Hoppy Birthday to Me!

Today I am 25 years old.  However, sometimes I feel much older than that.  I think it's the whole having a kid thing.  Before Emma I felt young and vibrant now I just feel tired, fat and like I'm living in a whirlwind.  Not that I would change that for anything because hello, I love my bebe.  I am hoping that this trip to Florida makes me feel young, fresh and full of energy.  I am CROSSING MY FINGERS that Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Katia don't put a damper on our beach vacation.  I really hope these weather peeps be wrong yo because they are totally killing my birthday/vacation mood! On a happier note, I got presents this morning.  Oh how I loooove presents.  Not just getting them but giving them.  I could spend all day shopping to make someone else's day fabtabulous.  My husband is the sweetest.  He got me not ONE but TWO cards.  I'm special like that.  One was just a cute one reminiscing about days of old when my husband thought I had a cute booty (those days are gone because well I gave birth to a baby).  I'm pretty sure he still thinks I'm cute though so that's good.  The second card was so sweet.  If you have heard the Carrie Underwood/Brad Paisley Duet "Remind Me", it's pretty much that song to a T.  How sweet is it when your husband tells you he wants to fall in love with you all over again? Need a tissue? He's so sweet.  Let's see what was inside my bag of goodies shall we...

This is the awesome Paul Mitchell flat iron I've been dying for!

 

This is my favorite hairspray ever.  It smells like cotton candy.  If you get it you will want to eat your hair!

 My most favorite candy in the whole wide world.

 WaaaawaaaawaaaaWipe Out!! (This game is hard! I opened it immediately and tried it out.)

 

This yummy candle.  Mmm I love the smell of vanilla.

So there you have it.  How did he do? I think he did GREAT! Well I'm off to finish packing for our rainy beach vacation.  See ya'll on the flip side!

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

We are officially on our way to the beautiful Smokey Mountains. Two weeks ago in a sporadic, omg, we are exausted, need a getaway while hubby has a week off for his birthday, moment we decided to book a cabin for four nights. Do you hear that people? Four whole nights and five whole days to sit back and relax. We have a lot on the agenda while we are there but regardless it will still be relaxing.

We are going to Dollywood on Friday. For those of you that read this blog (I do have readers right?) that are not from the south, Dollywood is a theme park that the great Dolly Parton built. It's amazing and you should totally plan a trip. I'm so stocked about it. I haven't been since I was a kid (because that was so many years ago ya know). Since my wonderful mother is coming on this trip with us we will be able to ride all the rides together! I'm ready to feel like a kid again.

Saturday we are going to spend the day shopping in dowtown Gatlinburg and eating as much homeade fudge as humanly possible. Dinner out that night and on Sunday a day at Titanic. I hope me and Emma survive the ship going down. Women and children first, right? Sorry babe. I know Sunday is your birthday and all but the dudes giving out the life boat seats made the rules, not me.

Sunday night, if Dustin survives we have planned a nice dinner out for his 27th birthday and very first Father's Day. After dinner my mom is going to watch Goose for us while we have some alone time. It will be nice to walk Gatlinburg hand in hand and know our sweet baby is in good hands back at the cabin. Have I mentioned I love my momma?

Needless to say, this is going to be one ahhhmazing trip. We are so so excited! When I get back I definitely have a few catch up posts since I've been m.i.a. lately. One including a story about 21st birthday bashs, creeks and four wheeler wrecks. Stay tuned. You don't want to miss it.

Morning Conversation

This morning at the crack of dawn this is what my conversation was with Dustin as he's waking out the door for work...

Dustin: Where are my truck keys? (Said in hateful tone mind you)

Me: I don't know...(half asleep, remember its earrrrly)

Dustin: Well, you drove the truck yesterday and I neeeeed them!

Me: Just take the car! (Pulls covers over her head)

Dustin: I neeeed the truck keys because the pharmacy key is on them! I've searched everywhere. (Huffing and puffing)

Me: Why in the world would you put your work keys on our truck key chain? That's just stupid.

Dustin: Amanda, it's been that way forever and I'm not changing it now! "It wouldn't be a problem if you would put the keys back on the key rack!" (My famous quote...I'm the key Nazi)

Me: Did you check the truck? Maybe I left them in there.

(As he storms out the door to go look I get up to go make coffee..however I can barely see since my eyes are almost glued shut with allergy junk and dry contacts...)

Dustin: (slamming door) Not in there!

Me: Why are you being so mean? I am walking around half asleep while you yell at me!

Dustin: Well you lost the keys!!

Me: Like you've never misplaced anything....pahlease! Did you check the diaper bag? I bet ya they are in there!

Dustin: I already looked and they aren't in there!

Me: I bet you didn't look good, they are in there I betcha.

Dustin: They aren't!

Me: Oh really? Cause looky what I just found in the diaper bag! (Jingling keys in his face) Such a man to say you looked and didn't.

Dustin: I did look.

Me: More like glanced...

Dustin: Bye.

Me: Bye (grrrrrrrrr)

(Door slams in face)

Lesson of the day....men don't look very good am I right? It's like when they go to the fridge and ask where the ketchup is and you specifically tell them and they still overlook it...sheesh! What a morning. Good thing I love him even if he's a meanie :)

First Mother's Day

My first Mother's day went a little like this...

Sunday morning me and Emma slept in while daddy made mommy breakfast.  He of course made my favorite.  Pancakes! During breakfast I opened my cards.  Emma even signed her own card.  It was too cute.  There were no presents to open but only because Dustin somebody waited until the last-minute to Mother's Day shop and quickly realized what he wanted done was going to take several hours.  I am still waiting on that gift....

I'm not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed because for weeks I had been hyping up Mother's Day and what an important one it was since it was my FIRST.  I even mentioned several times wanting something sentimental that represents Emma so on Sunday morning when there was nothing to open I was sad.  I then quickly realized while watching my husband, the father of my sweet baby, feeding Emma her cereal and talking to her that I didn't need a physical gift because the gift was sitting right in front of me.  I'm a wife to an amazing man and the mother to the most precious little baby in the whole wide world.

After, breakfast and some snuggle time with my sweet goose we got ourselves ready to head to my moms.  We bypassed church since we had plans to plant my moms garden for her that day.  After opening some gifts from my mom and sisters we headed outside in the beautiful sunshine to plant my moms garden.  It turned out great and I'm looking forward to reaping the benefits of it :) YUM YUM

The night ended with Dustin feeding and putting Emma to bed (in her crib, such a big girl) and then an hour long massage for mommy! I however missed the last thirty minutes of the massage because I passed out cold! Being a mom is hard work man.

Overall, it was a perfect first Mother's Day.  I am so amazingly blessed to be Emma's mommy.  When I pictured myself as a mother when I was a child I could have never fathomed it being this perfect and wonderful.  I am so incredibly in love with this baby girl and I thank God every day for blessing me with her.

[caption id="attachment_382" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Finding out Emma was on her way!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_384" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Waiting patiently for her arrival..."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_385" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Perfection. Best day of my life."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_386" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="My everything."][/caption]

Easter Extravaganza

Sunday morning we woke up to a monsoon outside.  What a way to start out Easter right? Emma enjoyed all her goodies that the Easter bunny brought for her while mommy and daddy got ready for church.  After we were in our Sunday best we drove the 50 mile drive (through the horrible monsoon) to my hometown to attend the church I grew up in.  WOW, did it bring back some great memories and it was so great to see some familiar faces.  After a great church service we headed to my great aunt and uncle's house for some yummy grub and family time.  We don't get to see everyone very much so we really had a great time.  After a great meal and an Easter egg hunt for the kids we all got ready for our First Annual Softball Extravaganza (created by yours truly and my sister).  We weren't sure people would actually be excited to play but they were! It was a HUGE success.  Score one for the home team.  After two and a half hours of ball we were all beat and definitely ready to make the hour trek back home.  Overall, a great Easter Sunday.  Emma was too cute in her dress and I could have just eaten her up all day!

[caption id="attachment_347" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="All the kids waiting patiently to hunt eggs. All but my nephew (far right) that is. He looks like he could care less."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_348" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Warming up (because we are pro's and everything)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_349" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Check out that form people!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_350" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Emma and my mom looking unimpressed at our softball skills."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_351" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Me striking out my hubby :)"][/caption]

Now for some family pics!

[caption id="attachment_352" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="They match :)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_353" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Pretty Girl"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_354" align="aligncenter" width="512" caption="Love these two more than life itself."][/caption]

Playing Catch Up

So yeah...you remember that thing about time I was talking about? Well, I have yet to find any extra time to blog.  Things in the last week have been crazy busy.  Let me catch you up in bullet point fashion.  Why bullet point you ask? Well, it goes back to that whole time-consuming thing.  Seeing as though baby girl will be arising from her nap any minute now I should make this snappy.  Any who, here we go!

• Me and Dustin enjoyed a date night in Nashville.  We enjoyed dinner at J. Alexanders and a comedy show at Zanies.  It was so strange not having Emma with us but so nice to enjoy a wonderful dinner with no kids! It was much needed.


• I got a sinus infection.  I was down for a few days.  I realized that being sick is much different now that I'm a mom.  You just have to suck it up and keep trucking because there is still a tiny being that needs to be taken care of.


• I had Emma this past week a lot without the help of Dustin.  He worked quite a bit last week and out of town at that.  I was also sick remember? I have been TIRED!


• We had a yard sale at my mom's house on Thursday and Friday.  Getting up at dawn and packing up me and baby to be at my moms by 7:30 am was not an easy task but I accomplished it.  I only ended up making $13o for both days which to me doesn't hardly seem like enough for all the blood sweat and tears we poured into it.  Come Saturday I was totally beat and still trying to recoup from my sinus infection.  No rest of course though because hubs was working all day.


• Sunday was church.  Daddy and baby stayed home because neither one of them felt very good.  Bad mommy for passing on her sickness.  After I left church I headed to the grocery store for some much needed food.  I can never seem to find time to grocery shop either.  After unloading groceries and putting them away we had some Mexican food for lunch and I spent the rest of the afternoon at the mall shopping for baby clothes.  She is growing so fast!!


• Monday I took Emma to the doctor because I was almost certain she had an ear infection.  I thought wrong.  Only teething and maybe a slight cold since she was running a low-grade fever.  I forgot to mention that on this particular day I had to reschedule her doctor's appointment twice that day because I couldn't find my keys.  I was running around like a mad woman searching for them while my baby was screaming her poor head off in her car seat.  My mom had to end up coming to get us.  Did I also mention that it was a monsoon outside? Pretty sure that by the time I got back home I was drenched from head to toe.  Miserable miserable day.


• Today I have spent my time relaxing and pampering myself since daddy is home from work.  I got to sleep in (do I hear angels singing?), I went to the gym for a great hour work out, I went and got a pedicure and manicure, I sat and ate lunch with no baby crying (I think I forgot how to finish a meal), I've also caught up on baby laundry and now I'm actually able to sit and write a post on my blog! So thankful for when daddy has days off :)

Well that should pretty much catch you up on what's going on in the Salyer household.  I'm looking forward to the remainder of this week because Dustin is home all week and weekend long.  I will pay for this though when he is out of town for five nights next week, but I'm trying not to think about that.  I just want to enjoy having him home.  We are heading to Virginia on Thursday morning.  It's our first trip to visit his family since Emma was born and they are all looking forward to seeing her.  They won't even recognize her! She's getting so big.  See for yourself...

 

[caption id="attachment_313" align="aligncenter" width="410" caption="Look at those legs"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_315" align="aligncenter" width="461" caption="She loves looking at her toys!"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_316" align="aligncenter" width="448" caption="Lounging on the couch."][/caption]

 

 

[caption id="attachment_317" align="aligncenter" width="448" caption="Mommy and Daddy enjoying a date night!"][/caption]

 

 

 

Time?

Oh time. Such a simple word isn't it? You may think so but I don't know where time goes. Time is running away from me. I read several blogs where these women have also just had a baby and they blog every day. Are they super human? I am struggling to post once a week and sometimes it's two weeks. Am I a slacker or not able to multitask? I miss blogging. I tell myself at some point every day that I'm going to sit down and post and as soon as I go to type something I have a baby cry because she's hungry or has a dirty diaper or just wants my undivided attention. We are definitely finding a rythm now and I don't want to jinx myself for saying the word "schedule" but we are in a good groove. Yet, I still can't find time to get everything done during the day. Laundry piles up, my dogs go without baths and the affection they so desperately need, the dishes pile up, naps for mom are a joke(if your a new mom who is able to nap I need your secrets!), my hardwood floors never shine anymore(my Shark steam mop I got for Christmas is feeling a bit lonely in the closet)...I really could go on and on. I know as Emma gets older I will adjust more but I feel behind. She will be 3 months old in just a few days (wow...where is TIME going) and I still feel like I'm always playing catch up. I usually have one to two days a week where I am able to cram all the chores in and ge stuff done. It's usually the days Dustin is off from work. Poor guy...he works 40 and 50 hours a week and on his days off I put him to work. Neither one of us ever get a break. I see now why people hire Merry Maids! I'm really hoping to start posting more. Hopefully my days slow down and I can start finding some extra time in the day to post. I say I never have time to get anything done but I'm keeping up with Emma's baby book and I started a scrap book for her. At least memories are getting documented so we can look back on them. One thing I am looking forward to is my first date night out with the hubs tomorrow night. No baby...just the two of us. We are going to Nashville for a nice dinner at J.Alexander's and a comedy show at Zanies. I'm so excited but I'm sure our conversation will mostly be about Goose and how she's growing so fast. I'm going to miss her but its just for a few hours. I think getting dolled up for a night with my man is just what we both need. Hopefully, I will find TIME on Monday to post about our evening out. Oh if there could be more hours in a day!

Lucky

I'm the luckiest girl in the world.  This year I got not one but TWO Valentine's.  My sweet husband got me a card, candy and an anniversary band to go with my wedding rings.  I'll post a picture as soon as it gets in from being sized!  Usually, Dustin and I go to a nice dinner or movie for Valentine's Day but this year was a little different.  Instead, we cooked a yummy dinner at home and watched Jeopardy (this whole Watson thing is pretty cool!) while I held a crying baby.  She had a bit of a tummy ache at dinner so I didn't quite get to enjoy my meal but that's ok by me.  I am just thankful that I had both of them here with me to celebrate V-Day.  I'm so in love with my little family :

[caption id="attachment_263" align="alignleft" width="518" caption="In love with his baby girl."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_264" align="alignleft" width="518" caption="Proud Papa"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_265" align="alignleft" width="490" caption="Holding daddy's finger."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_266" align="alignleft" width="490" caption="My little Valentine furrowing her brow like her daddy :)"][/caption]

Birth Story

I have been wanting to write this post for days now but having a new baby at home is quite an adjustment.  I haven't had the brain cells to write this post until now.  I am slowly getting into the swing of things and we couldn't be happier with our sweet baby girl.

At 6:00 o'clock Monday, January 10th we walked into Labor and Delivery, excited and anxious for what the next 24 hours would hold.  We got checked in and they put me in a room.  I was not looking forward to the IV at all.  How is it I was mentally prepared for labor but not an IV? Crazy right? The nurse tried on my right arm and just my luck the vein burst.  The second attempt on my left hand was much smoother, but still painful.  She also put it where the needle was right in the crick of my wrist so every time I moved my hand it was quite uncomfortable, but I wasn't about to ask them to stick me again!

Excited that we are finally going to meet her!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The induction wasn't supposed to start until 6 the next morning which meant a whole night of anxious waiting.  They said to sleep but that wasn't happening!  I dozed off and on but never got any solid sleep.  At 4:00 am I started having some pretty strong contractions.  I was really surprised seeing as though they hadn't started pitocin or broke my water yet.  They were bareable but uncomfortable and got stronger over the next few hours.  At 7:30 am my doctor came in and checked me.  I had dilated to a three.  He started the pitoci and broke my water.  I can't even explain what it's like for your water to break.  The pain is pretty much immediate.  I could not believe the intensity of the contractions.  I immediately asked for my epidural of course but it would end up taking around an hour to actually get it.  They gave me some pain medication in my IV to hold me over and boy did it make me loopy.  It mainly made me sleepy but I couldn't sleep through the pain so I was pretty out of it for a while.  Right before the anesthesiologist got to the room my contractions really picked up.  When he walked in I told him he was just the person I wanted to see.  The epidural wasn't bad at all.  I would have a thousand of them before having to feel another contraction.  My younger sister asked me in my loopy medicated state before my epidural what contractions felt like and I told her it was like I was hollow inside and someone was trying to rip that hollowness out of me.  It's the best way I could explain it.  Whoever originally said that contractions and labor feel like severe period cramps is a liar because there is nothing period like about it.  I was the happiest girl in the world after my epidural kicked in.  I also think I had the best anesthesiologist in the world.  I was able to sleep and rest up until time to push and it really helped with the energy to push.  I was checked for dilation every hour after my epi.  I was dilating SUPER fast.  I went from a three at 7:30 that morning to a ten at 12:30.  With only 30 short minutes of pushing Emma Marie arrived at 1:14pm on 1-11-2011 weighing in at 7 lbs 7 3/4 oz and 19 1/2 inches long.  It was the easiest, smoothest, most beautiful amazing labor experience.  My doctor was amazing, as was my labor and delivery nurse.  I don't know what I would have done without Dustin or her! Labor was easy peasy but I must say nobody talks about what comes after labor.  I really don't think I was prepared for the toll it takes on your body.  The recooperating involved is pretty rough.  The stitches, the pain, the tiredness the emotions... Now that its ten days after delivery I'm feeling much better but still not 100%.  I'm just thankful to have our beautiful daughter here safe and sound.  I'm so thankful for a smooth labor and healthy baby.  The hospital stay was almost a blur because it went by so fast.  We were going home before we knew it and so excited to take our baby home.  It has definitely been a whirlwind but we are adjusting well.  We may have sleepy eyes and our brains may not be functioning on all cylinders but we are head over heals in love with our girl.  She is changing so fast already.  I am excited to see how she grows and changes but it makes me sad that it happens so fast.  I love my family of THREE so much.

My sweet husband.  He was amazing.

To be honest...

This pregnancy is beginning to wear on me.  I never intended for this blog to become my pregnancy/baby outlet but I don't do anything but sit at home these days and dwell on baby clothes, baby room, baby cuteness, baby weight, baby hormones and baby's arrival.  I guess I just can't help it, plus this baby is the biggest part of who I am right now which results in baby posts.  I never wanted this blog to bore people but honestly it's just the biggest part of what's happening in my life right now so until baby arrives these will be my main posts.  Then I suppose it will be posts about baby is crying constantly and I'm exhausted, baby cuteness, baby's first bath, baby rolls over...somewhere in there I will just have to make time for posts about other things.  Plus as long as I'm doing this for me as an outlet it doesn't really matter, right?

Today I need to vent.  Lately, I have been feeling really guilty because I'm not enjoying this pregnancy as much as I should.  When I was young, my dream and ultimate goal in life was to be a wife and mother.  I couldn't wait to be pregnant.  I would play house and have a big pillow under my shirt pretending I was pregnant.  I can now say that it's definitely not what my 10-year-old mind thought it would be.  When I found out I was pregnant I was immediately over the moon happy.  I started thinking about what it was going to be like and if it would be anything like what I'd dreamed it to be.  It didn't take long to realize I would be wrong.  I have no reason to feel this way which makes it even harder to understand.  I have had the EASIEST pregnancy of all time.  No sickness whatsoever, no medical issues and a very healthy and perfect baby growing inside me.  I do not take that for granted and am so thankful for it but I just wanted to be this jolly and glowing pregnant lady.  It has literally made me feel like a completely different person.  Almost like I don't even know who I am sometimes.  I look in the mirror and don't even recognize myself.  The weight gain is a part of this, I know that, but it's hard for me to accept.  I've never been a small girl anyway and adding an extra 25 to 40 pounds is a lot for me to carry.  Rolling over that 200 pound mark really hit me hard and made me feel even worse about myself.  I have not one single stretch mark on my stomach, which is awesome, right? Well, the ones on my legs and sides make up for it and it's just so frustrating.  Stretch marks and I go way back so it's not like they are a shock to me.  When I hit my senior year of highschool I started to get them on my inner thighs and a few on my sides but I was still in shape.  I assume I got them from playing soccer but they have caused me to be self conscious ever since.  Now they are triple what they were and it makes my hate for them even stronger.  I look at pictures of just a year ago and thing I wasn't skinny but I felt good and thought that Hey! I'm pretty in that picture, but now ugly is not even the word for what I feel.  I just feel like if I can't change my thinking and attitude that these last nine weeks are going to drag and I'm going to be miserable.  I have heard of women that absolutely love being pregnant and that is what I always wanted.

Along with image issues, I'm starting to get nervous about birth, breastfeeding and everything that comes with parenting.  With her arrival coming up fast I realize that she has to COME OUT.  I really am praying hard for a smooth labor.  I do not want a c-section.  I would just be so disappointed if that happened.  Surgery does not sound like any fun so I'm hoping that I can push this baby out on my own.  I also plan on breastfeeding but am worried I won't be able to do it.  My mother did not breastfeed and my older sister only did it for a short time before switching to formula and I really want to be able to do it.  It's so much better for her and cheaper so I'm really praying that I am able to bear the initial pain of it and become a pro.

One last thing to discuss is probably just a woman topic but my libido is at a negative 10 and has been since the beginning of this pregnancy.  I've read books and talked to other woman and I know each pregnancy is different and that some women are extremely active intimately and others could care less.  I'm the later of the two and man does it make me feel guilty.  It's not even that I don't want to it's more that I can't without wanting to cry because it's painful.  I can't even imagine having to get a baby out at this point.  I'm even nervous for my 36 week appointment for when they start checking me for dilation.  I feel totally and completely sorry for my husband.  I feel like I'm a terrible wife for being so distant but it's not on purpose! I just keep reminding myself that it's only nine more weeks and that this will all be over in the blink of an eye.  I am trying my hardest to enjoy these last weeks but it's really not easy.  I am definitely ready to meet this baby and finally start feeling normal again.  I need to give this to the Lord and trust in him.  I know he will get me through this and that I will look back on it and wonder what I was so worked up about when I'm staring at a beautiful baby girl.  Faith and belief that it will all be ok is what I need to focus on and not all these petty things.

Does anybody else out there feel this way or did you feel this way when you were pregnant? I feel alone in this.  Like an alien has taken over my body.  If you have any advice or support it would be great!  Also, prayers would be very much appreciated.

And just to make 31 weeks official here's a belly pic...



 

Messy Husband Vent

So I thought I had my wonderful husband trained pretty well when it comes to keeping our house clean.  If you know me, you know that I am ocd when it comes to keeping a clean house.  I will give him credit because he is such a good helper and really does do so much around here, HOWEVER, there are certain things I can not break and it drives me crazy.

Such as:

• Not stealing my hand towel at my side of the sink.  It takes two seconds to grab your own.


• Dropping off his work folder and papers on our kitchen counter every single night instead of taking it to his office.


• Junking up his night stand with the 50 items he keeps in his pockets.


• Starting laundry and not finishing it.  (Although I am pretty bad about this myself)


• And my biggest, most annoying, wanna choke him pet peeve is......

Shoes! Shoes being kicked off wherever he plops down at night, which is normally in the recliner in the living room (which is where both of these pairs are right now) or in the bedroom by his dresser.  I tell him all the time that this is what closets are for, but it just hasn't clicked yet.  I guarantee he will add his third pair to the mix tonight when he comes home....I'd almost bet money on it!

Baby, we are in the home stretch!

Today I have a really bad cold and can't seem to shake it, so be glad you are getting a post.  I've been procrastinating because my head feels like it weighs as much as my pregnant body.  I am thankful however that this cold did not set in until after my baby shower on Saturday.  It was such a beautiful day.  I was so overwhelmed with the love of family and friends.  I had people traveling in from even several hours away just to attend.  I was able to visit with friends I haven't seen in awhile and it really made me realize how much I miss them.  We received presents galore, ate some yummy food until we could no longer eat, played lots of fun games and then ate cake (and I only had ONE piece! oh yeah until later that night I may have snuck in another piece, shhhh don't tell anybody).  Thanks goes out to my sisters Jennifer, Leeha and Rachel and my best friend Erin for making the shower such an amazing and special day.  I will post some pictures at the bottom for your viewing pleasure.

As for life currently in the Salyer house things couldn't be better really.  I complain A LOT and sometimes forget that I should be very grateful for what I have.  Dustin has been working a lot more than usual lately which makes me a little bummed but I know it's needed right now.  With a new baby arriving in TEN WEEKS, Thanksgiving travels, Christmas shopping and last minute purchases for the nursery money is definitely tight, so I just need to be thankful that he has such a great job that allows him to work overtime.  I just get lonely sometimes sitting in this house all day.  I visit my mom several times a week and we spend hours talking, drinking coffee and playing yahtzee and scrabble which definitely helps me with my walls closing in on me, boredom.  I don't know what I would do if she didn't live ten minutes away!

As for how baby and I are doing.  Great.  I had a rough day yesterday with this cold.  I think it was causing her to feel bad as well.  She was tense all day and had her little elbows dug into my bladder and lower abdomen all day and would not relieve me for even a minute.  It was pretty painful and didn't help that I was already feeling terrible anyway.  I am also starting to hit that third trimester fatigue and not sleeping well at night.  I slept great during the second trimester besides getting up to use the bathroom.  Now, every hour I am having to rotate sides because I'm going numb on the side I'm laying on.  My feet and hands are starting to swell at night and I'm having night sweats.  Oh and we can't forget the lovely potty breaks.  I guess it's all just to prepare me for a future of no sleep anyway.  You're all saying "Amanda, get over it.  You will never sleep again when Emma comes!" Honestly, that's totally ok with me.  At least I will be waking up with purpose and for a good cause.  Right now I'm waking up because my body has been taken over by an alien!

Thursday I have my 30 week check up and I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous.  My last appointment I was determined that my weight gain would be perfect and right on track and for the last two weeks I just haven't cared.  Maybe it's because I am in that third trimester funk.  I didn't eat like I should have and haven't been on the elliptical as much as I should have.  I didn't get on there all weekend because of the baby shower and didn't yesterday or today because I feel like poop.  I just don't want to get on that scale and be totally bummed.  For two weeks I really shouldn't have gained anymore than two pounds but I feel heavy.  We will just have to see what happens I guess.  On a happy note, we are getting our 3D 4D ultrasound done that day (FOR FREE!).  I can't wait to see this precious angel up close and personal.  To be able to see all her features makes me smile like a kid waking up at Christmas morning.  I will update with a 30 week post and pictures on Thursday or Friday, so be looking out for that one.

Now for some shower photos!















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh and my husband crashed the shower at the end but it was totally ok because he brought me a Salon gift card for two prenatal massages...he's the sweetest :)

Hello Monday

So how did your weekend go? Hopefully swell.  Mine was wonderful.  We went to our Ready, Set Go! tour at the hospital on Thursday, left for Virginia on Friday, visited with his family that evening, wedding on Saturday and trip home Sunday.  Here is the weekend in a nutshell bullet point style (because that's how I roll on a Monday).

• Seeing the maternity unit and nursery really makes everything SO REAL.


• Seeing the newborn babies made me melt.  I was really close to sticking one of them in my purse.  They were just that cute :)


• Dustin was so calm, cool and collected.  I asked if walking through the unit made him scared at all and he casually said "Nope".  Lies, Lies I say!


• Our drive to Virginia went so smoothly.  My feet and hands did swell just a little but not bad.  I even stayed awake 99.8 percent of the trip.  Honestly, I don't think a 10 minute cat nap counts.  Especially when you get woke up to your husband braking hard every ten minutes.  I don't know how many times I have to tell him to LIGHTLY tap the brakes...


• Seeing his family was so great.  The weather in Abingdon was wonderful.  Really makes me love Fall even more.  His mom definitely spoiled us.  She ironed clothes, cooked us breakfast, took us to dinner and pretty much waited on us hand and foot.  It was much appreciated!


• His brother's wedding on Saturday was gorgeous.  It was an outdoor wedding and the weather was perfect.  Bride and Groom both looked terrific.  I'm so happy for them and wish them all the love and happiness in the world! Welcome to the family Leah!


• Sunday we made the 5 1/2 hour trek home.  Once again I only got about a 10 minute snooze.  Mainly due to the fact that I had to stop every hour to pee, eat, listen to the Titans game on the radio or the dogs had to pee :)


• I went to bed at 9 last night and didn't wake up until 9 this morning.  Yep, that's right, I slept 12 hours and I loved every minute of it.


• I did a mile on the elliptical earlier and it almost killed me.  Too much Coca Cola and chocolate wedding cake this weekend.  Shame shame.


• Oh and did I mention I'm 28 weeks today, that's 7 months if you can't multiply! I am officially in my third trimester.  It's surreal.  We are in the home stretch baby girl.  Almost time to meet your precious face!


• Tomorrow is my 28 week appointment.  I will update tomorrow with the details.  I'm hoping my weight gain is right on track this time.  I really have been working on it so it better be a number I want to see!

Picture time!

*Cancel the pictures.  WordPress is being stupid and won't upload anything.  If you want to see pictures from the wedding they are on my Facebook page anyway.

Oh babymoon, where art thou?

Really wishing I were here right now....

I have this urge to want to travel because I know my days are numbered on the whole traveling thing.  I have been craving Gatlinburg ever since the leaves started changing and the weather got cooler.  We usually go once a year and around this time and I can't stop thinking about the mountains, the shops, the restaurants, sweaters and jeans for walking around downtown, candy apples....Oh the list goes on and on.  We are going to Virgina for Dustin's brothers wedding on the 22nd of this month and it's a shame we won't have any extra time to stop in Gatlinburg on our way since we pass right by there anyway.  We have talked about a weekend that would work for us but most of our weekends are booked and we really hate to spend any money right now with the baby coming in January.  However, I think the trip is a great investment.  It will be our last trip as a family of two.  After Emma arrives it will be hard to find time for ourselves.  I would say our limit on traveling would be middle to end of November so maybe, just maybe we can squeeze a trip in before then!

Dreaming of a trip to the mountains...

Flu shots aren't so bad afterall!

So as you can see I've been M.I.A for awhile.  It's mainly due to the fact that I'm lazy.  In the Salyer household we are keeping it pretty calm these days.  Dustin of course is at work most of the time but on his days off we are spending our time preparing for Emma's arrival, housework, date nights, yard work, family time and church.

I got my Flu shot today! I was a nervous wreck.  I have never gotten a Flu shot before and have heard stories where they make you sick and can even bring on Flu symptoms so it took some guts for me to sit down and allow them to stick me with that needle! Thankfully, my sweet husband was the person who gave me the shot.  I was nervous at first but he made me very comfortable and he did an amazing job.  I hardly felt a thing! Good job babe! Besides a somewhat sore arm and a slight headache I'm fine.  So hopefully no Flu for this pregnant girl this winter! To any pregnant ladies out there you should definitely go get your shot.  They say that the number one person that should get vaccinated is pregnant women.  You can see Dustin at Kmart pharmacy for your shot, he did an amazing job and you won't feel a thing!

In other news, we recently joined a Small Group at church.  Since the church we go to is so large it was definitely a must to sign up to meet with a Small Group (which is 4-6 other couples in our age group that meet twice a month for fellowship and a Bible study).  We have been attending Living Hope since February and finally decided it was time to step out of our shells and make it a point to meet others and really get active.  Dustin is also taking initiative in getting active with all the men of the church and certain volunteer tasks that are going on right now.  It's great to see him opening up and stepping out of his comfort zone.  I think we all tend to make excuses for ourselves to avoid stepping out of our comforts zones.  This church has really opened our eyes to the possibilities out there to witness to others and fellowship with other believers.  It's something we have both wanted for so long.  A church we can call home and the opportunity to become the Christians we have been longing to be.  I look forward to what is in store for us at Living Hope.  I'm really looking forward to find where I belong, whether it be working with the young girls, or the nursery or the choir or all of those, who knows! I am so proud of where me and Dustin have come in a year.  Every couple experiences difficult times but we were able to push through them and put in the hard work and it's really paid off.  God has blessed us tremendously and we are forever grateful.  So many people in this world are non believers but I'm here to tell those people you aren't truly living until you live by Grace and the love of God.  Every time I see love in my husbands eyes, the joy of family and friends, the kicks of this precious life growing inside me, the sun shining in the sky, the rain that quenches the thirst of this earth, even the hardships put upon us to bring us closer to him and the feeling inside my soul because HE lives in me, I KNOW there is a God and he will forever be my Lord and Saviour.

I am very blessed and can't even  fully explain the joy I'm experiencing lately.  Last night Dustin finally got to feel Emma kick for the first time.  We layed there for thirty minutes just feeling the kicks get stronger.  How amazing is that? I mean, there is really a BABY in there! We had an ultrasound last Friday and she's as beautiful as ever.  We go back on the 27th for another ultrasound and my Glucose testing.  I get to drink a delicious orange pure sugar drink so they can make sure I don't have Gestational Diabetes.  Crossing my fingers that goes well.  Our ultrasound on Friday still didn't show Emma's entire face so once again we will have another one at our next appointment.  She is really cozy in her spot and hasn't seemed to want to budge.  Although, last night with as strong as her kicking was, I really think she has changed positions.  I'm feeling her almost all the time now and her kicks are very strong so maybe that means we will actually get some good pictures of her next time! We hope so anyway!

Ok, now it's picture time!

23 weeks :)



I think she's gonna be a big baby!





Yay me!

Birthday Weekend, Labor Day and Nursery Time!

Thursday I turned 24! I look back and wonder where 16 went.  Time seems to be flying by and I can only imagine how fast it will go when we add kids into the mix.  I had a wonderful birthday.  It was spent playing lots and lots of games and cards, eating a yummy dinner at a hibatchi grill, getting Emma's room ready, spending time with all my family and friends and a home cooked meal and carrot cake from my momma.  Even though being pregnant limits my activities, I had the most amazing birthday/Labor Day weekend ever.  Oh it also doesn't hurt that the Wildcats won their first game against Louisville! :)

As for the nursery...In the beginning of all of this we decided to hold off on decorating the nursery until at least October or later, that is until my husband changed his mind this weekend.  Crazy enough, he was the one who got the idea to move the office furniture into the sun room and start painting.  I was shocked because he was the one telling me that I was going to be chomping to get everything done.  Looks like he was wrong.  It was him instead.  It's so crazy to see how anxious he is to meet this little girl.  Somehow I think he is more excited than me if that is even possible! We spent the weekend cleaning rooms, emptying the nursery closet, moving furniture and painting walls.  I even got crafty and made two decorations for Emma's room (I loooove Hobby Lobby!).  I think it's also another hobby I have found.  Arts and crafts and anything that looks interesting at Hobby Lobby.  It feels great to know that I personally made decorations for her room instead of just purchasing them.  I think it's special.  Thanks to my sister for all her help and the hard work my husband put into the nursery this weekend.  Now, pictures anyone?

This is the new office.  We moved it into our sun room and it turned out great.  Well except for the fact that it isn't heated or cooled.  We will have to get a heater in there so Dustin doesn't freeze his tush off this winter!



The walls were grey before we painted.  So here is a before shot.



A work in progress!



Finished paint job!



Time to stencil the walls.  I was going to do it but it hurt to stretch that much so my sweet husband got pulled into doing it.  He's the best! I sat in the room the whole time he did it and it wasn't easy so props to him.



Ain't it so pretty!?



Decorations for Emma's room!





It is really starting to come together.  I'm so glad we got the hard part of the room out of the way early.  Now we just need to finish getting all the furniture and things on the walls, but there is PLENTY of time for that.  19 weeks to be exact.  It seems like forever until we will be able to meet our baby but she will be here before we know it.  I'm really trying hard not to rush it.  I want to take the time to enjoy this pregnancy and the last little bit of it just being me and Dustin but it's hard because we both want her here so much! Soon enough though.  January isn't all that far away.