In the Spring – Scott and I went to Charleston Repeats, a semi-annual consignment event, and struck out big time.  We were overwhelmed and under informed.  I’m pretty sure I was hungry and Scott’s eyes hurt (baby paraphernalia is BRIGHT!).  We were not ready.  Imagine – deer in headlights.

This time around I was better prepared, with a fellow Mommy friend, and felt like I actually had a clue.  I was on a mission, but was prepared to leave empty-handed (if I got caught up in all of the madness again).  Sarah’s head = on straight.

My goal was to look for a bouncy seat for Nana and Grandpa’s house and a Halloween costume for Max.  Success!  I also scored a boppy pillowcase, a changing table pad (also for Nana and Grandpa’s), a puzzle, cloth stackable pails, and all of this clothing…

FOR $78!

The clothes were $38 and in GREAT condition.  The little jacket alone was probably $38 brand new.  The labels are Gap, Old Navy, Circo, Carter, and Oshkosh.  I was very pleased with these Fall/Winter finds!

I will DEFINITELY go back to this sale in the Spring.  My advice?  Go with a plan, patience, and a full belly.  Be ready to commit, but don’t be impulsive.  It can be VERY overwhelming, but VERY worth it!  (BONUS: Admission and parking are FREE!)

TEAM CONSIGNMENT!  I didn’t think I’d be into it, but babies grow so fast and I’m a sucker for a good deal.

Did anyone else go?  What was your best find?

XOXO

p.s. The highlight of my time there?  Meeting someone who follows the blog! SO SORRY that I was totally awkward when you asked if I was Sarah from Charm of Charleston.  That has never happened before…please comment and at least tell me your name!  No, this dummy didn’t even think to do that.  <insert embarrassed face>  ::kicks rocks::  THANK YOU FOR SAYING HI!!!!!!!!!

p.s.s. Max’s Halloween costume is mixed in there as a teaser.  (Um yes, it was $3!)  I’m keeping it a surprise…for now! 

p.s.s.s. Cutest pic of Max on the blog tomorrow, so come back!

Beach Count: 77  

Pool Count: 32 

High Temperature: 83° 

Seriously…

STOP IT.  JUST STOP IT RIGHT NOW!

HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!!!

p.s. We’re off to a soccer game on Daniel Island with my parents tonight, then dinner at friends’ tomorrow night (working on many projects in between!).

p.s.s. I finished baby’s DIY mobile – can’t wait to share it with you next week!

Beach Count: 76  

Pool Count: 30 

High Temperature: 95° 

*Week 32*

*Week 33*

CURRENT STATS

Percentage Cooked: 83%

Baby Size:  4ish lbs., 17ish inches long (I don’t put a lot of stock in these fruit comparisons, but Baby’s supposedly the size of a pineapple)

Countdown to Baby: Less than 7 weeks (232 days down, 48 to go!)

Symptoms: Oh goodness.  Here we go…

The swollen-ness has branched out beyond my hands I’m afraid. Hello finger and toe sausages.  Cute.  Real cute.

My left hand tingles sometimes.  Apparently Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during pregnancy is common?  Listen, I’m here to educate!

The waddle is ON like Donkey Kong..  I caught this hot bod in a store front and almost fell over.  [No seriously, I probably almost fell.]

via here

Arm flab, like woah.

I CANNOT get out of my favorite and most comfortable recliner chair unaided.  Fat chance…literally.  Which sucks for Scott because – -

I pee at least once an hour.  Everywhere we go, I must go.

It’s hard to take a deep breath/I’m out of breath often.

Baby T. hiccups A TON.  I love it!

Braxton Hicks Contractions have increased (and were confirmed by the Dr.).  They’re always uncomfortable, but can border on painful at times.  As long as they’re not the real thing – - baby’s gotta hold on for at least 4 more weeks!

Everything is more intense.  Even my laughs (i.e., belly laughs?  call me Santa!) and sneezes (yes, that was me – neighbor 3 houses down!) are intense.

My body aches by the end of the day.  Every last swollen bit of it.

All in all, this body just ain’t mine anymore.

Cravings:  Oreos, Reese’s, ice cream, fruit, and ice cold beverages

Weight Gain: 27 lbs. as of last Thursday…thanks A LOT New York!  At this point, I’m on target for a 35 lb. overall weight gain.

Dear Victoria’s Secret,

Please stop sending me emails and catalogs.  Seriously, Vicky?  NOT COOL.

Save it (and simultaneously – shove it).

Less than amused (and definitely not your friend),

The Pregnant One

Related Purchases: The 2nd curtain, more paper lanterns, gray bins to complete the cube organizer, and a bookcase is on its way!  Mom and Dad get home from NY today with a trunkful of Baby Trottier’s shower gifts.  I can’t wait to unload that trunk!!!  (AND see my parents, of course!)

Fear of the Week: I have this feeling that Baby T. is going to come early…like, too early.

Relief of the Week: I have progressed to weekly Dr.’s appointments.  WEEKLY, friends!!!

A few people in NY said that I look smaller in person than I do in my blog pics.  Compliment?  I’ll take it!

I have officially started “nesting“…evidence to come!

This baby made it through our NY travels – yay!  4 flights (4 take-offs and 4 landings!), 2 pat downs, 1 “blue sleeve” disability pre-boarding perk, 1 run through the airport, and 1 poor Southwest worker who got stuck next to me when Scott and I couldn’t sit next to each other.  Poor guy’s ears were bleeding after that hour and 15 minute flight.

Scott – “Were you talking to him the whole time?  I could hear you talking at the beginning, then I put in my headphones.  When I took them out, you were still talking.”  Me – “Welllllll, he talked some too!”  (And then I proceeded to tell Scott this nice gentleman’s life story.  Cue: Scott’s ears bleeding.)

Randomness: We had a great time in NY.  Pics from Baby T.’s shower and our adventures coming soon!

Also coming soon – nursery updates!  We’ve been working hard since we got home.  =)

I am taking a breastfeeding course at the hospital this week.  Should be interesting.

Scott’s Quote of the Week:

1. Me – “Ugh, this bod really needs a massage babe.  Can you?”

Scott – “What, you want me to do it?  On Father’s Day Eve?”

2. Me – “Can you please help me hang these paper lanterns?  You just tie it on one end and make a loop on the other.”

Scott – “No, I’m sorry I can’t.”

Me – “Um, what?  Why not?”

Scott – “I can barely tie my shoes, I definitely can’t make a loop.  No seriously.  My shoes come untied all of the time.  I still don’t think I’m doing it right!”

Sorry for the blog delay – I hope to write A LOT over the next baby-less weeks!

xoxo

At my Uncle’s house in NY 

p.s. We’re off to the FREE Party in the Park at Memorial Waterfront Park tonight with great friends.  It’ll be our first time going, so I’ll report back.  Next week, Lauren Alaina from American Idol will be one of the artists.  She’s so sweet – can’t wait!

Beach Count: 75   

Pool Count: 29 

High Temperature: 83° 

Scott and I have been obsessed with Zac Brown Band ever since he bought their 2nd CD for me for my last birthday.  We’ve since bought their 1st CD and songs from both albums are staples on both of our iPods.  We’re not sick of them yet – at.all.

Last year, ZBB came to Daniel Island (4 miles from our house) for their very first Southern Ground Music and Food Festival at Blackbaud Stadium.  We missed it for our first trip to Asheville (no regrets!!!), but we vowed not to miss it this year if it returned.  Well folks, it’s returning…and in a BIG way!

“What’s so big about it?” you ask.  Well nothing other than the fact that it lands on MY 30TH BIRTHDAY!!!  Yes, folks – 2012 is an enormous year for this lady! We’re waiting to get tickets, since right now they are only selling the 2-day ticket option.  But we are all over the 1-day pass for October 20th.  WHO’S COMING WITH US?!  Get you some tickets!

I CANNOT WAIT.

Did I mention that this very concert was voted the Best Music Concert of 2011 in Charleston by Charleston City Paper readers?  Well, I just did AND it was.

Question is – will the little nugget come with (for some of the time, at least)? We’ll have to see!

I leave you with one of my fav ZBB songs…just because!

“Keep Me In Mind” – 2012 ACMs

9 more days of work until summa summa summa tiiiiiime!!!

xoxo

p.s. No worries – Tropical Storm Alberto isn’t expected to make a big impact ’round these parts.  Cross your fingers for little beach corrosion.

Beach Count: 75   

Pool Count: 28

High Temperature: 73° 

via here

GET TO STARBUCKS ASAP for their Frappuccio Happy Hour!!!  Get a half price Frappe between 3:00pm and 5:00pm and your taste buds will thank you.  This ends on May 15th, so hurry in and take advantage.

My Frappe count?  2 so far!  I have a date with a friend and her 3-week old on Friday.  His fav flavor is the newest Mocha Cookie Crumble…good taste

Enjoy.  You can thank me later!

What’s your favorite Frappuccio flavor?  

I switch it up during Happy Hour, but it’s usually Caramel!

p.s. Is it Friday yet???

Beach Count: 74   

Pool Count: 26 

High Temperature: 80° 

Attention: There will be no B-word usage in this post.  I repeat – NO B-WORD!

Here are some gems on the internet that I am loving right now…

1. This Craigslist car ad is a-maz-ing.  You are sadly missing out if you don’t click to enlarge this puppy.

I have to assume that this car was sold, on humor alone.

2.  I’m a huge Jimmy Fallon fan.  Mostly because he’s hilarious, but also because he attended my alma mater – The College of Saint Rose (he was a few credits short of graduating, but earned an honorary degree in 2009).  Here are Jimmy Fallon and President Obama slow jamming the news!

3. This is way old (like January), but I am still obsessed with it and have been meaning to share it with you all forever.  I never knew how super, insanely cute Kristen Bell was!!!  I promise a serious cry-laugh situation.  Side Note: I relate to her emotional scale, like woah.

Second Side Note: Doesn’t my friend Talia look like Kristen Bell, kinda? (circa October 2009)

No, my hair wasn’t really that short…just very layered!

4. Today, Boeing rolled out the brand new 787 Dreamliner.  This sleek new airliner was built right here in North Charleston and it’s the very first ever to be unveiled.  It’s kind of a big deal.  It’s good for Charleston’s economy, morale, and overall future.  I mean, look at what’s written on the front of this ginormous piece of machinery  - “Made With Pride in South Carolina” with the SC flag and all.  Thank you, Boeing!!!

From ABC News 4

That’s all for now!  Scott and I are off to Blackbaud Stadium to watch a Charleston Battery game (soccer).  Let’s see if I manage to catch any of the game while busy making out with my extremely large and salty soft pretzel (that they better have)!  Beach tomorrow, then catching up with awesome friends at a BBQ.  Sunday – church and maybe Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival in Mount Pleasant?

What’s everyone up to this weekend?  Enjoy!!!  

p.s. No mention of the B-word throughout this entire post…I’m proud!

p.s.s. Have fun at TAP NY, friends (still my favorite beer festival ever).  We wish we could be there!!!

Beach Count: 72   

Pool Count: 24

High Temperature: 86°

I think I’ve been holding out long enough, no?

Remember this picture of the 9-cube organizer?

Well that’s what it looked like against the brown wall.  THIS is what it looks like against the freshly painted walls in Valspar’s Nordic Blue (with some randomness on there, for now).

Much better, right?

But since you’ve already seen that piece of furniture (Target), I’ll give you even more of a sneak peek.  Check out the rug that I’m in LOVE with from Urban Outfitters…

Yay! (sorry the lighting isn’t great!)

So – gray and white chevron, baby blue, and primary colors will be the reoccurring color “theme” in Baby T.’s nursery.  Bold and not gender-specific (we think this blue says “baby” and not “boy”).

Interested in more details?  Stay tuned as I share more sneak peeks!

We are headed downtown to the Farmer’s Market this morning with two of our great friends.  Can’t wait!  

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!!

Beach Count: 72   

Pool Count: 23 

High Temperature: 78°

Wearing not-my-typical-picture-taking outfit, the Trottiers want to wish you a very…

HOPPY EASTER!!!

We are heading to Boone Hall Plantation for St. Andrew’s Church’s Easter service.  It’s outside and it’s fabulous!  (Remember when we went last year with my parents?  We LOVED it!)  Later on, we are heading to High Thyme on Sullivan’s Island for brunch.  Very exciting!!!  The rest of the day will consist of watching Rory or Phil win the Masters.

Enjoy your day!  

p.s. Say goodbye to those brown walls!

Beach Count: 69   

High Temperature: 70° 

Friday - Mom, Gram, and I got much-needed pedicures (much-needed for me, anyway!) at Top Nails in Mount Pleasant and then we enjoyed some time on the deck at Red’s at Shem Creek.

Saturday - Gram & Pop, Mom & Dad, and Scott & I all checked out Park Circle’s St. Patty’s Day parade and block party.  It was HOT out and my sunscreen didn’t really help a sister out.  Oh well!  This event was BUSY!  Luckily, parking [30 minutes prior to the parade's start] was not a problem.  Impressive!  The food and drink choices were okay, the music was great, and the people-watching was FANfriggenTASTIC!  And “what about the parade,” you ask?  That parade was over in about 5 minutes.  Kinda lame – sorry, it’s the truth.

Shout out to Charleston Animal Society’s adorable parade car!

Park Circle’s got NOTHING on Hoosick Falls in the parade department. [Dude, Hooty has a website...who knew?!]

We stayed for a few hours, then we came home and I napped for 2.  Scott and I hit up Coleman Public House for dinner.  Scott got his typical fav burger.  I, sadly, cannot have the best.burger.ever during pregnancy (due to the goat cheese) so I finally tried their mac & cheese.  OH CHEESUS…it.was.amazing.  No wonder my friend Liz gets it to turn-that-frown-upside-down (and why it won “Best Coma-Inducing Skillet of Cheesy Goodness” in Charleston City Paper’s Best of Charleston 2012!!!).

A skillet of pure heaven

Sunday - I sabotaged church-going due to my chronic lateness and the paving on 526 (Scott hated me for a straight hour).  Instead, we took advantage of the Customer Appreciation Day (aka – FREE admission) with Charleston County Parks and finally checked out Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park. How beautiful!  We held hands, said some prayers, and sang some church songs terribly out of tune.  I didn’t really make it up to Scott until I persuaded him do this (along with a non-negotiable “weeeeeeeeee!”).

Mad at me, no longer – how could he be?!

I loved this place!

What’s awesome is that the normal park fee is $1 per person.  I am embarrassed that it took us a $2 discount to finally get our butts there!!!  We WILL be back!

Next, we hit up THE BEACH at Isle of Palms before all of the storm clouds moved in.  [Minus the $7 parking fee, thankyouverymuch.  Consider us - TWICE appreciated.]  It was gor-geous.

I hope everyone has been soaking up this beautiful weather!

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

p.s. Question of the day: Do I allow myself to get sucked into this season’s Dancing with the Stars?  We are HUGE Gavin DeGraw fans!!!

Beach Count: 68!   

High Temperature: 82°  

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY…FROM MY CRAZY HAIR BABY AND ME TO YOU!

(Seriously time to do something with that mop)

We’ll be off soon to check out Park Circle‘s 9th annual St. Patty’s Day Block Party (and parade)!  Bring on the corned beef, mechanical bull (for pure people-watching pleasure), and live Irish music!  Did I mention food vendors?

And I leave you with Scott’s favorite St. Patty’s Day jig…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

p.s. 84 degrees today!

Beach Count: 67   

High Temperature: 81°