It's time

Today is b-day. To say it feels surreal would be an understatement. We're excited, anxious, and as ready as we're going to be. Pregnancy has been an adventure, and for the most part it's been calm and easy. It got a little more exciting in the last month, but hey...I gave up control a long time ago, and just accepted the fact that I'm going to roll with whatever. Chris and I have grown closer and laugh daily thru it all, and I can't believe how lucky I feel to get to add someone to the mix. It's going to rock our reality, and I can't think of anything we've wanted more. It's an answer to lots of prayer, and I can't wait to meet baby G.

It's hot!

June is here, summer is upon us and we've already had several days in the 100 degree category. Bleh. Why God decided I should be pregnant for the entire summer I will never know. I am not a fan.

We have been spending as much time as possible with this guy, who will be 2 next month.



Someone also felt like the baby needed a bigger car to haul it's crap around. Have you ever seen anyone happier?



I'm trying to stay comfortable and have about 8 weeks until this kiddo hopefully decides to join us. This is a pic of the crib/bassinet and a little something we put on the wall. It's much more finished now, but I don't have any pics that really capture the room.

Charleston, SC

May was also a Memorial Weekend Girls trip to Charleston, SC. I wasn't in charge of the camera, and I'm not even sure I want to allow pics at that point forward in the pregnancy. No one really needs to see that.

Jen, Elizabeth, Barbie and I went South for some food that was to die for, the men still wear bow ties at lunch, and seersucker is everywhere. It literally looked like a JCrew/Brooks Brothers catalog. Of course we went on the busiest weekend of the year, and had no idea. When the bartender told us the first night we would be lucky to get reservations I was on opentable.com faster than you know. That little app saved us and we ate very well.

We LOVED it. The houses, plantations, food, shopping, horse drawn carriage rides, and even rocking on the porch of a beach house we crashed one night (we were invited). It was the last girls trip for me as a non mom, so I tried to max it out. Swelling and discomfort be dammed. Of course we already have the trip for next year on the books, but this one I will always remember.

Jen/Elizabeth. Posting pics from this adventure is all on you :)

Showered Baby

May was also my baby shower. I still can’t quite put into words how beautiful and special it was. 6 hostesses can be a lot, but Allison was in charge, and made it look so easy. It also helps when in general my friends are pretty much the best.




It happened to be the only nice weather Saturday we’ve had in a while, so we totally lucked out. It was in the backyard at Helen’s house, and was bird themed with nests, and birds and the colors were Grey, Yellow and White. The details were so amazing and it looked like Martha Stuart had planned it herself.

I’m so awkward at these things, I like parties but not when I'm the one being stared at, so I was a little anxious. All of Chris’ family came, and my Aunt Marty flew in from CA, my mom was here, and so many special local friends. The gifts were overly generous, and luckily because so many of them are moms, also practical. When it was over I wished I had stood up and said something to everyone but I just was overwhelmed and didn’t at the time. So if you were there, and are reading this…this is for you.



THANK YOU. All of you are a special part of this journey, and it hasn’t been easy. I feel so blessed to call you all friends (and family) and know that this baby will be loved beyond measure. Chris’s mom said that excited is too small a word to describe how she feels about this baby, and I just feel so lucky. Thank you Allison for killing yourself over this party, it was more beautiful than I could have imagined. Thank you to Jen, Christine, Heather, Erin’s G and N, and Helen for hosting. Thank you Elizabeth for the cooking lessons for Jenn and the recipes.

Santa Barbara

In early May we took a birthday trip to Santa Barbara, CA. It was amazing. Perfect weather, lots of relaxing, and extra fun because Rob and Allison came along. I won't even tell you about the hotel hook up because it was ridiculous.

We were able to go to the Santa Barbara Mission, The Reagan Library, and did lots of eating and shopping. Some people might have done more drinking. Alas I was the driver. We saw a lot of celebs, drove by Oprah’s house, enjoyed coffee bean and tea leaf blended drinks, and listened to the ocean from our patio. When it’s 78 with 0% humidity it’s hard to ever want to leave. It was a blissful.

The man himself


The view, from the hanger with Air Force One. Yes, an entire plan fits in this glass house, and you can tour it.


Santa Barbara Harbor

So many things, so little time

It's been a while since April! I am terrible at this blog thing, and have been for a while. Actaully lots of us are. It just isn't as easy or fun as it used to be. It's blocked at work, and finding the time to do it at home, load pics etc...it's just not a priority.

I'm going to do a few small posts to get caught up, and then we'll see.

Love,
Meg

Patio

We added some new goodies to the patio in the way of furniture, and a fire pit etc. We did this just in time for the insane storm that came thru this week, but I'm looking forward to sitting outside in the evening on the sofa and making s'mores.

Girl Time

I just got back from a very relaxing trip to San Diego. It was about time for some sunshine and a visit with Val, mixed in with a work conference, ended with some spa time with my momma.

Something has to be said for the kind of friendship that can just be still. Some of the best time Val and I spend is sitting outside in the sun reading magazines and listening to Adele, or walking on the boardwalk. I miss her, and it was so nice to have days to just do the things we like to do. Eat. Shop. People watch and catch some beach sunsets. We've been thru a lot, that girl and I.

My mom came down at the end of my trip. She hadn't seen me in person pregnant yet and it was killing her. It was good timing because the belly popped literally the day I left for the trip. She will tell you that I'm a mean child because I banished her to the other room in the hotel. The snoring was RIDICULOUS. She treated me to a day at La Costa Spa and Resort along with a prenatal massage. It was so good I almost cried.

I left pampered, tanned, and with the need for an additional suitcase because of the shopping damage that occurred.

Feeling Old

This past weekend my baby brother turned 30....30! I just can't even picture him as 30. I feel like I'm barely 30 but I can't live in denial about that if he's now caught up to me. He spent the day with his family, cooked on his new grill for dinner, and enjoyed the weekend.
I remember when he was born. I was 4, and of course had to be another mother. I've watched him, sometimes hovered, sometimes bossed, sometimes shared a broken heart and some the best moments in life are with him. I called him BEFORE my mom when I found out I was pregnant (after Chris of course). Living an hour away still seems far at times, but it's close enough that I try not to miss any of the big things. I know that we will always be close, that our kids will be pals, and that I can't imagine growing up, growing old, or laughing at my parents without him. Happy birthday brother.

What's in a name?

As promised, here is the 19 week pic. Halfway thru this thing (in a few days) and the Dr said the baby looks perfect. We aren't finding out the gender, or telling anyone our name choices. This has led to an almost weekly call from any one of the 6 grandparents, or my brother with "helpful" suggestions. Rob is hoping it's a boy and that we'll name him Argyle. As in the pattern. My dad suggested Gertrude, or Gertie Gaines for a girl. Chris' dad called tonight to give us Elvira and Thor as options. I'll just say this. It will be a common, normal, traditional name spelled the way that the first person who guessed would be right. I don't feel the need to be unique or creative. As a recruiter I think that parents have ruined their child's chances at jobs based on name alone. My friend Christy told a story about her mother in law who's a teacher. She had a first grader with the name La-a. She called out the last name cautiously, and was told by the little girl "it's La DASH A...that dash ain't silent". Not kidding.

Hope

Such a big thing in such a small word. I tried to think of clever titles for this post. Some were funny, some were slightly vulgar...none seemed to fit. The reason is because we needed hope, it was a season of doubt...of sadness, of really having some hard conversations, some major medical procedures, months and months of drugs, and praying. Lot's and lots of praying. Thru it all we always had hope, hope that God had a plan, and that we would put one foot in front of the other and keep going.

We're having a baby. Due in Aug. It is still so amazing to me that this prayer was answered that it hasn't quite hit me yet. It took 4 sonograms for me to actually believe the Dr. We kept the entire last year plus of our life quiet as we struggled with this, so it seems odd to share it now, and to be expected to share it so freely. It still feels like a secret, and people seem surprised that I kept one! Ha. There is a lot to this story but this seems like enough for now. Please excuse the sono pick...it was the first one from week 7. I'm at 16 weeks now and I'll try to post another one soon. However I'm not one of these "all I can talk about is my pregnancy, what fruit it is, what week it is, tell you how I'm feeling" pregnant people. If you ask me, I will tell you I feel fine. That's about it, and that's how I roll.

The incident

A few weeks ago Chris woke up at 1:30am one night with VERY sharp stomach pains. He thought it was food poisoning, or a gall stone or something. He didn’t want to wake me so he went to the restroom, just in case. TMI I know. However nothing happened, and when he was bearing down in pain, he also held his breath. When he went to stand up, he passed out. Keep in mind I was asleep, and I woke up to this terrible crash sound, I called out to him and didn’t get a response. So I ran to the bathroom and he was passed out on the floor, with a big bump on his forehead. He clearly had hit his head on the way down. I had no idea about the stomach so I was freaking out. He came to and tried to stand up again (even though I INSISTED he not) and his eyes rolled back and he seized and fell again. This time I was 100% sure, for about 30 seconds, that I was going to be a widow. I was thinking “this is it”. Worst. Feeling. Ever. Then he started to make some noise and I sighed, ran for the cell phone and dialed 911. He, still not listening to me, crawled to the bed and climbed in. He also began to bark orders that didn’t really stop, let’s just say he’s the worse patient ever. The EMT’s came, checked his vitals, and told him they thought it was a kidney stone because of the stomach and back pain he was having. They told him that because he had passed out 2x, and hit his head he would have to go to the ER, and he could either go with me, or them. He picked me. It’s cheaper you know. At least that’s what he was telling me. They helped him into the car and off we went, 2:15am to the ER. Several hours and 2 CAT scans later, the stomach pain is a mystery, no stones…no signs of anything. However it appears that when he fell that first time, he fell so hard that he BROKE A VERTEBRE. Yep, that’s right. His L2. At 5:30 we hobbled out of the ER, off to the pharmacy for some very strong pain narcotics, then home. He continued to be a terrible patient for 2 days until I let him go back to work without yet seeing an Ortho, which were the original orders. He has been healing nicely, but it will be about 6-8 weeks before the fracture is healed completely.
 

Empire State of Mind

I came, I saw, I conquered. 8 days in the Big Apple: 4 just my mom and I, and the other 4 with Chris and his family. Literally we did everything accept walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Here are some of the highlights.

2 years

2 years came and went a month or so ago. I still remember that 21st night of September like it was yesterday. It's been quite a year, and I have to say that thru it all I've been amazed at how we have grown closer, and learned to lean on each other in a way we hadn't before. I've learned in year 2 that we have no control, and we aren't guaranteed the things we want, but I have faith in knowing I picked the person who will walk thru the minefield with me, and go sailing in the storm. He is a promise keeper, and I am so thankful.

Guess Where I Am?

Alright I’ll tell you because you'll never guess. I’m at the Congressional Black Caucus as a representative for my company. Not kidding. I mean I’m happy to be here and learn about the political platform, but I do feel slightly out of place.

Long time gone

Lot's has happened, but nothing crazy exciting. I'll just provide the short version of the last month plus.

We started May in Miami and Key West for Chris' birthday. LOVED the Conrad in Miami. I think we will pass on the keys in the future. It was humid and felt like we were in a golden girls meets jersey shore on vacation. Great people watching.

And have spent plenty of time with the nephew, who will be 1 in a few weeks! I can't get enough.



Chris was baptised. It was hot, crowded and amazing.





Relaxed for a weekend with friends at the Manning Ranch. I learned that firefly sweet tea vodka can be a sneaky but delicious libation, John Manning can never take enough pictures, Chris Shahan loves cupcakes, and miller high life is the champagne of beers. Being that this was the 3rd annual we decided the weekend needed a name. Shaheinagaines.






Now you're all up to speed.

No way!!!

I came across a little item in my post vacay blog catch up. According to the advocate Lakwood blog, Dallas has 6 area sites under contract with more in Ft Worth and other pockets of the metroplex. If this is true...this CA girl will be the happiest girl in Texas.

*UPDATE*

We got one little bugger in a trap but of course we have 2 or 3 more on the lamb. I came home the other day, looked on the roof, and there it was in the cage. Because it was after 5pm, the trapper office was closed and our fluffy friend was going to have to sit caged on the roof overnight until the trapper got the message and came in the morning. Chris was worried and checked on it several times, even suggested throwing a blanket over it so other animals couldn't pick on it. WHAT? Sometimes I feel that we think alike. In this case we clearly do not.

1 down...a few more to go.

Squirrel!

The last few weeks we have had some unwelcome houseguests. They're loud, and keep us up at night because they decided to make the area right above our bedroom their favorite spot. It sounds like people walking around up there and I feel like they're eating thru the sheetrock. My fear is that one day it will fall thru and land on me. Let’s just say trauma would be an understatement.

The last straw for me was this past weekend. We were working in the yard, getting ready to plant for spring, and the alarm in the house kept kicking off. We walked in and the “trouble” light was blinking. The security company called and after trouble shooting determined that one of our sirens was sending an error message. The reason…the wire to that siren seemed to be in the way of our family of squirrels. So they just ate thru it!

After that we contacted a few companies known to take care of such things. They arrived yesterday with traps. Traps? Seriously I told the guy can’t you just gas the little suckers and get the carcasses out. He was mortified. Hello, I’m a country girl…where I come from we don’t swerve for squirrel. There are plenty of them. However the city folk here just don’t feel the same. They trap them, and then go over to White Rock Lake and release them. Then the same company will come seal up any areas they feel that the squirrels or other animals might be able to get into. So now we have traps baited with food and nuts to attract, but not harm these fluffy rats. They are smart little freaks though because it hasn’t seemed to work….yet. Stay tuned. If not I might take matters into my own hands. PETA be dammed when it comes to squirrel, rats, possum, armadillo, and gophers.

Coming Soon

When I bought my condo 4 years ago the promise of Whole Foods loomed on the horizon. Here we are 4 years later, and it's finally opening next week. I can't wait. I keep hoping that between Park Lane with this Whole Foods, and Top Golf that my little hood will start to turn around.

This is a little blurb from the article about the opening of the store.
The 64,000-square-foot store features a wine bar that serves cheese and lets shoppers walk the aisles with a glass. It's the chain's first to score seafood with color-coding sustainability fishing labels. A customized cupcake station with a variety of flavors, toppings and fillings is new and next to a self-serve frozen yogurt bar.

Um did someone say customized cupcake station? Genius. A few weeks ago I went to the flagship WF in Austin and picked up some sushi, and I have to say...it was as good, if not better than the restaurants and SO much cheaper!