Getting to Work - Baltimore, MD - March 2010

So I came home from work last Sunday to find that the Hub had been a busy man. He did this...

I guess one of us had to get to work on the baby's room. Thank you for being AWESOME J-Rod!

Walls Painted (Check)
Baby Bed Put Together (Check)

Tomorrow we're both off and even though I'm not sure if we're more productive together, we sure do have more fun!

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

Just Wait Until... - Memphis, TN - March 2010

Note To Reader: Just a quick apology to those of you that aren't really interested in hearing about me being pregnant. Don't forget that this blog is pretty much a window into my brain and at the moment that's what's on my mind.

So in the last few weeks I've had about a hundred people begin a statement with the following three words... "Just wait until..." followed by some terrifying detail from either their own pregnancy, the pregnancy of a friend, their wife's pregnancy, or the crazy crap they've seen on that TLC show A Baby Story. I've found that the ones from women that are actually pregnant themselves are really the worst and most difficult to swallow. Don't forget, the only book I've read cover to cover thus far is Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy.

"Oh you're only 27 weeks pregnant, just wait until you're 35 weeks like me and you...
...can't sleep.
...can only eat small amounts of food at a time
...can't poop.
...have swollen feet and your arches have fallen.
...have a rash
...have been to the hospital three times with false labor.
...start laughing at some one's joke and pee all over yourself IN PUBLIC!
...fart all the time.!

Then there are the stories from the husbands after the baby was born.

"When little Johnny was born they used that sucker thing on him to try to get him out of her "you know what". It sounded like they were sucking his brains out. We were so scared.

"When we were in the delivery room she just pooped on herself straight into this giant trash bag at the end of the table. I guess it happens to everyone but it's GROSS!"

"We thought throughout the entire pregnancy that she was just having one baby, then in the delivery room out popped two!"

"Oh yeah she went into labor at work! Her water broke right there in the middle of the break area"!

"Oh yeah that's right Jane was born in an elevator and delivered by a biker guy named Butch."

Why on Earth would you tell a first time mother-to-be these sorts of stories. To scare the crap out of her? Really...? If so mission accomplished, but really I think that may go without saying. Maybe it's to show the mother-to-be that scary stuff happens, but they made it through and their baby turned out just fine. I guess we'll know in about 12 weeks when we're living through and then sharing our story.

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

Last 6... Next 3... - Mempis, TN - March 2010

At 26 weeks pregnant I find myself reflecting on the last few months and also looking forward to the next few. Part of me feels completely ill prepared because I've been able to read exactly one book... Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy, which although wildly entertaining really can't be considered a book for research and preparation. I've peeked at the Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way but the photo and realistic depiction of what actual childbirth is going to be like completely freaked me out... 3 months to get there... One day at a time...

So after last week, one of the most stressful weeks in my professional career, we've been able to take a much needed vacation to visit friends and family in Tennessee. My sister and friends, Ashley and Anna, threw me an wonderful baby shower on Sunday (***photos coming soon***). The Hub and I have both had the chance to have dinner with our fantastic friends that we haven't gotten to see in 8 months. I got to visit with friends from my old job and compare bellies with some of my prego friends. I also got to get my hair cut and eye brows waxed for the first time in 8 months. THANK YOU LORD!!!! (and David!)

Tonight two sisters (Lo and Sue) and I are going to be bridesmaid in our brother's wedding. We'll be wearing our red dresses with red toe nails and get to flip flop down the isle to celebrate our family getting just a little bit bigger.

As for the next three months... In the next 14 to 16 weeks, this baby will come and he or she will be a blessing and a miracle, and even if I don't read another book we'll be just fine.

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

Better Than TV - Baltimore, MD - Feb 2010

I spent a little bit of time on Saturday on the phone catching up with my good friend Sarah. I remember the Hub saying that he was going to go into the other room to watch some television. After A great conversation I went to join the Hub and found this...

Apparently watching all the coo coo's in our neighborhood digging out their cars and attempting to drive their front wheel drive cars in the 30+ inches of snow was significantly more interesting than watching TV.

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

Yes Sir, That's Our Baby... - Baltimore, MD. - February 2010

A little camera shy...

Isn't technology awesome? You can even see the elbow dimples! And aren't those the cutest ears you've ever seen!!

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

Make Me BEAUTIFUL Today – Baltimore MD – January 2010

Back in Memphis I attended a Bible study with other medical and dental wives. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but if not, it's called Side By Side. Several years ago we were studying Max Lucado’s Come Thirsty, and discussing how we sometimes find ourselves putting more faith and trust in things other than the Lord. I can distinctly remember that this was the week that I’d gone to my oh so awesome “stylist” David and had my eyebrows waxed for the very first time.

Note To Reader: That is a word I NEVER thought I’d use in normal conversation, “Stylist” not “David”.

Anyway, if you’ve ever had this done, you know that it takes a pretty high level of trust to know deep down in your heart that he will not slip and leave you looking suprised even when you aren't, lopsided with one brow going up and the other down, or wax your entire eye brow off all together. The hard part is that you pretty much have to sit there and pray while he does his thing. Then, at the end you get to take a look at his work. In my case, I was awed, and of course pleased, by his ability to make one eyebrow match the other. In the two and a half years since, he’s never let me down.

I can remember while reading that weeks chapter I was able to draw a connection. Each and every day women and men sit down in that comfortable swiveling chair, have that soft cape draped around them, and say to their stylists “David, do with me what you will” or “David, make me BEAUTIFUL today” and then an hour later he spins you around to look in the mirror and you sit for a moment marveling at his work.

In making this comparison, I had to ask myself, how often do I sit down before the Lord and say “Lord, do with me what you will” or “Lord, make me beautiful today”. Why is it sometimes so hard to sit back and let Him do his work? To know that he will take care of our every need and even more so than David the stylist, He will NEVER let us down.

All of this to say that as we, in a new city, work to find those creature comforts like a new stylist, a group of friends, a healthy work life balance, a grocery, or a church that feels just right, I can’t forget to trust in the Lord’s path for us. I must keep going to him to say “Lord, do with me what you will” and “Lord, make me beautiful today”.

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!

No Sushi - Baltimore, MD - January 2010

Note To Reader: Did you know that Pregnant women aren't allowed to eat sushi!?

Those of you that know me personally know that I am a total sushi nut. I could probably eat it 5 out of 7 days a week. In fact, I think I've probably eaten it at least 4 out of 7 days a week once or twice. Obsession would probably be taking it to the extreme, but let's just say I have a healthy love for raw fish.

Side step to my current position as host and lifeline to a tiny human being that I already have an unconditional love for and incomprehensible desire to protect. Put 2 and 2 together, and you can see where the dilemma lies.

So for the last 5 months, and next 4 or so months, I've sworn off sushi... Well the real kind that is... I've lived vicariously through the Hub as he's eaten tuna, salmon, mackerel, white tuna, spicy tuna, and all my favorites. No reason for him to suffer, right? I've sat and eaten my California, avocado, and salad rolls and even tried a smoked Salmon roll to try to get the fix, but nope there's nothing like the real thing. The Hub felt so bad for me this weekend that he gave me one of his spicy tuna roll pieces which contained the tiny tiniest piece of tuna in it, and the moment it hit my tongue I collapsed into the taste of it. Mmmmmmm....

So today, for all the world to hear, I am making my public request. I want my FIRST post pregnancy meal to be a GIANT plate of SUSHI!!! Tuna so sharp in taste that it makes your eyes open up, and salmon so buttery and rich that you saver every bite.

So to all my non-pregnant readers, if you are a sushi eater, and you are so inclined eat a piece for me. For these next few months, I am eating for the greater good.

Till next time,
Bon Voyage!