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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Kate's Letters

Dear Baby Kate

     My first couple days knowing who you are have been among the most amazing of my life.  I know pregnancy has made me emotional in general, but I can't think about our future with you without tears making my mascara run.  To say that I can't wait to hold you in my arms is a complete understatement.

     I'm feeling you move around a good bit...especially after I eat chocolate. :)  Your daddy felt you move once the other day.  You must have been doing karate kicks in there!  I've still yet to feel you move that strongly since.  I think you were just showing off. :)

     Thanks for finally letting your mama feel a little better in the mornings.  It's been a long time coming, my dear!  Right now you're loving jalapeño peppers and anything spicy.  I've been adding them to everything...including my egg sandwich I just devoured about 15 minutes ago.

     We're having a hard time picking out your things because we want them to be perfect for you.  For example, you have baby bedding, but you don't have a crib yet. :)

     I thought you may get a kick of out this.  Above are the mints my parents received when I was born.  Below is the rubber bracelet we were given when we found out that you're a little girl.  The times have definitely changed!  


We love you, baby girl.

Love, 
your Mama

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Baby is a...

GIRL!


And even more importantly to us, she is healthy.  
Her anatomy scan showed no abnormalities!
We praise the Lord for this...
because ultimately, that's all that matters.
We are please to introduce...
Kathryn Josie Mathes
We're calling her, "Kate."


Kathryn and Josie are both family names.
Kathryn is my middle name (or was before I took my maiden name), and it was my Dad's grandmother's name.  Josie was Brian's grandmother's name.  You may remember me talking about how much we loved her in this post.
And we're calling her Kate to give her a little something of her own. :)

For our gender reveal, we had purchased a plain onesie and two different iron-on appliqués from Hobby Lobby.  (One was a tie and the other a pink, sequin tiara.)  We sent the picture on the top left to friends and family early in the day, and as we FaceTimed/Skyped that evening, 
we help up the onesie with the tiara.
Then we posted this picture on Facebook! :)


So as I mentioned, we spent yesterday evening on FaceTime/Skype with our family and friends.  They're all excited to have a little girl to spoil and love.
(As are we...DUH.  As if I even needed to say so!)

But before we did that yesterday evening,
 we spent the day shopping!
We held off registering for anything gender specific knowing we have sneaky friends and family, but we did BUY a few gender specific things.

On the left is our gender reveal onesie.  On the right is a little onesie Brian picked our for her.  When he brought it to me at the store how could I say no?  It melted my heart to see her Daddy picking out clothes for her...
And in the middle is a pink, fru-fru mudpie headband/bow.  I love it!


I was personally thrilled to see that there were still a few Christmas items on clearance!
To the left is a little onesie with a sequin snowflake.  
On the right is a 3-piece dress, tights, and hat set.
In the middle is a precious pair of Christmas socks.  I love them...they're my favorite. :)


I've already been shopping today as well.
(I know, I need to pace myself before we go broke.)
But remember that fabric I said I loved for a girl?  (In case you don't, I posted it below.)
Well, I'm super excited to say that her bedding will incorporate that fabric!
I can hardly wait.  I am beyond excited!
I'm thinking the nursery walls will be an extremely pale pink...probably the color of the little flower shapes that form a pearl-like design on the fabric.
White crib, obviously.
EEEEEK!


And thanks to a friend that tipped me off to a Vera Bradley baby bag sale, I've also now ordered Kate's diaper bag!  This past Christmas Brian's mom gave me a wallet in the same print.  It's their "Safari Sunset."


 

Brian and I would be happy either way, but now that we know our little squirt is a baby girl,
 it's exactly what we wanted. :)
Now I absolutely cannot wait for June.
Until next time...xoxo.

20 weeks

Monday, January 21, 2013

Baby Obsessions

Happy Monday, MLK Day, Inauguration Day, and anything else you may be celebrating today!

But what I'm celebrating?  Being ONE WEEK away from our 20 week anatomy scan for little bitty baby Mathes!  In just a week, we'll hopefully have the reassurance that little squirt is developing as he/she should...AND we'll finally know if baby is a HE or SHE!

Growing up, I always thought I'd want a girl first...100%.  However, now that the time has come, I can say with complete honestly that I am 100% neutral.  I would love to be so blessed to have both genders eventually if it's the Lord's plan, so this first baby gets us started either way. :)  

Either way, I want to share some baby items that I'm just drooling over!

Gliders
Are they necessary?  I'm not sure.  Could a regular rocking chair suffice?  Maybe.  If money was no object, I'd prefer a glider that looked more like a regular chair.  But let's get real...this is our first baby!  We have nothing...so we have to keep price in mind since we need to purchase everything.  If we do go with a glider over a rocker, I love this one from Target.


Nursery colors & fabrics
I've pretty much known what we want for a boy since day one.  I love navy and lime green.  I'd want to incorporate chevron, strips, etc.  I'm choosing not to post a picture because I don't want to reveal the actual bedding set I love unless we get it.  However, for a girl, I've had a much harder time deciding what I'd want.  If we have a little girl, I really hope to be able to use this fabric somehow.
Monograms
I can assure you he or she will have some monograms...both in the nursery and to be worn/used.  Here are some things I'm currently loving from none other than Etsy.



That's it for me today.  For the next week I'll just be obsessing whether baby is a boy or girl.  Do you have any guesses?  Let me know in the comments! :)

xoxo

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Avoid the "Rut"

Happy Tuesday!

In efforts to make good on one of my unofficial New Year's Resolutions, I'm trying to keep this little sucker blog more up-to-date. 

I was recently telling a friend how it's hard for me to blog because I feel like I have nothing to say.  While I'm super excited about our sweet little life right now, I'm so beyond not busy.  My "busiest" day consists of getting out of bed whenever I want (I'm lucky I wake up at 8 a.m. naturally or I'd feel super lazy), doing a little laundry, cleaning up clutter that may be sitting around, running some errands, getting my butt to the gym...and that's seriously about it.  And that's a busy day.  ;)  

I'm now trying to switch my gears from being bummed about not working and my "boredom" to realizing what a blessing this is.  I'm given the opportunity that most first-time mothers aren't.  I get to enjoy some rest and relaxation before this little one comes and takes that all away! ;)  I can't wait to have a baby to take care of, but all mothers will tell you it's exhausting.  So, I'm trying to enjoy the last little bit of my life as a just a wife before I become a mother as well.

Still, to avoid too big of a rut, Brian and I try to do random fun things.  For example, this past weekend we drove to Clearwater Beach, Florida, just because we could.

Can you believe how crowded this beach was?  While it may have been 80 degrees, it is still January.  Central Florida is not -totally- immune to all the factors of winter.  I think I heard on the news that the Gulf's temperature is 62 degrees right now?  Buddy, let me tell you...that water is COLD!  And yes, as you can see, there were crazies people who still got in the water.
The hubs on the pier. :)
And I just had to snap this picture of the sailboat just beyond the jetties.  
I thought it was breathtaking.

And moving on...
If I'm going to make good on this promise of keeping up the blog, I'm going to have to write about what's on my mind.  It may start out seeming a bit "indulgent," but our little baking baby is what's constantly on my mind at this point.  I hope you don't get sick of the pregnancy/baby-related posts, because there may be a lot of them.  But, hey, if you want to see something different...that's what the comment section is for. ;)
But bottom line, this is a blog about life from my perspective...and right now, this life is making the shift from wife-only to wife-and-mommy. :)

I've seen the list of "pregnancy" questions on other blogs, and I think the idea is cute.  So, just like we all do on Pinterest (ha), I'm stealing the idea!  lol.  I found this random list of questions by using "Google," so I don't really have anyone to give credit...but here goes.

We'll start with a bump picture.  Look, my bump is kind of funny-shaped right now.  Just bear with me until it rounds out!  Haha.


18 weeks 2 days

How did you find out you were pregnant?  I took a home pregnancy test. 
What kind of Pregnancy test did you take?  EPT Early Result digital was the one I actually believed.
How many?  I took several...haha.  I think I needed to see that word "pregnant" on the digital test to believe it.
What were your 1st symptoms?  I didn't have any symptoms for a few weeks.  Around 6 weeks the nausea kicked in some.  However, around 8 weeks is when it REALLY hit me.
Who did you tell first?  My husband, Brian.
Who was with you when you found out?  I was alone.
My 1st reaction:  Super excited!  Disbelief. 
Was your baby planned?  Yep.  We'd been waiting a while to start "trying" to start a family.
When was the baby conceived?  late September 2012
How far were you when you found out?  Not even 4 weeks...lol.
How did your parents react?  They were beyond excited...both sets of grandparents-to-be!

My baby
Due Date:  June 16, 2013 (Father's Day!)
Do you know the sex?  Not yet, but we are anxiously awaiting on Jan. 28th anatomy scan!
Any names?  We have full names picked out for either gender.  And they aren't what I'd have seen us choosing before we were pregnant.  It's funny how names just feel "right" when you actually have the baby growing inside you. :)
Any Ultrasounds?  Just one at 8 weeks so far.  Our next one is the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.
Have you heard the heart beat?  Sure have!  In the 150s last appointment.  The sound is such a big reassurance!
Who do you think it will look like?  Absolutely no clue!  
Will the baby have siblings?  Just a doggy sibling, Bella, our 3-year-old Westie. :)
Have you felt the baby move?  Not really sure.  Over the last few days I've felt something foreign here and there that I have a suspicion may be baby.  However, I haven't felt anything that I for sure KNOW is baby.

Miscellaneous
Did you have morning sickness?  Yes.  And it was pretty traditional "morning" sickness, or first half of the day sickness anyway...lol.  It still pops in every now and then!  If I drink a lot of water first thing in the morning...I'm donezo.
Did you have any cravings?  I've only had one craving so strong that I just HAD to have it...and that was corndogs...lol.  How incredibly unhealthy!  Other than that, I've really wanted watermelon and lemon-lime gatorade.  But I have a feeling it's still a big early for TOO many super strong cravings.
Did you have any mood swings?  Oh, yes.  I have like...no patience.  If something annoys me, I get UPSET.  Poooooor Brian....lol.  (Psssh or not...who's the one getting fat for baby over here?!)
Are you a high risk pregnancy?  No
Any complications?  No
Formula or Breastfeeding?  I hope to be able to breastfeed.  I'm going to give it my full effort!
Have you bought anything for the baby yet?  Yes!  We have a jogger stroller that's going to be used as an every-day stroller.  It's grey and yellow...I love it. :)  That's all we've purchased ourselves, but family has bought baby a good bit already...hehe.  We'll do the most after finding out gender.
When did you start to show?  That depends on who you ask!  I think I started to show really early because I see my tummy every day.  But I'd say about 16 weeks as far as other people being able to see it.
How long could you wear your regular clothes?  I still wear some of them.  My old jeans/pants were tight before pregnancy due to some weight gain.  However, the stretchy ones like Rock-star jeans I can still squeeze into.  But if I'm being honest, it's not comfortable.
Will you keep the baby’s clothes?  I'll probably keep my very favorite outfits for sentimental reasons.
Home or Hospital?  Hospital.  Hospital, hospital, hospital.  If something goes wrong I want people there who can DO something.
Natural or Medicated birth?  I want the epidural.  However, I'll hold off as long as we can...but who knows how long that'll be.  I don't need an award!
Who will be in the delivery room with you?  My husband.
Do you think you will need a C-section?  I have no way of knowing this.
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the 1st time?  I have no idea...
What’s the 1st thing you might say to the baby?  "Hey, baby." ???  I'm not that creative...lol.  I'm pretty to-the-point.
Will you let anyone video tape the birth?  No way, Jose.  I don't want to see that.  I don't.  Childbirth is a miracle for sure, but a nasty one.  I'm good just being the one who feels it...lol.  I don't need to see it too.
Are you excited?  Duh!  But pretty terrified too.
Who will help you with the baby after the birth?  I hope my Mama!
What is your favorite thing about being pregnant?  Probably will be feeling the baby move.  I'll let ya know when that happens. ;)
What is the worst thing about being pregnant?  Ummm....haha.  To sum everything up...probably the knock your self-esteem takes when you see yourself become unattractive/large.  (And it's sickening if you are a lucky preggo lady who looks amazing the whole time!)
What’s one thing you miss doing since being pregnant?  Playing tennis with Brian.  Serious workouts like kick-boxing, etc.  I wanted some champagne at New Year's if I'm being honest.
Any days you wish you were not pregnant?  No.
Are you ready for a baby?  Nope, not at all.  Lots left to do before little one comes!
Do you have insurance?  Thanks goodness, yes.
How many kids do you want?  2 or 3, depending.
Do you talk to the baby?  Not yet.  Can baby even hear me yet?
Do you still feel attractive?  No.  lol.  I've gained lots of weight already, and that's tough on someone who's spent YEARS of their life controlling their weight.
Have you had your baby shower yet?  Nope, still pretty early.
Do you like kids?  I don't LOVE kids in general, but I don't dislike them either.  I'm pretty neutral.  Please don't think I'm a bad person for saying that...lol.  I'll love our own, I promise! lol.
How far along are you now?  18 weeks and 2 days

If you got through those million questions, bless your soul! :)  I hope your week is stellar!  Leave me a little comment letting me know you stopped by.  Until next time...
xoxo

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Our BiG News

In my last post, I said that we (the hubs & I) were hoping to see some of our dreams come true in 2013.

WELL...

Meet my husband:  
The first Chick-fil-A Operator-select of 2013!


The above picture was taken around 7:50 a.m. on January 3rd, as a car came to pick us up from out hotel to spend the day at Chick-fil-A, Inc.

While visiting, I was able to meet many of the people Brian tells me about, so it was good to put some faces with names!

Chick-fil-A feels that when an Operator takes over a store, it's a family endeavor, so they bring the spouse in for the final interview...which I greatly appreciated and loved being a part of!

It was my first time at "home office" as Brian calls it, and it was such a great experience.  I've never met so many nice, friendly, welcoming people in one place!  Their HR department deserves a pat on the back for sure. :)

Brian saw lots of familiar faces, but I was even able to see a few!  I was able to reconnect with one of the managers, Brooke, from the Chick-fil-A I worked at in high school who now works at corporate, as well as a friend from college, Amanda.  Amanda was actually working on a photo shoot for some news salad items coming out.  That was super cool to see!

After we got the good news that Brian had been selected, he got to take part in some traditions!
When an Operator is selected, you get to ring the famous "bell," as seen below.  Then everyone on the hall comes out to meet and congratulate the new Operator.  What a fun tradition!

He was then able to sign the "Wall of Fame."
All Operators sign it after their selection. :)


And afterwards, we had to take a picture on the famous "blue couch," where many have sat while awaiting interviews and the outcomes!


If you can't tell, I am still bursting at the seems with excitement and pride for my hubby and our family!  This is something Brian has felt called to do since he started working at Chick-fil-A in high school at the age of 15.  To have been able to watch this man seek the Lord's will for our family and then so diligently pursue each different path that got us here has been an absolute and utter joy.
We are so incredibly blessed to be part of the Chick-fil-A family.

In case you're wondering, the store we've been selected for is Paddock Mall in Ocala, Florida.
If you've never heard of Ocala, it's a beautiful community full of horse pastures and farms.
There are even a few hills!  It's like a little bit of Southfork (ya know, from "Dallas") came to Central Florida.  And then of course there are huge oak trees with moss (like the picture below) as well as palm trees.  It's one of the few places in Central Florida not hit as hard by the economy, and it's a pretty unique community.  The area is pretty famous for their natural springs as well...they're beautiful!




Silver Springs

We should be in Ocala by late March.

OH...yes, and back tracking a bit...
January 2nd was mine and Brian's 3rd wedding anniversary!

We got the pleasure of celebrating in our home state in a city that now feels like home as well.
We ate dinner at The Feed Store in College Park, and enjoyed ourselves!
We were bad photo takers and only took pics of our food when it was almost gone.  Oops!
I had the shrimp and grits, hubs had the pork chop with broccoli and skillet cream corn.






Hope 2013 has been good to you so far!
Until next time...
xoxo

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Farewell, 2012!

Perhaps this post is a bit late, since it's now 2013 today.  
Oh, yea, by the way...


Still, I feel it's necessary to bid proper farewell to 2012...because it was a heck of a year!

And, yes, I know I haven't posted in like 83747937 days.  Sorry.
It's not because I don't have the time...ha.
I have no excuses.
In 2013, I shall try to do better.

So this is ~MY~ 2012...or at least the most memorable moments.

January
We moved to Atlanta with Brian's job one year ago today.  It was a cold, raining New Year's Day.  Little did I know how much I would love that city.  I never saw myself as one to like "city" life, but I did.  I loved looking out our balcony and seeing sky scrapers...yet still being in the South.  I loved my ah-mazing gym.  I loved the shopping (I should have listed this first), I loved being close to home, I loved the food.  I mean, really...I could go on.
I don't think I realized HOW much I loved Atlanta until we left.  (See July/August)
Peidmont Park
February
We spent this month pretty much enjoying our new city.  We had visitors and revisited some of our favorite spots as children.

March
The highlight of March had to be the Hunger Games tour coming to Lenox Square Mall.
My friend Lauren talked me into reading the books, and I was hooked.
I...like most fans...much anticipated the release date of the movie that month!

April
The biggest highlight of April would have to be my brother's record-breaking college baseball season.  I've watched my brother and his sport since tee-ball, and as someone who never excelled at athletics myself, I always admired his abilities.
He broke some school records at North Georgia College & State University even though he suffered through an injury comeback all season.  I was am one proud sister!

May
In May we took a trip to St. Louis, Missouri, with our dearest friends.
We love taking couple trips with Adam & Lauren.  Our friendships are easy and natural, we're ourselves, and it doesn't matter what we do...we always have fun.
Lauren planned our trip like a travel agent champ, and we stayed in the perfect hotel downtown and hit all the major sites!

June
A girl's trip to Nashville, Tennessee, for the Tim McGraw & Kenny Chesney "Boys of Summer" tour was the BEST way to start the summer!  A family vacation to St. Augustine, Florida, didn't hurt either. ;)

July
We find out we're moving to Lakeland, Florida, come August.  This made July and August a little tough, but we managed to scrape in some fun!  Wedding showers, Bachelorette fun, and my birthday made things a little easier this month!
A birthday Tennis outfit!  (One of mine & Brian's favorite things to do together!)
Birthday shirt from my brother, Blake, since we were moving to Florida. :)

August
And we officially live in Florida.  However, we were still back and forth to Georgia bit!  My friend Kristen got married, and we had my college roommate and long-time friend Sallie's Bachelorette weekend!

 Downtown Lakeland
St. Pete Beach, FL
Treasure Island Beach, FL

Kristen got married!!

Sallie's Bachelorette weekend


September
Once again, made the trek back to Georgia for Sallie's wedding!
Then again later that month for Brian's mom's surprise 50th birthday party.  She had no idea we would be there in addition to Brian's brother Kevin who came all the way from Boston!





October
One of the perks of living half an hour from Orlando?  People come on vacation and it's easy to meet up!  I got to see some sweet friends and former co-workers this month...one who stayed with me in Lakeland, and two more at Disney World.  But the number ONE highlight this month-finding out we're expecting our first child!



 


November
We got to see baby Mathes for the first time at our 8 week ultrasound!  And...I'm not the only one having a little baby!  My friend Lauren is also having a baby...due this coming February!  In November I got the pleasure of attending two of her baby showers.  My parents also came down to Florida for Thanksgiving, but no pics of that. :(




December
Christmas is always my favorite time of year, but this year was extra special.  We announced that we're expecting!  We told close friends and family by Christmas card, and then of course nothing is really happening until it's "Facebook official."  We had a blast sharing our joy with everyone and watching our friends and family get excited too!  We were also able to go home for Christmas.  It was crazy knowing that next Christmas we'll be celebrating with a 6-month-old baby! :)



Our Facebook Announcement:  "Not a mini-moo...but a mini-Mathes coming June 2013!"

The Christmas mantle at my parents' house.

Incredibly sad to be leaving Georgia the day after Christmas.

That's all she wrote, folks!
2013 has a LOT to live up to, hope this year's up to the task!
Some of our dreams are "scheduled" (ha) to come true this year...and we'll become a family instead of just a couple this year!

We should have several spurts of BIG news in the next few weeks to come.
What's the next step for us?
Will baby Mathes be a HE or a SHE?
Stay Tuned!

Wishing you and yours a VERY happy and healthy 2013!
Make it amazing.
xoxo