Dear Monday

Linking up with Megan for Dear Monday!

Dear Monday, There's something about knowing a 4-day weekend is upon me that makes you much more bearable.

Dear Bananas, While you are certainly helping kick my new-found leg cramps, I do not appreciate you rubbing your scent off on my crackers.  Banana flavored Ritz are no beuno.

Dear Joann's Employee, After looking (with no success) for chevron fabric for baby's crib skirt, I decided to approach you and ask for help.  When asked, "Do you have any red or navy blue chevron fabric?" you responded, "Like, the car?"  Oh, Lordy.  Let the crafting Gods help you... And me.

Dear Hurricane Issac, Please lay off the Gulf Coasters and do not disrupt our upcoming vaca to Destin.

Dear Food Aversion, I'm beginning to shy away from food that is warm/hot and really gravitate towards cold stuff.  Weird.

Dear Life, I think I've had enough of your lessons and reminders for one year.  Thanks.

Dear Hubby, While you were golfing on Saturday, I would receive random texts from you.  Most of them including some variation of, "Babe. These clubs are awesome."  So happy you are happy with a big purchase that you deserved.

Take Luck,

LP

Dreams (Part 2)

The vivid and bizarre dreams just keep on coming.  Back in June (which feels like forever ago) I shared with you some of the weird dreams I'd been having.

Today is your lucky day, 'cuz here's some more:

- Kittens were coming out of a hole in the wall.  This would be odd enough in itself, but it gets better.  The kitties were an assortment of neon blue, neon green, striped neon blue and white, and a lonely (and normal) gray.

- This one is recurring.  I dream that I fail to completely stop at a stop sign and there happens to be a police officer who is watching me.  Apparently I have a guilty conscious while sleeping because I then speed away (and am apparently close to a highway).  Once on the highway, I fail to slow down enough to take a turn and my car flips off of the highway and onto the ground below.  When approached by the police officer, I deny any wrongdoing.

- In some city, Ryan and I are sitting in the Forester.  Just then, a huge (OK, giant) semi-truck busts through the concrete highway barrier and is literally falling/flying right toward us.  The truck crushes the car completely, but we manage to survive and get out of the car.  Somehow we were oblivious to the fact that the city around us was turning to shit as people are not alive but not dead.  Zombie-esqe, if you will.  We run to a near by building to hide and discover that just by pushing the buildings - we can rearrange the layout of the city and therefore hide from this chaos.  Finally, we grow tired of hiding and decide that we should get back to a car (any car) and drive away.  As if by magic, we see that the Forester has resumed her pre-giant-semi-truck-crushing state but is being inhabited by the crazies.  We then start a huge fire to serve as a distraction and run away.

I'd love to talk to a dream analyst and figure out what the heck all of this means - if anything.

I am having no issues sleeping (obviously!) and we still have four months to go, people.  I can't imagine what this noodle will dream up next.

Stay tuned.

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Linking up with Megan for Dear Monday!

Dear Monday, Even a three-day weekend wasn't enough rest for me to be able to come at you full force.  We'll try again next week.

Dear Fall Semester, Ugh. Up until today I felt motivated and ready for the semester to begin. My motivation has quickly faded and I am now intimidated after reading through my syllabi. Why did I want to go back to school, again?

Dear Ocean Get-Away, You were far more relaxing than either Ryan or I anticipated.  Strolling on the beach, searching for sand dollars, and just chatting was exactly what I needed.

The lovebirds

Pretty sand ripples

 

Dear Brock & Sonny, Apparently this morning I failed to close the cage doors before leaving for work.  Luckily Grandpa came to check on you.  Oopsie.

Dear Florida and Favorite In-Laws, Only two and a half weeks until our vaca.  This lady is super excited.

Dear Hubby, I'd say that yesterday you had the man day of man day's. You purchased a new set of golf clubs and ate crab legs at Hooters. It doesn't get much better than that, does it?

Take Luck,
LP 

Fill in the Blank Friday

Linking up for Fill in the Blank Friday with Lauren!

[1] The best thing to do on a hot day is BBQ and eat lots of Otter Pops.

[2] The best place to be on a hot day is in or near the water!

[3] The best thing to eat on a hot day is fruit and Otter Pops.

[4] Hot days are more than OK with me.  The dry heat of the PNW is way more tolerable than the hot and humid Midwest.

[5] My go to uniform on a warm summer day is a light cotton tank and flowy skirt or a maxi dress. And flippy flops.

[6] The scent that reminds me of summer is fresh cut grass, charcoal, and sunscreen.

[7] My favorite thing about summer is how late it stays light.  This summer I'm almost always long asleep before it gets dark, but I still love it.

Take Luck,

LP

Lately

Ohhh, lately.  A lot has been going on lately.

Lately, a successful night's sleep is one where I don't get up to use the bathroom.  Some nights, I'm even happy if I only get up once.

Lately, a successful grocery shopping experience is one where I don't start sweating profusely and almost pass out.

And lately, I've noticed more people's (both men and women) eyes traveling south to my tummy region while in conversation.  For the first time in my life, I feel like I somewhat know how women with big(ger) chests might feel.  Only I think some of these folks are wondering if I'm pregnant or just packing on pounds.  I like to let them ponder.

Other than the extreme funk that lasted somewhere between weeks six and seven, and the fatigue that just won't leave - this pregnancy has been easier than I imagined, and perhaps, dare I say, enjoyable.

From day one, it was important to me to take care of myself.  I know that sounds silly, but it's true.  I exercise (OK, brisk walk!) everyday and don't over-indulge.  Don't get me wrong -  I eat all day long (literally) and allow myself to indulge when I really have a hankering for something indulgent, but I am not just "eating whatever I want" "because I can."

At our 20 week appointment, the nurse even told me that I have a runner's blood pressure.  Holler.

I'm trying to be disciplined for a few reasons.

[1] I'm convinced that exercising is helping my fatigue.  I can't imagine how I would feel if I wasn't walking everyday.

[2] I've read and been told that staying healthy and "fit" will make for an easier labor and delivery.

and [3] I'm hoping that staying healthy and "fit" will make for a smoother transition post-baby.

I feel so grateful and fortunate to have felt as good as I have during this pregnancy, because I know that a lot of women really struggle with prolonged or excessive morning sickness, high blood pressure, fatigue, and other fun symptoms that come along with pregnancy.

Today, at the realization that as of tomorrow, we will be 4 months away from our due date - I had a minor "What the hell are we doing?" freakout.

Thankfully, it quickly passed and I realized we know exactly what we're doing.  Well, that's not true at all - but you know what I mean.

I'm sure this is the first of several minor-holy-crap-we're-having-a-baby-freakout moments.

The last (and most major) of which will surely take place when that baby boy gets placed in my arms.

What?  Now I'm responsible for this little life?!  Gah!

Take Luck,

LP

Dear Monday

Linking up for Dear Monday with Megan!

Dear Monday, Totally could have used another day off of work to recuperate from my trip last week.  Alas, I had to get my booty outta bed.

Dear Prenatal Yoga, Yesterday was one of those "how embarrassing" moments that now sits on top of my embarrassing moments list.  We were discussing pregnancy things and I was stretching out my calves and hamstrings.  Then it happened - I tooted.  Out loud.  I have read and read about this "problem" in my pregnancy books/weekly updates, and the public escape finally happened.  Ugh.

Dear 22 Weeks, Hello belly explosion.  I have never been so happy to take my pants off... And it's only going to get worse.

Dear Beck, You, my favorite artsy-farsty queen, are putting together baby's nursery wall.  I cannot wait to see your vision turn into reality.

Dear Tiffer, You, my favorite new seamstress are going to make baby's crib skirts.  Between the many maxi skirts you've sent me (hello, lifesavers) and this - I feel very spoiled by your talents.

Dear Hubby, This morning you asked me to print off one of baby's ultrasound photos to put in your apprenticeship portfolio - under accomplishments.  Enter heart melting and misty eyes here.

Take Luck,

LP

Fill in the Blank Friday

Linking up with Lauren for Fill in the Blank Friday!

I have four (or so) hours to kill at the airport before my flight leaves, and I couldn't think of a better way to kill that time.

[1] The age I will be on my upcoming birthday is 27.  Goo!

[2] The best birthday present ever would be an all expenses paid trip to the Mediterranean.  A girl can dream, right?

[3] My favorite birthday to date was undetermined.  I can't even remember my birthday last year, let alone any others.  I'm sure they were all lovely.  Except my 19th... See below.

[4] Birthday's make me feel awkward.  I do not like being the center of attention and seriously dread being sung, "Happy Birthday."

[5] The worst birthday I ever had was my 19th birthday, my freshman year of college.  It was my first away from my family, still trying to adjust to college and being away from home.  It was just hard.  On the bright side, it was at 19 that I could legally get into the bars in Southern Illinois.  Ha!

[6] When I was born it capped off a 40+ hour labor for my Momma.  Poor, poor Momma.

[7] So far my favorite age has been 26. It's been a very exciting year for us!

Take Luck,

LP

Last Minute

Early last week I found out I would be making a last minute trip to D.C. this week.

If you couldn't tell by some of my previous work-related-travel-posts... I don't like to travel for work.  I get very anxious and nervous, and I swear the time I am away from home literally creeps by.  It taunts me and sticks it's ugly tongue out just to rile me up.

Normally, I have lots of time to process and mentally prepare for travel/trips, but because I found out on Wednesday that I would be flying out on Sunday - the mental preparation was nonexistent and I just had to go with it.  Part of me thinks that might even be better than having time to mull things over.

Moving on.

I flew out on Sunday afternoon on a direct flight from SeaTac to Reagan.  Even though the flight was filled with crying children and smelled of feet and flatulence - it wasn't so bad.  At least the view was gorgeous.

Even though it doesn't sound like it - I am trying to make the most of the trip and my "alone time."

I've spent the afternoons reading my pregnancy and childbirth books by the pool.  I didn't bring my bathing suit and the sun hasn't really been out all that much - but the heat and humidity have been a nice break from the cold and stuffiness that is my hotel room.

My cousin, Kristen, lives out here so we have gotten to spend some quality dinner-time together, which of course I love.

We had dinner at a little place called Cheesestique*. 

* Don't ask me how many times I tried to say "Cheesestique" over the phone to Ryan.  It was a lot and he still didn't understand what I said.

Kris thought I would enjoy having some baked mac 'n cheese (duh!) but we discovered that it was made with unpasteurized cheese.  Boo.  The thought of coming down with listeria and possibly hurting this kicking baby boy just didn't seem worth it.  So, Kris ate some unpasteurized cheese for me.

Last night we had a lovely Panera picnic on the Potomac, and luckily - it smelled better than the last time I was near it.

We walked quite a bit and visited the FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial.  All amazing and unique in their own ways. While reading some of FDR's quotes, I found myself thinking over and over about how relevant his thoughts and ideas still are today.  Maybe now more than ever.

I will fly home Friday night after class is over.  Hallelujah.

I miss my honey and puppies.  Like, woah.

Take Luck,

LP

It's A...

BOY!

 

 

Once the ultrasound tech started paying close attention to baby this morning, there was no question that he is indeed a boy.  And proud to be a boy, 'cuz he was not being shy in flashing us the goods.

After we established that business, we got to see his rounding belly, arms, hands, nose, lips, legs, and what look to be pretty big feet (that he no doubt gets from his Mama).

I thought I would get emotional and weepy, but instead I was beaming, and Ryan and I were high-fiving.

We have a short list of names that we like and I've told Ryan that I want him to choose.  He has a different front-runner every week, so hopefully he'll be able to decide without too much trouble.

It's a wonderful feeling to know that it is a he.

Now the waiting really begins...

Take Luck,

LP

Two

Today is our two year anniversary.

Holy crap, how fast two years has flown by.

Happy anniversary to my sweet and silly Hubby.

This guy makes me laugh like no other, makes me swoon and melt like butter, and reminds me everyday that he was exactly who I should have been walking down the aisle to two years ago.

We're still growing together and individually, still working on the bits and pieces of us that need work, and loving each other in the process.

I can't wait to see what our third year brings.

My guess is: long nights, sleep deprivation, making memories, uncovering love that we didn't know existed (for a little human baby and for each other), and more sleep deprivation.

I love you, Ry Joe.

Tomorrow we find out whether we will be welcoming a little boy or a little girl.  And yes, I'm squealing like a little girl just thinking about it.

Take Luck,

LP