what the next 2 1/2-3 months are going to be like, I'm in for a long, hot, sleepless and uncomfortable 3rd trimester and Jared is in for one expensive electric bill! Of course I had to be pregnant during the summer and in the the hottest and most humid state! in preparation for the little bundle that will change life as we know it, Jared and I have been getting everything organized. Today, my long awaited baby bag arrived. After much debate and many reviews, i finally ordered the Rowdy bag and am in love! I couldn't be more happy with my selection! Jared refused to care around a huge baby bag that looks like a purse so i bought him his very own. While my mom was here, she bought us the baby stroller and car seat we had registered.

take my advise: READ ALL REVIEWS BEFORE MAKING ANY BABY ITEM PURCHASE!

the travel system we registered for was one we soon found out was not very easy to handle nor was it conducive to any situation involving a screaming baby! So after finding out all this information, Jared and I returned the one we had for a different one. this time I made sure to read up on my reviews!

well now that i am home more often, i have relieved Jared of his mr. mom duties. it's now back to being the "good wife" i once was and have dinner ready for when Jared gets home.

Tasks for the rest of the evening:

laundry
vaccuuming
watching Project Runway and drinking a glass of Cabernet
(hopefully) a good nights rest!

trapped within the bump

2008-07-15T20:35:00.005-05:00

can you believe I am almost finished with my 2nd trimester! AHHH! last night jared and I were watching tv and there was a couple talking about how they could have a little one in 3 years or so. I looked at jared and was like, "isn't it crazy that we are going to have a baby in just 3 months!!!"

time is flying by, but i couldn't be more excited!!

now that i am 26 weeks, brayden is moving about as if he is doing everything he can to escape. no matter what time of the day it is, you will find him busily doing his thing. as exciting as it is to see him moving and know that he's ok, it's a little odd seeing your stomach move is such strange ways. yesterday i was home sick so lulu, callie and i were on the couch most of the day. i had lu laying her head on my stomach and she was quite disturbed when brayden decided to wake and woke her up as well. she didn't know what to think. every time she layed her head on my stomach, she received a good kick in the nose. i couldn't help but laugh!! with all the movement my attention was diverted from the tv to the bump. no lie....it looked like he was trying to push his way out as i was being kicked and punch punched all over the place. the feeling is quite unexplainable. it feels as though your on a roller coaster and dropped 200 ft. it's a very exhilarating feeling. my sister gets a kick out of it but after watching for a bit she gets a little freaked out over the whole thing.

with all his moving about, i think the funniest and most impressive part is how he will be sound asleep and once he hears music he goes nuts....especially when we are in church and the worship band starts playing. jared and i are convinced he is going to be a little rock star. i told jared i would love for him to be a musician but only under certain circumstances:
1. he must shower on a regular basis...none of this greasy business!
2. he is a boy....i will not be buying him jeans from the girls section. i refuse to have my son wearing tighter jeans than his mother (not that i wear tight jeans...but you get the picture)
3. not that it matters what he does, as long as he does it with great passion!!!

oh, the joys that await us! I can't wait!

at this rate, if this little boy has his way he will be breaking free before October 25th!

what did you just ask me?!

2008-06-14T23:54:00.000-05:00

now that i am 21 weeks, it is evident that there is a growing baby inside and not just pounds of fat from excess eating. i have learned that along with the noticeable baby bump also comes imposing questions and unwelcoming touches.

today before coming to work, i stopped at pier park for my weekly fix of panera and then headed to target to buy a couple of comfortable knit dresses for work. there is no way i am wearing anything else in this muggy, miserable 90+ degree weather! if i have to be on my feet for endless hours in this heat while carrying a little one inside, you better believe that comfort is my number one priority! anyways, after finding 3 cute, comfortable and yet stylish dresses, i made my way to the checkout line. the girl checking me out made a comment that the dresses were very cute and perfect for summer. i responded "and perfect for a pregnant lady!" out of no where this older woman standing behind me in line, who you could tell was a chain smoker by her voice and the stench that surrounded her, says, "do you plan on breastfeeding?"

WHAT??? WHAT DID YOU JUST ASK ME? excuse me ma'am, but last time i checked, that is a personal and private question which quite frankly is none of your business!!! especially coming from someone who for all i know could be some kind of sicko!

being the polite person i am, i turned around and gave her the most possibly awkward face i could muster and kindly responded, "well, i'm not quite sure just yet." WRONG ANSWER! feeling it was her place to tell me the importance and the benefits of breastfeeding, she proceeded. feeling incredibly awkward, i tried to divert the conversation from further interrogation. i'm sorry but i don't care nor do i need to know that your daughter still uses the pump to feed her 1 year old daughter and even has a special room! SICK! didn't your mother ever teach you that there are certain things you keep to yourself....especially when it involves STRANGERS!

speaking of strangers and crossing the line, what is it about people thinking that just because a lady is pregnant they have been given the right to intrude one's personal space and touch the bump??? unless you are invited, do not touch! i didn't like people touching my stomach uninvited pre-pregnancy and the same still stands....unless we are on a very close first name, bff basis! i think my next maternity investment will be this shirt!

blame it on the hormones

2008-06-13T22:35:00.004-05:00

we're halfway through june and i have almost survived through it all. there have been numerous moments where i had my doubts! i just keep telling myself..."just make it through june!" i have 2 weddings this weekend and thank goodness it is my last weekend of double weddings. i may be coming out of all this beaten and battered, but atleast i'm coming out alive!

so i think it is official to say that the psycho, crazy inner beast is beginning to creep out. i don't know what my deal is! i'm just very irritable! jared is out right now with his friend seeing the happening and you would have thought by my attitude he was leaving for a long weekend with the boys in vegas! i've always been someone who loves to snuggle and cuddle, but i've never been very "needy!" however lately, it's as if i can't be left alone....i just want jared to be with me 24/7. it's like i'm a five year old who can't leave their parent's side.

i think i'm also starting to feel that "home sick" feeling again. i miss not having my family here. they will be here next weekend, but it still feels like an eternity away! they are never here long enough. i miss my mom....or what i tend to call her, "mama." i'm grown, married and having a baby and i still call my mom at least 3 times a day. thank the lord for verizon and their "in" network!! whenever i'm home, i will still curl up on the couch next to her. i don't think i'll ever grow out of that....even if i do have my own baby to hold. soon, brayden and i will both curl up on the couch with her!

it is officially now time for me to call it a night. baby and mama need rest! oh and someone please assure me that this heartburn thing is only temporary! hopefully it is just the tacos they served at work today!

blue light special

2008-06-10T22:36:00.004-05:00

today was the big day. i headed to ft. walton this morning to go see my chiropractor in need of desperate help. after falling onto the dj at the wedding i was doing sunday, i knew that was the final straw...it was time to go see the doctor again. i swear...i looked like an 80 year old woman hobbling around this weekend! after my physical revival, i got in my car to head home. first off let me explain that the drive between destin and panama city is a straight shot with ridiculously fluctuating speed limits! so there i am driving along with my sunroof open and singing my little heart out to songs on the radio. out of no where, came these flashing blue lights flying across the median leaving dirt clouds in his tracks. i knew right then he was coming after me....i didn't realize i was speeding, but since i was the only car in sight, i knew it had to be me and there was no way of escaping this one! so having watched more COP shows than i would like to admit, i kindly pulled over before he even pulled up behind me. being that this was my first time, i always wondered if i would try and come up with some reason as to why i was speeding. nope, there i sat with my license and registration in had waiting. and waiting. you know, i think they make you sit there just to intimidate you! when he got to my window i held out what i knew he was going to need before he even asked. goodness at the way i was just "giving in," it probably looked as though this was a common thing! I looked at him unsure if i gave him the correct registration papers and said, "i think those are the most current, but I'm not sure." "well ma'am, yes these are your most current but your tag expired on your husbands birthday, may 25th." way to go jared!!

so there i sat and waited. and waited. my uncle who is an officer said that usually is they are going to let you go, they make you wait a long time just to suffer. so in my suffering, i was hoping that maybe he was going to let me off the hook. i didn't think i would be able to play the pregnancy card since the dress i had on didn't make my belly noticeable. wondering what i might have in my favor i waited a little longer.

"well ma'am, i'm only going to give you a warning for your tag since it is really your husbands fault." smart man....that's exactly what i was thinking! "and i lowered your speed to the lowest possible speed of only going 9 over." what the heck, how fast was i going? the speed limit was at least 55!? "so you only have to pay $82 and if you take the class online you won't have the points go on your record." "office, being that this is the first time i've ever been pulled over, how to i take care of the fine?" i wanted him to know that usually i am a law abiding citizen! "what exactly was the speed limit, becuase last i knew it was 65?" i asked. "well, yes, it was but then it dropped to 45 and i clocked you going 65."

as i took my punishment and he began walking away he turns around and say, "so, when is your due date?" a bit confused, i responded. "congratulations," he replied. "oh yeah right, thanks a lot!!!" i knew i should have played the pregnancy card!!!

so i pulled back on to 98 and no more than 100 feet ahead read a speed limit sign "SPEED LIMIT 65".

service and servanthood

2008-06-06T12:29:00.003-05:00

being that i am working all weekend and all next week, jared demanded i go into work late today....especially since i can barely walk! last night after putting brayden's crib together, i started down the stairs so that jared and i could watch a movie. more than half way down, my hip gave out and before i fell, i was able to catch myself. i've had my fair share of bumps and bruses, especially with being invloved in sports growing up, but i'm not kidding when i say, i have never been in so much pain that i couldn't even function! jared tried to help and carry me, but i was in too much pain nor did i want him even attempting to pick me up....i knew all too well that we would then both be laid out flat on the floor! i made my way to the kitchen very slowly....and burst into tears. looking into jared's face i felt even worse because he knew he couldn't do anything to help the pain and it killed him.

so taking this morning off, off i went to get a massage and pedicure....both which were much needed!

there really is nothing like getting a pedicure! it wasn't until a few years ago that i had one for the first time and became an avid believer! if i could afford them bi-weekly, my happy rear would be plopped in one of those big, comfy massage chairs on a regular basis! and after today, i would make sure boby was the man taking care of me. out of all the jobs out there, i think nail/pedicure techs truly have a heart of gold! i don't think there is enough money in the world that could bring my to my knees daily and scrub nasty feet. sitting there in boby's care, i felt like royalty! i'm always very candid with the ones who have been handed that fatal card of caring for my feet. since i have wear high heels daily and am always on my feet, my feet are nothing short of hideous...and so i always warn them and apologize before hand...and make sure i tip them well! after lots of scrubbing, snipping, shaving, and rubbing, my feet feel amazing. so today i tip my hat to boby for a job well done and making a pregnant lady feel like a million dollars!! he truly had the heart of a servant!

on a side note: the man next to me doing another ladies feet was talking about how he has 2 kids; one boy and one girl. he said his daughter is an angel and his boy is a little terror. he has had to paint his entire house twice in the past 18 months because this son likes to take permanent marker and crayons and make his mark on their walls. no more than 2 minutes later, that comcast commercial where the little boy sticks the vacuum hose in a fish tank and it breaks and causes the curtains to catch on fire came on. i told that man he wasn't helping my situation very much. and then i began to pray really hard for a well behaved and manured son!

halfway mark

2008-06-05T20:21:00.005-05:00

i officially have made it to the halfway mark! 20 weeks! the next 20 should be interesting...especially now that we have entered into summer and the heat index is about 100 degrees. people think i'm kidding when i say that flip flops, mumus, and a personal fan will become apart of my daily attire....i may joke around at times but not when it comes to serious matters!

today when i arrived home from work, i had a special package waiting for me on the door step. brayden's bedding finally arrived! after dinner, jared and i ventured upstairs to put everything together, including the crib. correction: jared put together; i instructed. ok, maybe i'm exaggerating a bit. had i instructed and been paying attention, i probably would have noticed that jared put the back part of the crib on backwards. i feel as though i have not a very helpful sidekick to jared lately. luckily we were able to solve the minor detail. after much hard work, the crib was finally completed!

i feel as though i have officially entered into the "nesting" stage. i don't have it too bad just yet, but i'm such it is just around the corner. jared probably wishes it would arrive asap...so that i start keeping the house cleaner! "in due time," i tell him. i have to say, i have a pretty amazing husband! he does everything from having dinner waiting for me when i come home from work, washing the dishes, doing laundry, vacuuming, to even grocery shopping. the past 2 months, i have been having bad back/hip problems so he even called and made an appointment to have a massage and pedicure! sorry ladies...i know you're jealous, but you cannot have him!

so after all jared's hard work, we put on the last finishing touches.

blue is for boy

2008-05-26T12:28:00.004-05:00

i wanted to write with my last post, but time got the best of me and this is my first chance i have had to sit down.

this weekend i had two wedding. i don't think they could have been more opposite! yesterday's wedding was wonderful! I have come to realize that there are many things in life that are stressful and a lot of work, but in the end, it was worth it all. which brings me to my next topic...

no longer is our baby an "it" or referred to as "the baby"...it's our little boy, brayden harter knetzer.

this past wednesday was a very monumental day. i truly believe that i was more nervous that day then i was on my own wedding day...a day in which i didn't have a care in the world! Jared and I woke up that morning (i in the bed and him on the couch) and headed to destin. our first stop was to the chiropractor's office to fix my back problem. i have always had back pain, but since being pregnant, brayden has revealed a new side of pain i never knew before! after a much needed adjustment, we had some time to kill so we wasted time and went into stores to look at baby stuff we knew we couldn't buy for another 3 hours.

3 hours came and went and it was time to head to the doctor....our new doctor. as many of you already know and have probably had a good laugh....jared and i were almost..or were convinced that we were having a little girl. growing up, all my life i thought i would be the one to have all girls. boys were a foreign object in which i knew nothing about. the thought of having a boy crossed my mind too many times to count, but i just figured it was a figment of my imagination. on our way into the hospital, i had a real feeling that the nurse was going to tell us that we were having a boy. on our way through the door holding hands, jared turns to me and asks, "if they say we're having a boy, are you going to cry?" Shocked and a bit bothered by the question, i replied, "of course not! I'll be very shocked and surprised, but i'll be very excited!" so on up we went to office 310.

sitting in the waiting room my breathing began to get heavier with anxiety and then they called my name. I climbed onto the table and on they squeezed that warm jelly stuff which feels a little strange. there on the screen was our baby. unlike our first ultrasound, you could see it's little nose, mouth, and ears. as the nurse measured everything, everything was perfect. our baby was healthy and growing! the nurse kept referring to the baby as a "he" and you would think i would've caught on! then she moved the screen and pointed as if i knew what she was pointing at. everything on the screen looks about the same to me. and then she said....

"congratulations, you're having a little boy!"

jared and i both looked at each other and burst out laughing. we couldn't believe it! as i turned to look back at the screen, there he was, my little boy. no longer was it just a baby but it was a little person. a little boy person who now had a name, brayden. as i continued to admire, tears began streaming down my face. tears of joy and yet uncertainty. my mind began to become flooded with a rush of thoughts, "how in the world do you potty train a little boy?", " i don't want to raise a mama's boy!", "does this mean that when i go to change him, he's going to pee all over me??", "i don't want everything to be blue, animals, and sports!" For the first time, i began to panic just a bit because i was about to venture into the unknown...another journey God was about to sent me on...but i couldn't be more excited!! i was falling more in love than before!

leaving the doctor's office on we went to buy little boy things. in the car was another "big" moment. for the first time i felt our little boy moving around. not only did i see him that day, but i felt him too.

everything at that moment became surreal. we were really having a baby...a baby boy!

i think brayden and i are now off to go shopping now for him!

brayden harter knetzer

2008-05-22T23:14:00.003-05:00

the young and the restless

2008-05-19T19:58:00.007-05:00

tomorrow puts me at exactly 18 weeks. where has the time gone!! jared and i found out on valentine's day and i was only 4 weeks at the time...and that seems like yesterday! not only has time flown by, but it is official...the baby bump has arrived.

i finally popped like a well done turkey about a week ago and it is only getting bigger. and should you find me after a filling meal, you might think im further along than i really am. i still have yet to determin the difference between gas bubble and the baby moving. i know, that may sound rather odd, but the baby is still little so there isn't any substantial kicking yet. who knows, i haven't given up on the potential of a little soccer star just yet. however, i am throughly convinced that my little young is keeping me up at night....hence jared taking up his residency on the couch at night. don't think awful thoughts of me just yet...he actually likes (and as of lately prefers) the couch.

it all began one night when i returned to bed after getting up to use the bathroom for the 5th time that night and blowing my nose. they say that your nose may tend to run a bit when pregnant...that is a very misleading understatement for those who suffer from allergies as well. my nose runs like niagara falls at night. a few seconds later, jared sits straight up in bed and insists that he has no room in the bed and can't sleep (mind you jared is a bed hog..so much to the point that my growing belly is about to plop over the edge and i have no room to stretch my calves which feel like they are being attacked by switch blades aka leg cramps). so not having much sympathy for him or really any at all, i tell him to get his pillow and start making his way downstairs...and on the couch is where he has remained since. i can't wait for our new bed to finally arrive! i really do miss my sleeping buddy!

well wednesday marks one of the most important days! we find out if we're having a boy or girl! we will either be proved correct in our prediction...or proved to be horribly wrong!! we will soon find out!

cinderella

2008-05-07T15:37:00.002-05:00

(if the video doesn't work here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLYxtuC0oRk )songs about a daddy and his little girl have always pulled at the strings of my heart. no matter how hard i try to hold back the tears, i am never strong enough. a couple of weeks ago i was in my car listening to xm radio when this song came on for the first time. it only took a few seconds before the flood gates opened and the tears were flowing out at full force. thankfully i came up to a red light because i was crying so hard i could barely see out my front window. this time however was different than times before. for the first time i wasn't looking at myself dancing in the arms of my own daddy, but my little girl dancing in the arms of her daddy.

ready to get rowdy

2008-05-03T11:34:00.008-05:00

after posting that last blog, i realized i need to pull myself together and start getting things in order with the baby only being 5 months away. Until we find out what we're having, i can't really do a whole lot as far as the nursery, clothes, decor, etc. there is one thing i can (well perhaps) make a decision on. i don't know why, but i am determined to find the most useful, realistic, durable, and most importantly chic baby bag out there. If there is one thing i have been on a hunt for, it is just that! for those of you who know me, you know i love purses/bags! They are the perfect accessory to any outfit and you can never grow out of it! jared thinks i'm crazy, but i said that i am more than willing to pay a high price for the perfect baby bag as long as it meets the following standards:

it can't actually look like a baby bag, because i will be using it as my purse as well
it has to be sophisticated and chic
no figurines on it (animals, insects, characters, etc.)
it has to be a fairly good size, because there is going to be A LOT that goes in there
it has to have a lot of pockets
it has to be easy to carry
it has to be able to coordinate with most everything (i know you probably think i'm being ridiculous, but i'm totally being serious about this baby bag!)
it has to be for a girl or a boy (if i should get one before i find out)

so with those requirements set in stone, i set out to find the one. i began getting frustrated when i wasn't finding "the one" as soon as i laid eyes on it. so yesterday i thought i would give it another shot....and lets just say, i think i fell in love. not right away though. the longer i gazed at the picture and read as many review as possible, that's when it hit me..."i think this is the one!" let's recap shall we?

Rowdy white sophisticated bowler

it doesn't resemble a your typical baby bag
the name of the bag actually contains the word sophisticated in it, i couldn't ask for more!
it doesn't contain any cheesy characters or animals
it's big enough to hold everything i could possibly need
it has tons of pockets, inside and out
there is more than one way to hold the bag
it's white so it will go with anything
it's a unisex bag

well my friends...mission accomplished!

running on e

2008-05-01T21:31:00.007-05:00

it has taken me quite some time to muster up the energy to write again....or actually, if i'm telling the truth, anything for that matter. i have never had any desire to do drugs, but if i had to imagine what you would feel like afterwards, i'm pretty sure it is how i feel right now.

for the past month or so, "i don't care," is the phrase that seems to roll right off my tongue. i seriously feel like a deadbeat! the only time i think my brain actually functions somewhat is when i am at work answering 10101759827598 phone calls and emails ranging from questions consisting of "what is the best make-up to cover my tattoos?" "what type of birds are those flying over the bay?" to "what is the exact cost of 21 lilac table cloths that are going to cover a 66" table, 210 chair ties, and 210 chair covers? is there a way to keep all that but make it fit within my budget?" Don't worry....those questions don't even scratch the surface. I'm like that dazed and confused image of someone with a blank stare on their face as the world continues to fly by.

i think jared has just given up on asking me questions, because he already knows what my response will be....for example:
Jared - don't you think it's time to do laundry and the dishes?"
Me - i don't care
Jared - would you like to drive by and see the townhouse before we move in?
Me - i don't care
Jared - do you think you can unpack a few boxes since you're off today....that way we don't have boxes everywhere? Me - i don't care

you would think this extreme apathetic attitude wouldn't carry over into other areas, such as baby related issues. sad to say, but it has! people ask me questions like, so "what are you planning to do for the nursery," and "where would you like to have your baby shower," and it's the same response! I seriously don't know what my problem is! i think i have just had so much going on over the past 4 months that my brain and body have hit severe over-load.

no worries though, there are a few things that i have a very strong opinion about. i am at the point where i can not take sleeping in a queen size bed anymore! i have never been a claustrophobic person until recently. Last night, was the perfect example. Every night this week, i have been falling asleep on the couch very comfortably at 9:00 PM and at about 10:00 PM, jared and I usually make our way to bed and in a few minutes i am out like a light....that is until i wake up to Lulu (who mind you is not really a dog but a miniature person) is sleeping sprawled out on my pillow, jared on my right who has all the covers and snoring as if no one in the world can hear him, my body pillow on my left which i need to move to the right because my sciatic nerve is shooting down my back side but can't because THERE IS NO ROOM! so in a state of emergency, i did what i do best - hit jared until he stopped snoring and moved over...while still sound asleep. My next move, I bought a california king size mattress. 12 layers of Heaven and heaven it will be when i can get a good nights rest and not have to touch anyone!

maybe my energy and motivation will find it's way back home...where it belongs after a little r&r. jared and i finally find out what we are having may 22nd, so maybe that is what i need to start moving forward. less than 3 weeks!! I will post the infamous "baby bump" picture soon, but you all have to understand that i have to be in the right frame of mind to do that....right now not only is my brain mush, but i feel like an over sized blob!

soon, i promise.....

bad driving = florida residents

2008-04-29T19:14:00.000-05:00

ok, so you all know that i have vented my frustrations before about the drivers here in the sunshine state. well low and behold, dave berry is on my side! for those of you who aren't familiar with the hilarious columnist who writes for the Miami Herold, dave berry will have you bent over in pain from laughing so hard. (I think the ladies in the gift shop are concerned for my health as well as the baby's health wondering what in the world i'm on....they kept looking at me because i couldn't stop laughing!) Not only does he comment about the driving absurdity that has cursed this state, but he also commented on my latest frustration - TSA Airport Security. January through March i spent many long, frustrating hours fighting long lines, large crowds, rude people, and airport security. being stopped at the security checkpoint almost never failed. here i am....a blonde haired, blue eyed, average built, protestant woman who is nicely dressed....very far from fitting the terrorist profile! my mother always told us growing up to dress well when traveling in airports. Living overseas, I guess she thought that if you were dressed well, you wouldn't be stopped. well, that is not true! Anyways, those traveling stories will be kept for another day. back to dave berry.

here is his latest column:

Bad driving: It's not just for old people
Posted on Mon, Apr. 28, 2008
By DAVE BARRY

MIAMI HERALD FILE, 2003

A man stands in front of his car, as hundreds of cars are stuck in a South Florida traffic nightmare.
Blog Dave Barry

The other day, The Miami Herald ran a story concerning a 73-year-old motorist who was stopped by police.
This in itself is not remarkable. The streets of Miami-Dade County are teeming with motorists who should be stopped by police.
But this man was not driving on the streets.
He was driving on a runway at Miami International Airport.
Really. According to the story, the man ''burst through the southeast gate'' in his Chevrolet Cobalt and ``drove down runway 9.''
You will be relieved to learn that the police don't think he was a terrorist. Apparently he was just a driver who, like so many older drivers down here, got confused. Chances are that, even if the police hadn't stopped him, once he saw a 757 taxiing toward him, it would have dawned on him that he wasn't on Le Jeune Road.
Although not necessarily.
You have to wonder about the security at Miami International. I, personally, have had my shampoo and my toothpaste confiscated at MIA because they were in containers larger than three ounces. If I can't get near an airplane with personal hygiene products, how did this guy get through with a CAR?
But this incident raises a larger question in my mind, one that has been nagging at me lately: Are the drivers down here getting worse?
You're thinking, ''They can't get any worse!'' I used to think that, but lately I'm not so sure. For example, the other night I was driving on the Palmetto Expressway. (I know, I know.) Normally, on the Palmetto, traffic moves at an average speed of 53 miles per hour, calculated as follows:
• 49 percent of the drivers are going 80 miles per hour.
• 49 percent of the drivers are going 30 miles per hour.
• 2 percent of the drivers are, for a variety of reasons, backing up.
But the other night, there was a fourth group of drivers out there: Young male idiots racing each other in cars traveling at -- this is a very conservative estimate -- the speed of light. It was terrifying. You're flowing along with the traffic, going either 80 or 30 miles an hour, and suddenly you see lights in your rearview mirror and, ZIPPPPPP, this weaving blur hurtles past and cuts you off, and while the swear word is still forming in your brain, ZIPPPPPP, another one cuts you off, and then ZIPPPPPP ZIPPPPPP ZIPPPPPP, more of them, using the Palmetto Expressway as their own personal video game, with you playing the role of Annoying Obstacle. It's no use honking your horn at the idiots because the sound waves can't catch them.
If you're wondering how I could tell, at night, that these particular blurs were young males, the answer is: because that's who drives that way. That's how I would have driven when I was a young male idiot, except that I was driving my mom's 1961 Plymouth Valiant, which had basically the same top speed as the Lincoln Memorial.
But today's young male idiots are equipped with much better automotive technology, and they're out there on the same streets as the confused older drivers (of which I am rapidly becoming one). To make matters worse, a new driving hazard is popping up all around Miami-Dade: the traffic circle.
Traffic circles are a good thing, if drivers understand the rules. But this is Miami, where drivers find the concept of ''yield'' to be more baffling than quantum physics. Some drivers barge into the circle regardless of whether there are cars already in it. Other drivers come to a full stop, even when the circle is empty, eyeing it warily, as if it were a space/time warp that might suck them into another dimension. Still others barge into the circle and THEN stop. (It goes without saying that these same drivers would never dream of stopping at, for example, a stop sign.)
Anyway, my opinion, as a person who has been driving down here for more than 20 years, is that the roads are getting worse. What can we do about this? Several solutions come to mind:
• Young males should be issued restricted licenses that allow them to drive only during certain times, namely, the distant future. If that's illegal, we should require them to drive 1961 Valiants.
• Likewise, older motorists unable to pass a simple test (''Where are you?'') would be restricted to driving in the past.
• Miami International Airport should take some security people off Shampoo Patrol and have them guard the gates.
• Just in case, they should also put signs at the ends of the runways saying ``NOT LE JEUNE ROAD.''
I don't have a solution for the traffic circles. Your best bet is to avoid them. If you find yourself in one, close your eyes. That's what everybody else is doing.
I realize this rant has been pretty negative, so I want to end with this thought: I truly believe that we, the drivers of Miami, can do better. I believe that our streets could be safe -- even pleasant -- if we were willing to take our responsibilities as drivers seriously, and to show each other a little basic courtesy.
In other words, we're doomed.

dave berry is optimistic that the florida drivers can do better....i'm not so sure. however i do believe in miracles!

Good Old Fashioned Pancakes

2008-04-13T12:23:00.004-05:00

I think I have finally found my new craving. Odd I know, but they are amazing! I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and they are by far the best pancakes that have ever touched my taste buds. So being the nice person I am, I thought I would share the goodness:

Good Old Fashioned Pancakes

"This is a great recipe that I found in my Grandma's recipe book. Judging from the weathered look of this recipe card, this was a family favorite.

PREP TIME	5 Min
COOK TIME	15 Min
READY IN	20 Min

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

my new friend

2008-04-11T21:12:00.003-05:00

i just couldn't bite the bullet and buy one of those pregnancy body pillows, so today while in target i saved (jared, you may thank me later) $80 and bought your everyday body pillow who i believe is going to be my new best friend. my little pillow between my knees just wasn't doing the trick anymore. after visiting the doctor, i heeded their advice and came home and slept...sleep i didn't realize was much needed. while snuggled in bed with lulu, callie, and my pillow, i woke feeling a little more rested....but still kinda green.

after being sick for 4 days, i realized something just wasn't right, so i made an appointment to make sure everything was ok. good news: what i thought was morning sickness was actually a stomach virus....however no promises that i won't still have morning sickness. i was able to hear the heartbeat again today...along with come crazy "swooshing" noises. The doctor said the baby was being a lively little thing....hopefully baby will get all it's rambunctiousness out of it's system before it greets the world! I can just see it now.....

i think i have also decided i need to look for a new doctor. my doctors are all nice, but that's about as deep as it gets...cordial. I feel like when i call to make an appointment for something that could be serious, i am being an annoying inconvenience. quite frankly, i think i am one of their easiest patients! i have yet to call and ask a question...isn't that what google is for? I mean, I could be calling daily or walking in with a list of questions asking, "i had a sweet tea, is my baby going to now be ADHD?" I sit in the waiting room for 30 min. only to be in the examining room for 5-10 min, at most. I feel like i'm apart of a cattle herd when i go in there. i just think it's important to feel comfortable with the person that is going to deliver your baby. Not to mention, that is a little more up close and personal then I would like!

Jared and I move in 2 weeks. we still haven't found a house, so in the meantime we are moving to the beach and are going to be living in a townhome until we find a house that gives us the "warm fuzzies" and is just right!

green...not my favorite color

2008-04-09T16:28:00.009-05:00

i am officially 12 weeks. perhaps under different circumstances i might be rejoicing for various reasons:

A. no more morning sickness

B. i can officially announce that we are having a baby...yes i know, i broke the rule!

C. i shouldn't have to frequent the bathroom as often (especially in the middle of the night....it seriously is messing with my sleeping habits!)...for the time being

D. more energy! for the past 12 weeks i have felt as though i have ran a 5k marathon daily. it's as if i need tooth picks to keep my eye lids propped open!

E. i can now take medicine for the ridiculous allergies the weather and this baby have caused

however, i am frustrated and quite irritated! since friday i have felt like i was hit my a 5 ton truck after a night of binge drinking. i suppose i jinxed myself because for awhile i began to think, "man i'm doing pretty well! i'm pulling this pregnancy thing off almost in an effortless manner....i think i have this down pat!" yes, yes, go ahead and just say it, "oh you naive and ignorant child....just wait 4 more months and then see if you feel the same way." being 12 weeks pregnant, in my mind, almost seemed comparable to a senior in highschool. you know, once you're a senior you can do certain things and you have certain freedoms....privileges i stated above. well i am here to tell you at 12 weeks, those supposed freedoms and privileges are all lies! i have felt the worst in the past 3 days then i have my entire pregnancy! for those of you who have never had the privilege and joy of sitting sprawled out on a public bathroom floor with your head in a toilet....let me just tell you once and for all...it is no walk in the park! note to those who use public restrooms: the little paper toilet seat covers that are usually located on the walls are there for a reason....please use them....and if not for any other reason other than the fact that there might be a nauseated, waddling pregnant lady with hot flashes coming in after you! i hope i never again have to experience the horrid things i had to wipe off that toilet seat!

amidst all my nauseous adversity, i still have high hopes that "this to shall pass." only problem is...i can now add intense dizziness to my list.

But don't look now (though — considering the symptom — maybe you should), there's a new one added to the mix: dizziness. And guess who's to blame? Yup — it's your old friend progesterone again, which causes your blood vessels to relax and widen, increasing the flow of blood to your baby (again, good for baby), but slowing the return of blood to you (as always, not so good for mom). Less blood flow to you means lower blood pressure and reduced blood flow to your brain. All of these can contribute to that light-headed, dizzy feeling — especially when you get up too quickly — which is why slow and steady wins the race against dizziness.

great. thank you. last time i checked, i didn't have a friend with the name progesterone. as if hot flashes, memory loss, digestion problems, nausea, exhaustion, etc. weren't enough, we have to add dizziness to the ongoing list of misery. i have never been a server for the very reason of being accident prone. dizziness for one who trips over their own two feet on a daily basis can only lead to complete and utter devastation. i'll let you know how that works out!

only 6 more months until baby "plum" arrives but until then, i have lulu to snuggle with!

"no, no, bad dog"

2008-04-07T17:41:00.006-05:00

caught in the act my little friend! as much as i love this little thing, we have finally arrived at a fork in the road. it's either no dog or no underwear! ok, maybe that is being a little over the top, but lulu has chewed holes in over 15 pairs of my underwear! I'm sorry, but this just isn't acceptable! these days, an investment in underwear is practically a small fortune! i am so tired of coming home only to find 2 or more holey pairs of underwear sitting in her bed. Note: lulu's bed has yet to be slept in....it is her personal toy box instead. Jared tells me that's what I get for leaving them around....but "oh contrare," it doesn't matter if they are in the dirty hamper, on the floor, or in the clean laundry basket, she still finds a way to rip them to shreds. for every pair she chews up, i might just attach them to her collar and see how she likes having them tag along with her all day! i may be a push over at times, but when you chew up over half of my underwear drawer, i am a force to be reckoned with! you have to draw the line somewhere and this little lady has done crossed that line! Not to mention she has chewed up 2 pairs of my shoes....and ripped poor haley's flip flops to shreds!

But then I see this and I can't get over how precious they both are.....what was I upset over again??

I supposed this is yet another one of God's patience training 101 courses. I guess i have yet to pass.

If anyone has any puppy training advise, I am more than willing to listen.

where are my pancakes?!?

2008-04-06T22:11:00.010-05:00

it is after 10 PM on a sunday night and for most people they are winding down for the night getting ready for another week. i on the other hand have been craving pancakes for the past 2 hours. so here you have it....jared and i just finished watching Dan in Real Life and in the movie they were making pancakes. that is all it took....so now my darling husband is in the kitchen making pancakes. of course we don't have the pancakes in a box, so he is making them from scratch...hence the laptop in the kitchen. all day i have have been having cravings and each time we haven't had anything in the house...so jared has already make 2 trips, one for a greek salad and another for milk, and orange juice. i don't know what my deal is but i cant seem to drink enough milk and oj.....and when it's gone, i just about have a panic attack! anyways, as sweet as jared is, there was a catch....i had to finished putting all the laundry away. and well, my job is completed and so i wait on my pancakes...

Thursday jared and i went to the doctor and when the nurse asked me to get on the scale......i hesitated...and then took off everything i possibly could,shoes, jacket, bracelet and all, to ensure that the nurse was getting as accurate weight. i was very convinced the scale was going to read that i had put on 10 pounds in just 4 weeks. Jokingly, i said that to the nurse trying to make the truthful blow that was soon to take a hit a little softer. when i heard the nurse mention that i have only put on a total of 3 1/2 pounds during my pregnancy, i think my heart skipped a beat. for all the food i consume on a daily basis, this baby must consume 90% of it....or it could be all the liquids and frequent bathroom trips. whatever it may be, all i have to say is "thank you Jesus!!"

our doctor visit as a whole was exciting as we heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time. as i heard the tiny, fast beating little heart, i feel deeply in love with someone i have never seen and i could feel the smile on my face begining to glow. to think something so small and only 11 weeks old could have such a strong heartbeat is such a miracle. you always wonder what it is going to be like to heart your baby's heart beach for the first time. I didn't cry....until later. while in my car, the song fingerprints of God by Steven Curtis Chapman came on

I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of god

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by gods hand
And perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what hes been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living breathing priceless work of art

the baby's heart was beating 162 beats per minute.....i told jared that all the signs are pointing to the possibility of a little girl. jared might be purchasing those sparkle passifiers sooner than he would like! we will hopefully know at our next appointment.

off i go to enjoy my much anticipated pancakes and orange juice!!

until we meet again

2008-03-31T13:02:00.008-05:00

saying "goodbye" to the ones you love is never easy. yesterday, jared and I drove to tallhassee to take haley to the airport. her time here went by faster than i would have liked. working so much didn't help much, but when you enter into adulthood, you have to say "so long" to spring and summer breaks.....unfortunately. so while haley enjoyed long sunny days laying out at the beach, i sat behind a desk. i keep saying this, but i wish there was some way stop time and take in every moment for all it's worth. as i watched haley go through security, i thought of the german phrase "alf wiedersehen" which we used to always say to mean "until we meet again." i have always preferred that over saying "goodbye"...because it is just that. only a couple more months until i get to see her and the rest of my family again. next time i see her....i'll be almost 6 months pregnant!

speaking of which...i am now 11 weeks and almost finished with my 1st trimester. to say the least, baby has been a constant thought on the brain...well what little brain i have left! i can't seem to remember anything these day. however, even though i feel like i have said "alf wiedersehen" to my memory, i think we can say "GOODBYE" to morning sickness! the past week as been wonderful! it is almost as if i'm not really pregnant since now i feel great...other than the fact some may think i am eating for 5 these days! I had a couple of events this past weekend and everyone just kept laughing at me because whenever i has in the back, 9 times out of 10 there was something in my mouth. surprisingly, i haven't put on that much weight. i guess we will find out the honest truth on thursday when i go back to the doctor. i'm hoping we will be able to see our baby's little hands and feet!

i came across the most precious website a couple weeks ago. Dimples and Dandelions. when i saw this picture, my heart melted. the more and more i think about being a mommy and having a little one, the more excited i get. yesterday, jared and i were in target and we decided that we would start buying little things that we know we would need (diapers, wipes, passifiers, etc.) and then once we find out what we're having we can start getting things for either a boy or girl. when we got to the area with all the baby stuff, jared turned right now the asile and began looking at everything. he seemed excited so i told him he could pick out what he wanted to get. we were going to get diapers, but when jared realized how much diapers are and how many a baby goes through in a day, i think it was a bit overwhelming and a lot to take in at once. so we started off easy and picked out passifiers and the little basket that goes in the dishwasher for spoons, bottle tops, and passifiers. i saw passifiers that had little beads and gem stickers on them and i said if it's a girl i'll be back to get those. jared wasn't thrilled by any means. hopefully we will find out what we will be having in 4 more weeks. we have done a couple of the old wives tales and they all point to a little girl. once we find out, i'll let you know if they were right or not!

grown up woes

2008-03-22T17:34:00.004-05:00

it is saturday afternoon and here i sit on my couch watching mindless reality tv with little lulu sound asleep on my lap and still in my pajamas. yesterday was a tiring day and when i woke up this morning...the motivation was lacking. i guess i just have a lot on my mind.

if you talk to anyone in the US, they will probably tell you it is a buyers market...but not really a sellers market.

after being on the market for only 8 DAYS, our house is now under contract.

so basically that means we have a couple of weeks to find a house. only problem is, we did not think we were going to sell our house so fast and therefore had not even started looking. after sorting through a lot, jared and i realized we need to wait a week or so before we can make an offer on a house we absolutely love. house hunting can be exciting and incredibly exhausting at the same time. as exciting as selling our house is, it's a little nerve racking knowing that we are pressed for time, that there is a house we love at the right price, but we have to wait for a couple of checks to come in before we can even think about making an offer and by then it may be gone.
God is teaching me patience yet again. funny thing is, i have an unusual sense of peace knowing that there really isn't anything i can do, but that everything will work out according to him plan. just knowing that God is in control gives me an enormous sense of peace in and of itself.

growing up can be fun at times, but it isn't as fun and carefree as i always imagined it would be.

in knowing that, i am off to my grandmothers for one of her yummy home cooked meals with jared and haley and baby berry! grandmothers are such a beautiful blessing :)

Berry Lovin

2008-03-19T12:23:00.007-05:00

so pregnancy has been quite an interesting experience so far. every morning on my way into the office, i am asked the question of the day, "so how are you feeling today." Some days are better than others, but who ever coined the term morning sickness, either has no sense of time or was very blessed because it's not just a morning things.....it's an ALL DAY feeling. Not only do I feel like I'm going to get sick 90% of the day, but I'm exhausted! a girlfriend of mine today mentioned, "every time i see you, you look worse..like you don't feel well and your tired." DING DING DING! i think it's written all over my face. Sometimes, i just want to turn my office lights off and crawl under my desk. but no telling if i would actually wake up! i am at that point now though, that I'm ready for the full blown baby bump...."bump" mind you, not the 9 month mountain. Right now, my pants are just getting tight around the waist and i look like i've gained 10 pounds...even though i've only put on 5. Oh and I eat all the time!! That is the only thing that seems to help my nausea and not to mention i crave food all day long! No specific craving yet. jared used to say that maybe i would actually eat normal things when i was pregnant since i ate all the "pregnancy foods" then. and believe it or not, i have only have 2 pickles since i have been pregnant! so let's see, what other things have i been feeling....

* i read that when you're pregnant, you are easily angered. and it is safe to say that is true! For all of you that thought i had a road rage issue before, WATCH OUT! i told someone that if they knew what was best for them, they better not piss off a pregnant woman!

* so one moment i may be in a tizzy and the next, i'm bawling my eyes out....for no reason. i usually am by myself too.

aside from being an emotional, hungry, fire breathing, bloated little lady, i couldn't be more happy! being pregnant hasn't really sunk in just yet, mostly because i don't see or feel any huge results other than filling icky. our little bean sprout has now grown into a little raspberry (notice how everything revolves around food!) and is about to turn into my favorite...a little green olive (9 weeks). once i feel the baby moving, see the growing results in my belly and start buying baby stuff, i think reality will finally sink in...and i can't wait!

only 7 more months to go!!

2008-03-13T23:49:00.004-05:00

gone are the days

2008-03-13T15:17:00.011-05:00

I'm completely baffled at the thought that March is already here! Where has 2008 gone?! I feel like I'm running as fast as I can but can't keep up with time....kinda like the way my mouth can't keep up with my brain!

Sitting here at my desk, I feel as though I have numbs for fingers as my hands have been pounding away at the keys for longer than I would like to admit. Wedding season begins for me in 2 weeks... so basically my social life will cease to exist in only a matter of days!

In the mean time, Jared and I are trying to sell our house. I know, call us crazy but the time has come for us to move. Given the market, I'm just glad to know there are people who are interested already!!!! Take a peek at our little house....

anyone interested??

Well Spring Break has officially kicked off here in the Redneck Rivera (oh yeah...also known as Panama City Beach). Driving down the strip, you are commonly greeted with the phrase "SPRING BREAK 08 BABY!!! WHOOOO!" Yes, it's true, we attract the brightest and most beautiful. Try watching Ocean Force Panama City Beach on tru TV and you'll see what I am referring to. I suppose the highligh to this joyous time has been all the celebrities that stay at Bay Point. For example, Jennifer and I got the second look approval from one of the Ying Yang twins, said hello to Flo Rida who obviously wasn't taught manners, watched the Geico Caveman walk past my office while I was on the phone, parked next to the Playboy Bunny Moblie....I'm waiting to see what other exciting things happen. Paramore and Panic at the Disco arrive tonight and later next week. If anything exciting should happen, I'll fill you in. Kenny Chesney was in town, but no such luck of running into him. Lucky for Jared, I'm not impressed with any that have crossed my path...because well, we all know I tend to drift towards muscians. Don't worry, those days are long gone as well. Dating muscians is way over rated and there is nothing glamorous about having hate songs written about you afterwards.

Oh, and stay tuned....I have some exciting news to release later...I just don't have the time to do so now!

xoxoxo

home for sale...soon!

2008-02-27T17:36:00.003-06:00

i am always amazed and love how God always knows what is best and puts it into place all in his perfect timing!

i didn't think i would be saying this so soon, but darling husband and i are planning on moving again! for the past week, jared and i have been in fast mode to fix a couple of things around the house so that we can put it on the market next week. next wednesday, our dear realtor and grandmother to the dalring children i used to nanny for is coming over to take a look at our updates and put our humble abode out there for it to become someone else's. jared and i are in need of a bigger house. it is rather hard though because now after all this fixing up, i really love this little house. it is my very own little pottery barn cottage. back to painting.

anyone want to by a house?!?!

Secret Keeper

2008-02-13T10:33:00.002-06:00

I have never been one to like surprises or be able to keep exciting news to myself...

soul owner
philosophy: let's review your only true assets. you own your values, your integrity, your thoughts, your words, your actions and therefore, your destiny. question: are you proud of what you own? what is your true net worth to the world and the people around you? are you really rich or do you just have money?

inner grace

2008-02-05T13:45:00.001-06:00

i thought i would share yet another inspirational philosophy...

to know peace is to know God. within the context of peace, we can know joy, love, and happiness. in the absence of peace, we own nothing but the turmoil of our minds that jump from one negative thought to the next. to find peace, you must shut off your mind and open your heart to the only thing that matters, the gift of the present moment, peace personified.

may you be filled with inner grace.

i am....healed

2008-02-04T17:16:00.000-06:00

this isn't going to be a long one, but this year already has been a challenging one. while in the car today I was listening to nichole nordeman, who I have listened to for years. i listen to these songs over and over again, and each time, i feel as though God is teaching me something new. being sculpted and molded for His Glory is never an easy process.

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a new philosophy

2008-02-04T15:43:00.000-06:00

one of the many joys of being home is the excellant shopping! when i was in high school and still living in pittsburgh, the shopping was nothing spectacular. now that i am gone, the ross park mall is amazing! haley and i went to ross park the other night just to get out and have a breather and girl's night together. one of her favorite stores is sephora. now i on the other hand love the store but can't fathom spending $30 on a 2 oz. jar of make-up that is only going to last me a month, if i use sparingly. i have bills to pay! so anyways, we went in and i found a brand that i fell in love with at first sight. not because of their products, but because of their philosophy. they have the cutest products, but what is even more so adorable are the little philosophy messages that are on each item.

ever since i saw them, i have been thinking about all their little sayings. not only am i in love, but i am inspired. here is just one inspirational philosophy:

"be grateful to have been given one more day, let alone one more year. remember to dance in your nightgown, sing in the shower, ride a bike, fly a kite, and take an occasional "wind bath" in your bare skin. give those you love big kisses, huge hugs, and the words "i love you" often and always. nurture your body rather than starve yourself with fad dieting. spend time with the old and the weary to better appreciate your life. on your birthday, call your mother and father wherever they are to thank them for all that they have done for you. watch the movie "life is beautiful" at least once a year. remember that you are not guaranteed tomorrow and that today is as good as it gets. thank God for everything, every day, every moment."

i think this philosophy is one that we all should live by daily. in a world that thrives on the negative and doesn't appreciate the gift of life daily; i think putting this philosophy into practice would make for a life alterating change!

we are called to live a life of passion.
we were created to be passionate beings.

giants come out on top

2008-02-03T22:25:00.000-06:00

It's always nice to watch a game where the underdogs come out on top. I have always been fond of the Manning boys. Way to go Giants!

slowly going the way of the cupid shuffle

2008-02-02T20:03:00.000-06:00

We all remember the days of group dances that consisted of the dreaded chicken dance, macarena and electric slide. The time has now come for those dances to step aside and retire because the Cupid Shuffle is now the new dance.

Back in November, Jared and I were in Orlando and went into a night club called City Jazz. This song started to play through the speakers and the dance floor was immediately crowed with dancers who were all in sync. I had no idea what they were all doing, but I found myself very intrigued.

In December, I was doing a wedding and heard the song again only to find everyone dancing. When I was in Birmingham, they were evening dancing to this song during the bridal gown fashion show! By this point, I was determined to find out what the song was and how to learn it!

So where else does one turn in times such as these....YouTube!

Browsing through all the homemade videos, I quickly learned that everyone from senior citizens to infants were jumping on the band wagon for this new infectious craze. Some I might add, were quite entertaining!

With Prom and Wedding season just around the corner, I thought I would fill you in so that you won't be that lonely person stranded along the wall in the corner. Go dust off your dancing shoes because it is time to learn some new moves. Next time, I'll post a Soulja Boy Dance video. I thought I would let you warm up a bit before posting more advanced dance moves!

I am now off to learn the Cupid Shuffle...

Dreaded Isicles

2008-02-02T01:35:00.001-06:00

As wonderful as it is to come home and see snow white blankets covering as far as the eye can see, there are days like today that make me realize how grateful I truly am to be living in the sunshine state!

I woke up this morning to loud pelting noises outside my window. Looking outside, it was dark, dreary, and everything was covered in ice. Since my mom is on strict bed rest orders, I ventured into the God Forsaken weather. Let me just say that I can't remember a time when I had to pump gas in such miserable weather conditions. The 5 minutes I stood outside with sharp and painful ice pellets slicing my face, were 5 minutes full of foul and resentful thoughts and words. I'm sure all the cars passing by were distracted by my ridiculous dancing and movements along side the car trying to keep somewhat warm while I waited for the car to fill up. If there was ever a time that I was against gas guzzling SUV's with 25 gallon tanks, it was today!

I will admit that the trees covered in ice were a beautiful sight!

I look forward to getting home and slipping into a comfortable tank top and pair of flip flops! And to think that the beloved yearly spring breakers will be arriving in just 3 weeks!

Family Matters

2008-02-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

So I knew 2008 was going to be a year full of surprises, but I didn't know they would all happen so soon....and not really the surprises I intended on. I have already met my fair share of hospitals this year and now I know why I steer clear not to mention the smell...

Jared having surgery was my first encounter. two weeks ago, Jared had to have surgery on his should or more precisely, the ligaments in his rotator cuff. That hospital experience was not a fun one for me or Jared. After much arguing with doctors, nurses, and plenty of pain medication, Jared came home and is slowly recovering.

Update: Jared is doing better now that he is able to bathe! He is healing quickly is and able to get around much better on his own. I guess he really didn't have a choice since I haven't been around much. As sad as it is to say, I have been working ridiculously stressful and long hours....hours that should have been spent taking care of him. I have to admit, I have been blessed with an incredibly wonderful and supportive husband.

Last weekend I was in Dallas and returned home on Monday. Tuesday morning I woke up only to find that I had missed calls from my sisters and dad along with a text from Afton to call ASAP. I knew something was wrong. Calling Afton, I soon found out the bad news.

On Monday evening, My mom and Haley were over at some friend's house and my mom went to go down into the basement. Thinking there was a railing she went to grab it and lost her balance and fell over the edge onto the cement floor. She was rushed to the ER where they found she had fractured her skull and broken the bones on the right side of her face. Because of the severe head trauma they sent her downtown to the UPMC trauma unit to be cared for.

Being close to my mother as well as being the oldest, it was hard not being home with my family. Not to mention my dad was on a business trip so that just left my sisters to care of her. I knew I had to get home.

So here I am in Pittsburgh. While sitting on the plane, I tried preparing myself for the worst and what my mom looked like. I don't think I did very well at preparing myself...she looked so much worse than I imagined. My heart broke seeing her and knowing she was in so much pain. I have the personality of being a "fixer," so not being able to do a thing is very hard for me to deal with. I dealt with the same feelings sitting beside Jared knowing there wasn't anything I could do. I hate feeling completely helpless. Seeing my mother and Jared, I suppose kicked my motherly instincts into gear because all I wanted to do is hold them and take away all their pain. All I can do though is to just be here...and right now that is all that matters.

At the end of the day, family is all that matters.

introducing little lulu

2008-01-31T22:07:00.000-06:00

Meet our newest and smallest addition! Jared and I brought her home on Tuesday and have loved every minute. I pray that when we have a baby, they sleep as much as little lulu does!

A life of passion and freedom

2008-01-26T23:53:00.000-06:00

So here I am yet again at another bridal show...this time: Dallas, Texas. After waking up 30 minutes late, almost missing my flight by 2.5 minutes, getting harassed by TSA airport security, a broken zipper on my briefcase, spilling water and having to sit in wet jeans for an hour (and looking like I had wet my pants), 3 long flights, a dead cell phone without a charger, no GPS, getting lost in a city I have never been to and having to actually follow a taxi cab, having to actually pay for my hotel instead of it being free like my reservation was for and then them not accepting my credit card....lets just say yesterday was a never ending day that almost ended in my 4th consecutive day of mental breakdowns. If it wasn't for a long hot bath, Starbucks Calm Tazo Tea and the comfort of a Marriott Bed, I seriously might not have survived!

Even amidst the utter chaos yesterday, I found myself still sane while listening to John Mayer's new song Say on my ipod and thinking about the movie Jared and I went to see last night, P.S I Love You.

Talk about a tear jerker of a movie! This week has been one big emotional roller coaster so maybe that is what contributed to the flooding of tears while sitting in the theater. Who knows... but it really was a great movie...Jared said he even liked it!
Throughout the movie, there were many touching and tender moments...many that even made me wonder if I was watching mine and Jared's life reel across the screen. However, there was one quote in particular that really resonated with me towards the end.

You were born to create.

For those of you who know me, know that I am a thinker. My mind is constantly on the go. Whether it be thinking about what the next day entails or dreaming of what others might deem the impossible, my mind runs is severe overtime. Lately, I have been mapping out my future and when I heard this quote, it hit home for me. I was born to be a dream chaser. I don't want to look back on my life only to say "I wish I had...". I was born to create. Born to live a life of passion. Born to create and design, to create memories, to create life.

Sitting on the plane yesterday, I listened to the new John Mayer song Say, over and over again (I tend to do that often when I find a song I love). I always am amazed at how John can take such an ordinary, common, and every day concept and make it sound so profound. Say what you need to say is such a simple phrase, and yet very reflective. How many of us walk away only wishing we had said how we really felt? On the inside it's as if we are screaming the words our heart bleeds, but to the outsider all they hear may be silence.

Walkin like a one man army
Fightin with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead
If you could only
Say what you need to say

Do you ever feel as if you are haunted by the words that never escaped from your lips...whether it be an I love you, an I'm sorry, or even just the truth? Sometimes I find myself fighting an inner battle wondering if I would have been better off just saying what I really wanted to say.

Don't get me wrong, it is always better to think before you speak. However, I think at the end of the day, it is better to say what you need to say than to keeping those feelings bottled up inside.

In conclussion, live everyday with passion and in freedom.

puPpY oN ThE BrAIn

2008-01-23T23:36:00.000-06:00

Jared and I are getting a puppy in a week or so and I'm ecstatic! She is absolutely precious! She's brown and has blue eyes. I'm not sure what we are going to name her just yet. I'm rather torn between Hazel or Lulu...and for some reason as funny as it may sound, I think little lulu is what just seems to stick. Jared isn't too happy about this, but I told him that I am going to dress her up and carry her in a bag!

I can't wait to bring her home!
...hopefully Callie learns to share the attention!

***Driving Disclaimer

2008-01-22T20:36:00.000-06:00

One more thing before I sign off.....

If I am on the road and you are driving a head of me and the speed limit is 45 mph....that means you better be driving 50 NOT 30! Until I moved here to Florida, I never experienced road rage like I do now. Yes, I know it is partially a personal problem, however there has to be a sense of responsibility at some point when you look in your rearview mirror and notice that there isn't just one, not two, but TEN cars riding your tail! And let me guess...when they pass you, you automaticly assume they are speading. Sorry to be the one to burst your supposed law abiding bubble, but they are passing you while still adhering to the speed limit!

I honestly believe that if the citizens of Panama City, Florida learned how to drive at least the speed limit or (I know I'm stepping out of the box on this one) even 5-7 over and not 10 under, the traffic would flow much easier and quicker! While I am on a roll...here are a couple more common sense driving tactics:
(***one more disclaimer: this is all in good fun! If you find yourself getting upset...well that's because you are probably the very person I am speaking about)

*the left lane is not meant for cruising or sight seeing. People who live here actually have places to be and could careless what Club La Vela's billboard reads or what new establishment is being built....most likely it is another bank.

* Do not drive along side another car creating a moving pick for all those who wish to pass your sorry, slow p.o.s. The left lane is for passing. Go back and read your drivers ed handbook, please.

* RED means STOP - it doesn't mean that if you don't really feel like stopping you can blow through the light after it has been red for 5 seconds.
* GREEN means GO - When the light changes look both ways and GO, don't sit there and contemplate whether you are going to go or not.
*Yellow mean GO Faster - because we all know that if you catch one red light in this town, you will catch every stinkin’ one (because this town likes to waste it's time on worrying about electronic billboards being a distraction rather than timing all the lights to minimize traffic)! If you are in front of me and the light turns yellow as soon as you approach, you better get your rear in gear and hightail it through that light or else you will see one pretty perturbed person (do I get extra points for my triple word alliteration?!) with flailing arms in your rearview mirror!

*The third lane on Hathaway bridge was not created to waste our tax dollars, but to actually be used! I make no apologies for passing all of you stopped, sitting suckers during rush hour.

*If you are stopped at a red light and in the right turning lane and there are not any car approaching in on coming traffic, you can make that right had turn (given there are not any NO TURN ON RED SIGNS present). Unless God decides to drop a quick one, there are not going to be any cars falling out of the sky hitting you, however I may lay a long horn on you.

*If a cop is driving amongst the flow of traffic, do not put on your breaks and start driving 5 under. If they pull you over for going 3 over the speed limit, then they obviously have nothing better to do with their time. I promise it is ok to pass them in the left lane...of course not in excessive speed.

*One more thing...just because you have an out of state tag or especially a Canadian tag does not entitle you to toss all common sense driving out the window! Driving the actual speed limit, using your blinker, staying within the lines, and not cruising in the left lane still does apply to you!

I hope with these few driving pointers I can actually make it to work tomorrow on time due to having jogged your memory with a short driving lesson!

love.at.first.sight.

2008-01-22T20:18:00.000-06:00

Before I ever even had the opportunity to meet this precious and dear person, my heart had already been captivated by her breathtaking photography! Scrolling through VUE Photography's photos is like being taken in by a good book....every picture captivates the soul leaving you only wanting more. For no other reason than pure obsession, I love clicking onto her blog. Awhile back, I came accross one of her blogs which still remains as one of my favorites. It was titled "why weddings rock" and everytime I read it, it brings a smile to my face....and even a couple giggles. From Genya's Vue, here is a little "snippit"...indulge yourself for a few minutes and allow yourself to laugh even if others are watching.....

WHy "wEddiNgs" RoCK..
*It's a great excuse for any girl to wear fake eyelashes……
*It's normal for wedding cake to be so tall it could easily tower over a small child....
*Because it's the first time since kindergarten your cool, if you wear underwear with your name on it.....
*You get a rush of adrenaline the moment before the bride takes her first step down the isle....
*Because good veils behave badly......
*Because little kids will always bust a move on the dance floor.....
*You get to wear unforgettable marrying shoes (if your the lucky Mr.and Mrs.)....

Tomorrow Genya is coming to Bay Point to do promotional shots....I can't wait! However before we do, us girls will be delighting ourselves at Andy's Flower Power Cafe for lunch!

VUE Photography

Genya's Blog

One Soul Two Bodies

2008-01-21T22:54:00.000-06:00

It's about that time...time to call it a day. It has been a long day but tomorrow will be even longer. Is it really even possible to work 15 hours non stop in one day? I guess only time will tell. And I am making sure to wear a pair of comfortable flats tomorrow!

As I look over to my left,what I see is nothing short of endearing. A boy and his dog. Jared has been is so much pain for the past week and I think he has taken up his residency on the leather chair and Callie has been by his side even what I couldn't be. Callie usually sleep along side our bed each night curled up on her little bed, but for the past week she curls up on the ottoman at Jared's feet and sleeps soundly. More than just a sweet dog, she is a good friend.

In loneliness, in sickness, in confusion - the mere knowledge of friendship makes it possible to endure, even if the friend is powerless to help. It is enough that they exist. Friendship is not diminished by distance or time, by imprisonment or war, by suffering or silence. It is in these things that it roots most deeply. It is from these things that it flowers. -Pam Brown-

It's all about the bangs

2008-01-20T14:37:00.001-06:00

I think we can all say we remember the 80's. Everything about the 80's was nothing but BIG. Big shoulder pads, Big loud prints, Big hair, and well Big Bangs. So is it really true, bangs are back in? Tell me...did I miss something?? If my memory serves me right, I still have nightmares from the days when I sported bangs and no one told me how bad they looked. For those of you who knew me even up to my freshman year of high school...you remember the bangs. For the most part mothers are always right....but not in the case of my bangs.

Or am I incorrect in my thinking. Perhaps. That is until I saw the lovely Reese Witherspoon wearing bangs like she was the greatest thing on earth. They looked perfect..not too short..not too thick...not too frizzy...not too puffy...but just right.

Maybe I need to get over my fear of reliving my dreadful bang days and take the plunge....

Maybe they weren't as bad as I remember because that was when I caught my husband's first glimpse...even with bangs and braces.

Better Hands

2008-01-19T20:01:00.001-06:00

So take this heart of mine

Attentive Creator

2008-01-18T23:14:00.000-06:00

It is late at night and I just came across this site while sitting here in the living room next to Jared as he sleeps listening to his heavy breathing: PersonalDNA

I was very impressed with their assessment of the type of person I am! They are pretty much right on target....I am

a Creator

Your imagination, confidence, willingness to explore, and appreciation of beauty make you a CREATOR.

You are independent, and you enjoy your self-sufficiency.

Defying convention, you are very innovative, and you have a vivid imagination.

The look of things is important to you, and you have a keen eye for aesthetic beauty in multiple arenas.

You have a strong interest in what is new and exciting—and that includes forging ahead with new ideas, not simply discovering what is already out there.

Your eagerness to seek new and varied experiences leads you into many different situations.

You're not set on one way of doing things, and you are creative when it comes to finding novel solutions to complex problems.

You trust yourself to be innovative and resourceful.

Your confidence allows you to take your general awareness and channel it into creativity.

You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.

You have a strong sense of style and value your personal presentation - friends may even seek your style advice from time to time

Attentive

Because you like spending time with others, understand their feelings, and often know what is best for them, you are ATTENTIVE.

Some people are merely concerned about others, but you take action, helping people when you have the opportunity.

Although you care about others, you are hesitant to trust them to act in the best way on their own.

You don't let your concerns with people go unnoticed: if someone has hurt your feelings, that person will hear about it.

People energize and excite you—you are able to have fun and be yourself when you're around others.

You also learn a lot about yourself by talking things out with people, even if you don't always share things that are important to you.

You have a strong sense of right and wrong, and you're not hesitant to express yourself.

Understanding the dynamics of a situation is an important skill that you have, and you often intervene to clarify things for others.

Doctors, Nurses, Needles, Oh My....

2008-01-16T23:46:00.000-06:00

After a long 12 hour day of being at the hospital with Jared, I am now home alone and wishing I was back up there with him. Seeing him in pain and not being able to do a thing is a real struggle. I went there this morning thinking everything was going to be fine, but when I saw him after they had him prepped for surgery, I couldn't hold back the tears. Luckily, Jared was too "doped up" on drugs to notice. It was a good thing considering he didn't hear me flip out at the Doctor (or as I referred to him "The Ass Hole")...and well that would have been added stress he didn't need. My darling husband was too busy being freaked out by the fact that the ceiling was moving. Oh the things we say and never remember......

They say that shoulder surgery is one of the worst because it takes so long to completely heal. I just want him to come home and be back to normal again. Having to work this week doesn't help with the situation much. At least it is almost over. Even though he is going to be in a lot of pain, I look forward to spending the next couple of cold and wintery days curled up on the couch watching movies together....with Callie of course!

Southern Hospitality and Charm

2008-01-12T14:32:00.000-06:00

Saying that 2008 entered with a bang is quite an understatement! I am only into the 12th day of the new year and for the first time today, I am able to move forward in my new years resolution.

Just about every year for as long as I can remember, it seemed to be that my new years resolution always consisted of getting into shape, eating healthy or something along the lines of personal wellness. Well this year, I am sticking with the trend, but rather than doing something that is good for the body, I am going to exercise and do what is good for the heart and soul; write or in today's lingo, "blog." 2007 was not a year that involved much writing, so I have decided to change that for 2008! I think 2008 is going to be a year full of challenges, excitement, and adventure!

If you were to find me right now, you would find me nestled in a booth, in the corner of Panera, in one of my favorite cities, Birmingham, Alabama. In the past year, I have been to this cities more time than I have to my own hometown. And with every trip, I find that I fall more and more in love with this area. I think what warms my heart about this area is that it reminds me of being back home with it's rolling hill and breathtaking scenery, however it is a place that truly has captured the essence of southern hospitality and charm. It is a little city with a big, warm heart. I know this may sounds rather strange, but in all honesty, it doesn't matter if you are walking down the street or pumping gas, everyone is alway friendly and endearing.

In a few minutes I'm about to head out to begin getting ready for the Great Southern Bridal Show. I'm not quite sure what it entails. All I do know is that when I looked through the Alabama Weddings Magazine , I began to feel that I may be a little out of my league. I'm beginning to think the brides in this area are kinda like the brides in Dallas with the theme, "Go Big, or Go Home!" I don't think I can even begin to describe what some of these weddings were like! These pictures put Platinum Weddings to shame! I'm excited for what tomorrow holds and hopefully the potential business it brings!

I am now off to captivate one bride at a time!