Photography

I've always enjoyed photography. Capturing moments, having a good perspective/angle of a shot, making people look good. I enjoy these things.

And I always say I'm going to pursue this little hobby more. I get a nicer camera than the previous, attempt to learn how to use it, take pictures for a while.. and then kinda phase out.

I'm ready to get back in the game.

I took this shot of Sassy a few months ago, while she could still fit on my lap. This is favorite piece of her "fur" (I don't really like that word). Tucked behind her ear is a soft blend of liver and white. It's like velvet to me.. it's the only puppy-like hair left on her.

Dogs, obviously, are a favorite subject of mine. They don't cooperate for the most part (like Sassy when I attempted to get a shot of her napping on Daddy Doctor).. but when they give you a good pose or a funny look, they make the best shots. Scarlett has natural beauty and an eager eye.

But I always enjoy capturing Marshall when he's not aware. He's naturally handsome and doesn't have to try. Pictures like this are the reason we're pregnant. I can't keep my eyes off those guns!

The point of all this?? Well, I'm hinting to Marshall that I want a nicer camera (preferably a Canon with 12megapixels...) and incredible software to make my pictures look even more amazing. But also, that I'm so excited for Hartley to get here.

We'll turn a corner of her nursery into a studio with different backdrops, textures, and props and take pictures all day.. well, in between all those baby things.

Speaking of which, my goal for the next week is to begin registering for those "baby things." Wish us luck.

Re: Quick Update

Baby and I are doing well. It's only a UTI. We'll take antibiotics for a week, probably get a yeast infection, then have to start another treatment for that.. well, you never know!

I'm going back next week for the glucose screening. I have a "yummy" bottle of Glucola waiting for me in the fridge. Sometimes it's really tempting to take a swig because it seriously looks like.. what's that orange soda? Not Fanta. Sunkist! That's it. (welcome to my thought processes)

I, unfortunately, did not get to see the CFA gentleman.. instead some big lady who kept that speculum up there way too long. I had to practice my breathing then.. what am I going to do when I go into labor!?

After she hurt my whoo-ee, she said, "I'm going to stretch you out and measure you."

I stopped her there! I said, "WHAT?! It's a little too early for that!"

(I had been hearing stories from girls at work about being "stretched" a week before going into labor)

But then she rephrased herself, "I'm going to have you lay back and measure your stomach."

Okay.. I guess that's alright. And we measured 21cm..right on target. And I gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks. Yay, fatness.

Quick Update

How strange is it that a certain individual from a certain cable provider read my blog and commented on how great my nursery looks. Awkward..

I checked the Feedjit thingy and it said he's from Philadelphia and searched for "Comcast" in blog search. I'm totally going to stalk this stalker.

In other news...

I've got an "emergency" doctor's visit tomorrow morning. I'm currently experiencing bloody urine.. hopefully it's just a UTI though. No contractions, back pain, etc.. but it's still scary. And then Hartley decides to sleep most of the evening, so I haven't felt her move much.. which makes me worry even more. But.. just pray for us. :)

I will have a good story to tell my doctor though..

Last Friday morning I went to Chick-fil-A. As I walked in the door, I saw this man that looked strangely familiar. He was talking to someone and a few minutes later he was out the door. But I kept staring at him.. I knew this guy from somewhere.

So I get my food and I'm racking my brain trying to figure out who he is.

Is he a regular customer at the bank? No. Is he friends with my in-laws? Possibly.. but I don't think so. Why do I feel like I've had multiple, lengthy conversations with him??

It took me about 15 minutes to realize...

He's the gentleman I will be seeing tomorrow morning. My doctor.

I'm pretty sure he will find it amusing and treat a simple UTI, tell me to take the day off from work and send me home to watch movies.

... another story ...

Hartley was kicking a few nights ago while Marshall and I were watching tv on the couch. I was under a blanket and invited Marshall to feel her move. So he slips his hand under the covers. We were both distracted by the tv so it took a few seconds for me to realize what was going on.

Umm.. Marshall.. why are you touching my boob??

Oh! I was wondering why I couldn't feel her move!

Comcast (idk)

...

Excuse the delay, I was just watching the girls greet Dr. Moore in our grand foyer. My little family makes me smile a lot.

My little girl's legs make me smile a lot, too. But when she kicks me out of the blue, I look shocked and confused.

Miss Hartley has been moving around a lot lately. I'm pretty sure she had the hiccups the other night.. but then again how do I really know. She was fairly inactive today, but there are some days she kicks all day. And I'm beginning to think she suffers from carsickness (I feel for you, girl) because when I'm making a long trip she kicks most of the way. Maybe she just likes the music.

I am pleased to report the nursery is complete.. construction wise.. for the most part. We won't get the furniture (which is SUPER nice and SUPER expensive.. and possibly free..) until early December. Friends of my family have completed their baby making and will graduate their youngest daughter to a real bed hopefully soon.. and we'll be getting their amazing sleigh crib, dresser, and chair and ottoman. Originally they were wanting to sell it for $250.. but now they're like you're family.. we're just going to give it to you! But we can't possibly let them give us an ottoman that was alone at least $400. Oh.. and a brand new crib mattress.


Above is our bedding and the ottoman (that's all I could fit in my trunk). The only artistic skills I have include painting.. which isn't that great.. but I'm working on painting some old hat boxes to match the decor. And I have a canvas I want to paint Hartley's name on.

I wish I could sew. Really. That's what I want to be able to do.

I'm trying to figure out what we want to do about a mobile. I like the idea of cutting out circles from scrapbook paper and hanging with fishing string.. but I think I might go with more dimensions. Possible those Chinese lanterns.. but not so big. Small ones. We'll see.

Sorry we haven't updated in a while, as you can tell we've been super busy!

this week in updates

Marshall is doing an amazing job in the nursery. All of the wainscoting (bead board, base board, and chair railing) are up.. we just have to paint it a uniform color. Then Marshall as to decide what type of flooring he's going to put in. He talked about cork for a while.. but now he doesn't know. Men.

We had a doctor's appointment on Thursday that should have lasted maybe 30-45 minutes. But nooo.. We waited at least an hour before even leaving the first waiting room. Then they did the usual blood pressure, temperature, weight, pee in a cup, prick a finger of choice... and then we waited almost another hour to see the doctor! And all he did was measure my stomach and check the heartbeat, which was 154bpm. I measured whatever I was supposed to measure..

I have gained THREE pounds since our last visit (I think that's 12 pounds total so far). It's going all to the baby (or my even bigger bosoms). And I managed to teetee on my hand. :)

Ms. Hartley is just a moving right now. Kinda uncomfortable/strange. I can't imagine what this will be like in 4 months. But I'm enjoying her kicks. She is making it difficult to get up/out of bed. I'm having to do the roll over and push off maneuver.

We've had two births in the past few weeks- Isabella and Hudson. I'm excited to meet both babies! I'm going to Columbus to celebrate, what else, Columbus day and see Baby Bella. Marshall doesn't have the privilege of a federal holiday so he has to stay in Brooklet and work. How sad. Hopefully in late October we'll take a little trip (take a little trip with mee-eee) to Athens and see Mr. Hudson! And all our friends who don't visit us. :(

For now, I may relax in the shower and pack a little for my weekend getaway. And request a half body massage..

Happy weekend.. I'll be working in the morning. :)

Shopaholic

Before Marshall became the sole breadwinner, we lived off my modest income. I honed my clearance shopping skills and became extremely frugal. I rarely allowed myself to buy clothes.. until now.

Now, I'm outgrowing all my pre-baby clothes. And I received very few hand-me-downs from friends that actually fit. So I pamper myself and buy clothes. This is causing a growing trend, literally.

Fortunately for Marshall and our checking account, I only shop clearance. Unfortunately.. I'm making these splurges every week. Mainly Fridays after a hard week of tellering. :)

But who can resist maternity and non-maternity-but-I-can-manage-to-pull-it-off-as-maternity tops for less than $5! And what's better than less than $3! The girls at work are still amazed I can find these bargains.

Marshall may be taking away my shopping privileges (aka stealing my debit card) very soon if I don't stop. But I work at a bank and make withdrawals anytime.. so that probably won't stop me. Mwahahaha.

So, this is my sin I'm struggling with. Please pray for me. :)

Blame it on Pregnancy

I made a mistake today. A big one. Big. But, it's not my fault. It's because I'm pregnant.

(I left about $9000 in a drawer at work.. unlocked.. and then went home. I'll be written up tomorrow.)

I burnt 3 of my fingers on a flat iron last week. It's because I'm pregnant.

I tell my mother the same things over and over again. It's because I'm pregnant.

I let Marshall go for weeks without any, and some days with more than enough. It's definitely because I'm pregnant.

I've bought so many clothes in the past 2 weeks. It's because I can't fit in any of my old clothes.. and I'm pregnant.

Enough with the excuses. But really.. being pregnant is a great excuse.

We've decided on how we want to decorate the nursery for the most part. Her bedding is the Crayon Collection from Bananafish, which we've already bought. Walls will be Yukon Gold. Marshall is highly considering cork flooring. His research justifies his decision and he'll be installing them. Whatever you want, Husband. And we'll also put up a beadboard wainscotting.

We're getting furniture from a family friend. Crib, dresser/changing table, chair and ottoman - all for only $250. And Momma's buying it. :) The sad news, we won't get everything until December or January. That means unfinished nursery until then. :(

And I will eventually get around to posting Hartley's most recent ultrasound pictures as soon as Marshall gets them out of his truck. I'm not procrastinating this time, it's Marshall.

Oh- before I forget. I started working with Maddie and Sassy months ago, preparing them for the baby. We would look and sniff baby clothes and toys a few times a week and I would say "baby" or "this is the baby's" over and over. Maddie lost interest. Sassy, however.. wow. She's a lot smarter than we thought. We've got a bag that has all of Hartley's things in it and when I ask Sassy "where's the baby?" she gets really excited, goes to the bag and looks in it. She amazes me.