Lighter Note

Last night at dinner Natalie proclaimed: "I Trust in the Lord!"

Whining about the weather

What the heck? It is October and close to 90 degrees.

I am tired of shorts! I want to wear jeans and long sleeved t-shirts and socks!

I want to go outside and enjoy the chill in the air. I don't want to sweat.

We are supposed to be enjoying apple picking and looking for pumpkins, who sweats when participating in such activities?

It is football season! Who wants to sweat while watching football?

For the love!! I want to cuddle up in a sweatshirt and drink warm apple cider.

There is was

I woke-up this morning, rolled over and there it was. My uterus protruding from my belly like a softball. I said "Hey, Kim, come look!" We both rubbed on the belly. Talked to the baby. I savored the moment. Then, I got up, went to the bathroom and my uterus returned to where it should be. Distinct visual evidence of the baby, gone for now.

I remember this happening with Natalie too. Although with Natalie I was more than 14 weeks. I was also growing a 10-12 cm cyst on my ovary with Natalie. I think I was often rubbing on a cyst, not my baby with Natalie but they tell me I have no huge cysts this time.

I love these moments. Evidence that our baby is growing! Kim catches me rubbing on my belly a lot and says "Leigh, stop, what are you doing? You love being pregnant, don't you?" Yes, I do! I love it! If I didn't have to be responsible for the kiddos after they left my body I would stay pregnant.

Happy Birthday

So, how many people can say that they are still in regular contact with someone they have know since they were six-months old? I am so glad that I can!

Happy Birthday, Jeni!

As mentioned Jeni and I know each other since she was born and I was the ripe old age of six-months. We went to elementary, middle and high school together. We parted ways for college. There was no way I was going to Wake or she was going to Carolina. Then, we both managed to live in Winston.

My relationship with Jeni is more like that with a sister. We have been each other's best friend and at times not so nice. Having said that we have been not so nice, we have always moved past that because we have know the value of the others friendship. I can go without seeing her for a long time, then see her again and it is like no time has passed. Friends like that are a treasure! I have no doubt in my mind that if I ever need Jeni she will be there for me and I hope she thinks the same of me.

So, Jeni, Happy 29th Birthday! I love you! I treasure our friendship dearly!

A differnt pregnancy experience

So far, this has been a different pregnancy.

It is a strange feeling to be pregnant and wanting so much to celebrate with the people that I love and not have them near me. Don't get me wrong, there are a couple of close friends here who have been every excited for Kim and I but nothing like when we were in Winston. For starters, I got to tell my mom and dad in-person that I was pregnant with Natalie, not over the phone. True, I could have waited but really I couldn't. I didn't get to share a secret giggle with my dear friend when she pulled my secret out of me. I didn't get the sweet embrace of other friends as I shared the news with them, it has been different. I long to be home to share this exciting time in my life with people I love and who love me (thank goodness for the Reames).

I am no longer working as a labor and delivery nurse and getting all the perks that go along with that. I didn't get to hand pick my doctors after seeing them in action. I don't get extra TLC at the office. I don't have an ultrasound machine available whenever I feel like looking at the baby. I don't have a Doppler to listen to the baby's heart whenever I need some reassurance. I won't know the nurse who is going to take care of me, talk about TLC. I have never been into the hospital where I will deliver. I will feel like an alien screaming that I am one of them, I know the secret talk, the lingo.

Speaking of working as a labor and delivery nurse, I miss my co-workers, especially now. They cared for me so well when I was pregnant. They were so excited for me and so protective of me. Great women, I miss them.

I realize this is starting to sound selfish like I just want a bunch of people of around to shower me with affection but really I just want to share this really exciting journey with my friends. There is nothing like being surround by people who love you. I am missing home (perhaps this is the work of the hormones...).

Family of Four

Sometime around April 1st, Kim, Natalie and I will welcome a new member to our family. Here's a glimpse at the little one from earlier today!!! I'm about thirteen weeks and feeling great!! More thoughts on pregnancy and having another child to follow. I'm excited to get to share my secret. Now, I'm taking my tired self to bed.

Looking sweeter than she really is.

The real girl!

Great Weekend

Another weekend full of adventure for our family!

Kim and I had a great time at the baseball game on Saturday night. Hours spent with good friends are always fun. The game went into extra innings (we lost) and we didn't get home until after midnight, crazy kids! The report from Kim's parents is that Natalie did great. If they are keeping secrets it is fine with me!

We headed north on Sunday and took Kim's mom and dad to the Amish Country in Pennsylvania. It was a beautiful day to be out traveling. We had a yummy lunch, rode in a horse and buggy, drove around the area, went and saw "Thomas the Train" (very exciting for Natalie), and made it home before dark. It was a long day but a fun day!

Here are some pictures from our adventure.

So excited!

Tomorrow night Kim, Chris, Sarah and I are going out! We are going to a Washington Nationals game. I got the tickets for Kim for his birthday. I am so excited about time out with fun adults without my dear daughter. Kim's mom and dad are coming into town and are staying with Natalie so I am sure that she will have as much fun as we will. I don't know if I am more excited about the time with friends, the metro ride, the baseball, the hotdogs, the nachos, a cool autum night outside. it all sounds so wonderful to me.

Old song with a Natalie twist

So, here is Natalie's version of "Old MacDonald"

"Mic Old Donald had a farm..."

As Promised

Some recent pictures of my girl...

Giving her great-grandfather a happy birthday kiss.

Riding on her Papa's shoulders.

Playing in the river.

Lovely Afternoon

This afternoon, while Natalie napped, I prepared a meal for a new mom. This was the biggest blessing to me when I had Natalie so I am glad to return the favor whenever possible.

I discovered something about myself that I had forgotten...When given the mental and physical space, I really enjoy cooking! I whipped-up two lasagnas, brownies and salads and loved every minute of it!

I am also loving the fact that Natalie is in hour two of her nap and still going. This is my payback for this weekend!

Happy 88th Birthday, Chief!

What a joy to celebrate my grandfather's birthday with lots of family!!

Natalie Quote

We were driving down the road yesterday and Natalie saw the truck spraying water to water the grass/flowers.

Natalie: Mommie, is that truck going pee-pee?

Can you tell what we have been talking about in our house?

Children are expensive when the seasons are changing!

My sweet girl

Natalie has always been a verbal child. However, about two weeks ago someone hit the "super-verbal" button! Wow! The girl can talk! She really likes to sing, it is so increbily sweet.

When we arrived at my parent's house last weekend she sang her "ABCDs" (as she calls them) like this a,b,c,d,e,f,g,q,i,l,(mummbled mess), t,u,v,w,x,y,z. She woke up Sunday morning and could sing them perfectly!! Did she get a special lesson during the night?

Every car ride, she gives a running commentary. Today's went something like this:
"1,2,3,4,5, Mommie, I am counting the trees. 1,2, Mommie, I am counting the school buses. The trees are way up on the hill. Can I ride the school bus one day Mommie? Let's go buy some new shoes. Then, we can have a quesadilla for dinner. Does that sound fun? Does that sound fun Mommie?"

She has started to really enjoy talking to grandparents on the phone. She makes their day!

She is so much fun and a great buddy to have around during the day! I am really enjoying this age. I want to find the pause button!

I promise a recent picture soon!

Not a good day to be a Tarheel

Well, it happened, the Tarheels lost to ECU. I realize this game did not make national headlines but I am sure it will be making family headlines for a long time to come. Both of my brothers are ECU alum. They could be hard to live with for the next, I don't know, year.

Not to mention, my Dad is a Happy Appy and we will be hearing about their defeat of Michigan for a long time.

I love fall and football season. I know that the Tarheels will be getting better...Until Butch Davis performs some miracles, I am ready for basketball season. When, BTW, both of my brothers will be on the UNC bandwagon.

Natalie is a pro at saying "Go Tarheels! "Eat" the Pirates!" Too bad it didn't work out.

Always a sap

I am crying watching Roy Williams being inducted into the basketball hall of fame. Get a grip!

My Sweet Husband

Last night I had a meeting so I left right after dinner. Kim was on duty to give Natalie a bath and put her to bed. Lately Natalie wants to hear "Sleep My Babies" every night. Kim doesn't (didn't) know the words to the song yet.

He quickly mentioned it as I was walking out the door and I said "Don't worry, the words are on the blog and Natalie knows them." I didn't give it another thought until I was cleaning our bedroom this morning and saw the words to the song, printed from the blog, laying on the floor.

Kim doesn't do anything half-way, we all know that. He loves our daughter! He would do anything to her and wants to make everything just right.

If it would have been me and I didn't know the words to the song Natalie wanted, I would have just told her to pick another song. Kim makes me want to be a better parent.

I know this probably sounds simple to a lot of people but it was the sweetest surprise for me this morning. A love note that he left for me and he didn't even know it.

Kim, you are an amazing Dad (Daddy-Bear)! I love you!

Why Chic-Fil-A Rocks

So, after quite a blogging lull and reading what my friends have been writing I feel really bad coming back with a post like this but here we go...

1. Free table-toppers (the plastic, disposable tablecloths)
2. Purell hand wipes taped to kids meal bags
3. Fresh fruit (for Natalie)
4. Waffle fries (for Me)
5. A nice man to open the door
6. A nice man to help me get two highchairs to the table (one for Natalie, one for Madeline)
7. A nice man to carry Sarah's food to the table
8. Milkshakes!!!
9. Lemonade in styrofoam cups

Seriously, the people a Chic-Fil-A are marketing geniuses!

• The one down side is that the "toys" are not exactly "toys". They are educational books usually. Happy Meals toys win!