What a Headache

We have officially begun the second trimester, which most women would claim is the easiest of the three.  Because my first trimester was so easy - with the exception of exhaustion and minor (ok..major) mood swings, I'm a little concerned that the second trimester won't be as easy as I'd hoped.  As some of you know, I've always battled with hormonal headaches.  Hence, the reason I was never able to use the birth control pill, which is probably (definitely) the reason we're pregnant to begin with.  I digress.  When we first found out we were pregnant, I bought the book What to Expect When You're Expecting and immediately skimmed the "Symptoms" page to learn...well...what I could expect.  One of the first symptoms I read about was headaches.  I just knew I would be cursed with this symptom as soon as my hormone levels increased.  Fortunately, I experienced little trouble with headaches during the first trimester, but as I start the second, I'm having them more and more frequently.  At least the only medication I'm allowed to take is Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol, which does absolutely nothing for a headache.  I'm hoping they will ease up a little, but as hormone levels are just continuing to increase, I doubt that will happen. It's all for a wonderful cause, so I won't complain too much :)

In happier news, Bobby and I went to the VT/Boston College game on Saturday and we won!  I got to see one of my closest friends from college, Katie McDaniel.  It's always wonderful to catch up with Katie..we have to ability to pick up exactly where we left off.  That's what I love so much about her :)

Katie and I at the Tech game

Since I was a slacker last week and didn't post a new belly picture until I was 12.5 weeks, I won't bore anyone with a 13 week picture.  Not much has changed in three days.  I'll just post a few pictures from the Tech game this past weekend.  Go Hokies!

VT/BC game!

Our Babymoon

Cabo San Lucas

For our one year anniversary, Bobby booked us a trip to Cabo San Lucas.  Because of our recent surprise, we started affectionately calling it our "Babymoon."  We had an amazing time and certainly relaxed, relaxed and relaxed some more.  It was an all-inclusive package; therefore, Bobby was willing to drink double for what I was missing out on :)  Cabo was a special way to spend some alone time together before the baby comes and before I'm too big to appreciate 90 degree weather and two-piece bathing suits...or bathing suits in general, for that matter.  The food was amazing, especially Pescados, which was a fabulous sushi restaurant inside of our resort.  Now, I'm well aware that I'm not allowed to eat raw fish, and I only ate sushi with complete cooked fish or vegetable rolls.  But delicious nonetheless.  I also drank several virgin cocktails - frozen lemonade, strawberry daiquiris, and mudslides.  So, any calories that I missed in not consuming beer, I certainly made up in sugary, frozen, virgin drinks.  Pregnancy:  the only opportunity in life where caloric intake is absolutely unimportant.

Baby Peas at 12 wks 4 days

Baby Peas had its 12 week appointment on Tuesday, October 18th.  Bobby and I landed in Roanoke from Cabo at 10:00am and had the appt at 2:30 that afternoon.  Needless to say, we were exhausted.  Baby looked wonderful, but was a little scared of all the commotion.  He/she would jump and wiggle every time the ultrasound tech pressed down on my stomach. The tech let us hear the heartbeat and Baby Peas had a heart rate of 161- hasn't gone down much from the 8 wk appt.  After our appointment, we decided to announce to everyone (via Facebook) that we're expecting a little bundle of joy in the spring.  We were absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of love and kind words people shared with us.  We're very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Not 100% sure, but I think Baby Peas is sucking his/her thumb :)  Too cute!

You glow, girl?

Well, I'm officially 11 weeks today and almost through the first trimester - woo hoo!  I feel like this is a pretty big milestone, all things considered, but six months seems like such an extraordinary amount of time.  In fact, my friend, Jamie, asked me today how it was possible that I'm only 11wks, adding that by the time April 29th rolls around it's going to feel like I should be birthing a 5 year old.  Here's hoping that's not the case!  As I've mentioned before, I've been fortunate not to have been cursed with the ever-so-common morning sickness that most pregnant women are faced with during the first trimester.  However, there are plenty of not-so-pleasant symptoms that I've been blessed with over the past 7 weeks - exhaustion, mood swings, food aversions, bloating, did I mention I'm exhausted?  I'll tell you what I don't have, and that's a pregnancy glow.  Everyone I've talked with has mentioned that I'll eventually get that "pregnancy glow" (which is a polite way of saying, "You look like crap!").  And in their defense, I do look like crap and there is no sense in trying to imply otherwise.  I'm so fatigued that I've often wondered if I could fall asleep with my eyes open to fool my co-workers into thinking I'm being productive.  I'll get the glow eventually, right?  Or maybe it's just a little white lie that people tell pregnant women to prevent them from crawling back into bed and sleeping through the next nine months.  Because I could.  I promise :)

Baby Peas at 11 wks

Bobby and I went to the VT/Miami game on Saturday.  Holy cow - what a game!  My blood pressure was certainly higher than any doctor would've been comfortable with, but there was no way I was leaving that game.  It was college football at its finest.  Go Hokies!

I also received the best surprise EVER in the mail yesterday.  There was a package in our mailbox addressed to Callie, Bobby, and Baby Peas.  Upon opening it, I found the most adorable onesie for Baby Peas from my dear friend, Megan :)  This is the first present we've received for baby thus far, and it was incredibly special.  Holding this tiny onesie in my hands and knowing that in a few (hopefully, short) months our baby will be able to wear it, was pretty surreal.  Receiving this gift was the perfect ending to our evening.  Thank you, Megan - it's genius!

Baby Berkley, it's so good to see you!

Happy Birthday, Berkley!  As many of you know, one of my very best friends, Ashley Wells, finally had her baby girl this afternoon at 2:00 PM.  This little bundle of joy was in the oven for 41 weeks and 2 days.  Needless to say, we were all very excited to welcome her into this world.  Berkley is absolutely gorgeous and if you know her mother, you aren't a bit surprised by this.  Ashley is one of the most beautiful and selfless people I've ever had the joy of knowing, and I'm so blessed to call her a best friend.  She will be an amazing mother and there is truly no one more deserving.

Ashley and I

When I called Ashley to tell her about our little surprise, let's just say she wasn't in the best of moods.  And rightfully so.  It was almost 6:00 PM, she was hungry, tired, aching, and almost a week past her due date.  I would've been less than pleasant myself.  We talked for a while about what she was going through and then I dropped the news on her that Bobby and I are having a baby.  Her mood completely changed.  Not only was she quite possibly just as excited as we are, but she spent almost a half hour with me on the phone giving advice and sharing some of her experiences.  She even took the time that evening to blog about how excited she was for us (though she didn't mention our names because it's still not known by everyone yet).  Ashley and I met in preschool and have been friends ever since.  I couldn't imagine having a better friend to go through this journey with, even if it was only for a few weeks.

Ashley (curly hair) and I at my 3rd birthday party

Berkley, welcome to the world, pretty girl!  I think you're going to like it here.  And if your Mommy and I have anything to do with it, you and Baby Peas are going to be best friends...or boyfriend/girlfriend. 

Baby Berkley

Hello, October!

Well, we certainly had a busy, fun weekend!  Friday night, we went to dinner with our friends Jamie and Jeremiah, then headed to the Roanoke Civic Center for the Jason Aldean Concert.  He puts on an incredible show - the concert was completely sold out!  Jason Aldean chooses one show a year (Concert for the Cure) in which he donates all proceeds to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  The Roanoke, VA show was chosen this year, and $315,000 was donated the Roanoke chapter of Susan G. Komen.  It was incredibly moving to see the entire crowd dressed in pink, knowing we were making a difference.  Not to mention, I think Baby Peas really enjoys country music :)

Jason Aldean singing Wanted Dead or Alive

Saturday, we had another busy day.  I finally got my hair cut and colored (just a few highlights) - a task I'd been pushing to the back burner for 5 months.  We also made it to the VT/Clemson game, which turned into a blowout.  It was cold, rainy and I had to DD, so one can only imagine my excitement.  All things considered, it was a great game, until the 4th quarter.  I'm always disappointed when the Hokies lose, but hopefully (operative word be hopefully) it will be the last loss of the season.  We'll see.

Today, we made a trip to IHOP for breakfast; their Nutella Crepes are amazing!  After breakfast, we headed Walmart, which is the most dreaded part of our weekend.  This brings me to my next point.  In general, I never look forward to grocery store trips, but pregnancy has onset even more hatred for this chore.  Thus far, I've been very fortunate and have not experienced any morning sickness.  (I know, I have a few more weeks before I'm completely in the clear.)  However, I have had major food aversions to pretty much...everything.  As I walk aimlessly through the aisles of Walmart, I add things to my cart that don't even sound good to me, but I know I have to eat.  Fruit and cereal always sound good.  And sometimes Mexican food.  Hopefully, Bobby will adapt to my new love for cheerios topped with bananas.  At least I'm not like Beyonce and craving Oreos dipped in ketchup, right?  Here's a random food craving that sounded really good to me today:  country-style green beans.  My Dad makes the best...maybe I can convince him to make me some!

One of my good friends from high school, Amber Graham, had her bridal shower this afternoon.  She lives in North Carolina, so it was wonderful to see her.  I'm looking forward to her big day on December 10th - I just hope Baby Peas enjoys dancing as much as I do :)

Oh, and here's Baby Peas at 10 weeks.  As I looked in the mirror this week, I noticed I can't suck it all back in anymore...

Baby Peas at 10 weeks