Mason at 36 Weeks

My sweet little man, our time exclusively together is nearing its end and I have very mixed emotions about it all. A huge part of me is so ready to share you with this world, but the other "selfish" part of me wants to keep our time together to just you and me. I am also nervous about life forever changing after you are here. We have no clue what its like outside of the bubble mommy and daddy have created for ourselves. I realize I will never want it any other way, but I am just so nervous about the next few weeks and all the changes that are to come.



It seems like yesterday I was stampeding back upstairs at 7:30 on a Saturday morning to tell your daddy about our positive pregnancy test. Your daddy was so overjoyed that we just layed in bed, held eachother, started making plans for you, and talking about how we never thought we would be pregnant again. For my birthday present, you informed us you were really there and could possibly have another sibling or two. On Valentine's Day, you confirmed that it was only you in there, tremendously easing your daddy's anxieties about multiples and minivans. You gave us the gift of your heartbeat; a sound I will never forget and always want to hear and the ultimate sound of love in our eyes. You were so strong and have always overachieved at your appointments giving your daddy and I such a comfort throughout your entire pregnancy. On April 1, you allowed us to see your sweet face for the first time and find out that you were our little boy. Your daddy had such pride when he was told he had a son. I will never forget that look on his face. Since then, I have never looked back and could not imagine things happening any other way. You were made for us and truly a promise from God.

Currently, your movements take my breath each and everytime. You LOVE to play the guitar with your feet in my rib cage. You give daddy and I a nightly performance with your football kicks and karate kicks....I think Daddy wants you to follow in his footsteps and be the kicker for your future football team. He is extremely excited to spend time with you and teach you about life and sports. He is so ready to have a playmate of his own, and it is absolutely the most comforting feeling in the world. He adores you and me infinitely. You love most meals, except you like to give mommy reflux when I eat my beloved Grape Nuts. You have even given me a half in/half out belly button, which is great bc it only means you continue to grow and progress. You LOVE to play in my ribs during my drives to work making it extremely difficult to check blinds spots when switching lanes, but its ok bc it means you are growing, moving, and doing what you should be doing.

My little man, I love you to the moon and back. I love to hug my tummy and feel you kick in return. We are incredibly blessed, beyond words, and there are so many people who eagerly await your arrival. Just always remember you are always special in my eyes, and I will everything I can to raise you using guidance provided by our Heavenly Father. He is after all the one who made all of this possible. So, keep on playing your guitar, poking out that sweet bunky, and practicing those football kicks; there is not too much longer and mommy and daddy get to hold you soon.








PS~You are going to LOVE your monkey themed bathroom.

Keeping Up with Kim K's Wedding

Before I complete this post, I have to say that I really am in a great mood. Today marks my first visit to a Le Leche League meeting at a local chapter, shopping, and going to my mom's for the remainder of the weekend. With that said....

I am REALLY glad I will not have a chance to watch television today or tomorrow. Why? I can only imagine the coverage that is to come of the Kardashian wedding. To be honest, yes, they did amuse me in the first season of their reality show...possibly the second season too. Today, I feel they have over-saturated every media outlet, are too in-my-face, and they cannot properly speak (for example the word "like" follows every other word out of their mouth). I believe this is an actual speech problem....seriously. What are they REALLY famous for anyway? Papa K (RIP) assisting OJ go free? Kimmie's sex tape? Kimmie' s trademark rear-end? These are not very merit-worthy accomplishments. What have they REALLY contributed to our society? I do wish anyone well on their wedding day; I just feel like this country treats them as some sort of royal family, and for what the reason is, I am unsure. I honestly LOVE celebrity gossip; its a guilty pleasure of mine, but I honestly skip over all Kardashian "news" bc they simply drive me nuts.

Ok, vent over. You gossip lovers, don't hate on me too badly!! Ya'll have a great day!!

My Favorite Things: The Pregnant Lady Edition

I just wanted to share with ya'll a few things (as in 15) that I cannot live without right now. In no specific order, here they are:

1) Yoplait Greek Yogurt, honey flavored. I am over Fage and Stoneyfield's versions of greek yogurt. Honey flavored Yoplait is where it's at.

2) Starbucks Oatmeal with fruit and nuts. I LOVE this on-the-go breakfast and its pretty darn good for you too. This is my first choice if I am running late with no time to pack my breakfast.

3) Starbucks Grande Skinny Caramel Steamer. Absolutely amazeballs!! There are some mornings I just need that hot beverage from my favorite coffee shop, but this way I skip out on the caffeine and get a ton of calcium.

4) The nursing bra. While this bra may look like a sixth grade PE bra; I can wear (and do) wear it now, but I plan on using it as my nursing sleep bra after Mason's arrival. Brand: Motherhood Maternity; price $19.99

5) Websites that sell normal clothes. Think http://www.thelimited.com/, http://www.loft.com/, http://www.target.com/, http://www.gap.com/, and http://www.oldnavy.com/. These websites are my outlet and allow me to dream about the non-maternity-clothes-world.

6) Klondike Bars. These are such a treat. Heath bar flavor is my favorite; although the Reese Cup flavor gives the Heath Bar a run for their money.

7) Mother's Special Blend Oil. This was recommended by a "Bumpie" and I absolutely LOVE it. There is no scent, it keeps me moisturized, and I have found I much more prefer oil over lotions and creams. Lotions and creams have started to make me feel sticky behind the knees, which I am REALLY paranoid about and cannot go to sleep if I have this condition.

8) Exfoliator. I have tried several scrubs and use exfoliating gloves when I use these scrubs. Next on my to-try list: Burt's Bees Sugar Scrub. I LOVE being freshly exfoliated and moisturized.

9) Highlighting Powder. I do not like bronzer as I am a fair skinned chica who does need to Jersery Shore herself up. I know, I know, some bronzers are for fair skinned ladies, but I am just not a fan. This summer, I have not been able to live without the MaryKay Highlighting Powder.

10) Mascara. A girl should never leave home without this on. Moving on.

11) Flats. This is all I have lived in this pregnancy. I am normally not a flat-wearing girl, but I may be somewhat converted....somewhat, not exclusively. My most recent pair purchased:

12) Prenatal Massages. I have only had one prenatal massage this pregnancy. However, I have booked a second one (complete with "cradle" pillow and all for 2 Saturday's from now).

13) Waxing. It may not feel great, but when you can't see what's going on downstairs; its always great to let someone help you out. In my case, I chose Gina from Dolce Lusso Salon and Spa.

14) Exercise Research. I LOVE (pre-pregnancy) finding new exercises and classes to take. I am super pumped to check out Hot Yoga and incorporate this back into my jogging, body pump, boot camp routine.....post baby.

15) Sleep. Enough said.

Some Thoughts for My Sweet Mason Man

I have said it before, and I will say it again, my drives to and from work are the most reflective part of my day. I am REALLY inspired and driven during the morning hours. On these drives, I have these repeating thoughts and visions about our Mason. He is usually waking up on these drives and I love to feel his morning stirring and imagine his space is starting to get quite cramped. I long to see and touch those sweet feet, knees, elbows, and pat that little booty that continuously pokes out during the day. I cannot wait for our first moment together skin on skin when I get to look that sweet boy in the face and see God's greatest gift to us; a combination of my completing piece (Charlie) and me. Tears fill my eyes as I think of those first moments together. I pray that I have the ability and patience to nurse him and provide him with all his nutrient needs. I picture the newborn days where we are both trying to educate the other on what the other needs and figuring each other out and the patience that I will acquire over those coming days. Visions of rocking him in his beautiful nursery and cuddling up on Sunday nights with his Daddy and me to watch movies (in his case sleep or feed or cry). I picture Sunday afternoon football games in our Panther gear or Duke basketball watching with Daddy in Duke attire. This child shall never want or need for anything as we cannot wait to give him the world. Waiting so long to share something like this with a precious soul is more than I can comprehend sometimes.


My sweet Mason, Mommy is so eager to meet you, hold you, soothe you, spoil you, nuture you, and show you the world. I pray for you daily and for a smooth arrival into this world. Keep puckering those lips, opening your eyes, and practicing your breathing sweet child and I will hold you soon.