Snowed Under!

Thankfully there is no actual snow- I believe that this will be the first year of my existence in which I am actively wishing for a clear Christmas season and NO SNOW (oh, and definitely no ice).  Anyway, I have been chugging along- it's our busiest time of year at work, our mudroom renovation is in full swing, and I have been gearing up for the social whirlwind of December.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving sitting at the "kids' table" at Lou and Gaines' family's meal.  Thanks for letting us join y'all!  Side note- although chicken is still extremely distasteful to me, turkey was delicious.

Of course the minute my favorite late fall moment is over, the dash to Christmas begins (cue whining about can't we just enjoy each moment, etc.).  I must get on my high horse for a moment and protest all that "Black Friday" has become.  There were horror stories nationally, involving death and pepper spray, but more telling to me was a quote in the local paper from a woman who went to Target or Kohl's at midnight on Thanksgiving. When asked if she was offended by big retailers opening on Thanksgiving, she stated, "It doesn't offend me because it doesn't affect me. It does affect the employees, but if I can save $10, I can save $10."  I'm not even going to comment, as I am avoiding raising my blood pressure. (BUT PEOPLE ARE SO TACKY!!!!)

Let's see, what else is happening?  I have my big shower here this weekend and am tickled to death!  Then my "adult" shower is in a couple weeks after that- hopefully this nursery will finally come together- I'm feeling woefully behind (especially with all the Braxton Hicks contractions I've been having- little reminders to get moving, so if this baby is as prompt or early as his/her mama, I will be prepared). 

Also coming up?  My family's annual chili extravaganza!  I redesigned the invites this year since there is a new hostess with the mostess that will be wearing some antlers!

Can you decipher my depictions of myself, my SIL and my mama?  (Hint- I no longer have bangs, hee)

So I will be back with mudroom pictures and nursery and showers and recipes,  I pinky swear.  In the meantime, fill me in!  Any good deals gotten on Friday from hell?  Did you run over anyone or mace them into submission?  Or were you like me- comatose from casserole?

Third Trimester

Good morning dear hearts!  Thought it was time for some grainy iphone pics to show you how much I am showing (the lady at Dillards might have had a point. . .)

So 29 weeks.  This third trimester thing, well. . .it's a little rough  (I have just been a bundle of joy this pregnancy, right?).  I promise the next time I do this I won't complain as much.  Or at least try not to.

Sex of baby:

Still thinking the bean is a girl.  Mama says I need to quit with the assumptions about the sex of the baby.  Here is where I point out that for me, her and Daddy only had a girl's name picked out, and did not consider the possibility of a boy. 

Size of baby: The bump.com says a squash.  This seems like a widely variable comparison.
Total Weight Gained: 23 pounds. Um, so my target goal of 25 pounds gained is not going to happen.
Maternity Clothes: In these pics I am wearing maternity leggings, and normal clothes for the rest of my outfit.  Take that, Saleslady at Dillards!

Movement: Baby does not stop!

Sleep: I still can't get enough.  I just hate that I sleep and sleep and sleep and can't get any energy.
What I miss: My social life and a spray tan!  I am pasty white!  Oh, and smoked salmon.  I really want some smoked salmon in my life.

Cravings: Pineapple- I cannot eat enough.  Oh, and Petros.  I have had a small lite Petro and big unsweet orange tea more times than I can count the last couple of weeks.  Hmmm, those Fritos might be contributing to the poundage I think.
Aversions: Still can't handle chicken. I tried to eat a chicken mini from Chick-fil-a last week.  Sister Schubert roll and chicken nugget?  Shouldn't be an issue, yet I could barely swallow the dang thing.
Symptoms: Emotional and tired, lots of fake contractions and lower back pain.  I freaked out last Friday, as I had been having cramps since Thursday night.  I felt like an idiot when the doctor on call told me they weren't contractions, my tummy just was hurting.  He then proceeded to tell me I was right to come in, as pre-term labor (which I am at major risk for) is "the biggest threat to my baby."  Listen dude, don't use phrases like "biggest threat to my baby" to a very pregnant gal who doesn't feel good. 

However, I have been sure to take their advice and sit with my feet up.

Best Moment This Week: My friend, Ella bringing me homemade chocolate chunk cookies loaded with yummy and nutritional stuff like flaxseed.  They are so delicious- especially paired with the milk from a local dairy she left on my stoop.  Thank you dear friend!


Random Rants

I was in Dillards last week, perusing the bracelets for a fun a cuff to wear to my shower in Atlanta. A woman who looked to be in her mid-40's to 50's (difficult to tell, she was the type that wears so much makeup that it ages her), comes up and asks if I need any help.  "No, thank you.  I'm just browsing!" I reply with a smile.  She then proceeds to ask me in a saccharine tone "When is baby getting here?"  "End of January"  I say brightly, then turn back to the bracelets, hoping that she will get the hint.

She didn't.

"Wow, you are really showing then!"  Hmpph.  I look back up and flatly state "Well, I'm seven months pregnant." I should have simply walked away then, as she then goes into this speech about how she "did not gain a single pound with her pregnancies, and didn't even wear maternity clothes!" 

Good for you lady.  I've gained 20 pounds.  That means a lot of heft will be driving me when I punch you in the eye!  I sullenly stare at her, willing her with my eyes to quit talking and leave me the hell alone.  My teenager-y body language means nothing to her as she continues. "No stretch marks either!" she smugly crows.

Aha! I haven't gotten any of those yet, I think (knocking on every piece of wood currently surrounding me).  I triumphantly proclaim this fact to my Dillards sales clerk nemesis.

She smiles sweetly and says "Well, when you do get them, know it is all for a greater good!"

Instead of cutting her (although I did check with MOH to make sure she could care for the baby if I go to jail), or asking if her babies were subhuman since she did not gain any weight for their fluid, or placenta, I simply swept up my planned purchases and went to the shoe department for check out.  Probably not super effective, since I doubt she is commissioned, and I spent a teeny amount, but moral victory achieved!  No weight gain or stretch marks.  Hmmppphh.

Now, feel free to judge me on that, as I judge these ladies-

Oh, B.  You know I love you.  I think most of your pregnancy outfits have delightful.  I hate to do this to you, but no. . .

However, it gets worse.  Now obviously I do not have the same standard for someone like Hilary Duff as I do Beyonce.  This is just egregiously wrong though.

Dear Hilary,

Yes, we know you are pregnant and not chunking up.  However, this makes you look like a mustard colored wrinkly lumpy shiny mess.  Please take it off, and put on a maternity dress or something flowy.  Thanks!

Best,
A fellow lady in your condition.

Georgia Gal Shower

Getting excited about some petit fours over here! So, my Atlanta shower was lovely- the girls completely outdid themselves.  I was thrilled to pieces, and so thankful to have all of these ladies in my life.

Look at those booties!  It's still so strange to me that I am the mama to be- when did I become an adult?  I'm supposed to be laying around on couches watching Supermarket Sweep, eating massive amounts of greasy food in an effort to combat a hangover with these ladies.  Discussing crushes and parties and scheming about fake ids.  Instead we are thirty, and I have a massive belly that has nothing to do with beer.  Time just flies.

Kinger's parents sent up some excellent Dawg gear for the baby- sorry Hubs, but this baby is half Bulldog (and we all know who ends up getting the baby dressed most of the time).

 Look at the tiny baby booties on the petit fours from Henri's!  Too cute to eat (well, almost).

I was so glad that Mama was able to come to the shower (and drive me to Atlanta and back!).  The only thing that marred my day was having to say goodbye to the girls.  There's just never enough time.  Thank you so much to Kara, Kelen, Anna, Margaret, Annie, Jessie, Virge, Anne and Kinger for hosting such a wonderful shower, and thanks to all of you for the gifts and support.

Gah, stupid hormones.  I better sign off before I start tearing up. 

Hello Old Friends!

I have been flat on my back since getting back from Atlanta.  When I mentioned to the doctor Tuesday that I was  worn out from riding three hours, attending a shower, shopping, then riding three hours home (where I promptly threw up, oops), she looked at me like I was insane. Apparently, that's more than I should be doing. . .lesson learned, I suppose.

It was totally worth it though.  I can't wait to tell you all about my Atlanta shower thrown by my Georgia girls.  It was wonderful- and I will have photographic evidence of such shortly.  Mama and I drove down and back, since my original plans of spending the weekend in Atlanta weren't really feasible.  Being told to bring my medical records with me while traveling does not ease a worried hormonal mind.

We also hit up some maternity shopping, looking for a red dress to wear to my Knoxville shower and our family's big annual chili party.  Kate has already mentioned this, but why is everything so DRAB?  I already feel like a lump- Lord knows, I don't need to look like one as well!  I ended up ordering one from ASOS, which has been such a wonderful source of inexpensive and relatively normal clothes this pregnancy.  Thank goodness the Brits don't believe in garbing pregnant ladies only in olive green and gray.

So I now have this dress in red and cobalt blue-

Hmmm, that is about it on my end.  Our mudroom renovation is now in full swing- very exciting!  I will have the finished product before the end of the year, so this baby better stay put!

I Hate To Housekeep

So, my beloved friend and housekeeper has moved to the sunnier climes of the Gulf Coast and I am in mourning for my dear friend and my clean house.  Especially because, frankly, right now I can't do shit. (Excuse my language, ladies.  I'm rather frustrated here)

I am a terrible housekeeper anyway, without my current restrictions.  I realize this about myself, and have taken steps to correct it.  (i.e. hiring a housekeeper).  Add in the fact that I can't lift anything, vacuum, be around cleaning chemicals or bleach. . .well, the shower is looking a little, used, and Buddy's hair is everywhere.  It's disgusting. At least the kitchen is clean.  I can keep up with counters and sink.

I hope Mama is not reading this- if so, I'm sorry for announcing my dirty house to the world!  It's probably not as bad as announcing to our cooking class last night that I don't know how to make pie crust because my mama always uses Pillsbury.  Hee.

Anyway, are y'all some of those lucky girls that love to clean?  If so, please e-mail me and I will give you directions to our little stone house- you will always be welcome at my house!

On Loneliness

Disclaimer- this is not meant to be a "woe is me" type of post. I want no pitying comments. 

Okay, that being said, this pregnancy thing is can be tough. I can see your eyes rolling- "here goes Captain Obvious again!" 

However, what I'm struggling with is the isolation.  I've gone from dashing around from one event to another to crawling into bed at 7:30 on a Friday night.  I never had this alleged "honeymoon" period that the pregnancy books promised me.  Breach of contract! Promissory estoppel and detrimental reliance! 

This loneliness is self-imposed.  There are plenty of people I could be visiting with, but I just can't move off the couch.  I could make Hubs stay in with me, but (a) that would be pretty unfair considering I'm conked out by nine at the latest, (b) it's football season, and (c) he will have zero social life as well in less than three months when this baby gets here.  This is the point in the story when Buddy pipes in with what a loyal and furry companion he has been to me- very true, although our conversations are getting a little one-sided.

Now the truth is, I have been out of town for weddings, to a football game, for a spa weekend, lots of girls' dinners out, and parties.  It's not like I have taken a vow of silence.  Each of these things has then worn me out for a week.  I think a lot of these blues also relate to the complications I am having with the pregnancy and ensuing restrictions.  Rather than call a friend to go on a stroll, then have to be so nit-picky about where we go (I live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and am not allowed to walk hills- it gets tricky), I just set out on my own (Buddy has been too wild on the leash lately for me to handle safely).

Now, many of you would snort with derision at my "isolation" if you looked at how often I am seeing people.  I think it is just the drop from all activity all the time, to snuggling up alone with a good book.  I have enjoyed that aspect greatly- the built-in reason to stay no to things and rest and read.  I am just ready to be recharged!  (Please do not say "get used to being tired, you'll be tired for the next 18 years".  I've heard it, thanks!).

So there is my whine.  Have any other pregnant ladies felt like this?  I am so envious of you girls who have been energetic and themselves most of the way through- I think that is how I envisioned my pregnant-self, so facing reality has been tough.  If you are still reading, thanks for wading through my whining- and remember- no pity, please! If you have any advice though, I would be glad to hear it!