My Valentines

This year I seemed to have a class full of little Valentines! Our school doesn't directly celebrate the holiday, but we did some fun activities for "heart" or "love" day and the kids (or their parents) were extremely generous with their gifts to myself and my assistant teachers. We spent the day painting hearts, and giving each other hugs and kisses... they are such sweet friends to each other sometimes.

Keith and I didn't do too much Thursday night, he surprised me with my favorite burritos and sparkling cider. We watched some TV on the couch and called it an early night. Friday we decided to go out for a nice dinner but anywhere we called had no reservations or open spaces. After contemplating just getting some cheap burgers in our PJs, we decided to get dressed and just go... if we had to sit at the bar, so what. We ended up getting to Lockeland Table just as someone had cancelled their reservation and we were seated right away. Perfect luck if you ask me! We had a DELICIOUS dinner and dessert and still managed to make it an early night. I just can't believe that this will be our last Valentine's Day as just the two of us! (or should I say... this is technically the first Valentines Day for the THREE of us) I was feeling so sentimental looking at these old posts, you should look too: 2010, 2011 and 2012. 

Hockey Fail

Last season we got lots of chances to see our local hockey team the Nashville Predators, but since the lockout ended it's been REALLY tough to get decently priced seats. Every Saturday home game the team has a raffle for $10 seats which is much more in our budget than the usual $60-$80 stubhub price tag. Our friends Cory and Jamie asked us to join them, plus, the more people you bring the better the chances are of winning tickets (if your number is called you can buy up to 4 tickets). We got up early in our PJs and headed downtown to wait in line with mostly scalpers haha but alas! We were not so lucky this time around. In lieu of hockey we had a delicious breakfast together at Sky Blue and then met later in the evening for root beer floats and a movie on the couch. The day started with uncertainty, but even though we didn't get to go to the game, we still had a great time with friends.

Superbowl Sunday

Not that it's ever a HUGE deal, but this year's Superbowl was much more low key for us. We had previously hosted a party at our place, but this year most of our friends were out of town or busy with other plans which was totally fine by me. We grabbed some wings, and headed down to Franklin to watch the game with good friends Trent and Jordie. They cooked up some great (and terrible for us) appetizers and we watched (or didn't watch) until it got too late to be out on a Sunday night. I am quite thankful that Keith has friends in town that love sports with him, and that they all have cool wives too. Can I get a hip hip hooray that football is over (for a little bit)?? Here's a look at past Super Bowl posts: 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Cookeville Trip

Last weekend Keith and I had considered the idea of driving over to Knoxville to see a couple of his bands that were playing together, but quickly changed our minds when we were invited to tag along with friends out to Cookeville. Brittney and Brandon had both gone to college there and Brittney actually grew up on a farm not too far, so we were excited to do some sight seeing and see some of their favorite local spots! We started by dropping by the farm to meet Brittneys parents and say hello to some of the animals before we drove up to Cookeville and had dinner and drinks at a new spot in town. The boys enjoyed their happy hour beers and I try to work off some unfortunate car sickness I developed on the way out there :/ The rest of the night we explored the Tennessee Tech campus, drove past a new park, got some coffee, had a second dinner (since I was too sick to eat with them earlier) and then finished off the trip with some doughnuts. Mmmm! We got back to the Berger's house in Smyrna pretty late, so Keith and I stayed the night there and had a great breakfast with them Sunday morning compliments of the boys! We are thankful for great friends and great weekend adventures!

This was actually the night before, the boys went to a concert together in their weirdo matching coats

Keith tasting Brandon's latest brew of beer

On the road

Passengers

At dinner

Goofballs

Brandon and the Golden Eagle at Tennessee Tech

Climbing things they don't need to be climbing

Like little boys

Pretty girl

Guess while ones are mine?

Late night doughnuts

Our morning breakfast makers!

16 weeks

Another week gone by, and always lots of updates!

This week I did a lot better with my new found appetite, I didn't feel quite as limited in what I could do for fear of needing to stop somewhere to get a snack (or two or three). I bounced back from my cold, but I still have some lingering stuffiness and a cough now and then. I also still need to take moments to rest when they are available to me, but thankfully I didn't have any absolute exhaustion episodes like I did last week!

We did a lot of "nesting" this weekend and finally put in some real work into our guest room (which I guess I just need to start calling the baby's room). We did a major overhaul of the closet to unpack boxes that were still hiding from our move and to get rid of all the clutter. We made some good decisions and threw away or donated pretty hefty boxes, but at the end of the day... that closet is still pretty full. Hope baby bug doesn't mind sharing for now!

TOMORROW is my next midwife appointment which we've been looking forward to for the past 6 weeks! I think we're both so anxious to learn more about what's going on with our bug, and of course, to hear the heart beat! This week my phone tells me that baby is roughly the size of a turnip, or with it's legs uncurled... the size of my open hand.

I think my baby bump is starting to actually become more noticeable to others this week, but I'm definitely still in that phase where no stranger would dare to ask me about my protruding stomach. As much as I'm not ready to be HUGE, I am excited to soon be out of the "hmm, wonder if she's pregnant?" zone haha

Lastly, I think I learned this weekend why all the pregnancy books suggest exercises like... walking. I went to my first zumba class since baby bug made its way into my belly, and my lack of abs was not favorable to say the least haha. I feel so silly for how sore I am after just an hour class, so next week I might need to go back to less strenuous workouts. Ooops. Some other new developments: I don't feel like I have to pee constantly anymore, when I'm sitting down at least. But as soon as I stand up? Time to run to the bathroom! Also I've been having some pains in my mid back after I eat which usually go away if I have a chance to lay down, but if we're out or I'm at work... boo, I'm pretty uncomfortable.

Lastly here are some photos from yesterday, we hung up some things in the guest room that may or may not stay once the baby arrives, and we also rearranged the photos we have displayed in our living room:

15 Weeks

Another week gone by! How have I already been pregnant for 4 months? Yikes! Here's what's been going on this past week with baby growing:

Baby bug, you are GROWING this week! This has become more and more obvious because I'm hungrier than when I was running 20 miles a week (this time last year, crazy!) Regardless, I've also seen some belly growth this week which has made my tummy really itchy haha. I still can't wait to start feeling the baby, and I'm getting more and more impatient to know if it's a boy or a girl. I think I just can't wait to start saying he or she when we talk about the baby. Also, we're 99% sure we have names picked out, middle names are a whole different story though haha but don't ask us! We're not telling until this little one shows their face!

This week I caught a little sinus infection that hit hard during the weekend and really drained my energy (or is that because you're growing little one?) It's making me feel so ridiculous that after doing some prep work in the kitchen, I legitimately have to go and sit down for a breather. Yesterday I slept until 10, and then by 1pm I couldn't keep my eyes open. Also taking a trip to the grocery store and carrying everything from the car and into the house? That's my idea of strenuous exercise this week, boo. Keith has really picked up the slack around the house, and I could not be more thankful. Hoping that once I kick this sinus stuff I'll be back to my normal activity level. I am starting to learn my limits a little bit more, and I know I don't feel good at all when I push it too far. Friday I was up at 4am, worked all day, went to ladies night, and then had to wait for Keith to be done with his friends until around 11:45. It was way too much, and Keith and I both know I can never go that long without stopping again.

The best part about this week? My book told me that little bug can HEAR us now! Ironically enough we celebrated that by singing karaoke last night for our friend Bennett's birthday haha. Keith told me I'm not allowed to curse anymore, and we'll probably be playing lots more music for the little one to hear. Also this week I did my first peeking online at Ikea's baby things and got pretty excited to make a little space in our home for a new human. Decorating, planning and organizing really stresses me out, but the idea of crib shopping is making things a little more real I think. Now if someone can just pick out a car seat and stroller for us without me having to do any research? That would be wonderful!

Week 15, so far so good!

Highlights 2012

Just like last year, I'm a few weeks late on posting this, but I still want to have it documented. Here are some of our favorite highlights from 2012:

Top Moments of 2012

• Finding out that we are going to be parents. Hearing our baby's heartbeat, and seeing it squirm around on the ultrasound... so so so unreal :)
• Running a half marathon together, and with my father as well.
• Seeing some incredible concerts at the Ryman (Death Cab, and Mumford)
• Starting (another) new job! Thankfully though, one that is full time with benefits.
• Watching my favorite aunts get married in Key West with great friends and family.
• Moving into a new house that is way more cozy than any of the last ones haha

Favorite New Restaurants

• Lockeland Table
• Marche 
• The Pharmacy
• Maddonna's for brunch
• Hattie B's

Favorite Albums

• Fun: Some Nights
• Mumford and Sons: Babel
• John Mayer: Born and Raised
• Dawes: Nothing is Wrong
• The Head and the Heart: Self Titled

Top Movies We Saw

• Silver Linings Playbook
• The Dark Knight Rises
• The Guilt Trip
• The Avengers
• Moonrise Kingdom
• Five Year Engagement
• The Vow

Favorite New TV Shows

• Newsroom
• Duck Dynasty

Best Trips We Took

• East coast road trip to VA, PA, NYC and DC!!!
• Baseball trips to Atlanta for opening day and Chipper's last home game
• Keywest
• Destin
• Bonnaroo
• Georgia and Florida for Christmas (and baby announcing!)

Favorite Pictures

and here's to many MANY more memories in 2013! Already off to a great start haha

Florida Christmas

After we left Keith's family in GA on Wednesday morning, we drove 10 hours to my home town of Boca Raton, FL. Since then we've been doing our best to spend every moment we can with my family and enjoying the warm weather (while watching video of the snow falling in Nashville and around the Northeast, ha!) So far we've done a lot of eating, napping, shopping and eating... all of our favorite things! Here are a few photos from my phone and camera that are worth sharing:

roadtrip faces

listening to music and having good chats with my parents 

Ellie, the strangest cat in the world

putting christmas presents to good use 

visiting Katelyn house and testing out the pool

Kate and Anna

Lounging at its finest

Anna friend (who is moving WAY too far away)

favorite dessert from my favorite restaurant

Saturday morning family runs

BEACH!

and finally... a haircut! It had only been like... 2 years? gross

We'll be here for just one more full day before heading north to Ocala to spend New Years Eve with my aunt Kathleen and her family. Why does vacation always seem to go by so quickly???