Red Front Door

Well, we did it: we sold, closed, and moved out of our old house on July 16^th! What a ride these past 6 months have been. From preparing the house for sale, putting it on the market, then selling it, then trying to find a new one, it’s been a whirlwind for sure! Unfortunately, we were not able to find a new house in time to have coinciding settlements so we are in storage and staying with friends.

Little did we know that someone was watching out for us. After an emotional roller coaster of putting in three offers on three different homes and being outbid, our prayers were answered – and in a big way. The house we ended up offering on and winning is better than we could have imagined; so I suppose that all the heartache of not getting the others was worth it. Our dream home is bigger, has a front porch, a red front door, a hot tub, and a huge lot – all the little things we could want but didn’t imagine having. We have driven by this house before when looking at others but thought we could never afford it. But thanks to some financial advice from our realtor and the sellers lowering their price, our dreams were realized!

So, on August 31^st, as long as everything goes according to plan, we will close on our new house and move in to begin prepping for our new baby boy! I say “goes according to plan” because you just never know what can happen. So while we are extremely excited, we are trying to keep it subdued until we have those keys in hand and are walking through that red front door.

I have always wanted a red front door. Don’t ask me why – I didn’t have one growing up, I don’t know anyone who has one, and our old house didn’t have one. I think to me it symbolized the ideal home – colonial in a nice neighborhood with lots of trees, kids playing in the yard.  A welcoming sight, something different that said “that house is mine”. Of course, I’m sure there are plenty of red front doors on crappy houses in not-so-great neighborhoods, but to me, for some unnameable reason, it signifies home. A place we’ll bring our baby boy, where we’ll have Christmas and birthday parties, first steps, family dinners, playing catch in the backyard, and more babies!

So while we still have about 6 weeks ago, we are quietly celebrating the thought of moving in to what will hopefully be our “forever home” - dreaming about the day we’ll bring our baby boy through that red front door.

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth

Expectant Elizabeth: Week 24

Gender?  Baby Boy!!

Size? About 12 inches, and a pound and a half!

Stretch marks?  None yet. But I've gotten that damn linea nigra! I was reading up on it and apparently it's caused by a melanocyte-stimulating hormone that's made by the placenta. They say that the more fair you are, the more likely you are to get it. Oh well, at least it's temporary! Guess it's a one-piece bathing suit for me!

Maternity clothes? Still making use of both maternity and not, thank goodness.

Sleep?  Just last week I was saying "I never have to wake up at night to use the restroom". Well I spoke to soon. Every night this week! Plus my back has been killing me. So my dear husband stopped by Babies R Us on the way home and bought me a wedge pillow for the belly. Woo-Hoo! Thank goodness. That has helped with back pain so much.

Miss Anything? Still alcohol - geez, it sounds like I'm an alcoholic! But I'm not, I swear. I just miss being able to sit out on the deck with a nice refreshing beer. Non-alcoholic beer doesn't cut it. And have you tried the "non-alcoholic wine"? Disgusting.

Cravings? Still with the fruit and pickles. And ice cream. But not together, no worries - not that crazy!

Symptoms? Again with that damn linea nigra.

Belly button? Still in much to Sean's dismay.

Best Moment this week? Starting to look at registry stuff. Not in the stores but just online. I know we need to register soon but we have no place to put anything so I'm hesitant.

Looking forward to?  Getting this damn move over with!! Too stressful for me and the baby.

Exercise? Workout DVDs. And seeing as how it's in the 90s but feels like 120938103 degrees out to this pregnant lady, walking outdoors has been minimal.

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth

Thankful Thursdays

So the main reason I've been MIA so much is because we've been working on SELLING OUR HOUSE!! We originally planned to stay in our current home for 5 to 7 years and were fine with having one or two kids here (I was raised in a townhouse after all!) and moving to a larger home before our first child went to kindergarten. However, when the DC metro system decided to build a stop in the area we've always wanted to live in, we decided to go for it - after all, home prices were sure to rise when the stop opens next year, right? So, we took the plunge after owning our home for only 4 years.

 After MONTHS of preparation, blood, sweat and tears from my husband and his father, and me having several breakdowns, we put our home on the market on May 9th - and we had multiple offers and a contract by May 16th!! We are very fortunate to be in such a stellar real estate market - plus we had an amazing agent.

Actually, let me re-phrase that  - a stellar "Sellers" market. Because we have yet to find a new house! There's just nothing on the market in the areas we want at the moment. Alas, when we close on the 16th of next month we will be homeless. 

Well, technically not homeless because we are blessed to have some kick-ass friends that offered their home up to us even before ours was on the market! So we will be staying with them and hopefully not wearing out our welcome for more than a month - keep your fingers crossed!

I definitely have had my moments of panic and stress at not having a home, especially with the baby's arrival at four months away. However, as my oh-so-positive husband reminds me, at least we are fortunate enough to have had a home to sell, have sweet friends who will keep us, and enough money to buy a bigger single family home. So today, I'm thankful for our home; for our income that provides us this home; for jobs that fuel this income. I am thankful to have had this experience at such a young age - I was 24 when we bought this house! It has brought Sean, myself, and our families closer together; provided us a space to entertain and host; and it has been a space to test and develop our decorating, repairing, planning, negotiating, and compromising skills. I should always be thankful for a roof over our head, whether it's ours or a friend's, during heat, rain, and cold - that which a majority of this world lacks. May I always remember and keep this in mind when I'm stressed.

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth

Expectant Elizabeth: 23 Weeks!

Gender?  Baby Boy!!

Size?  Large Mango - yummy! Haha. Just over a pound and over 11 inches long! 

Weight Gain? 20 lbs! That was as of week 20 and my doctor scolded me for gaining too much weight too quickly so I haven’t gained a pound since.

Stretch marks?  None yet, still have to keep up with the lotion – found the best one from one of Sean's patients who's a nurse - Bio Oil - highly recommend it! I can't stand the smell of a lot of the other lotions out there and this one is perfect.

Maternity clothes? I finally broke down and bought some maternity pants! My MIL gave me a gift card for my birthday to Destination Maternity (thanks Jessica!) so I bought some work pants and tops. I’m using the rest to buy a bathing suit for our upcoming Charleston trip. And my sister was very nice in giving me bags of her old maternity clothes! And a best friend gave me her maternity jeans which are SO comfy. Way better than using the belly band.

Sleep?  Meh, with all that’s going on it takes me a while to get to sleep at night. But then when I do I’m out like a light!

Miss Anything? Alcohol!! My small waist. And running. It’s just too uncomfortable now.  

Cravings? Nothing crazy but still loving fruit. And pickles – although I’ve always liked pickles! And hot dogs with dill relish (nitrate-free and heat to steaming, of course).

 

Symptoms? Does weight gain count? Lol. Nothing terrible as of yet aside from the skin problems!

Belly button? Still in, but I’m sure it will pop at some point because it’s more shallow every day! Sean can’t wait as he knows my belly button phobia. Jerk!

Best Moment this week? All of the baby movement! This little boy is a kicker (or puncher!).

Looking forward to?  Finding a new house so I can NEST. We sold ours so quickly but have yet to find one so we will most likely have to put our things in storage and stay with friends as we close at the end of July. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Exercise? As mentioned above, running is kind of uncomfortable due to the size of my belly so I’ve switched to walking. I also found some good pregnancy workout DVDs. 

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am most thankful for my baby sister, Cayce Martel (lol, she doesn't like her middle name). She is three years younger than me - and I say "baby" sister rather than "little" sister because she is about 5 inches taller than me! We've definitely had a roller coaster relationship over the past 25 years but I couldn't imagine anyone else being my sister and best friend.

When I say roller coaster, I really mean a two-mountain climb. "What does that mean?" you ask? Here it is: when we were young, we were best friends. All throughout elementary school we were together - playing Barbies, building forts, riding bikes, going to the pool, etc. etc. We LOVED each other!

My mom dressed us alike, we shared everything, 
and spent lots of fun times together.

That was all of course before I went to middle school and thought I was too cool for my sister. And then there was high school. We went to different high schools, hung out with different crowds, and went in two different directions. See how one of us is blonde hair/blue eyed and the other brown hair/brown eyed?

Yeah, we are totally opposite in personality too. Where Cayce is outgoing, confident, and extroverted, I am much more shy and introverted. She has an awesome sense of fashion (for which I'm always asking advice) and is GREAT at juggling family, friends, and work - making time for everyone! She is also super hilarious and can ALWAYS make me laugh or feel better if I'm in a bad mood.

For instance, she was Snookie to a "T" at our last Halloween party - it was awesome. Luckily, once I went away to college and we had established ourselves independently, we got closer again. We now talk almost every day and I don't know what I would do without her. I still hear of instances where sisters aren't close or don't speak/hang out and I can't imagine that. I love my sister!

And she made a GREAT Maid of Honor, giving an amazing speech (making everyone cry of course), and doing what she does best: loving all those around her!

 So although we are completely different, our differences bring us together in the end - and I can't imagine my life without her!

What are you thankful for today?

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth

Expectant Elizabeth: Week 16

How far along?   16 weeks

Size of the little one?  The books say 4.5 inches, about the size of an avocado!

Gender?  Don’t know yet, but can’t wait!!

Weight Gain? 7.5 pounds

Stretch marks?  None yet, still have to keep up with the lotion.

Maternity clothes?  Not yet, although a good friend lent me her maternity jeans in case I need to break them out. So far, getting by with the belly band for my office clothes, and leggings, and dresses for outside of work.

Sleep?  Good so far minus the waking up in the middle of the night for bathroom trips. Still have to get those 8 eight hours though!

Miss Anything? Again, wine. And it's annoying to have to constantly think about what I'm eating (is this healthy? is this on the "do not eat" list? etc etc)

Cravings? Still nothing crazy. But fruit - love berries! In fact, for my birthday at work this year I preferred a tart from Wegmans rather than my usual double chocolate! Weird for me? YES. I've heard that if you crave chocolate, this means it's a girl. So perhaps another sign that it's a boy?

Symptoms? HORRIBLE acne. Worst it's been in my life. Yeah, that glowing skin they say pregnant ladies get? Not so much. I knew that it would probably be my luck to make my skin so haywire, but not THIS bad!!

Belly button? Still in, but I swear it's becoming rounder - is that possible? I've always had this phobia of having my belly button touched so this is torture and I am dreading an "outie".

Best Moment this week? Trying to figure out if it's the baby I'm feeling move. I've been getting those "butterflies" and the doc said they sometimes start as early as 16 weeks...but it could be my imagination.

Looking forward to?  putting our house on the market next week!!! This has been super stressful so one more thing out of the way and off the list is such a relief.

Exercise? Started running and Pilates again!

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth

Thankful Thursdays

Last week as I was driving home I was frustrated because of all the traffic. I was bemoaning my commute, pissed off that I was late to get home to do chores and make dinner, and generally in a bad mood.

Then, as I pulled up to a stoplight I saw a man standing at the end of the median holding a cardboard sign with "homeless" written on it. Wearing an old t-shirt, ripped sweatpants, and looking like he could use a haircut, he was very thankful and gracious to everyone who gave him cash.

I immediately began to feel guilty. As tears filled my eyes (pregnancy talking?) and my heart dropped I was ashamed of my negative attitude. Her I was driving home from my amazing job to my beautiful home and husband in my nice, reliable car, listening to my Ipod, drinking a Starbucks, talking on my smart phone. And this man, in one of the richest counties in America, was without a home, a loving family, or even a decent jacket. It put things in perspective.

I am truly blessed and need to remind myself to see my glass half full. I could have no job, no family, nothing. But instead I have everything I need and probably more than I deserve.

So I'm instituting Thankful Thursdays. 

This Thursday I am thankful for my husband. As we are approaching our 2 year wedding anniversary next month, I keep thinking seriously how thankful I am to have him. He makes me laugh, listens when I have problems, is a great cook, shares the same interests, a man of the same faith, is a very hard worker, a good friend and son. I KNOW he will make a great father to our baby and be a great supporter of our future family. One thing I love most about him also is his goofy, outgoing side. We are so totally opposite on that. While I'm more quiet and serious, he definitely is not. Here, let me show you:

This man always makes me laugh, will go to costume parties with me, literally smothers me in kisses, and never takes himself too seriously. I'm SO THANKFUL for my husband, Sean.

PS: Trust me, we actually do have some "nice" pictures :)

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth