Picnic in the Park... First Trimester Style

What do I mean by first trimester style?

I mean, the father-to-be is happy and glowing....


... and the pregnant lady is still recovering from this morning's havoc.


Oh, well. At least someone is glowing!

We picked up Subway (Toasted, of course, to prevent 'listeria' - whatever that is - because you know there is a 'no' list for just about everything you can think of during pregnancy) and enjoyed our routine lunch in the park. I am so glad to have Lucas back. He just recently returned from his 10 day trip to Colombia, where he broke the news! More on that later...


Oh, and I definitely did not see the first picture of myself, get extremely horrified, and put on powder before continuing our very 'non-staged' photo-op.... just in case you were wondering. Haha!

In my defense, I needed that powder since I picked the husband up at 12:30 last night (a.k.a. this morning) from an airport over 2 hours away and was still at work at the crack of dawn. Okay, 9:00 a.m. isn't the crack of dawn but it sure felt like it after only 4 hours of sleep.

Thanks, husband, for capturing that moment.

Happy Father's Day!

Before we got pregnant, Lucas and I had discussed that we would definitely go to our first doctor's appointment to confirm everything before we told anyone. During the weekend we found out, we planned to tell my parents on Father's Day - a week and a half away! How fun that would be! Then, Monday morning I realized my appointment wouldn't be until the following Tuesday. Oh, well. Forget the plans! We're telling them on Father's Day!

The tricky part of this plan was that I was to spend the coming Tuesday with my mom. She had a doctor's appointment at Vanderbilt. I did so good at keeping the surprise! We even talked about what it would be like one day when I had children. There were many times throughout the day when it was extremely difficult for me to keep quiet. My mother and I are so close and I tell her (almost) everything! How could I not tell her such big news?!? Because I knew it would be even more special coming on Father's Day, surrounded by my dad and grandparents. So I waited.

The big day came and I was so excited!! I made the cutest little onesies that read 'Happy Father's Day, Granddaddy!' and 'Happy Father's Day, Pappaw!' After we ate it was time for presents. My dad and granddad opened their real presents first (a grill cover for my granddad and a banjo instructional book and dvd set for my dad). I usually discuss all presents with my mom and she knew about these. Then after they opened and enjoyed their presents for a while I gave them their other presents. My mom gave me a look as if to say, 'what else did you get them? we haven't talked about this?' So she was really curious.

They opened up their presents and took out the onesies. It hit everyone at just about the same time. We were all crying and so happy. They have wanted this news from us for so long and it was really surreal to actually be able to share it!

Now, here is a little something to clue you in to how excited my mother is. As soon as everyone got in their hugs and kisses, my mom told my dad to go get 'those boxes' out of the car. What?!? Yes, my mom had presents for us just waiting on the day we popped the news!! She had made us three baby blankets already and had bought a cute little neutral Pottery Barn diaper bag. She is crazy!!! But that's why we love her!

I am so glad we had the opportunity to share the news on Father's Day. It is something none of us will ever forget. My dad and granddaddy (and Lucas, of course) are the best men I could've ever asked for in my life. They all work so hard and care for and love their families more than life itself. I'm glad we could include them on such a special day. Our precious baby is so lucky to be surrounded by this truly amazing family.

Ahhh, the tests DO work!

Let's just say, I've seen my fair share of negative pregnancy tests over the last few months. I was beginning to be discouraged and wondering if those stupid sticks ever read positive. I certainly had seen no proof of that.

But we kept 'trying' and one night all my doubts vanished.

It was a Friday night - June 12th. Lucas and I had gone out for dinner. After being thrown off schedule the month before, I really had no idea when to be expecting 'my friend' and when was the right time to test. I decided, 'what the heck - let's do this thing.' Lucas was against it. I believe his exact words were: 'if you wanna waste $4 go ahead' (words that will forever live in emphamy, no doubt).

So while he was unloading the car, I went to our bathroom and took the test. Before I could even get my pants zipped back up that stick was blazing positive. I couldn't believe it! I looked at the stick - looked at the box - looked at the stick....

I'm pregnant!

I ran downstairs with the stick in my pocket, trying to act as calm and collected as I possibly could. I didn't do a very good job. I immediately showed Lucas the stick and tears started streaming down my face. Without the box, Lucas had no idea what the two lines meant. But judging the huge smile and river of tears on my face, I guess he figured it out pretty quickly.

We are going to be parents!

What an awesome moment that was. We hugged. We cried. We stared at the test in disbelief. And disbelief made me run to the bathroom and take another test (I have a stockpile). AGAIN - obviously positive!

I was so excited and so nervous! I wanted to go immediately to the doctor but had to wait until Monday morning to call. So Monday morning at 7:55 a.m. I started calling! When I got a hold of the receptionst, she congratulated me and scheduled my appointment for a week and a half later. A week and a half later?!? I couldn't stand it!!!

But alas, I did. And here we are today - happy and healthy with a baby on the way!

I am so excited to experience all the ups and downs of pregnancy and share them with you. More anxiously, I am anticipating the day when I become a mother and Lucas becomes a father! How amazing!

Less than 7 months to go! Let the countdown begin!

Big News

Remember me? I know I've been a bad blogger lately. But - like I mentioned earlier - we've had lots of things going on and I've just been swamped. Well, now comes the day I can share with you all of the excitement that has been going on and one of the many things that has kept me busy the last few weeks...... Are you ready?

That's right! Our family is growing!!!

He/she is already the love of my life (even though 'it' is waking me up with sickness most mornings and leaving me exhausted by the end of each day).

We are so thrilled - words can't express! And from now on I hope to be documenting (more faithfully) the progress as our family becomes complete. Our little one is set to join us on February 11th, and we have much to do to prepare!

Happy Birthday, Rookie!

Great Party!

Mine, All Mine!

It's Shiny and New....

(dress pocket hanging out... not some weird growth on my hip like it looks like)

and Blue!

My New laptop - so that I can blog and
do school work to my heart's content...
wherever I want!!!

Boring Little Update

I know, I know... I have been absent. I have had a rough couple of weeks getting adjusted to school again. So much work crammed into such a short amount of time!! But I am coping as best I can!

Nothing too exciting has been going on around here. But I promise we have some fun and exciting things I'll be able to share with you soon - including bathroom renovations, a quick trip to Nashville with our good friends, and a birthday blowout for The Rookie.

Until then... I'll share some photos of a concert that I went to along with a few friends about a month or so ago. It was held outdoors at the mouth of these awesome caves (that later became our shelter when the rain came pouring down)!