A Rainy Day

When my Dad and I were dancing at my wedding, he gave me some advice, a piece of which was to "Save for a rainy day, because a rainy day will come." He then said that the rainy days won't last, but to anticipate them and use them to draw Jared and I closer.
Well I think I experienced my first true "rainy day" on Wednesday, December 29th. While I have been a terrible blogger this fall/Holiday season, it is not because I didn't want to. I had many exciting things going on in my life and I couldn't wait to blog about them, and simply didn't have time.
Jared and I found out on Halloween that we were expecting. This was very exciting because we hadn't been trying and it happened so "easily." We went to the Dr. on November 15 where they confirmed it, did blood work, and sent us on our merry way. Because I had only come off of the pill 30 days before, I had not had a true period, so they wanted to use an ultrasound to set the due date. On November 29 I had my ultrasound with a strong heartbeat of 173 and they set the due date of July 12. Jared didn't want to share our news until after the holidays, but we agreed that after the ultrasound we would share with our family. He was traveling out of town for work, and so we waited until the first weekend in December to share. Our families were thrilled. Also during this time, we learned that 2 of my lifelong friends, Brooke and Lindsey, were also expecting. Brooke due on July 4 and Lindsey on July 11. How exciting. We also had other friends that we haven't known as long due in July. No way we could have planned it like that.
I was off from December 22 until the first of the year and so I set my 12 week appointment for the week I was off.
The week before Christmas one of our friends suffered the loss of their unborn baby. For what I can only describe now as God's infinite wisdom, I began to consider that it could happen to me too, and told many people over Christmas that I was playing mind games with myself since learning of my friend, and that I wouldn't feel better until after the 29th when I heard the heartbeat. Little did I know that that would become my reality on the 29th.
Jared was also off and able to go with me to my appointment where we expected to hear the heartbeat for the first time, and be cleared from the first trimester and the risk associated with it. We had planned to go to Babies R Us in Richmond after our appointment in search of neutral bedding, so I could attempt to keep my plan of it being a surprise.
We had an early morning appointment and it ran right on time. I was pleased that I hadn't gained any weight and the nurse attempted to hear the heartbeat on the Doppler. I shared with her the anxiety I had since learning of our friends news. I was not at all worried when she couldn't find it, because Brooke had gone a week earlier (same Dr.) and the nurse couldn't get hers either. The nurse said not to worry that Dr. Burke would be able to get it. Dr. Burke then came in and told me right away that the nurse had shared with her that I was anxious because of my friend. Dr. Burke said let's hear these hearttunes right away so you won't be worried. She then attempted to locate them on the Doppler. The entire time she continued to talk about tests that we could do in the next weeks, and other options, never once seeming concerned. She told me that because the baby is still in the pelvis at 12 weeks, that they cannot routinely hear the "hearttunes" until 13 weeks. After not locating them, she never flinched or seemed concerned.
She then asked me "would YOU feel better if I got you an ultrasound today so you know everything is okay before you leave." I greatly appreciated her consideration and said yes. I was happy to know everything was okay and to get to see the baby with Jared, since he missed the first ultrasound appointment. It would surely look more like a baby this time and we would have great pics to share with our families. On the way out of the room, I commented to Jared, "Gosh, I hope we hear it." To which Dr. Burke said, "Don't worry, you have a 97% chance of hearing it."
The same technician did this ultrasound as the first one. She acted the same so I still wasn't particularly worried. Then she said she needed to check with Dr. Burke and that she would be right back. I knew something was wrong. I told Jared and he didn't really believe me. I wasn't certain if it was no heartbeat, or a deformity, or something else, but I knew it wasn't good. If it was she would have turned it around, showed me it was okay, and printed the picture.
Dr. Burke came in with the technician and said the technician had located the baby but no heartbeat, and that she (Dr. Burke) needed to confirm that in fact there was no heartbeat. Of course she didn't see it and she showed it to me on the screen. I knew it wasn't right, since I too didn't see it, and the baby looked very similar to my last ultrasound which was exactly 30 days prior. I was devastated and felt so sad for Jared. I had high hopes that he would get to see the heartbeat and see it was "real." I hadn't been sick, not even once, not moody, not craving weird things, and not that tired. So I was hoping that this would make it real for him. Instead it was full of disappointment. We had waited to tell people hoping to avoid this moment, and now it met us head on.
They put us in a side room until Dr. Burke's room was available again. We waited for what seemed like an eternity. All I wanted to do was get a breath of the fresh winter air. I had not eaten anything because of my medicine before the appointment so I was hungry and thirsty. This quick 15 min appointment was now going on 2 hours. We finally got in to see Dr. Burke, who gave us options for moving forward as I had no signs or symptoms of miscarriage. We considered the options and proceeded with what gave us the least risk for impacting future opportunities.
On the way home we stopped and got a new Dyson vacuum, and a limeade from Bill's BBQ. My absolute favorite. I then called our families and let them know. Everyone was so supportive. Although they shared our same excitement, they will again someday. Everyone recognized that everything happens for a reason, even if we don't know what it is right now.
Both Brooke and Brandy brought over my favorites for dinner and some snacks like Chocolate poptarts, and limeade, which I hadn't had since before October. I also splurged on a large fountain Diet Coke on the way home.
Fortunately the medicine worked quickly and we are hopefully over the worst part. I go back to Dr. Burke on January 13 and am praying for a clear ultrasound, which will make me "normal" again. Dr. Burke indicated we will talk about "what's next" at that appointment.
At this point, I am hopeful that I will be able to get pregnant again, rather soon, and that we will have a healthy baby. That is what I want most; and if that means that I have to wait until later in the year or early next year, I will.
Hopefully this is our only rainy day for a long while. I am so glad that it is the New Year and that I get a fresh slate. On to happier posts!

Day Two: Your Favorite Movie

This one is not as hard, because I have had this favorite for many years....Home Alone!

I like them both, but prefer the first one. Morgan, Tyler and I used to even have a Home Alone board game that we played. I don't even remember the point now, but it was our favorite.

I love the music in it, and Jared makes fun of me every time I try to hum it!

We lost our VHS of it, and last year Morgan gave me a DVD of it!

The season for it is coming!

KEVINNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!

In my adult days, I also like most things with Reece Witherspoon, especially the Legally Blonde's.....and Megan can do a great Cameo to that!

Day One: My favorite song

So...I did start this on day one and got pulled away and never finished...so here is my next attempt.

I had never really thought about what my favorite song is. I don't think I can pick just one.
I could maybe get it down to one per genre, but that would be difficult as well.

So here they are in the order they came to me:

Merry Christmas-Mariah Carey-The entire album. If you know me at all you know that I love Christmas. I chose to get married at that time of year I love it so much. This album is the perfect music to get in the spirit with, decorate the house to, entertain with, and celebrate the season overall. I am so happy that Halloween is coming...because once that is over, game on for Christmas music!

My Girl-The Temptations- A staple growing up and always a familiar song to dance to...reminds me of my Dad.

Check Yes or No - George Straight - I have always loved this song, but the older I get the more I appreciate the flair they keep in their relationship through the song. This reminds me of Jared, because he loves me no matter what.

Kokomo and many others- The Beach Boys - I remember to this day, and probably could find the light green cassette tape we had of the Beach Boys. We would save it and put it in the car when we were in the final countdown of going to the beach. We would then listen to it all the way to Nags Head. On the way home we were so sad to return, we made Mom & Dad turn it off. We also had a Beach Boys poster in our playhouse that was like a prized possession....my how age changes things!

There are many many others that I love.....like the ones I danced to at my wedding, the crazy line dances that we love, and the ones that bring back memories of college. Rarely do I hear Martina McBride that I don't go back to that freshman dormroom with Brooke.

Trying to stay on track-30 days of me

I have had a hard time staying on track with my blog. It seems to often that my busy job, fire house commitments, and life get in the way. I have seen this "survey" on too many blogs to list, but I thought I would give it a try. Maybe it will be inspirational on days that I want to post, but don't want to vent about work to the entire world!



Here goes:

Day 1: Your favorite song

Day 2: Your favorite movie

Day 3: Your favorite television show

Day 4: Your favorite book

Day 5: Your favorite quote

Day 6: Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 7: A photo that makes you happy

Day 8: A photo that makes you angry/sad

Day 9: A photo you took

Day 10: A photo of you taken over 10 years ago

Day 11: A photo of you taken recently

Day 12: Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 13: A fictional book

Day 14: A non-fiction book

Day 15: A fanfic

Day 16: A song that makes you cry (or almost)

Day 17: An art piece

Day 18: Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 19: A talent of yours

Day 20: A hobby of yours

Day 21: A recipe

Day 22: A website

Day 23: A YouTube video

Day 24: Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 25: Your day in great detail

Day 26: Your week in great detail

Day 27: This month in great detail

Day 28: This year in great detail

Day 29: Your hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days

Day 30: Whatever tickles your fancy!

Not your average work week

I have decided that the worst day of the entire year, is the first day back to work after vacation. And further, the better the vacation is, the worse it makes work! Don't be mistaken....I love my job, but I also love the beach. It was nice to have an official "end of summer" vacation to get recharged for the busy fall ahead. We enjoyed the week of Labor day in Nags Head with Jared's family.
This week I was running around at work completely scatterbrained as if I had no vacation at all. Well, I have now made it through this crazy week, which finished today with the kickoff session of Leadership Fredericksburg. I greatly enjoyed meeting all of the Fellows and getting this program off the ground.

But, to live vacation one more time I have some pics below.



Tucker had some adjusting to do to the water. He slowly but surely came around. I think this picture sums up his week. He was quite content with his trucks and building roads in the sand. As you can tell he also liked the holes.

Miss Hollywood rocked her sunglasses that Gaga and Papa bought her when she got to go with them by herself. She was a good sport with the sand and water. She also enjoyed her brief time in the hot tub and learned to swim and do the back float pretty well.

I took this picture on the last day and I thought it was so cute I wanted to post it. Maybe we will see it again at Christmas Card time. To my Cap 1 friends..can you believe how big the kids have gotten? Time flies.

I got my hair permed the Friday before we left and it made it interesting dealing with the ocean breeze! Much easier with my poker straight hair. We had a great vacation and I can't wait for next year already. I looked for Kristen's whale salt and pepper shakers at a place I saw them in June to mail a surprise to her, but they were sold out. I tried KZ!

I did get a little plaque that holds a picture on it and it has this quote on it: The time you ENJOYED WASTING is not wasted time. T.S. Elliott

I put it on my desk in my new office to remind me that down time is good...and maybe I should waste more!

Fourth of July "Fun"

Jared had to work early on the Saturday before the 4th so I thought I would get a head start on the cookout we had to go to Sunday. I thought it would be cute to make some patriotic cookies. It has been since Christmas since I used any creativity in the kitchen thanks in large part to my super busy job. I have lost some of my touch in that time, but in the end I did have a few good ones turn out. I tried really hard on a few Statues of Liberty, but no luck! Here are a few that I ended up with. I didn't want to take my good platters to the party, so excuse the orange tray.


I was particulary thrilled with the silver sprinkles I found at the store. I picked them up without really knowing what I would use them for, but they made for a great flagpole!

I got tired of the patriotic shapes quickly so I decided to add some "summer" themed ones to the mix. I was most proud of my watermelons, which I had about 20 of. I also made some lollipops and ice cream cones from hand without a cookie cutter. Now it is safe to say I have had my fill of sugar cookies until Christmas.....well maybe fall/Halloween!

I will be blogging tomorrow on big news that Jared and I have been talking about for a year....and NO it's not a baby.

What I've been working on

Since January I have been helping a longtime friend prepare for her upcoming wedding. The wedding was planned for this past weekend, May 22. As we met weekly the plans slowly came together. She knew a few things: she wanted it to be fun, pink, and she knew who she wanted to be there. We started out with a church, reception hall and guest list slightly too large for either of the first two! Luckily she, the groom, and her mom were super easy to work with and were always saying thank you, even when I sometimes didn't think I did much.
Well after all of our laughing, stressing, and hard work it came together. It did rain, and rain hard, but she got down the aisle and through the ceremony without fainting, which was a fear for her, and then they hopped into the familiar territory of a BGVFD firetruck. It just so happened Jared was the driver, so he called out their new name over the radio. This typically wouldn't be a big deal, but Heather is a 911 dispatcher, so they were able to record it for her to have.
Here is a shot when most decorations were done.

This was one of the appetizer tables.

My Mom and I did all of the reception decorations. We decided to do a table split and did some with candles and some with flowers. Heather loves tulips, so that made up half of them. We used the vases from my wedding with a spring twist. This picture was before they opened up all the way.

I am pretty proud of these candles. Last Tuesday, Brooke and I sat down and made these candles. We took plain white candles, wrapped them in painter's tape, and then put glue where we wanted glitter. After that we rolled or shook glitter onto the candles. We were unsure how they would turn out, but when the boys came down stairs and complemented us, we knew we were on track. The trickiest one was the pink, but it was totally worth it.

For all of the centerpieces we sprinkled bath salts around the mirror to make it sparkle. As the night wore on they melted a little and looked like diamonds. I was happy with it.

Overall it was worth all of the efforts. I worked 2 long days, but I was so glad to be a part of this event. Heather and Wayne are so happy and were so appreciative of everything I helped them with. Everyone kept asking when my next wedding was.................and I answered a LONG time from now! I have had my fill for a while!

Spring!

Once again it has been a long time in between blogs..its the job! I have been working at least 50 hours a week and sometimes more....so when I do get home, I try to spend active time with Dudley and Jared instead of being on the computer. This is a post I have been meaning to put up for a few weeks, I have had this Easter/spring display since I took down my Valentine decorations! I knew I wouldnt be at home to put it up, plus I had just bought most of it so I was anxious.

I moved my aloe plant to a new location and put this on my plant stand. My original intention was to put it on the mantle, but it was too tall. I am much happier that I ending up with it on the plant stand.

I picked up these cute "chocolate bunnies" at Home Goods in Short Pump, when I was having lunch with KZ on MLK Day back in January. I love them!

Finally, I put some cherry blossom branches in a vase, and hung my new Easter eggs from Pier One on them. It looks colorful and cheery in a corner that is otherwise white and gray. I think I will leave this up for a while....I love it and so does everyone who comes over.....proud of myself for coming up with this on my own....I didnt even see it on display at the store :)

Looking forward to this!

With all of the snow and bad weather we have had, Jared has worked the last 28 straight days...yesterday was his first day off, and he has been back at it since 6:00am today. One would think with this much snow, and being home alone for so much time I would have had the chance to blog. Oh well, where here is this update. This one definately goes out to KP...maybe we will be albe to hang out!

Last year we went to the beach the week of Labor Day with Jared's parents, and Josh, Brandy and the twins. We had such a great time despite the terrible weather. We were very glad we had a covered hot tub when we hit rain day number 5. As we were leaving, the discussion for next year came up and of course I was excited. With our joint love for Nags Head Jared and I spent some boring winter nights looking at houses online with the hope that at this point we could find the most options for the price range we wanted to stay in. We did. We found 6 houses that we loved. We sent them to Josh and Brandy and they picked the top 1. Then I sent it to Jared's mom, who so graciously foots the bill for the week. We knew that this house had been booking quickly for this summer so we hoped she would act on it quickly. It was much closer to the water than last year, had a heated pool, and our group favorite covered hot tub. After about 2 weeks she had not yet moved on it, and MUCH to Brandy's and I's dismay it was booked. :( We were less than thrilled, but I decided to find the next best choice.

One of the original 6 options emerged as the one we should have chosen all along. The amenities were nearly identical. We liked the location on the beach, the house itself, and it was $695 cheaper for the same week. If you have even glanced at the residential construction business lately you know that this was welcomed news! So, I sent it to Joyce, and we booked it within a day or two.

Now, I am looking forward to Labor Day! Not only is their a "pact" in place for that time (you know who you are), but there is a Jimmy Buffett concert the day before we leave. Since it has been such a boring January and February, at least I can look forward to September! Well, and June too as it is our first beach trip for the year! And, my long lost friend KP will be on vaca the same time, same place....I am sure we can find time to put some drinks back!