Things you should never do/say to a pregnant woman!

I saw this today posted elsewhere and figured it was worth sharing:


1. How are you feeling?
I'm not sick, I'm pregnant.

2. Boy, it's sure gonna be hot in August...you'll be miserable.
Gee...thanks. I didn't realize that it got hot in the middle of the summer. Luckily, we have these things called air conditioners in our homes, cars and offices, so I think I'm good. Additionally, we WANT this baby, and if we had to go through the hottest summer ever (with no a/c), as long as she's healthy, that's all that matters.

3. "You just wait"

4. Wow, you're gonna be HUGE.
Um...seriously?

5. Are you sure there's nothing wrong with the baby?
WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU EVER SAY THIS TO ANYONE?????
6. You shouldn't be exercising - it's very dangerous and could hurt the baby.
My doctor, you know...the one who went to medical school, is perfectly fine with my exercise regimen and actually encourages it. Things have clearly changed since YOU went to medical school. Oh...wait a second...you DIDN'T go to medical school.

7. Don't touch the belly. Ever.
Under no circumstances, should you EVER touch a pregnant woman's stomach unless specifically invited to do so. This is a violation of personal space, not to mention incredibly RUDE. Just because there's a baby in there, does not make it public domain. I mean, my boobs got bigger also, do you want to touch them too?

The only people allowed to touch my stomach whenever they want are the guy who put the baby in there (that would be my husband) and the man who's taking her out (my doctor).

8. Don't give unsolicited opinions, suggestions or advice.
We don't care how you did things in 1973 (or whenever you raised your kids several decades ago). It wasn't a law to wear your seatbelts in the 70s nor was there a warning against smoking or drinking while pregnant back then. If we are interested, we will ask.

Mudbug Madness!

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm totally in love with my crawfish! I would have been really upset if during this pregnancy, I couldn't eat them. That would have just been tragic. This past weekend, we went to my hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, which I'll always be in love with! Mudbug Madness is a huge crawfish boil that is held every year and is a lot of fun and a lot of good eating! I probably added weight for both Davis and I this past weekend, but it was so good I couldn't helpt it. Everything was so cheap and so delicious. It did start to rain a little bit, but that didn't stop us from leaving...just yet! I had about 3 pounds of crawfish, but swear, I could've had more.
Before we left Shreveport, we were able to go to Strawn's Eat Shop for the best burgers. I have been going there since I was little and am still in love with it. My dad used to take me there sometimes for breakfast before school. They are known for their burgers and homemade pies. They are so deadly! Michael decided he couldn't leave without buying a pie. And no, not just a slice, but the whole pie. Great thanks! I'm glad we had people over the next day to help eat it, otherwise that would have just been bad news! We got to see an old friend, Carla Lenert, and stay at her house while in Shreveport. It made me so homesick, that we were trying to convince Michael to transfer! Of course, we'll most likely end up back in Dallas, but it's still nice to dream a little.

Hopes, Dreams, Wishes, and Prayers

Expecting a child, has sent me on a whirlwind of thoughts of the future. Things I have obviously never really contemplated before now. Although it's very exciting, it's always overwhelming, as well as little nerve wrecking. Can I be the good parent I've always wanted to be? Can I be a disciplinary, as well as at some point, being a friend? Will I be loved and respected? Am I going to make the right decisions based on what I've been taught by my own parents and my own instincts? To these answers, well, I don't have them all yet. As for now, I would love to answer yes. All the books I've read so far won't truly help me, maybe just prepare me a little bit. I'm pretty sure this will be a learning experience every single day, for the rest of my life. Scary thought in a way, but I welcome it with open arms.

I never really knew how much I actually learned from my parents until now. I'm hoping now, I can instill the same values and morals my parents taught me when I was younger. Having a family that supports, communicates, and a positive place for all family members to thrive, creating a safe haven. I want to instill moral values in my children at a young age like they were with me. Until I was in my late teens, early 20's, did I really know why this was so important. Every moment counts and I believe that if they start at an early age with a great understanding of God and his love for his children, it will make a huge impact on their lives. I'm hoping they will get involved in the church that we belong to and have a deep awareness and belief in their faith as being a Catholic. I know this takes time and it's not always easy. I never understood for a long time. Knowing what I know now, along with feeling how I do know about our church, makes me wish that this had started a long time ago. "There is guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening, we shall hear the right word. Certainly there is a right for you that needs no choice on your part. Place yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which flows into your life. Then, without effort, you are impelled to truth and to perfect contentment." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

There are so many wishes I have for Davis and of course my other children in the future. If I stated them all, I would never get off the computer! For Davis I wish to live life to its fullest and to find joy in all he does. I wish for him courage, innocence, and truth. True well being in his faith and family. To know he is loved well beyond belief and someday, be able to share his love with others. To grow up sharing with others, knowing not all personal items are as important as love. To give and share to others, especially in times of need. That no good deed is ever too small and always means something big to the person receiving. To give, but like my dad say, "you can't out give God." That no matter what, he has a good family here for him, no matter the circumstances. To live whole heatedly and when he dreams, dream on the stars. Never give up and if he falls, get back up and start over again. When the impossible seems too hard, try that much harder. Every mistake is a lesson learned and life is definitely full of life lessons. Take them with stride and an open mind. The answers aren't always written clear in front of you. Be open and honest, especially with yourself. Hopefully someday, Davis will appreciate his parents as much as I do mine. "A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."
Quote by Eda J. Le Shan

St. Francisville, Louisiana Babymoon

What is a babymoon? It's a great excuse to have a getaway weekend before the baby comes. It started getting popular a couple of years ago, but we took total advantage of it. We chose to go to St. Francisville, Louisiana and tour plantations. It was absolutely perfect and we got really lucky with the weather. (It was supposed to be awful!) On the way there, we stopped in Natitoches, where we had lunch and did some sight seeing. We had meat pies and crawfish pies. OOOH Child! Soooo good! This town is so cute, that I actually wanted to stay there. It's right on the river, and has the best strip of stores, restaraunt/bars, and bed & breakfasts. We got to stop and take pictures at the B&B where Steel Magnolias was filmed. This is one of my all time favorite movies, so this made my day!

When we pulled up to our B&B that we were staying in for the weekend, we fell in love. The entrance itself was just breathtaking, covered with huge hanging moss trees. We stayed at Butler Greenwood plantation, in the original kitchen built in 1894. I swear, it smelled like bacon in one of the rooms. It also had the original well next the jacuzzi tub, covered with plexi glass and lit up so you could see down in it. We ate, and ate, and ate some more while we were there, but had such an amazing time. I don't think I've been so relaxed in such a long time. In the mornings, we sat out on the back porch, drank our coffee, and watched the peacock and birds that were there.Sounds cheesy, but nice. We also visited Rosedown Planatation, which was the one I was really looking forward to seeing. It was originally on 3,500 acres of land. I want to move in! It's so big, maybe they won't notice! I'd even stay in the garden if I could.

Over all, we had such a wonderful time, and are already wanting to go back. It was great. Michael had a much deserving break from work and was able to relax and do nothing for once!

Finished Mural!!

Michael and I are sooo excited that Rachel was able to come and paint the mural in Davis' room. We are doing the theme Classic Winnie the Pooh, and she was more than happy, and kind, to come and paint for us! Didn't really even have to bribe :) I think it's so special that Aunt Rachel painted the nursery. We chose the picture, and went and got all the stuff. I'm sure she got tired of sitting in the room, watching her paint, but I couldn't help it. The girl amazes me, what can I say. I was joking around, saying that I'm going to have a picnic in the nursery now because I just love it so much! Thank you again with all my heart. We absolutely love it so much!

Great Gatsby-American Heart Association Event

Playing Blackjack! I was winning a killing...to bad it was play money!


Michael is so handsome!

Me and Rachel, all decked out

Whoa, baby!

We had sooo much fun that night. Perfecto :)

Laughtears

Laughtears? Well, yes! For some reason, this has happened to me twice now since I've been pregnant, and find it rather embarrassing. Thank goodness, it has been just Michael or Rachel around, and not actually in public....but still! Something will set me off into incredible hysterical laughter, which I can't control. This has always happened to me, so I think nothing of it! The first time it happened to me, Michael and I were on the way to Dallas for the weekend, and I heard a commercial that sounded like we were about to be bombed. Of course, me being the blonde that I am, it took me a second to realize that it wasn't something outside, that it was actually the radio! Lordy! I started cracking up so hard, that I couldn't stop. Michael starts laughing so hard, because I'm laughing so hard. And of course this continued for a few seconds. Then out of no where, I felt the uncontrollable urge to just start balling, and it pretty much freaked me out. I had this look on my face that totally gave it away. Michael said, "Oh babe, you look like you're going to cry!" Too late at that point! I was experiencing chin quivering, nose running, big fat tears of crying! What in the world is happening to me?!? Michael is looking out the window at the point, trying to not laugh. I just kept shrugging my shoulders, trying to say that I have no idea what's happening. I was even thinking to myself, am I upset or sad about something? Um, no! Thank goodness I got it under control after a minute or two, but had completely taken all of my makeup off and had no kleenex. I had to use my little stuffed animal book mark to blot my face. Michael was just looking at me saying, " Wow, I've only seen that in movies! How is that even possible!" I have no idea! But it happened again. It was funny because Michael knew everything I was thinking. He would tell Rachel, okay, now she's trying to figure out why she's crying. She wishes it would stop. She's really confused and so forth. Oh my goodness! These hormones are going to be the death of me!

AND I figured out why pregnant women forget so much! Apparently our brains shrink 3-5% during pregnancy! Well, isn't that special!