HAPPY BELATED 4TH, AMERICA!!!

Scott was digging the hat!

*Week 35*

CURRENT STATS

Percentage Cooked: 88%

Baby Size:  Approximately over 5ish lbs.?

Countdown to Baby: Less than 5 weeks (249 days down, 31 to go!)

Symptoms: My feet and ankles are swollen around the clock.  My poor weight-holders are sore from my first stagger outta bed to the last roll into it.  It’s not fun AND it adds to the unmistakable waddle.  The HOTTT weather does not help a sister out.  For real, the fat on my feet jiggle, y’all.  Ugh.  Luckily, my blood pressure has been right on, so there are no concerns regarding preeclampsia.  Just discomfort and embarassment for Mama!  (I Google’d “cankles” for a funny picture.  Don’t ever do it – it’s so not worth it!)

My brain is on baby duty NON-STOP.  I can’t imagine all of what we have going on right now at home WHILE working.  Phew – so glad we don’t need to juggle both responsibilities simultaneously this first time around.

Braxton Hicks contractions continue and have become more intense.  This belly gets hard as a rock!

I’m extremely hungry, like every 2 hours.  Between that and hourly (at least!) pee breaks – I have become quite a high maintenance chica!

 Cravings: Oreos, homemade chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, watermelon, Root Beer

Weight Gain: 29 lbs. as of last Thursday; my guess is 45 lbs. by now – ha!

via here

Related Purchases: LOTS – including wall art and finishing touches to the nursery.  I’m working on making a mobile and Mom’s working on recovering the glider ← a HUGE job.  Another week or 2 and it should all be complete =)

Fear of the Week: BIG Dr.’s appointment tomorrow…we’ll find out what position Baby is in (I have a feeling it’s not the right position for delivery – but we’ll see).  Think positively, right?!

Relief of the Week: This week’s Dr. appointment is with MY Dr. (I’ve had to meet with others in the practice periodically over the past month or so…it’s not a given that MY Dr. will deliver Baby T.).  I love my Dr. – she gets me.

We had the car seat bases installed in all 3 cars (my parents’ included) at a local fire department.  FINALLY!

I’LL BE ABLE TO SEE MY CHILD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT – AKA I ORDERED NEW GLASSES.  WAHOO!!!  They’re Vera Bradley Eyeglasses and they’re cute!  I think these are the ones I ordered (Emily in Java Blue)…

Randomness: Everywhere I go, people are asking me what I’m having (WOW – I don’t know HOW you could WAIT to find out!) and when I’m due (WOW – you’ve got a WAYS to go!).  Oh people, I know you are trying to be nice, but you’ve gotta really think about your comments to an almost 9-month pregnant lady.  They’re sensitive and unreasonable (just ask my husband).  I have officially made it passed the “oh you look so cute” stage to the “holy you are REALLY pregnant” stage.

My hospital bag is half packed and the other half is written on a list by the bag.  I’m really close to being organized with this.

My to-make-and-freeze meal list is complete.  Now it’s time to make the ginormous ingredient list so I can make it happen!  (I did freeze 1½ garbage breads this week – so game on!)

When asked by the Dr. about my pain management plan, I said that I am open to an epidural.  But, if for some miraculous reason I feel like I can power through – of course, I’ll give it a try.  She says, “I’ll write ‘probable’ on your file, then” (for an epidural).  Haha – thanks for the encouragement.  Seriously though, I’m not looking to win any prizes or to be any sort of Superwoman.  Bring on whatever it takes to get this little love out safely!

via here

Scott’s Quote of the Week: Scott has been quoting facts from our Baby Boot Camp class that we took.  Phrases like “feeding cues” have been on the tip of his tongue.  It’s super cute – he was really paying attention!

I was talking about going to a local children’s consignment shop because I have a $5 off coupon.  Pregnancy brain wouldn’t allow me to think of the name of the place, so Scott saved the day.  But he was a little off!  It’s called Angels and Rascals.  He called it Rascals and Demons – an ode to Angels and Demons (a book, then movie).  Ha!  I laughed for 20 minutes.

Any last minute reminders/suggestions from you Moms out there – DON’T HOLD BACK!  This includes hospital advice, meal suggestions for the freezer, last minute items that baby can’t live without, etc.  I need your help!

xoxo

p.s. BABY’S DUE EXACTLY 1 MONTH FROM TODAY!!!

Beach Count: 76  

Pool Count: 30 

High Temperature: 93° 

Photo dump…GO!

EASTER

We went to Boone Hall for St. Andrew’s Church’s Easter service.  We went last year with my parents and LOVED IT.  The service is outdoors under the biggest tent you’ve ever seen.  They provide bottled water, coffee, muffins, bug spray, and child care.  It’s free parking and free admission (it’s usually $19.50 per person just to get on the grounds!) and free warm fuzzies that last for days.

This year certainly did not disappoint.  Year two solidified that this will be an annual event!

The music is out.of.this.world good!

Next up was some beach time on Sullivan’s Island…

Look at dat belly!

…then it was high time for High Thyme, also on SI, for brunch!  (No pics…sorry!) We had reservations, but were about 30 minutes early.  We figured we’d check it out and if they couldn’t take us yet, I’d wobble mosey on next door for a yummy decaf iced latte-ish drink at Cafe Medley.  Shoot – they could take us!  We sat by the door so we had the open air feeling, without too much wind.  It was heaven. Scott and his Dad both had shrimp and grits, Scott’s Mom had the biggest omelet you’ve ever seen, and I had a fried egg BLT.  It was delicious – I would DEFINITELY go back!  My only complaint?  No lemonade!

The second half of Easter was spent relaxing on the couch watching the Masters!

THE REST OF THE WEEK

We relaxed but fit a lot in, including painting the nursery (YAY!!!), a trip to Isle of Palms, a trip to Folly Beach, some downtown, lots of pool time (once out at Surfside where my parents were on a mini-vaca), and lots of yummy out to dinner (Poe’s, Water’s Edge – 1 of the best happy hour’s in town!, Jestine’s Kitchen, and Pearlz)!

Here are just a few pictures to prove it…

Water’s Edge

City Market

Oyster shooters at Pearlz (I was so jealous!)

The weather was wonderful and the time off was even better!  30ish days until summer break!!!

For all those on a week and a half delay (like me), I hope everyone had a great holiday!

p.s. I wonder what time Cafe Medley closes and I wonder what Scott is doing RIGHT NOW…?! hehe

Beach Count: 72   

Pool Count: 22 

High Temperature: 82°

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° 

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°  

Yesterday, Scott and I celebrated our 8th Valentine’s Day.  EIGHTH!  So crazy.  ♥

We went out to dinner on Saturday night because we’re old and didn’t want to on a Tuesday night at Red Drum in Mount Pleasant.  My parents have been raving about Red Drum for a while (for both their happy hour specials and their food, in general) so it was time for us to check it out.  We luckily had a restaurant.com gift certificate in the vault – spend $50 and get $25 off (SCORE!) – so it was a done deal.

I didn’t take any pictures, because we were too busy being romantical and enjoying the wood-burning fireplace BUT believe you me – it was awesome! The ambience was nice (although loud), the seating was super comfy, our server was fantastic, and I haven’t stopped talking about the food.  I’ve been craving a nice big steak so this was the perfect opportunity!  I had the Steak Frites and Scott had the Quail, Venison Sausage, and Cheese Grits.  No…we are not vegetarians and NO I do not care that I had french fries as part of my Valentine’s Day dinner!  Listen – girlfriend’s pregnant.  With Scott’s one beer (p.s. they had 17ish beers on tap – Scooter was happy!) and my tall Sprite, our whole dinner set us back about $50 (with tip, tax, and free yummy bread!).  It was perfect.  ♥

I’ve heard that Red Drum’s brunch is pretty awesome, so we’ll definitely have to check that out at some point!

On actual V-Day – we had lobster tails, baked potatoes, and broccoli at home. We exchanged cards, Scott got me beautiful flowers, and we took our 15 week pregnancy photos.

It wouldn’t be a celebration without watching a movie (Take Shelter) and me falling asleep halfway through.  I didn’t even make it to special popcorn!!!

Ah well!!!

I hope y’all had a GREAT Valentine’s Day!  xoxo

p.s.  Check back tomorrow for my 15 Week post!

Beach Count: 66   

High Temperature: 60°  

Christmas 2011 was wonderful!

We were lucky enough to see many of our favorite family and friends in New York, to enjoy the cold to see some snow flurries but no big bad storm like last year (thank goodness!), and to sleep in for a couple of days.  Ahhh – it was nice. We were, once again, reminded why we are so blessed!  Icing on the cake: we were were home, in Charleston, by Christmas Eve night.  A perfectly balanced holiday week.  Success!

* * *

We received wonderful gifts from family  - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

As for Scott and I, we went big this year without really meaning to (purchasing for the future).  Let’s just say that the Southwest credit card was a-smokin’ this week!  Oh well.  Life is short and Ramon Noodles are cheap.

* * *

Our big purchases that are assumed to last 5+ years…

1. A new microwave (that continues to live in his box).  But oh yeah, you already knew that!

2. An awesome camera…The Canon Rebel T2i

I need to sleep with the manual under my pillow, grad school comps-style. Girlfriend’s got a lot to learn, but I am confident that I’ll get the hang of it.  It is already 100% clear that this camera is one million times better than my digital camera that we’ve been using from the beginning of my college days (ahem, 12 years ago?!).  This is like a gift for you guys, too.  Pics on the blog should be much easier on the eye now – YAY!  AND…extra special bonus?  No more I-need-a-new-camera whining from →this girl←.  You’re welcome.

Thanks for camera suggestions on Facebook, friends.  We were thisclose to getting the Nikon D3100!

3. A gorgeous new car…A 2011 Honda CR-V SE in Opal Sage

[My heart pitter patters.]

It was only a year and a half ago that we got our Mazda 5.  She will be missed, but we are Honda-lovers through and through and couldn’t pass up a great deal!

We’ve been bonding over Zac Brown Band (both albums) and the new Gavin DeGraw-Sweeter.  I’ve been parking far away and driving much slower than usual.  Yup, we’re in the honeymoon stage.  ♥

I hope y’all had a wonderful Christmas 2011.  Who else can’t believe it’s already over?

2012 is just around the corner!!!

p.s. 70 degrees and sunny the next 2 days!!!

Beach Count: 64  

High Temperature: 69° (and beautiful!) 

I love both of these people.  I of course knew that Zooey Deschanel could sing (hello, Elf!), but I did not know that adorable Joseph Gordon-Levitt could.

Super cute!

Enjoy while I get my act together to actually blog.

Thanks for your patience.

Miss y’all!!!

p.s. Stand by for my posts re: my year in review, my thoughts for 2012, and my Christmas recap!  I’m baaaaaaaaaack!

Beach Count: 64  

High Temperature: 60° 

This dance is called “The Charleston.”  I just couldn’t resist!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BLOG LOVES!!!

IS…

[drumroll please]

a  N-E-W  M-I-C-R-O-W-A-VE!!!  [cue ridiculously pathetic clapping]

Oh no, that wasn’t it.

But we had to drop 200ish big ones on one anyway, because the old heater-upper’s circuit board (yes, seriously…I said “circuit board”) decided to poop out when a light bulb died.  Awesome.

Exciting, huh?

It’s an after-Christmas-project.

For the record, we’ve been microwave-less for almost 2 weeks now and life has been just fine.  All I’ve missed it for was melting butter (for Scott’s special popcorn, of course), reheating brown rice, and double-checking the time (what? the oven clock could all of a sudden be wrong – weirder things have happened!).

Maybe we should’ve bought a TV to put above the oven instead?

Oh well [cough, bah humbug, cough]!

I have dreams of new bras, socks, and underwear to round out my Christmas dreams.  

How about you?!

p.s. Don’t you love homeownership?

Beach Count: 64  

High Temperature: 74° 

We’ve had ridiculously warm temperatures in Charleston lately and I.LOVE.IT!

So here is Charleston’s forecast for the week we’re in NY…

VERSUS the forecast in Upstate New York…

We’re looking at a 30 degree gap, people.

Can I get a – what?  really?

I know it’s December and that I lived in that climate for 27 years, but MAN, me-no-likey.

Better get packing my sweaters!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY, Y’ALL!!!

p.s. Who thinks we’ll get a snowstorm while we’re in NY?  Obviously the meteorologists aren’t thinking so, but I just have a feeling.

p.s.s. Can’t wait to see all of our NY favs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beach Count: 64  

High Temperature: 74°