Holidays, hot shoes, elastic waisted pants

The man of the house and I enjoyed a splendid weekend all around the city. We did. We love this about Atlanta. We spent Friday night in the heart of Buckhead eating a yummy dinner with friends. Saturday we were in Roswell shopping for furniture and within 30 minutes we were on the city's quiet but confident Westside enjoying some spicy Mexican food for cupid's holiday. Sunday we ventured south of the airport to Scott's Antique Market to find a find. We came away with no finds but we still had a good time....walking around and imagining the furniture we will have in a house one day. Brad says he feels defeated when we go to buy furniture and we come home empty handed.....2 days in a row! I say we are empowered because we didn't buy something on a whim that we didn't love. We both agree that we want to pick furniture for the baby's room that we will love forever and use throughout our house. Even if we add one piece at a time we are happy with our strategy.

Anyway, after hitting all corners of the city over the weekend we then ventured up to one of my favorite places, Kennesaw Mountain, yesterday for a long hike. Ahhh.......we love our past Presidents and their corporate holiday! The air was a little cooler than we had thought which ended up serving as a perfect reminder of the change of season that is to come....soon! And since I was breathing so heavy the cold air filled my lungs the whole time and reminded me, too, of my growing state of baby weight gain. I hiked this hike with Charlsie a few months ago with no trouble but this time I was a huffing-puffing mess! Amos sprinted and hopped and leaped and traversed the whole mountain. He was one happy hiker and completely oblivious to my apparent change in activity level! As we were hiking up the first little mountain I remembered when I was a single girl looking around at boys that I might like to like and I wondered if I would ever find someone who wanted to be outside ALL THE TIME! I love being outside in the Georgia weather. At the Terrace the girls and I would talk on the phone, read, study or nap on our front lawn. I don't think our neighbors thought highly of our outdoor activity in the center of our posh Buckhead neighborhood. We didn't care and many an afternoon were wasted away again on a big blanket near the shady tree. But I smiled as we hiked, knowing God certainly does love me because he gave me Brad and Brad, too, LOVES the outdoors! I love seeing him come alive on the trails. We estimate that we walked 10,000 steps. I love numbers and I love hitting the numbers that I want so I was really happy with 10,000 steps. Overall, we had such a perfect long holiday weekend. Oh, and baby likes to hike, too. I know it. He hasn't stopped beating me up ever since we left the trails. What a fun outing this will be in a few months with a little guy on Brad's back and a little higher temperatures.

And on other notes I want some really tall black patten leather wedge shoes. I am not sure if I picture them with a peep toe or a closed toe. I have yet to see these shoes but I imagined them last week and I can't stop looking for them wherever I go. Friday, in preparation for a hot Valentines date with my valentine I went searching for these alluring shoes that I just know are out there. I pranced around the department store in my workout clothes and tall black shoes just imagining the day when I get my body back. I don't want it to happen sooner than it should but it sure is a test to just sit and watch your body contort without anyway to stop it! But shoes to me are the answer. I found some hot, tall shoes (not quite what I was looking for but close) and then made the mistake of asking the salesman what he thought of pregnant women in 4 inch heels. He was obviously against my purchase so I left, disgruntled and frumpy. Nonetheless, I have yet to find my shoes that are going to allow me to feel attractive even as my bellow grows out past my toes. Mission continued.....

So speaking of changes.....we caved and bought our first pair of discounted maternity jeans. I have yet to buy any maternity apparel - period - and I was very proud of that! Mama had given me a few pieces which had come so handy but atleast I hadn't added any elastic banded craziness to my wardrobe. Until this joyous weekend when Brad gifted me with a pair of dark denim jeans with a thick elastic band around my waist for V-day. And I LOVE THEM! What a difference elastic makes. I can bend, squat, jump and touch my toes with ease. I can eat, sit, lay, twist and leap. My waste is so happy! I don't even care what they look like (though he did a great job picking them out) - I am just thrilled to have given in to this maternity thing against all my previous intentions. Yay for elastic waste bands, 4 inch heels and a weekend of holidays!