3 Years, and 16 weeks

Like my mom, and her mom, I tend to think a lot about time... two weeks ago today, a month from now, etc. Well, three years ago today was the day I got in my car accident coming home from work in Jefferson City. I can honestly say it is the scariest thing that has ever happened to me. I feel so lucky to be alive today, and thinking back over all that has happened over the past three years makes me even more thankful - marrying my best friend... finding a new job that while extraordinarily frustrating and challenging at times, was a blessing in terms of giving me time off when I needed it most... and now of course 16 weeks pregnant.

Here I am, 16 weeks today!


Not a lot has changed in terms of symptoms or cravings or even weight (too much). The biggest change right now is probably emotionally. This week has been especially hard, maybe because I've been thinking about the accident, maybe because I am missing mom more during this particular time in my life, maybe it's job stresses and worrying about traveling so much in the next few months, maybe it is being alone so much because I work from home all day and then Kevin works so much, maybe it's just all hormonal. I don't know! I am trying to do everything I can to stay "sane" - yoga a few times a week, cardio the days I don't do yoga, trying to eat healthy but also treating myself (a few homemade milkshakes this week!), but I just feel "off." Trying to remind myself every day I am lucky not only to simply be alive, but to have so many blessings as well!

Snow Day

For the past few years, I have come to really hate snow and winter weather. It is scary to drive in, makes getting to work a pain and is dangerous to walk in... BUT... because this year I am working from home, I have to admit I am learning to like snow again! Especially when it is enough to get Kevin's office closed for two days. It was so nice to have him at home. Also really nice to watch the pretty snow fall, see Cocoa hop around in it, bake cookies and enjoy being warm inside. So I guess that's my thing: If I can just stay inside and watch the snow, I can really enjoy it! I still do feel for people who have to drive (especially people this week who got stranded, got in accidents, etc.)

Here are some highlights from the 2011 Snowstorm






It is strange and exciting to think that a year from now, God-willing, we will have a 6-month-old at home with us. It makes me really glad I am due in summer - sure the heat will be miserable, but how scary would it be to go into labor with terrible roads and snow... and have family driving in this to come visit (or not able to come at all). I'll take the heat any day!

As I like to do, will end with a simple quote about family.
"Then come the wild weather, come sleet or come snow, we will stand by each other, however it blow."
(Simon Dach)

A blog announcement!

Well of course my thousands of blog readers have been eagerly waiting for me to return and have been wondering where I am. Hahahaha. But for real, as I am sure anyone who reads this blog knows.... we are expecting!! We are of course so excited and happy to now officially be in the second trimester. Our little one is already well-loved and we are counting down the days to meet him or her (still more than 180, at least we hope!)

Here's baby's first photo from a ultrasound two weeks ago today:


I am thinking about doing weekly blog updates about pregnancy and baby on the way. I have seen other blogs do this, and it can be a good record for us, and also a way to share with family that is not close by (meaning ALL of our family, unfortunately). So here's the update for this week:

How Far Along: 14 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 4 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Still in regular clothes, except one maternity shirt I don't quite need, but is really comfy!

Gender: We'll know sometime in late July/early August.

Movement: Haven't felt yet which is of course totally normally for how far along I am.

Cravings: So far my most common cravings have been ice cream and salty foods (soft pretzels, popcorn, etc). I am also obsessed with apples - actually had a dream about one last night!

Symptoms: I have been one of those really lucky pregnant women with no morning sickness. I have been a little more tired and can be forgetful. Also extremely congested and regular bloody noses.

Best Moment this week: snow day today!! After being in Columbia all week last week, and then driving back late Sunday night due to the crazy winter weather on the way, it was so nice to have our office closed today... and Kevin's was too! Of course he has worked for a good portion of the day, but we slept in and it has been super nice to have him around all day.

Photo: I will preface these by saying, yes, I realize I don't need the maternity shirt yet. But it was on sale, it is really, really comfortable, and also I am thinking about doing the weekly photos in this same shirt to better track "the bump."




Will share more soon! Miss you all!

An ode to Columbia

Tonight is my last night (at least for the time being) as a full-time resident of the great city of Columbia. It is funny because I hated this city for a good part of college, always wanting to go back to St. Louis to see family and be at home. But now this is my home. When I came here, I knew no one in the city, expect of course fellow Mizzou students I knew from high school. Now I know people practically everywhere I go, and they know me. Kevin and I have build a life for ourselves, and now we are leaving it all behind. I am excited about a new opportunity, especially the fact that both of us will be employed at the same time. But I am so sad to leave Columbia. As clearly I like lists, here's a list of some of the things I will miss the most about Columbia. (no particular order... except #1).

10. The "feel" of the city - you can feel the excitement and energy on home football weekends. But there is also the quiet calmness that comes during Mizzou breaks. I love it all.

9. The beauty that is Jesse Hall and the Columns at night.

8. Most of my favorite restaurants are here - Flat Branch to Addisons to Broadway Brewery to Uprise - I love eating in Como!

7. The memories of mine and Kevin's relationship that I can feel nearly everywhere we go. Some of them are momentous - our first apartment together, the first place we kissed, the place we adopted Cocoa from. Then there are the simple and mundane - the Taphouse where we have spent many a Sunday this year, the parks where we've taken Cocoa, the many places we have eaten, shopped and built a life together.

6. Going to work everyday at the University of Missouri. While my job has its ups and downs like any other, but I am proud to be employed by such an awesome place. And even though I still get to work from home and will be back probably more than I would like, our rental house certainty doesn't compare to the MU campus, a botanical garden in and of itself.

5. As I mentioned above, I love knowing people most places where I go. They know my account at Kinkos, my name at the Post Office and me and my sister at the nail salon. I know these are simple relationships you can develop most anywhere you live. But for me, this is the first place I have ever really had this experience.

4. The "culture." True/False (even though admittedly I have worked every year during this)...Roots'n'Blues...the Show-Me State Games... MU sports.... Columbia has something fun to do pretty much every weekend.

3. The location and size. To build upon number 7, the best thing about these events is that they are not 45 minutes away as they would be in a bigger city. I can get everywhere I want to be in about 15 minutes, max. I LOVE this. Not to mention the fact that Columbia is less than 2 hours from KC and St. Louis - can see family quickly, but the distance makes me appreciate more when I do see them.

2. The parks. I love to walk, and both of our apartments here have been within walking distance of beautiful parks.

1. And the number one things I will miss is my sister. I know she probably won't be in Columbia forever, but for now, she is and I will sooo miss our walks, lunches at Uprise, relaxing nights at the nail salon, her hooking me up at Kaldis, and just being able to see her whenever I want. Like I built my relationship with Kevin here, I feel in many ways I did with Maggie too. We have gotten so much closer and I definitely will miss her more than anything.

And for good measure, and because I know nothing is ever perfect, and you only remember the good memories when you're leaving, here's a few things I am happy to leave behind...

1. The mall sucks!

2. Kevin bought a HDTV the morning before we found out he got into MU law. ANd the whole time we have lived here, we have not been able to get HD.

3. Sharing walls for three years has been long enough! Not to mention no backyard, garage, etc...

4. There are some bad memories associated here, too - my car accident, losing mom, heart attacks for both of my Grandpas.

Columbia has been a part of my life for 7 of the last 8 years...but Springfield here we come! I am certainty ready to live with my husband after three weeks apart. And, on a final note, "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." (author unknown)

Why I am not blogging right now: Round 2

Packing. Moving. Working. Stressing. Enjoying last weeks (days for Kevin) in Columbia. Exploring Springfield.

New house. Still needs help but we were there for less than 24 hours, so I think it looks pretty darn good all things considered (much thanks to parents-in-law and dad)

Frontyard


Backyard


Living Room


Our bedroom


Guest bedroom


Loft/second guest bedroom/our office




Kitchen


Dining Room




Bathroom

October

October is my favorite month of the year. Beautiful leaves, cooler weather, Mizzou football, pumpkins, quiet and mostly work-free weekends. Clearly I have been enjoying this month, way too much so to even spend time blogging.

So here's a quick recap of the top 5 best things about October 2010.

1. Roots N Blues - went to this event for the first time this year. It was by far the coolest weekend weather-wise this month (yet) but we still enjoyed listening to the great music, eating some delicious food, and best of all spending time with family.




2. Sunday Fundays - For the past few years, I have really come to dread Sundays in the fall. All Kevin does is watch football. I don't really like football very much. But I do like beer, bar food and hanging out with friends/fam, and sitting outside watching football. So therefore I have been talking Kevin into going to Taphouse 1839 on Sundays to watch football. And so far, Rams are 3-0 when we watch the game there. I think I have some more Sunday Fundays in my future!


3. Lunch walks - Although of course Kevin and I are both anxious for him to get a job, I will admit I like coming home for lunch and being able to see him. Lately we have been walking Cocoa at the park during my lunchhour. It's a great way to break up my day, spend time with Kev and enjoy the beautiful fall days.

4. Being at Home - this year has been an incredible whirlwind and we have no idea what the next two months hold. But this October, we have done minimal traveling, and have just relaxed at home. Not that it is always (or ever!) exciting - most of the time I am working on stuff for school or reading and Kevin is working on job stuff or reading about football. But it has been nice not to be in the car a whole lot, and to watch Thursday night TV, actually keep the place clean and enjoy our fall decor! (Cocoa likes being at home too :)


5. Shakespeare's with Maggie - Last Thursday, got to do three of my fave things - get a haircut, eat pizza and hang with Maggie. I am so grateful we live close and are able to get together to just talk/vent/laugh/reminisce.

and number 6 is soon to come... one of my greatest job perks is these:



Happy October!!

Monday Blues?!

I've been thinking about posting all day, mostly to complain about having the Monday blues: work worries, another week in limbo, missing family after a great weekend at Roots n Blues. Well, now that's out of the way, and I want to focus on the GOOD.

1. Professor provided awesome insight on my thesis. So helpful and a relief because she had the same thoughts as I did.

2. Yummy Uprise with Maggie. Nuf said.



3. This beautiful fall weather we are having. Absolutely can't wait to get out of the office and take a walk.

4. Going along with #3, wearing scarves. I don't even care if people at work make fun of me...

5. Puppy! Got to spend some quality time with Ollie this past weekend. Doesn't get better than sweet, innocent puppies.


6. Rams are in first place!! (technically three-way tie I believe but I'll take it!) This fact makes watching football on Sundays way more bearable. As does the company of great friends and family. And a good beer doesn't hurt.

7. Damages is coming back. On DirecTV exclusive, but I am sure I eventually can get it on DVD or the Internet.

8. Michael and Laura gave Kevin season 1 of the Good Wife on DVD. Can't wait to lay on the couch with the windows open watching it.


9. 34 days until my birthday. I feel like I am borderline getting to the age where I should dread birthdays instead of anticipate. But it is hard not to look forward to some extra cash, a nice dinner out and an excuse to buy myself a couple things!

10. We got a call last night that our landlord thought our washing machine was defective and causing leak to below apartment. She was on the phone with Kevin and told him she just turned it off - he was like, I am here, and you're not. Luckily, she had called the wrong unit! So just thankful we don't have to buy a new washing machine!


OK it was a little bit of a struggle but made it to 10. There is always, always things to be thankful for and happy about - just need to remind myself sometimes!