Miss my College Buddies

We have all graduated (7-8 years ago!) from college, have moved our separate ways, married wonderful men (we're praying for you, Mary!), and had children. I just wanted to let you know, my college friends, how much I love you. I miss spending time with you but I'm so glad that we still keep in touch through phone calls and email. This is a picture from a baby shower in Atlanta given to me by my college roommates when I was pregnant with Andrew in Dec 2003. Pictured are Heather (with Will Ramsey), Bree, Malisa, Cory, Amy (with Dalton), Mary, me, and Libby (with Annie & Riley). Go VSU Blazers!

Atlanta Anniversary Retreat

Mitch and I had our sixth wedding anniversary two weeks ago but didn't manage to "celebrate" it until this weekend. My mother drove 2.5 hrs to come spend time with Andrew while Mitch and I escaped to Atlanta for one night. It was a wonderful retreat! We stayed in midtown Atlanta on Peachtree St, right across from the Fox Theatre. While there, we took the Studio Tour inside the CNN Center/Newsrooms, saw Richard Petty as he signed his autograph for fans in Centennial Park, ate at The Cheesecake Factory and ESPN ZONE in Buckhead, walked around Lenox Square Mall, and then headed home. I really missed Andrew and was so glad to see him when I got home. We immediately sat down to a wonderful home-cooked meal upon our arrival that my mother prepared. Thanks, Mom!

By the way, because some have been asking, here's a picture taken of me today while in Atlanta. I'm 33 weeks pregnant with Luke....and counting.

Pumpkin Patch Visit #2

I love this picture of Mitch and Andrew peeking at each other through the stalks of corn and pumpkin stacks. We had fun today with Daddy and the weather was much more pleasant than on our first visit. Instead of choosing an orange pumpkin to bring home, Andrew went with a smaller white pumpkin this "go-round".

Pumpkin Patch visit #1

We visited the Pumpkin Patch with my local MOPS group today. Andrew had a great time playing in the field of orange pumpkins and he loved getting lost in the maze of them. Of course, his favorite part of the day was riding on the back of the tractor during the hayride. We had so much fun that we're gonna go back in two days with Daddy!

Our Little Lion

We've been busy today! We spent a good part of the morning at a children's expo in downtown Columbus which was really fun for all. There, Andrew rode the pirate ship, waved at everyone, laughed at the martial arts team, painted a pumpkin, and made friends with a lion...or at least someone hidden inside of a lion suit! After naptime we all went to the Fall Festival at Andrew's Preschool where he wore his lion outfit (see picture). He didn't stay in it any longer than it took me to take some pictures. He was more interested in sitting in the fire engine or on the police motorcycle. For the first time, Andrew slid down one of those huge inflated slides all by himself....and loved it! Thanks for letting me share and for visiting often to read about our family events!

Daddy is T-I-R-E-D!

This photo needs no explanation. Andrew is roaring and ready to go after freshening up in his bath; but Dad...well, that's a different story.

Dentists & the government

Did I tell you that I was pregnant? Well, I KNOW I told that fact to the dentist office two months ago when I booked today's cleaning appointment. Apparently, they either didn't make a note of it or failed to ask the proper questions when I scheduled because, after signing in and waiting a few minutes this morning, I was asked, "Are you in your second trimester?". I could have laughed out loud because my belly doesn't lie...any dummy could tell that I'm well into my third trimester. So, I answered, "No, I'm 31 weeks along & counting". "Oh, that's not good", the hygenist said, "because we fear that you'll be lacking enough oxygen when you're laying back in the chair so you'll need to reschedule." Did I already mention I've waited two months for this appointment, even giving AFLAC their required waiting period for our dental plan? AHHHHHHH! So, I calmly rescheduled for February (I better not be pregnant at that appointment with a two month old at home!) and told them that I expect not only a cleaning but some dental work as well so I don't have to wait another two months. So.....

Since Mitch was already with Andrew at Burger King on the playground, I decided that I'd spend my "extra" hour going downtown to the tag office to renew my tag since it expires in two weeks. After struggling to find a parking space, going through the metal detectors and security, and standing in the beautiful concrete room with several others, I am told that no debit or credit cards are accepted...only checks. WHO CARRIES A CHECKBOOK WITH THEM ANYMORE? Maybe I'm just weird.....I don't shop anywhere that doesn't take a credit/debit card! I only write checks to put in the mail to pay for bills! I got nothing accomplished, it seems....well, I take that back....I did manage to stop at a roadside sale to purchase a $1.00 pumpkin for Andrew to take to Preschool and decorate on Wednesday. But, wait....he's got a cold now so he probably won't be going anyway.....figures.

She's letting me clean

Andrew got a hold of his vacuum cleaner after naptime so he's been busy cleaning and emptying the bag. He's no longer mad at me 'cause I'm letting him play....oh, I mean "clean".

What's wrong?

Andrew is mad at me. It is time for his nap but he would rather vacuum the floor with the toy vacuum cleaner. Hmmmm...I wonder if he'll be a janitor when he grows up?

Riding my tractor!

Andrew loves to go to the park and ride, slide, and sweat!

Steakhouse & Gum

Yesterday, all three of us ate at a local Japanese Steakhouse for the first time and it was so much fun. Andrew loved watching the chef grill our food in front of us and, even though the heat from the fire was strong, he loved it when the flames went up high and let off lots of smoke. Our chef was really funny and twirled his utensils around, calling himself a "Japanese Cowboy". Andrew laughed so hard and you could hear him all over the steakhouse...I think it was one of our best eating out expereriences with a toddler yet.

Also, Andrew likes to pop the bubbles I make with my gum so when I blew a large bubble yesterday he attacked it with vengeance and yanked the whole piece out of my mouth, putting it into his (it was a small piece so don't worry). I thought he'd swallow it but he ended up chewing it for quite a while. I forgot about him having it until I put him into the bathtub and found it in his hair. Fortunately it came out with some soap and water.

Luke has been "acting up" lately. He's putting lots of pressure on my lower back and kicking me everywhere! I've been able to get some sleep but I seem to have to go the restroom every two hours. I am miserable and am almost at the point where I can't pick up Andrew anymore. I'm glad he's walking!

Today's smile

What a wonderful day! The weather is awesome and makes us want to be outside all the time. Andrew, Mitch, and I went to the library for Baby Reading Time and then to Chick-Fil-A to let Andrew play on the indoor playset. After Andrew's nap we couldn't resist venturing outside once more but this time we went to the park to walk (I waddled) two miles and then play on the huge playground with the rest of Columbus (today was a holiday so school was out). It was lots of fun and we all enjoyed being with family. Andrew is laughing at me for chasing him around the house in the picture here.

TouchDown!

While eating his dinner, Andrew celebrated the Georgia win today over Tennessee by signing, "Touch down!". Go Dawgs! (I must include here that Mitch is a devoted Georgia Tech fan....Andrew will probably grow up at GT fan, too, but he and I can have our small celebrations!).

Like Father Like Son

What a great picture of Mitch and Andrew. Andrew can spot a playground from miles away and loves to slide...especially with Daddy. This picture was taken on our church playground. Can you see how hard Andrew is playing? His face is so red!

Courtney is the best!

I'm seeing my midwife, Courtney, every two weeks now. I've been meaning to get a picture of her with Andrew for quite some time and I finally remembered to take my camera with me to my appointment today. I couldn't ask for anyone better to look after me during my pregnancies. Courtney is the absolute best at what she does and she has also become my friend through it all. This is certainly something I wouldn't have expected to happen between me and a male doctor, if I were seeing one. She is always honest with me and shoots it straight but we can sit and talk about our families and what God is teaching us through motherhood. She was only five weeks pregnant with her son when she sat with me for the 18 hours of my labor. I was one of the first she told so now we compare toddler stories about our boys and more. I absolutely hate this picture of me since it shows how large I'm getting in this pregnancy....Courtney has already expressed some concern about my weight and told me that she wants to avoid a C-section so she might have to induce me early. It would be better to have Luke a littler earlier while he's smaller than he might be at 40 weeks. Ten weeks to go and counting.....

Moments captured in my scrapbook

Just wanted to share a few photos of my newest album pages in Andrew's scrapbook. I had so much fun designing these but I'm still three months behind. I've got to get busy and start his next album before Luke is born in December!

My belly

I've put on too much weight during this pregnancy and still have 10 more weeks to go. I sometimes don't think I'm gonna make it. It takes me so long just to get from one place to the next and I can't keep up with my husband when simply walking through the grocery store. I look at every chair with lust and ask for "just five more minutes" when the clock is screaming at me to get up and start dinner. I'll never post my weight but I can say that I'll be joining Weight Watchers come January with the rest of the world.

Dancing & Football

We attended a friend's wedding tonight and what a blast we had! Not only was it a time of rejoicing for the newly married couple but it was also a time to dance the night away. You can tell from the picture that Andrew loves to shake his groove thang on the dance floor. We also went to a football game Friday night with MeMe and Pop where Andrew loves to sit and listen to the tubas play the low notes in the band section. What a great weekend.

By the way, I tested negative for gestational diabetes....YIPEE!