Update & 36 Weeks

So, I've been totally MIA for over a week now, and I really appreciate everyone reaching out to me and checking on me since I wasn't feeling well last week. I was off work on Wednesday through Friday, so I was not on the computer, and I also came down with a cold on Wednesday which I'm still fighting. I think that I'm on the downhill slope, but it was not fun, especially since you can't take much.

In addition to having a cold and being busy with the holidays, my laptop broke. I went to check my email for work on Wednesday, and I turned on the computer, and the computer came on, but the monitor did not. I thought well, maybe it's just the monitor, so I took it to my office, and I plugged it into the docking station. Unfortunately, still no picture on my monitors. So, I've had no access to the computer this week.

It was my work computer, so I had to overnight it to Montana yesterday, and I'm using a training laptop until my new one comes in. We have a laptop and desktop at home, but I don't ever use them, so I just didn't use my computer over the holidays. I'm crossing my fingers that the computer comes back tomorrow from Montana! At least the computer still turns on, so I'm hoping that means they can still get my data off.

On another note, I'm 36 Weeks today! I have no picture, because we haven't taken one, but I went to my doctor's appointment today. The baby is measuring at 37 weeks, and my blood pressure has also gone down some, so they aren't as worried as previously, just want to keep monitoring it and want me to relax. I've gained 30 lbs., so I'm not doing too bad. The baby is probably almost 6.5 lbs by now...I'm hoping that he isn't any bigger! I got my Strep B Test today, and I'll find out the results at next week's appointment. Weston is head down and ready to go...he has dropped and my OB could feel his head when he did the internal exam. He said he is in my pelvis and ready to go! :) I am 50% effaced, but I haven't dilated at all! I'm hoping that changes by my appointment next week when I'll be full term!!

I'll try to update more regularly this week, but I likely won't be back regularly until after the New Year, because this is my last day of work this week, as well until after the holiday! Have a great week everyone!

Doctor Here I Come

Update as of 11:35 AM: So, Weston checked out okay during the non-stress test this morning. The doctor said he didn't move as much as he would've liked, but he was satisfied that maybe it was just a restful part of the day for him, and he appears to be doing fine. My blood pressure is up slightly from last week, so I'm on restricted activity (no more than four hours of standing / physical activity per day) until further notice. I assume he'll check it next week and make a decision at that point. I think it'll be tough to just sit around so much, but at least with a four hour time slot, I can still do some laundry, cook dinner and iron clothes...maybe not all in one day, but I can get it done. :)

So, I'm headed back to the Doctor's Office this morning...I'm a little worried, because I haven't felt Weston move this morning or throughout the night like usual. The last time he was really active was last night while I was watching a movie with Grant. I'm worried about him, because I'm also more swollen today than usual, especially on my right side which is strange. I hope it's nothing to worry about and that I'm just worried as a first time mom. :) I'll check back in with you all this afternoon or when I return from the doctor's appointment.

Weekend To Do List Update

So, we've gotten a lot done, so I wanted to post an update to encourage myself to get the rest of it done tomorrow. :)

Updated as of 9:20 AM on Monday - Grant didn't get to finish installing the car seat base, and I only was able to iron about half of the clothes before I started feeling bad. I plan to get the rest of them ironed this evening. It was a very productive weekend and our house is clean! I love it! :)

The complete items are bold, so you can know where we stand:
- Finish washing all baby's clothes, sheets and blankets (Rachel)
- Finish packing Hospital Bag & Car except for outstanding items that will receive for Christmas (Rachel)
- Clean out car (Rachel)
- Wash Inside & Outside of Car (Grant)
- Install Car Seat Base (Grant)
- Put Pillow, Boppy Pillow and Bag in Trunk to prepare for Hospital (Rachel)
- Buy Hangers and Nursing Tank Tops (Rachel)
- Finish organizing closet with Closet Separators (Rachel)
- Clean House (Grant & Rachel)
- Wash, Dry & Fold Clothes (Rachel)
- Iron Clothes (Rachel) - Half way done
- Buy a few Stocking Stuffer's and Grant's Dad's Christmas Gift (Rachel)

I also was out of the house this morning at 8:00 AM, and I was running errands. I got a manicure, pedicure and eyebrow wax and met up with my best friend from high school for lunch. It was a great and productive day. I even got a brief nap in this afternoon. :)

Ultrasound Today!!

So, I am taking half the day off today, because it's just such a crappy day, and I'm so ready for the weekend. I've decided to drive over to visit my mom and get an ultrasound while I'm there...I'm going to see if Grant is interested in going, as well, because I haven't told him of my plans to go yet, but I am excited about it, and I can't wait to see Weston again and check and make sure that he is doing well. Hopefully, I'll be back to post pictures soon!

Can't Wait for the Weekend

So, Grant and I are really looking forward to this upcoming weekend! We have NO plans, so it's the first weekend in a really long time where we have absolutely nothing planned, and we couldn't be more excited. We do have a list of things that we want to get accomplished, so we'll be busy, but I think we can get it all done and possibly spend some time relaxing and enjoying one another's company...possibly even go to a movie! :)

Here is our list of things to do over the weekend:
- Finish washing all baby's clothes, sheets and blankets (Rachel)
- Finish packing Hospital Bag & Car except for outstanding items that will receive for Christmas (Rachel)
- Clean out car (Rachel)
- Wash Inside & Outside of Car (Grant)
- Install Car Seat Base (Grant)
- Put Pillow, Boppy Pillow and Bag in Trunk to prepare for Hospital (Rachel)
- Buy Hangers and Nursing Tank Tops (Rachel)
- Finish organizing closet with Closet Separators (Rachel)
- Clean House (Grant & Rachel)
- Wash, Dry & Fold Clothes (Rachel)
- Iron Clothes (Rachel)
- Buy a few Stocking Stuffer's and Grant's Dad's Christmas Gift (Rachel)

I'll keep you posted on what all we get done on Sunday or Monday and whether or not we get everything finished this weekend! :)

Happy 101

I've been awarded with this award by both Erin at Kentucky Newlyweds and Brittney at Running in High Heels. I love reading both of their blogs, and I'm sure you guys will too, so go check them out!

Ten things that make me happy are:
1.) My sweet puppy, Banks - It's so rewarding to have a dog that loves you so much and who gives you so much affection. He is such a blessing to our family!

2.) Feeling Weston move and quick every day and knowing that he is thriving inside me...I can't wait until he is born, so I can see him and enter the new phase of our lives.

3.) French Manicure & Pedicure - It's always so refreshing to just relax and get a manicure and pedicure and then it feels SO great afterwards. Don't we all love being pampered?!

4.) UGA Football - I love living in Athens, GA, because I get the opportunity to spend my Saturdays in the fall hanging out with friends and watching the football game whether from campus or from home, it's always a good time!

5.) Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino - I love Green Tea Frappuccino's during all seasons! It's one of my weaknesses! :)

6.) Having everything on my "To Do List" for the Baby finished, so he could come anytime, and we'd be prepared! :) He just has to hold off until after Christmas, so I can get my Diaper Bag from my parents for Christmas!

7.) No more presents to buy or gifts to wrap...It's all DONE! And now, I get to spend time with my family and enjoy the holidays!

8.) Dark Chocolate M&M's...enough said! I love all Dark Chocolate, but I can't stand Milk Chocolate! I don't know why, but Milk Chocolate is terrible to me!

9.) JCrew - I love it, and they've got some really cute things out right now! Unfortunately, I don't fit into any of them! I can't wait to be able to wear them again, and I think JCrew should come out with a Maternity line! :)

10.) Having a clean house...It's such a nice feeling to walk in the door to a clean house! I love it! It's just so refreshing to not walk in and feel like you've got to start straightening up or cleaning something. Lately, I haven't been up to cleaning much, so I haven't done a whole lot, and Grant says that he is going to clean this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed! :)

Now on to 10 blogs that brighten my day, and I can't go a day without reading:
1.) Mrs. Southern Belle
2.) Blue Eyed Bride
3.) Faith Hope and Love
4.) First Comes Love
5.) The Southern Belle Baby
6.) Sweet Simplicity
7.) Naturally Caffeinated Family
8.) From Marriage to Motherhood
9.) Tales of the Trees
10.) The Flores Garden

Hope you all enjoy checking out their blogs as much as I do! :)

MIA

I've been MIA lately from posting and commenting on your blogs, but I'll be back, hopefully, this afternoon. It's been a busy few days at work, and I've had meetings that last through 99% of my day, so I haven't had much of an opportunity to blog or read and comment. I also haven't been feeling really great lately, so I've been trying to make sure that we have EVERYTHING prepared for the little one's arrival, just in case, he decides to come early. It seems as though I have a free afternoon today, so I will have time to hopefully catch up on everyone's lives and post a substantial post on my own blog. Until then...

Miserable...

It can't be 12:45 AM, and I'm still awake! I'm so miserable. I laid down at 10:30 PM after trying to "read" myself to sleep, and I haven't been able to fall asleep. My back is bothering me which is the main reason that I can't sleep, but I'm also feeling a little nauseous, as well as, feeling pain in my upper right side right under my rib cage. This is the first night since being pregnant that I haven't been able to sleep, so I guess I should count my blessings that I've been blessed with great sleep minus the getting up to go to the bathroom part, but I can handle that compared to this. Anyways, I'm getting ready to lay back down on the couch and try again, but I'm irritated and probably making it worse, because I'm upset that I can't sleep. It's going to be a long meeting-filled day, if I can't get to sleep soon!

Doctor's Appointment Update

So, the doctor's appointment went fairly well...I have gained 28 lbs., and the baby is measuring at 34 weeks, and his heartbeat was 138 bpm. He seems to be doing fairly well! I on the other hand, am not doing so well. My blood pressure has been creeping up each week this last trimester. It was up to 152/72 today, and it was 145/68 at my last appointment. At the beginning on my pregnancy, it was only 98/53, so it's definitely been gradually getting higher.

My mom was on bed rest with me during her pregnancy due to preeclampsia, and I have a history of high blood pressure in my family. My dad's side of the family has low blood pressure, and I typically have really low blood pressure, so he was shocked that it had gone up so much.

At the end of the appointment, he mentioned watching my blood pressure and inducing me early if it continues to get higher. He also mentioned that he'd like to be able to hold off until January 4th at the earliest, so he'd be full term at 37 weeks. So, he asked me to try to do as much sitting as possible and keep my legs elevated, etc., so my blood pressure stays low, as well as, try to drink as much water as possible. We ended up going ahead and scheduling another appointment for next week, because he wants to keep a closer eye on me.

I'll keep you all posted on the progress and how my blood pressure looks next week!

34 Weeks

So, since I didn't post last week, I wanted to make sure that I posted this week...I even allowed Grant to take my picture this morning before he walked out the door when I didn't have make-up on yet, because I wanted to be sure that I got a photo and could do my weekly post.

Here is my 34 week photo...

34 Weeks

Please ignore my face...I was looking pretty rough since I didn't have make-up on yet! I'm sticking more straight out then I was at 32 weeks when I took the last photo, and it looks as though my stomach is a little bit lower now. I'm not sure though! I can't tell! What do you guys think? :)

32 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Not sure...I got to the doctor this morning at 9:15 AM, so I'll find out then, but I'm SURE that I don't want to find out! :)
Maternity clothes? Yes...I'm not wearing anything that's not maternity except for Grant's t-shirts that are a Large and my regular pajama pants. I can still wear a small/medium pajama pants, because I can wear them down low.
Stretch marks? Nope...crossing fingers that I don't get any! :) Starting to put lotion on my stomach more regularly just to be sure!
Sleep: Having a tough time...waking up more and more often to go to the bathroom. I counted four times last night.
Best moment this week: Getting the finished / recovered glider back from my mom! It looks so good, and I love it in his room. Finishing up EVERYTHING in his nursery and bathroom!
Movement: Yes! All the time! I love it, especially in the morning.
Food cravings: Nothing that I can think of...
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Not too much this week!
Belly Button in or out? Pretty much flat straight across...interesting looking!
What I am looking forward to: Going to the doctor this morning...I love my visits!
Weekly Wisdom: I don't have any this week...
Milestones: Starting to pack my bag for the hospital and finishing Weston's nursery and bathroom

Is it supposed to hurt?!

*Possibly TMI, but I had to ask the question to all of you Mom's and Pregnant Ladies out there to see if I'm the only one has ever experienced anything like this!*

So, I'm definitely wanting to have those special times with my husband while I'm pregnant, and I want to enjoy it, but it's just not comfortable. It's not that my belly is getting in the way, but it hurts down there. It's sore, and it just doesn't feel very good. I don't know if something is wrong with me or if this is normal. Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this? Or does anyone have any thoughts on what could be going on and why it's so uncomfortable?

It was okay and not painful in early pregnancy...I didn't have a problem, and it's been since the 2nd trimester that it's not very comfortable. It seems to get worse the farther along I get.

It may be a little while until things return to normal for us after Weston is born, so I want to enjoy one another as much as we can now. I'm going to the doctor on Monday, and if I can't figure out a way to make it better between now and then, I'll ask for suggestions from him.

Feeling Better

So, I'm feeling a lot better today...I had a good evening last night, and I saw my dad. I was able to come home and relax with my puppy and go to bed early! It was a great night!

Until...the 45 mph wind and rain woke me up at 4:45 AM. It was a nightmare. I was so scared, because the power went out, and Grant wasn't home, so I heard all this beeping. The battery back-up on our computer was beeping every minute, as well as, the fire alarm. It was terrible, because I'm not a huge fan of storms, especially when Grant is gone, so I did what any nervous girl would do, I let Banks come up and sleep in the bed with me. He was too sweet and curled up right next to me, until I made him too hot, and he decided to get back on his own bed. By that time, the rain had stopped anyways.

The power came back on at 6:30 AM, and I slept in until 7:30 AM. It was a great morning after the storm died down, especially since I didn't have to be in to work until 11:00 AM! :)

Why am I such a Mess?!

I don't know what's wrong with me, but on top of not feeling well, I've been unbelievably emotional the past two days. Grant is headed out of town today, and he'll be gone through Friday. He'll be home on Friday, but then he is headed to the coast to pick up some shrimp for my family, so he's planning to go down on Friday when he gets home and take the dog, and he'll come back on Saturday late afternoon. He's also going to be out of town next week, and I'm kind of sad about it...maybe that's why I'm so emotional. I was gone last week, now he is gone for the next two weeks. It's probably also pregnancy hormones added to of the fact that I'm not getting enough sleep and not feeling well to equal one extremely emotional girl.

Last night, Grant was packing to leave, and he had this look on his face, so I asked him what was up, and he said you hung my shirts up, and they needed ironing. What is it with "Wrinkle-Free" shirts?! Aren't they supposed to be easy maintenance? Shouldn't I just be able to take them straight from the dryer and hang them up and not have to iron them?! It wasn't like they were obviously wrinkled, but the collars were wrinkled and folded in a strange way, so I should've ironed them instead of hanging them up. My bad! I didn't say anything to him about it hurting my feelings, and he told me that he appreciates all the things that I do for him, and he doesn't mind ironing, but he just hates getting a shirt out to wear and finding that it's wrinkled, so he has to go iron it when he is running low on time. I understand that! So, he wasn't trying to make me feel like I don't do enough around the house, but he definitely succeeded. So, I started crying...then he felt terrible, and I just couldn't stop crying.

Then today I was supposed to have meetings through lunch, but I rescheduled one of them, because I wanted to try to get in lunch with Grant today before he leaves at 1:00 PM. So early in the day, I told him that I needed to play it by ear, because I hadn't rescheduled the meeting yet, and I would let him know. At 11:45 AM, he emails me and says that he is going out to eat with one of his friends and wanted to know if he could bring me something back. Nice gesture, but I couldn't have been more disappointed and upset, and I was on a conference call that didn't end until noon when he emailed me, so I had to put it on mute, because I couldn't stop myself from crying. I wanted to eat lunch with him, and I adjusted my schedule accordingly, but I hadn't told him my plans, so how could he have known. He felt bad and said that I could go to eat with them, then he said that he could cancel his plans with his friend, but I was stubborn and upset, so I declined. And I don't know about you guys, but when I've been crying, I look awful...my nose gets red, and I look terrible. I didn't bring any make-up with me to the office today, so I couldn't reapply my make-up before leaving for lunch. And I didn't really want to go out in public looking like I'd been crying!! And I'm still crying...I can't stop! I don't know why I'm so upset...is it because I couldn't see Grant before he leaves? Because I'm going to be without him for the next two weeks? Because I just have wild pregnancy hormones and everything makes me act crazy?! I'm not really sure, but I hate not feeling like I can control myself and my emotions. Are all pregnant women like this?

Grant is always so supportive and helpful, and I let every small stupid thing hurt my feelings. I need to toughen up! Ha-Ha! :) Anyways, since I've written a novel...I'm done now! Have a good day, everyone! :)

Edit: And the waterworks start again...Grant is gone! He didn't have time to stop by my office and tell me bye, because he was running late coming back from lunch, so I didn't get lunch nor did I even get a goodbye, and I just broke down and started crying again!! It's unbelievable! I can't stop crying and every little thing makes me sob!

Not Feeling Well...

So, I'm really not feeling well today...I'm stopped up, and I can't breathe. I have a headache, and I just feel crappy! I'm also 33 weeks today! Yay! Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo this morning or yesterday morning. Grant is out of town this week, so I have no one to take my photo, so I will likely just skip this week, at least in terms of a photo. If I'm feeling better this afternoon or tomorrow, I'll post my weekly pregnancy update! Until then...I'm back to work to do as little work as possible, while I try to feel better! :)

I'm back...

So, I made it back from Mississippi on Friday, and I was exhausted. I can't remember a time when I've been so tired. I drove seven hours to MS and back, and I slept in a hotel bed that was extremely hard and just not really comfortable. It's nothing like your own bed, especially when your almost 33 weeks pregnant!

Anyways, we had a busy weekend upon my return...we took Banks to another Hunt Test, and he passed both days, so he now has his Junior Hunter Title. We couldn't be more proud of him! :) In the Junior Hunter category, the dog has to show skills in Hunting, Bird Finding ability, Pointing and Trainability. He has to point 50% of the birds that he finds, and he has to score an average of 7 with no lower than a 5 to qualify. He also has to pass four times, so that equals four days. He can't just pass one day and be done with his title, so he's passed four times, and he has his JH behind his name. His registered name is now Vizcaya's Crash Landing JH or as we all know him "Banks".

We also had our office Christmas Party on Saturday evening. I was feeling fine when we got to the party, but after an hour or so, I was wearing down quickly. My sides hurt, my stomach was aching and really hard, and I don't know what was going on, but I just felt awful. I finally had to tell Grant that we needed to go home...we made it home, and I laid on the couch and fell asleep. Grant finally woke me up around midnight to go up to bed. I felt better on Sunday, but not 100%. My stomach is staying hard most of the time, and it's not real comfortable. I think Weston is still doing well though...the nausea / unsettled stomach feeling has returned though. Has this happened to any of you? If I don't eat and keep something on my stomach, I start to feel bad, and it's not fun! On that note, I'm starting to feel bad again, so I'm going to head off to lunch! :) Happy Monday!

On the road...

So, unfortunately, I got roped into traveling to Mississippi this week, because I need to transition some of my responsibilities over to one of my coworkers, so he can cover for me while I'm out on Maternity Leave. The guys that I work with most often are in MS, and he is in Montana, so we've decided to meet half-way between us in Mississippi.

I'm preparing my office and gathering my things to head out this morning...I'm not looking forward to a seven hour drive to MS today and back on Friday, especially not at 32 weeks pregnant, but I don't have much of a choice, unfortunately. I'm a little nervous about the drive...it'll be a long one, and I have had pretty strong BH contractions the past two nights that lasted for longer than I would have expected. I told Grant that I was going to go ahead and pack my hospital bag when I get home from my trip! Ha-Ha! I don't really know when I'll pack my bag, but I hate to be going this far away without any friends and family. I have great coworkers, but it's going to be a long drive.

Anyways, my posts and comments may be sporadic this week as I'll be out of the office, and I won't be able to get online until I get back to the hotel in the evenings, but I'll post as I have the availability. Hope everyone has a great week, and I'll be back! :)

32 Weeks

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: After the Thanksgiving Holidays, I don't even want to know, but I am going to the doctor today, so I'll find out this afternoon!
Maternity clothes? Yes...Mostly everything now, but I can wear some t-shirts that are a small, but they are REALLY tight these days, and they show my belly!
Stretch marks? Nope...crossing fingers that I don't get any! :)
Sleep: Waking up once or twice a night to go to the bathroom and tossing and turning a lot! This was the worst week of sleep so far!
Best moment this week: Just having a wonderful Thanksgiving with Family
Movement: Yes! All the time! I love it!
Food cravings: Nothing that I can think of...
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Lots of BH Contractions last night and my belly is getting really hard and tight!
Belly Button in or out? In but pretty shallow now
What I am looking forward to: Going to the doctor this afternoon for a check-up! :)
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy pregnancy and rest and relax as much as you can!
Milestones: Being in single digit weeks and getting 99.9% of our To Do List completed! Yay!

What's your opinion?

So, as I mentioned earlier Banks went to a show this past weekend, and he competed against another male dog to move on to the next round, and he got second to this dog all three days of the show. The show took photos of the dogs competing against one another and sent them to us. I don't know about you guys, and I might just be biased, but I think that Banks is the better looking dog in these three photos. What do you think?


In case you can't pick him out, he is the second, lighter colored dog. I really wish he had won, and I truly think that he should've won. They said that he was prancing a little bit around, so maybe that was the reason. He is still a little immature, because he isn't very old, so we are going to wait until the Spring to show him again and see how he does. I hope he can do it!! :)

31 Weeks

I can't believe that I'm 31 Weeks, well tomorrow, but it's so close, and I took a photo today, so I had to go ahead and post it! I'm getting SO big! I can't even believe it! Here is my 31 week photo taken this morning before we left the house:
So, Banks didn't win this weekend at the show, but he still did a great job, and he came home last night, and I was SO happy to spend time with him and just to have him home. He was loving and just so enjoyable! I can't believe that I love that dog so much.

On to my 31 week update:

How far along? 31 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 21 lbs. based on the doctor's appointment last Wednesday
Maternity clothes? Yes...Mostly everything now, but I can wear some t-shirts that are a small, but they are REALLY tight these days!
Stretch marks? Nope...crossing fingers that I don't get any! :)
Sleep: Waking up once or twice a night to go to the bathroom, but overall, sleeping fairly well.
Best moment this week: My mom doing an ultrasound on Saturday at her office and seeing how well Weston is doing...he is measuring right on track and based on measurements the EDD is 01/24, so we'll see! And he is weighing 3.5 lbs. So happy!
Movement: Yes! He is moving a lot, especially during the day now!
Food cravings: None this week...
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Nothing much this week...just been feeling pretty good!
Belly Button in or out? In but getting more shallow
What I am looking forward to: Getting all the remaining items checked off our list! :)
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy pregnancy and rest and relax as much as you can!
Milestones: Being in single digit weeks! Yay!

Anyways, I have more updates to come later this week from our weekend, but I'll leave those for another day. Hope you all have a great short week! I'll likely only be posting on Monday & Tuesday, because I'm off on Wednesday, and I don't think that I'll make any posts, but we'll see. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Appreciation

"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."

- William James

I didn't realize how important appreciation was or how often it was thought of or brought up by people until I started to feel like I wasn't being appreciated. I looked up the word appreciation today, and not only did I find the definition, but I found hundreds of quotes, poems and stories on appreciation and appreciating those you love and who do things for you.

In the past few weeks, I've felt like I'm not appreciated, and it hurts my feelings. It's become increasingly difficult for me to bend over, fold clothes, iron clothes, etc. as I get bigger and bigger. It's uncomfortable and my feet hurt if I stand for too long. I'm still cooking dinner daily, as well as, cooking dinner for the dog (long story), and I just want someone to notice that I'm still working hard. It's not that Grant doesn't appreciate me, because I know he does, but I'm at the point right now where I need that reassurance that I'm still doing a good job. I'm sure that a huge part of it is my emotions right now, but I just feel like I'm being lazy and that it's not good enough if I just want to sit on the couch and relax. And Grant would never say that to me or make me feel like that, but it's just my emotions telling me that and letting it get the best of me.

Here's to hoping that I'm a little less emotional and not so "needy" next week...

Show Us Your Life - Pets

So, when I saw that Kelly at Kelly's Korner was hosting a "Show Us Your Life - Pets", I knew that I had to participate! As all of my readers know, Banks is my first baby, and he goes everywhere with us, so it was a no-brainer that I would participate.

Grant & I decided in August of 2008 that we might be able to get a dog. We had been talking about it for quite some time and things were slowing down for us, so we decided that it was time. Ever since we started dating, Grant had said that he wanted a Vizsla one day. He said that he had seen one once, and it was really cool, so that's what he wanted. So, I bought a book on Vizsla's, and we started to research breeders.

We found a breeder named Nancy who runs a kennel called Vizcaya Vizslas, and we got in touch with her. She had a litter on August 14th, so we were thrilled. Perfect timing for us!! We went and visited, and the puppies were so cute. I was sold. So, we picked Banks up on October 4th, 2008.

Our first family photo on the day we picked him up from the Breeder

I love this dog so much...he makes me smile when I've had a bad day, and he always knows when I've had a bad day or I'm not feeling well, and he comes over and just sits with me. He cuddles with Grant every night. He has a great temperament, and he always wants to be right by your side. He will also let you stick your hand in his food bowl while he is eating, and he'll just back up until you are finished and then come back to eat. He is so gentle, and I know that he'll be so good with Weston when he arrives. I dread thinking about the day when he'll go to Doggy Heaven, but he is only 15 months, so we've got quite some time left, I hope. :)

I'll leave you with some photos of Banks:

Sitting together after a hard day's work outside in the yard!

Sleeping with his blanket...he loves to be covered up with a blanket! :)

Waiting for his turn to find Quail at the Hunt Test

My two favorite boys, Grant & Banks

Quail Hunting

His favorite place to relax during the colder months, especially when I've just opened it to remove clothes!

Eating the cake I made him on his 1st Birthday

My First Child

As you all know, I'm SO in love with my sweet dog, Banks. Someone sent me this note called "Potential Danger of Dog Hair", and it's totally me! I'm SO crazy about my dog. I won't say that I've stopped wearing make-up or good clothes or high heels, but I do sometimes delay cooking or cleaning, so I can hang out with him more. I also buy him things before I buy myself things regularly. Does anyone else who has a dog have any of these symptoms?

Urgent Notice: Potential Danger of Dog Hair

In a press release today, the National Institute of Health has announced the discovery of a potentially dangerous substance in the hair of dogs. This substance, called "amobacter cainii" has been linked with the following symptoms in females: Reluctance to cook, clean or do housework. Reluctance to wear make-up, good clothes or high heels. Reluctance to spend money on home or car repairs until after 'Baby' has new collars, leashes, beds, treats, food, blankets or toys.

"Amobacter caninii" usually results in long hours away from home and exhaustion which may lead to a loss of physical contact with other humans (especially husbands and boyfriends). "Amobcater caninii" is thought to be addictive, driving the need for additional sources - this may lead to a "pack mentality" or like the potato chip commercial, "you can't have just one". Beware! If you come in contact with a female human infected by this substance, be prepared to talk about dogs for hours. Additional symptom is a lack of motivation to seek a cure. Full recovery is rare and if cured, serious side-effects may result.

Surgeon General's Warning: Dogs are expensive, Addictive and may impair the ability to use common sense.

I can't relate to all of these things, but I can relate to some, and dogs are expensive and addictive. I keep telling Grant that we need to get Banks a playmate! Ha-Ha! He strongly disagrees! Tomorrow I'll update you all on Bank's achievements last weekend...for now, he is off to the Breeder and headed to Montgomery, AL for a three-day dog show. Keep your fingers crossed that he gets some points and wins this weekend!

And I'll leave you with a photo that I took of my two boys this weekend...
They lay together every evening and watch TV and usually fall asleep like this. They are TOO cute, and it melts my heart that they are so close like this and Banks will sleep on his shoulder. I love them!

Falling Behind...

So, I know that I'm actually ahead of schedule when it comes to setting up the Nursery and getting everything done, but I set dates for myself to get things finished by, and I'm starting to fall behind! It should be no big deal, but I'm so Type A, that I want everything to be done like I envision. Anyways, here is my list and my revised dates. I'll be working on some things this weekend. I've removed all the items from the list that have been done for quite some time.

Weston's Room
- Wash Clothes & Hang / Organize in Closet or Dresser Drawer (1/1) - DONE
- Recover Glider (1/1) - DONE

Our House
- Deep Cleaning (1/1)
- Rearrange photos on wall in Guest Bedroom to coordinate with new furniture (11/30) - Behind
- Hang Floral Canvas prints in Dining Room (1/1)
- Hang prayer on wall in Dining Room (1/1)
- Recover Small Chair for Vanity (11/30) - DONE

Weston's Bathroom
- Hang Photos on Wall - DONE
- Put Bathroom Sign on Door - DONE

Left to Purchase
- Toothbrush Holder & Accessories for Bathroom - DONE
- Two Lamps - DONE
- White Basket for Toilet in Bathroom - DONE
- Blue Washcloths for Bathroom - DONE
- Blue Candle for Bathroom

Can someone come and do the last few things for me? I just want it to get done all on it's own without me having to do it. :(

Ebates.com

Has anyone ever heard of it? I learned about it today, and I immediately signed up. I mean, who doesn't want to get cash back from shopping?! Especially when it offers locations that I shop at regularly, especially Target! :) I'm so excited about my next purchase, so I can get money back. It's kind of like using coupons! :)

If you are interested and want to sign up, check out this link. You sign up, and we'll both get $5.00 back! And I'm not sure about you, but $5.00 adds up quick!

Weston's Nursery

So, we are pretty much finished with the nursery...we've got a few things remaining, but they are minor, so I'll go ahead and post pictures of what we've got finished. I'll post pictures of the glider when it comes back from being recovered, as well as, the lamp and bathroom when we are finished with those. But for now, I'll post some photos that I took earlier this week of Weston's Nursery!

Without further ado...

Crib w/ Initials - The pillow will go on the Glider & the step stool was made by my Grandfather, and it has his name on it! I love it! :)

Window with Valance and Side Table

Dresser w/ Name Blocks above & Diaper Cake from Shower

Sign and Frames...I have no idea what I'm going to put in the Frames!

Behind the door...Bulletin Board my mom made, so we can hang photos!

Closet Door

And that's about it...I'll post more photos later, and I'll post photos of the finished bathroom, when it's complete. I'm so thrilled with how his room turned out! :) What do you guys think?