It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Christmas? Easter? Thanksgiving? Birthdays? Granted, they're all very good holidays, filled with family, food, good times and tradition... but they aren't my favorite day of the year. So what does that leave? BLACK FRIDAY of course!!

After much ad scouring, penny-counting and soul-searching (Should we have one last shebang, or should we be responsible? How much do I really need that pillow, that shiatsu massager, that blue snuggie, those lego packs, OOH! I really do want a mini-slider grill, don't I?) we decided to get just 4 things - 1 at Toys R' Us, 3 at Best Buy. We're being 90% responsible!

So we decided to go to Wesley Chapel, where there's a Best Buy within walking distance of the Toys R' Us. I had my doubts though - would all those Toys R' Us midnight shoppers meander over to Best Buy once they've gotten what they wanted there? What if they all want what we want?! What if they run out?! It said LIMITED SUPPLIES!! We gotta get up early!!

We went to bed around 8pm, sorta. I woke up at 10, 11, 11:45 and midnight. Finally I couldn't take anymore. We got to go! So after rousing the sleepy lion of a husband, putting on multi-layers of maternity shirts and taking the tired, much-confused dogs out for a potty break, we were on our way.

Just as I had feared, the line for Best Buy was littered with tents, camp chairs, and people huddled up in large groups from the Best Buy entrance, past two more big retail stores to the street corner. I stood in line at the corner, fearful that we were already too late, while Brian found a parking spot and brought over the camping chairs. We picked our line-buddy, a mom of two kids waiting in line for a washer and dryer. And since we had 4 hours of doing nothing, she knows ALL about you guys! :)

A note to all potential Black Friday shoppers: even if the thermometer says its 45 degrees, and you THINK you can tough it out, wear the scarves, mittens/gloves, knit hats and long johns anyway. You'll thank me later! We weren't so smart... so Brian and I took turns finding warm solace in various places. I cashed in all my time in at Toys R' Us around 2am, using the bathroom and standing in line to buy our one completely unnecessary but GOTTA HAVE IT toy (where I had my first, "How far along are you?" inquiry!). Brian got us all hot chocolate at Dunkin Donuts, and took warm-up breaks in the car.

The doors opened at exactly 5am, and people began shuffling/crowding around (but not enough to cause an anxiety attack) to get in. I couldn't tell if they were there for the sales, or the heat.

But I had a secret weapon: I stuck out my belly as far as I could. Why do you ask? Because I'm a pregnant woman - and I'm it cashing in! I walked right up to the area where my item was, and within a minute got the "Can I help you find something ma'am?" Why yes you can! ((sucker!)) :) I want this, this and this. Okay, here, here and here you go! Why thank you so much! You're very welcome!

So within 30 minutes we got inside, got what we wanted, paid for it, got home and were back in our warm, toasty bed. It may not have been the most eventful Black Friday, but it was EXACTLY what we wanted to do.

So, to sum up: Dress Warm, Make Friends and if you're a female - stuff your shirts to look pregnant. You got a first class ticket with that!

If you "Give a Damn..."

After much debate we have decided to name our daughter Melanie. It's a name that both Brian and I like, and I can't help but think of Gone With the Wind, so it's a good name association. Her middle name is still up in the air! Suggestions are welcome, as always!

We're Rocking and Rolling Now!

I've determined that our little girl isn't "feel-able" for outsiders unless I'm lying down after a meal or it's close to bedtime. So last night, after a tasty meals and while waching TV in bed, Brian finally felt our baby move. It was an awesome but unsettling experience for Dad. He knows the baby is coming by seeing my waistline and seeing her on the ultrasounds, but to actually FEEL her made it all the more real for him.

We're having... ((drumroll please))

A Girl!!

We went to the sonographer today and she said she's 90% positive we're having a little girl. She checked three times, and saw three lines each time (which is the indication it's a girl).

Maternity Clothes are AWESOME!

This past weekend, I travelled up to Jacksonville to meet my newest nephew, Luke Daniel Bailey. Mom, Dad, Becky, Kevin and Camden made me feel so welcome and spoiled rotten - I had good times, good company and good food the whole time!

Little Luke is so precious but right now he's loving eating more than sleeping which is causing some trouble for the parents. Camden is slowly adjusting to being a big brother and he's still the apple of my eye! Becky's a little overwhelmed, but that's to be expected with the arrival of a new baby. Kevin seemed to be the only one unfazed by the change... that's either due to his mellow nature or he's a realy good actor, I can't tell.

While there, I was taken on a yard sale extravaganza with Mom and Dad - got some sweet deals! And I was able to dip into Becky's old maternity clothes. So now I'm wearing now what Becky was wearing in the third trimester. (That darn skinny, lanky, chicken legged punk!)

But oh what a relief it is! Funny thing is, ever since wearing the maternity clothes, everyone - professional and personal contacts - are catering to me more.
You shouldn't be on your feet."
"You need to rest."
"You stay put, I'll get it!"

It tickles me! :)

I always feel like, somebody's kicking me

I discovered on Friday, October 30th that I was able to feel the baby move. It's weird, kinda like a muscle spasm deep within your belly. I was hoping for something more substantial - like a crouching tiger/hidden dragon karate kick - but it's still neat. Since that day, I've been enjoying feeling Lil' Spooky moving around but really wanted to share that sensation with Brian.
This past Saturday morning, I woke up in the middle of the night and had trouble going back to sleep. Lil' Spooky was kicking up a storm so I put my hand on my belly just to see if I could feel it from the outside, and I'm pretty sure I did feel the kick! But, no one else was awake... ((sigh)) so I had no one to share it with.
Last night, while munching on a steak salad for dinner, it felt like Lil' Spooky was doing cartwheels (this kid LOVES ranch dressing!). So I quickly laid down on the couch next to Brian and put his hand on my belly & told him to press down hard. Brian said he felt something, but the baby stopped moving so we aren't a 100% sure. We'll keep you posted! :)

My First Official Visit at Labor of Love - 11/02/09

And you know what, I'm glad we made the switch. Unlike the MD office, where they hole you up in a room and forget about you, Bea and the staff at LOL talked to me, let me know what they're doing, when they can see me & then actually see me. And unlike the MD office where they push you out the door as soon as you run out of questions, Bea held an actual conversation with me and we discussed things that had nothing to do with the pregnancy. And one more thing - Bea held out her arm to help me sit back up after I was lying on the table. Very courteous and friendly there - I sure felt spoiled!

Bea checked the heartrate and she said it was in the 160s, but couldn't give a definite number because Lil' Spooky kept moving around too much (Lil' Spooky was vry hungry at this point).

And we find out the sex of Lil' Spooky on November 13th - that's right! Very fitting, we find out Lil' Spooky's gender on Friday the 13th! :)