Moving right along the produce section

The 'bean' is in fact, no longer a bean and is the size of a lemon. Odd to me b/c I imagine a lemon fairly small in comparason to a peach, but whatever. It's what they say and it makes this waiting game much more fun : )



Come on...now you've got to see the bump growing. It's there. No I don't look prego. I still look like I just ate three meals at home with my mother or father cooking. *Side note: ALL I think about is food...I plan my day around what my next meal will be and I usually have a flashback of what my choice was/will be. So going home sounds ah-mazing! Anyways...we will get there with the belly showing. Once it's "pops" I will post SO many pics, I promise. I cannot wait for that day/week...or whatever. And- just FYI I don't always wear the same thing like a sicko...I am trying to get the same type of pic at each week, so you can see the growth. They're taken weekly and I do laundry on the weekends : )

We're at 14 weeks now. THREE and A HALF WHOLE MONTHS! Yippee!! I am starting the phase of 'round ligament pain.' Not so fun. It pretty much just means that my insides are stretching, which is why you start to show in the 2nd trimester. They're growing pains...and I do feel them. Sometimes worse than others...usually worse on my left side. Strange. And what's rad is the only recommendation for making them feel better is RELAXATION...yeahh buddy! Just gotta get Mike some palm leaves to fan me and some new grapes (I just ate the last of them this morning) and we'll be set.

Interesting fact: your (or my) uterus expands 14 times in size and 20 pounds in weight. Pretty cool huh? All because a woman can carry a baby inside it. SO fun to know. I'm getting more 'sentimental' about my tummy, the being growing inside it, and eventually bringing that being into the world.

What baby can do this month: thumb sucking, toe wiggling, urine making, and breathing the amniotic fluid...it's a busy lil thing. Oh, and it's growing HAIR!!!

Other fun things...Mike is FINALLY home. He went to an air show in the boonies of IL over the weekend. 4 whole days without him were long and lonely!! And he flew himself there in a school plane, which always has me on edge. Even though he's an outstanding pilot. We also got two cool gifts this week. One from Kyle Mays and Alyssa Garcia (Kyle was a groomsman, obviously both attended the wedding and got engaged about a month ago I wanna say)...the Cherish Willow Tree figure. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I cannot wait to add to our 'family' collection as I know there are so really sweet ones out there. Exciting. (Pic to come) And our trainer's wife, Andrea, bought us some bottles, binkies, and nipples on sale...and even threw in some hair gel for Mike : ) The bottles were $1.79 each, nipples 89 cents, and binkies $1.19. Crazy bargains and a great gift!


Alright, off to shower before lunch and work- cheers!

We've Got A Peach

And the bump @ 13 weeks



Not much is new this week. Feeling much more normal now and very, very, very (did I say very?) excited that we have officially crossed into the Second Trimester. All my email this week were saying "Welcome to the Second Trimester" and "Welcome to the trimester most women claim as their favorite." All kinds of positive vibes coming our way! Yayyy! Finally. I know it was only 3 months...but it was a LONGGGG 3 months.

Labor Day Weekend

Yesterday was an awesome day. We went down to Scottsdale for a 'nuchal translucency' test. It's a non-invasive test for Down's Syndrome. We are not at risk by any means, but our insurance covered it and we thought, why not? Better to be prepared! So, we got a Level 2 ultrasound and I got a lovely finger prick. Let me tell you...the stupid needle stabbing your finger hurts worse than getting your blood drawn. Stupid, yes? Why, I have NO freaking clue! But my little index finger is still sore. Ggggrrrr.....

Level 2 ultrasound is really cool. I guess they're just more in depth than a normal ultrasound. And this place had 3D machines in every room...so everyone got a 3D ultrasound too! We saw SO much. Two legs, two hands, two eyes, a heart (all four chambers developing- really cool to see), the brain (you could see the different sections, or lobes?), stomach, umbilical cord, nasal bone, jaw, and then placenta and my ovaries. The 3D part was really, really, really cool. BUT it freaked me out. Sorry, baby B, but you look funny in there. The black and white ultrasounds look much bigger...and the 3D shows this tiny little scrawny thing! It was awesome to see you moving though. Arms and legs going hog wild in there. Too bad I can't feel you yet. We've still got a few more weeks for that fun to begin!





I must say I feel 99.9% better. Maybe it is in part b/c I know we got passed the highest percentage of miscarriages. Maybe it's b/c I've let myself know it's the beginning of the 2nd trimester and things are going to be different. And maybe it's b/c I so desperately wanted to feel all around better. I know, I know...I didn't ever feel that bad. However, mentally I was a basket case! I am not as tired. I am more positive. I am anxious and eager to get everything ready. I am beginning to finally show (although, it's small...it's there!). No weird 'cravings' but when I want something...I best get it, soon preferably. Poor Mike : ) For example, last night I saw an image of something that looked like a green Mike & Ike and it was downhill from there. Mike & Ike's it was for me while watching The Last Song...good movie. Sad. I absolutely HATE watching movies where the Dad dies (and moms too, of course). I refuse to ever think about that...and as far as I am concerned, nobody else in my family is going to pass away. Anyways..before I get all teary eyed again. Geesh.

I am still an emotional basket of fun. I snap at Mike w/out meaning to and when he responds (however, I must say he could react differently), I cry. Ha ha. Help us all.

Matt Lyons is coming into town to hang with us this weekend. Although, we have nothing planned. Well, the boys have a football draft tomorrow, but that has nothing to do with me. It was great b/c I got my fill of my hubby yesterday...now he can have "man time" the rest of the weekend. I don't have Monday off either...bummer! But we never see Matt, so it should be fun just hanging out. So, it's a low key prego holiday. Yippee! What I would give for a Z Tejas Chambord margarita with a Patron floater...you don't even know : ) Oh little baby...I can't wait until you come out! Yes, I will survive though.

Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe Labor Day! Cheers!

12 weeks

Happy "end" to the First Trimester- Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!

I never thought I'd get this far b/c time was creeping by at the pace of a slug on the pavement in the middle of summer. Ugh.

But here we are! Baby B is a PLUM
Already a biggin : ) Lol. So, it's funny. Mike and I had a weeks worth of facebook status posts to put up leading up to the 13th week. We were all excited to post them and the very first post, Danielle, called me out. Man, people are good. Not that this was a toughie or anything. But I thought people would be curious to see what the rest of the posts say. Lol. It's great. So I guess the cat's out of the bag. Although, I am not responding to anything anyone is saying until I am 13 weeks...I don't want to jinx anything! Plus, I want to finish our posts of the rest of the week. I called Mike and all he said was, "I told you." Meaning people can read me like a book- no surprises here : ) He knew people would know what I was going to say. Blah.

Hate it when he's right. But love it that more people know. Little baby B...we've got 28 more weeks together. Let's make this go by quickly. Here's the belly @ 12 weeks:

My Little Lime

Baby B is the size of a lime. Man, these babies grow fast. I feel like last month baby B was less than, or roughly, half an inch. So, it's not a basketball in my tummy, it's a LIME! We went to the doctor today and heard the little heartbeat. Doc says that he can't guarantee that we are "in the clear" but he said we have less than 1% chance of miscarrying with the progress we've made this far. Good news...yes. What we wanted...I think so. But I'd rather be 13 weeks already!!!! Aaahhhh!!! Why is time flying by sssssssssssooooooooooooooooooo slooooowwwlllllllyyyyyyy?????

Since we didn't get to see baby today, I looked online for pictures of 'fetuses' at 11 weeks and found a couple of cool images. I guess it's more real that way. Baby B has eyes, a beating heart, bones, skin, a few 'functioning' organs, and a whole bunch of other stuff. He or she no longer has a tail or webbed feet and hands. The body is slightly more straight and more baby looking. I still can't believe I have something, a being, growing inside my gut. A growing gut at that.

Belly @ 11 weeks:


Goodnight to all- besos!

10 weeks- 6 days

Tomorrow is THE day : ) Yayyyyyy! 11 weeks tomorrow, doctor appointment to confirm all is well inside, and the news will be out. I will probably post a pic on facebook, but only after calling my grandparents (soon-to-be Great Grandparents...how exciting!!). Still can't help that I wish my Nana was around for all of this. I know she is here...just watching from above in the form of my guardian angel. It's just hard and not the same. I am thankful I have other grandparents to share this joy with. Our family wouldn't be the same without them around. I love all 4 of them in Rolla, MO...I even have a set of Great Grandparents myself. It'd be awesome to get a picture of 4 generations once Baby B is born : ) How cool to think about. I also have a set of grandparents in Chicago. Getting married is fun because you get more family!!

On the down side (even though I know the post was a downer), I AM SICK! Ugh...not sure what I caught or where. The kids at work might have had it first, but either way I cannot take anything to feel better! Just standard tylenol. I think it's a head cold and I hope it goes away quickly. Runny nose, slight fever, sore throat, plugged ears, and aches all over...just a stuffy head overall. Blah. I can't help but think this is a bad start to the 'flu/cold' season, but hopefully being positive will nip that in the butt : )

Lets hope tomorrow is a happy post- cheers!

9 weeks and 3 days

Still feeling good. Hoping and praying that this baby sticks around. We are almost in the clear! In just 2 weeks we can go way public...I mean like screaming from the rooftop that we are expecting our first. That's also when I will post all these 'belated' blog entries I've been hiding : )

However, I just read that once you hear and see the heartbeat there's a 5% chance of miscarriage. Seems like we're in favor...even though SO much can go wrong.

Question: Do these prego hormones change your 'positiveness'? I feel like I'm way more 'chill' and 'blah' than usual. I guess it's because there is SO much unknown in our lives right now. And it's stressful. Really stressful. Especially for my personality type. I like to be in the know, in control even. I also seem kind of bored...my 'to do' list daily doesn't have too much on it. Workout, eat proper meals, nap, shower, and work. Maybe I am slightly 'depressed' b/c the wedding planning is over...the wedding itself is over...and we've moved on from that to the next step in our life. An expected step, a planned step, an exciting step...I've just transitioned from newlywed to mom-to-be : )

I guess it doesn't help that I don't really feel pregnant. I mean, I eat more, I'm exhausted, and I no longer get to enjoy a glass of wine or Captain and Diet. I have a pooch...that normally isn't there, but it doesn't look like a 'baby bump' and therefore, just stresses me out. I don't want to gain too much with this pregnancy, I don't want to be stuck with a load of weight to try and work off post baby's arrival. And that's probably more stressful than I really think...it lingers around my head fairly frequently. I know I am going to gain weight, I know I will have a baby pooch and my 6 pack with disappear, but I also know it can come back. I've seen it before. No I won't be the same, but that's OK. I've accepted that. It's just the process of feeling the urge to eat everything terrible for me, that I haven't eaten for years, right now. I'm pretty sure my body is in shock!

So I don't know what to do...I'm bored. I'm lonely. Mike's at work most of the time and he doesn't really understand this process (a friend of mine told me yesterday, "Please don't tell me you expected him to understand?!?!" but I did). I don't have friends here...and I wish my family was closer. Kind of has me down. Work has been stressful b/c the twins seems to be irritable, fussy, cranky, and fighting the majority of my time there. Little Miss Caitlin challenges everything I say and do. And Colleen is just bored and needing attention- school in her near future will hopefully help!

A happier post to come for sure. Next appointment is August 24th!

First Ultrasound

OH MY GOODNESS- how cool!! The ultrasound was amazing! We saw the amniotic sac first, then found baby. Such a tiny glop of stuff. We measured you from top to bottom and the computer told us you were 8 weeks...so your due date still stands. March 15th it is. The placenta is forming, as is the umbilical cord. We saw both of those. But I think the coolest part was seeing your little heart beat : ) You are alive in there and it was ridiculous to see. Even daddy was stunned, saying, "wow- that is really cool." Since we were able to see the heart beating, we were able to hear it!! I got the goosebumps and tears filled my eyes. I think your heart is beating at 155 beats per minute. Which was well over the minimum and fairly fast for a lil' bean! We also got to hear mommy's heartbeat in comparison and it was louder and faster, but interesting to hear what you are hearing too.

Happy 8 weeks of life in my tummy!! Only 4 more to go until we are "in the clear." I am still praying these 4 weeks fly by! Our next appointment is August 24th. I cannot believe it's already August...where did time go? How is it almost 2 months since our wedding day?

We got a great book for mommy to read about you in the mail from Grandma Kim (we aren't sure what you are going to call your grandparents yet). And we got a lullabelly from Grandpa Keith- it will play music for you once I download some "Baby Einstein" on my iPod...lol. Your Auntie Hannah (I call her Scooby), helped pick it out.

Also, on a fun note I changed my name on my driver's license yesterday! Now it is official, Chalfant is no longer my name. SO SO SO weird. ID changed, SSN changed, credit/debit cards changed, passport update needed, and I think that's it! We got some good pictures of these highlights last night.

I DID IT!!!!

The little things in life that mean so much : )

Baby B, I had my blood drawn for the very first time ever in all my 26 years of life!!!! I was so brave. I am not being modest here at all...I am downright PROUD of myself! I didn't have an appointment (huge issue #1), so it was all up to me to drive my booty to the lab and know what was in store for me at that time. I was sick to my stomach, no vomit (I haven't done any of that thus far). I am TERRIFIED of needles (huge issue #2). I am TERRIFIED of seeing blood...especially my own(huge issue #3)! I tend to get light headed and pass out at the sight of anything real gory. I have no idea what got me into my car, turned the key, and made the drive to the lab. It was like I was in autopilot and my head was in a very different place than my body : ) But I did it for you Baby B. I knew I had to...and I did. The nurse told me I did a great job. Even she seemed proud of me.

Whew that's over....and I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW! Mommy and Daddy get to see you for the first time in my belly.

Ultrasound #1 tomorrow at 11:15 am. Off to work now, but will report in tomorrow, of course!

First Doctor's Appointment

Little Baby, you really are in my belly! The doctor confirmed that this morning. On my way to the appointment, I was terrified. What if if I am not pregnant, it was just a fluke thing? What if it's a tubal pregnancy? What if something is wrong? Did I do it?

I went in- updated my insurance form and told them about my name change. Then, peed in a cup. It was nothing glorious and it was strange that I peed into a Dixie cup?!?!? I sat in the waiting room for quite some time. Several other pregnant women walked in...most with other children. So clearly not their first child on the way. Most looked really cute and happy and had that "I'm going to be a mom" glow. My nerves started kicking in as people who came in after me were getting called back before me. Was something wrong? Did they have bad news? Then they called me. Stepped on the scale to see a glorious 128 #s and went into room #3. The first thing the nurse said was Congratulations! Whew- we made it, you are real, and I am not crazy.

Now I know it's early. We are only 7 weeks along, BUT I can't help but be excited and have a feeling that I am not going to lose you. I don't know a mom who says they're going to lose a pregnancy, but just for the record I feel great. I still have cramping and I have to go get my blood drawn for the first time ever tomorrow. Please pray for me : )

Dear Baby B,

Your ETA is March 15th, 2011. That is also Grandma Pat's birthday. Will you please give Daddy and I a heads up that you're ready to come out when you do? Daddy may not be in town and I really need/want him there for your arrival.

Love you,
Mommy

4 weeks or 6 weeks?

Lil baby growing in my belly...why are you so confusing??

Doctors go by the first day of your last period in order to calculate how far along you are. I know that date. I also know that's not when baby B was conceived. Then I read that it goes off that date because, in most women, ovulation occurs two weeks after. They say you get a "two week head start." It frustrates me because that means that I am not 6 weeks prego. I am only 4 weeks prego. I did ovulate two weeks after the first day of my last period and that just so happens to be the week of our honeymoon.

Anyways...I still feel weird. And EXHAUSTED. I go to bed around 9 pm and the alarm goes off at 7 am. Usually, I am easy to get out of bed. Not hitting snooze once. But lately, I just want to lay there. Hit snooze. Maybe fall back asleep. Or just lay...comfy in my covers. I go workout around 8 or 9 am, come home, shower, and when I pass my bed on the way into the bathroom, it takes all I have to not climb back in! I feel lazy, but know that I have something to blame. Something really small growing in my belly...but it's a big thing to my body.

Boobs hurt. Cramps still come and go...I might have pinpointed it on sugar!! Imagine that. My body/baby not liking the intake of sugar. We will see. It's not a substance I typically put in my body, so I know this is something I can get used to. I'm overly emotional, which is hilarious b/c I am an emotional person anyways...imagine normal me...times 15. Ha ha ha. It's great. These hormones are crazy drugs! I feel huge- and everything I read keeps reminding me that it's not baby...not yet. It's just bloated. ie. FAT. Ugh. It's miserable. But I know it's for a good reason. And who cares what those on the street think of me!

First doctors appointment is Tuesday, July 27th. Hopefully that gives us confirmation and good news- if there is such a thing at this point!

Goodnight : )

'Tis the Season

Two weekends ago, Mike and I were down in Phoenix for his Aunt's surprise 50th birthday party. This was the weekend after we took our home pregnancy tests. I figured I'd have better luck finding the book "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" in Phoenix. I checked two Targets and a grocery store, but had no luck. I asked an employee if he had some in the back and he said they can't seem to keep them in stock and I quote, "It must be that time of the year!" I couldn't help but replay that line over and over in my head. Every time I do, I start to wonder why? Maybe because lots of people get married in the spring/early summer and are now expecting...like we are. Are there really that many people in our shoes? Seems strange. But fun. I hope I meet more women who are pregnant.

We spent this past weekend in California. I was DD every night and enjoyed almost every minute of it. My favorite part was waking up feeling like a million bucks while everyone else struggled (sorry Mike and Lauren!). We spent close to or more than 30 hours in 3 days at The Home Depot Center in Carsen, CA for the Crossfit Games. It was INTENSE, fun, nerve racking, and an all around great time. I loved it.

Mike celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday. He is not a real big birthday guy, so we did exactly what he wanted. Kept it low key and went to dinner. I think I love his birthday more than he does...it's a day to be over the top about him. I wonder if he will become a birthday guy once we have baby B. Will Mike then see the importance of a celebration on this day every year? I hope so. I am thinking he will have to change into a birthday guy b/c what kid doesn't want a b-day party?? And I am so not planning/putting a party together solo- sorry buddy!

And yesterday was our one month anniversary of being married. Four whole weeks have flown by...it seems so strange. Honestly, July 19th was unfathomable for me. Where did June go? I want to go back. I want to relive that day, every weekend until it gets old. Ha ha- I doubt it gets old.

Now we sit and wait. Sometime this week, baby B is 4 weeks old. He/She has begun the attachment to my uterus lining and is about 1/5 of the size of this period . Weird. How does that grow into a baby?? Just for the record, Mike keeps saying I have twins growing....and I repeatedly tell him, he does not want my first pregnancy to be twins. Please! We will get what we get and be extremely happy. BUT I am nervous, scared, and flat out terrified at times of ONE...and I don't want to think about TWO. Since we will NOT be finding out the sex of our child, the good news is if it's twins, I get to find out : ) I will most definitely need to better prepare for two and must know what their sex is if this shall come our way! I read you can hear the heartbeat in as few as five weeks, so maybe we get lucky and get to hear what it next week!

Cheers!

Baby B

So, here it is. The next phase of our life. Coming at us like a line drive back to the pitcher.

We let almost everyone know we wanted a honeymoon baby. It just so happens that's what we got! On the evening of July 8th, Mike and I wonder out to our local grocery store and bought a home pregnancy test. We moseyed on over to Chili's to eat salads we were both in the mood for and headed home for a mellow night in. When we got there, I took the first of two pregnancy tests. Peed on the stick then waited for 3 minutes, which felt like 15! Mike had a gut feeling there was going to be one line (meaning I am indeed not pregnant and, therefore, am crazy). I, on the other hand, had a gut feeling that I couldn't possibly be that crazy and there'd be two pink lines. I won. Test #1 was positive at 9:30 pm on Thursday, July 8th.

We freaked. Looked at each other for a good while and said, "Wow. We did it!" Knowing the MANY complications that can happen when trying to get pregnant and within the first trimester, we were slightly worried it would take us awhile to conceive. Yes, we wanted a honeymoon baby, but we weren't going to be all bent out of shape about it. Not trying, but not NOT trying either. In the midst of our celebrations, hugs, kisses, smiles, and, "Wows" we got an email from our wedding photographer announcing our wedding pictures and slideshow posted. Ironic? Meant to be? We think so!

Friday morning I woke up at 7 am and took another test with that first pee of the day, which is supposedly "the best." After another 3 minutes that didn't seem as long, the test again revealed two pink lines! We are pregnant!!

Now it begins- no alcohol (I will miss my wine), no caffeine (therefore, good coffee), no Advil. I am now on Mike's healthcare, so next up is finding a doctor and getting the official stamp of approval from a professional.

Just FYI- decaf coffee tastes like crap. I do have had some pretty scary lower abdomen cramps. They are extremely painful. We are not 100% this baby will make it the 1st trimester...just like with everyone else's first trimester, but we are being positive and hoping for the best. We also know that what is meant to be will be! I will keep everyone posted via this blog on our little baby B : )

Cheers!

Our Wedding Day

Not sure how or where to begin this post. I am speachless...utterly. And that doesn't happen often. Thousands of things running through my mind. It flew by- super fast, too fast. Did I spend time with everyone? Was everyone happy and having fun? What are the bad things that people are saying about our day? Did I mess up? Were there obvious things that went wrong? Did I hurt anyone's feelings?

Once I put all of that aside, I set myself straight- back to reality. I cannot change anything that happened and I don't think I will ever say I want to. Our day was PERFECT. It was us. Our families and closest friends celebrated our love for seven and a half hours. I am not going to lie or pretend- I AM SAD IT'S OVER : )

The one thing that bothers me the most looking back on the event was we didn't give a 'Thank You' speech. Not pointing blame or calling him out, but I told Mike this was extremely important to me and he told me he had it covered. As most of us saw, he got stage fright and I had to step in. At that point, I was livid at him b/c I had NOTHING prepared...b/c he told me he had it taken care of. I rushed through the names and faces of people I saw...probably leaving important people out. I was a mess...from being an hour late to our rehearsal b/c of traffic, then the storm that hit, to traffic to dinner, and thinking I was going to be late again...I was completely 100% unprepared to have Mike throw that on me. Oh well. I told myself I'd make up for it on Saturday and we totally forgot. I had a list of things to say and it sat on the table all night : /

After hours of frustration at the both of us and tears shed b/c I felt I came off as ungrateful, I thought I could use my blog.

I know the wedding was 'destination' for most people. I know it was pricey with flights, hotel rooms, food, and transportation. But I am forever grateful for every single person that attended my special day. I don't even know the exact number in attendance...somewhere around 120. Each and every one of you created our day...your presence was a gift to us in itself. We are beyond extremely lucky.

So, to those 120 folks at The Sears Tower on 6/19/10:

Thank you, thank you, thank you for attending our wedding. I wish I had more time and more fun on the dance floor, but all good events come to an end. It meant more than you will ever know to have your face present. I hope each of you had fun, enjoyed a couple cocktails or wine, and had a full belly. I hope you saw the sunset and caught up/met with other people there. I hope you got the chance to look out the window and see the beautiful city of Chicago. I hope you got to spend at least a couple minutes with me and maybe got a picture too. If you didn't, I am sorry. Terribly sorry. Time seemed to fly by and before I knew it people were leaving and we did our paper airplane exit. I also hope to see all of you within the next year!

Love,
Heather

Is It Really Over?

This might be my longest post yet...but I will try to break it up the best I can.

The week before the wedding FLEW by! I woke up every morning promptly at 6:30- without an alarm. There was so much on my mind, there was no way I could sleep in. Mike was typically up with me or shortly after...helping me out. We went to CrossFit Tri Cities on Monday and had every intention of going a couple more times that week, but we failed on that mission. I did run every day- not just to keep my shape for the dress, but as an amazing stress reliever! It was intense with the humidity- we were drenched with sweat : ) We attended the Cubs game on that Tuesday...yes, the night game that was delayed for 2 hours or something because of the rain...KILL ME. A literally soaking wet Bride-to-be is not a happy thing. We were in the empty bleachers with ponchos. Ugh. After the game, the Chicago Blackhawks brought out the Stanley Cup...that was really cool. However, I was on Mike's shoulders and dropped my camera...nice.

Wednesday we, or I should say Mike, Doug, and Matt, picked Caitlin up from the airport while I organized everything to be brought to The Met Club. She got to eat a Chicago style, Portillo's hotdog- YUMMY! And we were off to the city for the day. First stop, the W for a spa appointment. Then to Doug's hotel to drop off his backpack. Third stop was The Sears Tower, to The Met Club to drop off our not so small load of wedding crap. Fourth and final stop was my Dad's hotel to get ready for dinner out with him and Jenny. We arrived on time to Trattoria No. 11 (I believe that was the name) for a FABULOUS, relaxing, fun dinner. Caitlin and Matt got to hang out and chat it up with us.



Thursday was nothing short of a BLAST!! We had our family, our whole wedding party and their significant others/family attend a Cubs game at Wrigley. It was outstanding to have everyone there altogether and the Cubs owon on a walk off!! I made Mike and I Cubs Bride and Groom t-shirts. Mike's mom sewed a veil onto my favorite Cubs hat...it was a hit! We also made signs for just about everyone in attendance with the role in the wedding. ie. Mother of the Bride, Father of the Groom, Bridesmaid, Maid of Honor, Best Man, Groomsman, and Ring Bearer! It was awesome. However, I do not believe we made it on tv. Oh well...stupid announcers/tv crew.



Friday was an event all in itself. The day started off with my dog-in-law Koty almost dying. He inhaled the bag of dog food too quickly, as he was not supposed to have gotten into it in the first place, and started throwing it back up. And in the process chocked, rolled onto his side, legs stiff, eyes rolling back in his head, and had to be resuscitated by my brother-in-law, Ron. I witnessed the whole thing, ran into the garage telling my sister-in-law, Kim, what happened shaking uncontrollably. It was really intense and scary. Thus, we were late for our nail appointment and because of traffic, I was an hour late to our rehearsal : ) Typical if I do say so myself! as the rehearsal is wrapping up a HUGE storm rolls in. We are on the 66th floor of The Sears Tower, so we have a great view of this monster. However, once it hit we no longer wanted the good view...the building was swaying TERRIBLY...it was extremely noticeable when people couldn't walk straight. We all made it safely down to the bottom floor- whew! (Turns out they later shut down the elevators and people had to walk down from the 105th floor- ugh!) Upon our arrival at the bottom there were several fire trucks and firemen not allowing us to exit. We were then informed that windows were bursting upstairs, therefore making it unsafe for us to leave the building. There was glass everywhere!! After a short while, we were released and then battled the terrible traffic again to our dinner. We were actually on time for that- Thank you, Mag for driving. Mike was late as there were road closures for fires and flooding. It turned out to be a fabulous dinner- everyone a little shaken by the whole ordeal and starving from waiting in traffic for hours : )



Friday night, most of my girls stayed with me at Kim's house. We had French Kiss martinis and dessert- yummmm! I couldn't sit still for too long remembering all that I had to do, but got to relax with some of my closest friends and new family! I got a good nights rest and woke up ready for the big day : )

I get the shakes just thinking about it, but will save that post for later. It's 4th of July weekend and we are headed to the pool.

Cheers! And Happy 4th of July to everyone!!

We Arrived Safe n' Sound

We had an eventful day Saturday! We woke up to a wonderful breakfast display: fresh fruit, bacon, sausage, english muffins, and a scrambled egg casserole. Mike, Doug, and I brought down champagne we had left over in our frig and drank that with some OJ to get started on the right foot : ) It was a fabulous treat- Thanks so much to Mike's mom, Pat, for preparing, cooking, and cleaning up after us. We were a little behind schedule post breakfast and had to rush to the airport. Upon our arrival, we checked the gate and it was empty, so we figured they hadn't started boarding. Little did we know, they had already boarded and our names were being called over the intercom. Oops! There's a first for everything and we are just thankful we didn't miss our flight.

I wore my "Bride-to-be" sash for one last hurrah. That turned out to be a great match with Mike's tux t-shirt and several people congratulated us throughout the airport. Once we got seated, the flight attendant, Rob, made an announcement over the intercom about us, "the about to be married couple sitting in or near the exit rows." Another round of congratulatory cheers. We weren't sitting together (remember we were the last people on the plane on Southwest), so Rob said if anyone would switch us seats in order for us to be together, they'd get free drinks. About mid flight a kind lady switched for us (and she never got her drink!!). The lady flight attendant whose name I did not get, asked us for our first names. This seemed extremely out of her character, as she was the one glaring at us when we got on the plane. Shortly after, she got on the intercom, asked everyone to close their windows and turn on their call buttons. They turned off the cabin lights and played "Going to the Chapel" over the intercom. They called us up to the front and crowned us with peanut pack and stir stick crowns. It was great. Again, everyone cheered and said Congratulations. They really made that flight special for us!



Doug was counting how many people congratulated us in any way, shape, or form and quickly lost track.

We landed safe, got our rental car, grabbed lunch and headed home to see the family. The weather has been rainy and cloudy thus far, but we are happy with that now (rather than later in the week or on the big day). Off to start my last Monday as a fiance!!

Cheers

Chi Town- we are so ready for you!

Not quite yet, however, since we leave for Chicago this Saturday I feel as if that's D Day! I honestly did not realize how much crap I have accumulated over the past year+. We are going to end up paying a large shipping fee, but whatever. At this rate, this is what I chose to do months ago, so I gotta suck it up.

It's not that I feel unprepared for the wedding. I feel unprepared to travel to Chicago in a day and a half! Once I get there, I know I will take a couple deep breaths and let my mind be at peace. A "whatever is left behind is stuck in Prescott now" mentality. We have to get our marriage license, attend 2 baseball games, a dinner with my dad, a dinner with his grandparents, hang out with family, bring all our shipped boxes downtown, and attend the rehearsal & dinner. Then it's THE BIG DAY. I don't think I could have prepped myself better and I don't have many 'regrets,' I'm not even sure that's what you would call the things I do have : )

I am still anxiety stricken about leaving Gracie. Although, I know she will be just fine, I hope she doesn't think we've left her. We have done this before...I think. Maybe over Christmas or even a trip to Chicago?? Either way, she was perfectly fine and was so happy to us upon our return. I just wonder what's going through her lil' noggin.

I am also still slightly sad this is all winding down. I cannot wait to be officially married to Michael, but I don't know if I want this phase to end. I know we will just move onto the next thing in life...whatever that may be. Being married, moving to a different state, buying a home, and starting a family...just to name a few we'd like to do. But being a female, I've dreamed of this time in my life for YEARS...all 26 of them, I'm sure. Ok, maybe not 26, but 21? As soon as a girl knows about Princesses and her daddy tells her she is one and she will find her Prince Charming one day...that's when a girl's mind starts going. I drew an image of my wedding dress when I was in 5th grade. I still have that today. Now, my wedding isn't going to be red, white, and blue, on the Fourth of July, and we are not skydiving down to our ceremony like I had once planned/imagined/dreamed. But it's still happening in NINE days.

It all seems so surreal (still). For the most part, my feelings haven't changed. Sure there have been some bumps in wedding planning, I've shed tears and Mike has wiped them from my cheeks. But it was fun. I'd love to be a wedding planning...I think I have a drive for excitement, adrenaline rushing planning. To get to see and feel that, then have everything pan out perfectly and see your Bride & Groom as happy as ever...what a rewarding job. Now, I know not all brides are cool...thanks for the show on TLC (is it?) 'Bridezillas.' So, scratch that...I'd rather work with kids!

I loved planning this day, this whole experience, I love Mike and I's love story- how we met, how things played out for us, how we've lived together w/roughly no issues too big to tackle, I love that he loves my family, they love him, and I love his family, I love that he is going to be my Husband...he is going to take my hand and hold it for life...LOVE is in the air...and I get teary eyed just thinking about him standing down at the alter by the Pastor. Ah!

I'd like to write on here the night before the wedding, but I doubt that happens. Maybe I will journal and retype what was written. Either way, I probably won't be back till after the Honeymoon : ) Whoop, Whoop!

Cheers!

We Survived : )

Ha ha ha- that's an understatement! Surprisingly Mike survived much better than I. However, we both had the time of our lives and could not have asked for a better weekend. I only have a picture of the ladies to post...not sure if Mike even got a group pic!

So, now it sets in...we will be HUSBAND and WIFE THREE WEEKS from today. Oh my heavens! I cannot believe it. Where did the last 15 months go?? Everything is in place. I have a few things to complete this weekend and the week ahead, then I plan on doing nothing but relaxing. We leave June 12th for Chicago. A week together smoothing everything out. Problem with a 'destination' wedding is that I cannot get anything ready right now. I can't go drop off our favors, decorations, guest book, pictures, etc b/c I don't live there! That's what is stressing me out.

Hopefully, I get some 'me' time this week. Working out has been beneficial and helping with those positive endorphins. Also, not thinking about the big day for an hour plus is fabulous : )

Not too much to report. Mike is flying a Riddle airplane home from Denver with his mom as I type. We are going to grill steak and veggies with her. You will find me poolside today. Working on that tan for my WHITE DRESS. Eeeeekkkk! Shrilling with excitement.

Happy Memorial Day weekend- cheers!

ONE Month (and ONE day) To Go!

As you can see by my lack of posts, May has been nothing short of busy!

My Land Cruiser that my boss gave me to drive got traded in. Mike and I had a minor heart attack phase when we realized we'd have a large car payment coming up. Not two months before the wedding- yuck! Not only that, but we 'splurged' and bought a king size bed b/c I was not sleeping in the queen. If you are unaware, Gracie sleeps with us. She's really not that big...about 45 pounds. And you will usually find her snuggled up in a little ball when she's anywhere else in the house. In bed, she sprawls out and becomes as big as she possibly can. The king was much needed for my sanity and has turned out to be a wonderful idea on our behalf. I can now sleep with Gracie at my feet and still have room to roll over to give us both space : ) And with the wedding a month out, I am actually sleep much better than I did last month! Who would have thought??

Thankfully, Dad decided that since he had wanted a new car for awhile, he'd graciously give us his. His Acura had over 100,000 miles so, he wouldn't get much for it in a trade in anyways. We lucked out- BIG time! Mike flew out on Friday and drove the car back on Saturday. He made the trip in one full day, but was safe and still had energy to unpack the car when he got home at 2 am. Crazy kid. My mom also had several boxes of my "keep stuff." I have notes from every year of middle school through senior year of high school. I have notebook after notebook of college classwork and kept most of my education books (I thought I had all those with me, but I was wrong). Those we fun to go through. I got my baby book and all my childhood things as well. It's great to have them with me now.

It was a stressful situation. Mike and I knew I wouldn't have the L.C. forever, but thought we'd have more notice.

Then, we took a 7 hour road trip with my boss, Lauren, and her 4 kidos. Plus, another three kids from a friend. All the way to Huntington Beach, CA. We rented an 8 bedroom house for a long weekend and had the privilege of watching the Southwest Regional Qualifier for CrossFit. It's hard to explain, but it's an awe inspiring weekend of the most elite athletes in the Southwest. Out of 100+ females and 100+ males only the top 4 got to continue on to the CrossFit Games, which are the Olympics of our world. They strive to be "The Fittest Human Being in The World" with athletes and spectators worldwide attending. This year the winners will receive $25,000 each (one male and one female). We also took the kids to Disneyland and hung by the pool awhile. It was a great trip and all seven kids were great. Can't ask for much more!

Last weekend was a whirl wind. Gracie has been sick from what we think was eating chicken grease off the grill (sick- I know). She was waking us up several times a night with the runs and had a couple of nasty accidents in the house- miserable! I felt so bad for her. She had her tail between her legs and ears back as if she was in huge trouble. I let her know she was a "good girl" and she couldn't help pooing in the house. I just hope she doesn't eat more chicken grease. I had my FINAL dress fitting...eeeeekkkkkk! I love it. Now they will pack it up so I can carry it on the plane with me! Exciting! It seemed so weird. Watching other girls select several dresses to try on for the first time. I felt like that trip for me was just yesterday. But bada-boom bada-bing it's done. We also said our 'good-byes' to a good friend who is going into the Peace Cor in Kenya for two and a half years.

That leads us to this week...Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Weekends! Thank goodness these are happening on the same weekend. I plan on leaving my phone in the hotel and having much needed/deserved girl time : ) I wish all my friends far away were with me...however, I know all you ladies are with me in spirit, which is sometimes just as great!

The weekend after this is the last weekend in May, which brings another heart attack my way clearly! We are celebrating a Belated Mother's Day with Mike's mom and working on reception decor. It should be fun and low key. Oh, and I think we will get my wedding band. It takes a few days, as they create the bands in the store, which is nice! We received Mike's band in the mail a couple weeks ago...it's absolutely beautiful. I love it.

Next up will be printing Menus, Favor Tags, and Programs. Then scheduling hair and makeup appointments for my ladies and I. I am creating t-shirts for Mike and I to wear on Thursday for the Cubs game. I've ordered half the favors and need a better idea of our final head count for the most important favor. I need to go check out the boarding resort for Gracie this week. She's only going to be there three days, but it's KILLING me. On top of all that, I work every day from 1-7 pm and workout every morning for at least an hour. Ugh! There really isn't time...ever...ha ha.

I cannot wait for Chicago, June 12th and every day for two weeks after that. We were golfing with Mike's Uncle last weekend and Mike sat down in the golf cart with me, looked over, and said, "So do you wanna get married or something?" I think it's finally setting in. We are going to be Husband and Wife. We are going to start a family together. We are going to be by each other's side from here on out...for the rest of our lives. So empowering, mind boggling, and content. I love my life.

Cheers until post Bachelorette Party : )

Trying to Upload Videos

This is my first time uploading videos....we'll see if it works! Obviously, my pictures are having issues since they only line up on one side of the blog. Annoying!

Here's Hunter talking...they're now 11 months and I think he's either 9 or 10 months here. Too stinkin cute:

Happy Two Months!

We are actually within two months- breathe in, breathe out, inhale, exhale. Everything will be alright.

No, life is going rather smoothly. We have all things planned, just finishing up details. ie. Making a list of songs we'd like to hear and ones that we will not allow to be played. Giving the schedule of wedding particulars to everyone who needs it. Trying to remember everyone who needs it. Scheduling events for the week before the wedding (massage, wax, Cubs games, meeting with The Met Club folks, hair run through, make up run through, getting my nails done, pedicure, rehearsal, and the rehearsal dinner). Then making sure I've got everything downtown that needs to be, by Saturday. I am also making sure all the stuff needed for the honeymoon magically appears in our wedding night suite...hummm. Thanking my Dad that we get a rental car : ) This will allow us to be in two places at the same time- whew!

Through all of this I've learned that allotting tasks to others is OK. In fact, it's encouraged. Even though I may not like doing so. It makes my 'to-do' list shorter and lots of people are beyond happy to help. It's nice knowing others will add to their 'to-do' list to make my life easier : )

I JUST finalized my reception decor...and I am SO SO SO SO SO excited. Now, this is wayyyyy behind my comfort zone for my timeline. But I literally could find NOTHING I loved. I will show pics for sureeee once I get 'em.

Doug moved in with us (again). We are excited b/c it saves some good money for us. And it gives Mike, G, and I an additional friend close. Work is great, the kids are getting SO big...I decided I'd share their sweet faces on my blog. With that...I'm going to say goodnight.









Cheers!

April Showers Bring June Weddings?

Oh, Hello April...how nice of you to arrive so soon and leave so quickly. Can I please slow time down now? LOL.

Yes, April you are flying by...too quickly for me to enjoy each of your days : ) 2 months and 3 days to go...or my official countdown: 64 days! Eeeeeekkkkkk!

I will feel MUCH better when everyone gets the RSVP's returned. I can then order favors and plan my tables accordingly. Until then, I still feel like I am walking in circles...aimlessly with a 'to-do' list miles long.

I am bummed to report my shower in Texas has been canceled due to the rationalities of me not being able to spend too much time with those attending. NBD. With every setback there is a positive outcome and adventure to experience. The cons just out weighed the pros, however, it is less time spent with my family during the last few months of the wedding planning process.

Is it strange that I get sad (for a moment) when I see people just getting engaged? I am obviously happy for them, but I wish I could go back. It has been such a wonderful year (Yes, it has been a full 365 days now!) and it's honestly been the best one yet. I know married life with Mike will be just as amazing. Nothing will ever replace the year we were engaged. Ya know? Being the shining bride-to-be, catching a glimpse of the new ring on your finger, everyone congratulating and asking questions, the chaos of planning, the nerves, dreams...even the nightmares are all such an experience. I love it.

I'm lucky. WE are lucky. I think it's funny that we still can't believe we met each other and here we are- planning a wedding that is just moments away. I can't wait. WE can't wait.

I love it when I talk about the wedding, our plans after the big day, our life after all this hype and people ask, "Does HE know about this?"(in reference to Mike) or "Does Mike agree?" And my face lights up, I show off a huge, cheesy grin and say, "Yes, he is beside me in all this...we are getting married and this is 'our' life together, I'm not making stuff up." Duh. I mean, why do you ask? To be funny I presume...thinking that every guy dreads getting married. As if finding the woman of your dreams isn't "cool." I guess for some guys it's not a priority or an importance. We sure didn't plan our life to pan out like this...ha ha ha. If things went as I planned in middle school, I'd be married with 2 kids by now. Funny how life works.

On that note, I'm off to scrapbook, walk the dog, go for a run, and head to work! Happy Friday : )

CHEERS!

Chicago Late March

Location: Chi Town

Purpose: Visiting family and mending loose ends for the wedding.

It was a long 6 day weekend...but 2 were travel days. Time always flies in Chicago, which freaks me out because the next time we are there is for the wedding. Thank goodness we will be out a whole week early. However, I think it's safe to assume that week will fly by just as fast as every Chicago trip for us. Can't there be a 'pause button' for life....maybe one that you get you use sparingly?

Met our young officiant and made sure he's what we wanted- check!

We met the florist for our last appointment- check!

Picked up my reset ring- check!

Check out the limo to make sure it met our standards- check!

Took surprise engagement pictures- check!

And on top of that we had several dinners and hang time with the family. Ryane, Kyle, and Nathan are all getting so big. It is always nice to sit around and catch up with those loved ones who live far away. We are lucky. We have great family members supporting us from both sides of the family and really couldn't be more blessed.

80 days away...and HOLY COW! We are almost there folks : )

Lingerie Bridal Shower in AZ!

Just a few pics from my FABULOUS day! Thanks to everyone who made it and even those who couldn't! Nichole and Caitlin did a great job planning and decorating : ) I had a blast. We were poolside most of the day as we had a cabana from 9 am to 7 pm. We made spa appointments for every girl. A choice of a pedi, facial, or massage. Did the shower thing and ate dinner at Modern Steak. The weather was PERFECT- we could not have asked for a better day. Honestly, it was cloudy the whole week before and it has rained and been crappy every day since. My cake was very fitting- the lingerie theme!! And those chocolate covered strawberries were to die for. Nichole used gerber daisies to decorate, which is the main flower in our bouquets. It all went SO well together.

We are now at 100 days until the wedding : )

My shower was the first time that it all sank in...again. Even Mike agreed. He was SO sweet. We had an engagement dinner awhile back with friends and family in Phoenix. So, that was the last time we celebrated us getting married. Well, Mike and I celebrate and talk about it often, but we don't have a 'party' for it, ya know?

Get your R.S.V.P.'s sent off so we can get this show on the road!!

Thanks again to everyone who sent me texts, emails, gifts and those who attended the shower. You all made my day very special!! It was a memorable day- one more step closer to the wedding, one more event in our journey to becoming husband and wife.

Cheers!

Revamp Was Needed

Yayyy for a GREEN page : ) It's my favorite color, our wedding color, and, personally, the BEST color out there! I've spent some time looking at other people's blogs. Most of the ones I read are about my friends and their kids/families. We aren't quite there yet. But I figured blogging about our journey to the wedding would be a good start for me. I've gone back and forth with whether or not I should continue this blog. Hopefully, by the time a little one comes along, I will be a better blogger.

Good-bye February, Hello March : )

Mike and I spent 6 hours on Saturday pasting the parts of our invitations together. It's no secret, for the most part, our invitations were handmade. I think they look great, but I have a biased opinion! We did not print them at home and we did not create the 'pocket' backing. Our wedding theme is partly polka dots and I found a whopping ZERO invites I loved with polka dots. After searching high and low for a reasonable price for 'pocket fold invitations', I decided we'd need to crate our own. We saved around $1,000 on our invites. The money we saved made it easier to purchase our bridal party gifts and a rad limo post ceremony!! Yay for saving some dough.

*sigh* of relief...the invites will be in the mail tomorrow...that's a huge bear off my back!

I am sad, however, this weekend was Megan's baby shower and Angie was in Phoenix visiting friends both of which I had to miss. I am sorry girls, I hope you understand that I HAD to get our invites finished.

March First: rent is due, spring will arrive shortly, and 111 days till we are married.

Cheers!

Oh Sweet Feburary

Shortly after Valentine's Day, which is this Sunday, will be FOUR months!! I'm pretty much already there. I'm actually ready for February to be over. Solely because March starts the showers, spring training games, warmer weather, and more sunshine (tanning and poolside in Phoenix!). I am SO over winter, the snow that falls from the sky but doesn't stick, and the cold. I bought new leggings at V.S. in white and bright pink- and I CANNOT wait to wear them along with the new tank tops I got. Just exciting thinking of being tan- it does so much for mental health : )

Invitations will be sent out behind schedule (go figure) even though they are ready to go. I need 'parts' that are still being processed online- ugh! The waiting game is the most lame!

We are getting screwed by the airlines and their ridiculously high priced tickets!! I am pretty much only talking about our honeymoon flights. Since we are flying out of Chicago O'Hare and will fly back to Phoenix (or Prescott depending), we have to purchase one way flights. They weren't that bad when we looked into doing it this way back when we booked our honeymoon. But now it's like they know we have to have these flights...and are laughing at how much we have to pay for them- evil people. Mike and I decided we might walk from Cancun or take a boat.

Speaking of the honeymoon, I am still stressing about leaving Gracie for 2 weeks! She is going to think we just up and left her. Plus, we have to put her in a 'doggie resort' in town b/c everyone we know is going to the wedding. Blah. She has never been in a place like that...she's always had friends or family taking care of her. We might have to give the doggie resort a trial run one weekend. If it is only to clear my head and let me sleep at night, then so be it : ) She's our baby...you wouldn't leave your kids with a complete stranger!?!?!?

My next BIG thing to tackle will be the centerpieces. Not sure what I want to do yet, but have several cool ideas. I just have to start creating the images in my head, so I can see what I like when it's concrete!

Other than the nightmares that the wedding is this weekend and the constant checklist running through my head, life is the same. The weekends on our "next 5 months" calendar are beginning to look full. We workout and try to stick to our healthy eating habbits...and work, work, work! We have a trip out to Chicago at the end of March to tie up loose ends and see the family. Should be a fun trip...I can't believe that's next month. Ah!

Thanks for reading....CHEERS!

An Amazing Day

Today was nothing out of the ordinary. Woke up- had my coffee and zone bar, went to work out (great release), came home- got ready for work and left the house. Gracie was unbelievably sweet, which is sometimes a rarity. The twin boys at work were in THE best mood...all day- smiling, laughing at everything, and playing by themselves, crawling. They don't have to do to much to put a smile on my face and melt my heart, but some days are fussier than others. The girls at work were good too...not "the best" day since one didn't nap, but definitely one of the better days we have had.

Checked my email on the way home from work (in the car, I know it's bad). Saw an email from 'Joanna' in the inbox and tears filled my eyes. She got the most wonderful news today from her husband's doctor. And since I've read that email, I can't stop thinking about them. It kind of puts your life into perspective when someone else finds out they, in fact, do NOT have a life threatening disease. Not only that, but imagining being the only parent to your children and having to face the questions they will one day ask is sickening. Ugh. Thankfully, she no longer has to think about those terrible things. The news was positive and Joanna and her family can rest at ease.

Guess it just put my life into check once again...I am very blessed and thankful for what I have been given. The wedding planning makes me 'put my life into check' as well. Not everyone finds the right person to spend the rest of their life with. It's SO weird that Mike and I found each other. Our lives have forever changed since our spring break cruise. So random and so amazing. Well...off to do more planning I go.

Cheers!

Staying on Top of Things

...Or trying...

I feel like I am not doing all that great of a job at making sure everyone knows what's going on for our wedding. So, I hope to get better at that this week. I'd like to fill out all the info on our knot website. I guess most of it is out of my hands...and it's not all that hard for people to figure out : ) I'm just stressing about the issue a little.

Bridal showers are being planned and they are more difficult than I thought they would be! But we are smart ladies and are figuring it out. I hope those far away can attend a shower or the bachelorette party...I know it's hard b/c of money being short, poor economy, taking off work, paying for flights, and maybe a hotel. I couldn't partake in Maggie's events b/c I couldn't afford it either. It's just the way things are sometimes! I never thought I'd miss a best friend's bridal shower and most certainly never thought I'd miss a bachelorette party. Ah...it stinks!

Well, I'm exhausted...we were up till 4 am chatting with Nichole last night. That's REAL late for this old lady!!

Cheers!

Hotel Arragements for 6/19/2010

So, I have talked to a few people who have said they've contacted a couple of hotels (that are not in my room block) and they've been completely booked. Chicago is a HUGE city (I know you all know this, but I tend to easily forget) and, unfortunately, there are other things going on besides our wedding. Ha ha ha. Only kidding. I know there are a couple conventions. SO, if you and your family would like to stay at a hotel in the city and not at the hotel with my room block, then I'd begin the search now : )

Just wanted to let everyone know that. Check the knot website that I put on the Save-the-Dates...I will get the room block info up before the middle of the week.

Hope 2010 is treating everyone well! Cheers!

Happy New Year!!

Yayyy for the first day of 2010 : )


We have 169 days left to go till our Bid Day. Jenny helped me out a bunch over break. First off, we went to a 'paper warehouse' called Palmers. FYI to any bride-to-be: try to find one in your area...or something like it. Everything is at the wholesale price and they were FABULOUS! We know what our favors are going to be and I have a specific idea for invitations, so visitng this place was a dream come true. I am so thankful Jenny took us!


Invitations might be a pain, but I hope they look cute. I am going to order different pieces from stores online...of course, not the same place b/c why would they want to make my life easier and provide everything I want in the correct colors? I am thinking an assembly line of good friends and a couple bottles of wine...some music and some snacks. Who's in? I hope to get these out in a 'timely' manner...since the Save-the-Dates (STDs) were slightly behind my schedule! I also need the # of folks that can attend b/c I am anxious to do table arrangements and order the favors. Once I have that #, I believe things will run more sommthly and time will fly by (not that it already hasn't!). We need to adress centerpiece ideas and will hopefully figure out those after I ordered the parts for the invitations.


Saying 2010...starting 2010...it all freaks me out. Everytime I say those words my heart beats faster...just breathe, Heather. I am excited...overly excited...out of my mind excited : )


Mike and I had a wonderful Christmas. Next year, I'd love to have ALL our family together. Just don't know if that will happen, but we are going to try. Maybe place tickets for Chritmas gifts...who am I kidding, we'd have to start saving now. We got new luggage, which was MUCH needed, several items off our registry- woo hoo, and a digital photoframe that I cannot wait to 'assemble' when we finally get home. It was a longer break than usual, which was nice. Thanks to Lauren (and Kendra for covering me!) for letting me off work. I treasured the time with my family. We are blessed...and extremely thankful.


We had a low key New Years Eve at home with his parents. It was great spending time with them since we didn't get to spend Christmas with them (which is also his dad's brithday). We popped some champagne and had a smooch. Then went to bed : ) Oh how the times have changed (right, Mag?). We woke up this morning, had a wonderful breakfast with mimosas...side note: we bought 3 bottles of champagne b/c it was on sale and thought maybe we'd get 'crazy' and drink all of them, nope, we were wrong and only drank one! Now his mom is cooking us prime rib, baked tatoes, crab legs, spin dip, veggies, and rolls. Another fabulous dinner and my last 'splurge' for a good while. Back to the zone and CF I go!! I cannot wait to step foot in the gym!!


If money grew on trees we'd be visiting Kansas and Chicago, but it doesn't and we are trying to spend as little money as possible until June 19th. However, we may not be spending much money after that b/c there's a chance we stick around Prescott for awhile. And so there's a chance we will be buying our first home. I have no desire to raise a family in Prescott nor spend too much of my time there, but we have to go where Mike finds a job and what's best for him. I'll take one for the team. Then later down the road, I can be a stay at home mom!


Hope 2009 treated you all well and 2010 brings you the joy and happiness to make you complete! Cheers.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Written on 12/24/09

Hello all- I know not many people are reading thing. Acutally, my dear friend, Joanna, may very well be the only one : ) But I thought this would be a good 'test period' for my blogging. I'm still not too great with it...I'm workin on it though folks.

Merry Christmas (eve) and Happy New Year to everyone! I have so much to be thankful for and feel extremely blessed. 2009 was a great year and the only thing that will make 2010 better will be all the wedding festivities that will take place. Thanks to all our family and friends out there...those close to us and those far away...for being a part of us and making us who we are today. I know Chicago isn't as convienient for some people as it is others, but I hope to see you all at the wedding.

I feel slightly overwhlemed now that we are within SIX months. (Who am I kidding...I've been slightly overwhelemed for quite some time, but I've told myself I have time...now that time is slowly diminishing!!) Nothing changing this month though. Trying to figure out when our next trip to Chicago will be...finding the month that makes most sense with our timeline and hopefully getting good weather! We will have an engagement session with our wedding photographer (it was free and they do need to get to know our personalitites). I am REALLY excited for those though...and meeting with Joe, the wedding 'coordinator' at The Met Club, Greta, the florist, the cake person at The Met Club, our officiant, and a handful of other things I cannot remember at this time! I need to plan out the centerpieces, which is stressful b/c I'd like to see the place (again), take more pictures (again), and get those ordered, decided, and finished...BUT...a big but at that...I have to kinda wait till I have an attending # so I know how many tables I will have. Ugh! The waiting game is for the birds!

Christmas time makes me miss my Nana more than any time of the year. I guess it's being home...here, where she has been with me before during 'family' time. And I guess that means that I think about her every few hours...maybe even minutes. I think about her a least a few times a week on a normal basis. I still don't get why certain people have to be 'taken' from your physical life so soon. It doesn't seem fair. And I think everyone says that with deaths. She just moved to be close to her family, to watch her grandkids grow. She just got a new home for the first time in I don't even know how many years. She got new furniture, a top of the line quilt maker, new car, and cell phone. What more could a grandma/mother want? I don't understand why she was taken from us when she had just begun the best time of her life. Then I look at it from the other point of view and thank God that she was here and not in Rolla. Everyone was here to help her and she was never solo. So...I don't know. I like the pictures on the frig...I want to put one in my house. It makes it feel like she is watching us. Sitting in the red chairs at the island gazing at us while we run around cooking, like chickens with our heads cut off. She would be complimenting us on everything. And making peace wherever she roamed. She'd have a beer in hand after about...oh lets say...noon....only on special occasions. I will drink a Boulevard Wheat in her honor. She tried it at my KU Graduation and loved it...and the last time we drank it together was at my sister, Caitlin's, graduation in The Woodlands in December of '06. I love her...and always will. And I could continue this portion for awhile, but I gotta run. (A. I have tears welling in my eyes. And B. It's time for our family Christmas Dinner...Nana, I'd do anything to sit next to you while we eat. I love you.)

Cheers!

Not So Sure About This

So...as you can see, I keep promising I am going to write more frequently on 'our' blog. And I don't. Not so sure I am a good blogger...does this take time? Does anyone read this? Does anyone care to read it? I think once our life becomes more eventful, I will have more to write. Not sure.

Our trip to Kansas was nothing short of perfect. Homecoming was a blast, I was able to reconnect with several friends I lost track of over time. It was nice. Most of us just picked up right where we left off...strange how life works that way. Others it was a 'mending' of a lost friendship. Either way- cool. Our time with the Lovin family was too short, but it always is. We spent more time with them this time, which is most definitely what I wanted. Last time Jo was prego : ) And this time I got to meet their little one! SO nice. Their house feels like home and there was SO SO SO much to catch up and chat about. I loved it. I love their family...that is growing rather quickly! Kansas was FREEZING...we tried to prepare ourselves for the cold, but we didn't do a good enough job- apparently. Anyways...I loved our visit and wish we could visit more often. If only money grew on trees!

We are now within 7 months of the wedding. Save-the-Dates are being sent out as we speak. We scheduled an officiant (finally!) and a limo service for the wedding party to leave the ceremony and take pics around the city...which I cannot wait for! I love our photographer. I found an invitation I like that isn't too pricey (also, FINALLY!). I will have a little 'putting together' to do, but nothing a couple girlfriends and a bottles of wine can't handle! Maybe I can convince Mike to help too...we shall see : ) Then, once we get the r.s.v.p.s back, we will have a # and can finish up the flowers, favors, and dinner arrangements....as well as some other things I won't publicize, as they are surprises! We have other little things to do, like purchase a cake topper, champagne glasses, the marriage license, and bridal party gifts (which, are proving more difficult for Michael). We did book our HONEYMOON- woo hoo! We are headed to Cancun for 7 nights...all inclusive. We're excited. So that's the wedding update...

Good news, I lived through my 26th birthday! My dad and Jenny came out to celebrate. Jenny and I have the same birthday, so that was fun. We went to the Grand Canyon on Saturday and Mike flew us to Sedona on Sunday. I love it when my Dad comes to visit...it's always a special treat since I only see him twice a year! On the actual day, a few of my friends met us out at a wine bar I LOVE...so that was a treat as well. Last weekend, my friends in Phoenix got together for homemade pizza and a wine bar. I think I'm a wino...in a good way. lol. It was great spending time with friends and family. Thanks to everyone's birthday wishes and thoughts throughout the week!

And today is Thanksgiving. I am blessed in more ways than I can express on this blog! I am extremely lucky and thankful for all that I have. My future husband is an absolute blessing in my life. He's my best friend and without a doubt the one person that brings me joy each and every day. Our story is crazy and I am so very thankful I met him. Fate. I love our Gracie and I'd love to get her a little puppy brother! I'm thankful for my family...Mom, Dad, Caitlin, Emily, and Hannah...and my in-laws too! All of them have been so supportive throughout our relationship and wedding planning process. I'm also thankful for our friends!! They're my family away from home : ) I wouldn't survive without them day in and day out.

Alright, now time to watch some football and go to work. Yes, sadly I have to work today, but Mike's parents are coming up from Phoenix to celebrate tomorrow. It will be nice to be with the kids on the holiday though...no lie.

Cheers!

Heading to Kansas

This week/weekend is Homecoming at KU!  I absolutely cannot wait.  And I think Mike is excited, as we have some memories there too.  We went to a football game and to my favorite restaurants when he came to visit, which seems like a lifetime ago : )  Wow, how time flies.  We are staying with the Lovin family...I have not met their son, Henry, and he's already a year old.  Ugh.  So there's so much needed catching up and family time spending with them.  I'd love to see Ryan dance in the park again.  BUT I forget that's it's COLD there!  Bummer.  Oh well.  I think she will still want to play outside with us.

The football game is on Saturday.  We do not have tickets.  Do we really need them?  I bet we spend time socializing, introducing Mike to my friends, and talking about wedding planning since it has taken over my life!  No worries.  I don't mind planning it day in and day out for a year.  There is so much that goes into making our day as perfect as we can get it...it's exciting and busy...STILL.  

Alright, short and sweet for this week.  Not much time to write between laundry, Gracie, working out and working!  I will report our trip when we return.

Cheers!

My Very Own Personal Alarm

This is our baby, Gracie.  She is an almost 2 and a half year old Siberian Husky pup.  And, of course, she is perfect in every single way.  Even if she constantly sniffs our company's butts and gooses them at every chance she gets.  Honestly, she has calmed down remarkably and has learned to listen fairly well.  She is a stubborn husky and spoiled rotten, so given those qualities, she's a really good dog.  I really want to get her a brother, but Mike won't let me!  But she's a pack animal and will only be better given a companion.  One day...

Anyways, this bundle of joy is my personal alarm.  Every morning at 7 am...like clock work, Gracie decides it's time for us to get up.  Mike is usually out of bed by 6 am for work, so she takes his place by laying her head on his pillow and sleeping with me.  It really is sweet.  Unless it's a day when I'd love more than anything to sleep till 8...just one hour longer than normal.  One of those days was today...oh yeah, and yesterday and the day before that!  She's definitely like a baby, but not in so many ways.  We don't have children yet and don't need to know what it's like before hand.  And I don't need to be woken up on a routine basis at 7 am right now.  Ggggggrrrrrrr......

I am a morning person, as is Mike, and I enjoy being up early having my coffee and sitting on the back patio.  I love our G and I am probably the reason she is so spoiled, but I would have loved an extra hour of sleep today.  Maybe I will get a nap in before work and after my workout.

Speaking of working out...my healthy eating lifestyle has gone down the drain lately.  I allow myself to 'cheat' whenever I want to b/c otherwise it becomes this longing for food and the focus of everything I do...so stupid and not worth it to me.  But lately, the 'cheating' has been as routine as my 7 am alarm.  Ugh!  Back on track starting today.  It has been a good couple of weeks off the path, so the cravings have to be ignored at some point in time : )

Wedding updates:  Less than NINE MONTHS to go!! Aaaaaahhhhhh! Yayy!  Getting so excited as more things fall into place.  I still have dreams weekly about things I forget to do or about our big day.  All of our wedding party has been announced (minus guest book folks, ring bearers, and flower girls...getting to those soon)!  My side of the lineup is Caitlin Chalfant, Emily Chalfant, Hannah Chalfant, Nichole Cassidy, Maggie Barta, Paige Mosher, Joanna Lovin, and Katie Wallace in no particular order.  I also have no idea how you guys will be standing on June 19th!  Mike's lineup is Matt Lyons, Ryan Andrade, Ian Wright, Doug Dickey, Kyle Mays, Ron Two Bulls, and Scott Shaffer.  Figuring out the officiant, passports, honeymoon location, invitations (so Save-the-Dates will be sent out soon) and such.  Kind of a low key month.  But still exciting for us.

I found THE dress : )  I love it in every way.  It was not the first dress I tried on, but it was at the first bridal boutique we visited.  I was extremely lucky and had my mom and sisters with me.  As well as Mike's mom and another bridesmaid and dear friend, Nichole!  Thanks to all of you for playing an important role in my life.  I will never forget that day.  It didn't hit me until after looking at the pictures of me in my dress...this is really happening.  I am getting married! 

I thought this comic was cute, so I will end on this note for today.  Cheers!

Good Ol' Wedding Planning

Everything seems to be fitting in place.  We just got back from a wonderful trip to Chicago.  We stayed with Mike's sister, Kim, and her family.  We ate Lou's pizza and Portillo's hot dogs (yummy!), visited Mike's grandparents, his aunt, uncle and cousin, and went to a Cubs game!  It's always a blast there...I always have a hard time leaving and always want to move there asap when I'm there.  Who knows where we will end up...that's another discussion for another day!  *sigh*  I hate the unknown sometimes!

While we were in Chicago we went to Maggie and Josh Barta's wedding.  It was SO nice!  I was a reader (for the 3rd time...I'm finally getting good at it, I think!) we Paige Mosher.  I was sick to my stomach I was so nervous.  I literally had to tell myself to breathe to calm myself down.  My heart rate increases just thinking about it.  Who knows why we were so nervous.  Maggie looked beautiful...ah it was amazing being there for her big day!  She also chose green and her dresses were pretty and tied in perfect with everything.  Their slide show was amazing and, of course, I cried!  So many fun memories with college friends.  It's exciting to think about this next phase of life for everyone and still stay close along the way.  

We met with a florist and a DJ...it seems odd that we love the first people we meet.  It helps we have recommendations to these people, but they seem to fit us and our wedding style per se.  The DJ is great...his name is Mike and he wasn't the cheesy, in your face type of DJ.  He was actually really calm and collected...very professional.   It was nice.  No costumes for the chicken dance kind of deal!  The florist is widely known I guess...this was news to me.  I just picked them off a recommendation list at one of the hotels.  But it was cool seeing my visions make sense to the professional.  Who knew flowers, an aisle runner, and just a few decorations could be so pricey!  Future wedding planners out there...flowers aren't cheap.  'Nuff said.  Venue, photographer, florist, and DJ down...only 2,000 other checklist items to go : )

I promise we will send out save-the-dates soon.  It's been a busy summer and we are officially done traveling (well, till October for Homecoming and maybe a 60th wedding anniversary party).  Next up, is my wedding dress!!!!!  Eeeeekkkkk!  I am SO stinkin' excited.  And I am a lucky bride...my mom and all 3 sisters are flying out to be with me.  August 15th is the date and I already have ants in my pants.  Invitations are next...yippee!

Whew, I'm exhausted.  All is well in other parts of life.  Gracie is good...still 45 pounds and spoiled rotten.  She has calmed down a little, but continues to goose everyone that comes into our house.  She isn't too cool with 'strangers.'  Gracie enjoys chasing lizards, sunbathing in our rock backyard, and going for rides.  She still digs whenever she can and dare you say the 'w' word (walk) she will be waiting at the door for you to do as you say.  She's great.  

Cheers!