*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° 

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° 

I am newly obsessed with the Zac Brown Band.  Scott got me their newest CD for my birthday and I cannot.stop.listening.to.it.

Where have I been, you ask?  Living under a rock?  Wasting life away watching reality TV?  Eating popcorn?  That there are some good questions [insert Southern accent].   (For the record: No. Yes. and Yes.)  

I’ve always enjoyed their radio songs, but never enough to pursue listening further.  U-N-T-I-L “Knee Deep” hit the radio waves and I wondered how they stole my innermost thoughts from my innermost gray matter.  Are they some sort of ninja mind readers or something?  Seriously, these lyrics came from MY brain…

Okay – truth be told – I would never say “champagne shore” (I’m more of a beer and wine girl), but the rest is spot on how I feel when I’m at the beach.  And sometimes that tide can sneak.up.on.ya!  (Sorry local library – I am totally guilty for the waves in that one book.  Oops!)

Well, in an ironic turn of events, Zac Brown Band came to Charleston last weekend for their Southern Ground Music & Food Festival.  It was a 3-day event right on Daniel Island at Blackbaud Stadium filled with gourmet food and over 30 musical artists.  LemmeRephrase…It was a 3-day event right on Daniel Island at Blackbaud Stadium filled with gourmet food and over 30 musical artists and no Trottiers.  Boo.  The good news?  We had an awesome weekend in Asheville with awesome friends (and 4 hours each way to compulsively listen to Zac Brown Band).  No regrets here.  Word on the street is that there will be a 2012 edition.  I WILL NOT miss that one.

Enjoy this quick recap of the festival that I found on ZBB’s Facebook (while listening to one of my favorite songs!)…

Seriously, I love every song on their newest CD!

Did anyone go to the festival?  Was it worth the money?  Was the food way better than other festivals?  

Wanna go with me next year?

p.s. The Coastal Carolina Fair is going on right now.  It’s only 25 minutes from where we live.  We have no plans to go, but are impressed by their musical guests – Colt Ford, Crystal Bowersox from American Idol, John Michael Montgomery, and more!  Are we missing out by skipping it?

p.s.s. We ARE going to the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island with my parents, though.  DVR’ing it – maybe we get on TV again like last year.  ;) 

Beach Count: 62   

High Temperature: 80° ← aka: NOT SNOWING (unlike the weather in my hometown!)

Call it sappy Sunday.

Call it Sarah being Sarahday.

Call it whatever you’d like.

BUT, God gave me Scott and I love, love, l♥ve this song.

“God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
and I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you
Gave me you ♥

Southern Thesaurus — Entry #9 (It’s been a while!)

Bless Your Heart

from here

Wowza, this one is com-pli-cated!  I’ve been holding onto this one for a while (yes, I have a Southern Thesaurus “bank!”) so that I could be sure to understand it thoroughly.  I think I sorta figured it out!

I have learned that this saying means MANY DIFFERENT THINGS. Here’s my best attempt at breaking it down (native Southerners, feel free to set this sister straight!)… 

1. Heartfelt empathy – Situation: I miss my flight to New York.  I’m crying in the airport like a big fat baby.  Lady in line behind me -  “Oh sweetie, bless your heart.” = “Oh sweetie, I am so very sorry that you are going through this.  Been there and it’s awful.”

2. Pity – Situation: I drive too confidently close to my garage door.  So close that I hit it.  Oops!  (This IS hypothetical, but could honestly happen tomorrow.)  Neighbor under her breath – “Oh boy, bless her heart.” = “Poor schmuck.  I’m shocked it’s taken her this long to take a chunk out of that garage door!”

3. Kudos – Situation: I work a 12-hour day, when it’s supposed to just 7.5, due to pure dedication and love for making this world a better place.  (Again, hypothetical!)  Family member: “Wow, that’s dedication.  Bless your heart!” = “Wow, that’s dedication.  Good for you!”

4. An attempt to make a nasty comment sound more polite (or, um, Southern?) - Situation: I see a person walking in the pouring rain on the side of the road being splashed repeatedly by puddles.  The forecast said 90% chance of rain.  Um, duh.  I say (to myself, of course!): “Um, good going.  No need for a jacket or umbrella – dumbo.  Ever heard of looking out the window?  Hmph, bless your heart!” = “Um, good going.  No need for a jacket or umbrella – dumbo.  Ever heard of looking out the window?  [I'm not a bad person.]”

And there ya have it.  A loaded Southern phrase – without a doubt!  I’m overly cautious to use it, just yet.  Baby [Southern] steps!

Please enjoy a little Miranda Lambert sassiness.  Lyrics including “bless your heart” are below!

Miranda Lambert – Only Prettier

Well I’ve been saved by the grace of Southern charm
I got a mouth like a sailor and yours is more like a Hallmark card
And if you wanna pick a fight
Well I’m gonna have to say goodnight
I don’t have to be hateful, I can just say bless your heart

Southern friends – Do you use bless your heart?  If so, in which way do you use it most?  Did I miss any other meanings?  Do tell!!!

Southern Thesaurus suggestions?  Ones that you love?  Hate?

Lemme know so I can blog about ‘em!

p.s. It’s been rainy on and off for days…Scott and I are in serious need of some beach time.  Bring on the SUN!

p.s.s. Fall beer tasting party at our house this Saturday – sooooo excited!!!

Beach Count: 61  

Pool Count: 18 

High Temperature: 83°