Finally!

Today we FINALLY got Andrew's official offer for the job in Baton Rouge. His last day in Chicago is September 4th, and he starts in Baton Rouge on September 14th. Next week we are going down to do some house hunting. I am SO excited about finding a house, and hopefully we will have more luck this time than last.

And we found out that we are having a BOY! Though most of you know me on Facebook, so probably already knew that. We decided to name him Stephen Andrew (after my dad, and obviously Andrew) and we are going to call him Drew. I am a little nervous about having a boy. I guess part of me thought it would be a girl, I'm prepared for a girl! Andrew fussed at me when I asked if boys have sleepovers, because they apparently aren't called that. However, since most of my friends have boys, I'll have some help with all the boy terminology!

I'm still sick most days, but usually don't actually get sick, so that's a nice change. And I'm showing, and most people realize I'm pregnant and not just big. We've done most of our registering, and I am more than half way through the pregnancy! WOOHOO! Some days I still wonder if we are actually ready to have a baby, but I am looking forward to seeing Andrew as a dad, I know he will do amazing, and I'm curious as to what kind of mom I'll make. And I can't wait to see my little boy and know what he looks like. And I'm so excited about getting him together with all of his other little friends, especially my Godson. I kept saying they'd be best friends, but Andrew has corrected me on that too and said that I need to say they will be buddies. So much to learn! :-)

Alrighty, I have a few things to do around the house, including laundry. So not fun.

I hope everyone else is doing well! I'll try to catch up with you all soon. And if you read my blog, and I don't have your link, please let me know!

I'm also trying to think of a name for a new blog to keep family and friends posted (that don't ready this one) on baby things, any suggestions will be appreciated!!

More News

Things have been CRAZY!  We have had so many trips going on, and then, of course, there is the big news that I've yet to share, which has taken up most of my time.  

The big news is that we are moving, before the baby comes.  And not down the street, or to the burbs, we are moving back to Baton Rouge, probably in August.  Will someone please not remind me that August is two months away or, at this point, LESS than two months away.  Um...Hi, my name is Kelley, and I'm about two seconds away from loosing my mind.  I'd say we're being forced to move back to Baton Rouge, but that isn't really accurate.  Andrew was given a choice of 5 places that we could move to, however, none were where we thought we would be going.  And by that, I mean we weren't given the option to stay in Chicago, which we thought we would, and there was no chance to move back to Georgia or go to South Carolina.  And with a baby on the way, that was really what we were hoping for.  So after my mini (or maybe not so mini) break-down about the whole situation, we talked about all the options and decided that out of what we were given, Baton Rouge was the best choice.

I'm still torn about it, though there really isn't anything I can do.  I am happy because this is a really good opportunity for Andrew, and that they really want him back in Baton Rouge.  He didn't even have to interview for the position.  But at the same time, I remember the stress I felt while we were in Baton Rouge, and how much happier I have been since we've moved.  Andrew and I've spent some time talking about why we think I was so stressed out, and he thinks that part of it is because he didn't help out as much around the house, and I can see how that could have been part of what was going on, but I don't think that was all.  My mom thinks that things will be better because I'll have the baby to distract from everything else.  And that really was a large reason we chose Baton Rouge, other than the job, was because we have a bigger support system there, and it is a good bit closer to home (and the beach!).

Another good thing to come out of this move, that at first seemed hopeless, is that Andrew and I are going to buy a house!  Yay!  So I've spent the past week working on a list from the realtor on houses that I like and would like to look at because we are going down there next week for Andrew to officially accept the job, and house hunting.  That is really exciting for us.  I really wanted us to have our own house before the baby came, but with living in Chicago, I really didn't think that it was going to be possible.  I have my fingers crossed that it is all going to go well next week.  I'm a little nervous, since Andrew and I haven't ever done this before, but I'm so excited!  Plus, Andrew already got us pre-approved for our loan, so that helps too.

And on top of all of that, we are going to Atlanta this weekend for my Godson's Baptism.  I am SO excited to see him and our friends, and also my family.  We aren't going to be in Atlanta for long (get in tonight, leave Sunday afternoon), so we aren't going to see anyone besides Erin, Will, and Liam, and my family, but that is just fine with me.

So, as you can see, everything has happened REALLY fast, less than a month.  We've been so busy with everything, and I'm trying to stay less stressed.  We'll see how that works!

In pregnancy news, I'm 16 weeks today, and finally starting to feel better without medication.  I've bought some maternity clothes since some of my regular clothes (jeans and shorts) aren't fitting quite right anymore.  It's probably a bit overkill at this point, but they are SO comfy, and it's nice to not worry if my pants are too tight.  I've gained about 5 pounds, and I don't feel like that's too much, but I really don't have anything to compare it to!  It seems like all the ladies on the boards online were tiny to start off with, and so I'm not sure what's normal for me or ladies my size.  So despite feeling heavier and feeling just fat and not pregnant, I think that I'm doing okay.  However, I should probably start being better about my diet and quit devouring bags of potato chips.

I'm off to get ready for our trip.  I hope everyone has a good weekend!!

News!

I have so much to share with you!  I am trying to decide if I want to do it all at once, or space it out...

There are two BIG things for me to tell you about, so I guess I'll start with the biggest.

We are having a baby!  :-)

I'm a little over 13 weeks, I'll be 14 Friday.  Our due date is November 20th.  Tomorrow Andrew and I go to the doctor and we get to hear the heartbeat!  At 7 weeks we had an ultrasound, and it was so exciting.  However, I have been feeling terribly!!  I've been consistently sick the past 6 days, and I thought I was supposed to start feeling better!  It seems the only things I can eat have to be incredibly salty, and with very few nutrients.  I hate that I am eating so terribly while I am pregnant, but it seems that anything healthy I eat just comes back!  And I can't stand grilled chicken, ground beef, or veggies.  I don't think the baby is malnourished though.  Despite that I've lost a few pounds this past week due to being so sick, I'm still up a couple of pounds, and I can feel where the baby is laying.  I'm hoping that in the next few weeks in I'll start feeling better and can get back to the gym and eating healthy (and quit devouring bags of BBQ potato chips...which is funny, because BBQ sauce is disgusting...).

I'm already preparing!  I bought a crib and glider (which I am sitting in now).  Both off of Craigslist for WONDERFUL deals.  I keep getting weird responses from people for buying these things from Craigslist, like that they would be in bad quality or that it was dangerous.  I obviously think those are both unfounded.  The furniture just needs a little touch up paint, and the glider cushions need to be cleaned, there are a few spots on it.  But I am really happy with what we got.  And on the safety issue, Andrew went with me, and I wasn't selling myself for money and meeting random people in a hotel room.  Plus, if I had ever felt uncomfortable before getting to the persons house, I wouldn't have gone.  In summary, I highly suggest using craigslist if you are trying to save money!

Anyway, that is our BIG news.  As I said, I have other news too, but to be honest, I am really sleepy, so I will post all that later!

I hope you are all doing well!

What's going on...

I love Wednesdays.  I so enjoy having a day for me.  I especially loved today, because I had yesterday off too, which means I did everything that NEEDED to be done yesterday, and now I get to relax.  I'm watching my DVRed episode of Tough Love.  I heart this show.  

Not much going on.  Andrew and I are going to dinner with other people tonight...shocking!  Normally it's just the two of us, so it's nice to be going out with other people.  We are going with the couple that I nanny for.  I'm excited to do something else.  It's nice to have a change of pace.

Today I did something fun, I went jewelry browsing!  My birthday is coming up, and hopefully Andrew and I will FINALLY get our check from the robbery soon so I will have some replacing to do!  Which is bitter-sweet, because most of it can't be replaced, it was all very special.  

UGH!  The crappy garage band is back!  The practice down the street, and it is so loud, and they aren't very good!!  Last week someone (not me, I swear) called the cops about the noise, and they quieted down, but these drums are back, and louder than ever.

Anyway, so that's what's going on in my life.  Dinner, garage bands, and VH1 shows!

I've got some drama going on with the in-laws, but more on that later!  I am going to go crash on the couch and then get ready for a night out.  I hope everyone has had a good beginning to the week, it's half over!  Bring on the weekend!

Hmm...

So, I've been a little absent lately.  I'm blaming it on the bad weather.  It's cold and rainy and just crummy.  We've had a few good days, but rarely do we get more than two in a row.  I've been pretty grouchy, and I'm blaming that on the weather too.  I've just had some ups and downs, nothing bad, just the regular kinds of stuff.  It makes me miss living where I had a good collection of friends.  

I'm going to try much harder to get blogging (mine and checking in on all of you ladies) back into my routine.  I have a chance tonight because Andrew is "out with the boys."  I was actually invited to go out with them.  However, they were going to the Cubs game, and there was no way I was going to sit in that stadium outside with the weather the way it is.  43 (wind chill is 35) cloudy, and occasionally rainy.  So I told him to go for it with the boys night.  I'm sitting at home watching The Biggest Loser (after eating left-over pizza...I'm so awesome).

Anyway, other than that, not much is going on, but check back, because I'm sure there will be more to post later!  I just wanted to make my recommitment to blogger.  I've missed everyone!

Trip Recap

Andrew and I had a WONDERFUL time in Baton Rouge.  All of my fears and worried about it were unfounded.  We got there in plenty of time and enjoyed every minute with our friends.  However, it was a LOT of time in the car.  

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Me and my friend Mai at our FAVORITE place to eat (Hi Mai!  I miss you!)  She's THINKING about moving to Chicago, and I'm encouraging it!!

Me and our friend David after an AMAZING dinner!

Andrew, me, and the groom before the wedding.  I was assigned the task of helping the the pocket napkins.  I think I did okay!

Andrew, me, and Vicky after the wedding.  Andrew and Vicky had crawfish (eww) and I had oysters (yum).

Anyway, that is a recap of our trip in pictures.  It reminded Andrew how awesome our other camera was compared to the one we have left.  I didn't need to be reminded.  However, it did get Andrew thinking about working on getting us a replacement.  Hopefully we will find out soon how much we are going to get from the insurance company from the robbery, but right now it's been a huge waiting game.  Getting the police report in and of its self has been a pain.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be a decent amount, but at the same time, I'm not holding my breath.

The day after we got back Andrew got a cold, and has been sick since then, so about a week.  It's been a LONG week.  If any one can tell me why guys get so pathetic while they are sick, but would tell us we were being unreasonable, please let me know.  Andrew really wasn't that bad, but after a week of it, I am SO drained.  I want to stomp my feet and say, "It's my turn!" but apparently it isn't right for me to ask for anything special for taking care of Andrew for a week (according to him, not that I would ask, but something special would be nice if he thought about it).

So, Andrew finally seems to be on the mend, but I won't know for sure until he gets home.  I've had more irritations going on, but nothing worth wasting space over.

I need to do laundry, clean the kitchen, empty the litter box, change the sheets, clean the bathroom, and straighten up the rest of the house.  I wanted to get it all done today.  Ha!  It was so cute that I actually thought it would all get done today, but I guess I have tomorrow too!

I'm leaving, but not on a jet plane

Today Andrew and I begin traveling south to Louisiana for John and Necia's wedding.  We were going to fly, until we realized that the flight was going to cost $600 and then we'd also have to rent a car.  Tonight we are going to drive four hours after we get off work and then another ten tomorrow.  I have to take the train down to meet Andrew.  I've done it once before, and I really don't like taking it all the way down to the south part of the city, but I don't really have a choice.  I'm going to leave work at four, so there should be a lot more people on the train.  It's just a long ride, and one I don't feel completely comfortable with.  I've especially been a little more jumpy since the robbery.  It's a little frustrating to feel this way, but I don't really know what else to do.

I'm anxious about the trip in general.  I'm worried about getting places on time and seeing everyone while we are there.  Plus, I just remember how I felt while we lived there, and it is a little hard going back the first time since the move.  I am excited about seeing friends and getting some good seafood.  But I do have a friend that is consistently having bad things happen to her and it just seems to drag me down a little, and I'm worried about how that is going to go.  It's funny how sometimes you have to take a few steps back to realize what was really going on, because you can so easily fall into things that end up draining you.  I feel like that is part of what happened while I was living in Louisiana.

I know I am over thinking this trip, seeing as how that is what I always do.

Other than that, things are going pretty smoothly.  Work is going well, and I am still going to the gym at least five days a week.  I don't feel like I'm seeing any of the benefits, but Andrew says that he is proud of me and how I may not see the changes, but he's sure they are making me stronger, which will help when we get pregnant.  

Valentine's Day was a lot of fun.  We had a really nice dinner and Andrew got me three girly movies that I've wanted (While You Were Sleeping, You've Got Mail and Hope Floats) and also got me Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which we both loved when we saw it at the movie theater.  Sunday we had another really nice day, I made Andrew french toast and we went to church and then we watched Hope Floats and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  It was a very special weekend.  

I hope everyone has a good week and weekend!  

Hopefully Andrew and I will get some really good pictures this weekend, and I will post them when I get back.

Hugs!