Are You Going Back to Work??

I can't even count how many times I have been asked that question.

The answer?

YES!!!

I was annoyed at first when people would ask because I felt I was automatically being judged for going back instead of 'wanting' to stay home but I'm sort of over what people think.

As most of you know I work in television and have for nearly 20-years.

10 of those years were spent working my butt off as a TV news producer to get to the next position, the next market, the next pay bracket, etc.

I worked weekends for 6-years missing weddings, baby showers, parties, events.

I worked the morning show shift for 1-year which had me reporting into work at 11pm and signing off around 9am.

Talk about a killer for a social life when you're in your early 20's!

I worked the 3rd shift for 3-years going in at 2pm and signing off midnight.

I've done it all.

Blood, sweat, tears.

Then, 7 1/2 years ago I went out on my own and freelanced and contracted.

I worked at PBS along with numerous other places along with contracting at the major corporation that I currently work at.

That major corporation hired me full-time nearly 3-years ago and I feel TRULY LUCKY to have such a WONDERFUL job still working in television doing what I love but without the crazy hours, people, poor pay and drama.

I'm giving you all this back story to give you insight on how hard I have worked and what my career means to me.

Right now, I can't imagine giving up such a great job, great people and everything I have worked for.

There are hundreds of people who would kill for my job!!

It would be different if I was doing something I didn't like but TV is in my blood.

PLUS...

I'm not against women staying home with their children I'm just not sure it is for me.

If I still worked in TV news I would be quitting the minute I gave birth but in my current job there isn't the stress, hours or unflexibility that news carries.

So..I'm taking my 12-weeks maternity leave, putting Shelby into daycare come March, putting my heels back on and reporting into work.

Judge me if you want, I don't really care.

This is something Brad and I talked about way long ago before we ever even talked about getting married.

He knew my stance and he's supportive.

Plus, it is giong to allow us extra money to be able to provide for Shelby and help me keep my sanity.

So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

30-weeks

I had my 30-week checkup at the doctor today and had a moment when driving over there.

When I passed the fertility clinic where we spent SO MANY MONTHS I experienced that sad feeling I use to get pulling in.

Then I realized just how lucky we are and how I should never take it for granted.

When we were going through all of that, I told myself I would never forget what it felt like.

I want to be able to offer support for others who are still dealing with infertility.

So, if there are any of you reading this post right now and have questions, please let me know!

You can simply email me.

As for the doctor's appointment this morning, it was pretty standard.

Things look good and I gained 2-pounds in the last two weeks for a total gain of 18.

We'll see what these last 10-weeks hold for me!

One thing is for sure, I'm feeling larger and more uncomfortable at times, but overall, I thought I would be feeling a lot worse at this point in the pregnancy.

I probably just jinxed myself.

The back and rib pain is still gone which totally amazes me.

After week, upon week of pain, it's really not there anymore.

I can't sit for long periods of time without my back hurting and just being really uncomfortable.

That should be interesting because we fly out for my cousin's wedding this next week.

It's only short jaunts, but I still plan on getting up and walking around on the plane.

Clothes have become somewhat of an issue.

Thank goodness my cousin gave me a ton of maternity wear that I have been able to use, especially now that we're getting into the Fall.

But..

I'm going to have to go out and buy a pair of maternity jeans this weekend that have the belly panel.

The two pairs of jeans I was given, and have worn up until now, have the underband instead of the panel and I just can't do that anymore.

They're SO uncomfortable!

I also tried wearing a pair of high-heeled boots to work yesterday.

MISERABLE!

I'm wearing flats or short heels from here on out.

This weekend we have a ton to do to get things ready.

#1 on the list is get furniture moved!

That's all I have for today!!

Gallery Wall REVEAL!

Remember back in July when I posted about needing help with creating a gallery wall up our stairwell?

Then a few weeks ago when I had a meltdown trying to accomplish it?

You can read that recap here.

Remember?

When I said I was done, that it wasn't going to happen?

Well, it did.

Thanks to the will of the best husband ever!!

 The next morning after I had calmed down he was armed with his hammer and nails and made it happen.

Here you go!!

 Of course, I plan on adding frames to it over time, but I think it's a GREAT start!

It's heavy with pictures of just us two.

I'm sure I'll get some rude comments about how self-absorbed we are.

BUT..

In my defense, I tried hard not to make that happen but it's harder than you think.

 When looking for pictures of family we knew we had to make it even and the fact is, we don't have a lot of pictures of my brother and his 3-kids.

I used the recent ones I have.

So, we resorted to having a big picture of Buddy on the wall along with a few other family pictures.

 And, of course, we know there will pictures of Shelby in just a few short months!

We have to make room for her!!

 I would still like to put my bridal picture on this wall, but Brad is against it.

It might stay bare.

It all remains to be seen.

No one can see it from downstairs anyway.

There you have it!

I might have made it harder than what it was but I wanted to make it was tacky looking.

Do you have a gallery wall in your house?

Thoughts?

Thoughts on Thursday

Random Ramblings for today's 'Thoughts on Thursday'.

I'm just over 29-weeks now and it seems this 3rd trimester is treating me a heck of a lot better than the 2nd.

And, everyone told me the 2nd was the honeymoon phase?

NOT!

I've probably jinxed myself now and my back and rib pain will come back.

Let's hope not.

This past weekend's shower gave Brad and I the big green light to start getting Shelby's nursery ready.

With all of my friends traveling in we needed the extra bedroom until now.

So, guess what?

We have a LOT TO DO!

We live in a 3-story townhouse so there will be a lot of stair climbing going on to get all of this junk up to the 3rd floor and everything currently in the room down to the 1st.

I'm excited about getting the nursery pulled together.

I've shared with ya'll before the fabrics we've chosen.

My Mom also surprised me with this shadow box that will hang in Shelby's room.

It was my costume and shoes from when I was 3-years old.

So fun!!

I'm still trying to figure out what else I'll put with it.

I have some ideas.

Wouldn't this little smocked bikini be perfect to display in the room?

It really does match the fabrics perfectly.

My friend Beth sent it this past week along with a ton of other fun stuff for Miss S. 

Including these!

She has a 19-month old daughter so we're getting a lot of her fun hand me downs.

What else is new?

Not a whole lot, except college football is kicking into high-gear.

LSU has their first SEC game this weekend taking on Auburn.

GEAUX Tigers!!

Other Weekend Pictures and E2 Review

There's nothing like having out of town friends come and visit.

You can talk on the phone, email, text and even Face Time all day long, but there is something about spending time together.

As you know from my last post some of my best friends, who happen to live out of town, traveled in for the baby shower this past weekend.

We didn't have a whole lot on the agenda except eat, drink and shop.

I thought I would share a few pictures.

*Lunch at Cafe Monte*

The best part about these girls, it's like we saw each other yesterday.

*Dinner and drinks in Baxter Village*

We've talked about planning an actual girls trip for this Summer.

I wonder if I can actually make that happen?

*Dinner and drinks at Fish Market*

(Yes, those are O'Douls for the pregos)

We also made it to one of Charlotte's newer restaurants, E2, an Emeril eatery.

The reviews I read were mixed, but decided it would be a fun outing after the shower on Saturday evening.

We made a night out of it.

Literally..

We were in there for nearly 3-hours dining our hearts out.

And, I'm happy to report that it was truly amazing.

Everything from appetizers, to the main course, to the dessert.

Maybe I was just hungry?

I don't know.

What I do know is that the chicken and waffles are the thing to order there.

TOTALLY DELICIOUS!

Needless to say, the was our night.

We were all tired and stuffed.

We headed home for a little bit of Saturday Night Live on the TV and some pillow time.

As my one friend called it, we might as be the Golden Girls!!

Pink and Green Baby Shower for Shelby

What an AWESOME weekend!

I had my first baby shower here in Charlotte and it was everything a girl could want!

Hosted by my Mom, Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law, it was a pink and green dream.

They really outdid themselves and I'm excited to share the dozens of photos that were taken.

It was held at my SIL's house and guests were greeted with a front door decoration inspired by a photo on Pinterest.

Don't think I won't be using this again at the hospital AND after we get home.

My Mom made it. She is uber-talented!

The table was just as gorgeous, adorned with pink and green lanterns, poms and the kissing ball in the middle, was also made by my Mother.

The cake was made by my neighbor and fellow blogger LuLu, from Looks like LuLu.

Amazing!

I was told that my BIL even helped make this watermelon fruit basket.

LOL!

Everything was breathtaking!

The shower started at noon, so a light lunch of chicken salad sandwiches, salads, cheeses, and fruits was served.

Here's the 3 ladies that made it all happen.

I can't put into words just how grateful I am for all their hard work and love.

Guest favors were mason jars of pesto mayo that my MIL's friend made.

The mantle included a clothesline of new clothes for Baby Shelby and a few outfits of mine from when I was a baby.

The decorations went on and on....

I still can't believe how beautiful everything looked.

I'm glad pictures were made so I can remember it for years to come and share with Shelby.

Most of my close friends, and maybe some of you know, that I'm not a big shower person.

I opted out of having a bridal one back when I got married because I find most of them boring.

So, when a baby shower was mentioned I made it known that there needed to be cocktails for guests.

Well, indeed there was!

An assortment of bubbly with rosemary simple syrup.

Then, my Mom, once again, outdid herself and made homemade bianco.

Basically, a rosemary infused wine.

It was a huge hit!

Of course, there was flavored water and punch for all of us non-boozers.

Which probably include Angelina the ballerina.

*My MIL bought this for Shelby's nursery.*

So precious!

Such an exciting day!

There were about 26 people in attendance including some of my best friends who traveled in from several different states.

Kathleen, from Ohio, who is due 2-weeks before me with a girl as well.

No, we didn't plan on matching our dresses.

My best friend since 2nd grade, Rebekah from Baton Rouge and college friend of 20-years, Alicia from Atlanta.

Blog friend Patra from, I Do Declare, flew in from DC/Maryland.

And, of course Charlotte blog friends were there along with many, many other friends and family!

After lunch the gift opening began.

That's right, we skipped the hokey games once again.

THANK GOD!

I'm not big into opening gifts in front of people but I tried to make it painless and we didn't pass things around.

Sorry, if that's your cup of tea, it's just not mine

Baby Juicy C.

Tons and tons of LSU gear.

Baby Shelby will be sporting this next football season!

I literally cried I was so excited!

My cousin Katie really hit it out of the ballpark when she surprised me with a quilt she handmade made out of the fabrics picked out for the nursery.

Beyond special!

She reads the blog and saw the fabric.

I totally love it!

Speaking of quilts, I got teary-eyed again when my MIL gave a quilt made by Brad's grandmother.

So many special and sentimental things!!!

The mood lightened up though when opening I Do Declare's gift!

A stuffed beagle for Shelby's nursery!

OMG!

Of course, that was only a few gifts.

We received all sorts of items that we really need including clothes, bottles, a monitor, bath items and toys.

It was such an exciting weekend, I'm sad to say it's over.

I want to say another HUGE thank you to my SIL, MIL and my Mom!!!!

You guys are truly the best!

You did an amazing job!!

We're just counting down the weeks until we get to meet precious Shelby!!