Swagger Wagon

A friend commented on my "Getting Closer" post by saying:

Laura said...
have you searched you tube for swagger wagon? is this gonna be you?
June 30, 2010 7:02 PM

Swagger what?  I had no clue what she was talking about so I did as she suggested and searched the keywords on You Tube.  If I didn't have over 2 years left to pay on my Nissan I would be buying a Toyota right now just because of this video.  I swore I'd never drive a minivan, but a swagger wagon?  It could be cool.  Check it out.

 

Dancing in the Buff

Will Evan hate me one day for posting this on the internet?  I'm willing to take the chance because it's that cute.

Gettting Closer

We've made it six months.  I'm not sure whether I feel like time has gone quickly or that we've had/have so much going on that I haven't been paying much attention - either way, we're here.

I mentioned before that MJ gives the womb quite a beating with her kicks and punches.  I don't even think this child sleeps because my insides aren't getting much of a break day or night.  We've definitely reached the point of alien nation - Robert's favorite part.  MJ throws her elbows or thrusts her feet and it looks like she may just break right through the skin.  Robert tends to get a little weirded out by this development.  You'd think I had a gigantic tape worm making an exit based on his reaction.

One symptom of pregnancy that I didn't deal with the first time was heart burn.  Man, I wish that was the case this time because it just plain sucks.  Every night when I start feeling nice and comfortable the burn sets in.  I can't pin point any certain foods that could be causing it so I'm assuming it's just a random symptom that I have to deal with.  I also am having horrible hip pain.  It has caused much conflict with my sleeping which I'm not very happy about.  But again, I realize it's just something I have to deal with - it comes with the pregnant territory. Oh boy, what joy.

I'll be 25 weeks on Friday.  Woot Woot!

Laugh for the Day

I came across this video on another blog I read and I was literally laughing out loud.  Thinking about what my reaction would be made me laugh even harder...hope you find as much amusement as I did.

Oh Dear

Sometimes what you think is a fabulous idea turns out to be not so fabulous after all. Like my beautiful candy jars. I envisioned lovely glass jars placed just right on my counter and filled to the rim with colorful candies. Its presence would add such a fun and playful twist to my kitchen decor. My vision was spot on. My self-control not so much.

I had my 4 week check-up with my new OB this morning and I was not very pleased when I watched the nurse move the small weight on the scale further and further to the right. I gained 5 lbs. this past month. ONE MONTH! I only gained 5 lbs. the prior three months combined. And it's all because of those damn candy jars! Please notice the half-filled jar of M&M's. Who did I think I was kidding? Like I could really walk past those jars every day and resist sticking my hand in and grabbing a large handful or two...or three.

That appointment was a wake up call. Would prunes look just as pretty?

Play Time with Daddy

It's been awhile since I have posted a video.  I forget sometimes how much Evan changes and how our family members that don't get to see him as often might appreciate a bit of footage.  Well, here ya go.  Here's our little ball of energy.

Here's a Rundown

I've been so preoccupied with setting up house and getting acquainted with our new town that I have completely fallen off the blogging wagon.  It starts feeling like there's nothing worth blogging about, but I have to remind myself that I started this blog as a journal of sorts so what may seem boring to other readers will one day be thrilling reading to our children - at least that's what I keep telling myself.

The house is coming together nicely.  Other than a few pieces of furniture left to purchase, wall decor is really the only thing left to tackle.  This may take a little bit of time simply because I don't care to put just anything in a frame and hang it.  There has to be some meaning in it for me or my family.  The search is on for meaningful prints.

Last weekend we got to spend a day with the Williams Clan in North Myrtle.  They were there for a mini vacation so we spent a day together on the beach.  It was so good to see them considering it's been entirely way too long.  Noah and Evan were instant friends just as I thought they would be.  And Emme was as sweet as pie - making me even more excited for the arrival of our baby girl.  We look forward to seeing them again in a couple of weeks for Evan's 2nd birthday party.

Happy Belated Father's Day to my dad and my husband.  I wasn't able to spend the day with my dad, but saw him a few days prior when I went back to Pinehurst.  I was able to spend the day with Robert which was the first holiday of its kind that we've been able to spend together.  We took Evan to the Ripley's Aquarium which he seemed to enjoy.  I think Robert and I were more fascinated with the marine life than he was, but it was still fun to get out and do something together.  Robert got his day of lounging, sports and dinner at a steakhouse.  Men are so predictable. :)

I have my first doctor's appointment with my new OB on Thursday.  It will be just a normal check-up, but I'm wondering if this office will want to do another ultrasound for their own records.  I wouldn't be opposed to it, that's for sure.  I believe MJ has taken up kickboxing or martial arts.  Sleeping has become something of the past.  Between her kicks and punches and the constant ache of my left hip, I'm lucky to get 4 hours of sleep a night.  I guess I'm just preparing myself for those dreaded middle of the night feedings.

So that was the quick rundown of the last week - I will do better to stay on top of things from here on out.  Robert leaves for Pigeon Forge in the morning and won't be back until Friday night.  Boo.  I should quickly mention that Evan has entered the terrible two's full speed ahead.  We had quite a time with him this weekend.  Hopefully when Robert gets home we'll still have a son.  It's possible Social Services might have to come pick him up - actually I'll just request that they come pick me up.  Motherhood ROCKS!  :)

Cheers to Three Years

It is so unlike me to wait this long to recognize such an important milestone in my marriage, but there was good reason for the delay.  Robert and I celebrated our third anniversary on June 9th.  Because the special day fell on a Wednesday, we decided we would wait until the following Saturday to celebrate.  It's sometimes disappointing to have to do that because it feels like some of the luster is lost once the "real" day has passed.  Robert must have sensed my feelings on that because he made sure to make Saturday as special as one day can possibly be.  I felt like were only dating again -  and I was just as smitten as I was almost 9 years ago.

We have never left Evan with a babysitter before, but in order for us to do anything, finding someone to watch him was the first necessary obstacle to tackle.  Robert planned our evening to be a surprise which means he also took the responsibility of calling and interviewing babysitters.  Knowing that I would be a nervous wreck about having a stranger watch Evan, he was extremely particular about who he chose for the final interview - the final interview being, yours truly, of course.  Mama don't play around! 

Caitlin came to the house prepared to hang out with me for about an hour to make sure I was comfortable leaving my child in her hands.  She was very sweet and seemed intelligent and responsible.  Her resume was quite extensive in childcare and it was a plus that she was in her 20's and not a high school kid just looking for gas money.  Evan seemed equally pleased with our choice so we were out the door for our first real date since his birth!

As  we headed down the road Robert handed me a card addressed very cleverly to My "Sexy" Wife.  I opened the card to find movie tickets to the new Sex in the City film.  I laughed because I knew it took a great deal of soul searching for Robert to not only be seen buying these tickets, but to then be seen walking into the theater.  He was happy to spot several other men in the audience - I'm sure all doing there best to appease their wives.  (A real quick review:  not nearly as good as the first movie, but still got a few good laughs out of it thanks to Samantha.)

After the movie we got back into the car and Robert handed me another card for "Phase II" of our date.  The card implied food and drinks so I knew we were off to a great dinner - and great doesn't sufficiently describe the dinner we had.  Robert chose a Brazilian restaurant called Rioz that was unbelievably delicious.  Not only was the food fantastic, but the whole concept provided a memorable experience.  We ate like royalty, meaning anything you want and however much you want.  I felt like I was carrying triplets when I walked out of there. 

Thinking the night was coming to a perfect close, Robert hands me my third and final card.  "Phase III" of the date simply stated It's Showtime.  I opened the card and found a pair of tickets to Cirque du Soleil Adrenaline.  And just when I thought my perma-grin couldn't get any wider Robert managed to pull this number out of his bag of goodies.  I love all areas of the performing arts, but I've wanted to see one of these shows so terribly bad.    All I can say about the performance is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.  We walked out of there wondering if the extortionists even had spines - or if the acrobats were really superheroes of some kind.

I'm not gonna lie - I was exhausted by the time "Phase III" came to a close.  That was the most entertainment/stimulation I've had in almost three years.  But it was also one of the happiest times to date.  I felt reconnected to my husband on a more intimate level and finally got a glimpse of that "other" me that I used to know before I became a mother.  I realized that date night is an absolute necessity - not only to appreciate my marriage, but to appreciate being more than just a mom.  I wanted to give our babysitter a big fat kiss on the lips when we got home, but decided I couldn't risk scaring her off this soon.  I just made sure she would be available this summer instead.

Thank you to my very charming and thoughtful husband.  Here's to three wonderful years.  I love you more than you know.

Decision Made

Deciding on a baby name is far too complicated.  When I think I've come up with the perfect name, one that I think Robert will love, I find out that he knew a girl in high school by that same name and she was - how should I put it - easy.  Out the window it goes.  I come back with another name that has a really nice ring to it until I'm notified that Robert's ex-girlfriend named her daughter that too.  Again - gone.  Associations really take a toll on baby naming because unfortunately once you know someone who may not have made the greatest impression on you, well, that's the person you see when you say that particular name.

To avoid the difficulty and randomness of finding a name, we again decided to search our family trees and find the perfect one among the many branches.  We played around with a few different names - Hayden, Katherine, Ruth, Rhea - just to name a few, but we finally settled on one this morning.  In honor of Robert's great-great-great grandmother and my great aunt we are so excited to meet Mattie Jane.

When I put Evan to bed tonight I asked him if he wanted to say goodnight to the baby.  He stood up in his crib and leaned over and kissed my belly - and for the first time he said, "Nite Nite, Mattie."  My heart melted.

Soarin' and Explorin'

Get a glimpse of Robert's new summer hangout - let's just say it's a far cry from a suit and tie and hours at a computer responding to an overwhelming number of corporate emails.  For the first time Robert may have a better tan than me.

Evan REALLY likes to visit Dada at work now.  In fact, I have to deal with a tantrum every time we say goodbye.

 (By the way, the scab beneath Evan's nose was from one of his rambunctious incidents - never saw it happen and never heard him cry - it's a mystery.)

Weekend Highlights

Babies.

Design.

Fire.

These were the highlights of the weekend with the Farrells.  

Dylan and Evan had a great time and completely wore each other out.  Dark circles and glassy eyes seemed to be permanent features as naptimes and bedtimes approached each day.  Evan taught Dylan about "cool cars" while Dylan encouraged Evan to hold her hand and go for walks around the house.  They both loved playing outside together and Dylan seemed to love the beach as much as Evan does.  Their first bath pictures were taken and will be sure to reemerge when they reach high school - aren't parents supposed to embarrass their kids?

 

Sarah and I bored her husband, Dan, to tears with our constant design conversation.  Design is a passion of Sarah's that she has successfully passed on to me.  We made various design decisions about the new house and ventured out to a few secondhand and antique stores hoping to find the perfect missing pieces for my house.  We came back with only a lamp, but for $9 I was pleased with our find (update:  I refinished the lamp and placed it in our entryway).

 Before

 After

We also scoped out a vacant storefront in Georgetown that Buzz's Roost may be taking over soon.  Sarah's dream of a retail store quickly surfaced and we fantasized for a couple days about a great partnership in the retail world - we're not counting out that future possibility quite yet.

And what would a fun-filled weekend be without a bit of flare?  Shortly before Sarah and Dan left we received a frantic knock on our door as I  noticed clouds of smoke swirling around the front windows.   We ran outside and saw that our front flower bed was engulfed in flames.  Poor Dan looked at me and said, "It's my fault."  Sarah  quickly added, "that's why we don't smoke cigarettes!"  Thirty minutes prior Dan had innocently knocked out the cherry of his cigarette into the mulch after he had finished smoking.  Evidently SC needs more rain.  And I thought we left the threat of brush fires back in Florida.

Good Friends = Good Times

Low Country Living

We are somewhat settled in after our long awaited move to South Carolina.  Thanks to my brother Todd and his buddy Matt we were able to get all of our furniture moved in on Saturday.  We've literally been camping out on an air mattress for a week giving our moving truck transit time from Florida to South Carolina.  Not the most ideal sleeping arrangement for a pregnant lady.

We are absolutely thrilled with our new house.  We went in almost completely blind on this property and simply crossed our fingers it would be suitable.  It totally exceeded our expectations.  The layout is perfect, the size is exactly what we were shooting for and the yard is phenomenal!  We can't keep Evan or the dogs inside - score! 

In the short time we've been here I've managed to get most everything unpacked and put away.  Decorating will be my primary focus for the next month or so.  But that's the fun part because that involves shopping.  And the best shopper I know is coming to visit this weekend.  Bring some ideas with you, Sarah.  My goal is to have the house completely ready by October so we can feel completely at home when the new baby arrives.

Robert is in Pigeon Forge this week with his new job.  He seems really happy with his new position and is more convinced every day that things are really falling into place for us.  I share his feelings on that.  This is the most settled I have felt since we've been together - so almost 9 years! Yikes!  It's all smiles here in the Low Country.