Christmas is for...

Reflection.

Meditation.



Thoughtfulness.

Rest.




And making sure those darn neighborhood cats don't steal the Christmas lights!

P.S. Yes, we typically do keep bedding on our beds, but I was washing the sheets, hence the naked mattress pad.

P.P.S. Can you tell I'm enjoying my new camera? :)

"Oh, Mom...." or A Few Thoughts from Weber

I sure hope my mom doesn't smother this kid as much as she smothers me...

The schmoopy woopy voice and googly eyes are super embarassing.

She's gonna make that boy crazy.

And speaking of my little brother, here's the latest belly shot at 21 weeks. We're halfway there, folks!

Three More Days

I am armed...

And ready...

For a Christmas vacation.

The Happy Dance

One of my oldest Internet friends, Katie of Footy Pajamas, just sent me a super fun little Blogging Award! Katie and I have been "blog friends" since the olden days of Xanga. We have never met, but we will someday, and in the meantime I am taking notes as she journeys through the adventure of raising an adorable little boy. She is real, vulnerable, wise and hilarious...check her out!

But back to this award thingie. All I have to do is tell you ten things that make me do "the happy dance," which in my book is synonymous with the giddy squeal. They are interchangeable based on the appropriateness of the social situation. I'm sure you understand. But with no further ado...

1) Baby Boy Clothes. I'll never forget my first visit to the Target baby section soon after finding out that I was expecting. When I got my hands on a particular little striped sweater sleeper I just couldn't contain myself...out came the giddy squeal! I promptly whirled around to make sure that no one witnessed my outburst, and when I was reassured that I was alone I proceeded to squeal my way through the entire department. No shame in my game. (Oh, and I definitely squealed last night when I snagged a Carter's fleece bunting for next winter at Macy's for only $5...eeeeeee!!!!!)

2) Weber's greeting as soon as I walk in the door. If you need an increase in your self-esteem, get a dog. There's nothing like that tail wagging a mile a minute, that goofy puppy grin, and that happy little prance down the hall just because YOU'RE HOME!

3) Knowing that my husband is finished with finals! And beyond that, reflecting on the past three years of watching him get to this point. I am so stinkin' proud of his discipline and hard work and it is amazing to see it pay off with good grades and--more importantly--fulfillment. I am even more proud of the fact that he manages to do all of that while still enjoying life outside of optometry school. There will be a full-out happy dance party going on at our house today when he gets home from school!

4) Relaxing at the end of the day by the light of the Christmas tree.

5) Penzey's Hot Cocoa. If you are lucky enough to live near a Penzey's spices, you must get your hands on their hot cocoa mix! For me, it even beats out Williams Sonoma hot chocolate. When combined with #4 the happy dance is inevitable.

6) The end of the semester! I know I'll be ready for my students to return in January, but it sure is nice to enjoy a quiet office and uninterrupted time for all those "One of these days, we're going to..." tasks that never get finished during the semester.

7) Quality time with good friends. I'm about to see many of mine in a couple of weeks and can hardly stand the wait!

8) An adventure on the horizon. If you've been reading this blog for any time at all, you know that I am a travel junkie. Nice house? Meh. New car? Meh. Fancy things? Meh. Dining out? Meh. Just give me a plane ticket! If I don't get a good trip in at least every other year I get a major case of wanderlust. Luckily we've got a ski trip with three of our closest couples planned for January. Don't worry, yours truly will not be shredding the slopes, but warming the couch in the lodge with a stack of good books! The big adventure on the horizon? Thailand 2011!

9) Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You. When it came on the radio this morning, I happy danced all the way down Highland. If any of my fellow morning commuters had glanced over into my car, they might have been concerned for my sanity.

10) "When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see Him there, who made an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free! For God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me!" That freedom, and the birth of the Savior who gifted it to me, make me do the happy dance every day, and will for the rest of my days!

What makes you do the happy dance?

A New Holiday Classic

Well, it is far from new, but it is new to me!

Last May I met a coworker from another department who is an absolute movie buff. By movie buff I mean that she has Word documents with alphabetized lists of her entire collection, complete with descriptions, critiques, and cross-references. The girl knows her flicks, and I am reaping the benefits by allowing her to introduce me to all the great movies that I have missed out on in life thus far (I feel like Kate Winslet as Iris in The Holiday with her recommendations from Arthur Abbott...gumption!). She is currently introducing me to some Christmas classics, and this weekend I watched what just might become my new favorite Christmas movie...


This film was just adorable from start to finish, if you're into the simple, predictable plot and comedy that are so typical of the good ole' days of film. And I just so happen to be into that sort of thing.

When a sailor returns from WWII after weeks of starvation, he lays in his hospital bed reading magazine articles featuring the delicious menus and remarkable homekeeping of Elizabeth Lane, the Martha Stewart of her day. His nurse writes to the head of the magazine and gets the sailor an invitation to Elizabeth Lane's Connecticut farm for Christmas.

The only problem is that Elizabeth Lane is actually a single, childless, New York apartment-dweller who can't cook! Her attempts to pull off the act lead to a hilarious and sweet Christmas in Connecticut that will leave you all warm and fuzzy inside. Add some hot cocoa, a sleepy puppy, and a Snuggie, and you've got the perfect winter evening!

And, yes...I just said Snuggie. More to come on that later, but in the mean time, go rent this movie and add it to your list of holiday favorites!

Good Read, Good Dog

I couldn't find a picture of the full cover, but this month's Garden and Gun magazine cover features the most gorgeous shot of a German Shorthaired Pointer. I spotted it in the check out lane at Whole Foods and snagged it for Jonathan as a "something brainless to read when you're finished with your studying" present. Turns out he really enjoyed the magazine! So if you're looking for a holiday gift for your man and he enjoys hunting, the outdoors, and Southern food and culture, get him a subscription! It might just be in Jonathan's stocking this year too...



Or you could just get him a German Shorthaired Pointer. They are, after all, the prettiest, sweetest, most enteraining dogs on the planet. But I'm a bit biased (see adorable pointer in upper right hand corner).

Note to self: Figure out how to get Weber into modeling. She is a canine hottie...we could make a killing!

Note to self, Part II: Figure out how to get Weber to sit still for longer than 2 minutes in order to have a decent picture taken...

Note to self, Part III: Oh, yes...problem solved. Just bring bacon.

Water, Baby!

Another doctor's appointment under my belt, and all is well!

Baby Boy was awfully sleepy this morning, so she really had to poke and prod to get him to wiggle around enough that she could see all his little organs! (He takes after his mother already; waking up is a process, people!) Ultrasound technology never fails to amaze me. While I see the obvious--a head, limbs, etc.--the tech is pointing out organs, the placenta, and all kinds of crazy stuff! At one point, she told us that she was going to check the four ventricles of the heart, and I thought to myself, "Ummm, yeah...and how are you going to do that on something so tinsy???" But then she zoomed in and Voila! four tiny little boxes, beating in sync, clear as day. And rest assured that he is definitely still a boy. I've got a nice full frontal shot to prove it, but I'm trying to get off on the right foot and avoid embarassing my son before he even enters the world!

It was so fun to have my parents there for this ultrasound! When they had children 30 and 27 years ago, ultrasounds were only for at-risk cases. I guess I had forgotten that while Mom and Dad had seen ultrasound pictures, they'd never seen one live on a screen! Mom was in tears from the second they turned the volume up on the heartbeat, and Dad was just mesmerized the whole time. It definitely made it even more exciting to have them there! (Mom and Dad, hope the show was worth the drive! ;)

I did, however, get a little scolding. You see, throughout my entire adult life my biggest health shortcoming has been my minimal fluid intake. I can go an entire day without taking in liquids, and I never feel thirsty. It is a problem! So I forget to drink fluids in general, and I'm afraid that I have been only slightly better since I've been pregnant.

Well, apparently the ultrasound technician could tell just from the ultrasound that I am dehydrated. Little did I know, dehydration causes Braxton Hicks contractions, and even though they are too slight for me to feel, I am already having them as evidenced by the ultrasound. Oops. Jonathan, who has nagged me about my lack of hydration since I've known him, gave me a lovely glare from across the room as soon as she mentioned it. So I've received a good kick in the pants and fresh motivation to stay hydrated, and I'm pretty sure I'll have my own personal Water Nazi to make sure it happens! Momma's sorry, Baby!

Last, but not least...the weigh in. I really am fine with the amount of weight I've gained so far, especially when I remember that I'm halfway through this pregnancy. But honestly, even when you know it is all for good cause and within a reasonable amount, I'm not sure I will ever get used to the sight of seeing that little marker on the scale move to the right! It was another good piece of motivation to keep eating healthfully, watching portions, and exercising throughout this pregnancy. (And I had been wondering why the balls of my feet were hurting more when wearing the same pairs of heels that I always wear to work; add an extra several pounds and they are bound to hurt! Good incentive to never be overweight...I love my heels!)

I will leave you with a brilliant piece of clarification from my doctor, for all my prego friends out there. The whole "don't sleep on your back or you will cut off blood supply to your baby" thing? Meh. No worries. True in theory that the weight of your uterus might put a bit of pressure on the anterior vena cava (I should so go to medical school...unless, of course, I got that name wrong. In that case, disregard.) But my doctor said that it is really more of a theoretical thing; as she pointed out, women in labor lying flat on their backs with their uterus contracting like crazy still have babies with healthy, steady heartbeats throughout. So no reason to wake up in a tizzy because you rolled onto your back in the night. Sleep in whatever position is comfortable for you. Unless, of course, your doctor tells you differently. Then do what s/he says. Despite my anterior vena cava antics, I really have no clue what I'm talking about.

Now off to the water fountain I go...

Tomorrow

I will visit my doctor again.

I will get to see my little boy on an ultrasound again. Let's hope he's still a little boy...

I will hear his heartbeat again; the best sound in the world to me right now.

My parents will get to see their grandson and hear his heartbeat too...they are tagging along!

I will step on the scale to see what kind of damage the return of my appetite has done over the past 5 weeks.

I will ask my doctor a new little list of questions (How late can I still travel? How bad is it really to sleep on my back? I keep waking up on my back and worrying that I have suffocated my kid! What is this cord blood banking business all about and should I do it? Have you ever met another woman whose pregnancy gave her dandruff? No? It's just me? But Google said it was normal! Awesome.)

I will do a little baby shopping, you know, since Grandma and Grandpa are in town (cheesy grandparent names or lack thereof are TBD).

I will eat a yummy lunch out before returning to work.

I will be completely unproductive for the rest of the day, lost in a haze of baby bliss. It happens every time I have an appointment. I might as well take a whole day off instead of just a half.

I will spend the evening baking and wrapping for my first ever Cookie Exchange. I hear the competition is pretty stiff and am hoping my inner Martha Stewart can hang... (Even if she can't, I still get to come home with a whole loot of cookies. It's a win-win.)

I will enjoy another evening of getting to do what I want to do instead of what the Greek calendar tells me I must do. FREEDOM!!!!!!

I will enjoy some cocoa by the light of the Christmas tree and periodically yell random encouraging words (You're a genius!!!.....You will dominate Pediatric Optometry!!!.....Optics? I spit in the face of Optics!!!) to my finals-ridden hubby.

And the sun will come out. No, really. It is raining cats and dogs right now and tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny. So the sun really should come out tomorrow. But even if it doesn't, I think I've got some sunshine of my own on schedule.

(All together now...AWWWWW....or just gag yourself. It was cheesy, I know. But Christmas is for cheesiness, right?)

A Christmas Responsive Reading

Please join me in this responsive reading in celebration of this joyous time of year:

Blogger: Behold! The end of the semester has come!

Bloggee: Rejoice! For dead days are here!

Blogger: Dry your eyes, oh ye students!

Bloggee: Cease your wailing, oh ye faculty and staff!

Blogger: For the nights of hard labor are over!

Bloggee: The weekends of obligation are through!

Blogger: For a time has come when all deadlines have passed, all syllabi have reached their end.

Bloggee: A time has come for freedom, for rest, for joy!

Blogger: Tis true, beloved! The end of the semester has come! Rejoice, oh ye people of the Academy!

Bloggee: Shout for joy! Raise your Pandora volume on high in celebration!

Blogger: For dead days are here!

Bloggee: They are here, indeed!

All: Amen.

Obsessions

For my memory's sake, a sampling of my pregnancy cravings...

First, the Arnold Palmer. Sweet tea plus lemonade. The best specimens are found at McAlister's Deli and Chick fil A, but a reasonable subsitute can be made in the Tiger Den soda fountain.

Speaking of Chick fil A...bring on the waffle fries! Correction: bring on any form of potato, preferably fried and doused in salt. They are really good for the baby, I promise.

Pei Wei, you have always been my favorite Asian Diner, but these days my love has grown to an entirely new intensity. And the day the dude gave me Mongolian chicken instead of Mongolian beef I just about shoved my chopsticks up his nose. Don't mess with this girl's Pei Wei order. Or else.

Early in my pregnancy, my primary source of sustanance was Three Seed bread from Big Sky Bakery in Oklahoma City. It took me awhile to warm up to food in the morning, but if I didn't eat early enough I would feel even worse. Three seed bread, toasted with a thin smear of peanut butter, was my therapy food. It was one of the very few things that didn't turn my stomach and make me gag. Lucky for me, my wonderful in-laws were kind enough to send me a big box that kept me stocked until my apetite began to return. Guess they wanted to make sure their firstborn grandchild was well nourished; that, and they're just really fabulous in general. Thanks, Tom and Anne!

This next option is not quite as simple, because unlike three seed bread, the Camarones Bohemios from Rolando's in Fort Smith can not be mailed in a box and kept in the freezer for an entire trimester. In the weeks leading up to our visit to Arkansas to share the Big News with my parents, I yearned for Rolandos. I longed for Rolandos. I needed Rolandos. I had to hold back my best Herbal Essences impersonation when I finally got a bite of that goodness. Now, the craving is back, and I am counting the days until I get to taste it again when I'm home for Christmas.

There have been others, but those have been random, one-time urges. These are the foods and beverages that consistently haunt my dreams and tastebuds. Needless to say, my appetite is back and better than ever. Unless, of course, you are offering me barbecue, in which case I might just puke on your shoes. Not the best food aversion to have when living in Memphis, eh?

My next doctor's appointment is next Wednesday, so I'll be anxious to see what the combination of these cravings is doing to that scale! Worth every pound, right? :)

Thanksgiving in Pictures

Blogger refuses to allow me to rearrange my pictures, so bear with the random order...but I promise that if you hang in there you'll see something for which many of you have waited very patiently! Here's a little glimpse of Thanksgiving 2009 at our house...

The handsome gentlemen of the family, hiking at Shelby Forest...

Jonathan, Todd, and Weber heading off for a walk. (I promise Weber isn't some hard core attack dog with a muzzle; that's her Gentle Leader. Since GSPs are hunting dogs, they tend to run in a zig-zag--the better to catch those birdies with--the Gentle Leader helps her walk straight without pulling and tripping Jonathan on a long run! It makes her bashful...see those lil ears tucked back?)

A plate of Thanksgiving goodness...

All the kids, both flesh and fur, at Shelby Forest (looks like Weber is onto something in this one! Once a pointer, always a pointer, eh?)

Weber did lots of begging. Lucky for us her begging mostly consists of looking really pretty, cute, and pitiful all at once. And I have to say that it paid off for her a time or two. The girl loves smoked turkey and dinner rolls; can you blame her?

The customary family photo before digging in...

Hostess at work! Carving that pretty lil' turkey, the only contact I had to make with that bird all day! (P.S. Someone in this picture needs a tan, and it isn't my gorgeous golden Tom)

And the moment you've all been waiting for... It isn't the best picture ever, but it will do for now. Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you... The Bump:

Thanks to my father-in-law for taking all of these photos and for bringing my brand new camera all the way from Oklahoma (and even turning around to get it after being on the road for 30 minutes!) Now we can keep the pictures coming!

Tardy

Did I ever tell you about the super fun day when I told my employer that I'm expecting? No? Well, let's take a little walk down Memory Lane and have a good laugh...

I always knew that I would be the type to keep news of my pregnancy close until after the first trimester. Perhaps it was because I have had so many friends lose babies, and also because I thought it would be sweet for my husband and I to share this one big secret for just a little while. Either way, it was important to me to savor my news for awhile before sharing it with the world.

Since I didn't deal with any puking until the second trimester (yes, friends...still puking!), it was remarkably easy to hide my little secret for awhile. My office is very flexible, so on the few rough mornings when I just couldn't seem to manage getting out of the house, it was no big deal to roll into the office around 9:30 a.m.

One morning, though, the nausea got the best of me. I could hardly stand up to get ready without feeling the room spin, and I just had to lay back down and get a grip. As my mind and stomach steadied, the pregnancy fatigue took over and I drifted back to sleep.

Then, my phone. A text. From my boss' boss.

Are you going to make it to the meeting this morning?

Oh. My. Word. I had a 9:00 a.m. meeting. With the Dean of Students. And the head of my department. And two representatives of a new fraternity colonizing on our campus. It was 8:50. My office is 15 minutes away. My hair was wet, my pajamas were on. Despite my best efforts, it wasn't going to happen.

No, I'm not going to make it.

What else could I say? I frantically readied myself for the day and managed to get into the office by 9:30, just as the Dean and Associate Dean were getting out of their meeting. I had a dilemma.

Option A: Stick to my plan of waiting until 13 weeks to tell my employer, while also looking like I flaked out for no good reason.

Option B: Throw the plan out the window and share my very good reason for flaking out.

I called my dad, who also works in Higher Education, to get his professional opinion. I shut my door, dialed his office number, and promptly burst into tears. (P.S. What is it about parents? You reasonably have it together and then the second you make parental contact your inner child comes out and you turn into a blubbering mess!) I managed to tell him what happened and asked him what to do.

Game over, honey. You've got to tell them.

One thing was for sure: I could not go tell my boss that I am pregnant while looking like a teary, snotty mess. So I hung out behind the closed door of my office, chatted with a dear friend for a bit to get my game face on (Thanks, Meredith!), and decided it was now or never. (Well, not really never. Eventually this belly would have given me away!)

I went to my boss's office, having no idea what to expect. I told him that I felt the need to explain why I had completely dropped off the planet this morning.

You see, the reason that I missed the meeting is because I'm three months pregnant and...

Before I could even explain, he was out of his chair, shaking my hand, grinning from ear to ear, congratulating me. No explanation necessary. Just pure excitement. It turns out that his wife had been violently ill for the majority of her pregnancy with their daughter. If anyone was going to understand, it was this guy! What a tremendous blessing.

And I received the same response from every other coworker in my office. I should have known, really, considering that I work with a truly phenomenal group of people, but it sure was a blessing after a few months of wondering what effect that news would have. They all thought I was a rock star for making it through all of Greek recruitment, working until 2 a.m. for a month straight, while dealing with the first few months of pregnancy; if I could do all that, I must be good at my job!

And wouldn't you know that the day before this happened I had asked my BSF group to pray that my conversation with my employer would be smooth and well-received. How amazing to see God's provision for that conversation, even though it was about the opposite of how I had planned!

Thanksgiving was a success, my friends.

I've decided that I need to host large family gatherings more often. It is awfully good for a girl's self-esteem to have a table full of family members raving about her food. They are too kind.

I must give credit where credit is due, however, and say that ordering a Greenburg Turkey is the first step toward having a delicious and stress-free meal. The beauty of beginning to cook (aka, warming up previously prepared dishes and making gravy) at 11 a.m. (after the Macy's Parade, of course) and sitting down to the big meal at 1:30 p.m. cannot be underestimated, and that is all because I had a delicious smoked turkey waiting for me and not hogging my oven time all morning. If you find yourself hosting a holiday in the future, seriously...Buy. This. Turkey!!! (Thanks, Tom and Anne, for contributing the Tom to this year's feast!)

We enjoyed such a relaxing time with our family and I felt so very thankful to have each of them in my life. It is surreal to think that next year we will have a little almost 7-month old at the table as well. We are so very blessed.

Now to enjoy a quiet house, leftovers, and decorating for the Christmas season!

Instincts

As soon as I saw the two lines on that pregnancy test, my first thought was, "Its a boy."


And so I went through the first few weeks of my pregnancy in a starry-eyed daydream of a little boy in a miniature North Face fleece, loving on his momma, tagging along the hiking trails with his daddy, and playing with his best buddy, Weber.


But then Jonathan confessed that from the moment I told him the news, his gut said that it was a girl. Jonathan has always wanted boys and, truth be known, been terrified at the idea of having a daughter. This is largely due to his thorough awareness of the fact that he would be wrapped around the little finger of said daughter for all of eternity. And this, of course, is a legitimate fear. So the fact that he suddenly thought it was a girl was a remarkable feat for this husband of mine. He was sure of it, and his certainty made me question my initial instincts.


Not wanting to set myself up for the first onslaught of Mother's Guilt (OhmygoodnessIthoughtyouwereaboyandyou'reagirlandIhavenomaternalinstinctsandamafailureasamotheratonly4monthspregnant!!!)

I proceeded to squelch any inklings either way, and enjoyed a state of genuine contentment and excitment whether Baby Poe ended up being a boy or a girl. This made the whole process of going for "the" ultrasound much more fun and far less stressful than if my future success as a mother were hinging on the correct assumptions of my gut.


We arrived at the ultrasound and I nervously proceeded to tell my student's mother about a friend who was told "girl" at 16 weeks and then "boy" at her 19 week doctor's appointment. If it was a girl, I was prepared to say, "Show me the three lines!!!" She reassured me that she only calls it if she is certain.


And suddenly, there was our baby. On the screen. Sleeping. Heart whooshwhooshwhooshing. My heart whooshwhooshwhooshing along with the reminder that there really is a child inside me.


She pressed the censor into my belly, nudging the sleeping baby in hopes that he or she would cut the modesty and show us the goods.


Then, there were two legs. And she laughed. And said, "There's no doubt about it...Are you ready?"


It's a BOY!


And all I could do was laugh. As he scratched his little head, played with his tiny toes, all I could do was laugh with joy as I watched our son.


Looks like I have a bit of mother's instinct after all.


Jonathan has decided that his gut feeling was a subconscious attempt to prepare himself for the likelihood of having a daughter. He is thrilled to have a son, and he is thankful for the time that he though he had a daugher; it brought him to a place where he realized that he actually would be a good "girl dad." Maybe he'll have a chance to prove that someday.


But until then, he is planning many a hiking trip in those matching North Face fleeces...

Perks

Throughout my time in this job, I have been able to benefit from a few perks. Some of you may remember the time I got out of a parking ticket via a student's attorney dad. Or the endless amounts of free food I gorge on during fraternity recruitment. Now before you scold me for conflicts of interest, let me remind you about the nutty hours I work, the drama I endure, and the meetings I mediate as sorority women bicker about whether or not they can have chair covers on Pref Night.

Yeah.

A few weeks ago, yet another one of my students discovered news of my pregnancy. After all the squealing subsided, she wanted details. How far along? Names? When do you find out what you're having?

I filled her in on the whole "My doctor wants me to wait 5 more weeks to make sure all the little organs are functioning correctly" thing.

"Well, we can fix that," she replied.

The next day, I received an email from her in which she told me about her mother, an ultrasound technician in the next town over, who wanted to give me a free ultrasound just for fun. You know, to thank me for being such a fabulous Greek Advisor to her daughter and all. All I needed to do was show up at her office on her lunch break.

Um...yes, please!

So last Friday Jonathan and I found out the sex of this little bundle of joy. And I have to say that this had to be the best perk yet.

Unfortunately for you, my coworkers have decided to throw a Sex Party, complete with wearing pink or blue based on your bet and two cakes: one pink inside, one blue. I'll get to make the "big slice" in order to reveal the sex. And can I just say that I have had nothing to do with any of this? It is simply what happens when you work in an office of Student Activities party planner types!

The party is Tuesday afternoon, so be sure to check back for the big reveal!

(If you have already heard the news, please don't mention it in a comment or on Facebook...my coworkers will be very upset if you contaminate their betting system ;)

Turkey Time!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and this year we are hosting the big event at mi casa! Jonathan's parents and brother will be making the trek from Oklahoma and spending the week with us; we can hardly wait for a relaxed staycation with family!

In order to keep things relaxed, I am attempting to do as much cooking before the Big Day as possible. Lucky for me, this side of the family has a little tradition of ordering their turkey from Greenburg of Tyler, Texas. These smoked birds are so delicious that Oprah once featured them on her Favorite Things episode! My handsome Tom will be delivered to my doorstep on Tuesday and comes fully cooked and frozen. All this means that I am exempt from the nail-biting task of roasting a turkey and I can throw all of my efforts into some stellar sides and desserts!

Joining the Greenburg on the menu are Mama Dot's Buckner Cornbread Dressing, homemade Green Bean Casserole (fresh green beans and homemade cream sauce; a new recipe, so we'll see how this one goes!), Sweet Potato Casserole with pecan crumble topping, homemade sweet Sourdough Rolls, Fresh Cranberry Orange Relish, and Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingerbread Crust. Everything but the green bean casserole and cheesecake is already made and in the freezer; I'll make the last casserole and dessert on Wednesday, bake everything off on Thursday, whip up some gravy, and Voila! we have ourselves a stress-free Turkey Day!

Just in case any of you are sharing in the Thanksgiving duties, I'll leave you with a recipe! It doesn't get any easier than this, folks. Stay tuned for more Thanksgiving recipes!

Mama Dot's Fresh Cranberry Relish
Mama Dot was Jonathan's grandmother and one of the best cooks I have ever known. She passed away almost three years ago, and we all miss her terribly. I had grand aspirations for trying lots of new recipes this Thanksgiving, but when it all came down to it, nothing but Mama Dot's classics would do. Here is one of my favorites...

• 1 lb. cranberries (one bag)
• 1 medium orange
• 1 c. sugar

Rinse cranberries and place in the bowl of a food processor. Cut the stem end from the orange and slice into wedges. Add to food processor. Process until cranberries and orange are chopped. Add sugar and pulse until the entire mixture is finely chopped. Chill until serving time, or freeze and thaw before serving.

Wrapping Up Week 16

• Baby Poe missed the memo that the puking phase of pregnancy is the first trimester, not the second. I only threw up about twice in my entire first trimester, but once I hit 13 weeks I have had an appointment with the porcelain throne at least once a week. Now, compared to many women I know, that is nothing. I realize that. But it is quite baffling when every pregnancy email tells you how great you should be feeling at this point in the pregnancy, while I am dodging my coworkers to make it into the one-seater bathroom before I create a new "My Most Embarassing Moment" story. To be gross and detailed (hey, this blog is as much for my memory as it is for your enjoyment!), I think it is all a result of acid reflux and not morning sickness-like nausea. I always feel just fine before throwing up, but then suddenly feel that burning in my chest/throat, then the watery mouth, and then RUN!!! before WWIII breaks out in the bathroom (Jonathan's description, not mine). So, so strange.

• Speaking of puking and Jonathan, we have got the routine down (if the fun happens while he is around). While some people want someone nearby to hold their hair back, I do not want anyone near me whatsoever. When the first incident occurred, Jonathan went to get a glass of water and then stood next to me holding it until I was ready; I'm pretty sure I just about knocked him out as I flailed my arms mid-puke to indicate that I wanted to be ALONE. But then as soon as the action subsided I wanted that glass of water, dang it! So now as soon as the fun begins Jonathan grabs a glass of water and quietly slides it right next to the toilet before leaving the room (although I'm pretty sure he stands right around the corner just in case I need him, quite the accomplishment considering his weak stomach!). He is a champion water boy and offers the perfect amount of pity and sympathy when the games are over.

• I think I have been feeling the first of Baby Poe's movements. There have been a few of those little popcorn/gas bubble sensations, and then yesterday after lunch I felt a very distinct flutter that just stopped me in my tracks and brought tears to my eyes. Do it again, baby!

• The pregnancy "glow" is a lie. The glow is, in fact, caused by excess oil that leads me to break out like a teenager. I have been blessed with clear skin for most of my life and only get the occasional pimple, almost always on my chin and almost always around a certain time of the month. Yesterday I woke up to FIVE, count 'em FIVE zits. A monster on my chin, along with a couple mini-monsters, another one my cheek, one more on my nose, and then today they added a sixth friend on my right temple. It is no fun to look like a knocked up pubescent teen, and I sure hope this little phase does not last.

• Though I have been attempting to get as much wear out of my non-maternity clothes as possible, each morning brings some laughs as I discover that yet another garment doesn't fit. This morning I put on a pair of dress pants that could barely zip and definitely not button, and then topped it off with a white button-up shirt that is now entirely too short. Jonathan and I got a good giggle out of the ensemble before I swapped it out for maternity pants and a longer top. Elastic waists are heavenly.

• Despite the puking, my appetite is back with full force. Last night, after reading a Facebook status about peanut butter cookies (thanks, Katie! :) I couldn't get them out of my mind. Luckily we have a neighborhood coffee shop/restaurant/bakery just around the corner that makes a killer dessert called the Charlie Brown bar: peanut butter oatmeal cookie base, chocolate chips, and peanut butter frosting all melded together into one dreamy bar cookie. After pining for one all the way through So You Think You Can Dance and halfway through Glee, Jonathan was off to the bakery and returned a few minutes later with my dream come true. Pretty sure I moaned after every bite. It. Was. Awesome. (Should be fun to see what my weight gain is at the next appointment, huh?)

• Though I have been resisting the urge to spend money on the baby at this point, I did buy Baby Poe's first little gift this week. A friend and I met for lunch at The Women's Exchange on Tuesday; it is a quaint little tea room that also sells handmade baby clothes and toys. Oh. My. Word. I think I teared up the second I walked in the room. I was a bit early and began to browse when a little old lady on staff asked if she could help me. I mentioned that I was expecting, and it was all over! Before I knew it she was pulling out every christening gown and smocked dress in the place; each of them were out of this world gorgeous. Once we know what we are having I might just have to go back and buy an heirloom outfit for this little guy or girl. I did, however, find a little handmade dauchshund stuffed toy, made of brown and white fabric with a navy grosgrain bow around its neck. Jonathan grew up with a dauchshund, Holly Angel, and loves them to this day, so when I saw this little thing it just had to be ours! Unfortunately, when I brought it home Weber thought it had to be hers too (don't worry, the dauchshund is fine!); looks like we have some training to do before this house gets full of stuffed animals and other little toys!

Well, that's the latest in this crazy journey! Oh, and sorry there is no bump pic. Wouldn't you know that I left my brand spankin' new camera in Oklahoma last weekend? Don't worry, the fam will bring it next week for Thanksgiving, and we are taking pictures of the bump, they are just all on 35 mm.

Memory Lane

The reunion weekend was fantastic. I don't think I went to bed before 2 a.m. all weekend, which is monumental considering that I have been ready for bed by 9 p.m. since I've been pregnant! But when you've got so many of your favorite people chatting the night away in one room, you just can't go to bed. Before the reunion, the Alumni Association asked me to share a few memories during our class reunion luncheon. I thought that some of you OBU alum readers might get a kick out of this little walk down memory lane, so here is the gist of my speech, along with a few pictures from the weekend:

In the five years since leaving Bison Hill, I have been working in college student affairs. Basically, that means that I wanted to be Monica Mullins when I grew up. Working with college students has many benefits. You are always up on the latest trends in music and fashion, you always know which celebrities are dating, and you get enough drama from college student love affairs to never need a television set again. Contrary to popular belief, we student affairs professionals don’t go into this field just so we can stay in college forever, but I think my favorite perk of the job is the way it leads me to recall my own college experience quite frequently. This was never more prominent as it was last year when I was able to return to OBU as a staff member. In the nine short years since we first donned our beanies, so much has changed. Here are just a few observations that might bring back some memories of our days on Bison Hill…

Remember the Audix system? We arrived on campus with our wallets full of plastic AT&T phone cards with which we could call our friends back home. I had a cell phone, but it resembled Zach Morris' "timeout" phone more than the modern day Blackberry, and I had to leave it in my car and use it only for emergencies. Not that I could get any service in WMU anyway! When I came back to work at OBU, those old beige plastic phones were long gone. Ask any student you see on campus today about Audix and you will get a blank stare. Most of them don’t even pick up the phone any more…just send a text message and your next trip to the City is planned!

DTRs, or Define the Relationship conversations, are no longer held in the stone gazebo outside of the GC. Nope, now if you’ve had dinner in the ARA together for more than a few days in a row, your relationship is determined by the relationship status function on your Facebook page. But don’t worry, just as many of those say “engaged” and “married” as they did when we were students. Some things don’t change that quickly!

The Stubblefield gazebo is still wired for electricity and perfect for hauling your miniature tv/vcr combo out for a movie under the stars. But it also gets wireless internet access, so you might as well save yourself the trouble and watch a few Hulu shows on your laptop. Instead of waiting two hours to download one free song off of Audiogalaxy for burning on to a CD, you can now buy a song on Itunes and join the throng of students walking across campus with white cords dangling out of your ears.

Now I know that Dr. Brister is no longer serving as this University’s president, but I don’t think there is a person in this room who doesn’t let out a giggle at the mention of Luke 2:52. Imagine my shock when I returned to OBU and heard him give a brand new speech…the “Nickel Decision” speech…with not one mention of Luke 2:52! I guess he had his fill of “Luke 2-5-2” intramural football plays and decided it was time to shift gears. If you would like a nutshell version of the Nickel Decision speech, feel free to see me after the luncheon.

On Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m., Raley Chapel now reverberates with the sounds of a pretty “emo” worship band, a far cry from the days of hymns led by Dean Paul Hammond.

No one holds functions anymore! Gone are the days of heading to the old Armory for a night of moving rhythmically to music. But don’t worry, the ole Tumbleweed—or, “The Weed,” as some of you regulars might affectionately refer to it—is still open up in Stillwater, and students are still trekking up there for a night of fun.

As time has moved on, however, some things on Bison Hill have stayed the same. Tonight, they will celebrate Harvest Court and put that ridiculous cape and huge crown on a new queen and king. Owens Hall is still filled with that musty smell and the open doors of faculty members ready to put their plans on hold for a long conversation with a student. You will still get a phone call from Bobby Canty if you don’t meet your required chapel attendance. Stir fry day still creates a long line in the ARA each Wednesday. Upperclassmen still scare the beanies off of the freshmen by running in at the beginning of Welcome Week, and cheer them on proudly during The Walk. Dan Reeder keeps the jokes and carols coming at Christmas Chapel and students still cram the floor of the Kerr Lobby to hear now retired Dr. Mac Roark read the Christmas story at Kerr Christmas. The GC is still a black hole for wasting time, but also prime space making lifelong friendships. And Brotherhood, which everyone now calls Agee, still smells like boy.

While living in Waco, Texas, a few years ago, I was able to attend an OBU Alumni dinner. At the end of the meal, a couple who were both in their 80s asked to say a few words. They proceeded to tell of the lifelong friendships they have enjoyed with their classmates from OBU; their world travels together, class reunions together, raising families together. They said that no matter where they have lived, who they have met, or what life has thrown their way, their OBU friendships have been one of the longest-lasting influences in their lives. Five years after graduation, I already agree with those older, wiser alums, and I sure hope that I can stand here when I am 80 and say that of all the things that changed over time, these friendships never did.

For those of you who made it to the reunion, it did my heart so much good to see your faces and savor your company. For those of you who didn't, we better see you in five years! Ka-rip, ka-rap, and God Bless OBU!

OBU, All Hail Thy Name!

Well, folks...I am hitting the ole' I-40 this weekend and treking to the land of bison, sunsets, and Ted's Cafe Escondito. It is Homecoming weekend at my Alma Mater, and this year marks the five-year reunion of my graduating class. Cliche as it may be, time really does fly!

I have not been back to Oklahoma since July and I am antsy for some time with dear old friends, a walk across Bison Hill, and a cupcake (or two...or five) at Cuppies & Joe. The Diefs have promised me that their new Boom Boom Pow cupcake, a salted caramel dream of a sweet, will be waiting for me along with a frozen Pumpkin Spice hot chocolate. Baby needs it; doctor's orders.

This weekend will also involve picking up my brand new Canon Rebel XS! Now this sorry little blog will come alive with color again, and you just might get a sneak peek at this weekend's festivities (and my expanding waistline). Patience is a virtue, my friends, so hang in there!

And now, off I go to pack (one must be discerning when packing for a reunion; can't have people thinking you've let yourself go after a measly five years!), kiss the hubby goodbye (darn optometry school is cramping his style this weekend and keeping him from his trophy husband duties), and hit the road to Fort Smith where I will spend the night with my parents before heading to OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOklahoma.

Where the wind really does go sweeping down the plain.

Bustin' Out

I know this is my second post of the day, but this was too funny to keep to myself:

We had an Interfraternity Council (IFC) meeting this afternoon. If you recall, these are the guys who have been overly interested in my fertility over the past year (see "Preggers" post!), so therefore they are always checking in for the latest pregnancy update. And today they certainly got one.

At the meetings, the executive board sits in a row at the front of the room and the members sit in the audience. I sat up front with the board, right in between two of the guys. As the president conducted the meeting, I whispered some details of a recent campus even to the guys I was sitting near.

And then I took a deep breath.

POP.

Suddenly the button of my jeans popped loose from the buttonhole. The shock instantly registered on my face, so Brett and Cal asked me what was wrong.

"I just took a breath and my jeans button popped!" I whispered, mortified.

That was it. Those sweet boys just couldn't hold it in. They were bent over laughing, and then of course, I had to join them. I mean, my pants just popped open, people! That's funny stuff.

Then, to make matters worse the President of the board turned to us and said, "Hey, zip it up!"

The uncanny reference to anything related to holding pants up just put us over the edge with laughter. Any hope of professionalism at this meeting was suddenly lost. It's a good thing we have already established such openness about this unique period in my life, and something tells me these young men will be much more understanding husbands someday when their wives are expecting. You're welcome, ladies!

Burned

Last night I had the unfortunate experience of learning yet another new slang word.

Each year, a student organization on campus holds an event called "Real Talk" during which students perform skits portraying hot button issues. Those skits are followed by a time of open discussion from the floor, and then comments from a panel of "experts." I sat on the panel last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, so when they asked me back this year I readily accepted.

The first skit of the evening was related to relationships and depicted a male student who was verbally abusive to his girlfriend. As you can imagine, the discussion that followed was dominated by female students who were pretty feisty in their descriptions of being an "independent woman" who "doesn't need a man" and so on. All very true, of course, but there was a hardness to their comments that left me slightly concerned.

When it came time for the panelists to comment, my colleague and I were very much on the same page. She began by sharing that independence is different than what the radio might tell us. I followed up by agreeing that, yes, while those independent power woman anthems are awesome for post-breakup catharsis, it is important to remember that Beyonce does have a ring on it and that relationships are a necessary and beneficial aspect of our lives. (The crowd of R&B loving college students loved that one and I enjoyed a brief moment of pride for being relevant to my audience...still got it!).

As I wrapped up my point, I told the group that we must resist the defensive tendency to become so tough and independent that we neglect the fact that there is room in the life of every independent woman for healthy, affirming relationships. "So," I concluded, "no matter how many times you get burned..."

And that's when the giggled began. I kept going, but it didn't matter. The giggles turned to laughter, and soon the laughter turned to a roar.

I stopped, "Did I say something funny?"

Another coworker on the panel whispered, "Just keep going." And so I wrapped up quickly and we moved on to the next panelist.

"What did I say!?!" I whispered urgently to my friend, feeling totally clueless but already embarassed.

"Well, burned is slang for catching a sexually transmitted disease," he explained.

Oh. My. Word.

I had just told a crowd of college students not to get hard toward relationships, no matter how many STDs you catch! Awesome.

So much for still being relevant.

Oh, and I learned one other new slang word last night. If you say that someone is "goin'" it means that he or she is sleeping around or down for hooking up. For example, "That girl is dressed like a hootchie mama...she's goin'!" Who even knew!?! Where I come from if you are "goin' together" you are boyfriend and girlfriend, not sleeping together!

Apparently I was a little too innocent for this crowd. And for the record, I am completely fine with that!

14 Weeks

We just wrapped up our latest visit to the doctor. A few highlights:

• I was anxiously anticipating the "weigh-in" portion of this doctor's visit. Pregnancy is such a strange balance between becoming ok with putting on weight for such an amazing and worthwhile reason, and yet also not going hog wild and overindulging just because I am eating for two (hmm...maybe I shouldn't use the word "hog" when discussing weight gain in pregnant women). I was relieved to see that I have only gained 6 pounds in the first trimester...right on track with the recommended 20-30 pounds overall. We'll see how long I can keep this up, but it was a relief to know that I'm not already behind!

• We got to listen to the heartbeat via Doppler, and all I can say about that is WOW. The heartrate was 168 and going strong! The nurse found it right away but it was repeatedly muddled by strange swishing noises. She then explained that those noises were the sounds of the baby moving. Unreal. And if the frequency of those swishing sounds are any indication of the movements that I am going to feel eventually, then I am in for quite the ride!

• As soon as the nurse shut the door, Jonathan and I were alone in the exam room waiting for the doctor. He immediately began to beat-box the sound of the baby's heartbeat while dancing around and rapping, immitating our little baby just rockin' and rollin' in there to the beat. "It's Wednesday mornin'....just chillin' in mama's tummy....what should I do today?....think I'll just hang out here a little longer...." It was probably one of those moments that you just had to be there to witness, but I was dying with laughter. I'm surprised the nurse didn't come back to check on us because we were so rowdy!

• I was able to chat with the doctor a bit more about some of my labor and delivery questions and was very relieved to find out that the hospital we have chosen is her favorite, that they allow women to be up and moving around during labor (not strapped down and hooked up to a monitor the entire time unless you have an epidural), and that in general they are very accomodating so long as the mother just knows what she wants and speaks up about it. I am not making any assumptions or set birth plan about this experience because I know that ultimately my body is going to do what it wants to do and there is not much I can do to control that. I would like to try for a natural birth experience but I am not going to be upset or disappointed with myself if I decide that I need an epidural. I guess it was reassuring to know that I am going to have the flexibility to make those choices without them thinking I'm some crazy hippie lady.

• Our next appointment is on December 9th, and we all know what that means...the big SEX reveal! I had really hoped that we could get in on December 2nd, but our doctor wanted me to come in after 5 weeks instead of 4, just so they could see the organ development more clearly. "I know you are concerned about a particular part of the anatomy," she said, "but I'm concerned about the whole anatomy and we will be able to see all of that much better if we wait just a bit longer." Boo. But I definitely want them to be able to check out that little heart and all those other little parts so I guess I can supress my anticipation for one more week!

• When we hopped in the car after our visit I realized that I forgot to ask my doctor for a swine flu vaccine. I ran back into the office and was thrilled to see Ellen, a friend of mine who also volunteers at the Farmers Market and who happens to be a nurse in my doctor's practice (small world!). I mentioned that I had forgotten to ask for a shot and she just grabbed my file from the front desk, scooted me right back to an exam room, and hooked me up! It pays to have connections, and you can bet that I'll be putting Ellen's number in my phone to call when we head to the hospital someday. She does hospital rounds as well and I'm thinking it could pay off to have a friend on the labor and delivery nursing staff! Need a reason to start volunteering? You might make friends who can step in and give you some perks when it really counts!

• Not related to this visit, but you should all know that we have ordered our new camera and will pick it up next weekend. This means that belly picks are just around the corner!

Italian Tortelli Soup

Since I am now actually able to stomach cooking again, I have been able to whip up dinner on the few nights that I don't have to work (although those nights are increasing now that the semester is winding down, woohoo!). While I typically try to plan out a menu for the week, lately I have been in the mood to just cook what I feel like eating at the end of the day. Luckily I love inventing new dishes and get a thrill out of making a meal out of the contents of my pantry or fridge, so I am able to put dinner on the table, get rid of leftovers, and have a creative outlet all at once! Last night's dinner was particularly yummy, so I thought I'd share. It isn't exactly a recipe...more of a "method" if you will!

Italian Tortellini Soup

In a big stock pot, combine:

• Chicken or vegetable stock (I make stock after roasting a chicken, so I always have baggies of frozen stock in the freezer. Just zap the baggie for a minute, break the icy stock into chunks, dump them in the pot and let 'er melt!)
• Canned tomatoes: I actually used leftover marinara sauce from making spaghetti squash a few days ago...it worked perfectly because it was already seasoned with onions, garlic, red wine, and oregano. You could use a jar of your favorite pasta sauce, canned diced tomatoes, canned crushed tomatoes, or canned whole tomatoes that you chop up yourself (just stick your kitchen shears in the can and go to town to save the mess of cutting them on a board!)
• Veggies and Greens: I had carrots and a lone zucchini on hand, as well as some kale from the farmer's market (I heart kale. Buy some today.). If I had not used the pasta sauce for my "tomato" component I would have added onion and garlic. You could substitue fresh spinach leaves for the kale, but just be sure that you leave the greens out and add them at the end of cooking, with the pasta.
• Canned Beans: I used a can of canellini beans, but garbanzos (chick peas) would also be a good choice.
• Frozen Tortellini or Mini Ravioli: Once the broth/tomato/veggie/bean mixture has come to a boil, toss in a bag of frozen tortellini and simmer until tortellini is tender.
• Cheese: We made homemade pizza on Sunday and I had a chunk of fresh mozzerella leftover. Spoon the soup into bowls, top with some cheese, and pop those suckers under the broiler until the cheese is all bubbly and melted, a la French Onion Soup.

While the soup was coming to a boil I mixed up some biscuit dough and added some finely chopped fresh rosemary and black pepper to make them a bit more savory. By the time they were out of the oven the soup was finished and we were ready to roll!

Soup is one of my favorite ways to use what I already have in the kitchen. It saves money and leaves you feeling like a culinary rockstar / pioneer woman!

Don't Get Cocky

Once you hit your second trimester it is tempting to get cocky. The nausea recedes. Your energy returns. You start to think that you are really out of the woods.

Then suddenly, you are running through your house at the speed of light and knee-sliding to a stop in front of the toilet.

Pregnancy sure has a way of keeping you humble.

P.S. Tums mixed berry antacids are surprisingly tasty. If they would make a sour version they might come close to Sweet Tarts. I think I'll write a letter and make that suggestion. But then I guess sour Tums is kind of an oxymoron.

Stinky Wreath

Ok, blog world. I am coming to you with a very urgent dilemma.

I'm sure many of you have or have had something like this in your home:

A nice, innocent faux berry wreath. We have had two in the past five years. The first was a lovely blend of reds, oranges, and yellows that I purchased with a wedding gift card at Pier 1 in our first year of marriage (when I hung it on the screened-in porch in this house we discovered that Weber liked to eat the berries when waiting to be let inside, so the poor thing had to go. The wreath, that is...not the dog). The second is a lovely brown combination from Garden Ridge that currently hangs in front of a mirror on our mantle. I love it.

But they have both had this problem, you see.

After awhile, they start to stink!

And it has been the SAME SMELL from both wreaths. I can't quite pinpoint it, but it is not a nice smell. It is quite a gross smell, really, and in our tiny living room it can be quite noticeable when you walk in from being out of the house all day.

We have several theories. One is that heat somehow activates some chemical used on the berries that has a foul odor. Our first berry wreath stunk when it hung on our front door in Texas, but then I also had it hung over the kitchen sink for a time and could still smell it there on occasion (which would make you think that temperature didn't have anything to do with it). Jonathan is convinced that our current wreath started to stink soon after we lit our first fire in the fireplace. I think it might have started before that, but I can't be sure.

Regardless of the cause, I would argue that the average faux berry wreath should not stink under any circumstances! I definitely can't tolerate the smell, but I love this wreath so much (and don't want to buy a new one) that I am hoping to find a solution.

So, bloggers...tell me this: have any of you had a stinky wreath like these? Any idea what might cause the decorative stench? Any solutions? (I have already Febreezed it to no avail. Other thoughts include "sealing" it with hairspray, searching the florist section of Hobby Lobby to see if there is some sort of spray preservative or sealant that could help, or dousing it in some home fragrance oil as a cover-up.)

I am desperate for a home decor intervention. Help!!!

I Owe You an Explanation

Have you noticed the utter absence of photos on this blog lately?

I know.

It is sad, really. Bare. Lonely. And sad.

But I can't help it, you see, because our digital camera is still broken and we are in the process of ordering a new and improved model.

Until then, you will have to wait for pictures of pumpkins and mums, culinary creations, and a certain poochy belly (who, me?). And you'll just have to make do with words. I promise to keep those words as engaging and entertaining as possible. Cross my heart.

Roger That, Preggers!

As you all know, Jonathan and I were a bit on the cautious side when it came to sharing the news of this pregnancy. There were many reasons for this decision, one of which was the fact that I work with college students. If your college was anything like mine, or anything like the Greek community at this University, you know that news travels fast. Lightening fast. Once news gets out, it cannot be reigned in, so we decided to share that news when we were ready for the world to know.

One of the perks of my job is that I get to really live life with students, learn about their struggles, share a little life wisdom here and there. One afternoon about a year ago, the president of our fraternity council was hanging out in my office and telling me about his love life. He didn't have a girlfriend, and he was sick and tired of all of his Deep South, you-should-be-married-by-20 family members pestering him about his absentee lady friends. After his rant was over, I gently spoke the truth:

"Dude, just get used to it. Right now they want to know when you're going to get a girlfriend. When you get a girlfriend, they'll want to know when you're getting engaged. When you get engaged, they'll want to know all about the wedding. And when you've been married for a few months they'll want to know when you're going to have kids. It never ends! Right now, Jonathan and I are in the baby phase. We've been married 5 years, and people ask when we're going to have kids as though we are senior citizens!"

Well, friends, never let a college-aged boy in on the thing that bugs you. It was just a wide-open door.

"Oh, really??? So now every time I see you I should ask if you have any news for me?" he said with an ornery grin. What's a girl to do?

So for the past year, without fail, every time I saw this student he greeted me with, "Got any news for us?" He even got the rest of the fraternity council in on the joke. Over the summer, however, absence erased the mind and they seemed to have forgotten all about it.

And then, I did have news. Secret news.

Fraternity recruitment rolled around. I was about 8 weeks pregnant and spending entire days with this group of guys, trying to hide any hint of the fact that I finally did "have news." We were all using walkie talkies to communicate between fraternity houses, and the guys decided to make up call names for one another.

I sat in the golf cart, listening to their shenanigans over the airwaves, and laughed at the silly names they were coming up with (mind you, some of them were standing right there with me, but they were being boys and still talking through the walkie-talkies). And that's when it happened. Through the white noise, this is what I heard...

Phhhhhshhhhhshshss..."What's Leslie's name going to be?"... Pshsshshshshshshsh...

Psssshhhshshshshshshsh.... "PREGGERS!"

Oh. My. Gosh. How do they know??? Is it that obvious already??? Oh my word.

So I did what any girl with a secret would do. I played it cool. I embraced it. I didn't bat an eye. Didn't flinch. And I laughed inside. Because little did they know, they were right.

"Yep, guys...that's right...just call me Preggers."

For the rest of the week, I had the silent satisfaction of being reminded of my little secret through a walkie talkie. "Preggers is at Sigma Chi." "Preggers headed down Midland..." "Someone pick up Preggers in the golf cart at SigEp." They thought they were so funny. And they were, because every night I would come home and laugh with Jonathan about these silly boys who thought they had a good joke going, when really the joke was on them!

And a couple of weeks ago, you can only imagine the satisfaction that came when I could finally say, "Hey, guys! I've got some news!"

(For the record, their new greeting is now "Hey, Leslie! You look pregnant today!" Boys will be boys.)

This Weekend

• A date with my man, which involved satisfying my week-long craving for Olive Garden salad and breadsticks
• A chilly morning at the Farmer's Market where I got to chat the hours away with a new friend
• A bit of work, but the good kind of work where you remember how awesome your students are and that you have a really cool job
• Sharing a nice long chat with both my mother and mother-in-law, both of whom live way too far away
• A long walk through Shelby Farms with my partner in pregnancy, Natelie, and some other SCO friends. Did I mention that one of Jonathan's best optometry school buddies and his wife are expecting and due just a couple of weeks after us? Such a blessing to have a friend to share this journey with!
• A leisurely trip through Super Target (Why is it that before I was pregnant I would walk through their maternity section and think, "This stuff is SO cute!!!" and now that I'm pregnant I can't find one cute thing in their maternity section???)
• The discovery of the yumminess that is Archer Farms frozen pizza.
• Going to bed at 9:00 on a Saturday night because I can.
• Sporting a new dress to church on Sunday that showcases my little bump quite nicely, I must say.
• Cheddar Corn Chowder. Thank you, Ina Garten.
• A nice long visit with our landlords, who happen to be awesome people who are ALSO expecting. What is in the water, people!?!
• Baking a chocolate cake for a friend and realizing that I have never made this cake before and should probably bake a trial run cake before baking THE cake, just in case.
• Eating that chocolate cake for dinner.
• Enjoying a lazy night on the couch and ignoring all forms of productivity with the knowledge that another week will soon begin and productivity will take care of itself.

It was a lovely weekend.

So How've You Been Feeling?

This must be one the most commonly asked questions following the announcement of a pregnancy. Morning sickness is notorious, and everyone always wants to know if the dreaded queasy, pukey, yuckiness has graced your doorstep. And I'm sorry to say that, yes, the vicious MS has come my way. I have, however, been very lucky in that my experience has been limited to only 3 pukes and a chronic state of nausea. All in all, manageable. Not fun, but it could be worse.

The worst thing, for me, was the fact that within the first few weeks of pregnancy my appetite just disappeared. I mean, VANISHED, people! Now if you've been reading this blog for long you know that one thing is true of me...

I. LOVE. FOOD.

I love to shop for it. I love to cook it. I love to eat it. Bring it on!

But for the past three months, the sight/smell/thought of most foods has been met with either an "Eh" or a "Bleh." Not actual vomitting, but just the watery mouthed, stomach turning, gag reflex feeling that if I were to eat that food I would die on the spot.

Poor Jonathan. I attempted to go to the grocery store at about 6 weeks, just as the food aversion was beginning. All of the items I would typically buy (whole, unprocessed, healthy food) looked positively revolting, while all of the things that I almost never buy (processed, packaged junk) looked somewhat palatable. And don't even think about putting meat in that cart! I returned home with bags full of Ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, several frozen things in a box...you catch the drift. Jonathan browsed through the bags with a puzzled look on his face and, in his sweetest voice, said "Um...Honey? We can't do anything with any of this..."

And that is how Jonathan became the chief grocery shopper in our family. Each week he would call me from the grocery store and say, "What sounds good to you right now?" I would proceed to rattle off my list of random things that did not make me want to curl up in the fetal position. The poor man has consumed more cereal and scrambled eggs in the past 3 months than any human being should reasonably allow.

Then, around 11 weeks, my old friend Appetite slowly began to return. I suddenly had the urge to go to the grocery store and maybe, just maybe....cook something! Just as a precaution, I made sure that Jonathan accompanied me to the store to talk me out of buying a two pound jar of saurkraut again (guilty).

That week, I actually made a few meals! And ate like a normal person! And one morning, I even made Jonathan coffee and packed him a lunch before he had to go to school. As he walked into the kitchen and saw his to-go mug of coffee and bagged lunch ready to go, his shoulders relaxed, his face grinned, and he proclaimed,

"You're BACK!"

And now, wrapping up Week 12, I do feel as though I am slowly but surely getting back to my old self. My energy is returning, the list of foods that sound appetizing is increasing, and I can manage cooking a few meals a week. But don't you worry, I am still milking this preggo card for some yummy meals out, scrambled egg and cereal dinners on the couch, and extra sleep!

Thoughts on a Thursday

• This week is flying by. It is already Thursday! Tomorrow is Friday! My weeks never fly by like this!
• Window washers are fascinating. All week they have been dangling outside of my window. I feel like I work at the circus. And my already lovely view is even better thanks to clear glass and changing leaves.
• Hey, all you teachers out there: Is there something in the air that is making your students crazy right now or is it just something in the water here in Memphis?
• I am seeing the beginnings of a little baby bump. 'Cause there is a baby in there. And that, my friends, is nuts.
• I cannot get enough Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea these days. With just a dab of honey, por favor.
• The cold weather has turned Weber into a lazy, snuggly little love of a girl. In the summer, she bounds out of bed at 6 a.m. and can't wait to get outside. These days she stays in bed until I leave for work. Jonathan even covers her up in blankets to the point that only her little brown face and floppy ears are visible. What a life! Can you blame her? It's hard to get out of bed when you've got a snuggly puppy keeping you warm.
• I have been craving blackberry cobbler for 3 days now and have yet to indulge. Today might be the day. I keep trying to remind myself that though I am eating for two, that "two" is only the size of a lime and does not require double portions of every little thing that sounds delicious.
• Did I mention that tomorrow is Friday?

Baby Daddy

After four negative pregnancy tests, the fifth came almost as an afterthought. I had one test left, had not taken one in a week, and was pretty sure that my body was just confused from traveling. It was a rare occasion when I had gotten out of bed earlier than Jonathan. I took the test and got ready for a shower, so used to getting negative results that I just went about my morning routine.

But before I could even look away, there it was. A line. A pink line. Two pink lines.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I picked it up, shaking, and stared at myself in the mirror. I then picked my jaw up out of the sink and hopped in the shower in a haze of shaky, dizzy, oh my goodness is this really happening, did I really just see those two lines, this is crazy, pick jaw up off the shower floor, rinse and repeat.

Do I tell Jonathan? He was sleeping in. I could wake him up with the news, just run in and jump on the bed screaming "We're going to have a baby!?!"

Or.

I could wait.

A few years ago, Jonathan and I were in a store and went our separate ways. When I found him again, he was standing alone, staring at something. As I got closer, I asked him what was up...he pointed at a little statue, a father holding a newborn baby. And very quietly, he said, "This is really cool." In that moment, I made a mental note to remember that statue, thinking that someday it would be a really sweet way to tell him that we are expecting.

Luckily, in that bleary haze of early pregancy excitement, I had the willpower to hold in the news in order to have that moment that I dreamed of in that store years ago. How I managed to keep the news from him that morning, I have no idea!

On my lunch break, I headed to the mall and was lucky to find the same little figurine. As the clerk wrapped my gift, he looked at me with a knowing smile and said, "Does he know?" So I shared a giddy little chat with the cashier at the gift shop, who sent me on my way with a congrats and good luck.

After work, I told Jonathan that I had a little "back to school" present for him. I had written him a letter in which I told him how proud I am of all of his hard work in optometry school and that I wanted to give him a little something that would help keep him motivated through the end of the semester. He read the letter and then pulled out his gift.

And stared. Silence.

And then he looked up at me, his eyes full of tears. And all he could get out was a quiet "Really?"

I'll leave the rest of that sweet moment to the two of us, but it was just perfect; definitely worth a day of suspense for that reaction.

He is going to be such a wonderful daddy.

And now...a few random details based on some questions in the comments section:

• I am in Week 12


• I am due on May 5, 2010


• We should find out the sex of the baby in early December


• Someone was interested in sending a gift, but does not have instant reply. Please email me at lesliepoe@gmail.com if that was you!

A Little Souvenir

We had been told that it would be difficult. There was really no way to know for sure, but more than likely a past medical issue could make the process of conceiving a child a long one. We braced ourselves for the long haul and mentally prepared ourselves for the fact that having a baby might not be easy.

When our five-year anniversary and Jonathan's 30th birthday rolled around this past summer, it also marked the point when a baby would be born after Jonathan had wrapped up his second year of optometry school. In his program, the first two years are very coursework-intensive and require long hours of late-night and early-morning studying. The third and fourth years, however, are primarily based in the clinic and on studying for board exams, both of which allow for more of an 8 to 5, "normal" schedule. We knew that even though we would be blessed to have a child at any time in this point in our marriage, it would definitely be more practical for us to wait until halfway through optometry school.

So here we are, in the stereotypically well-planned-out window for having a baby, still knowing that things would probably take awhile. We figured that we might as well begin the process now rather than waiting and starting the long process later, if that makes sense. We embarked on our New England/Canada adventure and planned to just enjoy the trip for what it was: a family reunion, quality time with friends, an adventurous getaway, Jonathan's only summer off of school, a break before the grind of another school year began for me. No pressure. No expectations. Just vacation.

Well, folks, let's just say that medical advice was...well...inaccurate. Because a couple of weeks after returning home from vacation we realized that we had brought home the best souvenir ever.

And if our child someday developes an affinity for poutine, creme de cassis, Roots clothing, smoked salmon, cold mountain air, the French language, and real maple syrup we will know why.

Oh, Canada. ;)

At this point I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the fact that we realize what an absolute gift it is to have received this blessing so quickly. We have walked the road of infertility and loss with some of our closest friends and realize that things are not always this easy. As such, we are humbled and awed at the miracle of creation and give credit only to God for this blessing. He gives and takes away, blessed be His name. We appreciate your prayers for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, and at the same time ask you to remember your friends who are struggling to conceive or grieving the loss of a child.

I almost forgot to tell you...

I'm pregnant ;)

The Attack of the Killer Dishwasher

Little Weber Poe received the fright of her life this morning.

I sure wish I had a picture or--even better--a video. Mainly because I would totally win the jackpot on America's Funniest Home Videos. But I will do my best to describe the hilarious start to our morning.

I'm sitting on the couch in the living room, enjoying my oatmeal and the Today Show. Jonathan is in the kitchen putting a few things into the dishwasher. Weber has always had an affinity for the dishwasher, perhaps due to her hunting nose. I'm sure the myriad smells going on in there are just too much for her to bear, and she just can't resist sniffing around (and I'm sure sneaking the occasional lick) as we load the dishwasher. This morning was no exception, and she stood to the side of the dishwasher sniffing away as Jonathan took care of the chore.

The following incident occurred in a matter of 30 seconds, but I will attempt to slow-motion it for you: Suddenly, Weber stood straight up with a shocked look on her face. In a split second, Jonathan realized that the ring of her collar had hooked onto the bottom shelf of the dishwasher! Realizing she was stuck, Weber took a big hop backward to unhook herself, but the weight of her 60 pound body took the whole bottom shelf of the dishwasher with her, dishes and all!

Weber panicked and kept running into the living room, dishwasher shelf trailing behind her, rocking back and forth and spilling silverware and dishes (lots of unbreakable Pyrex, thank goodness!) all over the tile floor of the kitchen. You can only imagine the NOISE that is resulting from this: silverware clanging, paws pounding, Jonathan yelling, dishes crashing, dishwasher shelf banging. It was chaos!

Finally Jonathan stopped her, removed her collar from the dishwasher tray, and sent a shaking, terrifed puppy scampering off down the hall. He found her hiding in the hallway, every muscle shaking like a leaf! Neither of us had ever seen the poor little girl so scared.

Then, Jonathan returned to the kitchen to clean up the mess and Weber followed. At this point, the whole bottom level of the dishwasher is sitting in the middle of the living room, surrounded by dishes and silverware. As Weber approached it, she crouched down into full point, trembling with anxiety, and army-crawled up to the dishwasher tray. When she got close enough to smell it she would hop back in nervousness, and jump around a bit, only to return to her crouched army crawl to creep back again. I was sitting on the couch laughing so hard I was crying.

When Jonathan finally got the mess cleared, he brought Weber through the kitchen to take her out back. That girl looked back over her shoulder at the dishwasher the entire way through! In her little doggie mind, I think she thought that she snuck one lick too many and that dishwasher finally decided to let her have it!

And then, as any of us would like to do when the morning gets off to a rough start, she went back to bed.

Poor little Puppa.