Officially 9 months!

Well hello there... Sorry that I have been a little M.I.A. It's just that with all the aches and pains that I had in my hands, I could not bear to type for fun after spending entire work days on the computer. 
But Today, I have so much to share with you! and I am so excited to - so let me get started... this update will have to be in multiple posts because I have so many pics, it would just be way too much to put in one.   Since my last update, we had barely began the baby preparation process.  I have since discovered my very first GRAY HAIR! What the devil?! I mean, my little sister apparently has had them, but I thought I wouldn't find one in my head until much later.. sigh. I panicked and pulled it out. LOL.  Maybe I was stressed out at first by adjusting to how much pink is invading my life - my least favorite color... However, I am actually kind of getting used to it and seriously can't help but to think its really cute for baby girl stuff. 

Just to give you some idea as to how much pink...  Here is a sneak peak of her Nursery that we are still finishing. I absolutely love the monogram that I ordered from Etsy from Elegance Letters. This is the 26" unfinished vine connected monogram letters.  It took me about three days to paint these letters just because of being indecisive and changing colors throughout the process. It's not yet hung because we are now indecisive as to which wall it should go on. 

When my feet started to swell, it definitely took me by surprise. 

 I had only had some cramping and swelling in my fingers and my feet and ankles were still doing great. Not the case anymore. To give you an idea, my feet only fit in UGGs because of the width.

This was my last day in business shoes.. and they were already a size and a half up from where my actual shoe size is... do you know how I would cry if they do not go back to my regular size just because of my shoe collection?

REAL TEARS.

So if mommy has UGGs, I had to get Baby Girl a pair right?! 

It seemed only right. 

And of course, they are pink.. depending on this winter season, she may just end up with the camouflage colored ones as well.

Mornings in our home are still never a dull moment... 

My husband is excited about Baby Girl to say the least and has been absolutely great at "serving" me during my pregnancy. He definitely keeps my spirits up as I adjust mentally with all these body changes and what not. And definitely makes sure that I am "taking care of" his baby. 

One morning, I come downstairs to say good bye to our visiting family and he is down at the foot of the stairs, playing guitar - he tried his hardest (mind you, he plays Piano), but I thought it was as sweet as it was hilarious!

Another thing to pass the time, reading.. 

Awesome Blogger Heather Alexander of The Mommyhood Blog sent me her great book - I am just about finished and want to give an appropriate review at a later time but thought I would mention how else I am spending my days. 

When I am not reading, shopping or sitting at work with my feet up...

I am SLEEPING! 

Every chance I get!

This Baby is literally a dancing machine. She has surpassed those cute little kicks to let mommy know she is awake. She has moved on to full body flips, elbows, booty dances and straight up painful kicks and punches. She even gets hiccups, which as cute as it sounds is also so annoying at times. Imagine trying to eat while your stomach is jumping to a rhythm. Its frustrating enough to just say forget trying to eat right now. 

And of course.. 

Doctor's Appointments. 

Can't you just feel his excitement? LOL

We are now in the Doctor's office on a weekly basis. Somehow the wait is not as crazy as it used to be. I must've initially gotten pregnant during a baby boom, but now its like the last few left and the wait is reasonable. 

We will start checking her progress beginning Monday to see if she is in position and if I have started dilating yet - biting my nails.. I am so nervous.. 

Also, we made sure to interview pediatricians in advance versus go with a pediatrician recommendation from our hospital. Presently, I am being seen by OB/GYN's who are all Black Women. The practice encompasses 4 different women each with a different bedside manner but pay particular attention to things that affect Black Women at a higher rate. 

I wanted the same out of a Pediatrician and now have a Black Female Pediatrician for Baby Girl, not so much because she was Black but most importantly because she had a reasonable answer for every single question and concern that I had, made us feel comfortable and was recommended by women from all avenues of my life. Not to mention, as we waited in the waiting room, each kid that she called to come back, even for vaccinations were all so excited to go in the back. None seemed to be traumatized one bit, which let me know she has great relationship with the kids and the parents. 

We were seen in the Pixie Princess room. Amos said it was "too girly" LOL. He has no idea how outnumbered he is about to be.

This month, I cracked the whip! Amos got his friends together - Baby Girl's "uncles" came over to help put her room together. Nursery furniture was assembled, furniture was rearranged, all while I sat and gave directions. I love that already her uncles are making sure that she has what she needs. 

Sadly, other "people" are not as happy that Baby Girl will soon be here. 

Our part-time pet Arista, a curious Daschund decided that she would get into the trash which caused a digestive infection where she had to have surgery. 

She wouldn't let her stitches heal properly so the doctor gave her this huge cone! 

I died laughing when my sister sent me this picture of her. 

I think she did it for sympathy. LOL

We also had Baby Showers -- which will be a separate post all together just because of the pictures alone, but of course you know afterwards it was all about completing the registry, which was my favorite thing to do. 

Of course I have to wait for my chauffeur to get off the phone before we can pull off.. stay waiting on him to finish checking or posting to Instagram. LOL

Lastly, for now.. 

I know the last time I posted, I was talking about a few issues with work- 

The major stress of the POINTLESS Federal Government shutdown. 

Like it or not, I support the Affordable Healthcare Act - just because of my own experience and believe that if people educate themselves enough they can find a plan that works best for them. Because of it, I got an email that my Breast Pump is being shipped after zero cost to me (not even shipping) once I ordered it and placed my insurance information in the payment screen and my husbands prescriptions went down from $70 for 30 days down to $10 for 90 days... 

BUT - 

Thats neither here nor there.. 

I got transferred!

From the office in S.E. Washington, DC where I was close to the Navy Yard to an office in N.W. Washington, D.C.

I spent a few days packing my boxes and now I am on a team where my Field Partner and Neighbor is..  We work as hard as we have fun. Yup, I am STILL working and plan to up until Dec. 2nd or when she arrives, whichever comes first.

The one thing that I will miss this year... 

That I probably won't be able to go to Christmas Celebration especially since its a lot of live animals and my due date is smack dab in the middle of the production dates. 

I usually do make up for the show which means whole days on my feet doing make up.

So I HAD to go visit the cast and make-up team during rehearsal just once while pregnant to say hi. I'll miss them this production but I hope to be back by Easter Production. 

Whew you made it to the end. 

36 weeks - Officially 9 months Pregnant.. 

and still just as thankful as the first day!

Happy 33rd Birthday my Love

In case you didn't know or realize. It's my husband's birthday. It is his 33rd Birthday. 

It's one that in my book puts him in the "over" part of the "30 and over" club. 

I have known this guy since he was 25 years old. 

I can say that he has truly matured and has gotten better with age. 

I am so excited for his birthday today!

So ... I am going to take some time to go hang out with the Birthday Boy while we have some time. 

Dear Hubby, I pray that this year brings you the best of your wildest dreams. I hope that 33 from its first minute is better then 32 has ever been ... and I have to admit life became really good for 32. 

You are truly a gift.  

We have already celebrated with a BBQ yesterday for Labor Day/ Early Birthdays usually for both of us but this time, it was all for you. You deserve to not have to celebrate every birthday with me. 

via instagram

LOL, clearly this is not how we BBQ'd but boy it would've just added to the laughs that we had last night if this was how we would've had to cook our food. 

Happy Birthday Love of my Life!.. and many more.

Happy 44th Anniversary

Look at these two love birds... My Parents.

They met when my Mother was in College at Morgan State University. My Dad had been drafted in the NBA to the Baltimore Bullets. My mother's roomate at the time was dating my Dad's Best Friend, Roomate and eventually Best Man, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe. They met over a dinner at my Dad's apartment. That night, my Dad let my Mom know he was interested..

9 months later they were married.. and nope not because she was pregnant, but because they were in love. They actually didn't start having children until 10 years into their marriage.

My mom followed my dad to West Coast right after their wedding when he was sent to play for the Portland Trailblazers... and they have been following each other all over the world ever since.

This is what 44 years of following and supporting your Spouse's dream looks like. Of course my Dad no longer plays in the NBA, but my Mom is now the one on National platforms and they are truly loving every minute of it.

Happy 44th Wedding Anniversary you guys!

Thank you for being an awesome example for me and my Husband.

Things My Mother Says #2

I swear my Mother says the same things... its like she has a one track mind..

I text her about making flight arrangements for a trip that is coming up that I am so excited about to Nashville, TN ... I really can't wait to share the details of this trip!

and she texts back ..

" No Prob. Just figure out how you are going to get your stuff out. Thanks, luv ya!"

I text back ..."We get the picture"

[thanks mom]

I mean really, is it me or do you sense the urgency of this woman and her desire for us to move out completely?

Don't you always leave things at your childhood home? or is it just me?

No-Show/ No-Call Hurts People!

In the spirit of being some what transparent and keeping it real in case anyone can relate...

Today I want to talk about something that really has me in my feelings...

and maybe it could be a hormonal thing, or maybe I have run out of reasons to make excuses..

but today... as there have been other days, its not always about Sunshine around these parts...

What am I talking about... Today I want to talk about a Friend that Didn't show up to our Housewarming/ Memorial Day BBQ

Sometimes, there are moments where there is a great time had by all, but there are other times where you feel like as long as your Best Friend is there it doesn't matter who else is there.

Memorial Day was one of those days that I put emphasis on that statement alone.

Afterall, it was our first time having anyone over--

I posted last week about how I wish that I had a friend who I could just do something simple with, like run to Target and get lost in there for hours, buying things you had no intentions of getting but hey! its Target!

Since moving from home and a little further from my home city, its rare that I would even know who I wanted to call when my husband is at work and I wanted to go kick it with the girls without having to drive about 45 minutes and plan it in advance.

As to not digress too much, my best friend was supposed to come to our housewarming. She was going to come over early and help me cook and bring her favorite dish and my God-daughter was going to come over and play for the first time. Needless to say, it didn't happen - I called twice and received no call back. I called her cousin and told her to pass along the message to call me.

What made it worse? My hubby kept asking "So you didn't hear from her yet?"

And I would have to suck my feelings in and say "no" in a way that wouldn't make him upset at her for me.

I get it... things happen.. and honestly, she is going through some things in her marriage that I can't yet disclose, but I can't help but say that I did wake up feeling like "Oh, I am that friend now?... I have been bumped down to the friend that you just avoid and call back when you feel like talking versus being vulnerable and just tell me straight up that you can't make it?" I mean, grant it - I am venting but we have been friends since highschool. We have gone through so much in life together and yet all I received was an email this morning saying " I am not feeling myself, but I felt like I should apologize for not showing"... I love my friend, but honestly I would have rather her saved her email to me and just wait until you do feel yourself and call me on the phone. This is like a major moment in our life and you missed it.

Understanding my new place (and yeah perhaps being a tad dramatic, but my feelings are still hurt)... I am going to be actively taking new friend applications - and not to replace the ones I have, but I guess I am just tired of feeling like I am out here alone, because hanging out and enjoying life doesn't have to always be complicated. Sometimes it can be something as simple as just being there to go to Starbucks and Target or stopping by to do absolutely nothing but hang out...

those days are so long ago that I guess, I should've realized this a long time ago.

Is it just me?

No-Show/ No-Call Hurts People... especially your closest friends

Things My Mother Says

My mother is someone who is wise on many subjects... especially the Word of God. She has many titles, many degrees., but at times my mother is just that.. my mother. 

She says things that are truly hilarious! .. at least they are to me... it simply reminds me of the fact that no matter how old, no matter how grown I think I am, no matter who she is to other people, she is simply my mother... 

Thus, a new on-going series.. "Things My Mother Says".. which is a culmination of random things that my mother says to me from time to time, or has said or could even be advice that other "mothers" have given to me. 

What makes it funny? 

I am sure that your own mother or mother-figure has said the same thing to you at some point in your life as well.. 

and so... The Inaugural "Things that Mother Says"

"So, You're at My House??... Do you plan to take MORE of your stuff with you when you leave?"

thanks mom.. I think she really wants me to move all my stuff out now. (hahaha)

The Love Series: Your Time Is Precious

Sometimes it takes losing something or someone to put things into perspective. There is a shift that happens that brings everything that we were so careless about and so wishy washy and those things that we literally took for granted- back to being the main focus.

For me, this year, each month thus far there has been death too close to home. First, my Father-in-law passes away and then yesterday on her way to work, my coworker Torrean Rich (1983-2012) was killed in a fatal car accident when a Tractor Trailer ran into her driver's side door.

Many times over the weekend we dread coming in to work. We spend some Sunday mornings praying for the crazy co-workers that get on our nerves to take a chill pill... well, Torrean was never on anyone's "chill out" list. She was always seen walking back and forth, doing her job with a smile. Organizing the wonderful potluck celebrations so that we can have a fun time away from work things and literally enjoy each others company. Her car accident has literally shifted the foundation of everyone who knew her. Some of us had anxiety about driving to and from work. In the end, despite being emotional everyone is handling as best as expected. 

If people realize that without a doubt, we have no idea when our last day on this earth is, then perhaps we would make some decisions in our relationships with purpose rather then random selecting of persons to just pass the time. Our time is valuable.

The persons whom we choose to connect our lives with together are there for reasons and seasons. The worst is to have someone around who is past their expiration date just because you do not want to be lonely. Or you want to force a man to be ready to marry you just because you have dated for what you think is long enough. If you connect with people, whether they be love interests, friendships, whomever, and you identified their purpose in your life then that alone will be more fulfilling. Because the only thing that sustains in this life here on Earth is LOVE.

Nobody ever said the road would be easy, but its Love that helps us get over these emotional times. Its Love that allows us to always see good in people no matter what they do...

In a private moment, days before she passed, Torrean spoke about how she wanted to settle down and get married and have children. Now, for Torrean, for no fault of her own except that it was God's timing,  its too late to see marital bliss.. however, don't waste YOUR precious days on persons not worthy of your precious time... you never know when your time will be up. So make it count.

Updated to say: just a few moments from writing this piece, Singer, Legend Whitney Houston passed away. Needless to say I was shocked to hear the news. It truly goes to show what I have said.. who you are connected to, affects you. Whitney Houston has a legacy in pop music that is unparalleled and yet in recent years we watched her relationship with her former Husband unravel on her reality T.V. series and throughout the news media. Praying for her daughter and her family and close friends... Rest in Peace Whitney Houston.

"Everyone falls in love sometimes. Sometimes it's wrong, and sometimes its right. For every win, someone must fail.. there comes a point when, when we exhale... "
--Whitney Houston (lyrics to Shoop)

Photos taken by Yvette Inufio Photography