I've reached it, you guys. I have reached the point that I am now staring at my grass every day, wishing it would get green already and hoping for an early Spring. I need color.  I can't wait to be able to plant flowers and sit out on the patio on a sunny afternoon, soaking in the warmth.

I always go get flowers too early and then there is inevitably a freeze and they all die or never grow to their potential. So this year, Dustin says I can't plant flowers until after Mother's Day. (probably some old wives tale he heard from some person that doesn't appreciate the necessity of colorful yard). I told him to kiss-it. There will be flowers in full bloom in my yard by May 1st. You watch and see. Hmmph.

Also, we didn't build our raised garden beds last fall. Mostly, because I didn't even ask Dustin to do it, but also because I just didn't feel up to it. Now I am regretting it. Its not too late, right?

We have a nursery, ladies and gentleman!!

 Go Dustin! Go!

The crib.

It should be noted that Dustin picked out the crib, ALL of the bedding, and changing table cover complete with a diaper bag. All for an outstanding deal. (Way to go, babe!) Also, he painted the entire room and most of that tree. I taped off the main parts of the tree, but he came in and really did the details. Lets just say, I am NOT the artsy one in the family. What would I do without him? Not paint any trees, that for sure. ;)

I get to pick up my new glasses today!! I think they are just the right combination between cute and nerdy.  I haven't had new glasses since high school, so I was due for a pair. I have to say, however, that it is ROBBERY what they charge these days for glasses and contacts. Who do they think I am? Bill Gates?  Lets just say, its a good thing that I don't need new glasses every year in combination with my contacts. Sheesh. 

Here it is...

I actually really didn't want to do this, but for some reason I feel the need to pay the 6 month mark a little respect and show you all an updated pic.

So here it is. The bump.

Although, I do feel weird calling it a "bump". Its clearly not a bump. Its more than a dang bump and Im not calling it that anymore! Its a bulge. No...a mound, perhaps.

Here is my baby mound.

By the end of May we will be dealing with a baby "mountain".

Stay tuned for those pics.

I sewed these burp cloths last night. Luckily, I only had to sew straight lines. Otherwise, there is a possibility that I would not have been able to do it. ;)

Maybe one day I'll be able to sew some curtains, or something fun like that...

We had our first book club last night. Caitlin hosted. She made Zuppa Tuscana, home aide breadsticks and the best brownies ever. It was a delight. I love getting together with these girls! There's just something about getting together with your girlfriends, eating and talking. There is really nothing like it.  Being in good company is something that I have come to treasure and I can't wait for February's get-together. Why didn't I take pictures?

In other news...
Dustin is now a foreman at his job that he has only worked at for four months. He does demolition and he LOVES it. He is so good at it and he just makes me so proud. All his hard work is paying off. Still waiting for full time at UPS though- we don't know when that will ever happen.

I am now 5.5 months pregnant, and its crazy because you can't even tell. NOT!  I feel like a big ol' fatty. I just keep thinking- if I feel this way now, how am I going to feel in 4 months? On a more positive note, however, I am feeling the baby move a lot these days and Dustin even can feel him move sometimes.

Duke is doing well, so thats good.

That's all for now.

Its a BOY!!!

We had a "gender reveal" party tonight!  It was really fun. We had Betsy and my mom cut into a cake and the color of the inside would reveal the gender of the baby. And....

It is a BOY!

We are all VERY excited.

I am simply smitten.

Now I can start to work on a name, the nursery, clothes - Everything!

You gotta see this...

Tucker showed me this FUNNY YouTube video. I could not stop laughing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zce-QT7MGSE

Its Snowing!

You can't really tell from this picture, but... it is snowing!!!  I could not be happier. Plus, Dustin looks totally cute in his new ultra-warm beanie that my mom got him for Christmas. ;)

If I went to work everyday and did not give my patients their medications, did not complete and chart my assessments, did not notify the doctors of my concerns, and I just sat around and collected a paycheck, I WOULD BE FIRED! Fired for not doing my job.

So, why is it ok for these members of Congress to continually NOT do what they are hired and paid to do? The fiscal cliff has been looming over their heads for, lets face it, YEARS. Yet, these people can't come together and compromise on a plan that is going to help the American people. They are working harder at opposing each others ideas and plans than they are at working together to come up with new ones.

I wish they would just knock it off already. Complete the task you have been given, or you will be FIRED!

Hmmph.

New boots

Look what Dustin got me for my birthday!!!

He was so excited to give them to me that he needed to do it 5 days early! I have to say, the man can pick out a mean pair of cowgirl boots. The top goes clear up to my knees, and they are soooo comfortable!

Do you know how much I love these?

I am drinking a peppermint hot chocolate while reading another new book (a huge accomplishment on my part), there is banana bread baking in the oven (with chocolate chips), and the dishes are done.

Today is a better day than yesterday.

I read a quote the other day that I want to share:
"Beginnings are scary, and endings are usually sad, but its the middle that counts" -unknown

I was thinking about it today when I went shopping for a couple new shirts. Depressing, by the way. I have developed this roll of back fat that I can't seem to figure out how or when it crept up on me. Anyways, I was in the fitting room thinking about how my body is already starting to change. I got really sad thinking about the unknown. What will I look like after I have this baby? Will I be able to get my pre-pregnancy body back? How big will I get? Will I have stretch marks? This new beginning is scary. Then I thought its the middle that counts. Not my mid-section "middle" but the journey. This is all new to me so of course I am going to be nervous and apprehensive of the the "what if's". Chances are that 6 months from now when I hold my new baby, Ill be sad that my pregnancy has ended and nervous all over again about a whole new set of worries. The beginning of motherhood. Then there will be the next phase to start/end. A never-ending cycle.

That's just life, right? The beginnings are scary and endings are sad, but its the middle that counts. All I can do is do my best at each junction in life and try to be as happy and healthy as possible. Its not always easy, but I should try.

Its the middle that counts.

Plus, I got some new slippers, so I am pretty much happy for a while.

Well, it has been awhile, hasn't it?  I just haven't been in the mood. It was like one day I just didn't like writing on my blog anymore.

However, the other day I took a look back at some of my past posts and realized that it is kind of fun to be able to look back at times past and reminisce. So, needless to say, the blog lives on!

What's the latest in my life you ask? Can't think of much, except that I'M PREGNANT!!!! Can you believe it? It was literally 13 years ago today that Dustin and I started dating. Now, we are (finally) starting our family together. I am so nervous, but so excited.

I couldn't be happier.

**Side note, every time I write on my blog, I double check for grammatical errors out of fear that Uncle Mike or Cait will judge me.  You see, they are both sticklers on grammar. Its a lot of pressure to live up to, but I do my best. **

karma?

A few short days after taking a new lease on life, I get the flu.

I haven't been sick in at least a year. Is this my body's idea of a rebellion? I mean, I have this week off of work and had all these plans to hang out with friends and, what was it I said, be in good company? Ya, well, now its 1 o'clock in the morning and I'm up sipping on hot tea and honey to help my sore throat. I could have floated the river, done crafts and various DIY projects that I had in mind, cuddled a cute baby, and who know what else!!! But instead, Im outta the game for two days.

What the hell?

All is not lost people. Like my good friend Gloria Gaynor said- "I will survive!!!!"

side note:  I truly thought Aretha Franklin sang that song, but thought I might double check with Google before giving the wrong artist credit.  Good thing......

First off, I want to say that the last post was a little, well, lets say, dark? I was in a mood. Better now;)

I went to something called "Night Owl" after work the other day and the topic was "self care and creating calm for nurse". LOVED IT!! The whole hour we talked about stress and people's perceptions of stressors, good stress, bad stress, healthy coping, etc. It was great!  I'm normally not into that kinda stuff, but this time I felt like it was just what I needed.

The woman brought up some really good points that made me think about how easily stressed out I am and how I need to take better care of myself. One interesting topic was how stress creates a long term change to the body. Not just those frown wrinkles and weight gain, and more interestingly, cancer!  Now, now, I know you are probably thinking "duh!", but I guess I never really thought about the connection. She noted how the mind is a very powerful thing, and when we continually think negative thoughts and carry negative energy, it sends that negativity to all the cells of our body....long story short, the cells do not work to their potential or fulfill their roles entirely, thus- risk for cancer. Can you see the connection?

I was very motivated to make some changes.

Here are some of my "Things To Do In Order To Not Give Myself Cancer" objectives:

• Read More
• Nourish my body (I mean, REALLY try hard to eat better)
• Sit in silence at least once a day for at least 10 minutes
• Laugh often
• Be in good company
• Get movin'
• Stop allowing myself to over sleep. Shoot for 8 hours of sleep, no more. ( I tend to allow myself to oversleep these days. Waste of a day)
• Be mindful and self aware (remain present, watchful, aware of what is happening around me without become emotionally involved or captured)
• Be truly present (I could expand here but it would be another entire paragraph)

These are just a start people!  Any ideas that work for you to help keep your mind healthy? Send 'em my way....

I have been trying really hard lately to hang out with my friends more often. I feel like I need them around me to help me stay grounded and connected to the things that really matter. Its been a busy summer so far with lots of weddings, engagements, barbecues, and random get-togethers. You know, the fun stuff. I can't help but wonder, though, if things will be different in the future. Everyones getting married and starting families and its hard not to wonder if one day these pictures will all be just a memory of things "the way they were back then", you know?

Anyone who really knows me knows that I don't really like change - and things are changing around me.  I'm struggling a bit and I can't quite put my finger on why. I'm having a hard time being "content" lately. Is there a pause button that I can push to make life stop for a minute and let me figure out my emotions? You know, get it together a bit more. Im all over the place- like I don't know if Im coming or going or what!

Hard to explain.

 

102 degree weather = water fight with Jay.

I won.

He needed to recoup with some boy time with Dustin...

My favorite part of today? Getting this in the mail!

Wanna know how I know that I am my mother's daughter? (What a stupid-sounding sentence, by the way)

When the highlight of my day is getting to relax by watering the plants and dry spots in my yard.

Thats how I know.

Thanks for the genes, Mom. ;)

I need a garden. I didn't get to plant anything this year because of our trip and I'm really jealous of my friends garden. We were hanging out the other day and she just went out and picked some fresh radishes right from her garden for us to eat, and it was delicious. I'm thinking I want to do boxes like this. Can Dustin make these for me this Fall so I can start a gardening adventure next Spring?

Guess we'll find out....

BTW, I promise that Dustin is not wearing the same shirt in every single one of these pics. I mean, we did just have our backpacks, but we weren't that desperate. I promise these are actually a few different shirts. ;)