one reason I love him

Yesterday, me and the Mister went to eat lunch at Newks. After debating over the menu for a minute, I decided on the chicken salad sandwich and he was going to have the pimento cheese. I had no clue that my husband liked pimento cheese. He has never mentioned wanting a pimento cheese sandwich before, so I bugged him up until the waiter brought us our food. And that’s when it happened. I realized that I love this boy because only he can make me laugh like he does.

Our conversation went a little like this:

*He said this while taking the tomato off-the boy has a crazy hate for tomatoes.

N: If they would just chop up the tomato like everyone else does in pimento cheese, then I would eat it.

Me: You mean, like dice them up? You would eat them if they were diced?

N: Yea. I like them in every other pimento cheese sandwich that I have ever eaten.

Me: They don’t put diced tomatoes in pimento cheese.

N: Well then what are those little red things?

Me: Pimentos!

N: What’s a pimento?

Me: The little red thing that goes on the inside of a green olive.

N: Oh! Don’t you dare tell anyone about this! Pinky swear!

Me: Oh I won’t. Don’t you worry!

I have never loved my pimento cheese lovin’, tomato hatin’, cooking smarts lackin’ man more!

Photo love

I was skimming through the pictures that are on my computer recently and found a few that I love but I am not sure that I have ever shared. Some I took and some I just adore. Enjoy.

The End.

18 weeks

I am 18 weeks this week!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Size of baby: Baby Russell is the size of sweet potato.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained…not sure how much but I can tell that the weight is starting to stay on.

Maternity Clothes: I love all maternity pants and bottoms. I am starting to chose maternity shirts too.

Gender: It’s a BOY!

Movement: Yes. Baby boy moves a lot at night when I wind down. Its precious.

What I miss: I miss being able to do certain things around my house like move furniture or lift boxes. I am a way too independent.

Cravings: FOOD. Any and all food will do.

Symptoms: I have seemed to lose control of my bladder when I sneeze or laugh hard. And so I laugh even harder if I pee on myself because I mean seriously, I am 23 and am peeing on myself.

Best Moment this week: I was shopping with my mom today and Baby kicked his foot out so hard that I could feel it with my hand. I had to try way too hard not to cry. I am smitten.

 

For a few side notes, I was actually 18 weeks on Tuesday but with school, I just have had no time for anything. But now summer is here. Amen and amen!

I can’t believe that I made it through my first year of teaching but I did and I will say that I think a dang good job. I am more excited about next year than I was about this year though. You see, next year I will be teaching about 9 severe/profound students, and its my dream come true. Not to mention that this next school year will also bring a son into my life. Wait-did I just say I was going to have a son. Woah! Lets let that sink in for a little bit.

 

OK, that’s better. So now that summer is here I am determined not to let the only thing I blog about be baby. Because N and I are off to many great adventures this summer-our last summer with just us two. Yikes!

Now onto my favorite part of my weekly posts, my letter to Little Russell.

Hello Love,

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying carrying your tiny self inside me these days. I can tell you are getting big…so big that I can’t see my toes anymore. And you are starting to move. Big movements. I don’t just feel you flutter, honey you roll and kick and flip. And it makes my heart skip a beat. And today when I could feel your tiny foot kick from outside of my belly-I melted into a pile of worthlessness in that very moment. Also, I think you like it when your daddy talks to you. You move lots when he touches my belly or gets close enough for you to hear. You are going to love him. He is so funny! (I ask Jesus all the time if He can give you his humor!) Stay snug sweet one.

All my love,

Mommy

17 Weeks

I am 17 weeks this week!

 

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: Baby Russell is the size of an onion.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have GAINED 2 pounds!

Maternity Clothes: All of my pants are maternity, but most of my shirts and skirts are the same.

Gender: It’s a BOY!

Movement: Baby boy moves mostly at night and early morning. Its still pretty faint but very definite.

What I miss: I can’t say that I miss really anything. I am feeling very good!

Cravings: Food! Never did I think that I would say that again, but I can! I have been digging some food these days!

Symptoms: The giggles! Not that this is a real symptom, but lately I have been overcome with giggles at the most awkward moments. And I seriously can’t control it.

Best Moment this week: My brother and my dad both saying, “Wow! You have got a bump!” I liked looking pregnant and not just fat!

This week has been my turning point I think. I have felt better all around, and I am enjoying food again. I can actually go somewhere to eat and find something that I will enjoy. I used to have to really want it or just the sight and smell of the place would send my stomach into all types of crazy. I have loved knowing that we are going to be welcoming a BOY in October. I have been planning away!

 

Dear Baby Boy,

I have to be honest and say that when the nurse told me your gender I didn’t know what to do. I was so shocked. A boy! Your daddy has talked non-stop about you and the bond that he desires to have with you one day. Also, you are already racking up so many wonderful gifts…just this weekend your grandmother gave you the most adorable John Deere baseball hat. It is the most precious thing that I have laid eyes on. That is until I lay eyes on you. You are loved already little guy!

Love one very blessed girl,

Mommy

It’s a…

Well I will say that this pregnancy has been anything but easy on my body. I have thrown up more in the last 4 months that I have in my whole life. I sleep more than I have in my whole life. But I have learned to love more than I have in my whole life. And for that-it’s all worth it!

I say that to say that we were planning on going to the Dr. in about 3 weeks for our big ultrasound and to find out the gender of Baby R. But another complication arose, sending us to the doctor’s office in a frenzy hoping to hear news that the baby was fine. We did and it was and while the ultrasound tech looked around at what she needed to see, I sheepishly asked if we could maybe find out the gender. She said that she was looking, but Baby was being complicated and didn’t want to show us anything! But then she got a glance!

She looked at us and said, “Congratulations” and then we heard…

Nate is so excited to be welcoming a son in October. I am still adjusting to the fact that it’s a boy! We have a boy! I always thought that I would be a girl mom…at least first. But the Lord had different plans. While I am so blessed and excited about our baby boy, I am scared out of my mind!

Welcome to the world of blue, tractors, dirt, and puppy dogs! Little boy, you have no chance. I am going to make you one spoiled mama’s boy!

16 Weeks

I am 16 weeks this week!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: Baby Russell is the size  of an avocado.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Lost another pound! But my appetite is coming back!

Maternity Clothes: Daily! I think I also need to invest in some new pajama pants. Mine are all getting very uncomfortable.

Gender: We found out! But we aren’t telling until all the family knows first!

Movement: Yes. This baby likes to move when I lay down in the evenings and when I first wake up every morning.

What I miss: This sounds so silly, but I miss wine. I am not a big wine drinker but here lately, man I want a glass of wine.

Cravings: Not sure if I have had any cravings lately. I just eat when something sounds good and it is a different something everyday.

Symptoms: Symptoms seem to be letting up. I feel like I am kind of getting into my stride with this. I am beginning to enjoy being pregnant.

Best Moment this week: Seeing our 6 oz. bundle of joy on the ultrasound and finding out the gender! Sharing this with my husband has been wonderful.

 

Hello Baby.

I just wanted to tell you that we are so blessed to be welcoming you into our family in a few months. When we found out what you are this week, my mind started racing. I can now make individual goals and dreams for you in my head. I know what color to buy and what kind of toys you will want to play with. But I will admit that I did get a little scared. I am scared that I won’t know how to raise you. Will we relate at all? My love, I can’t wait to meet you. And I promise that we will figure this thing out together.

Ally my love,

Mommy

P.S. Your daddy was so excited when he found out what you are. Talk about big plans in process-your dad is going crazy!

(Bullets)

No, not the kind that you would put into a gun and fire away. The kind that every english teacher in America hates because we (as middle schoolers, high schoolers, and even college grads (don't judge)) (yes, I did just use a double parenthesis...is that ok with you?) (Or are you an english teacher?) continuing on...we like to use them in each type of paper possible to make the required length with as little effort as possible.

Now that I think about it, I am remembering that I also got into trouble for my overuse of parenthesis in school. (But what did they know!)

So on to the bulleted show:

{1} I went to the Memphis Grizzlies game last night with some friends. I didn't bring my big camera (do I sound professional when I say "big camera"?) because sometimes they don't like for me to bring it in and I don't like to be pulled aside while they check my camera to make sure its not capable of taking professional pictures. Little do they know that even if my D-SLR camera was top of the line nice, I couldn't shoot (with a camera, not bullets) a worthy shot to save my life. So I told myself that I was just going to take pictures with my phone and post about the game. I forgot to take pictures. Genius, I am. We lost the game anyways.

{2} Little Russell inside my belly likes to greet me every morning about 3:45 with a nice roll, and a kick, and a punch to the bladder. (Child, I am getting tired of this little arrangement you have going on that I am sure you think is so funny.) (I'll get you when I see you! Your punichment: kisses. kisses. kisses.) (The embarassing kind that Aunt Sharonda's gives you at the family reunion.)

{3} My craving while being pregnant is fruit. I love fruit. But it has me in a vicious cycle. It gives me gas. So I eat it. Get gas. Relieve gas. Get hungry. Eat fruit. Get Gas. Relieve gas. Get hungry. (You get the picture?)

{4} I am out of bullets. My magazine is empty. (Do magazines (you know, for guns) have bullets in them?) Anyways. I am tired because I got home at 2 A.M. thanks to the Grizzlies' inability to win a game during the first 3 hours they are playing. So my brain is shot.

But not with real bullets. (Only from thinking of the measley four that I came up with.)

15 WEEKS

I am 15 weeks this week!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 15 weeks

Size of baby: Baby Russell is the size of an apple. Holy Cow!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still no weight gain. I go to the Dr. in two weeks and am very anxious to weigh in officially.

Maternity Clothes: Please and Thank you! Loving me some maternity pants!

Gender: We don’t know yet but are dying to find out. I am still thinking that there is a baby boy squirming around inside of me.

Movement: Every now and then I will feel the sweet one swimming around :)

What I miss: Feeling good. I want to feel normal again!

Cravings: City Bagel in Starkville!

Symptoms: Acne. I have always had pretty clear skin but not these days. I could connect the dots and draw some shapes on this face!

Best Moment this week: People commenting on my growing belly. It’s nice to not look like I just ate one too many pizzas. This belly is tight, tight, tight. (For once in my life!)

 

Sweet Child of Mine,

We are only 5 weeks away from being halfway through this thing! It’s flying by for your pops and I, and I am glad! We are starting to look for a house and will hopefully find and purchase one sooner than later so we will have somewhere to call our home when you make your big debut! You have started a lot of changes, and decisions are being made around here because of your existence already! And you are only the size of an apple! We are in trouble if this is foreshadowing! Take care in there and let God do all the work!

Sleepy and hungry but madly in love,

Mommy

14 Weeks

I am 14 weeks this week!

(And a little late at posting!)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 weeks this week!

Size of baby: Baby R is the size of a lemon!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: No change in the weight yet! I am starting to feel skinnier (waist wise) then when I started this whole thing!

Maternity Clothes: I wear almost all maternity pants but dresses/skirts and shirts are the same. Just tighter.

Gender: Can’t wait to find out. Mother’s intuition is really telling me its going to be a BOY!

Movement: yes! Yes! YES! The baby has moved several times that I know of. Some skeptics out there would say it was gas but, c’mon, I know gas! This was like someone dropped me off an elevator and my stomach flipped! The baby also had hiccups one day. Such a funny feeling.

What I miss: I miss feeling like myself. This pregnancy is taking a lot out of me.

Cravings: Fruit. Fruit. Fruit.

Symptoms: This weekend I felt like I had the flu all weekend. I have been achy, sore, had headaches, had chills, and been stopped up with a sore throat. My brother who happens to be a nurse says that this is normal. Oh joy!

Best Moment this week: Feeling the baby move…and I have started nesting. I have always liked a clean house but people, this nesting is crazy! I clean the moment something is messy and I have maintained it. I know Mr. Mister is really loving it!

 

Dear Baby Russell,

This week I fell more in love with you than I thought possible. When I felt you moving and kicking inside of me, I was smitten. To see you move on an ultrasound is one thing-but to feel it, oh my. I told your Daddy that you moved and he is jealous that he can’t feel it too, but is insisting that you are going to be an athlete who is practicing your kicking skills on my insides! Little baby we have a long way to go…26 weeks to be exact, but you just stay put and keep cooking. We are praying for you every second of the day and are so blessed to be on this new journey with you.

Love,

Mommy