36 Weeks

Week 36 was definitely one to remember, because baby bug took his first trip to Bonnaroo! People told me I was crazy for going so far into my pregnancy, but I was feeling great, and knew I wasn't going to overdo it... so we figured why not! Plus, I wasn't about to let Keith see Paul McCartney and Tom Petty without me. Keith got free passes through work that included access to a large, mostly air conditioned hospitality tent (that had couches!) so I spent any down time I needed there and just enjoyed as much music as my tired feet would allow! Obviously, we didn't stay in Manchester to camp. We bunked with Steve in Murfreesboro which was only a 20 minute drive so at least we could shower and eat breakfast and lunch like civilized people haha. It was so helpful on Saturday to do that because it allowed us to stay out of the sun and heat and not be at Bonnaroo until later when we had bands to see. Overall it was a great weekend and I'm so glad we went! We're just hoping that our boy is this easy going when he actually arrives, because up til now he seems to roll with the punches extremely well ;-) Randomly, at the merchandise tent they happened to be selling onesies, so we picked him up a keepsake. Now when he wears it to preschool he can brag to all his baby friends about how he was there haha.

Aside from Bonnaroo (yet possibly related to?) this week my feet were super swollen... but just in the mornings when I woke up. As I started walking and moving throughout the day it got much better, but that first walk down the hall to the bathroom each morning was pretty uncomfortable for my feet. 

Another thing? I know I've been so insistent on this the entire pregnancy... but I'm SO SICK of working! Not that it's too strenuous or stressful, I think I'm just ready to turn the page and be done. Kind of like senioritis... or that anticipation of a vacation coming up. Every morning now I sulk out of bed and count the minutes til the work day is over, ugh. Hurry up baby! I want a break from my job!

Otherwise all I have to report is that I've been feeling lots of pulling on my right side... kind of like he's trying to rip through my skin. I've had to avoid sleeping on that side because its gotten fairly painful at night, but STILL... thankfully I haven't been losing much sleep in general. Just lots and lots of bathroom trips! Also, at this point I can not even remember what it feels like to not be pregnant. It seems like ive been at it so long that I've just gotten used to it... but gosh I CAN'T WAIT to sleep on my stomach again (and not have heart burn, or a puffy fat face... yah know haha)

Thanks so much for keeping up with us everyone! Baby bug will be here so soon!!!

Birthday Karaoke

Saturday night a great group of friends got together to celebrate Bennett's birthday at a couple of his favorite spots. We started at a bar just down the street from us called 308, and the night eventually (after many shots by the men) led us to a local karaoke bar where we sang until our throats hurt. It was such a great evening with lots of laughs, and something we haven't done with friends in way too long. I will say, this is the first time since I've been pregnant that we spent the night hanging out in bars, and despite having a great time I found myself much more tired without a drink in my hand as well. Regardless! Thanks Bennett for getting older and giving us all a reason to celebrate you! (ps- ignore the terrible quality of most of these photos :/ I was having trouble with the flash settings on my camera, and my phone made everything blurry in the low light, oh well!)

If you're wondering whats going on in these first photos, Trent and Jordie got Bennet a gag gift: bacon and cheese flavored CRICKETS. The boys all had quite a time trying them out, ick haha

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

Elite

I would like to take just a quick second to brag about my awesome husband for a moment or two: Since November he has been working for a booking agency called Elite Talent Agency and has been doing SO many cool things for them. For at least the past 6 months he's headed up signing and supporting smaller indie bands, and has found some really great musicians that are going to be really fun to follow in the coming years. With a couple of them being local we've gotten a few chances to go and watch (although Keith certainly goes to more shows than I do). Here are two bands that I think you should check out too:

CALEB

The Vespers

Reunion.2

So I mentioned a while back that Keith's college band was having a reunion show, so I thought it was about time to share some photos from the event. I also have videos, if anyone is interested in watching the madness haha

To Keith: I'm so proud of all the hard work that you put in to make this show happen. I know it wasn't always the most fun, but in the end I know you had a great time, and there were a lot of people who really appreciated getting to see you again for one last time.

and now here are some awesome photographs from the show that they played in Cincinnati at The 86 Club. I got these photos from their Facebook page:

Reunion

Tonight is the night. Months in the making, and not without drama, Keith's college band Sophia is playing a reunion show at Rocketown tonight and I am so excited to see how excited he is for it. I've seen them play at Rocketown (at the old location) twice before and it's an adventure every time! I wish that I had photos I could share, but I think I've lost my iPhoto library about 4 times since then haha. Here's to tonight and seeing my husband turn into a little kid again running around on stage like a rockstar :)

From their 2008 cd release via myspace  

Extravaganza

I'm sad that I haven't gotten to put these photos up sooner, but the days seem to be flying by faster than I can count them. I promise that sometime soon I'll actually write about how work is going, and what life is like in the Richard's household these days... but "these days" have just been to full to make that happen, apparently! Last weekend Keith's family made the trip to Nashville to celebrate a slightly belated 50th birthday for his beautiful mother, and we all really had a blast. Keith's band played a show Friday night, Saturday we had a nice lunch, took the Yazoo tour and danced our butts off at the B52's concert and Sunday was all about relaxing together. Here are some photos from their visit: