There's no nice way to say this.
While I generally don't mind being pregnant, I hate being this particular number of weeks pregnant. Why, you ask. Well, let me just tell you.
When I am 16 weeks pregnant, I do not look pregnant. I look chubby. And, needless to say, I hate that.
My normal clothes don't fit anymore, but my maternity clothes are still way too big. I want to buy new (smaller) maternity clothes, but I don't really want to spend a lot of $$ on things that I'll be grown out of in another month. So, I've tried to force it a little too long in my pre-pregnancy clothes...only leaving me feeling chubbier and more disheveled than I already feel anyway as the rarely-showered, never-ironed, often-t-shirted mom of a 1-year old. Ugh. Where, oh where, is my personal assistant when I need one most??
Presently, my shirts that still kind of fit are becoming increasingly snug across the bust and showing far too much midriff (said: any at all) for my taste. It's weird...before they become tight in the belly, they rise up on the love handles. Ewwww. My pants are totally out of the question...except for my trusty age-old fat jeans, the button of which may or may not now be secured with a rubber band for some added stretch. Nice, I know.
So, today, I got ambitious (and slightly crazed) and let the thought cross my mind that I could drive on over to my local maternity shop to remedy this growing wardrobe malfunction. But, alas, Henry only allowed 15 minutes of hanger-browsing and 5 minutes of fitting room before he loudly announced his displeasure with the entire operation. I did find a few tops, which was good.....but the jeans/pants/skirts were a no-go because I couldn't try on any bottoms in the crowded fitting room. It was crowded because Henry's stroller was taking up all but the one square foot I used for shirt try-ons, of course. I heart motherhood...no really, I do.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to put on one of my cute new tops with my old trusty jeans for Jared to come home to...let's just hope he doesn't notice the rubber band holding those bad boys together.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
a little polo shirt at the park
Who doesn't just love a little boy in a collared shirt?
Especially when it's THIS little boy?
I know I do!!
He's a heartbreaker, this one...
His Grammie thinks so too!
Especially when it's THIS little boy? I know I do!! He's a heartbreaker, this one...His Grammie thinks so too!Weeeeeeeee...swinging!!
Life is so good for this sweet little polo shirt at the park...
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It's a BOY!!!
We are delighted to share with all of you that Henry is going to have a baby brother in the spring!! I had an ultrasound yesterday during my 15-week check-up, and lo and behold, #2 went right on ahead and showed us the goods! Everything (boy parts and otherwise) looked just perfect, and we'll go back in 4 weeks for the big, thorough ultrasound. This baby likes to turn flips and suck his thumb...unlike big brother who really just liked to use my insides as his personal punching bag. We did get a 3D image, and his little face is just so sweet. He has a very defined nose/mouth/chin, and something about him just LOOKS like a little brother. I'll try to scan the photo and post it soon so y'all can see what I mean.
Anyway, as you probably could have guessed, we are thrilled to welcome another boy into our family and have been carrying on since we found out about how much fun these two yahoos are going to have together. We are especially looking forward to football seasons, flashlit adventures, fishing expeditions, family photos (this is mine more than Jared's...can you say matching john-johns?!?!), Christmas '11, and well, just a lifetime of brother-ly-ness. There is nothing in the world like the bond between brothers, and I hope that we do a good job nurturing that in them.
We do not have any names picked out yet, but we are hoping to find something with family significance that 'goes' with Henry. Suggestions welcome.
Thanks for checking in with us, and I promise to post that sweet baby bubber face asap!
Anyway, as you probably could have guessed, we are thrilled to welcome another boy into our family and have been carrying on since we found out about how much fun these two yahoos are going to have together. We are especially looking forward to football seasons, flashlit adventures, fishing expeditions, family photos (this is mine more than Jared's...can you say matching john-johns?!?!), Christmas '11, and well, just a lifetime of brother-ly-ness. There is nothing in the world like the bond between brothers, and I hope that we do a good job nurturing that in them.
We do not have any names picked out yet, but we are hoping to find something with family significance that 'goes' with Henry. Suggestions welcome.
Thanks for checking in with us, and I promise to post that sweet baby bubber face asap!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Henry Stories
Okay, so this kid is just getting more personality by the SECOND, and I thought some of you grandparents (and curious friends) would probably enjoy a few stories about the things he is saying/doing. So, in no particular order, here we go:
- As I've said before, Henry loves animal sounds. He can make the sound of just about any animal you can think to ask him. i.e. What's a doggie say? Woof Woof! What's a monkey say? ooooooh ooooh! What's a snake say? ssssssssss! He can even do a few that don't make sounds. Such as, what's a crab say? To which he makes his hands in the shape of claws and snaps them open and shut. Adorable. So, one day, we were asking him all his animal sounds, and he was eagerly replying to each one. Then, just for fun, Jared asks him, "What's mommy say?" And, do you know what that little stinker said? Totally deadpan like he had known the answer his whole life, he shakes his head back and forth and says, "No, no, no."
Another big hit around our house right now is singing songs that have motions to them. He loves The Wheels on the Bus, and he can do the wheels, the doors, and the wipers pretty well with his hands. Another favorite is "Ring Around the Rosey." I taught it to him last week, and now, he'll come running up to you with his hands ready to grab yours to link up and start spinning in circles. Of course, he loves to "fall down" immediately after "pockets full of posey," but hey, he's a boy and crashing to the ground is probably the best part of the song for him...so, we fall early and sing the rest on the floor. His absolute favorite song right now is Itsy Bitsy Spider. For whatever reason, this is his go-to anthem all the time. He's been known to throw up his spidey fingers (which, honestly, look a lot like gang signs) during other songs, when meeting new people, when showing off for cute girls, and even when trying to create a diversion so he won't have to go into his carseat. If you sing it to him, he'll do ALL of the motions for it, and at the end, he gives a nice big round of applause to you for doing such a great job leading the song. :)
Last night, Jared taught him how to say "TOUCHDOWN" and hold his hands up over his head while watching football. So, this morning, as the ESPN highlights were coming on, little man was running around saying, "Foooo-bawww..."TUSHHHHDOW!!!" complete with hand motions, of course.
And, last but not least, the H-man has been working on some dance moves. I would post a video if I could figure out how on Blogger, but suffice it to say that this is VERY entertaining. If a song comes on that he likes the beat of (i.e. The Sesame Street intro music), he starts headbanging, trying to snap his fingers, and clicking his tongue as loud as he can. He'll also do it after he mounts up onto his motorcycle at my parents' house...he rides that thing like a buckin' bronco!! I couldn't rightly say which of us he gets his rhythm from, but I will tell you that he sure likes to shake what we gave him!!
I've got a ton more where these came from, but I've got a few chores to do and a shower to take before the boss wakes up from his nap. I hope everyone's week is off to a fab start...I'm also hopeful that THIS is the week I can finally come all the way out from under my first trimester blahs. We're 15 weeks now, so it should be anytime now. :)
- As I've said before, Henry loves animal sounds. He can make the sound of just about any animal you can think to ask him. i.e. What's a doggie say? Woof Woof! What's a monkey say? ooooooh ooooh! What's a snake say? ssssssssss! He can even do a few that don't make sounds. Such as, what's a crab say? To which he makes his hands in the shape of claws and snaps them open and shut. Adorable. So, one day, we were asking him all his animal sounds, and he was eagerly replying to each one. Then, just for fun, Jared asks him, "What's mommy say?" And, do you know what that little stinker said? Totally deadpan like he had known the answer his whole life, he shakes his head back and forth and says, "No, no, no."
Another big hit around our house right now is singing songs that have motions to them. He loves The Wheels on the Bus, and he can do the wheels, the doors, and the wipers pretty well with his hands. Another favorite is "Ring Around the Rosey." I taught it to him last week, and now, he'll come running up to you with his hands ready to grab yours to link up and start spinning in circles. Of course, he loves to "fall down" immediately after "pockets full of posey," but hey, he's a boy and crashing to the ground is probably the best part of the song for him...so, we fall early and sing the rest on the floor. His absolute favorite song right now is Itsy Bitsy Spider. For whatever reason, this is his go-to anthem all the time. He's been known to throw up his spidey fingers (which, honestly, look a lot like gang signs) during other songs, when meeting new people, when showing off for cute girls, and even when trying to create a diversion so he won't have to go into his carseat. If you sing it to him, he'll do ALL of the motions for it, and at the end, he gives a nice big round of applause to you for doing such a great job leading the song. :)
Last night, Jared taught him how to say "TOUCHDOWN" and hold his hands up over his head while watching football. So, this morning, as the ESPN highlights were coming on, little man was running around saying, "Foooo-bawww..."TUSHHHHDOW!!!" complete with hand motions, of course.
And, last but not least, the H-man has been working on some dance moves. I would post a video if I could figure out how on Blogger, but suffice it to say that this is VERY entertaining. If a song comes on that he likes the beat of (i.e. The Sesame Street intro music), he starts headbanging, trying to snap his fingers, and clicking his tongue as loud as he can. He'll also do it after he mounts up onto his motorcycle at my parents' house...he rides that thing like a buckin' bronco!! I couldn't rightly say which of us he gets his rhythm from, but I will tell you that he sure likes to shake what we gave him!!
I've got a ton more where these came from, but I've got a few chores to do and a shower to take before the boss wakes up from his nap. I hope everyone's week is off to a fab start...I'm also hopeful that THIS is the week I can finally come all the way out from under my first trimester blahs. We're 15 weeks now, so it should be anytime now. :)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
E + J = <3
Whooooweeeeeeeeee, did we have a good time this past weekend! I only had one moment of throat-closing terror about leaving Henry (as our HOU-JAN plane took off), but otherwise, we truly allowed ourselves to be transported out of reality and into happy, sweet, romantic, relaxy time. Our first night was spent dining at one of our old favorites in Jackson, Nick's Restaurant. Thankfully, the menu hasn't changed a bit, and we started the trip off just the way we had hoped.
Friday morning, we were up early (guess we're just programmed, at this point) and hit the road to Oxford. Once we reached our destination, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Newk's Cafe followed by an afternoon of window shopping on the Square. We reminisced about the last time we had been in Mississippi together (during our engagement!) and how much had changed since then...and, by that same token, how much had stayed exactly the same. Reminisce -- such a calm and pleasant word...one of many that I had practically forgotten the meaning of over the past 14 months. I love how being in Oxford with my sweetheart helped me to find a few things I had lost this year. No hidden meanings there...just so grateful for the time together in such a glorious place without a worry in the world.
After we checked into our hotel that afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit with one of my most treasured friends, Jean, in her room, while Jared relaxed in our room. There is almost nothing as good for my soul as time spent with an old, precious friend, and speaking of those, while I was there with Jean, her son, Marc, popped in for a visit too!! If you'll recall, we were there for Marc's wedding this weekend, so it was such a treat to have a few minutes with the groom in the midst of all of his honey-doing. :) I have known Marc since my first days at Ole Miss in 1999. He is the director of the counseling center on campus, and he worked a good bit with all of us golf team headcases as our sports psychologist to help straighten out our noodles. After my time on the team was up, Marc hired me as a graduate assistant in his office so that I could go to graduate school for F-R-E-E while I decided what to do next with my life. I decided on law school, which unfortunately, could not also be for F-R-E-E...but I probably wouldn't have gone had I not had that downtime to think about it without the stress of figuring out how to pay back loans and find my first real job. Anyway, Marc and I developed a wonderful friendship over the course of my 7 years in Oxford, and it was such a treat to be able to make it back there for his special day...and of course, it was icing on the cake to have so much time with his mom, Jean, as well. Their family just became so much like mine to me while I was at school...and they have remained so to this day.
Anyhoo, we finished up Friday with the Rehearsal Dinner and a nightcap of Arnold Palmers at a beautifully decorated Southern home on the outskirts of town. Seriously, anyone who serves Arnold Palmers as their Rehearsal Dinner signature drink is alright by me. Saturday, we walked to the Square from our hotel and at a delicious breakfast at the Bottletree Bakery. We shared three things, because we just couldn't make up our minds - a ginormous cinnamon roll, a strawberry/apple streudel, and a turkey/cheddar croissant. Yum! We lunched at Ajax - J had the meatloaf and I had the Big Easy - and both of us left fat and happy. The Chessers make no secret of our love for good food. :)
The wedding was at 2 p.m. and was just as lovely and joyous as we had hoped it would be. The couple looked beyond happy, and every detail of their day was just perfectly tailored to them. The bride, also a longtime friend, looked absolutely stunning, and just thinking of their faces as their eyes met on opposite ends of the aisle -- aahhh, yes, we bore witness to MAGIC in the sanctuary that day. After a short reception, we headed back to our hotel for a rest before dinner. For dinner, we tried a new restaurant in town called Lenora's...which became a fast favorite and which we highly recommend. After dinner, we cruised on over to the newlyweds' new home for an evening of live music and good-times with the couple and some of the other guests who had come into town for the occasion. It was casual, low-key, and allowed us the opportunity to visit a little more with Marc and Tricia...afterall, who knows when we'll be back??
By morning, although I could have spent an eternity in la-la land with the hubs, I was getting a little bit annnnnntsy and ready to be home to my little man. I guess when you haven't even spent 6 hours apart, 4 days is bound to feel like a looong time!! We snapped a few photos before we drove off into the sunset, had a fabulous lunch in Jackson with a precious girlfriend of mine from law school, and we were touching down in H-town before 6 p.m.
Of our homecoming, all I can say is that I'm fairly certain Henry didn't even realize we had been gone...and I am so grateful for that. I, on the other hand, had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as he came toddling over to me. Evidently, I'm kind of a sucker for that naughty, screechy, yellow-haired boy you see in all the photos...
...you know, the one with chubby feet, blue eyes, round tummy, his daddy's smile, and the uncanny ability to melt his mama's heart in an instant. 
Yeah, that's the one. 
Friday morning, we were up early (guess we're just programmed, at this point) and hit the road to Oxford. Once we reached our destination, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Newk's Cafe followed by an afternoon of window shopping on the Square. We reminisced about the last time we had been in Mississippi together (during our engagement!) and how much had changed since then...and, by that same token, how much had stayed exactly the same. Reminisce -- such a calm and pleasant word...one of many that I had practically forgotten the meaning of over the past 14 months. I love how being in Oxford with my sweetheart helped me to find a few things I had lost this year. No hidden meanings there...just so grateful for the time together in such a glorious place without a worry in the world.After we checked into our hotel that afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit with one of my most treasured friends, Jean, in her room, while Jared relaxed in our room. There is almost nothing as good for my soul as time spent with an old, precious friend, and speaking of those, while I was there with Jean, her son, Marc, popped in for a visit too!! If you'll recall, we were there for Marc's wedding this weekend, so it was such a treat to have a few minutes with the groom in the midst of all of his honey-doing. :) I have known Marc since my first days at Ole Miss in 1999. He is the director of the counseling center on campus, and he worked a good bit with all of us golf team headcases as our sports psychologist to help straighten out our noodles. After my time on the team was up, Marc hired me as a graduate assistant in his office so that I could go to graduate school for F-R-E-E while I decided what to do next with my life. I decided on law school, which unfortunately, could not also be for F-R-E-E...but I probably wouldn't have gone had I not had that downtime to think about it without the stress of figuring out how to pay back loans and find my first real job. Anyway, Marc and I developed a wonderful friendship over the course of my 7 years in Oxford, and it was such a treat to be able to make it back there for his special day...and of course, it was icing on the cake to have so much time with his mom, Jean, as well. Their family just became so much like mine to me while I was at school...and they have remained so to this day.Anyhoo, we finished up Friday with the Rehearsal Dinner and a nightcap of Arnold Palmers at a beautifully decorated Southern home on the outskirts of town. Seriously, anyone who serves Arnold Palmers as their Rehearsal Dinner signature drink is alright by me. Saturday, we walked to the Square from our hotel and at a delicious breakfast at the Bottletree Bakery. We shared three things, because we just couldn't make up our minds - a ginormous cinnamon roll, a strawberry/apple streudel, and a turkey/cheddar croissant. Yum! We lunched at Ajax - J had the meatloaf and I had the Big Easy - and both of us left fat and happy. The Chessers make no secret of our love for good food. :)The wedding was at 2 p.m. and was just as lovely and joyous as we had hoped it would be. The couple looked beyond happy, and every detail of their day was just perfectly tailored to them. The bride, also a longtime friend, looked absolutely stunning, and just thinking of their faces as their eyes met on opposite ends of the aisle -- aahhh, yes, we bore witness to MAGIC in the sanctuary that day. After a short reception, we headed back to our hotel for a rest before dinner. For dinner, we tried a new restaurant in town called Lenora's...which became a fast favorite and which we highly recommend. After dinner, we cruised on over to the newlyweds' new home for an evening of live music and good-times with the couple and some of the other guests who had come into town for the occasion. It was casual, low-key, and allowed us the opportunity to visit a little more with Marc and Tricia...afterall, who knows when we'll be back??
By morning, although I could have spent an eternity in la-la land with the hubs, I was getting a little bit annnnnntsy and ready to be home to my little man. I guess when you haven't even spent 6 hours apart, 4 days is bound to feel like a looong time!! We snapped a few photos before we drove off into the sunset, had a fabulous lunch in Jackson with a precious girlfriend of mine from law school, and we were touching down in H-town before 6 p.m.Of our homecoming, all I can say is that I'm fairly certain Henry didn't even realize we had been gone...and I am so grateful for that. I, on the other hand, had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as he came toddling over to me. Evidently, I'm kind of a sucker for that naughty, screechy, yellow-haired boy you see in all the photos...
...you know, the one with chubby feet, blue eyes, round tummy, his daddy's smile, and the uncanny ability to melt his mama's heart in an instant. Yeah, that's the one.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
This and that
What is it about one-year olds that they find such delight in sitting quietly on your lap...and digging their toes into any part of your body they see fit. Geez, a little personal space up in here, perhaps?
So, today, I had an appointment for another ultrasound of Baby Chesser #2. She/he is measuring right on schedule and put on quite an adorable show for us. Same as her/his big brother in utero, this little one keeps her/his digits up next to her/his face a lot of the time. We saw a few really great kicks and swimmy motions, and baby seemed to be practicing swallowing or breathing. No boy/girl news yet, but I bet we'll know by the end of the month. In news of my own, I am finally past the worst of the morning sickness, and I am getting more energy back everyday. Lord knows I need it now more than ever...Henry is such a handful!
This weekend, the hubs and I are going away for the first time alone since Henry was born. My dear friends, Marc and Tricia, are getting married in Oxford, Mississippi, on Saturday, and we are delighted to be heading east for the festivities. It feels totally weird and foreign to me to plan ANYTHING, let alone an entire weekend, without the babe, but I know that everything is going to be just fine. He will be in great hands while we are away, and I think it will be so wonderful for J & me to take a few days off from the grind to focus just on each other. Please pray for safe travels and that Henry (said: Henry's mom) can put aside any worries and just enjoy the weekend.:)
I have many pictures to upload and so much more to write (don't worry, y'all, I haven't forgotten about the poem!!), but I just don't have time today. Happy Tuesday and look for more from us later...
So, today, I had an appointment for another ultrasound of Baby Chesser #2. She/he is measuring right on schedule and put on quite an adorable show for us. Same as her/his big brother in utero, this little one keeps her/his digits up next to her/his face a lot of the time. We saw a few really great kicks and swimmy motions, and baby seemed to be practicing swallowing or breathing. No boy/girl news yet, but I bet we'll know by the end of the month. In news of my own, I am finally past the worst of the morning sickness, and I am getting more energy back everyday. Lord knows I need it now more than ever...Henry is such a handful!
This weekend, the hubs and I are going away for the first time alone since Henry was born. My dear friends, Marc and Tricia, are getting married in Oxford, Mississippi, on Saturday, and we are delighted to be heading east for the festivities. It feels totally weird and foreign to me to plan ANYTHING, let alone an entire weekend, without the babe, but I know that everything is going to be just fine. He will be in great hands while we are away, and I think it will be so wonderful for J & me to take a few days off from the grind to focus just on each other. Please pray for safe travels and that Henry (said: Henry's mom) can put aside any worries and just enjoy the weekend.:)
I have many pictures to upload and so much more to write (don't worry, y'all, I haven't forgotten about the poem!!), but I just don't have time today. Happy Tuesday and look for more from us later...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
...of things unknown but longed for still...
I know why the caged bird sings
A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.
~Maya Angelou
**Tell me what this poem says to you, if anything. Tomorrow (or as soon as I have time), I'll tell you why I posted it on my blog this week.**
A free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wing in the orange suns rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.
~Maya Angelou
**Tell me what this poem says to you, if anything. Tomorrow (or as soon as I have time), I'll tell you why I posted it on my blog this week.**