My best friend's wedding.

I went to St. Louis for my best friend, Chris's wedding. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. I have no pictures. Yet. I was the Matron of Honor, so carrying around a camera was frowned upon. BUT, Lorelai was asked to be a flower girl for the wedding, and I wasn't sure how that would turn out. Surprisingly, Lorelai did a great job! We practiced before the wedding. I told her to walk slowly, because I would be up at the front and I pictured her sprinting (head down, like always) straight to me to retrieve her bribe reward sucker.

Her trip down the aisle took the longest of any part of the ceremony. She is definitely a literal kid. Then there was the darling little ring-bearer....poor poor six-year-old, who was only a head taller than Lorelai. She LOVED him. And by loved, I mean she went all toddler-turned-linebacker every time she saw him. He'd brace himself, hands down, and turn his head away to avoid the bloody nose.  Bless his heart.

She'll never forget her little crush Justin.

Or maybe she will. I just asked her who she walked down the aisle with at Aunt Chris's wedding and she said "who is Chris?" Lay off the bottle, Lorelai, it's affecting your memory!

While we were in St. Louis, my sister Carissa got engaged. YAY!  She wanted to have the wedding in December and for Lorelai to be her Junior Bride. But because I'm self-centered pregnant, driving 16 hours one way, with a toddler just weeks before I was scheduled to move just didn't seem feasible. I told her "if you get married on the 7th, we'll stay an extra week." She said "deal."

Well, the negotiations went on a little longer than that, but she didn't have too much time to question my decision suggestion. She did it. She pulled it off. Got married under two weeks later!!! That'a girl!!! Following in little Sissy's footsteps! That's how we like to do things around here. Fast and furious!

Here is the "princess" at Carissa's wedding. 


Carissa, I really need a copy of your photos so I can post 'em.

Then, about two weeks ago, I got a photo text from a friend who is due with her second baby 10 weeks before I am. At 28 weeks, her belly looks like mine at 18. She didn't believe me, so I snapped this shot.

Frightening, huh!? I'm only 18 weeks here!
Here I was at 18 weeks with Lorelai. See the difference!!!?
And don't get the wrong idea, I'm totally loving it!!! I don't mind at ALL that I'm so large. I still haven't gained any weight. I'm SO thankful for this!!! I needed to go at least half of this pregnancy without gaining a pound (because I was overweight to begin with) so I'm happy where I am. It took me 30 months to get pregnant this time, so bring on the belly!!! As a matter of fact, I'll take the sciatica and headaches too! This baby is a miracle and I'm not taking any of it for granted!!

We left St. Louis after our crazy-busy three-week stay and headed for Virginia. Dad drove us back and this is how I spent most of my time during the 16 hours. Seriously? Foot in the face?


Oh, don't tell me - you were more concerned about my desperate need for Botox.  I get it. 

Well, there is plenty more to talk about. Like where we're moving next month. But, I'll save that for another post. Gives me something else to blog about this week. Or month. Whatever. :-)

October 7th? Really?

So, I ran into a girl I haven't seen in a few years. Her words to me were very powerful.

"Hi Rachel, I can't come any closer. I have the flu. And October 7th. Just in case you were wondering."

I give her the look your dog gives you when you ask him a new question.

"October 7th is the last time you blogged. Just so you know."

The fact that she knew that blows my mind. But if she hadn't reminded me, I might not be blogging now. Thanks, Kelly M! NOW will you start commenting!? Oh yeah, and I hope you feel better soon!

This post will be very disjointed, but really, aren't they all!?

If you don't already know, I'm in St. Louis.

My STL best friend is getting married next Sunday, so this coming week will be filled with more wedding activities!

Last week I dyed my hair. From a box. I shouldn't have. I ended up going to my hairdresser to have her fix it. Here's what it looks like now. Thank you Nancy!

Yep, it's red. It was time for a change. I really wanted big chunky blonde streaks in it like I used to have, but it's just not manageable without knowing any good hairdressers where we live. Or where we're moving....and who KNOWS where that will be. That's a whole other post in itself.

We had the bridal shower on Saturday. Do you think they're ready!?

Lorelai and I have had a few crafting opportunities this past week too.

She's making herself a necklace. I really didn't think she'd use all 90 beads. But this was a craft she had a lot of fun with. Her concentration was so cute!

Her first fingerpainting experience. She was so dainty until I made her paint her hands. Then she had a little more fun with it. Poor kid doesn't like to be dirty!

She always has fun faces to show the camera.

She looks like a Cabbage Patch doll to me here.

I told her to "give me some gangsta" and this is what I got.
Not bad for a child who has never heard that word.

How about a shot of that baby bump I promised so long ago?

I'm 16 weeks in that picture. Do you think I'm in trouble or what!? Either my body is training for a 10+ pound baby or I am just going to have a LOT of fun getting my body back after this one!

Although, I still haven't gained a pound. Actually, I have lost five. Don't go getting huffy now, I have quite a few extra pounds I've been hanging on to since I had Lorelai, so there's enough to sustain this pregnancy, for sure!

Until next time.

Compare and Contrast

I often think about how different and/or similar this pregnancy is to my first. I had a pregnancy book with Lorelai, but it's tucked away somewhere, so I have nothing to really reference, except my memory. And this is not a good thing.

I decided to go back through my old posts here on the blog and found some interesting information I had completely forgotten.

I totally just had a whole post typed out, re-read it and erased it. It was boring. Seriously, do y'all want to know about my sciatica or how tired I was/am???

cue crickets

Basically, the biggest thing I've found that is different (because that's more fun to know anyway, right?) is that I had some food aversions in the beginning of my pregnancy with Lorelai. I couldn't stand pistachios, red meat, fried foods or Buffalo Wild Wings.

This go 'round, I've had no food aversions. No cravings either. I've just realized that I can't get full. And can't get hungry. Tough balance. But it's working out so far. And fried foods...yeah, they were my friends the last few weeks. Nausea seemed to get better with nasty fried foods. Yay.

Friday I will be taking my 13 week prego photo. Mostly because I forgot to do 12 weeks. I only did photos every four weeks in the beginning with Lorelai, and I'm off a week with this one. Anyhow, my point is....y'all are going to be frightened. I'm huge. I mean, I don't look like I'm going to deliver anytime soon, but....I certainly don't look ONLY 13 weeks along.

Just ask the teeny, tiny, petite woman who asked me how far along I was at the store the other day. First of all, I was blown away by this with my first pregnancy, not sure why I'm still astounded that people do this, but I am. I told her that I was 13 weeks and she gave me the look. You know the look I'm talking about. It's the look I give a store mannequin wearing the latest skinny jean and sweater-vest combo. From my head to my feet, she stared me up and down. Then said, "oh wow."

I only wish I had been on my toes a little more and said something smart to make her uncomfortable. But, I just said "yeah, I know, right." I totally validated her. Like a parking pass.

Oh, and as if this wasn't important enough to start my post, I'm just typing my stream of consciousness.

I finally had a doctor's appointment. All is well. I was expecting to hear the heartbeat on a doppler, but my doc whipped out the internal ultrasound and gave me like 30 photos of our child! I was SO relieved. The baby has a heartbeat! It has fingers, toes, a mouth, a spine! It's fantastic! I don't think I really mentally CLAIMED I was pregnant until that moment. Now I feel official.

Here are a few shots, if you're interested. I got annoyed looking back at my blog because I posted ultrasound photos and you can't really tell what's in them. I'm sure y'all aren't excited to see them, but this blog is not only for you, it's a journal for me. If I don't post things here, I'll forget them.

I don't even know what I had for lunch. But had I posted it, I could tell you. See how important this blogging thing is!?


By the way, I'm totally having a ton of sciatica. It nearly knocks me to the ground when it strikes. I am getting more energy finally. I've actually lost five pounds so far. Okay, just wanted to document those things for later.

Lorelai tries to "feed the baby" through my belly button. That kid is TOO much!

Random thoughts by Rachel, huh?

And no, we're NOT finding out the sex. This is as much of an announcement to you as a reminder to my husband who thinks he's going to trick me.

Argh Matey

Well, it's happening. Lorelai is now starting to loudly ask potentially embarrassing questions in public.

Today a woman walked into the post office and Lorelai perked up and asked "Mommy! Mommy! Is she a PIRATE!?" She said it with so much enthusiasm, I had to look. I didn't know who or what she was talking about. I wouldn't have been surprised if someone was dressed as a pirate in the post office. Then I notice the woman is wearing a bandana on her head.

I replied "I don't know Lorelai, maybe."

So she asked her.

Oddly enough, the lady didn't respond.

So Big!

Here are the pictures of Lorelai riding a horse for the first time. She looks so much bigger than 2 years old to me in these pictures!!!
She smiled like this the ENTIRE time!

Camping Trip

I know it's been a few weeks since we went camping, but whatever. I'm so tired lately. I have had no motivation to do much of anything. I wish I could say that instead of blogging, I'm decorating, or going to thrift stores and creating masterpieces.

The truth is, instead of blogging, I'm sleeping. Or eating.

I figured it was time to tell you all about our camping, though. I've had a few requests for pictures. So, here goes....

JD and I arrived at the campsite. We were meeting our friends, the Krapfs (ha ha - that will always make me laugh, sorry Kathi!) and we arrived first. Not a good thing. Because this was our campsite.

Remember, I don't do this sort of thing, so to me, this looked like a ditch. And I promptly called Kathi to tell her we'd be sleeping in the ditch. Or she would be and I would be in my car. On the way to a hotel.

She convinced me to stay, so we set up our tent, but it was already dark.

Note to self: NEVER arrive at a campsite after 5pm.

Scratch that. Note to self: NEVER arrive at a campsite without a camper.

That night I barely slept. After laying around in her sleeping bag for DAYS before the camping trip, Lorelai finally decided she didn't want to be in hers that night, she wanted to be in mine. I obliged and then regretted it for the next 7 hours, when I wasn't sleeping.

The next morning though, Kathi mostly made up for it by preparing a really really good meal. We had thick-cut bacon. I'm pretty sure JD thought he had died and gone to heaven. He only gets turkey bacon here at our house. She also made scrambled eggs and diced potatoes. Everything was yummy and I was happier.
Do we look like Sanford and Sons or what!?

That afternoon, this happened.

Yep, it's a snake. And Eric told me not to worry because it had already eaten something.


It took about 10 minutes and two burly men (Eric and JD) to finally get him beheaded back into nature.

The rest of the time the kids played in the hammock, counting the Daddy Long Legs they found.
(AJ, Lorelai and Darby)

They goofed around...

Daddy and Lorelai danced to their own music, because really...in the woods, the only music is cicadas (of which I have heard ENOUGH), and neighbor campers sneaking into camp in the middle of the night and leaving before daylight.

Lorelai made friends with Kathi and Eric's dog, Bernie Mac the local wildlife
Eric fed his six-month-old twins chocolate when Kat wasn't looking. I told you I'd dime you out!

Then the kids went horse-back riding at Foster Falls Livery.
Why is there no picture of Lorelai on a horse? That's because just seconds before she hopped onto Tex's back, the camera battery died. And I would have plugged it in the night before, but .... WE WERE CAMPING IN A TENT!

Eric snapped a few photos of her on his iPhone, but I'm guessing after the chocolate pictures appear on their computer, he'll be holding them for ransom.

What I haven't told you is that the second and subsequent nights, Kathi provided me with an air mattress/cot which made sleeping MUCH easier and more manageable. For me. Poor JD then got the privilege of having Lorelai steal his sleeping bag. She also provided yummy meals for us three times a day.  I can't complain at ALL about that!

Aside from the fact that being in an open area, like a KOA campground, with a two-year-old makes my heart palpitate, we all made it home safely.

I told JD that I would try camping one more time. But, I won't pretend I like it if I don't. I just don't GET camping. It's not relaxing to me. I was chasing Lorelai around most of the time. The rest of the time I was realizing that I have a problem being idle. It doesn't come naturally for me.

I wish I had some witty way to wrap this thing up, but I don't. Like I said, no motivation.

Good night....until next time (which will most likely be in another few weeks).

Quick Update

Last week we went to Fayetteville to meet Bristol for the first time. We had a great time. Although, Peyton and Lorelai were at each others throats for 90% of the trip. Mainly because my kid is a bully.

Tomorrow, I'm going camping. For four days. Seriously? Someone help me. I'm not really bright to accept this challenge.

I have to pee three times during the night. That means I have to get up, get out of the tent (zipper and all), hope I don't trip, and walk in complete darkness (I may or may not have a head lamp - don't judge) to the bathroom, then back. Three times. Every night. I hate camping. Why am I going again?

Oh yeah, and I have a two year old. Who hates bugs.

This should be fun. At least we'll have good company.

I'll report when we return. IF we return.

UGH!

So, I can't blog. It's driving me nuts. My computer is going SO slowly that I've typed these two sentences and not a single word has yet shown up on my screen.

Seriously. Nothing. Still.

But, I'm going to hit "publish post" anyway...and hope it shows up. Sometime in the next four hours.

Here I go....with no words, hitting publish.....then leaving before I throw this thing out the windwo! And I think I may have just made a typo, but I might never know.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

This girl just makes my day!!

Tip Toe

So, you didn't think I'd just dive right back into blogging and go every day again did you? Good.

I'm going to tip toe until I get comfortable again, then I'll pick it up.

We cannot thank y'all enough for all of the wonderful comments and emails you have sent regarding the pregnancy. It means the WORLD to us that we have so many people praying for the health of our baby!! I'm trying to get back to each of your comments, but please forgive me if it's not exactly in a timely manner.

I have a two-page list of things to talk about, and I'm sitting here staring at it, wondering where to start.

I have a list for Lorelai, JD and for me. And, I kid you not, my list reads "Super Target opened."

Period.

That's all.

Aside from the recent discovery of le bebe, that's all I had. Sad, I know.

That's why I've decided to go with a video of Lorelai for today. We have been working with Lorelai on learning our names. (Shannon, y'all were doing it, so we decided to cheat). Anyway, she likes to talk about it and ask about it. A lot. She always has a coy look on her face and squeals "what's YOUR name?" And not only to JD and me. To everyone in the grocery store, gas station, library, you name it.

Today, we were at the commissary and she kept pointing at people saying "what's YOUR name?" And when they, not surprisingly, wouldn't answer her, she'd ask again louder. Then there's that uncomfortable silence. She busts out with "mommy, he won't talk to peoples, will he?"

I can't help but laugh. And then casually stroll into the next aisle to see how many people will be accosted by this lovingly curious two-year-old now!