Our Trip to OC

Steve and my weekend in Ocean City for my birthday was so much fun. Actually, to be more accuarte it was more relaxing than fun but it was awesome either way. We arrived at about 5:30pm and checked in. Our room was awesome because we had a balcony that overlooked the boadwalk and the beach so we could do lots of people watching.

The first night we decided to walk from our hotel (which is at the end of the boardwalk) to the beginning of the boardwalk and back. We stopped on our way down the boardwalk for pizza and then on the way back for Dippin' Dots (yum!) and by the time we ended up getting back to the hotel we realized that the journey was 4 and a half miles total! I was surprised. I mean, it did seem like we were walking FOREVER but I didn't realize it was THAT far. Good exercise. So, when we got back I think we sat on the balcony for a little bit and then watched some tv and went to sleep.

Saturday, I as usual recently, woke up at 6am and sat on the balcony, ate a Nutri Grain bar and woke Steve up to go to the beach at about 9am. We stopped at a little mom and pop joint for breakfast that was really cute and I wish I had taken a picture. The food was good and it was fast service and inexpensive. From there we headed to the beach and just layed out until about 2pm. Steve listened to his iPod and I read the whole time. We got in the water twice but it was FREEZING! I got used to it after a little bit but never went ALL the way under.

Then, I was hungry so we decided to go down the boardwalk to this place, Hammerheads, for lunch. We ate there, and then went next door to the Dippin' Dodts place AGAIN. Then, we walked back, hung out at the hotel room for a little bit where I found a beautiful display of flowers taht Tiffany had sent there for my birthday and took showers and got ready for dinner. We went to a great all you can eat seafood restaurant where I ate a ton of crab legs. From there we went next door to the almost adjoining miniature golf place. Steve beat me even though he was drunk and I cheated. Then, we went back to the hotel, sat on the balcony for a little and went to bed.

Sunday, we woke up, packed up and headed out. We stopped at Candy Kitchen so I could get salt water taffy and The Fractured Prune for breakfast. It's this unique place where you can get donuts made to order and other stuff. I got my usual sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich but instead of it being on a bagel, it came on a donut! It was interesting...but not bad!

Then, we headed home, and went to Outback Steakhouse for my actual birthday dinner.

It was a great weekend. Steve is pretty good to me.

(Pictures coming soon...I didn't take many but I'll post what I have)

Feeling the same

I'm 5 weeks 3 days and I feel similar to all of my other recent days. I am seriously waking up at 6am like CLOCKWORK every day and cannot go back to sleep. It's so weird.

No morning sickness...yet
Boobs...sore and BIG
Tired by 8 or 9pm

One new symptom I've noticed about myself recently is that I get easily irritated by stupid people. Or really anybody in general. Other drivers on the road that do stupid things. People that come in my office and say stupid things. Etc...

We are going to the lake this weekend for the 4th of July and we'll be telling my family! I'm kind of excited about that.

Can't forget...

When Steve and I were at the beach sitting on the balcony of our hotel room people watching, Steve said that as much as he jokes about having a baby and how our lives are over, he is actually excited and it's the next thing for us. He also said that while we are at it, we might as well have another one two years later about. I definitely agree. Granted, we had this conversation when he was a little drunk but I still want to remember it.

I could continue on this path and be happy...

Steve and I went to the beach this weekend for my...gulp....30th birthday. It was a great time. It was also a rare occasion for me to be at the beach with great weather and not drink. What in the world?? I have been waking up at about 7am EVERY SINGLE day! I don't know what is wrong with my sleep patterns now but I can't sleep continously and not wake up during the night and I always wake up super early and am WIDE AWAKE. But, at night, I am just dead tired by about 8pm. It's so weird.

I wore a skirt to work today.
I'm scared to wear pants cause I'm scared my bloat will make them not button and I'll just be uncomfortable today.

It's been 1 full week of not a single cigarette (or drink but I knew I could do that)! Whoop, whoop! I woke up one morning at the beach and took my vitamins and ate a Nutri-Grain bar and some saltines and then laid back in bed reading and felt a little nauseous but somehow managed to fall asleep while reading and woke up feeling fine.

Nausea is supposed to hit in about a week and I'm hoping I'm one of the lucky ones who skips that part!

YAY for the BEACH!!

The day is HERE! I can't even wait for two more hours when I get to leave work and head out to the BEACH! I think we are even going to get to eat at the seafood buffet tonight. Whoop, whoop! The weather is looking kind of iffy today but tomorrow is supposed to be awesome so I can deal with today being not great as long as tomorrow holds up!

So, switching gears for a second, Michael Jackson died yesterday at the age of 50. There is a lot of controversy surrounding him with child molestation and all that but any way you look at him, his music was legendary and always will be. I am loving the radio stations playing his music non-stop now! Ironically, Farrah Fawcett also died yesterday. I am not apart of her generation to really appreciate her stuff but I know older people did appreciate her a lot more and I find it ironic that they both died on the same day.

We downloaded some MJ music to listen to on the car ride to OC! Let the weekend begin!

Feeling Good

Wow, I can't believe how good I am feeling. Last night and today.
I managed to keep my eyes open until I think 11pm last night which has been SO rare for me recently. I ended up falling asleep reading the chapter of Bell Laughs by Jenny McCarthy about pooping on the delivery table. Yikes!

I woke up at 6am certain that I would not be able to fall asleep again so I cracked open my other new book "Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy" and started reading that one in the little crack of light that I had through the window so I didn't wake up Hubs.

Only scary thing was yesterday when I got home from work I went to the pee and there was a light shade of pink on the toilet paper. I don't care who you are or how much you read not to freak out about that unless it is bright red, that is not comforting. Apparently, it could be implantation bleeding and a lot of women get it but it kind of freaked me out.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers.

Sleep is a precious thing

EVERY single night since we found out about Baby D on Sunday, I have woken up at about 3am and have been wide awake until 5 or 6am. It is pretty frustrating since there is nothing to do but stare at the ceiling and try to find a comfortable position for my boobs. Have I mentioned that they are HUGE?? I'm hoping that I'll be able to sleep through the night on our trip to the beach this weekend.

Other than that, same old stuff. Last night we had our second golf lesson and it was really fun. We learned about chipping, then we went to our photogrpahers house to pick up our proof book and prints and then to PeiWei for dinner. It was the first time I really felt pretty nauseous. I mean, I felt really yucky. But, by the time we got home and ate and I got in bed, I felt great. I think I just needed food and sleep. My only two priorities these days.

Gettin' Excited!

We are FINALLY leaving for the beach tomorrow! I am so happy to get away!!! We are going to Ember's Seafood Buffet one night. I LOVE seafood buffets! I think I ate 5 pounds of crab legs in Williamsburg on Steve and my first weekend trip together. It was one of the highlights of my life!

We will be going to the beach, and the boardwalk, and Seacrets, and Mackey's. It will be a lot of sun, walking, shopping and eating and I couldn't be more excited! We are dropping off Onyx at Ray's tomorrow after work and then heading out. Pictures to come!

Boobs

All I want to say is HOLY BOOBS! Not only are they enormous, but they hurt pretty bad too. Other than that, I'm good. Nauseousness hasn't set in yet (and hopefully never will) and that's about it.

These knockers are DEFINITELY going to be getting in my way at our golf lesson tonight and in the coming weeks.

Week 4 Day 4

This is my first picture to keep track of my bodily changes. Steve wasn't thrilled about taking the picture but I made him anyway but I had to pose FAST! I just think it's really interesting to see other people's weekly progress. I obviously know that between weeks 4 and like 12 there isn't going to be much changing but I am doing it anyway. AND, I know I look enormous in these pictures but whatever...maybe I'll replace them with better pictures and start with Week 5!

Yuck...

Felt a wave of yuck about an hour ago. I hope this is not the beginning of anything gross. I am VERY Puke-phobic.

Also, I did have cramps (very mild ones) this morning but I feel much better now. It may have just been having to go #2! Sorry,TMI...

The Cat is Definitely Getthing out of the Bag Faster than we thought...

I'll start by saying that I'm a horrible liar. HORRIBLE.
That is probably an understatement right there.
I laugh, smile, squirm, avoid eye contact, fidget with my hair and do EVERYTHING wrong when I am trying to lie.
I guess it is not a GOOD thing to be able o lie well.

Well, last night was Tiffany's 27th birthday party and Jessica's new job party at Brion's. I tried to just order a Gingerale and say that I didn't feel well and that's why I didn't want a drink but that alone set the bartender off who whispered, "Are you pregnant?" And, I smiled and twirled my hair and said, "No!"

Then, Tiffany knew right away.
Why else would I be drinking Gingerale (trying to make it look like a Jack N Ginger) and not smoking cigarettes at a bar??

I should have planned that better than I did so I could prepare for my nosey friends!

Okay, so they pretty much figured me out and there's nothing I can do about taht but hope for the best. Now, on to how I'm feeling...

1. Boobs - SORE!
2. Crampy - feels like mild cramps like I'm about to start my period
3. Stomach - not bad (although I hear the morning sickness doesn't start for 2 more weeks)
4. Peeing a lot more than I normally do
5. Taking Women's One a Day Prenatal and they don't make em feel nauseous. I have been making sure to eat a small buffet before taking them though so maybe that has something to do with it.

That's about all I have for now. I'm 4 weeks 3 days along. Please stay little baby!

The Beach!

With my 30th birthday right around the corner, my thoughtful husband decided that he is going to take me to Ocean City, Maryland this weekend. I'll have new pictures (finally!) for next week for sure! It's supposed to be isolated thunderstorns everyday but I'm sure it won't be thunderstorming non-stop the entire weekend. I just want to be on the beach one day and see the sun rise one day and be able to walk down the boardwalk one day. Other than that, I can fill my time with stuffing my face. I've been doing a lot of that lately. We have an Ocean Front Room apparently so even if it is raining at least we should be able to sit on our balcony and watch the rain.....and eat.

This is a view of the hotel from the beach. Not as bad as most hotels in Ocean City are. I have stayed in a DUMP before.

Surprise, surprise!

My period never came. I bought two pregnancy tests on Sunday when I was two days late and they both came back positive. I really didn't think we were going to get a positive this month. It would have been nice to have this happen a couple months from now since this baby will be due the day before our lease ends but what can you do. The way I see it is that we will never be fully ready. Something will always come up to delay things. And, I'm almost 30 and should be able to handle this by now.

So, no one knows yet except for Steve and I don't knopw how long we are going to keep this secret yet. We have a few "drinking"events coming up where I obviously won't be drinking so people will start to wonder.

So far, I feel tired...really tired. And, a few times I have felt queasy but it's nothing bad at all. Just not comfortable. Since we found out yesterday, Steve and I did not get much sleep. I was definitely awake from about 3am until 6am. It does not make for a fun Monday morning. And, the biggest challenge right now is going to be taking the horse pill pre-natal vitamins and quitting smoking. Yesterday morning was my last cigarette. Now, I need to work on Steve.

Golf Lesson #1

I WISH I had gotten a picture of our first golf lesson yesterday but I didn't even think about it! MAN! I need to get better about taking pictures. I think it would help if I had a Canon Rebel though. So, I'll place the blame on my husband until he gets us one.

Anyway, we had our first of six Beginner golf lessons last night and it was COLD! You would've thought it was late fall or something! Our teacher seemed pretty informative and he had a LOT of energy. The class was only 55 minutes and it went by extremely fast. We basically learned the rules of golf, etiquette, how to read a score card, how to hold the putter, where to stand, how to swing for just a putt and a little about aiming. Then he let us loose on the putting green so we all oculd practice our putts. One of the ladies went to go sit in her car cause she was too cold. Please. It was cold but not unbearable and I was in shorts and a t-shirt and she had a windbreaker and jeans on. Come on lady! I think next week we learn about Chipping. Something I am horrible at.

I'll try to take a picture or two next week. I'll also try to not look like an idiot taking a picture of my husband at our golf lesson.

My New Project

As mentioned in a previous post, I started a new project and FINALLY took pictures of it this morning before I rushed out the door to work. I WISH I had taken pictures before they all started growing and then followed up with weekly shots but maybe I would've been more inclined to do that if my husband bought me this, http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-XSI-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0012Y6HC8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1245159406&sr=8-2.

So, anyway, I'm pretty proud of it. Steve did the gross wormy work and I planted. We crammed way too much into a small space but this is our experimental garden so we know what we like with our next one. I'm sure they won't all grow but I'm okay with that.

Remember, you can click on the picture to enlarge it.

This is the overall view of how much we crammed in the tiny area...

The left side: Garden Beans (back left), Spinach (middle left), Cilantro (front left)...

The middle of the garden, Corn (middle back), Cucumber (middle), Hot Pepper mix and California Wonder Peppers AKA, red and green peppers (front midddle)...

I actually didn't get a good picture of the Watermelon sprouts but they are in the back right area, then Eggplant (back ffar right), Summer Squash (middle right area), Zucchini (middle far right), Spaghetti Squash (along the right side (we planted it just two days ago so it hasn't sprouted yet), Spring Onion (front right), and Carrots (front far right)...

And, there you have it.

FYI...My herb garden did not turn out. Apparently, I should have started it inside and since I didn't, it flooded in the torrential rain we had for awhile so I gave up. This was our Plan B project.

C25K Progress

As mentioned before, I have been doing the Couch to 5K Plan, or C25K. I have to say that I LOVE it now! I tried to do it before but oculdn't get into it and not only have I been running the scheduled 3 runs/walk for week 1 but I've done it EVERY day and even got a jump start on the Week 2 plan yesterday (it was hard cause I'm so out of shape!) I actually am going to dinner tonight with my old co-workers and won't have time to run and I'm kind of sad about it. That is weird for me to say. And, although I haven't technically dropped any weight (or not much at least), I am feeling better overall about my self and that makes me happy.

On a sad note...my mom's dog, Sugar, had to be put down at a young 9 years old from Lymphoma. Sugar could be annoying and yappy but she was a part of the family and she will be missed by everyone I think (even if they might not admit it).

Steve and I also got our NEW King size mattress on Saturday! It is soooo soft and I love it. The pillows are huge and a little too firm for me but the mattress and new sheets are to die for. We should be getting our bedroom furniture in the next two weeks or so and I can't even wait!

Couch to 5 K Plan

So, one of my besties, Tiffany, and I started a new workout regime. She has a 40 minute video that focuses on each of the following sections for 8 minutes each: abs, thighs, butt, arms and then a stretch. We do that everyday but Monday. We are also trying to work in the Weight Watchers eating plan and also do the Couch to 5K running plan. This plan basically trains you for a 5K in two months gradually. It's created for people that CANNOT run (like Tiffany and me) and we did our first day yesterday. It wasn't bad. If all goes as planned we should be finishing our last run on August 8th and if we can do it, we agreed to sign up for a 5K. That's all that is new that is happening this week. I also started a new project that I'll try to post about tomorrow with pictures. Fun!

Busy Saturday

We spent our Saturday starting out by going through Steve's grandma's attic. She was raised in the Depression times so she learned to keep and hold on to EVERYTHING. I didn't get many pictures except for during one of out "breaks" outside of her house. I probably breathed in enough fiberglass from the insulation to do some damage to my lungs but at least we made a dent and got everything DOWN from the attic. Now, it's a matter of really going through everything and figuring out what should be kept, sold or thrown out.

A tired group of people...

I think at this point we were starving and waiting for the pizza to get there...

After yard work, we went home, took naps and then got ready to go to the Fairfax Fair. It was a good time. We just hung around for the bands and then walked around to see the rides. We didn't go on any because I have a fear of fair rides that they are going to fall apart. It was a really good time though and you can't beat old school hip hop tunes from Naughty by Nature, Tone Loc and The Sugarhill Gang! We were jammin'!

Could this have been during "Jump on it!"


Kristen came with us and we "pre-gamed" at her place before walking over. She made a feast for us...

Naughty by Nature...


Again...


We forced Steve to be "into it"...

Good times...

Bad dog! (pics coming soon!)

Steve and I got home from work yesterday to quite the site. I got home second but I was warned via text message that she had torn up (literally!) the foyer floor. And, she got disaplined. I took pictures too. What is intersting, though, is that where she tore up the floor, underneath is black mold. Hmmm, was she trying to protect us or just being dumb? Probably the latter. So, I'll be busy this weekend looking for replacement flooring. We're trying to match up the flooring with the pattern that they already have because it is in the kitchen, master bath and foyer so they'll know if we change it. So, if we can't find it then we'll have to tell them that our precious dog tore it all up. That's a conversation I'll leave to Steve! And, here is the disaster...

The picture of what we walked in to...

Proof of the black mold...

Our pouting dog realizing that she'l be spending her days in a cage for awhile...

Tyler's 10th Birthday Party

Sunday was Tyler's 10th birthday party. Saturday was his actualy birthday and we grilled out at Ray's but his party was on Sunday at Shadowland which is a laser tag facility. It was fun watching the little kids but as I made mention to Steve, it set me back a couple years for ever wanting to have a kid at the risk of having a boy. They were crazy! And, for those who know me, they know that i'm petrified of throw up. Well, when we were sitting in on all the kids "debriefing" before they went in to play, the kid next to me hit the kid next to him and said, "Hey, raise your hand and ask what happens if someone throws up!" GROSS!!! I was traumatized by that comment. So, Steve and I walked around the game room section while the kids were playing laser tag and checked all the machines for loose tokens and atually found a ton! The only problem was that the games were pretty sucky. So, we just stuck tot he basketball throwing game the whole time. They had a private room for when the kids were eating pizza and cake and opening presents. It was cute to see all the kids excited and fun to watch Tyler open his gifts (however, he opens them VERY slow). After that, we went over to Garth and Donna's house so Steve could set up their wireless network and I played the Wii game "Boom Blocks" with Camryn. That game was fun! So, much fun that I went out this week and bought it.

Dishing out the cake...


The other table of kids...


Aw, Donna and Tyler...


Ray and Tyler...


It's blurry but it was going to be a cute picture of Camryn...


Uncle Steve getting more cake :-)

The presents! (And Ray)

A group shot of the kids that were there...

Great Falls Trip & Doggie Swimming

Since Steve and I hadn't been to Great Falls park ever together and even before we met we both hadn't gone in years, we decided to take a trip with Onyx last weekend. It was so much fun! We got there about 10am (which is early for us) because we wanted to beat the crowds, find a place to have a picnic and we were supposed to be at Ray's house by 12:30pm to go through papers to shred at their mom's house. So, we got there and walked around for awhile with Onyx, took a few pictures and then found the perfect place to set up shop and eat. Then, we got back on the road and went to Ray's to go through papers, let Onyx swim in the baby pool and grill out for Tyler's birthday.

The view was awesome. I missed this park. We should go more often.


Onyx loved it too...


She looks like she is dying in this picture...


so, we found a spot to eat after awhile of walking and gave her water...

Our spot was perfect. And, shaded from the HOT sun but not too far from the water either...


We had to tie Onyx to a tree or else she would've certainly jumped in...


Perfect view...

Onyx could still manage to beg for food from her distance...

And, when she gave up begging she settled on a tuft of grass she found...

So cute...

The newleyweds...

After Great Falls, we were off to Ray's for Onyx to swim in the baby pool...

But she got bored quickly of us...

Until Reese showed up...

And, they ran and played and took over the baby pool...

But, Camryn decided to kick them out...

So, Tyler and her took the pool back over...

But, the four of them learned to play together and all was well in the end.

A few of my favorite things...

There are a few things that I can't live without and I thought it would be fun to keep record of them and see down the line if they change much. So, in the tune of The Sound of Music, "These are a few of my favorite things..."

First and foremost...these two babies have to be mentioned!

And, in a close second....FRIDAYS!!!

This is random, but let's face it, I wish I had remembered these at my reception after a LONG day in the sun and a HOT reception. Thank God for pisture editing once I get my pictures back from our photographer. These things are awesome for the easily oiled....

Cooking (but only in a nice, big kitchen....not the one we currently have. :-(

And, for my new recent obsession...sewing! (I'm starting to sound very domestic but I've always liked crafty things...)

And, when I'm tired of being crafty, I'll admit what my favorite tv shows are. Some embarrassing and some I'm straight obsessed with (48 Hours Investigates OR 48 Hours Mystery)...

Note: These are pretty much the only shows that interst me at all. And, Steve will only watch AI, So You Think You Can Dance and 48 Hours with me.

THIS wine...

Filet! I could eat it every night...

Another new recent obsession thanks to Steve...

I could eat this every night too! Fortunately, I don't. Unfortunately, I just bought some last night..Oops...

I'm sure there is a ton more that I can't think of now but they will have to wait for another day to be mentioned.