Wednesday, August 29, 2012

37-Years...

I'm 37-years old today!
This birthday is more special than others for many reasons but mostly because I have been given the best gift ever this year.
Expecting our first child.
It's hard to believe that 29-years ago I actually had a baby shower themed birthday party when I turned 8.
I'll never forget it.
My Mom asked what I wanted for my birthday and, being all about my 'babies' aka Cabbage Patch Kids, I said I wanted things for them.
That's how the theme came about.
Now, all these years later I'm having real baby showers, for a real baby, not a doll!

We celebrated my birthday over the weekend and it is by far one of the best I've had in years.
Brad outdid himself with a cake, card, a weekend playing in the water, and a handbag I've been admiring for years.
I know some of you detest this statement, but it's the truth, I'm absolutely over the moon!

I scheduled our last childbirth class knowing that it was my birthday so no plans tonight, which I'm fine with.
What I'm NOT fine with is that I left my cell phone at home!
Of all days!!!
LOL!!
Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Quest to Keep it Healthy While Pregnant

Those of you who have been reading this blog for long know just how long it took us to get pregnant.
It wasn't an easy journey.
I use to dream about being pregnant and all of the things I would and wouldn't do.
I would eat healthy, exercise, blah..blah..blah.
Well, I think I've done a pretty good job so far but no one is perfect.
ESPECIALLY ME!!

For instance:
* I've managed to exercise or do some physical activity 5x's a week.
--But, there have been a few weeks I've only done 3x's and honestly, while I'm walking briskly for 30 to 40-minutes I'm not pushing myself or doing anything that would count as 'real exercise' for a lot of you.
* I try and strive for 5 each day. Meaning, five servings of fruits and veggies.
--Some days are better than others. I just ate cheese pizza for dinner and I know I need to go eat a side salad but I don't feel like it. My only fruit or veggie today has been grapes and cantaloupe. 
FAIL!
* Limit or refrain from carbonated drinks. I've been pretty good about this since I cut soda out 15-years ago.
--But, there have been events and times when everyone else is drinking alcoholic beverages that I've indulged in a club soda and cranberry juice. And, as you can see above, I have enjoyed a couple of non-alcoholic beers as well.
* Limit my caffeine intake. 
--I was really good about this up until a few weeks ago when I started allowing myself a cup of coffee here and there. The doctor says it is fine.
* I've tried not to take over the counter drugs unless really needed.
--On the advice of my doctor I take 2 acid reducers a day now along with eating antacids. 
* Take a BrainStrong prenatal vitamin daily along with a dose of vitamin D on advice of my doctor.
--This I've been good about. Taking a DHA vitamin is important because studies show that deficiencies in the mother can impact brain development in the fetus.
The best part about BrainStrong is that no prescription is needed. It's a complete prenatal vitamin with the highest level of folic acid and DHA available without a prescription.
It also costs less than most co-pays.

Healthy living is important all of the time, but we all know it's REALLY important when growing a life.
Again, I'm still giving it my best effort and some days are better than others. Of course, with all of my rib and back pain the eating has become easier just because I can't eat a lot of the stuff I use to without being in pain.

But, overall.. I think I'm doing a pretty good job!

"I was compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own." 


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Charlotte's SEC Kickoff Party - GEAUX Tigers!

Football is in the air!!!!!!!!
I absolutely LOVE college football and am counting down the days until kickoff!
A lot of that has to do with being raised here in the South, and of course, going to college at LSU.

Despite North Carolina being ACC Country, Charlotte has a huge SEC presence.
Every year there is an SEC Kickoff party before football season begins and people always show up in droves.
This year was no different.
It was held last night at IceHouse restaurant and bar in the South End.
We went straight after we left work so people were just starting to show up.
They made it a tailgate atmosphere with each school setting up a tent.
Some schools didn't actually have tents to represent their university so they improvised using plain ones and putting signs up on the front.
Of course, LSU didn't have that problem!!!
The weather could not have been more perfect.
Fall AND football are in the air!!!
This is my VERY..VERY FAVORITE time of the year.
I get giddy about it!
These pictures were taken around 5pm to 6:45pm.
And.. this is 6:45pm and on...
The place really got packed.
They had live music, free food, beer specials and more.
I don't care what anyone says, the SEC is by far the best athletic conference around.
So great to see all the fans come together as one.
We met up with a bunch of friends at the event and because I can't drink a real beer this year I settled on an O'Douls.
The first one I've tried and I have to say, it tastes like a real beer!
I might have to look into non-alcoholic wine!
Our Arkansas fan friends Katie and Josh were out and about for the fun.
And, Dan and Angela from the LSU Alumni group.
I shopped and shopped for a maternity LSU shirt online with no luck.
I ran to Target at the last minute and settled on a plain purple shirt and paired it with my LSU beads to look festive.
Even the dogs were looking dapper in their school colors!
It was such a great event.
Better than years before.
There was even a cornhole tournament between the schools.
Josh represented Arkansas.
Not to mention, I saw TONS and TONS of people I haven't seen in quite some time.
And, even blog friends like Rachel from In No Simple Language!
Are you a football fan? 
SEC? ACC?
Are you excited about kickoff??

Thursday, August 23, 2012

25 weeks and Maternity Classes

I'm 25 weeks and 1 day pregnant! Leaving 14 weeks and 6 days to go!
I thought I was in my 3rd trimester when I hit 24-weeks but I've learned that it actually happens at week 29. Still a ways to go but I'm thinking it will go by fast.

I'm still dealing with some of my back and rib pain, but it has been helped by taking a Prilosec a day along with sleeping elevated.
It hasn't totally gone away but that does help.
Other than that I've been feeling good!

When I went into the doctor last week he said my weight was right on target only having gained 10-pounds.
I think it's more like 13, giving I didn't step on their scales until week 10.
He says I'll gain another 10 or 15 these last few months.
It will be interesting to see just how big I get!

I feel like we're on track with getting things ready for the big day including taking a lot of the maternity classes that the hospital offers.
Last month we did the hospital tour and the safety class.
This month we're really knocking things out.
We took the breastfeeding class last week and last night we started our 2-part childbirth class.
Yes, I know, most of you are thinking we're doing a lot of this too early.
Maybe so...
But...
We found another couple to take the classes with, AND Fall is always crazy for us between events, college and NFL football.
Not to mention, it's the television producer in me to have everything done early and wait for the big show.

So, my take on these classes?
Well, there is some good information but I'm not sure we're going to take every last one offered.
A lot of what we do is watch videos.
Couldn't we be doing that at home?
Brad has been SUPER supportive about participating which makes me feel more wonderful than he probably knows.
He even went to the breastfeeding class which had us both cracking up at first.
I know it's serious, but they opened the class with a video of women feeding their babies and it's all that we both could do not to laugh.
We both agreed afterwards that it was a big awkward!
LOL!

Last night's class was REALLY long!
3 and 1/2 hours for part one of our childbirth series and the next class is just as long.
We watched several videos, along with learning how to count contractions and breathe.
There was one exercise where we did role reversal!
The men got to be the pregnant women.
Brad, thought it was hysterical!!!
I felt bad at this point in the class because out of the 10 couples in attendance there was one woman whose husband never showed up.
She had dinner waiting for him and everything.
I hope he had a good excuse because she wasn't happy.

Overall, we are learning some good things and I think we'll take labor support just in case for some reason I can't get an epidural!
Next time I'll try and take more pictures for your amusement!!
Until next time!
(don't judge me for wanting to take drugs during delivery!!)

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

In 4-years Time

I was reminiscing the other night, which I LOVE to do.
In fact, I have an entire amoire in our house full of scrapbooks and photo albums from throughout the years that I love to pull out and look at on random nights.
It drives Brad crazy.

Anyway, I was reminiscing while at the beach about the other couple of times Brad and I had visited Holden Beach since we met.
It's kind of crazy.
Holden Beach was our first 'long' weekend away together after we started dating.
We met June 28th and by the 2nd weekend of August we were at the beach together.
I thought I would give you a little trip down memory lane.

YEAR #1
August 2008
I can remember being so excited about being with Brad and having a 'normal' guy after almost 2-years of looking for 'Mr. Wonderful'.
I had spent nearly 4-years before that with a guy that we will just call 'NOT Mr. Wonderful'.
One of the main things I remember from this trip, and he does too, is that on our way home I wanted to stop at one of those roadside fruit and veggie stands.
I think he thought I was joking, but I wasn't.
(I'm a big sucker for those)
He drove on past like it was funny.
It.was.not.funny.to.me
After I made a big deal about it we stopped at the next one we saw.
We've been stopping ever since.
Year #2
August 2009

What a difference a year makes.
We had been engaged one-month by this trip.
Excited, giddy and looking forward to a wedding and our future together, we were like some old couple who had known each other for years.
In 2010, Brad went to Holden with just 'the boys' while I went hiking.
2011, we skipped out giving that we were in the midst of fertility treatments and timing was always a factor, as was stress.

Fast forward to this year.

YEAR #3
August 2012

WOW!!!
Baby S is on the way!!
Vacations and getaways are different being pregnant but no less fun except for the fact that you can't overindulge in adult beverages.
Thank goodness, I have a husband who encourages me to sleep and picks up the heavy lifting when it comes to EVERYTHING these days.
I'm sure he's ready for this 'pregnant' thing to be over!
HA!!
So, there you have it.
In 4-years time we've gone from a new couple to expecting parents with tons of fun and tears along the way.

That's all I have for this Wednesday.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Long Weekend at Holden Beach

 Can you believe Summer is almost over???
I'm not a fan of this time of the year and I think it may have something to do with memories of going back to school.
I wasn't a fan for some reason.
I wanted it to stay Summer all year long.

Anyhoo.....
Before the Summer comes to a close we decided to meet some friends at Holden Beach for a long weekend.
Only about a 3-hour drive from Charlotte, it's less crowded than most of the other Carolina beaches.
Lucky for us, Brad's best friend from childhood, his family has a home there.
Only 2 blocks from the beach, it's absolutely lovely.
 Arriving Thursday evening after work, we woke up at the beach on Friday and spent all day soaking up the sun and enjoying the water.
 This was my first trip to the beach 'maternity style'.
Thank God my cousin gave me one of her old suits that was perfect and saved me $$.
I'm actually surprised I'm keeping it real and posting a picture of me in my swimsuit.
I guess because I waited so long to be pregnant I don't really care what people think! 
HAHA!!
NO, I'm not like Kourtney K. or Tori Spelling and rock a bikini being big prego.
After the beach the boys cooked up a low-country boil for dinner.
Ally enjoying her crab legs!
I ate my share too and holy smokes was I paying for it overnight!!
Remember, my mystery pain?
Well, it's still around and the spicy seafood did it no good.
I've been to a GI doctor and back to my OB, and they both think it has something to do with acid-reflux and my gallbladder not working totally right, even though I don't have gallstones.
All in all, I really have to watch what I eat and anything with Old Bay will not be on my list in the future..
...Moving On...
Ally and E were nice enough to bring something for Baby Girl S.
(ignore my ugly tan lines)
A fun rattle, teething ring and my favorite...a copy of Good Night Moon!
We love it all!!
 The rest of the night was spent sitting around chatting it up and drinking Pimm's cup.
(Of course, I wasn't drinking Pimm's)
 Saturday turned out to be beautiful weather.
We spent the day lunching on the water, a long walk on the beach, then dressed for dinner on nearby Ocean Isle.
We chose the Giggling Mackerel right on the water.
After dinner we caught up with some Charlotte friends who were also in the area celebrating a 30th birthday!
The big 3-OH is always the best!
 Happy Birthday Aaron!!
Her husband went all out with a weekend at the beach with friends, jewels, a cake, flowers and even made this photo banner for her.
I would say he did pretty good!!
And, of course, I had to get her a 'pimp' wine glass to make the night complete!
What a GREAT weekend with friends!
I just hate that we're now back to reality and back to work tomorrow!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

My Baby Shower in Arkansas

As if one shower wasn't enough for one weekend another was thrown in the mix!
My Arkansas family hosted a baby shower for me on Sunday, the day after Alayna and Sean's party.

This was my first baby shower which I considered VERY exciting!
The venue this time was my Aunt Betty and Uncle Jimmy's house.

The theme was Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit.
Next to the framed invite was a baby book where guests could sign their name in the baby shower section.
Pretty flowers put together by my florist cousin Terry.
(Yes, I have a LOT of cousins)
I think the tables turned out beautiful!
There was a ton of fresh fruit which added color.
Of course, there were carrots to help keep with the Peter Rabbit theme.
It was cute, my 79-year old Aunt kept asking what the big deal was with the rabbit?




That same Aunt made all the cupcakes and as to be expected, did a gorgeous job!!
Who doesn't love a cupcake??
They fit in perfectly with the sherbert punch provided for guests to drink.
48 cupcakes in all, which was good because we had about 48 to 50 people in attendance.
Yes, our family is tight-knit people.
My 79(almost 80)year old, Aunt Jane.
(My Mom's sister)
I think she looks GREAT!
After searching high and low for a shower dress I found this yellow one at Macy's.
And, it was on sale!
I think it was perfect for the setting.
Even if I did buy it late in the season and am not suppose to technically wear it after Labor Day.
As I mentioned, my Aunts and cousins hosted this gorgeous shower.
LtoR
Aunt Betty, Aunt Trish, cousins Lynn and Alayna and Aunt Jane.
Some of the poms from the shower the night before got recycled and hung on the mantle.
A perfect place to take pictures and open gifts.
(And, you know we never miss an opportunity to get a 4-shot of us girls when we're all together!!)
I was TOTALLY thrilled when one of my Mom's oldest friends showed up.
My Mom and brother lived with Barbara there in Hot Springs when my Dad was deployed to Vietnam.
She's sorta been like an aunt to me over the years.
So, great to see her and she looks fabulous!
Then came the gift opening.
Which I'm not a huge fan of.
I'm actually, not a fan of baby showers but have always said I would have them for my first baby.
And the best part about this one??
NO STUPID GAMES!!!!!
All kinds of cute things including 2 pairs of these exact LSU Tiger tail bloomers.
My cousins Kendra and Alayna ordered them from the same woman off Etsy.
What are the chances?
The good news is - they're both different sizes.
Aunt Jane, who is known for her flashy outfits, couldn't resist this animal print frock.
There were all sorts of fun clothes and accessories!
Including this set of Arkansas Razorback onesies that my cousin couldn't resist throwing in there.
I died laughing!
It's always a big rift with our family because I left and went back to Louisiana and LSU.
They're die-hard Hog fans.
Because the shower was out of town for me there was a note on the invite that said consider gift cards and that's what most people did so I was able to get everything back in 2 suitcases.

Thanks to my family who hosted and all who came!
I don't get back to Arkansas too often so it's GREAT to see everyone when I do.
Including, the next generation of cousins...
Baby 'S' will be here soon to join you!!