We are back... 6 months later!

My dear Davis,
You are approaching 6 months this week, and I am a little ashamed to say that the last time I blogged was before you had even come face to face with the real world. Well, to make a looooooong story short, you are here now and your dad and I are head over heels for you.
I look back now at your pictures from the day you were born and that first month, and can't believe how little you were! You were so fragile, and now seem like such a a little boy...no longer a featherweight infant, you can hold your head up, almost sit all by yourself, and roll over.
We haven't quite started solids yet. Not for lack of trying on your part, but more so because your mama is a bit scared. I guess I am scared of the mess, the possible complications with your reflux, allergy worries, and probably the main reason....I don't want you to grow up! I always have been a bit on the inpatient side, move on to the next step, kind of girl, but not with you, little man. Not with you. I treasure every single second with you, my boy, and it is going way to fast already! I can't imagine how I will feel when you go to school, your first sporting event, a dance, or even off to college.
We struck gold with you Davis! With a bit of scheduling work, you have been sleeping through the night since 2-3 months. You know your bedtime schedule and seem to like it. Napping can be tough but you are starting to transition to two long naps daily from the many short naps of your younger days. You truly might be the most smiley baby I have seen. I am not saying that just because I am your mother. You are quite the flirt and tend to distract people with those bright eyes and glorious grin. Your daddy has even nicknamed you Smiley Cyrus. :) What you don't give out too often is that giggle. When you do though, ahhh, it is like a breath of fresh air. I absolutely love your giggle. Your daddy does too, and he can make you laugh like no one else.
You started daycare at about 4 months. You seem to like it. I have my days. You seem to be thriving there though, you like your teachers and are starting to interact with the other kids as well. The daycare sniffle, cough, and stuffy nose is what I HATE about daycare. I HATE that you were sick for the ENTIRE month of January and February. You were a trooper though. It is mommy and daddy who can't handle it.
I hope I can get around to blogging more often now that we have survived the first 6 months. This has been the most trying, yet most amazing experience your daddy and I have been through as people, and specifically as a team. Trying due to lack of sleep, lack of knowledge & experience, but those smiles that you give us a the perfect time or when you nuzzle your perfect little head into our chests, we melt. You are truly a gift...and God is good, and you are proof.
Thank you for these 6 months.
I love you,
Mommy.

Catholic guilt for not blogging??? Ugh.

So, I am back after a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG hiatus. My excuse starts with a bit of busy, mostly lazy, and hey- I am 38 weeks pregnant, so I can do whatever I want! Anyway, blogs are not supposed to make you feel guilty. If you have one- you know- they do. The worst is when someone tells you that they have checked it, and basically they are disappointed because you haven't updated. Well, all 2 of you readers...I apologize & I will try to do better...for me, for Chad, for you, and of course for the little dude.

So, where were we...well the last time you saw a pic I was at the 25/26 week mark. WOW! If you haven't seen me since then, wide load coming through! I am full on pregnant at 38 weeks today. I wouldn't describe myself as cute pregnant either. My ankles are swollen, my face is a bit puffy, I am incredibly sore, and my belly has swelled more than I thought was humanly possible. Sometimes I think that I am the largest preggo alive. I know (or at least I hope) that this isn't true, but I am not in the warm & fuzzy stage. That happened awhile ago, and unfortunately, blogging obviously wasn't priority then. I do believe this is all a part of His plan though, He wants you to start to feel a bit uncomfortable, out of your comfort zone, so that when baby comes, that world of uncomfort isn't too off. It is all a ride, and if this is what it takes for me to meet my boy- sign me up.

We have had a super eventful summer. We made a trip to Paris. It was fantastic. Going pregnant had its ups and downs.
Up- Parisians love pregnant women. Allowing us to cut in line every so often was a direct correlation. The food was AMAZING- unfortunately, two of my favorites, wine & cheese, were no nos due to the bun in the oven. Don't worry, I made up for it in chocolate croissant, french fries, and gelato (I know, Gelato is italian, but it is irresistable.
Down- it was unseasonably hot during this visit. I have told many that it was like summer camp. You know when you wake up in a cabin and you are sweating, you take your shower, and you are sweating, and it just doesn't matter what you do...you just sweat. Well...no cabin here. A 4 star hotel + me in Paris= sweat. Pics aren't beautiful, but we were blessed to be able to take the trip.

Our other big trip was an annual Davis family trip to Outerbanks. It was exactly what the doctor ordered. Lots of R& R with the fam. Everytime we leave there we start planning next year, that is how you know it is a good trip. I love a nice tropical vacay, but you really can't beat the Outerbanks...there is something about it.

Scattered around those two big trips, I was showered with love over four showers. I don't even think you could call it "showered", more like poured on. The generousity of my hosts, family, and friends still leaves me speechless. The showers were all unique, and just perfect. Both Chad and I are so blessed by the people in our lives, and can't wait for Davis to meet them.

That brings me to the last few weeks, no travel allowed, which meant no going to a best friend's bachelorette party; wedding. Super-duper bummer there. I live vicariously through the pictures and her descriptions. Jenny-I wish so much I could have seen you walk down that aisle in person. You are such a dear friend and you have picked someone to walk beside you in life who adores you. I know that your pictures don't do your beauty on that special day justice.
I wish you and him a wonderful new start!

Three of my besties looking beatiful!

Anyway, fast forward to TODAY- Labor Day. While the boy is ruling my body right now, Chad and I are counting contractions ALL of the time waiting for the big day. Wouldn't it be funny if I went into labor on labor day? Chances are slim, I know.

Speaking of the little squirt, he is doing just fine. Last time he was checked, he measured in the 41st percentile. All systems are a go, and according to the doc, he is ready whenever he wants to make his grand entrance.

Those of you who have been pregnant know that the images of the gush of water & the rush to the hospital really don't happen with most women. It's more like this...
"I think that was one...let's time it...ok it's over...15 seconds, that's it...or was that gas?...or was that a cramp?...wait if I sit down, it goes away...oh brother...will I know when it's for real?"

From what I hear from my new mommy friends is that I will know, so now we wait for little dude.

Speaking of the boy, you haven't seen the room, have you? PIMPED OUT. He is a lucky guy. It still takes my breath away. Now, understand, it doesn't belong on "MTV Cribs" or anything, but it is PERFECT. We have two little things to do today and then we'll call it. I will post pics then.
A lot of my obsession with this room has to do with our little boy who will be sitting in it soon, but some of it, is the pride I feel that Chad & I put this together ourselves. It is my favorite room in the house right now. I could just sit here for hours. I try to take in this quiet time because I know that it will end & I will soon be exhausted, stressed, and confused, but right now as I sit in this perfect room, in a perfect chair thinking about my perfect boy, the world is an absolutely perfect place.

Update after a long absence!

Holy Cow. It has been awhile. For starters, I am a lot bigger than I was the last time I posted. Many of you have seen me during my time back in Ohio or around Atlanta. I have definitely "popped" & constantly remind myself that this too shall pass. I am not sick of being pregnant, I am sick of being fat.
Anyway, I am done complaining. I am going to use this blog post to get everyone caught up on the adventures of Chad, Mere, Davis, and the pups- and I vow to post more frequently from now on.
So, since we talked last, Chad & I took a trip back to Toledo & Columbus, some visitors have graced us with their presence, we had a doctor's appt, we got the baby furniture, and we are planning for a very vacation heavy summer that starts very soon!
Ohio was great! It was so nice to see family & friends after so long! I got alot of "how are you feelings", but I was just fine with that...after all, I don't get too see them enough. My cousins are growing up so quickly. I can't help but think about my aunts, their moms, & how they feel. I know it will be a few quick years (or even months) that I want to freeze time so Davis won't grow so quickly!

My parents came to visit us for the Memorial Day weekend. Their visit was fantastic! We ate great food, hung out at the botanical garden, and I even got to see the Sex & the City Sequel. Wonderful weekend that was capped off with a scrumptious Farm Burger & Nutella/Burnt Marshmallow milk shake from Flip...who could ask for more?! I love having my parents here & I am looking forward to the Fall when they will be back.

Doctor's appt went great! Davis is measuring a bit small but no worries at this point. I go back on June 23rd for the glucose test & from then on, I am back every two weeks. I will be in my 3rd trimester at that point! Is it just me, or has this pregnancy flown by? Ask me that in a couple of months, right?

Last, but not least, we are kicking off summer with a dinner party on Saturday. I have been prepping for the last couple of weeks & hope it will go well. All of my guests are from work & I know they will be gracious guests, so I am absolutely looking forward to a night filled with great friends & great food. We are using our Calphalon Unison cookware to make some Michael Symon recipes out of his cookbook, so the food will be good too. I am just crossing my fingers for good weather...I would love to kick off the summer outside. I will post pictures after the event.

So, in a nutshell, that is what we have been doing for the last few weeks. Besides work & a bit of play (we saw Mary Poppins & have had some fun nights out), we have been busy bees! Our summer isn't slowing down, the fun is just beginning!
i promise to update more frequently & can't wait to post pics of Davis' room once we complete it. Until then- here's a sneak peek...we received the bedding from dwellstudio.com today. I LOVE IT. It is even cuter in person! Sans the giraffe of course.


Anyway, I better sign off now because this mama needs to stretch her aching back & get some Z's! I apologize for how scattered this post has been, but I just wanted to catch up. Take care all. Sweet Dreams.