Brooks lately

My tongue should have it's own zipcode.

Nise and I had a good time at my cousins birthday party. She wanted me to eat cake so bad but my mama wouldn't let me until my first birthday. Mom, you are so mean!

I was crawling around all over the place in order to keep up with the big kids!

And baby makes 4

Today was a surreal day. Partly surreal because grandma Nise mothered Brooks for about 11 of Brooks' 12 hour day. I haven't had a day like this since last April and it was enjoyable. I only fed my baby one bottle today and I only changed one diaper. In the meantime, I did crazy, unruly, sinful things. I ventured to the doctors office by myself and I may have danced on the doctors table with some mardi gras beads just because it felt illegal to be without the baby. Then I shopped for the perfect "i'm-really-pregnant-and-need-either-a-harido-or-a-hot-new-shirt-to-make-me-feel-good" shirt at the mall. Mama and Brooks came along but I wouldn't have known because I pretty much did my own thing. After the mall, mom and Brooks played on the floor while I attempted to nap in order to prepare for my kickboxing class - without the worry of Brooks in the nursery thus cutting the workout short. And finally Brad and I did the unthinkable. We went down the road to enjoy a dinner for two complete with an adult beverage for the father to be and an over sized dessert (mind you - the 3rd one of the day!) for the over sized pregnant lady.
Surreal, I tell you. I am in heaven and just feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated. I think a day without my favorite compadre once a week are quite essential. Hint hint.

Oh, I almost forgot.....we also found out whether or not Brooks would be a big brother or sister...I mean whether he'd have a baby brother or sister (I've been saying that all day!) and for brad and I - knowing the sex of the baby in the tummy makes the baby real. Until today I knew I was "pg" again, I felt it many weeks in Savannah as I cried and curled into a ball wishing the sickness would pass and lately I have felt it in my waste line but other than that we both literally forget there is an amazing life growing below the belly blubber. I know this is hard to believe but really, the poor 2nd baby is so easily forgotten already (and I vow to stop that today because I am real sensitive to birth order biasness). As of 2 hours ago as Brad and I sat and slowly ate our celebratory meal - reality has set in - we will have another babbling, drooling, pooting, giggling little baby in a few short months. CRAZY! It's kinda creepy, too, to know that we will be having a baby boy/girl (you'll have to keep reading) very soon. For instance tonight at dinner we started talking about what Christmas would like like in a few years and how Brooks would beat up his little sibling in the front yard on a hot summer day but one day he'll be the big brother he is - and literally go to bat for his best friend. Knowing the sex of this next baby allows us to dream and to imagine what life may start to look like. And not that it ever goes the way you think - but it sure is fun to sit and dream and allow the reality to hit us! We are thrilled that the 4th member of the family is healthy, heavy (8oz already), and happy! Any complications that once existed are now gone and that is really the biggest news. Praise God for His hand in this precious life even when our lives have been too hectic to even acknowledge what was going on.

So, here's how it went....I skipped to my appointment without the baby. I waited. I waited. I picked at my nails. They called me but only for that dang urine sample (sorry for the details - it just gets me every time....I get excited my name is call only to have to go back out and sit down!) So I wait and wait and text Brad that I am still waiting. Then my name is called beautifully by the Persian lab tech (literally, what a pretty way to say "Elizabeth") and I lay on her table for AN HOUR as she measured and calculated and smiled and made small talk....all the while not even commenting on some little boy parts or lack there of. Finally 53 minutes later she asked if I knew what I was having and as I said no she almost told me until I slapped her out of her chair onto the floor exclaiming that my husband would "kill me" if I knew before him. I picked her up and asked her to write it in an envelope. I then skipped home in the rain with my secret in tow. Grandma Nise was so anxious she wanted to go straight to Brad for the big reveal. I was just more excited to get to exercise that afternoon without Brooks that I couldn't think about the secret in the envelope. Plus, let's be honest - it's a weird thing once you find out because then there is no more "well, if it's a boy then they'll be best friends" or "if it's a girl we'll call her 'Penny' - seriously, Brad has been calling it "Penny-Betsy") - once you know, you know and there could be the death of a dream all in a quick second. Anyway, mama and I decided to let a bystander in on our surprise. Really, we just wanted to eat some chocolate. We asked the man at the American Cookie Company counter to open the envelope and decorate a cookie cake with the appropriate icing for the gender revealed in the envelope. Oh gosh, if you want to make random-Joe's day let him open your secret and decorate a cake for you. This guy was so stinkin excited and really wanted to just tell us the news but he obliged and made us a cake. We shopped, mom picked up the cake. Joe left a little colored icing on the box top so mom licked it off and secretly hated and loved that she already knew the news - or so she thought. A few hours later - husband and I went around the corner to eat dinner and find out our news. We opened the box, Brad screamed, I did a flip and then had a tear or two, Brad ripped his shirt off and beat his chest, and we ate cake and then ate dessert again because the restaurant offered us some champagne and a dessert of baby's choice. We texted our families and friends the news and we hugged and kissed and called Mark Richt to tell him that we'll have two little linebackers come August!!!!

The funny thing is mama was sure that the baby was a little girl because sneaky Joe left PINK icing on the box. Soooo clever! When we texted her she said we were crazy and she was shocked. How funny! I'll have to go back tomorrow and show Joe the pictures of the magic he created.

I'm officially outnumbered and will need weekly girls trips to get my nails done and eat girl food. I can't wait!

Pretty much the perfect day

Everything is going to seem like peaches and cream for atleast a few paragraphs. If you have a 9 to 5 job you are going to hate me when you are done reading this so I apologize in advance. My heart is full and tired from this perfect Spring day and I think the world should know!

I woke up 30 minutes before Brooks starting babbling his dreams from the night to me from the confines of his crib. Those 30 minutes are the most splendid minutes of any day and some how they seem to go very slowly. Thank you, God.
I was able to eat my typical egg whites with a sprinkle of cheese and a whole wheat English muffin in peace. I even drank my half cup of coffee slowly and I held the glass in between just to let it warm my fingers. I read a soothing devotion and even checked in our finances since I am now in charge of meeting a budget. And, I washed my face, brushed my teeth, fed the Amos dog, and got to see a quick recap of the Oscar dresses on the morning news - all before even a whimper from the wee-man. Like I said, those 30 minutes alone are enough to qualify any day as a superb one but this day just kept going.

We'll bypass the morning because it doesn't make the story as pretty but come lunch time we were back on track. I ate a homemade turkey sandwich on hoagie bread - which just makes the sandwich out of this world! Try it! Then, I met a friend for an impromptu walk around the neighborhood. Hello sunshine! I was actually hot today. I was sweating and had to roll my long sleeves up. The constant sunshine on my face felt so inviting. So, we took the invitation and headed to the park in the neighborhood for some more play time in the sunshine. Brooks got to swing with one of his best buddies and I got to spend a little more unexpected time talking to an adult who happens to be a favorite friend - an added bonus! After our marathon afternoon in the sun we both headed home for a little nap. For once, I was actually able to fall asleep - the puddle of slobber on my arm being the proof. After the much needed shut eye we received yet another unexpected phone call with an invitation to the dog park. When we lived in Atlanta before we made a trip to the "dp" about every afternoon. It sounds crazy, but some of my dearest friends were found at the dog park. Amos was on his absolute worst behavior in heaven running around greeting his old friend and Brooks and I enjoyed seeing our old buddies and getting yet another stroll in for the day. We came home to a casserole I had made earlier in the day. Tomorrow I will video Brooks eating his 2nd helping of casserole. You have no idea - the grunting and kicking this boy can do when his tummy starts telling him he has found something good. OH MY GOODNESS!

And this deserves it's own paragraph. As I write at 9:16 PM my favorite husband is venturing out to get us a sweet treat. The baby needed something sweet to top off the perfect day and Brad loves to make the baby happy. I can't wait to see what he brings back! Could this day have been any more enjoyable? (Maybe, had I not finished the peanut butter M&M eggs last night because they had been a good mid-day snack. And, maybe had Amos not eaten the entire weeks worth of Board Head Turkey from the counter as I was on a walk. And maybe if the Bachelor was still on tonight. But otherwise, there is nothing I would have added to this perfect Spring day!)

Sunny and close to 70

I'll take one of those please! Or maybe 3 or 4 in a row if that isn't asking too much?
I can feel the jitters of everyone in Atlanta as we wait patiently for the temperature to make it's slow climb tomorrow. Don't you just love that first real Spring weekend where everyone - I mean everyone - is out running pointless errands with the windows down, sporting their dusty flip flops, and finding any reason to just get outside? Well, it's going to be one of those kind of weekends I can tell. I remember visiting Piedmont park (aka- the place of every 3rd couple in Atlanta's my engagement) with Brad last March. We both sat mesmerized and entertained watching all of Atlanta's finest and craziest frolic around in their shorts and sundresses. I bet you were there, too, because there wasn't a soul inside the Perimeter not showing off their dog and their bare legs at the park on that first warm March weekend. Well, it looks to be that weekend again if our trusty weather man has his way and I couldn't be more pleased and anxious.

Brooks and I have been going to the park everyday since we moved back as though the sun would shine on us a little brighter if we did. Rarely did it and nearly everyday I end up running home with a crying baby in tow - looking quite negligent if you ask me. Finally, Mr. Brooks - I tell you no lies, you can experience the joy of the park sans the frigid wind and crippling temperatures. Your mama's gonna treat you good this weekend and maybe even take you to Brewsters just because she's always wanted to take her kiddos to get ice-cream on a sunny day and she just can't wait any longer. Life's short - 9 month olds need ice cream!

Anyway, this post is random and probably a waste of your 2 minutes so I apologize. My mind started racing on the many ways I would get my season's worth of vitamin D this weekend and I had to get you readers on board too and hopefully stir a little emotion! So, get excited - come Monday there should be many a cute picture of a plump little boy, a well groomed dog, a worn out husband, and a rather un-appetizing pregnant lady from their adventures in the sun over their first real Spring weekend in their new-old city! I-scream, you-scream, we all scream for ice-cream and warmer weather!

P.S. - The Office has a baby tonight and I am so thrilled. This isn't trash tv like The Bachelor. This is good for you, smart t.v. Lastnight I dreamt that Jim was interested in me. Not lusting or anything - just fascinated by me. I told Brad about this dream and he didn't really care to hear about it but I think it's funny. Then two nights ago I dreamt our baby was Jim's but Brad didn't care in the dream - he was happy that Jim was the dad. I don't have a super star crush on Jim so I don't understand these series of events but I do look forward to waking up in the mornings just to see what Jim and I may have been up to the night before. Don't worry Mr. Brad - I day dream about you and our baby and our beautiful life together all day long. I only have eyes for you. Bottom line - I can't wait to get under my favorite wedding gift - a perfectly weighted Ralph Lauren blanket, with a cup of hot tea, and sink into my oversized chair tonight to watch the birth of my favorite t.v. show's baby with zero distractions. Gotta go.....starting now!

March

I have a good feeling about March. As you know, I love months that start on a Sunday or Monday. It just seems fitting. Everything about everything felt like a fresh start yesterday (well, until I ruined my brain with mindless t.v. for 3 hours last night!). We bought a new refrigerator Sunday after running all over the city to try to make a decision. It was delivered yesterday morning and I had this fresh-new feeling about having a fresh-new-spotless refrigerator. I won't lie - I would much rather spend too much money on other things but it did feel good to open the side by side doors and see not a drop or morsel of residue from months of use. Then, yesterday afternoon after Brooks and I made the "we just moved and have not even a stick of butter in the pantry" type shopping trip (which is quite refreshing in itself to start anew even with the condiments that had to be bought) we went to the park down the street. Brooks didn't have on a coat so I looked like the negligent mother that I am but nonetheless, we had fun playing in the sandbox, swinging, and riding a car around the sidewalk. Even though as I type it is snowing out every window - yesterday was just a glimmer of hope of the spring weather that is to come. I love March for that reason...warmer temperatures are sure to head our way.



Last night I also cooked my first dinner in our new kitchen. It feels so good to cook in a new place - and I enjoyed it all the more just knowing I hadn't used any of the appliances before. Can we say easily pleased? I am fully in charge of making sure we meet our budget this month so I felt like cooking in on the first night of the month was a great way to kick start a month of eating in....well, atleast more than usual. Well, after dinner and in between commercials from the television show that Brad and I so shamelessly watched last night - we read Proverbs. That sounds fitting doesn't it. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and crazy enough - 31 days in March so we thought it a novel idea to read a chapter a night and have a little marital discussion. I like fresh new starts and I was happy to spend this time with Brad but the irony of last night is that chapter 1 is all about discipline and unfortunately, discipline was nowhere to be found in our house yesterday - on the first day of March. It's Easter season and I just had to buy Brooks my favorite Easter candies since they are only around seasonally. Well, a half a bag of Cadbury Milk Chocolate mini eggs later and no workout accomplished - I was feeling quite icky reading about discipline. Not to mention, I couldn't have turned from the awful tv show we have followed for a season now to do something more productive if my life depended on it! So, discipline begins today - on this 2nd day of March. I WILL EXERCISE DESPITE THE SNOW OUTSIDE AND THE CADBURY EGGS IN MY BELLY. I WILL.

So, here's to March and a new house, and a new job, a new refrigerator (and hopefully grill soon!), a new park and neighborhood to explore, a new trimester, 31 chapters of Proverbs, and a new mischievous baby who has discovered that crawling actually takes him to places he wants to go and then he can pull things out on the floor and as long as he doesn't cry and is occupied- his mommy doesn't care. I love new beginnings!

I
CANT
BELIEVE
I
GAVE
3
HOURS
OF
MY
SHORT,
PRECIOUS
LIFE
TO
THE
BACHELOR
TONIGHT.
I
AM
ASHAMED.
I VOW TO MYSELF RIGHT NOW TO BE A BETTER HUMAN BEING TOMORROW AND DO USEFUL THINGS WITH MY LIFE.

Yuck.