We're on Derecho Watch

SO - I am working from home today because within 15 mins of when I was supposed to be heading to work, these clouds began to roll in.. 

Grant it, it was gone within 15 minutes. But apparently its the calm before the storm. 

So, of course you know what Amos did this morning..

YUP! You guessed right...

He cut the grass!

LOL. 

My poor thing is obsessed with lawn care. 

This picture gives you a glimpse of the section of "common area" that he takes responsibility for. 

As you can see the side he cuts is the side that has the darker green grass. Our neighbor on the corner over there cuts the other side. 

They are the only two that are super committed to lawn care on our block. 

So toes up!

Who else is effected by this Derecho?

What are you guys doing?

Random Streams of Thought

So I haven't really been motivated lately to blog about anything deep and profound.

Not much is going on over here, which is great because I like to think of it as the calm before the storm.

I have my moments where I am thinking to myself, OMG! I can not believe that I am about to bring another person in this world that is going to have to be with me and in my care for the rest of my life!

Then I see little kids and realize that they say the darndest things, so then I know at least I know for sure that my future kids will be an entertaining bunch.

So whats been going on with me?

Every chance that I get, I am snacking on something and if I am home you can find me relaxing in my bed.

Not one step closer to my bedroom overhaul like I had hoped.

Seeing as though we just hit that 2nd trimester mark at our last doctor visit Friday, that "Second Wind" of energy that people talk about has not hit me, nor has that nesting thing that everyone talks about.

And clearly, I eat nothing but sugary sweets at work because even the days that I am not there, my coworkers tag me on social media with treats that they got...

As you can see.. it says "None for you Jasmine.."

So sad.

Also this week, my team, The Baltimore Ravens got their championship rings.
Although I hate the Raven, this ring is SO MUCH better then their first championship ring.

They have definitely increased the ring budget.

And just in time too because they began Mandatory Mini Camp today!!! WOO HOO!! Football Season is almost back again! We have a TON of new players thanks to the Salary Cap, so I am anxious to see how they will fill the shoes of some of my favorites that had to be traded.

Also this week, due to the heat and the rain, this "natural" girl had to turn to protective styles and I think this is what I will be doing all summer - different variations of twists and braids.

These are Marley Twists. They were quick and easy for me to do and then I pin them up each morning into a creative bun.

Loving it so far!

Last night, was just a tad scary.
We are used to Hurricanes here.

We are NOT used to Tornadoes and winds that can destroy property.

I spent most of the night in the window looking for funnel clouds in case we had to run to the basement only because the news reported a rotation literally 10 mins from my house and moving towards us.

Thankfully, it just passed over us with no Tornado forming, just really bad thunderstorms.

We made our best attempt to prepare for the storm.

But one of the things that I have noticed thanks to pregnancy, is that I am UBER particular about not only what soda I want to drink but the brand of drink.

I am addicted to Canada Dry PLAIN Ginger Ale, Ice Cold and in a can.

No other brand will do!

And I get to the store...

and I see this..

I really and truly almost had a meltdown.

I stood there for so long, just staring at the empty space where Jasmine's soda's were supposed to be, hoping that they would appear... and NOPE.

NONE.

I was like are there other pregnant women who had the same idea?!

Of all the sodas, this is the ONE that they didnt have and I was distraught!

I had to grab a 6 pack of bottles to hold me over until we could go to another store to get the right thing.

Last night, we even decided to break out the old pictures.

We were trying to figure out what our future child would look like.

Clearly, our child will have an Afro...

and look like something between the both of these two pictures.

And yes, that is my husband on his first birthday - dressed in a brown suit, bow tie and tuxedo shirt. I tease him about it non stop! I'm like your parents really dressed you up for your first birthday didn't they?!

He swears we are having a boy and that he will be doing the same thing to him.

I am Team Pink just to be opposite.

We will soon know though... so it will be fun to see who wins.

Of course we have bets on the table.

Just know mines involves a designer handbag of sorts.

What?! Your Husband doesn't do THIS too?

Picture this - Sun isn't out yet, you are fast asleep.

It's probably about 6:45 a.m.

Next thing that wakes you up out of your sleep is the sound of your husband ...

CUTTING THE GRASS!?

WHAT?!

I mean really. My husband has really become obsessed with our yard recently.

I told him he is becoming like the rest of the old men on our block.

I asked him when I left for work  - nearly 2 hours later as he was planting Lawn Soil, did any of the other old men come outside.

He said, "of course!"

I tease him that the sound of the lawn mower is like the old man's bat signal.

They all come out of no where to see what you are doing in the yard when they hear it.

If you thought I was exaggerating before, here is my proof.

My husband is so serious to get grass growing back in those dead and empty patches so the little one has a yard to play in. I mean - really!?

He will be working on this yard all spring and summer long. Let's pray that it lasts through the winter because this was a project and a half.

He finally dug up all the shrubs in the front of the house that our builders planted last year and have already died. (such a waste of space and money.

That sad little tree may be next to go.

Because we are on a corner lot, it gets nothing but sun.

Ours is the only one that looks like this while everyone else's is all plush and growing.

Wanna know what else is funny?

He gets up that early to cut the grass so that the spanish landscapers the community hires to cut the common area that is adjacent to our lawn doesn't cut our grass and ruin his seeding and cutting schedule by cutting it too low, which is what causes it to die.

Anybody else's husband obsessed with the most odd things?

Weeks 9-12 Pregnancy Update

This is the last catch up post - everything beyond this one will be in real time. 

Again, thanks so much for all the support and congrats. We could not say thank you enough for the support that you have given us and the prayers that were prayed for us in order for us to get to this point. 

I can say that because of the minimal amount of symptoms, life has been fairly normal. 

This past weekend we went to concerts, birthday parties - you know the usual in my book. 

It's funny because as its starting to sink in, I notice my husband looking for the "expectant mothers" parking spaces. I think he has used "my pregnant wife" as an excuse for everything... more than I have. Its funny because even my friends have used it and I haven't. When we were out at dinner over the weekend, they said "We have a pregnant woman with us that needs to eat now!" in order for us to get our table faster. It definitely worked too. I am so ashamed. 

In my book, I am pregnant. Not handicap. LOL

So this weeks stats:

How far along: 12 weeks 4 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: -5lbs. at last Dr.'s appt. (I do not think that will be the case on Friday)

Maternity Clothes: Only T-Shirts, but not out of necessity.

Stretch Marks: Nope.

Sleep: A lot better. Getting up a lot less frequent.

Best Moment this Week: Finally being more open about being pregnant and not feeling like I need to hide it until I am in the "safe zone".

Have you told Family and Friends: Absolutely.

Miss Anything: Nice glass of Wine after the rough days at work. 

Movement: I swear I have felt some flutters. Almost like little bubbles where baby would be.

Food Cravings: No cravings, just aversions.

Anything make you sick or queasy: Brushing my teeth makes me lose whatever's in my stomach.

Have you started to show yet: Yes. 

Gender Predictions: I predict Girl. Dad predicts Boy.

Labor Signs: NOPE!

Belly Button In or Out: In. 

Wedding Rings on or off: On. 

Happy or Moody: Moody. 

Looking Forward to: Asking the Doctor for a Chiropractor referral because my tailbone can't take anymore pain. 

8 Weeks Pregnant Update

8 weeks

Cravings: Ramen Noodles (Chicken Flavor)

Bananas (LOTS OF THEM)

Fruit Cups

Almond M&Ms

and anything that gets mentioned that sounds great at the moment!

Then when I get it its not as great.

Stats:

Weight Tracker: -5lbs.

Symptoms: None, except the occasional migraine

Fears: None about pregnancy, more about parenting and how much my childless home will change.

Gender Guesses: This week we are guessing Boy. (for no apparent reason other then feeling)

This week I was out for the count - literally in bed all week with migraines. 

To see what else happened this week, you can go back to this post.

So not much to report for this week. 

Today we are really 12 weeks 2 days or so - so almost caught up. 

Then back to blogging about other things going on in real life! Promise.