First Trimester

The first Trimester for ye ole Storck baby.

I found out that we were expecting about 3 weeks in. (P.S. I love how you get 2 "free" weeks.) Greg and I decided to keep it a secret for as long as possible or at least until after my first doctor's appointment at 8 weeks.

I loved that special time when it was just Greg and I that knew.

The winks across a crowded room, planning the response for when someone asked me why I wasn't drinking, the smile that Greg would get when he heard my outrageous lie as to why I wasn't drinking, the arm nudges and whispers when a baby stroller would pass us by.

I will never forget those special weeks and the sweet unique bond we shared by keeping the biggest. secret. ever. Just us.

Labor Day 2010 ~ We have a secret!

When it was closer to the time of my first doctor's appointment, we started telling family and some close friends. We were busting at the seams. Everyone was thrilled of course.

My first doctor's appointment was Wednesday October 6th.

Out of all of my doctor's appointments so far, that first one was the most intense. At that point, all Greg and I knew was that an extra blue line popped up on a pee stick. That meant I was pregnant? Our lives were about to change forever because of one extra blue line? This type A needed more than that before I started picking out cribs.

After the ultrasound tech started, all was quiet for the first few moments. All I could concentrate on was how fast she was typing the keyboard and clicking the joystick. Greg had full on vision at the screen she was looking at. I did not. Her machine was blocking my view of the screen on the wall. The minutes seems like hours. I finally broke the aqwkard silence.

"Well.....?" I asked.

"Oh everything's fine. Looks good" She said.

We all breathed a sigh of relief.

I'm pretty certain I followed it with a big case of the English nervous giggles.

Greg's first question was "There's only one right?"

She then moved the ultrasound machine and that's when I saw the first picture of my brand new chapter in life.

Compared to other horror stories I have heard about first trimesters, mine was not that bad.

Weeks 1- 6

August 6th- September 17th

Symptoms: I had some night time nausea, but never threw up. After work during those first weeks, I would come home and crash. I had no motivation to do anything - I was just so tired! I had some light cramping (felt like menstrual cramps) but nothing that ever scared me.

Everything was still sinking in at this point. I remember being around our friends and thinking "they are going to die when we finally tell them!" Cause I was lying my face off as to why I wasn't participating in my normal festive activities.

I didn't have any food aversions at this point and I really wasn't craving anything either. Butttt, Greg and I were out running errands one day when I mentioned how good a strawberry milkshake sounded. If I could have read his mind, I am sure he was thinking "me and this pregnancy are going to get along just fine". He then found the closest McDonald's.

Weeks 7-13

September 18th - November 5th

Week 9: We went to Alexandria for Heather's wedding! We still weren't telling people and this was the "biggest show" I had to put on. "No bar tender, I KNOW it's a virgin drink, but I need it in a rocks glass, mkay?" It was GREAT seeing all of the old Ferrum kids and we really enjoyed the whole wedding weekend. The wedding was beautiful and Heather was even more gorgeous! Congrats Heather and Bobby! We love you guys! P.S. Thanks for the steak Jay! :)

Week 10: The in laws had their beach house that weekend and we went to join them. They also invited some old friends and their daughter came as well! It was such a relaxing, beautiful weather, hand holding, sea glass finding type of weekend!

Symptoms: Bring on the food aversions! At 6:36pm a salad sounded do able. After a prep time of 10 mins, I'd drizzle some salad dressing on it, grab a fork and plop down on the couch, and then wanted NOTHING to do with that mesly salad. Before I knew it, we had fired up the Chevy and were headed to McDonald's. That's right I said McDonald's. Remember the previous "I'm a health nut now" post? Yeap, that was out the window and it was game on Golden Arches. I always thought that I would be a "tofo lovin', nothing but organic veggies" type of pregnant woman. Honestly, eating healthy was harder than I thought it would be in the first trimester. Things that I loved before like a fresh salad, salmon, yogurt, etc, I didn't want anything to do with. Now before you go and call CPS on me, I sucked it up and as my first selfless motherly act, I forced these things down my throat. But, I always saved room for carbs, carbs, and more carbs. I was drawn to things that my grandmother used to make me growing up (analyze that Dr. Phil). Things like frozen chicken nuggets, frozen french fries, instant oatmeal, hotdogs, etc. Gross right?! (For the record, my grandmother was a fabulous cook, she just catered to the finickiness of a 6 year old.)

Oh, I added mustard and ketchup to everything. No, I mean everything. Again, gross. I know.

My nausea finally tapered off towards the end of the trimester. Butttttt, I had my worst night of it, the night that the Chilean miners were rescued (October 13th). In between crying hormonal tears of joy, I had to hang my head over a bucket. Although I never got sick, that night was definitely the closest I came. To this day, I am on a no puking streak.

Biggest pregnancy brain moment: I would start a load of laundry - add the soap, fabric softner, clothes - and then just walk away. Leaving the top wide open. (Our washing machine does not operate with the lid open) Greg would come behind me a few hours later, water ice cold by then, and holler down to me about me "doing it again". After the fifth or sixth time of excuses, i.e. "I'm just letting them soak honey", he would just silently shut the lid. Sigh.

Biggest hormonal moment: Crying, sobbing actually, because I missed the only trick or treaters that we had had in 3 years.

Due to poor planning on my part, I was still getting ready for that night's Halloween party. Since I was still half dressed (literally) I couldn't answer the door to pass out the candy. Which meant Greg had to answer the door, and I had to control our killer dog. Which meant that I had to literally sit on her at the top of stairs. Which meant, from my view, I only got to see the bottom half of a PEZ dispenser, a taco, and princess. Which meant, that a naked hormonal pregnant chick at the top of some stairs cried over some trick or treaters. Normal. Very, very normal.

Some exciting news....

I have some exciting news to share with you guys! I have been wanting to share this news with you guys for quite some time, but wanted to make sure that we were in the clear and everything was right on track. And now's the time.....

Josh Groban has finally released his new album - Illuminations.

And. it. is. fabulous.

I may or may not have pre ordered it. I may or may not have listened to the CD on repeat for hours the night I got it. I may or may not have all of the songs memorized by heart.

Joshie Poo's gift could not have come at a more perfect time of year. Between his Christmas album and the new album, my little kitchen boom box has been extremely busy. Chances are that if you were to walk through my front door, his delicious voice would smack you right in the face.

And he can smack me all he wants.

Speaking of smacking. I should be smacked for the lack of blogging lately. You will have to forgive me though but I have been pretty pooped lately. You see, I am working on a pretttttty big project. A project that actually won't be done until mid May.

That's right folks. A baby.

Greggie and I are beyond exicted and to tell you the truth it really hasn't hit me yet. Or Greg. Or Maggie.

And I know, I know. Some of you knew exactly where this blog post was going the minute you read the title ;) You weren't fooled one bit by the Joshie Poo diversion.

I knew something was different around the end of August/beginning of September, as I felt really dizzy. I knew it was still a little early, but I went ahead and took a pregnancy test. The first one I took was one that my nurse roommate (at the time) gave me. Since it came from her work it didn't come with instructions, and I proceeded to take it like I was the nurse and I knew exactly what I was doing. The test had two windows in it, like all of the OTC ones do. The first blue line popped up soon after and I kept waiting and waiting for the second line to appear in the second window. Nothing. I called Greggie into the bathroom, shared the bad news, threw away the test and went on about my night. The next day the dizziness continued. We had big plans for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. I knew that an obscene amount of adult beverages would be in store, so I took one more test just to be on the safe side. One of my own tests. And lo and behold I had a second blue line pop up within seconds. That feeling of sweetness engulfed me and my smile was instantaneous. I of course didn't stop at one test either. I kept going. I figured 3 was a good number. After the third positive test, I started to think of creative ways to tell Greg who was at an evening work function.

Several hours later he came running through the door and up the stairs.

I meet him in the hallway.

"Come on Amy. Everyone is waiting for us"

Confused I asked "What? Who? Where are they?"

"The marina. EVERYONE is there. We have to go. Come ON."

"Oh" I said. "I don't think I'm going to go tonight"

"What?!" Greggie said "You love the marina. Come ON already"

With a huge grin on my face I said, "No. I don't think I'll be going to the marina for the next 9 months."

(SEE.....reallllll creative)

Then Greggie joined me with his very own permanent grin and we hugged right there in front of the washing machine.

It was September 2, 2010. 9.02.10 day. We celebrated by going to the Peach Pit for dinner.

Oh I kid.

8 Weeks

I'll update again with details from my first trimester. Promise.

15 Weeks

Since we were rushed to meet friends for dinner, I thought it was a good idea to stop and have Greggie take my belly picture.

When I asked him how it turned out he said "looks great - now let's go". He threw the camera in my purse and we were out the door.

It wasn't until I got in the car that I looked at the picture.

I bit my lip and shed a hormonal tear.

Negative 0 Weeks and 2 hours ;)

Oh. Too much?

After we told our friends, I asked Heather about the pregnancy test she had given me. I questioned if I was supposed to have a blue line in the second window. Her response - "Oh no, that's the control window. All you need is the one blue line."

Ohhhh. Woops.

Sorry baby. No picture of the positive home pregnancy test to put in your baby book.

Your Momma's an idiot and she threw the test away.

Do I even know myself?

What a summer this has been!

We had a few trips to the beach, Dave Matthews Concert, pool fun, boat trips, a trip to Baltimore for a wedding, Busch Gardens, a trip to the "Rivah" and I feel like I am leaving something out. For the most part we have stayed close to home but were able to have several mini vacations! It has been so nice!

This summer has also brought on some lifestyles changes.... after all I did turn 30 *body shiver*

Things just aren't bouncing back the way they used to.

I have started taking vitamins (more than just a multi vitamin thank. you. very. much.) *body shiver*

I have stopped eating McDonald's *body shiver*

No longer take fill in the blank, stopped fill in the blank, and cut back on fill in the blank *MAJOR body shiver*

I check labels for high fructose corn syrup, cut coupons, stay away from sodas.

I mean - who am I??

My 21 year old self is pointing and laughing at my 30 year old self. And really, at this point, it's havin' a good ole' belly laugh.

According to my 21 year old self, the only cool thing going my way is my love for reality TV. The really really trashy ones too.

If there is a 'Real Housewives' in the title, it's on the DVR.

But the most jaw dropping change that has happened to me this summer is - are you ready? -

I exercise now. For the first time in at least 10 years folks I am pounding the pavement, doing sit ups, and attempting to do pushups.

I don't even know who I am.

FAIL

**Edit to post**
I had to switch out the pictures.
Greggie was really happy that I put our address on the world wide web. No, really. He was. **

Really?

Every. Name. Is. Misspelled.

I can understand the last name- that damn "c" gets 'ya everytime. But "Amiee" ....really?

And please don't get me started on the "Joe".

The sad part though. The really sad, sad part.

This was a marketing blitz for a friend of ours. As in, a friend close enough that they should know how to spell at least one name correctly.

Don't worry Dex. Amiee and Gregg still love you.

Wen, can ya help our boy out and get this fixed right up?

God Bless Texas

This was my cousin Brian's wedding on April 2, 2010 in Humble, TX. (Actually, I think the actually wedding was in another county, but I am not known for my memory...)

I had a fabulous time!
It was great to spend time with family and meet the newest additions to the Taylor clan! Ashley is a sweetheart and has the cutest little boy - she and my cousin make an adorable family! The wedding was absolutely beautiful, we really had a wonderful time. And I know I gained some weight while on my trip. We ate and ate and ate and ate. One afternoon, Unkie brought home some lunch - it was the best Bar-B-Que -lawrd a mercy. Another day, my cousin T Tay, was the hostess with the mostess, and brought us a Texan treat - crawfish! And she even taught us how to crack and eat them! They weren't half bad!

My sisters weren't able to go, and it was nice to have my momma all to myself! I really had a good time with Jo and Kenny. And of course the TAYLOR'S!

After you have viewed the slide show I know that you are going to have some questions about the pictures. Let me see if I can't clear some things up for you lost ones.

1. My mom and I did not go dress shopping together. I swear. Out of all the dresses in the whole wide world, we still picked out the same material / designer. Crazy huh? You have now enter the Twilight Zone.
2. My cousins are some dancers. They got that from their mother.
3. Yes, the grooms cake is a cooler 0f beers. Yes, that is the Browning symbol on the cooler. And yes, it is on the same table as the Bible.
4. I am a new advocate for spray on tans.
5. I am single handedly trying to bring back the push up bra. (you know what picture I'm talkin' bout ) *** edit to post*** obviously Em DOESN'T know what picture I'm talkin' bout.... hello ladies.

Pretty Swaggin Funny!

For all you moms and dads out there, this one's for you!

http://www.youtube.com/sienna?adly_id=796569208#p/c/30DA2DAB5702C7D1/7/ql-N3F1FhW4

There are several other videos by the same family.
Be sure to watch them! I don't even has kids and I am rolling. Like OMG, ROTFL.

Where black pictures frames go to die

My creativity juices have been flowing lately!
Anyone who says I do not suffer from SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) has clearly misdiagnosed me.
The sun comes out, temperatures go up and BAM, I want to paint the world.

I have been doing several different projects around the house. I wanted to show you one and ask your opinion on it!

As some background information, I have A LOT of wall space in my staircase. And it is one of the first things that you see when you walk into my house.

Front door = 2 sets of stairs staring right at you.
See?!

Please excuse the laundry.

Side note: When Greg and his family were in between houses, they rented a townhome 2 doors down from the one we are currently in. (The layout is exactly the same.) When Greg was little and he walked through the door at the rental for the first time, he looked up the staircase and asked "Is that where God lives?"

If you've been to my house, you can understand. I feel like I need an oxygen tank to make it up to the 3rd floor.

So this is the before picture.

So blah!

And this is the after.

Now be honest! Too much? Not enough? Too much black?

I think it needs one more on the "bottom row", 3 up from bottom. I feel like there is a hole there.

(Can you spot my assistant?

Just like her father.

They both just sit there and watch me do all of the work.

THEY ARE BOTH FIRED! )

I still need actual pictures to put in there, but that is a whole other project!

I would eventually like to get pictures of my grandparents , Greggie's grandparents, both sets of parents, Greggie and I baby pictures, current pictures etc. All in black and white of course!

Also a little sneak peak into what else I am working on....

You'll never guess who they are for!

And the best part.... they were on sale for 75 cents!

I'm kinda like a Wiseman

'Cause I come bearing gifts.

Since I have only blogged once in the past year, I thought the least I could do to show you all I still cared, was to share some of my new favorite blogs with you.

I also want to give you a run - on sentence.

The later I can now check off my list.

You know how I like lists, so let's get this party started:

The first three are in the same category - DIY and home decorating


Thrifty Decor Chick

http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/

This lady comes up with some pretty cute ideas.
I have yet to actually do any of her projects, but the ideas have inspired many spin off projects that I have tackled.

Also, TDC has a major obsession with moulding. Like, on every wall obsessed.
This would be my only critique about her style.
Some of her decorating ideas teeter on the line of just enough vs too much.
Sometimes it looks cheap, sometimes it looks like she paid thousands of dollars. So pick and choose the projects wisely my friends.

But she is faithful blogger and thus being the reason she has made the gift list.



Shanty 2 Chic

http://shanty2chic.blogspot.com/

The first thing to grab me was the name. I think that it's pretty catchy shanty ladies.

This blog is a pair of cutie patootie sisters who transform trash into treasures. Very similar to TDC, but just a touch more of my style.

Be sure to scroll down a few blog posts to the entertainment center. I think that this is super cute! Although the color is odd, I think that it works for the room - the playroom!

Again, some of the projects can look DIY- ish, but cute ideas none the less.


Southern Hospitality

http://southernhospitalityblog.com/

This is fairly new to me. I am about 3 weeks in and so far so good.

The first item to pop out at me was the tagline.

Adventures in Decorating, Thrifting, Cooking and Gardening

Decorating: Yes. Yes, I like to decorate.

Thrifting: Check, I like to yardsale.

Cooking: Si. I'm into cooking now.

Gardening: Squealing. I love to garden.

And that was that. I have been visiting her daily.

She is older than I am and I can sometimes see that in her style, but I still get useful ideas from her. Plus I am just proud that a 50 something lady can create such a cute, organized blog.
Cause Jo still can't leave a comment to save her life.

Love you mommy.


Next is a blog that took me a while to warm up to it. But now I am warm and toasty and I love reading about Nie's life everyday. Some of you may have already been to her site.

Oprah's a fan, so that's automatic cool points.

http://nieniedialogues.com/

I don't want to spill too many beans, but this is not a 'typical' blog that I would normally read everyday. I think that may be the major appeal for me. Or maybe its her cutie pies also known as her children. They do not look a thing alike, but completely match when all put together. Kinda like a quilt. And I love that colorful aspect.

And that youngest one. I could kiss his chubby cheeks right off of that wittle face!



Next is http://marriageconfessions.com/

The layout and font of her blog drive me up the wall, but I love her message.

Laugh. Fight. Stay married.

And she and her husband do just that!

Her truthful blogs about marriage make me feel human. They are funny in the right spots, but also make me sit back and think, all within minutes of each other. I think she definitely "gets it" -

A little less than a year ago, they welcomed a little baby boy named Bean into their lives.

And. He. Is. Precious.

This one is a personal favorite.


Another one of my favorites is Matt and Madeline.

http://www.mattlogelin.com/

Here is your warning. If you are pregnant, PMSin, hormonal for whatever reason or just a plain ole crier - grab a box tissues. Because. this. is. one. sad. story.

I am not going to tell you anymore.

I'm zipping my lips. ZIP.

Up at the top of his page is a tab entitled "hadn't been here before?"

Go there.

And call me later to discuss this story so we can cry about it together.

Oh. And here's another warning. He uses the F word.

No, not all of the time. It is very limited - but in my opinion, it's always at the right moment.

Cause sometimes no other word will do.


After Matt's heart wrenching story, you will need some laughs. These blogs will make you laugh out loud.

They really don't need an explanation - they are just plain old cheap laughs

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/



And my last bloggy gift is certainly not least!

This blog is from one of my oldest Ferrum friends.

http://crazylewishouse.blogspot.com/

Wen just hopped on board with the blog train and she already has a professional looking blog. Jealous!

She and Jay just had baby Britten in January - he is a major hunk! I mean look at that hair! I am so excited that she started a blog so that I can watch this little man grow up!

*****


It took some of the above sites a couple of blogs before they got the AJ seal of approval. Don't let one bad blog ruin it for you.

After all, you know every dog has his day.

Lord knows I did.

For close to a year.

Where have ya'll been?

I have been here.

Where have you guys been?

I have been here blogging day after day, pouring out my heart and soul into these posts.

Blood, sweat and tears folks.

And what do I get in return?

Nothing. Nada. Zip.

For this blog to continue we are going to HAVE to work on this. mkay?

Okay. So maybe I am partly to blame in this here blog relationship. But I have a good excuse.

Really. I do.

See.

This is how my laptop has been for a little over a year now.

Remember back when we remodeled the kitchen? Well. We had to move everything around and nothing was in it's normal place. Everything was packed into the living room. And I mean everything. Dishes, groceries, kitchen table, toaster, everything!

Including the kitchen sink.

Literally.

Junk started piling up, laptops ended up at the bottom of large, heavy piles, and before you knew it, a busted screen.

Happens to the best of us.

Greggie and I have been been living with the ink blob by minimizing the screen to fit in the "clean" area. But then it started to spread like the swine flu and, well, we didn't get a flu shot.

Thankfully I married a honorary member of the Geek Squad and he hooked us up.

Once again, literally.

And just like that - we are back in business!

One little problem.

I have a love / hate relationship with electronics.

I love what they can do for me.

Fast internet, wonderful smutty reality shows, power to my coffee pot-

BUT I hate the cords that come along with them.

Hate them.

Detest them.

So what am I going to do about above picture? Ugg.

And I am not talking about the yellow tow strap holding together my grandmother's antique bench.

I have bigger fish to fry people.

Like keeping up with a blog.