The Real Deal

The hard work, heaps of paperwork, and months of waiting were all worth it...


Lucas is now an official permanent resident of the United States! He had previously received conditional permanent residency pending the success of our marriage, pretty much. I guess they've deemed us 'the real deal'. We didn't even have to go in for the standard 2 year interview. I'm giving myself a big ole' pat on the back, right now, for a job well done. So no more worries and no more paperwork...... for 7 months anyway, when we'll start a longer and undoubtedly more expensive path to citizenship. Congratulations, Lucas!

Baby Kicks

As a pregnant woman, every guide you read will extol the joys of feeling your baby's movements. Some guides describe it as perhaps feeling like gas bubbles or butterflies. Most say the feeling is indescribable.

So, I'm here today to describe to you the feeling of my baby's first movements. It's indescribable! Really.

For the last week or two, I've felt something. Something different. I wasn't quite sure what it was. Of course, I speculated these were baby kicks. But as a first time mother I was really unsure. I would feel something and immediately stop to focus on what it might be. I would wait and wait for another one so I could confirm it did indeed feel like a baby kick. But then there was nothing. Just the one kick ~ or whatever it was ~ leaving me nothing to confirm my suspicions.

Until Tuesday. Tuesday I had a Reeses cup for breakfast and my Lean Cuisine Sesame Chicken for lunch, with a mini-Crunch bar for desert. Dang, that bowl of chocolate that keeps getting refilled in the office! On top of it all, it was my boss's birthday. And there was birthday cake. Not chocolate. But good. Sweet icing. Lots of it. So good. I enjoyed a nice big piece.

Afterwards, I sat down at my desk in front of my computer. As I was hard at work, relatively still in my quiet office, I felt something. I attempted the usual: Stop. Survey the situation. Focus. What could this be? Then again, I felt it. Then again. This is definitely a baby kick! I think she likes sweets.

All of the books and comments from my friends were right: feeling a baby kick is the most awesome experience! It is incredible, really, to know that I am growing a human being, and to see her in the ultrasounds, and then - on top of it all - to actually feel her moving. Awesome.

Her kicks are only faint now and few times throughout the day I actually feel them. In the afternoon at work (after my - what seems to be daily now - Reeses cup). In the evenings during or just after dinner. But I know with every day her kicks will become stronger and more noticeable as she grows more and more.

Her kicks are a reminder that I carry a precious little 12 ounce (and growing) gift.... who apparently really likes Reeces cups.

Have I Done This Before?

While pregnancy is opening my eyes to an entirely new world I've never experienced, I somehow feel that I've been here before. Taking one step at a time, listening to my body for signs of change, looking forward to the next big milestone, and waiting anxiously for the prize that awaits me when I've come to the end of this journey. Yes, this is all too familiar. Pregnancy is like a marathon. I've run this race before.

When I first began that run I was so excited to finally get started after all the anticipation and planning leading up to it. Yet at the same time, I was scared out of mind about what lied ahead and how I was ever going to cross that finish line. It seemed like an eternity away.


One foot in front of the other, I settled into a pace I felt comfortable with.

And, of course, it helps to have a support team.


Before you know it, I've arrived at the half-way point - feeling great and amazed I've already made it to this point!

(Only there was a lot more puking to get me to this stage in pregnancy where as, thankfully, there was none of that involved in marathon running. Sorry for that mental image.)

I'm on top of the world right now and feeling physically at my peak (for a pregnant woman). But I have a feeling that at some point in the not too distant future, I'll be more like this:

Needing assistance to get my pants off.

Lucas, that is where you will come in.

But no matter how miserable I feel, I will continue to put one foot in front of the other. Step by step. One milestone at a time.
Until I can see that finish line...

In that moment, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride that I cherish to this day. It was an amazing moment in my life. One of the best. But I know it will pale in comparison to the moment I hold my child in my arms.


Don't get me wrong, I was pretty siked about this medal....

... and the cake.

Truth is, I know our baby girl will change my life forever. And I can't even begin to imagine how amazing it will feel. It is kind of sad that this marathon analogy is the best I've got. But it let's you see how truly special Lily Ann is. Nothing else compares to her.

I'm half way through this journey now. I can't believe time has passed by so quickly. So until I hold her in my arms, I'll cherish every pound I gain, every movement I feel, and all the good morning kisses her daddy can give.

And you can bet
there will be beer at the finish line.

Half-Way There

Lucas and I went to the doctor this morning and saw our precious little bundle of joy! She is doing excellent. She is measuring right on track and seems to be absolutely perfect! She was being a little bit stubborn (wonder who she gets that from), staying bundled up in the same position throughout the entire ultrasound. We couldn't get a good profile shot or a peek between her legs to confirm her gender, but we know.



The nurse said we could probably do a quick ultrasound at my next appointment to get those shots. And I jump at any chance I get to see her!! So I'm super excited about seeing her ~ even if only for a few minutes ~ in 4 weeks.

Happy 20 Weeks,
Lily Ann!
We're half way there!

Sewing - Take 2

So, my first sewing project involved a gender neutral outfit for our little baby boy or girl. I am so excited to craft some more now that we know we have a little girl on the way! My mom has been sewing up a storm! Here are a few pics of her projects she has emailed to me:


Aren't they adorable?!? And she has done soooo much more. Believe me. She is going crazy. Anyway, I'll take some pictures of the other projects she has completed and show you next week.

So as not to be overshadowed by my crafty, overachieving mother (who I am very thankful to for passing down those traits to me), I have been sewing some myself! My first girly sewing project was a big hit, but Lily Ann has to learn how to share. So we made this first outfit for a good friend of mine who now lives in Nebraska and is expecting a little girl in only a few weeks! She will probably receive it in the mail today or tomorrow, but I don't think she reads my blog so I think I'm safe. If not: Hey, Carrie! Surprise!

(Camera wouldn't focus for some reason - "Specially Hand Made by Ashley")

But don't worry, I bought double the material so that Lily Ann can have one, too!! I can't wait to show you more of what we've been making for Lily Ann and some of the oh, so cute outfits we've already bought for her. Can you say 'ruffle butts'?

Grass ~ We've Got It!

Remember this?


Well Goodbye, Dirt! Helloooooo, Grass!

Yes, that's right - We've Got Grass! And not this kind either.


It isn't perfect just yet. We are waiting for it to mature and spread a little more before we overseed spots we may have missed. This weekend we are going to fertilize it to give it an extra boost! I just couldn't wait, though. Maybe we have a future in horticulture if our current careers don't work out. Okay ~ let's not push it! I'll keep my day job.

Guest Blogging @ Alabama Bloggers

Check out Alabama Bloggers to read all about my first Bama game and see more pics!!


(Look! Lucas even wore an Alabama shirt and cheered along with me! Miracles do happen!)