And the nesting continues

That nesting bug that seemed to bite me hard a little over a week ago, still hasn't left.

Daniel and I have spent all weekend continuing our work to make this the best and most beautiful house possible for the little man before he arrives.

Last night I cleaned, this morning I cleaned, this afternoon I cleaned... get the picture. It wasn't like the was was just that dirty, it was just that I wanted it that clean.

Oh and this was all in between our 3 Lowe's runs thus far since yesterday.

We have completely redone our landscaping. Halleluljiah! We hated the crap they put in when we were building the house and we were happy to say goodbye boxwoods and pine straw, hello azaelas, hydrangeas, flowers, dogwoods and more. Here are some pics!
working on the front yard. Goodbye boxwoods, hello azaelas

backyard, one of the plots before (well technically a mid work shot because he'd already uprooted the bushes and pinestraw)

And after, the hydrangeas. Doesn't the satellite dish add such a great touch, ha!
All of the nasty boxwoods. And look after 6 months, they still hadn't rooted, the landscaping was so pathetic that they did.

Nesting

So, I technically only have 6 days of class left and some finals, but I feel like I can't even make that. I am so ready to nest... finally. I was really starting to feel abnormal or like one of this disconnected mama's because I just had no desire. But the bug hit me this week and it hit me bad.

Since it has hit I have ordered prints for his room. Here are two of them. It is a set of 4, they are nursery rhyme themed. I need to decide if I just want them stretched and mounted (most likely the case) or if I want them framed. Either way I think they are presh.

The nesting continued today with Daniel putting the crib together. But then it was lame because we didn't have the bedding or a mattress. The bedding, by the way, was finally decided on last weekend when mom was here. So I guess maybe my nesting started then. So, after the crib was put together we went to Home Depot and checked out paints for the dresser we are revamping and then bought lots of gorgeous gerbera daisies. Mom bought us one that is beautiful and so we bought 3 more and planted them all. We are going to rip out the hideous bushes the landscapers put in the front and put in azaleas soon.

After home depot we headed over to Target, for trash bags. But of course we left with a crib mattress. Our lil man's crib is no good without somewhere to lay that precious head of his. Oh how this is such a wonderful feeling. God is so good. Now all I need to do is decide on a glider. I was going to have one made but I feel like I may be able to find on a little cheaper. So, the verdict is till out on that. Budget wise, the glider from premier fits, but hey if you can save a few bucks, why not?

Garage Sale, Smashed Toes and 27 weeks of Pregnancy

Well, it's time to stop thinking of life pre baby and start really thinking about life with baby, because the third trimester is upon us and he's coming fast.
Last Tuesday, Daniel and I went in for my second 4-D ultrasound. Yes, my second. The little dude was less than cooperative the first time, and while he wasn't exactly up for the task this time either (it was 7:45 a.m., and like his mother, Caleb obviously didn't appreciate the early morning wake up call), he did let us see him a little better.
There is no verdict as to who he looks like. He just looks like Caleb. Handsome and as healthy as can be. He is also measuring a bit on the large side. Per measurements taken on the ultrasound he was an estimated 2.5 lbs. On Friday I received my weekly pregnancy update from babycenter.com and it told me that my baby was growing and was almost a full 2 lbs. Ha, they obvs haven't met Caleb who apparently gets his appetite from his daddy. No, actually, there is concern about gestational diabetes. I go in this Tuesday, the 20th, for my glucola test. Prayers are welcome. I have been walking about an hour every day, but thanks to part two of this post, that has been put on hold.
So, let's get to that.
This weekend was a community wide garage sale benefiting Newspapers in Education at the old Lowe's building in Opelika. I had planned a garage sale that day at my house and Mom was coming in to help me, but when I heard this being advertised I thought it would just be easier to do it there and have guaranteed shoppers. Well, Wednesday night, after loading my car with crap, I went out to get it ready to put more stuff in. So, I opened my tailgate and BAM! Out flew my old speakers from my surround sound system from high school directly onto my right foot. The pain was immediate and the first three toes on my foot were obviously broken. Long story short, here I am on Sunday, the toes still can't move, the big toes is nasty black, blue and green, and there is horrendous pain on the top of the foot as well, and while it is not 100 % that the foot is broken (I canceled my x-ray on Friday, now I regret that decision) I definitely can't put tennis shoes on for my walks, much less walk 3 or 4 miles. So, prayers about that are appreciated to. I always love exercising and feel like a lard butt when I don't, but exercise is going to be increasingly important if the diabetes test comes back positive.
Okay, now that you know about my nasty foot, let's talk about a brighter subject. The garage sale. It went so well. Mom was a TREMENDOUS help and while not everything sold, I sold way more than I expected, and donated most of everything that was left. What went out wasn't coming back in. Caleb will soon have a nursery.
Oh yes, we made nursery bedding choices too. I will be going with the original toile I saw way back on January 29 when we found out it was a boy. It is brown and cream/linen so the room will be accented with blue to pull in more color. I also am using dots. Daniel is afraid the child is going to go cross-eyed, but I think it will be beautiful and not babyish, which I was trying to steer clear of.
We also decided to be so budget chic and use an old dresser we left stored at the old condo, it was Mom's brilliant idea. We were going to garage sale it and she said why don't you paint it and use it in the nursery. Voila, a brilliant, money-saving (got to love those) idea was born. We are considering blue to really bring the blue in, I am just weary of painted/colored furniture, because outside of black and white I can't say I have ever had any, so I am having difficulties imagining it. But, nonetheless, Daniel and I will be sanding, puttying and painting that thing soon to get ready for the gobs of clothes the little man already has and undoubtedly will continue to get. We found some cute knobs this morning for it too on coolknobsandpulls.com. Cheap and cute.
Now the only major thing left for the nursery to purchase is the glider. Most likely we will be getting the one from premier fabrics in G'town, but Daniel wants to see it first so we will look into that in May when home for the shower.
Well, I better stop rambling. It's back to the books for me. School is winding down and the assignments are piling up. Guess I better ask for prayers about that one, too!

It's Back to the Real World

So, I have been slacking again when it comes to my blogging. Sorry, I think this kid has taken half of my brain and organization, which if you know me and my organization means there is practically none left in my life.

However, it is waning even more now, after our week long 'baby moon' in San Antonio.

It was 7 days and 7 nights of pure bliss. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. Daniel spoiled me silly and bought a spa package so that I could go to the spa as much as I want, and I did. On Monday I got the mom-to-be package which included a massage, a body wrap, a spa pedicure and a manicure. Tuesday, I had a facial which also included a massage. Wednesday I took the day off to be with the hubs, so we lounged by the pool for the majority of the day. Thursday I went back for another massage, and ended the week on Friday with another massage and polish change. In the end I actually had a surplus of $40 that I just couldn't use and that was after all of my services for the week, tips and two sprees in the gift shop. Needless to say that won't be happening any more for a long, long time.

The spa was in this old rustic looking barn.


Daniel was able to play golf 3 times, which he definitely has missed since moving back to the States.

We didnt' do much touristy stuff because we just wanted to relax which we did pretty darn well. Saturday night we just stayed at the resort and ate at the poolside bar and had s'mores at the firepit before retreating for an early night in. Sunday we did the pool thing and then went to the Riverwalk for dinner. We walked around a bit before going to Rita's on the River for dinner. (I had printed off coupons before we left, and then mom sent me the same site for coupons- see I get my thriftiness naturally.) We had sopapillas for dessert and I don't think I have stopped wanting them since. They are like Mexican beignets but with cinnamon instead of powdered sugar and honey to dip them in. Obvi I couldn't have the honey so my sweet husband took all the ones without cinnamon from the bottom and let me have the cinnamon-y ones. Monday, after my spa and his golf we went to San Marcos, home of the world's largest outlet mall. We both saw LOTS we wanted, but literally the only thing we left with was an outfit for Caleb/ I think that was our first dose of what parenthood spending is really like.

On the way home we ate a Chipotle just on the way back to the resort. Neither of us had ever been to one, and it was love for our Mexican diggin' palettes. It's like a much healthier Moe's. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Tuesday, we ventured back to the Riverwalk after my facial. We also toured all around San Antonio's downtown from the Alamo to the Market Square. We ate at the CountyLine BBQ restaurant as a recommendation from the Glidewells. While Daniel and I are partial to Memphis BBQ this stuff was not half bad. Huge portions and great prices too!

Intermission- I started this blog in March, it is now June 9. I don't know that I can remember everything, so let's see how this goes.

Okay, so I have sat here and I've got nothing. I am not sure what comprised our last 3 and a half days. We had two more trips to Chipotle. Blame it on the mexican child growing within me. We also went to a place called Lulu's that we had seen on the travel channel and is known for the cinnamon rolls. These things were ridciulous and we took it back to the resort to nosh on for a few days and still never finished it. It was bigger than my head.

Every night the resort had a bonfire for guests to come and make s'mores on. Yes we were like the only ones there every night that didn't have kids, but we loved it nonethess!

Cinnamon roll from Lulu's--- MASSIVE

Another night we also ate at Hard Rock on the Riverwalk. So very overrated. It was gross, but I should have known that. I'm sorry to be so terrible, but that's about all I remember. Caleb has about pushed all my brains out at this point. So I'm working with what I got, but it isn't much :).

Regardless of the fact that I can't remember the exact details, this trip was truly special. We knew it would be our last real vacay without kids with us or on our minds and we enjoyed every moment. It was a treat for sure and the memories will last a life time. I love Daniel more than anything, he is my best friend and there is noone else I'd rather embark on this journey of parenthood with than him!

Hello, My name is Katie and I am an Addict

Not really what you expect to hear from a pregnant lady, is it? Well, the truth is I have come to realize in the past week or so that my appetite has finally made a massive uphill climb and I am left a slave to my own hunger. I try and balance out the healthy and not so, but it's much easier said than done.
Lately, my love has been in hummus and pita chips. Hummus not so bad, pita chips, not the greatest for the old child bearing hips. I am terrified that I am going to get so out of shape that post-baby body is going to be a massive blob that will take years to rebuild, if even possible. So here is my question to all of you mama's- what was your secret?
The first trimester I did great, but now that I am at the halfway point I just find myself drawn to the kitchen like flies to honey. Now that the weather is nicer I am planning on daily exercise, but still i can't help but feel guilty. This little man is going to be quite the chunk if this keeps up....

By the way we have decided on a name. Caleb Lawrence Sutton Horn. Caleb is a Biblical name. read numbers chapter 13 I think it is if you aren't familiar with his story. Lawrence was my grandfather's name and Sutton is Daniel's grandmother's maiden name. Two middle names, but in case we don't have any more boys Daniel wanted to throw Sutton in there.
His monogram will be CLH, I mention this because it was a big debacle in our house. Daniel doesn't understand the big deal, but a monogram can't be made of four letters and he's the one that chose the order of the names.
Anyway, that was just a little food for thought <<<< Ahh, see everything revolves around food!

New Year's Resolution: Be a better blogger

So I was sitting in class the other day, when my teacher said, "Blogging has become the journalist's resume." Then it hit me: I am going to be graduating sometime soon, I might want to start thinking about that sort of thing. So my NY Resolution (not setting anything too lofty!) is to be a better blogger.
I am setting this resolution not only for a future resume's sake but for my own memories. With a baby on the way this is going to be a great way to keep things straight until I can sit down and scrap book them.
Speaking of the little one, we find out on Friday what this little one is. My suspicions feel boy, but what does that mean? I have not always had the best of intuitions about things so we will see about this one.
My sweet niece was 4 months old yesterday which is crazy to think about. That doesn't seem that old yet she has changed so much! I don't get to see her as often as I'd like since she lives in Memphis, but from the pictures I see and the sounds I hear when I am on the phone with Mom or Bub and she is around, she is changing so much!
Tomorrow marks mine and Daniel's 8 year anniversary. It will be 8 years since I was sitting on the leather couch in Mom and Dad's playroom and this buzzed head, brown-eyed, wide grinning junior from some private school asked me to be his girlfriend. Being the people pleaser I am, I obliged. Just kidding! Of course I was elated then and am still so happy and blessed to have him in my life. It seems crazy to think that it has been that long and we have been through so much together. Times haven't always been easy, but then again, that's life. I wouldn't change it and am glad to have walked through all of this with a man I can call my best friend, my husband and soon to be my "baby daddy". (Yes I fully intend on introducing him as my baby daddy after little Sweet P arrives =).
Well until next time blog world.... Oh and next time I will have house pictures for Jenny Beth!

A Change is a Comin'

Well, the end of the semester is almost here. Daniel and I have been back in the States for more than five months. We close on our house on Monday and on Wednesday we go in for our first ultrasound. Wait, say what? An ultrasound? Oh, yes, that is right. We are expecting our first little one on July 16, 2010. We have not really told anyone yet, and do not plan on making it public knowledge per se, but I figured, if anyone actually reads this you can be privileged to this exciting information. Please feel free to call us but do not put anything on facebook yet. We just want to make sure that the little one is healthy and all is okay, Lil P as Daniel calls him/her and Sweet P as I call the blessing.

Other than that, I was lucky to get to spend a week in Memphis and get my fill of Mom, Dad, Bub, Brooke and Annabelle. Duke went with us. He wasn't so sure if he was at the right place. Since he has been there, there has been a new dog and a baby added into the mix and he just wasn't so sure how he felt about all that. But then, once the table food started flowing and the nights of sleeping on a bed added up, I think he felt he could get used to the changes.

Well, I am ready for some dinner. This lil one keeps my hungry and sleepy, so until next time blog world!