Site Redesign

Hey there everyone! First, we want to thank everyone for checking the blog as often as you do. As I think that I mentioned when we started this little experiment, we wanted to provide a place where friends and family members could check in on us. Since we can't make it home very often, and e-mailing pictures can be problematic, we set this up so that people can check back whenever they want, and not have their inbox inundated with a bunch of pictures of Amy and Matt cooking out, for instance. As you can see from the Site Meter at the bottom of the page, we've had quite a few hits (2,398 as of this writing). We try to update this as often as possible, but as you can see, only the most exciting things in our life make it to the blog, so you can imagine the stuff that doesn't make the cut.

Race Day

Today was an early one for us! Matt ran in the ING Marathon this morning and I will brag and say he did an excellent job. We got up at 5.30 AM so I could take him to Marta - since almost all of the roads were blocked intown, that was the easiest way for him to get to Centennial Park for the start of the race.

Getting ready to go

After I dropped him off, I thought about what I should do b/c I really wanted to see him while he was running so I could cheer him on! Somehow manuevered my way and I went to a friends house and parked myself in their driveway with my decaf latte and In Touch weekly at 6:30 AM and sat there in my pj's. I was stationed at the 8 mile point. The race started at 7 AM so by 7:40 a few of the half marathoners were passing by - it was amazing to see how fast they are. And YAY I saw Matt! He looked at our friends house and was so surprised, he even stopped running for a second to come and give me a hug. I was so proud of him and so glad I got to see him while he was running, especially considering there were over 14,000 racers!! He finished with a superb time of 1 hour 57 minutes and 25 seconds - his goal was less than two hours so he was really pleased.

After seeing him I left and tried to get home - not so easy, but finally managed to pick Matt up a little bit later. He says it was a really organized, professional event and can't wait to do the full next year. And next year the baby and I will totally be cheering Daddy on with posters and a cow bell!
We came home and ate lunch, sat around and later started painting the nursery. We didn't get too far but Matt painted the edges and prepped the room, so now all we (he) has to do is paint the walls and we'll be done. The color is a nice yellow called Golden Slumber...I thought it was quite appropriate for our little one.
Getting started


And of course, the ever present Starbucks.


Then it was naptime, and when we woke up we were starving so we went out for some Mexican. It had been five days since we had any Mexican, so it was way past time!! Hope everyone had a really nice weekend!

Good Report!

Just got back from the orthopedic surgeon, where they took another x-ray of my leg. The news was good! Yippee!



March 31 will be seven months since I broke my leg, so today was time to go back for another check up - he said it looks great and the x-rays showed it's healing well. The fibula has completely grown back together, and the butterfly break is coming together nicely. The limp to which I've grown accustomed will eventually, one day just disappear and I'll walk normally at some point, which is good but not that big of a deal. I still don't have permission to do any exercising minus the stationary bike, but at least my bones are healing and that's all I needed to hear! I can't wait to walk Baby Certain around the block in the stroller this summer, something I'll never take for granted, that's for sure.

Week 25

March 24 and I'm starting my 25th week - I can't believe there are only 15 weeks left in my pregnancy! Our Baby is very active these days - there is still lots of room for him or her to move around right now, which is so funny to feel everyday! Kicking, flipping around and just being really funny already. Loud noises, tv, and especially Daddy's voice all cause some kicking, and I really think this baby will come out saying "bean burrito, queso dip and salsa, gracias" as his or her first words! Seriously, between hearing Matt and myself order those things two or three times a week, it's bound to have some affect on this baby!



Went to the Doctor last week, for my regular visit and glucose screening (results of that should be in tomorrow)....I have put on a "healthy" amount of weight, and let's just say I probably shouldn't put on such a "healthy" amount every four weeks!! She listened to the heart and measured my growing belly - good report, thank you God.

We go back in four weeks for the 3d sonogram - how exciting. We're really looking forward to that appointment. And then after that, I have to start going in every two weeks and then eventually once every week. We did my birthing plan and all I could say was, "yes, ma'am, an epidural will be fabulous" - no question about that!

Matt and I took full advantage of a non-moving weekend together, even though he had to work some. We slept for four hours on Saturday, and then Easter Sunday after a really fantastic lunch, we got on our couches and watched tv and read books - we loved it and although it was very lazy of us, we know our time to be that way is very limited. We did, however, REALLY miss our families! We can't wait for one day when all of the cousins are playing together looking for Easter eggs after church! We miss all of you and maybe next Easter we can all be together. We hope so!

Our new dining room table before we ate an awesome Easter lunch - ham, deviled eggs, green beans, you name it, we had it!

My Favorite Chef

And next year....we'll be the Easter Bunny!

Little cookout

We couldn't wait to grill out at our house! The first week was, well, a little overwhelming. Unpacking was really stressful, so many of our things needed a new "home" - and even though we organized as best we could it just felt like it was neverending. But, we're not complaining.




Finally on Thursday evening we unpacked our last box. Yay! So, we decided to grill some food - it was delicious and so fun to open the back door and have a deck to grill dinner. So thankful.
Check out the Baby Bump!

Moving Day

Here they are pulling into the new house!

We didn't sleep a bit Friday night - woke up at 6 AM on Saturday and went to where else? STARBUCKS!
Got a few more boxes and ate two Dunkin Donuts (not Matt...me) and met the movers at the apartment. I knew it would be a long and stressful day, but being six months pregnant, it was also quite emotional and I had a feeling of nostalgia that was hard to shake!


Our New Living Room


What will be our baby's nursery, minus the blue chair, wire shelves, and shredder!!


Me in our new kitchen


The Guest Room needs a little work


The movers were wonderful, hard working and didn't miss a beat. We both agree it was the best money we've ever spent.

I have no pics of the house being all clean and organized yet, because it's not! We got dressed this morning with clothes out of a box, so as soon as we have things set up (in 2011) we'll post more pictures of the finished product. Last night we made our first meal in our home, spaghetti! It is so cool to be able to see our cars in the driveway. We are so happy and cannot wait for visitors!

Pack it up

Oh, the joys of moving....I had forgotten. During two years of marriage we had accumulated a LOT of things. I had no idea. Some of our wedding gifts were still literally in their boxes, so it was fun seeing everything for the second time. But not fun for long, because we then had to PACK it all. Fifty boxes later we were ready to go.



The packing process actually started last week, and no, I didn't lift or move anything other than the occasional hanger or something that weighed as much as a penny. So, I helped as best I could - did some organizing and we actually had a really good time. I think we laughed more than ever b/c Matt is so funny.
Anyway, Baby Certain was very tired at the end of each packing day, so we relaxed and proceeded to eat and chill every night last week. It was fun!

Our kitchen being packed up


A little overwhelmed, but we got it done

Goodbye Guest room

And one last night in the guest room

Packing the box of trash...

It's empty!


We packed a few of the more delicate, fragile, important items in our cars


But don't worry, we made sure we buckled our computer, Blue, into his seat


And here I am, following the moving van to the new Casa de Certain! Whoop Whoop!

We Closed!

We are homeowners! After two wonderful years of renting during our two first years of marriage, we saved & saved & looked & looked and finally found THE house and we closed last Thursday! We have been so excited. And stressed to the max.



Dealing with two first born, type A personalities, it's safe and valid to say that the process has been the most difficult for those who were helping us. From the mortgage lenders, the realtors, home insurance stuff, attorney stuff (sorry for all the questions, Jeff!) and all those in-between....it was a first for us and we were anxious, nervous and just plain scared. But, we did it and a big thanks to all of you for everything - your patience most of all! :)

Beginning to sign our paperwork...we signed something in the closing attorney's lobby. By the time we got to the conference room, I had forgotten I had a camera, but you get the idea.





And we're done! It's a deal. It took 30 minutes and lots of ink, but it was a wrap. Yay!

Now, we had to celebrate. We went to South City Kitchen in Midtown. Pimento cheese, chicken livers, shrimp, scallops and cheese grits. It was a wonderful & delicious meal!

And now, I can finally say that Matt and I both are truly, for real, without a doubt, "real estate people!"



Happy Closing Day! :)

21 weeks, 3 days, & a Human Jungle Gym!

131 days to go until my due date! I cannot believe how fast it's all going. I am reading so many books at home, and articles and stories online which are telling me all about what our baby is doing and how he or she is growing! It's amazing - I know I say that word too much on our blog but that is simply how I feel, and although words can't express the magnitude of just how AMAZING it all is, I'm at a loss for another word!


Right now, our little peanut is eavesdropping on all of our conversations. A fact I can hardly believe. Voice recognition has begun, and I love knowing that my voice and Matt's voice will be what he or she will know to be his or her parents'!! I'm finding myself talking out loud all the time - telling baby about my day (and how much Matt & I love him or her!), reading aloud at home (this baby, boy or girl, will know all about chic lit- Sophie Kinsella to name one for the moment!), and talking out loud in the car. Hopefully other passengers assume I have bluetooth and I'm not just talking to myself! And now he or she weighs one pound - we're out of the ounces stage. I am out of the ability to button my jeans stage - thankfully they have the tummy tube which works wonders and is oh so comfortable. The digestive system is kicking up and baby is absorbing energy boosting sugars now....so I need to think smaller(ish) portions when devouring peanut m&m's each night! Sleeping has become somewhat of an issue, though, already. I just can't! I see a pregnancy pillow in the very, very near future.

And Baby is flipping, turning somersalts and practicing gymnastics!! I feel movement almost on a constant basis throughout the day. It is incredible. Matt felt it for the first time on Sunday and it was very cool. We have a little mover & shaker on our hands.

We close on the house next week, and move in on Saturday! We're really excited, we've got packing on the brain - my weekend will be dedicted to making sure things are organized as we embark upon this homeowners journey. Can't wait to have visitors! As soon as we move in, we're going to start working on the nursery. We've decided on a few different patterns and bed linens, and I am so looking forward to that first Saturday morning when we wake up and head to Home Depot to pick out the exact shade of ?? to paint our baby's room! The ?? is because we're still not entirely sure of the color yet.
Also, Matt is on a good rotation, he goes in at a normal time in the mornings, we're even able to have breakfast together before we leave for work! And he's home in time to run, I'm riding the bike, and then we meet home for dinner. It's so awesome having him home more!

Date Night & Quick Trip to SSI

Friday night we went to Fernbank for our date! It was Martini's & Imax - first time we've gone on a Friday and it won't be the last! We had a few drinks before the show started (Martini for Matt, Sprite for yours truly) and then at 9 pm our show started. We saw Cirque du soleil and it was fantastic. We LOVED IT - truly amazing and made us so sad we didn't go see the real one while it was in Atlanta.


Matt's sister & Mom and some other family members were at the real one in Vegas on Friday night and had a great time!! We know it was just amazing & can't wait to hear all about.
After our show we went to Everybody's Pizza for a late dinner, came home & crawled in bed. Lovely date with hubs.

Saturday we got up early - work for Matt and I was going to SSI for the night. It was my nephew's birthday party. It was fun to be with my family! Mom, Jess, Melissa, Garrison, Ryan & Baby J and I had a really good time together for the night. Matt & I had gotten TBJ a stuffed dinosaur from the museum for his birthday gift, and I think he liked it. He named it "Sushi" - but I'm sure his name has changed a few times since then!






Sunday I drove home and now I can't believe it's already Wednesday evening! This week has gone by so fast. We're about to go eat Indian at a new restaurant we haven't tried yet....Baby adores Indian food which is a good thing because it's one of our favorites!

What did they see?

Guess we'll find out in less than 20 weeks!

We're halfway there, everyone. I can't believe it. I was talking to a friend yesterday who said, "just think, in ten weeks you'll start counting backwards!" and she's right!

This morning we had our anatomy ultrasound, saw the first doctor at 8.30 am. I don't think we were prepared for all that we were able to see! At 2D, we could see virtually everything. When it was time to check out the lower parts (!) Matt and I had to look away, and I'm SO glad we're not finding out the gender. At the times when we could look, it was incredible to see how much our babe is growing in there! You should see the little feet....with ten long toes, sorry baby, you got that from your mom. Long fingers (all ten!), tiny little face, ears, everything was there and looking good. And he or she is seriously a mover and a shaker! Very active and so much fun to watch! Girl or boy - Matt definitely has a soccer star on his hands. Those feet were so unbelievably tiny and cute,and I just can't wait to put some little socks & shoes on them! Oh, and at one point the little one opened its mouth and then put both hands on top of its head! I don't say this without a grateful heart, believe me. I am so thankful for the results we got today. It amazes me more and more each day and every time we are able to see our baby.
We'll have another visit in four weeks, then another peek four weeks after that, so until then I guess I'll just keep feeling this little guy or gal moving around - which is by far the most sensational thing ever. It feels like waves and they happen nonstop. I think he or she loves all the root beer, and the insane amount of peanut m&m's this Mommy-to-be has been eating!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

My gift to my husband.

Hope everyone had a great V-Day! I decided to get Matt a cookie cake. You should have seen the look on the sweet lady's face at Publix when I asked her to write this. Priceless.
After a long day at work we (Matt, me and especially our unborn baby) wanted to eat some Mexican, so we went to El Torrero and ate too much, then came home & watched LOST. I have to say, that's the perfect name for that show, because that's exactly how I felt after last night's episode - lost. There are some cool blogs out there that try & decipher each episode, but lately those only confuse me more and more. It's still my favorite show, though, and Matt and I look forward to Thursday nights all week. I'm just starting to be intriqued and saddened because the Losties are all turning on each other, and they are all beginning to think life is better on the island. It's the bomb dot com show though.
So glad today is Friday. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Already February?

Time flies when you're having fun!

I am currently 18 weeks pregnant, oh, and by the way, I am definitely a "weeks" person now. I never understood all of my pregnant friends & my sister who would speak the "weeks" lanuguage, but here I am doing it too. It's just so much easier. I have made myself a pregnancy chart, which I'll include here:
Weeks 1-4: One month
Weeks 5-8: Two months
Weeks 9-12: Three months
Weeks 13-16: Four months
Weeks 17-20: Five months
Weeks 21-24: Six months
Weeks 25-28: Seven months
Weeks 29-32: Eight months
Weeks 33-36: Nine months
Weeks 37-40: Ten months

As you can see, I'm in the middle of my Fifth Month today.

I have this feeling that the next four to five months of our lives are going to go by faster than we expect. In the coming months, here are just a few things happening:





We have Valentines Day in February, which we don't really celebrate but it's still gonna happen, nonetheless....
And February is also my nephew, Joey's, fourth birthday. I cannot believe how old he is!



In March we are closing on our FIRST HOME!! We are SO excited, thrilled, beyond ecstatic. We love it and want everyone to come & visit us as soon as we get moved in. Or, if you want to come visit before then, you can help us. Just kidding. Unless you're my Mom or Dad, then I'm being serious!!! :)





In April, Matt has a vacation for a whole week, and we are thinking of going to Seaside, Florida, one of our favorite places ever! Ahhh, I can hear the waves now....
OR, we may stay home, relax and decorate the new house, we haven't decided yet. Either way, Matt deserves a break for sure.


In April we also celebrate Easter....


And one of Matt's personal favorite "holidays" - The Masters.




In May we celebrate our Two Year Anniversary. I cannot believe it's been that long. We've had an awesome first few years of marriage. Went on a couple of really fun vacations, minus a few incidents, and had a ball just doing our thing!


Summer, my all time favorite season of the year, officially begins in June. In the South, it really starts in April or May based on the temps, though! It will probably either be really, really quiet, as I'm sure I'll be nesting in our new home, cleaning like a mad woman, and just getting ready for our little bundle to arrive. Yet, there's a chance we'll get our tiny one a little bit early, so June could be far from quiet!!


And then comes July!! July 4th may come & go with just the fireworks in the sky, but the REAL fireworks for us will be when our Baby Boy or Girl makes his or her debut into the world!

And as for my burgeoning belly, we're going to start taking pictures documenting the size and shape. I'm still in my regular clothes for the time being, but I have a feeling that that won't be the case for much longer!!

Sweet Home Alabama

Matt was a groomsman in a wedding this weekend, so we headed to Birmingham!



I got sick on Tuesday night of last week and STILL have it. It has been the worst cold I've had in a LONG time. Apparently something has been going around and working in a cubicle in an office with forty people daily with poor ventilation did nothing to keep me well. The good news is it's not strep throat (I went to the doctor) and it's slowly but surely getting better. My voice has sounded like something out of a movie though, with me playing the lead male character, so answering my phone has been something I've not done much of the past week. I'm back in the cubicle today - was getting way behind at work so decided I needed to return to the land of selling ads & events. :) Let's just hope Matt stays well.

Anyway, we had a really good time with everyone at the wedding. The tuxes the bride chose were seriously the best I've seen. Matt looked super handsome, the reception was beautiful, and the bride's gown was made for her! And the groom could not have looked more excited to see his bride making her way down the aisle. It was a very sweet wedding & a great party! We left the reception and went to the hotel bar, where I had to make my exit - I left the revelers at midnight and headed upstairs to watch SNL. I even went sans crutches (they were in the car) so I felt somewhat normal. However, with the advent of pregnancy brain, I also left the camera in Atlanta, so no pictures. It's a shame, too, because everyone looked so very nice!

I am 18 weeks now and tomorrow is our 18 week check up at the Doctor. The exciting Anatomy Ultrasound. Although we're not finding out, it's really fun to know that tomorrow morning our Doctor will know for SURE if Matt & I are going to be parents to a daughter or a son!!

Ish your birthday!

We celebrated Melissa's birthday last night. She turned 26!








We went to the new Westside's Six Feet Under - SO fun and what a cool restaurant. Happy Birthday to my youngest sister, who isn't so young anymore. We missed you Jess & Garrison, Ryan, Matt & Joey. Happy Birthday Sissy, we love you!! Oh, and the general consensus is that I am definitely looking prego! Yay, Baby on Board!