Birthday Weekend Preview

It's end of month at work so not much time to blog, but knowing you're anxiously waiting and want to see some pics from Birthday Weekend Palooza in DC--- I'll show you a sneakpeak! I'll post all about my weekend as soon as I can breathe from underneath all this paperwork!

The giant and me. The classic pose of hand on chest supporting myself as I stand on my tiptoes ;)

See the difference...

My beautiful Mama

Me and Daddy-o

The p'rents

Present time (and Mikey looking thrilled)

A great way to finish an even greater weekend- cupcakes! Thanks T!

Birthday prep

Hello my friends! Let the countdown begin... the birthday countdown that is! The big day is in less than 48 hours away! Almost a quarter of a century old. Feel old yet fam? I don't! I love birthdays. Not just my birthday (although it is on the top of my list), but all birthdays. Birthdays are special because out of 365 days, there is one day set aside for just you (and my cousin Cammie that shares my birthday- Happy Birthday sweet Cammie). One day to feel special, no matter what else chaotic or otherwise is going on. One day to smile and need absolutely no reason to do so. One day to sit back and appreciate everyone in your life that loves you and goes the extra mile to show you just that- whether it be by the cutest puppy Weimreiner card sent in the mail three days early because they planned ahead for you, or a jacket that you have wanted for years because he knows that you get cold so easily, or a special weekend trip planned to one of your favorite cities just to be able to be together as a family. That's why I love birthdays. Not just because its ALL about me-although that is a pretty good reason-jk jk :)

photo texted to me from the hubs

So, I'm busy prepping for my birthday weekend. My parents have planned a great weekend trip to Washington DC for us. We are meeting there tomorrow and will be staying in the district, doing touristy things like going to the National Geographic Museum to see the traveling Chinese Warriors exhibit. photo courtesy of the National Geographic

I'm busy planning our itinerary aka meals. Even though eating is quite the challenge recently, I can't exactly skip meals anymore or my body lets me know IMMEDIATELY! I will be sure to have a granola bar with me at all times- just in case. I'm hoping with a little planning ahead, we can avoid any MS (morning sickness) meltdowns.

Will have lots to tell you when we're back. Enjoy my birthday weekend. Sorry it won't be better weather for all you fellow Virginians. I just can't do it all and still plan a fabulous weekend... :)

14 Weeks and going strong

We are now 14 weeks and concretely in the second trimester! YAY! However, apparently my body is unaware of this because morning sickness is still in full force (blah!). So- on an otherwise boring morning, I thought I'd share with you what Peapod is up to this week.

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck her thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, her facial muscles are getting a workout as her tiny features form one expression after another. Her kidneys are producing urine, which she releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process she'll keep up until birth. She can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch her sucking her thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, she measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and she weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

Her body's growing faster than her head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, her arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some lengthening to do.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over her body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and her spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel her tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Have a great Tuesday :)

Quick Update!!! I heard Peapod's heartbeat for the first time and it was a spectacular surprise! About 160 and the doctor said she sounds perfect!

Mike's Air Force update

We have heard some frustrating news from Mike's AF recruiter over the last few days I want to share with all of you that have been asking about his situation. We have continued to tell people that we think Mike will be leaving some time in the "next few weeks" since the beginning of the year because we were under that impression. The latest from the AF is that he actually has at least a month and a half left here before he leaves. Details details-all a little confusing. Mike started this AF training in November weighing around 290. In the last few years, the AF has gotten very strict on their weigh-ins, so Mike was told he needed to lose A LOT of weight before basic. So, he did. He now weighs in at 217, a shock to both of us that he could have ever gotten down to that! He hasn't weighed this "light" since his freshman year in high school. You that know him, know this is a HUGE difference on him! So now, my "skinny" husband and I sit and wait for the AF to get ready for him because he is ready for them! We are both excited about this new adventure for us and would like it to start soon because we (obviously) have a lot to be planning for. I am not good at hurry up and wait... It has been hard on us planning on "our" time and now readjusting to "HIS" time. We are praying that the Lord will use this time of waiting to prepare us both for the changes ahead and the seperation we will endure. So, at this point, we just don't know how much longer he will be here with me but we are trying to enjoy every extra moment we have together. Just wanted to share this quick little update to inquiring minds.

Happy Monday

Happy Monday friends.

We had a very fun, productive and busy weekend this weekend. Friday I spent all night visiting with my family for game night. We might be the newest lovers of Scrabble. My cousin Heather might actually need to be admitted into Scrabblers Anonymous sometime soon. Do you think she has a problem when she stays up until 2:30am playing scrabble-on a week night? One word cuz- D.O.R.E. It was a doubley (yes, its a word) fun night because my newly-moved to the east coast cousins Adam and Angela came and hung out as well. Their inspiring story- were just recently married, having lived in Denver for a few years they were bored. They have been talking on and off for a few years about moving to VA (but we were doubters). Sure enough, an email in January announced they would be quitting their jobs, packing up the house, and just moving across country in hopes to find jobs and two weeks later- WELCOME TO VA! Ahh! We all couldn't be happier to have them close. Within a week of them arriving to the beach, they both got the jobs they wanted and now live less than a mile from the beach! Jea.lous!

Saturday, I went clothes shopping with my mother in law for my birthday while Mike played some golf with friends. Got my first maternity clothes! Not much a bump yet, actually its still quite non-existant thanks to morning sickness making me lose pounds instead of gain them... My OB has warned me to expect that to drastically change as soon as the sickness subsides-so I'm now prepared thanks to Ellen :) Note to other preggos- Old Navy has some CUTE clothes (also note goes to non-preggos!). I hadn't shopped there in years, but it was worth the trip. Most everything I got is wearable now and will stretch as I stretch (yuck). Look at one of my new dresses that I've been living in since I got it! This is more so for you T :)

Then, FINALLY after counting down for weeks, Saturday night the Giant and I went out to dinner with our dear friends Johnny and Christi from NoVa. Christi is exactly 5 weeks farther along than me in her pregnancy and is one of those perfectly beautiful preggers! I'm so glad I have someone to go through all this with me, fyi. We went to Gordon Biersch which is usually a top pick of Mike's but it was a little off Saturday night for me. Maybe that's just the pregnancy taste buds effecting EVERYTHING i eat. We thought it would be a good place for the boys to grab a good beer while Christi and I caught up, but oops Johnny gave up drinking for lent. So, Mikey suffered through a cold one on his own- poor boy ;) As always (though we always wish there were more times to count) we had a blast out!

And, to round off the weekend- Sunday- TIME CHANGE! Who knew? We sure didn't! Skipped church because of the waking confusion-oops. Sunday was Mike's brother Greg's birthday. We celebrated by all going to the movies Sunday afternoon, different movies of course, but at least we were all in the same theatre (Happy Birthday Greg). We saw Alice in Wonderland in 3D!

It gets a thumbs up from me! I've never seen a 3D movie before but I really enjoyed it. I was afraid that 3D motion + surprise attacks of morning sickness = not happy Molly, but I was wrong thank heavens. Johnny Depp was his usually unusual self as the Mad Hatter. I definitely say its a theatre movie and not a wait until you can watch it at home movie only because the 3D was worth it. Usually, I wait for movies to come out on DVD but this one is not a DVD movie, I don't think. Of course, the Giant reminded me yesterday that I am no Roger Ebert and I tend to have horrible theatre picks when its left up to me. My last theatre pick was Nights in Rodanthe- cute movie I drug Mike too, but definitely could have waited to see it at home. That would be the last time I was allowed to pick on my own.

Anyways, how was your weekend?! Any fun weekend St. Patty's Day stories to share with a preggo not allowed to go out and drink green beer this year?

Happy Monday!

So blessed

I just have a short post that I feel compelled to write. I am so blessed. I am naturally sometimes a pessimist, as my sweet husband likes to remind me when I'm really in a mood. I have been working really hard at fighting nature and changing this about myself but these added hormones haven't helped recently. I really strive to be more like my mom who has the sweetest spirit of anyone I have ever met. Apparently, on most days, I didn't inherit that gene... However, today I would like to remind myself that I am blessed with some amazing friends! In the last few days, I have heard from quite a few people (we'll call them my long lost friends) that have been a part of my life for years but I am not the best at keeping in touch with. Just for a quick congratulations on the news they've heard through the grapevine or to just check in and say hello. I usually shove the lack of communication guilt off by saying to myself "Well so-n-so is someone I can just pick right back up with because we're just like that." And usually this is true which helps me justify putting off calling another week because of my "busy" schedule. Well I just want to shout out to my friends and say that I love you- no matter how much I call you or text you or email or whatever. I love you. And I am thankful for you in my life! You are such a blessing. Thank you for putting up with my horrible communication skills and call me anytime. (Well I thought this post would be shorter).

Two monthiversary

Day two of blogging and I'm still sticking with it. Impressed? Well, I am at least. Of course, today is a different day than most days for one particular reason that is very much worth blogging about---

---Today marks a very special two month anniversary "two monthiversary" for the Wood household. Now, I'm not usually one to remember anniversaries for pretty much anything except my wedding anniversary AND my birthday of course, but this one's a little different. Shoot, my birthday might should be reconsidered as a national holiday. Growing up in my family, my parents had one main rule with me. I was not allowed to mention my birthday until March 1st- which only left me 26 days to plan the festivities for the greatest single day of the year! Not one peep-not a hint- not a nothin'! Can you imagine the cruelty that imposed in my adolescent mind?! I would have started planning my birthday come July if they had let me. Perhaps this is why I've never had a surprise party thrown for me- hmm. Food for thought. However, I've grown up a little since then. I didn't even realize how close my birthday was this year until MARCH 2nd! Hard to believe. Anywho- I digress- because that has absolutely nothing to do with the two monthiversary today.

Today would be a very important two monthiversary for the Giant and me. There doesn't seem to be much more reason to keep it too hush hush anymore since many key Baileys have blabbed (sorry for calling you out MOM and TRIMBLE)! Even though I may not be on facebook at this moment to monitor, I still know.... I hadn't planned on making any big announcement but today I'm a little excited and said heck with it.

SO---Drum roll please--- (key drum music now or just tap your pencil on a table. Whatever comes more naturally)---

Today marks the two monthiversary of Mike and I finding out we will soon be parents! Coming soon to you-estimated arrival September 23, 2010- the Wood household will be adding a plus one tiny dancer. TAAADAAA!

And oh boy is she a dancer!

We had our first full ultrasound producing the picture above a few weeks ago and it was precious. As soon as the ob got her picture up on the screen, she was dancing all around moving her tiny arms and legs. I yelled at Mike to get the camera and get our video going, but she must have heard. Immediately when he had it ready to go, she FROZE! We prodded and moved around trying to get her to dance again, but apparently my baby Peapod is camera shy. So, the only video we have is of this picture with lots of laughter in the background. Oh well. Maybe we'll be sneaky next time and capture some of her electric slide moves.

And We're Back...

Back by popular demand (aka my mom) this formerly named Stripped Wood blogger is giving it another go in this blog world that I'm still trying to understand. I'm so inspired by all my funny witty and creative blogging friends that I secretly stalk (their blogs not their house- eek!). Nowadays, its just so much easier to type in a few letters and up pops my friends' wild and adventurous worlds to read about and feel like I'm still a part of their exciting lives. Sooo much easier than, oh I don't know, picking up the phone and D-I-A-L-I-N-G numbers- UGH! Who has all the time for that?! Joke joke- but sadly true. Sorry friends. I mean well- so keep typing so I can continue to stalk. So here I am, little ole me. Now, lets let the blogging begin!

First things first- THE WEATHER! Holy guacamole it is beautiful outside! I'm stuck inside (at work-but ignore that side note because I'm really working hard...) and I'm finding any excuse at all to be outside. "OH look at that stick outside, well that shouldn't be on the sidewalk. Here, I'll go move it." "What? You need this paper upstairs that I could easily fax to you from my building all the way across the lot? Nah, I won't make you get out of your stuffy cubicle chair to walk the two feet to your fax machine. That's silly, I'll bring it up." "Wow! You say that cloud outside might look like a walrus or maybe just a fluffy worm if you squint? I should take another moment and enjoy this nature site I might never ever see again." Well you get the idea. SEVENTY-FOUR degrees today. Last week, 34 degrees... I'm just going to put this out there- I love global warming! I mean, shoot, I'll take this any day! Hard to believe that I talked to a girlfriend in Pennsylvania today and there is still snow on the ground there. YUCK! How's the weather where you are?