Our Christmas

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas!! Adam and I had a wonderful Christmas together this year! On Christmas Eve, we went to Church which was an awesome service! The band worked so hard on the music, it brought tears to my eyes. They did a beautiful job! They sang The Little Drummer Boy and Mary Did You Know. Have you ever really listened to the words of Mary Did You Know? It is such a powerful song! Then we went to Mom and Dad's for their Christmas Eve party. All of our family was there and it was a joy spending it with both of our families. We ate lots of yummy food, tracked Santa, and even got to see him via Skype at Mem and Pep's house in RI. On Christmas morning, Adam and I woke up early and opened presents together at our house, then went to Mom and Dad's to have Christmas with them. Then we all went to Mem and Pep's for presents and brunch, all while still in our pj's :) After Mem and Pep's, Adam and I went to my Grandma's house for lunch. That afternoon, we went to my Mama's house and had a great Christmas with her there. Adam and I were blessed beyond belief with all of the gifts we received, but the greatest gift with being able to share this wonderful time of year with the people that we love most and to give to those less fortunate!! It is so exciting to think that next year we will spend Christmas with our sweet little girl!! It is going to be such a joy to experience Christmas with her. I cannot wait to keep alive the traditions that Adam and I had as a child and the ones that we will create together as a family. I have a lot of pictures that I want to post from our holiday, it is just finding the time to do it. Speaking of pictures, Adam got me a super duper nice Nikon camera with a big lens for Christmas! I am so excited about it and cannot wait to spend time taking nice pictures, especially of our precious little one :)

O Christmas week

It always seems that once December gets here, Christmas Day comes all too fast! So here we are the week of Christmas, and Christmas Day will be here in a few short days. Leading up to the big day, we have events planned for each night of the week which ofcourse will make the days go by even quicker which is a little sad, but it will fun enjoying the season with our family and friends. Tonight, we are celebrating Mutante' Paulie's birthday(and hopefully going to see the lights at Hopeland Gardens-a little tradition of ours); Tomorrow, I am going to dinner with the girls and it is Adam's birthday; Wednesday, I am getting together with my two cousins, Jen and Amanda, and Adam and I will have nice dinner to celebrate his birthday just the two of us; Thursday, Christmas Eve, I have to work until 1 pm and then we will get ready for Church and Mom and Dad's Christmas Eve party; Friday, Christmas Day, we will spend it with our families and just enjoy each other and the day and give thanks for ALL of our many blessings. I am so thankful that Adam's last day at Walgreens is Wednesday and we will be together Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which wasn't the case last year. I will look forward to many more Christmases together and being able to share them together with Ella Jae and starting new traditions with her! Adam and I really want her to know and understand the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus and giving to others less fortunate. We want to teach her that Christmas is not just about "all I want for Christmas" and getting presents. We plan to not go overboard with gifts but trying to convince the grandparents to not go overboard might be a different story haha! This week, I hope to find some down-time in between all the happenings to bake and listen to Christmas music and really soak in everything about this Christmas season!

Our weekend

Friday night, Adam and I had a night in :) We had breakfast for supper...love it! It was nice just relaxing and staying in because I had a crazy day with my glucose screening and then having to go to work in the rainy freezing cold weather. Saturday, I hosted a Pampered Chef Party! It was so much! Who doesn't love for someone to come cook in your home? The products are great, too! Adam went into work (only 3 more days of yuck-greens) and I spent the rest of the afternoon going through some baby clothes that my cousin gave to me and shopping for things to go on Ella Jae's walls. Who knew that deciding on decor for a nursery could be so difficult. I think I almost have it though!! Sunday, Adam had to be at work at 8 am so I went to Church solo after stopping by Dunkin Donuts ofcourse :) Then went to Mom and Dad's for lunch. We also celebrated Adam's birthday last night. I had to run to Publix to pick up his cake. His whole family came over for sandwiches, chips, potato salad, and cake. It was fun having everyone over and celebrating my sweet husband! His birthday is Tuesday and he has to close so we can't celebrate Tuesday, but hopefully we go to dinner on Wednesday. I have a lot of pictures to post from our holiday season!! Hopefully, I can get a chance to do that sometime this week! Hope everyone has a great week and can enjoy the last week before Christmas :)

A fun girl's night!

After work tonight, I met some of my best friends at Elegant Bridals for one of my best friend's, Jessica, wedding dress fitting! We had so much fun and she looked so beautiful! Afterwards, we ate at Five Guys Burgers and Fries or as Jess referred to it, "Five Guys and a Burger!" So yummy! Jess is going to make such a pretty bride! I skipped trying on bridesmaid dresses haha! But I still have to order it in January, but hopefully I can just go up a size from what I wore before I was pregnant and then just have it altered. Surely I will lose most of the baby weight 6 months after giving birth haha! Jessica is getting married in September and I plan to work my little (so not so much now) booty to the bones to get back into shape. I have Nicholas and Megan's wedding to get ready for in October, too. 2010 will be a very eventful year :) How exciting!!

Me and my beautiful besties!

Amanda, Megan, Me, and Jess (the bride-to-be)

A sigh of relief

I went to the high risk doctor today for my last visit! My last visit was actually supposed to be last month, but I was given somewhat of alarming news or atleast it was to me being a new mother. I was told at my last visit that Ella Jae may have a heart valve or atrium abnormality, which means that one side of her heart would become enlarged and fluid would begin to build around it. I was completely blown away because every screening had come back normal so far. The doctor went into great detail which confused and upset me even more. Then she said that it could be completely positional but wanted to see me back in 4 weeks to confirm if it was positional or if there was an abnormality with her heart which would mean surgery after she was born. Fortunately, Adam was with me at this visit otherwise I would not have been able to drive home. I completely lost it in the elevator. I tried so hard to wrap my head around everything she said, but none of it made any sense to me because every screening and sonogram had been completely normal until then. All I could think of was Ella Jae and feeling her tiny movements at that moment and then the possibility of something being wrong with her precious little heart. In my heart, I felt everything was fine but I still new that there may be a possiblity. Well, the next day I called the doctor to get better clarification and try to understand why I couldn't just go back right then and see if she was in a different position and they could take a better look at her heart. I spoke with the really sweet technician who I love, and she really gave me a peace about things and basically said that nothing was wrong with Ella Jae's heart and the doctor had to give me the whole scenerio and the possibilities and that I had to wait so her heart would be bigger so they could definitely confirm it was only possitional. I tried very hard to put it out of my mind and prayed a lot. We didn't tell many people because we did not want to alarm anyone if it were just positional, and praise the Lord, today it was confirmed that Ella Jae had a perfectly normal healthy heart!!! Call it mother's instinct, but I felt in my heart that she was perfect and I did not worry over the last month. When I would think "what if," I knew that God has a plan for her little life no matter what health condition she may be in, but I am just so thankful that she will be healthy. It was such a sigh of relief and I could have cried but I stayed strong! Praise the Lord that our sweet baby girl has a healthy strong heart. She is growing perfectly and putting on weight as normal. She weighs 2.8 lbs and is over 15 in. long! Which is right on target for 28 weeks, which I will be tomorrow!

Christmas 20 Questions

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? I love both but I'd have to choose HOT CHOCOLATE!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? When I was little Santa just sat the presents out, but now he wraps them and puts them under the tree for me :)

3. Colored lights or white? I use white, but colored make me think of Christmas as a kid.

4.Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I'd like to get a mistletoe ball!!

5. When do you decorate for Christmas? The day after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert? Any casserole :)

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Spending the day playing with my cousins and our new toys.

8. When and how, did you learn the truth about Santa? I was probably about 8 or so and heard my mom putting out the presents.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Adam and I use ornaments that we've had since we were little and the ones we've collected since we've been married. I also like lots of color so I use red, green and gold balls with matching ribbon!

11. Snow. Love it or hate it? Love it but would never want it ALL winter long. A day or two is enough.

12. Can you ice skate? I love to skate, but unfortunately I'll have to skip it this year with Ella Jae on the way :)

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I think I have a new favorite every year!

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Being with family, remembering the true reason for the season and giving to those less fortunate.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Red Velvet Cake :)

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to church on Christmas Eve and the Lambert's party, and spending Christmas Day with our families!

17. What tops your tree? A red and gold bow with gold glitter sticks.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? The feeling you get when you give to others!

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Ahhh...so many favorites....

20. Candy canes. Yuck or yum? YUMMO!!

I tag anyone who reads this!

Great news!

I have great news...Adam got the job at Enterprise Rent-a-Car as a manger! I am so proud of him and so thankful that this is happening for our family's future! Adam will no longer have to work night or long weekends and NO HOLIDAYS! Fortunately, he will put in his 2 weeks notice tomorrow and avoid working at Walgreen's on Christmas Day! As a manger, he was going to have to work Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day, which would have been terrible. He basically would have had no Christmas this year. Bless his heart. I am so thankful for how the opportunity to apply for the Enterprise job came about and that we was chosen for the position! God definitely heard our prayers! This job could not have come at a better time with the arrival of Miss Ella Jae quickly approaching! We are so excited! We just got back from a little celebration dinner from "The Wing Place" with his parents. We had such a fun time and good conversation. I cannot express how proud of Adam I am. He played phone-tag with Enterprise for the first week and even became somewhat discouraged but did not give up. He finally was in correspondace with Enterprise and was given an interview which led to 2 more. The last interview was in Savannah last Thursday. I felt pretty confident that he would get the job! And sure enough, the regional manager called him today to offer him the position!! Adam is so hard working and ambitious. All his talents and goodness shine through when you talk with him. Any employer is so fortunate to have an employee like Adam! I cannot wait to see how far he goes within the company and how soon! He begins on Tuesday, Dec. 29. His last day at Walgreen's will be the 23rd so he will have a little break to rest up and enjoy the holidays before his begins his new job. Praise the Lord!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful on this beautiful Thanksgiving Day!

I am thankful for:

A wonderful giving husband

My sweet baby girl who will be here soon

A loving family

In-laws who love me as their own

Thoughtful friends

My health and a great pregnancy

Our beautiful home

A great job

All of my many many blessings!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy this day with family and friends and GIVE THANKS!

Thanksgiving week

Happy Thanksgiving week! I am thankful for a 2 1/2 day work week! Whoo hoo! I'm excited! Tomorrow will be my last full day of work this week! I have my half day on Wednesday and plan to go to Mama's after work to help her cook. I plan to get my baking done tomorrow night, too. Have you ever shopped at a Dollar General store? I went in there looking for items to fill our Operation Christmas Child shoebox and found that they had an extremely well eqipped baking isle with great prices! So I will be headed there tomorrow to get all my baking needs and beat the crowds at the grocery store not to much save a little moola, too :) Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, I will watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and make my dressing and sweet potato souffle in between commercials :) Then we will go to my grandma's, Adam's parents, and then my mama's. Fortunately, Adam has the day off so we will be together all day :) Then Friday, all the girls are going shopping on BLACK FRIDAY! I'm excited and cannot wait! We plan to go to the mall, not Walmart or any of the places that you could potentially get harmed haha! I'm not really out for any major deals, just maybe a few things for Ad since he won't be with me and to people watch...it can be hilarious! Yah for Thanksgiving week and it brings...food, shopping, and MANY MANY blessings :)

Weekend recap

I am loving having a whole weekend again! On Friday, Adam and I went to Zaxby's to eat supper and did a little Christmas shopping. On Saturday, I cleaned the house and Adam washed the cars. He does such a great job on the cars! He could seriously have his on business haha! Then we went to Jeremy's (Adam's cousin)12th birthday party. We had a lot of fun being with the family! Then Adam and I went to supper at Salsa's --my fav--and did more Christmas shopping! We has such a nice time browsing the stores and deciding on what to who and who to get what, even though I made a list :) We got about half of our shopping done! On Sunday, Ad had to open so I went to Church with my Mama and Adrianna! Mama had been telling me that she wanted to come to our Church so we went to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and then to Church together :) Then we went to Ruby Tuesday for lunch :) We had a fun time! She is my favorite :) Then I went to Adam's mom and dad's and waited for him to get off work because we always watch the Patriot's game at their house on Sunday. Gotta love NFL! While I waited for Adam, I helped mom put up their Christmas village! It was so much fun! We listened to Christmas music and had a fire going, I really got in the Christmas spirit! It was so nice to think about all the traditions and the ones we will start and continue with Ella Jae :) Fortunately, the Patriot's pulled off another win and Adam was a happy camper :) We had a great weekend full of family time and Christmas fun! I will look forward to the weekends ahead in preparation of Christmas!!

24 weeks

Ella Jae is now weighing in 1 1/2 pounds (1.5 to be exact according to my appt last Wed.) and measuring 8 1/2 in from head to rump. Much of the weight is coming from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Her little sweet face is almost fully formed complete with a set of eyebrows and eyelashes and has a good sprinkling of hair on her head.

I went for what I thought was my final appointment at the high risk doctor last Wednesday. The doc couldn't get a good view of the heart because Ella Jae was in an awkward position. So I have to go back on December 9. While we were there, the technician flipped the 2d sonogram to 3d and we got a really great shot of our sweet babies face! It was quite hilarious because when I saw it I said, "oh my gosh, Adam, she looks just like you!" He laughed and said "it is too early to tell." Then when we got back out to the waiting room, he looked at the sonogram pictures more and got this smirk on his face and I said "Ad, what are smiling at?" He said "I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to hurt your feelings but she does look just like me. She definitely has my nose! Why can't she look like you?" It was so cute the way he said it! I know she will be perfect and beautiful no matter what! I just cannot wait to see her sweet little face in person and kiss it all over!

I have started to get heartburn :( But it isn't too bad. I have never really ever had heartburn before so I don't really know what to compare it to. It comes along just about after everything I eat and even randomly when I'm not eating. My belly has definitely grown!! While out and about, I know have strangers ask "when is the baby due?...do you know what you are having?...what are you going to name her?" I think it is sweet!! But what if I weren't pregnant haha!! I did finally invest in maternity jeans and they are skinny jeans :) I got them at Target on sale for $17 so that made me super excited!

I cannot believe that we only have less than 4 more months to go! Time is passing so quickly and I have been really fortunate to have such a great pregnancy! Ella Jae moves around like crazy!! We say that she will be fidgetey (sp?) like her Daddy :) Ahh...what if she is JUST like Adam hahaha??!!!! Just kidding, if she is anything like her Daddy, I will be one happy Momma :)

Some changes and hopefully more to come

Recently, the credit union I work for merged with another credit union. Which of course meant big changes for the company and a few exciting changes for me! My job title has changed from Marketing/Communications Administrator to Business Development Specialist. My job description has changed a lot, but I think that my new job description will bring new adventures that I will enjoy, although I will miss some of my old duties! Not only has my job title changed, my work schedule has changed, too. I will no longer have to work every other Saturday!!! I will only have to work every 6th Saturday, although I won't get every other Wednesday off but I will still only work 1/2 a day on Wednesday. It is definitely a fair trade for me!! I cannot wait to start enjoying every weekend like I used to! Unfortunately, I won't get to share too many weekends with Adam right now because of retail hours he works. But that will hopefully change in the near future. Adam has been on the job lookout since we found out I was pregnant and hasn't had much luck. He recently applied for a management position at Enterprise and they contacted him immediately! BUT...he didn't receive the call and has been playing phone tag with them ever since. So I am praying really hard that he can get this new job with Enterprise! The job would mean no holidays, no late nights, and only rotating Saturdays til noon. AND...the Enterprise that he would work at is not even a mile from our house! I am thankful for some changes for the better in my job and praying for changes in Adam's job!! Please say a little prayer for Adam to find a job he will enjoy and will be family friendly :)

Sneak peek of Ella Jae's room

So this is a sneak peek into Ella Jae's room. It is by no means finished. The theme is pink and brown. It has been a lot of fun so far and we have had tons of help. Adam put together Ella Jae's dresser all by himself and surprised me with it all assembled! Adam's grandparents, Mem and Pep Lambert bought the dresser for us! They are so thoughtful and generous! I cannot wait to make more progress in the weeks to come. We mod podged letters with pink and brown scrapbook paper. They are so cute and I love them! But I can't decide if I want to use the letters to put above her bed or vinyl wall art that spells out her name. I am also in the market for curtains. I may go with white sheer curtains, but I found something I like in a mgazine that I hope to duplicate. So stay tuned!!

Christmas already, really?

Last Sunday night, I visited my little hubby at Wal-green's and picked up a few things and got excited when I spotted a full row of Christmas merchandise! I was scoping out the food and drink isle when I saw little stars and holly on the ginger ale 2 liter bottles! After I went to Wal-green's, I had to run by Kroger to pick up some cookies for work and I was walked in, I was greeted by the Starbuck's and the HOLIDAY CUPS! I LOVE Christmas and all that comes with it, but was a little blown away that it had already begun only 1 DAY after Halloween!! Then when I went to the mall on Wednesday, the mall was completely "Christmas-ed out!" They even had the North Pole set-up where children take their pictures with Santa! And while driving home from an event for work yesterday, I noticed downtown Augusta had already put up the wreathes on the light posts! After all the sightings, I got wee bit excited and started thinking about the upcoming holidays and all that they bring...a Savior's birthday, gatherings with family and friends, yummy food, shopping, giving thanks, Christmas lights and trees, traditions, love and laughter! It saddens me a little that Thanksgiving gets kind of lost in the mix now-a-days because I LOVE Thanksgiving, but I like the fact that we get to celebrate Christmas a little longer!! I got so excited by all the sightings of Christmas cheer that I bought Ella Jae a Christmas tree for her room with all pink ornaments :)

*COMING SOON...a sneak peek of ELLA JAE's room :)

Our Halloween Party

Each year, Adam and I have a Halloween party for our family and a few friends. We both love fall and halloween and it has been a real fun tradition! We wear costumes and we keep our costume a secret so it is hilarious when everyone starts to arrive! We eat lots of yummy food and play games. This year really tired me out. I needed all of today to recoop haha! And unfortunately, Adam had to close so he wasn't at the party. It wasn't the same without him. I really look forward to the days when there will be no question whether or not he will be able to attend a party or be available on a holiday! My Mama and cousin helped me prepare for the party and that was a great help! I was a pregnant geisha for Halloween :) Adam was the inspiration behind my costume. At night, I wear my hair on top of my head and Adam calls me a "geisha." So I decided I would be that for Halloween :) Even though it was 80 degrees and rained most of the night, we had a fun time!

22 weeks

Week: 22 weeks

Belly button in or out: in

Wedding rings on or off: on

Food cravings: Fruit, pizza

Adversions: nicotene

Nausea: none

Mood: overwhelmed at times and emotional

Maternity clothes: a few shirts, still using the bella band with my regular pants

Size of baby: small doll

Changes of baby: Ella Jae weighs 1 whole pound and is the size of a small doll! She is developing her senses, including touch, sight, hearing, and taste. She grabs and holds onto the umbilical cord and even though her eyes are still fused shut, she can perceive light and dark. She hears the sound of my voice and Adam's, my heart beating, the sound of my blood circulating, the barking of a dog, sirens, and a loud tv. She tastes pretty much everything I taste.

Other: Ella Jae's room is painted, chair rail is up, and the crib has bedding!! Now it is time to accessorize :) My belly has really seemed to "pop" over the last week!

Eating for two

Until recently, I have eaten as I normally did before I was pregnant. But wow!!! I beginning to eat for two! I read that I should not "eat for two" and only to increase my calorie intake by 300 calories. But what exactly do you do when you are practically starving?!! Today I ate 2 breakfast bars, applesauce, an apple, an oatmeal pie, and chicken sandwich, and it is not even supper time yet! I have never been a big snacker. For me to just grab a box of cheese nips or chips is highly unusal. And I have tried to particularly stay away from those things since I have been pregnant because I don't want Ella Jae to enter the world a "junk food junkie" haha! So when I do feel hungry I try to grab an apple or cereal bar with rolled oats or something. But man, am I hungry?? I have been trying to down the water, too, in hopes to kill the hunger pains but that doesn't seem to work haha! Tonight, Mem and Pep Lambert invited us for supper so I will be eating a nutritious supper soon! Hopefully my belly will get full along with Ella Jae's! Although, I am sure I will be hungry 2 hours later! Ha!

Speaking of food...has anyone tried the pre-cut, pre-washed apples in a bag? I am totally addicted! They can be kind of pricey but to me, it is worth the splurge! I buy the big bag and keep them at work and I could seriously eat the whole bag in one sitting! Hey...apples are nutritious and one a day keeps the doctor away, right :) Who knows, maybe Ella Jae will be an apple lover. The funny thing is, I never really ate apples before I was pregnant. I was a banana and orange kind of girl. Try these apples in a bag...supper yummy and there is no fuss because you do not have to cut or core them :)

Our weekend recap

Our weekend was pretty lazy! Adam worked all weekend and I did some things around the house. I mostly relaxed and played on our new laptop :) Friday night, Adam worked and I went to dinner with the fam at IHOP! It was so good! Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner? Then I went to good ole Hobby Lobby and then to girl's night at my friend Kelia's house! It was a small group but we had the best time watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and having lots and lots of girl-talk, ofcourse!!
Saturday, I slept in and did a little shopping. When Adam got home from work we went to Outback Steakhouse for a little date night! I had been craving it for a few weeks and it was so satisfying. Although, they never cook my steak right, but regardless it was still so yummy! Then we headed over to my cousin Tiff's house for UFC aka "fight night." The girls don't really watch, we tend to gather in the kitchen around the food and talk :)
Sunday, we went to Church. And one of my best friend's Jessica and her fiance', Nathan, joined us for Church. We ate at Grandma's for lunch and Ad had to jet off to work :( Sundays just aren't the same when he is at work.
Happy Monday, everyone! Hope you have a fantastic week!
5 more day until Halloween!

I'm a winner!!!

I was feeling the "Monday-blues" when I checked my email this morrning and much to my surprise there was an email from Hilary at http://www.blissfullyenamored.blogspot.com/!! I won the super cute Monogrammed Wax Pendant and necklace!!! Can you believe it? My day has been made!!!

A big shout out and thanks to Hilary for having the cutest give-a-way ever! And to Kimbra for being so kind to offer such a give-a-way and for making such an adorable pendant!

I am gonna get all my lovelies this sweet pendant for Christmas! Visit CallaghanArt Gallery to get one, too!

A Family A-FAIR

Last night we went to the Aiken County Fair! It was so much fun! I tired out pretty fast :( But we had a great time and ate lots of ymmuy-not good for you fair food! Ella Jae got her first taste of a corn dog and funnel cake! I've been slack on posting pictures lately so here are some pictures from the fair!

Me and my buddha belly

Mom and Dad

Adam and Me

The Lambert gang

Adrianna and Adam

Fun Wednesday off!

I made great use of my time on my Wednesday off! My sweet husband went and picked us breakfast :) Then I got ready for my hair appointment. I got a little trim on my hair. It needed some attention something awful! Then I met Adam and the Pepere's for lunch at Wendy's! Me and Pep Lambert always eat at Wendy's when he comes into town. It is a tradition on of ours :) Then I went to visit with Kim at her salon because she had to bring baby Davis with her to work. So I was glad to go over and keep an eye on him :) I even got him to sleep by myself! I am sneaking in all the practice that I can! After our sweet visit, I met the whole Lambert gang at Ryan's for family night. It was everyone minus Adam because he was ofcourse working :( But it was fun! Then I ran over to mingle with my Zeta sisters at our annual Pumkin Carve. It is so great to know that an idea my Zeta sister and I had 5 years ago is still a ZTA tradition! I even made it to my cousin's last football after the pumkin carve. My cousin, Adrianna, is like my little sister. I was 11 when she was born and was the only girl on that side of the family until she made her debut. So I was one excited girl to have another girl in the family! She is cheering for her middle school, actually the same middle I cheered for, and finally made it to see her cheer during her last football game of the season. The football team lost but the cheerleaders did great ofcourse, and Adrianna was the cutest one :) I am a little biased, obviously!! I really enjoy my days off when I feel like I get a lot accomplished and do things that I want to get done. Yesterday, I was able to spend a lot of qualoty time with the people I love most and it was so great!

Tonight, we are planning a trip to the Aiken County Fair :) I am so excited! It will be the whole Lambert gang even Adam :) Adam and I have not been to a fair since we have been together. He always had soccer or work. But yah!!! We are finally going to make it this year! I hope that it will be a tradition we can continue with Ella Jae. Growing, me and my mom's family always went to the Aiken Fair. It would be all us cousins and we would get so excited as we would approach the fairgrounds! We would unbuckle our seatbelts so we could inch up a little highers to see the lights. We would always spot to farris wheel first! We would always have a funnel cake and as much as I love funnel cakes, I don't like when I get all the powder all over me haha! I am really looking forward to the fair tonight and especially the food! Who doesn't love fair food, especially a pregnant woman :)

P.S. Ella Jae's room is being painted today :)

A cute give-a-way...

I was blog hopping like I LOVE to do and found this super cute blog, BlissfullyEnamored. I can't am having trouble linking the blog so the web address is www.blissfullyenamored.blogspot.com. She is giving away this trendy necklace...

Now go over there and register to win yourself :)

Our weekend recap

Our weekend was quite eventful! I worked Saturday until 1pm and then started preparing for Megan and Nicholas' engagement party on Sunday. Mem and Pep Lambert are in town so I met them for supper Saturday night, and then Mom came over to help me prepare a couple things for Sunday. Poor Addie boy had to close Saturday night and open on Sunday so it didn't get to be real involved with all the festivites :( Sunday, my day started bright and early. I even skipped Church so I could get everything all set for 2 pm. Mom came over to help. She was such a great help in buying and preparing food. Mem Lambert and Erica came early to help set up as well. I thought I could do it all by myself, but it was so nice to have sweet help and they we so willing to do anything. Mom helped me prepare all the food, Mem picked up the petit fours for us and helped set out the food, and Erica picked up last minute items and helped make sandwiches. I would have been in such a tizzy without those women!! We had a lot of fun together while we were getting everything all set up for the party!

The party went really well! We had a great turn out! The food was so yummy and we had plenty left over. It was so nice to see two families come together and mingle for Megan and Nicholas! They are so loved!!

After the party, we had a little "after party!" It was NFL Sunday football! So ofcourse that meant watching the Patriots game! The girls mingled in the kitchen while the guys watched the game :) The game was a complete blowout...so my hubby was a happy man :)

Adam and I were able to relax together and hang out so that was a great end to the weekend! He helped me clean up the kitchen and put away the dishes and then we watched game highlights (ofcourse haha) and Premonition. The weekend went by way too fast for my liking! Now it is time for the work week. Fortunately, I have Wednesday and the weekend off so that is definitely something to look forward to! Maybe Adam and I can even sneak in a trip to the Aiken Co fair :)

The crib is up!

Last night, Adam's parents came over to our house for dinner! It is always so nice having them over. I love having company period! I just love to entertain and wish I could do it more. After dinner, Adam and his dad put up the crib, and mom and I assisted when needed :) The crib looks so nice!! Mom and dad were even gracious enough to buy the bedding as well! We are so thankful for them and all they do for us! They take such good care of us! We are truly blessed by our entire family!

After Mom and Dad left and Adam was watching tv, I just sat in Ella Jae's room thinking of all that is yet to be. I thought of how she will nap in her swing that sits against the wall, how she will sleep peacefully in her new beautiful crib that her Popi and Mem so willingly bought for her, how Adam and I will sneak into her room at night to look at her and pray over her after she has fallen asleep, how I will rock her and read to her in the antique rocking chair my Mama gave to me, and how she will someday play in the floor with our her toys. I think it really hit me last night that we are actually having a baby and she will be here in 5 short months! I wanted to be a mommy my whole life and Adam and I prayed for her before we ever knew we would be blessed with her. It brings tears to my eyes to think that is 5 months we will see her face, touch her soft wrinkly skin, hold her sweet hands and feet and ofcourse give her sweet kisses as much as the day is long! What a blessing, what a priviledge that God chose Adam and I to be her parents, to love her, protect her, teach and guide her! I really am enjoying being pregnant and feeling her little movements, but I cannot wait for her to be here with us and make our family complete!!!

20 weeks...half way there!

I cannot believe that I am half way through my pregnancy already! Time has flown by so quickly! I am feeling great and my belly is growing along with other parts :) I have never weighed as much as I do now. At my last vist, I had gained around 6 lbs I think and the doc said I was doing well with my weight, but I think I have gained even more now haha! I got on the scales the other night and weighed 9 lbs more than I did before I got pregnant. It will be interesting to see just how big I do get...haha! Ella Jae is moving, ALOT! It is the greatest feeling and I get the same exciting feeling each time I feel her move!! I can even see her kick when I am lying down. My belly will actually move :) It is the neatest thing! Recently though, when she is moving and someone touches my belly to feel her, she stops moving..that little stinker!!! Our next visits to the doctor are Nov 4. and 13. I cannot wait to go back and she how much she has grown! My high risk doctor will release me at that point and they will also do a sonogram. And...they have the technology to do a 3d sonogram and there is no charge! I cannot wait for that! She could even have hair at that point...how precious?!

week: 20 weeks

belly button: in

wedding rings on or off: on

food cravings: Fruit...apples and oranges

adversions: gas fumes

nausea: none

mood: happy and exicted

maternity clothes: I have two pair of pants for work and still using the bella band for my jeans. But I am going to invest in some jeans soon!!

size of baby: banana

changes of baby: weighs 10 1/2 oz, measures 10 in. from head to toe, swallowing more these days, permanent teeth forming behind baby teeth, can differeniate between morning, afternoon, and evening, and starts to become more active at certain times than others.

next appt: Nov. 4

Other: In the process of getting the nursery ready!!!

(I saw this fill-in-the-blank on another blog and thought it was a great idea and easier to read all the updates!)

What fun on a rainy day!

I made the most yummy pumpkin muffins yesterday! I really wanted to make a pumpkin pie, but after searching for a good fall recipe, I stumbled across the pumpkin muffin recipe and had to make them to take to Mem's for supper. It was a great day for baking, too! It rained ALL day so it was a nice day to stay inside and bake :) I also made my house smell like fall by boiling water, vanilla, cinnamon and pumpkin spice! All my tall candle lighters are out of fluid and that was a great way to make our home smell like fall. I think it even did a better job than a candle because the scent filled the entire house!

Pumpin Muffins
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 t baking powder
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t ginger
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t salt
4 T butter, cut into pieces
1 c pumpkin
1/2 c evap. milk
1 egg
1 1/2 t vanilla

-Preheat over to 400 degrees
-Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.
-In seperate bowl, mix pumpkin, evap. milk, egg, and vanilla.
-Pour pumpkin mix in flour mix. Fold until combined.
-Pour combined mix into muffin pan. Makes 12 muffins.
-Bake at 25 min.

After supper at Mem's, we rented the movie "The Proposal!" It was so funny! I have always loved Sandra Bullock and was saddened when she kind of fell off the movie scene for a couple years. She is hilarious to me! I can't wait to see the new movie she has out with Bradley Cooper!

Our weekend

This past weekend Adam and I were able to spend some quality time together! It is rare that we get a whole weekend together and we savored every minute of it! I took off Friday so we could have a long weekend together. On Friday, we spent the morning cleaning a little and running errands. That afternoon we cleaned out our back garage and decided to have a spur of the moment yard sale. So we gathered all the things we wanted to sell and posted some last minute signs at the ends of our street. Then we ate supper at Salsa's (my fav!) and met his mom at Target to FINALLY purchase a crib for Ella Jae! So...about the crib...we had so much drama with JC Penney so I just happened to be at Target the other day, looking in the baby section, and fell in love with the crib they had on display! It was reasonably priced and beautiful, so when I got home I looked it up and read all the comments and knew it was a winner!!! So we have drib for Ella Jae!!!
Saturday, we woke up way too early for our yard sale although we had a good turn out and surpassed our own expectations especially since it was so last minute. What we didn't sell we took to Salvation Army. Then we came home, popped a pizza in the over and after eating, we took a nice long nap. That evening we decided to go out for a nice date night. We ate at Chili's (yah for two for $20!!) and went to the movies to see "Couple's Retreat." It was really funny and it was packed. We made a pit stop to get candy before, ofcourse!! It was a great night! It felt like we hadn't been to the movies in so long. We had a great night! We know in the near future our "date nights" will be few and far between so we are enjoying them now!! Although, I am sure we won't miss our date nights that much because we will have a new sweet little addition to our family and she will consume all our time and we will enjoy EVERY minute of it!
Sunday, we went to Church and ate at Grandma's as usual :) Then we went to Adam's parents to watch NFL football. I am not the biggest fan of NFL but I get enjoyment out of it because Adam does! Although he was a little heart broken because the Patriots lost and it is not fun to see him when they lose! But there is always next week!
Now it is back to reality! I traveled to ATL today for more training and Adam is winding down from his vaca days and heads back to work on Wed. Hope everyone has a great week!!!

Gotta love Wednesdays!

Thankfully, I had the day off today! I get every other Wednesday off from work :) I don't know what I will do when I have to work EVERY Wednesday someday! On Wednesdays, we also have family night at Adam's grandparents house. It is a nice time to catch up with everyone and we laugh a lot! Tonight, Mem made "wok chicken!" Omg...it was so good!!! I still smell like I walked out a japenese restaurant! Haha! Then, I took Megan and Nicholas to see a house that my Mama has for sell. It is so cute and Megan and Nicholas loved it! It is completely remodeled and has 2 bedrooms...the perfect starter home. I pray that they can find the perfect little home to start a family and that meets their every need just as Adam and I did. Everything we will work out perfectly for them in God's timing, I just know it! It always does! Megan and I hit up TJ MAXX afterwards and Starbucks....ahhhh....so yum! I had decaf, ofcourse! I never had a sister so it will be nice to have one in Megan! She loves shopping and Starbucks just like me...what more could a girl ask for?!!!!

Preggo pics

10 weeks preggers

14 weeks preggers


18 weeks preggers


What a difference, huh? It is so funny to look back and see how far "we've" come! I cannot wait to see when I am 40 weeks and look back on the past weeks to see the progress! You can finally tell I am pregnant, when I wear a tight/close fitting shirt :) I am carrying really low which I never really understood the concept before. I had always heard that typically you carry girls low and boys are high but never really thought much about it. When I went for the 3d sonogram, the technician told me that I was carrying extremely low. Now it makes sense, hence my baby bump looks like a little pooch because I am "carrying low"! Haha! I cannot believe I am almost half way through my pregnancy! And I know with the holidays around the corner, the time is going to pass even quicker. I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing yet because I really want her to get here and see her sweet little face, but I also want to enjoy being pregnant!

Little piggies

Look at those those sweet little feet!

I cannot wait to nibble on those little piggies!!!!

(Excuse the lines in the pic...)

18 weeks

Ella Jae is approx. 5 1/2 in. long and weighs 7 oz. She is busy flexing and moving her arms and legs. Her female organs are formed and in place. Her blood vessles are visible through her skin and her ears are in final position. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue a year after she is born.

Ella Jae is moving a lot. I typically feel her move in the morning and at night. My belly is starting to grow, finally! To the normal person, I still don't look pregnant but those who know me can tell. I bought 2 pair of maternity pants to wear to work. I can still wear my regular pants with the bella band although the maternity pants are MUCH more comfortable. I may wear those forever...just kidding! I have gained 6 lbs. and should be gaining more weight in my 2nd trimester...although I hope not too much! As bad as I want to look pregnant, I don't want to gain tremendous amounts of weight so for that reason, I will be patient with my baby bump!

Ella Jae movin' and a shakin'

Ella Jae was such a little mover and shaker last night! She moved constantly for 2 whole hours! It was so exciting! I felt her move really for the first time 2 weeks ago, and after that it was only here and there. But since last Saturday night, I have felt her move everyday :) What a little miracle! When I went for my doctor appt. last Friday, the technician said that my placenta was right in front of her so when she kicked she was kicking the placenta so that is why the movement wasn't real consistant yet. But that once her bones hardened, I would feel her a lot more! Well, it looks like our baby girl's bones are strong! Adam even could feel her yesterday! He was so excited!! She seems to be sleeping peacefully right now and just really calm because she isn't active....yet....!!! She seems to be busiest in the morning and at night :) She must have a lot to do in my tummy :)

Crib hunting

We have been crib hunting for what seems like forever! I always had an idea of what kind of crib I wanted, but then when I starting actually looking for one I was completely overwhelmed! There are so so so many cribs out there to choose from! So after tirelessly looking in stores and on the web, we decided to go with this from Jcpenney. What do you think? Adam's parents are buying our crib for us! Isn't that sweet? They really want to do this for us as well as make it a tradition for their other grandchildren. It will help us out tremendously!! We can buy the coordinating furniture which was Adam's suggestion!

While looking a crib, I ran across this little girl's room! Isn't it beautiful? I knew I wanted to do Ella Jae's room in pink and brown and when I saw this room I got so excited! I just love it!! And she can grow into it. It is not real "baby-ish." But it is oh so girly! I especially love the wall with the light and dark pink diamonds. We are going to try and duplicate this to the best of our ability! I may have to call in a professional but I think it will be worth it! I found the cutest bedding, too :) Oh my gosh, is it adorable! You can find it here!!
We should be starting on the room soon! Hopefully once we get the crib in, we will start on it. Luckily, there isn't much to clean out the room! It will just really be a matter of painting it! I will be sure to post the progress! Yah for pink and brown! I hope Ella Jae will love her room :)

What a sweet husband!

I just wanted to brag on my husband (aka "my baby daddy") a little bit! Yesterday, he said some really cute things! We were eating breakfast and talking about Ella Jae (most of convos consist of her these days!), and he said "I can't wait for her to be here!" Then I felt her move while we were relaxing on the couch and he tried to feel but he couldn't feel anything. Then he said "will I really be able to feel her kick when she starts kicking more?" He said it in the cutest way but oh so serious :) Then he started talking to my belly and telling her to kick...so sweet! He is going to be such a great daddy! If he is with her just a little of the way he is with me then she will be one lucky little girl! When he holds me or hugs me tight, he'll say "I love my girls!!" Awwww!!!!! He also made my lunch this morning :) Ella Jae and I are two lucky ladies!!

Rhode Island pictures

At Mem and Pep's 50th Anniversary party

Me and Ad before the party

Our family before the party

Me and Ad at the Tommy and Tanya's wedding reception

At the rehersal dinner (Ad sporting his new jersey that Tommy gave him)

Just coming in from the pouring rain (notice the wet spots on Adam's shirt)

Nicholas...well...being Nicholas :)

Me and Ad on the campus of Brown University

Wright's Farm yummy desserts

Also at Wright's Farm...they milk their own cows

(Me standing infront of the cow "maternity barn")

We ate "wieners" aka Hotdogs in the south :)

Me and Megan committing a crime...southernizing our "wieners"

Me and Meggers at the wiener place

Me and Addie at the wiener place

Taking the necessary precautions on the flight to R.I. so Ella Jae and I wouldn't catch any germs hahaha!!