Livin' Part of Life

Ray and I went fishing this evening and, although we didn't catch anything but a few small crappies, it was fun and so relaxing!  

Nationwide is on your siiiiide

A bad hail storm hit our neighborhood back in early May.  Thankfully, Ray's truck was in our garage and I was across town at a doctor's appointment.  (There wasn't even a drop of rain where I was that afternoon!) I got home an hour after the storm and there was still hail piled up in our yard.   

This size can do some damage!

Ray snapped this shot during the storm.

We didn't notice any immediate damage besides our garage light fixtures being shattered, some dents in the metal/gutters, and some stone chipped from the front of the house.  But, when our insurance adjuster came to check it out she said there was damage to the siding and our roof would probably need a total replacement.  Thankfully, there were no holes big enough for any leakage so we had time to look around and get some estimates from different companies.  Now, a month later, we finally chose someone and they just dropped off the supplies yesterday.  As much as I want Raleigh to get here, I would love for her to wait until they get started and finished!  With our luck, though, they will start the day we bring her home. ;)   For now, this graces our driveway...  

(Almost) 38 weeks

How far along? I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow.
Total weight gain: 20 lbs... haven't gained anything in the past month or so!
Maternity clothes? One pair of khaki shorts, but mostly just gym shorts, t-shirts that barely fit, and dresses. I've always liked my shirts a little longer...the one in this picture I've had for years!
Stretch marks? Not yet! Still moisturizing morning and night!
Sleep:  Last week I probably slept way too much... felt like a lazy bum!  This week I've tried to get on a schedule and get moving in the morning.  Sleep is good, but I do wake up several times to empty the bladder!
Best moment this week: Date night.  Not even the date part, which was really fun, but just the fact that Ray was so excited about it! He even wanted to take a picture in case it was our last date night without a child.
Miss anything?  Laying on my stomach
Movement: She's so active! Always kicking my side and up high close to my ribs.
Food cravings: Not really... cereal and fruit (but not together).  Enjoying the last couple weeks of eating without any guilt whatsoever. ;)  Today I had a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast and Auntie Anne's pretzel bites for lunch.  Wait, I do feel guilty for not feeding baby girl some protein!
Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope, I just seem to smell all bad smells from miles away!
Gender: Girl
Labor signs: I've had contractions, but nothing painful.  My stomach just gets really hard and tight.  At my 36-week appointment I was 1 cm dilated, but baby girl was so high up that Dr. Moore couldn't tell if she was head down.  She had to do a quick ultrasound to confirm.  Praise the Lord she was head down and she still is!
Symptoms:  Lower back pain if I've been sitting too long; discomfort when she wedges her butt or whatever body parts into my diaphragm!
Belly button in or out?  The top part is out and it's visible through my shirts!
Wedding rings on or off? On and still fitting normally.
Happy or moody most of the time?  Happy!
Looking forward to: Getting the carpets cleaned tomorrow, Ray being off this coming weekend, 4th of July, oh and having this baby!!

Date night!
(We ate at Neo Burrito and went to see
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World)

June Recap

June 1-3:
Ray and I decided to have one last get away while it's just the two of us.  We went to one of our favorite places to visit, Atlanta.  We ate well, relaxed by the hotel pool and then went to the Brothers of the Sun concert (Jake Owen, Grace Potter, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney!) on Sunday night.  It was a perfect weekend!

Kenny Chesney concert without a Corona in hand... worth it though! ;) 

Tim McGraw

Kenny Chesney

Grace Potter and Kenny Chesney singing "You and Tequila"

June 9:  Went to Charlotte for Courtney's bridal shower in the morning at family friend Ellie Rose's beautiful home.  Then I hosted Courtney's lingerie shower and "bachelorette bash" with Caroline at Caroline's house.  It was all lovely and fun! More sister time, too!

Cookies made by Carlos (Suarez Bakery in Charlotte)...I may or may not have had 4!

Hydrangeas are always beautiful

Had to get a sister picture! Amy couldn't be there.

Courtney with Mama and her future mother-in-law

Invitation to lingerie shower

Flowers from Caroline's mom's yard

Dessert sampler from Amelie's

I think this was her favorite gift! ;) For when they grow old together... 

The bachelorette ready to go downtown! 

Sister picture!

Caroline just loves to hang undergarments from her mantle...first diapers, now this!

Courtney and friends

June 16: My cousin Alan got married in Greenville, SC.  We love Ashley and already felt like she was part of the family.  Sadly, I didn't take any pictures!  But I got this one off of the photographer's Facebook page...

And I got one of me and Ray with my iPhone.  

So I think that about sums it up.  We've been busy! Now Ray and I are enjoying every minute together with the fewest responsibilities we will ever have again in our lives.

I'll try to update more frequently now and maybe I'll do a pregnancy update tomorrow after my doctor's appointment.

May Recap

I got away from blogging...again.  Let me try to play catch up!

May 4-6:
Mother-in-law and her best friend met me in Charlotte for a fun girls' weekend and my baby shower on May 6.

Me, Daphne (MIL), and Denise celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Pacos Tacos & Tequila

My friend since childhood, Caroline, just recently moved back to Charlotte (from working in Charleston for awhile) and bought her first house.  She welcomed several friends and family members over for my baby shower.  Everyone's comment when they walked in the door was "I love your house!" It is so charming and the landscaping is gorgeous.  A few pics of the shower decor...

The hostesses (L to R): Caroline, Carly, Jane

All the guests decorated a newborn diaper or two to provide us with some entertainment when we change those first few dirty diapers!

Sisters (L to R): Courtney, Amy, Ashley, Mary-Chase, Mama holding baby L!   Anna couldn't make it.

Best of friends! Carly, Molly and Jane

May 11-13:
Went back to Charlotte to celebrate my mom's birthday and Mother's Day.  More family time!

Mama and Daddy

Spent some time with this little chick! 

This is Baby L's face he loves to make for the camera!

May 18-20:
Went to Fayetteville/Hope Mills, NC for another baby shower hosted by Daphne and Denise.  It was wonderful to spend time with lovely ladies in Ray's family.  The shower was at a nice Italian restaurant called Pierro's.  I found out later that it was where Ray ate before his Senior Prom (at its downtown location).  Too funny!

Mmm chocolate pralines!

Daphne

(L to R): Denise, Mindy (who babysat Ray!), Sarah Grace (Ray's cousin), Daphne, Aunt Erin, Great Aunt Rachel

Kim and Jenel

 May 25-28:
Amy and Brent get married.  (Wedding pictures to come when Amy gets them!)  Coca Cola 600 on May 27...yes, 33+ weeks prego, and Memorial Day by the pool.

Sisters and Mama @ Bridesmaids Luncheon at Charlotte Country Club
Hosted by our family friend India Keith.
She also hosted mine there!

Rehearsal Dinner at the Duke Mansion.

Amy and Brent at the rehearsal dinner

Awesome groom's cake! 

Ray with my cousins, Alan and Luke

Mr. and Mrs. Bundrick! 

Casey (Ray's bro), Lanier (my brother-in-law), and Ray

They were SO happy that Kasey Kahne won!