I am a machine.

We are pretty much 100% moved in. I think my sis-in-love said it best when I told her this yesterday and she replied, "You are a machine." I am a moving machine. I am the biggest advocate for anti-chaos, and by the night we moved in we were unpacked about 85%. I don't play around. I am loving the quiet of this place and the fierce upgrade. I love everything about this apartment. I especially love that K does, indeed, have his own "man room". All the clutter he won't let me toss into the garbage I toss into his room for him to deal with. It is fully equip with an Alabama shrine, his thousands of books, hanging guitars, beer fridge, and a desk all his own to study the Bible and write music as he wishes. It is messy, there's a Johnny Cash poster, it is not organized and cute, and it is most certainly his. Seriously, I have to physically assault myself to keep from going in there to rearrange things in what I feel is a more practical way- this is his room. I have 7 others in this place that are mine, alllll mine and "all girly" as he calls them. Home Sweet Home.

I have had a fab weekend. Yesterday was the. best. day. Mae and I had brunch followed by a day packed with errands mixed with fun. We got a lot accomplished and she looked Ah-mazing in her dress! I love it. Gah, she's so tan, too. I have got to get a spray tan, and fast.

Yesterday my sistah got our tickets for San Diego!!! Wooty Woo! She and my mom and I are going to San Diego the last weekend in April. We fly out on my 25th birthday and return on my older bro's 1 year wedding anniversary. OHMYGAH I can't wait!

Beach, sun, my girls- perfect way to forget I'm 25. Yike.

K and I are on the hunt for a new church. For various reasons the one that we had been attending for a while was just not working out...We have tried a few, but for the most part Atlanta churches are huge and, I feel, impersonal. It's interesting to attend a different church every weekend, and I am starting to really miss having a sense of "home" on Sunday. We're working on it and asking God to help point us the right way and help us to listen, too.

We get to go to Target today! It's honestly like a special treat to go into Target with a long shopping list and K right there to approve (or deny) all of my wants, er, 'needs'. I love Target. We can walk to the one in our neighborhood. DANGEROUS! I am also headed to Michael's to get some crafty things to finish up on Mae's bachelorette invitations and some other things I am creating for that night! Eeek! 3 weeks!

Mae and I listened to sweet baby guff's heartbeat Friday night- still sounds like galloping horses. I just die every time I hear it. I can't believe my sweet baby is hangin' out inside of me for the next 5 months. And, I can't believe I only have 5 months left. Geez. We haven't read about him/her yet this morning... but I'll let you know what is going on as soon as I do! haha...

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Short & Bittersweet

...Well, it's our last night in this pit. The stay here was short and bittersweet. This is where we dreamed of (made) and found out about baby guff. In the mere 100+ days we stayed here our lives have changed so much for the better. It's really incredible how fast one's life can change!

-Why does everyone on American Idol suck this year?! Ugh. -

This weekend is going to be awesome. Mae and I are hangin' out Friday night and having mini-spa day on Saturday, followed by her 1st dress fitting (!!!) and some shopping (duh). I'm totally freaking out about it. She's getting a massage and I'm getting a facial. Love those. I know I'm going to cry when I see her in THE dress... she's gorge. Um, I just remembered last night that I better start putting my toast together for her rehearsal dinner... I have a little pocket in my planner filled with random bullet points that I have thought of over the past year ("Oh, that sounds good!" *chicken scratch on the back of my Target receipt*) So the plan is to get them all together in a coherent, focused and reasonably lengthened toast. With no improvising. Without blubbering and getting snot-faced. We'll see.

I'll find my camera and post pictures of the new place ASAP. I hope.

Does anyone else make up words? Why do I do it? I have had this thing the past week or so.. adding '-ies' to a lot of words. . .
Pick a word and add '-ies'. It just makes me laugh out loud and K thinks I'm a freak. What else is new? Ok, I'm embarrassed. (For the record, I know this is weird, not quirky.)


Smoochies!

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Everybody Poops

Ok. So I took this picture this morning because it was the first time that I was really like, "Ok, there you are little bump." Some of the responses I got back sounded something like, "What bump?" or "Yeah, I guess I see a little something..." and "You look the same!" Ouch. That last one is still hurting my feelings. Come on people! Was I really this 'bumpy' before? Don't. Do not answer that question. Yike. Well, either way the difference in then and now is that I can't suck it in. So those of you I thought I was fooling when I could still squeeze into my size 4's - I know that I am definitely not fooling you anymore, and apparently never was. Boo. The responses weren't all bad~I did get a few "ooohs" and "ahhhhs" and even one very enthusiastic "You are GORGEOUS!" (Thank you big sister, you know just what to say:)

Tomorrow we move! Kind of. Tomorrow we move the little things that we don't want the movers to touch. Important things. My clothes. K's record player and record collection. Our TV. My wedding bouquet. My shoes. K's camping gear. Food.

Thursday the movers do the real work and we get out of this place. I hope our boys like the new digs! *Sidenote: Bailey just randomly pooped on the floor. 1 little poop. That is actually a very good representation of how we feel about this place. (Natalie! Rude!) Whatev.



So this is what our little baby is up to this week. I hope Baby Guff isn't a thumb sucker in real life. (Wait, this is real life...) I mean, when baby guff arrives I hope he or she is not a thumb sucker. I don't want to pay for braces.

I am getting that energy kick and feel great most of the time. Except last night! Dangit! The Biltmore girls jinxed me. They asked if I had been sick at all and I said no. I hardly made it through the front door in time to rush to the bathroom. Note to self: limit the tater tots. No one needs to eat that many. Ever. No matter how crispy and delicious they are.

We are having quesadillas for dinner tonight- don't ask me how. As far as I know EVERYTHING is packed up. K says that is what we are having, and I am certain that he has some kind of MacGyver way to make it happen. What an adventure it is living with a real-life MacGyver.

Is this the most random blog ever? I guess those of you who know me wouldn't expect anything different. But still, If I were reading this I would just. die. of confusion I think.

Oh, and if anyone has had or knows anything about epidurals, can you let me in on the mystery? I am debating whether I should go natural or not... Don't call me crazy. Just let me in on the mystery. I need to know how big the needle is and how bad it hurts. I gotta know what it's like not to feel anything from the waist down, and if it affects your pushing at all. I am a crazy plan-aheader and I have to figure this out soon so I can read all about and prepare for one or the other. I have done a little research on both, but am at the stage where I'd like a little insight from a personal experience. OMG. What if I poop on the table?

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Time flies when you're ... busy!

It is almost the last week in February! Remember like 3 posts ago when it was almost February? What is going on?! Time is running away from me like a bad habit (I wish all my bad habits ran this fast...) I will be 15 weeks pregnant tomorrow! I know I am supposed to wait until Sunday to read ahead about Baby Guff, but I cheated this week- kind of. I didn't read the book, but I did read The Bump. Naval Orange!

Here is the picture that The Bump provides. I learned last time that depending what kind of computer you were on, that peach was definitely not actual size. Oops. I just can't believe how fast he or she is growing. I also can't believe that before long we will know if "Baby Guff" is a little girl guff or little boy guff. At the very beginning I was feeling a little girl all the way, and lately I have been having strong little boy feelings. Could I have mother's instinct already? :)

My mimi sent me a sweet package this week filled with baby things. ALL handmade. Security blankets, hat, swaddle... She is the best! I am so lucky to have a mimi and a mommy that love to sew, and are willing to make little baby guff lots of little baby things. I am SO excited to go pick out fabric with my mom for baby bedding and curtains :):):) Ah! I'm also ready to get into the new place and start buying all things nursery...

Speaking of which, we move on WEDNESDAY! WAHOO! I can't even begin to tell you how happy that makes me. If I knew where my camera was, I would take a picture of the absolute crazy that is our living room. Boxes, everywhere! Mostly full. We are tackling the ever-so awful kitchen this weekend (I hate packing the kitchen...) And that is really all that is left to pack. We are so fortunate to be able to hire movers this time around~ I honestly don't think I could do it without them. I could. But I would not be happy about it. At all. This week starts a month of total crazy for me (AND Annie!!! You're getting MARRIED this month!!! Wooty Woo!). Starting with moving, everything else is going to spin into a swirl of events and fun one thing right after the other... spa day, doctor appointment (those are ALWAYS fun:), St. Patty's, niece's birthday! (Is she really growing up? :( ) Miranda Lambert concert, Finding out if Baby Guff is a girl or boy!, Mae's Bachelorette party, Mae's bridesmaid luncheon, Mae's WEDDING!, and- month ends. I am sure I am forgetting something and there will be lots of fun in between...But a packed schedule always means a fast month! And, by the way, April is no boring month. WOW. This little baby is going to be here before we know it. Yesss.

Did I ever mention that K and our dear friend Brian are playing the music for Mae's wedding? Yeah. I am so excited! Actually, I gotta go help research some music stuff for her now. "We" have a meeting with them next week to make final decisions. Add that to the calendar. I LOVE SPRING!!! (And the Braves, who we are going to see every game until I get too fat to fit into the seats.)
Until Next Time,
The Guff

Mondays are the Blues

My. Pants. Don't. Fit.

That's as much as I want to talk about that.

It's not been a great Monday. Partly because it is Monday, partly because I overslept and mostly because good news was nowhere to be found today. It started off with my pants not fitting this morning and ended with getting sick. Again. The middle parts of the day flat out made me cry and scowl periodically. It's just not been a good day.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." -Philippians 2:14-15

I wish I could have this verse posted as a neon sign at my desk all day. And at home.

Other than the circus on Saturday the weekend was uneventful and full of much needed rest. I have been having issues with a nerve in my back lately, so laying around with a heating pad and a blanket watching movies was awesome. Sunday was Valentine's Day...We don't celebrate V-Day, never have. (Except the 1 year back in the day that K took me to Madame Butterfly @ The Fox. My. Word. I wore the biggest, tackiest gold earrings, EVER.) It kinda felt like we did celebrate this year though, unintentionally. We had breakfast in bed and laid around listening to our baby's heartbeat all morning. It was sweet.

...and now I feel like I am going to throw up again. Is anyone else watching The Bachelor? For those of you that aren't, be glad. The beast just came out in lingerie on national TV. Wow. Sorry for the interruption. That totally grossed me out.


I think it's time for snuggling with my pup and homemade milkshakes!

Until Next Time,
The Guff

-ps- When are girl scout cookie orders coming in? GAH!

Galloping Horses

So, we kind of did a crazy thing. Last week, while perusing through Amazon.com for more wishy-things, I came across a ton of Fetal Heart Detectors. Wow. That would be so cool to have one, but I'm not up for paying over $100 for one. *Wish List* Click. Then I saw one for $30. Well, that one must be a cheap-o. And surprisingly, it had higher ratings than the expensive ones. *Add to Shopping Cart* Click. K was a little weary of having one around... "If the thing breaks, you'll think something's wrong with the baby". Well, may be true, but we got it anyway. It came in the mail this morning... and it totally works!!! It is so cool to be laying on the couch, listening to what sounds like galloping horses. The heartbeat is still going strong! I want to keep it in my purse and pull it out for everyone to hear, everywhere we go. Might be a problem, since you gotta pretty much pull your pants half way down to hear it, but I don't care. I'll do it. Anyway, I think it's a great gift for newly pregnant moms and it's definitely affordable.

This is the brand that we have, but there are a lot of other brands available. (This one came with a free bottle of gel, but you can use baby oil or lotion just the same). I think you can start hearing the heartbeat with this detector at around 9-12 weeks. Speaking of newly pregnant moms... You know how everything happens in 3's? Last week, 2 of my friends called within 1 day of each other to tell me that they are having a baby! I am so thrilled! (No, I'm not going to tell you who, geez! Not my secret to tell!) Another purchase that I snagged off of Amazon.com was a 5-in-1 pillow to sleep with that eventually turns into a little play mat for baby. It's worked pretty well so far for sleeping, but it's a little much-kind of takes up a lot of space.

Some good news is that the cramps that I was having aren't related to working out or growing pains. The bad news is that I have a bladder infection. What? I don't even know what that means. I know that from what I've read, things that help get rid of it include drinking a lot of water (I can't imagine drinking much more than I already am) and leaning forward when I urinate, to ensure that all urine is drained from the bladder. I'm sorry, this just makes me laugh. What's even funnier is trying to lean forward when you go. Not as easy as it sounds, especially if you are laughing. Then, the book says to sit there for 5 minutes, and try to go again. Huh? I'm already going every 30 minutes, I cannot go every 5. And what if a boy had a bladder infection? How would they lean forward when they went? All of it just makes me laugh. Often. The doctor did give me some meds that are supposed to be safe for baby guff- I am just really cautious about taking anything at all, even for a headache. It's so funny how half of the family always says "she" when referring to the baby, and the other half always says "he". I can't wait to find out!!! We will probably find out the last week in March. Not too far away!!! Oh My! I'll be 5 months pregnant then! Wow. Time is flying by.

Tonight we are going to the circus with my good friend Katty and her husband.
She just got married in December! I haven't seen her since the reception, so it'll be nice. I knew I was pregnant at her wedding, but hadn't told anyone yet. I had to order orange juice at the bar, and they gave me a kiddy cup with a straw. K got a big kick out of that. She looked absolutely stunning, and the wedding was beautiful!

Do circuses have giraffes?!

Until next time,
The Guff

"Hello. I'm Natalie Guffey, and I have a baby in my tummy."

I just ate the best meal, in the world. If it counts as a meal. I was craving some fried zucchini sticks, and K offered to make them for me. Mustard. I have to dip them in mustard, I thought. Oh. My. Mustard. I probably ate 3 zucchinis and finished off an entire mustard bottle. Ok, not really, but it sure feels like it. They were unbelievable- especially the ones he intentionally burned to a black and thick crisp- just for me. Ohhhhhhhhh the delight! I am happy to know that now I can eat whatever I want with no reservation of "how will this feel coming back up?" because surely that would have ruined this meal before I even got to taste its perfection. But that was last week. Last tri-mester. This is a new day. YES!

So... we had our 2nd doctor's appointment on Monday. We reported to the doctor's office and I had 7 vials of my blood taken- SEVEN!!! I hope not to hear from them at all. In this case, no news is good news. We got to see baby guff again!!! It will never get old:) The baby was totally flipping around and it appeared to have the hiccups. It's little body would be hanging out, sucking its thumb and all of the sudden do what looked like the wave with its whole body. SO CUTE. Here are a few shots:

"Hello. I am sticking my tongue out at you. Suckaaaaaas!"

Stretching Out

Face Forward. Whoa! Scary.

Tiny little hands over the face "No more pictures, please!"


Overall the check-up went really well. Other than the part where the doctor said in the next 3-4 weeks I would "blow up". Wow. Careful with your words, lady. While waiting (forever) in the waiting area at the doctor, K apparently read a few too many pamphlets and has me on a strict* work out regimen. "It will help with your labor, delivery and recovery." Ugh. He got educated. He's totally right. I have to get off the couch. (*By "strict" I mean he is making me workout, period, 3 times a week. Way more strict than my previous workout regimen of getting up to go to the bathroom 9 times an hour.) I have been bicycling! Laugh it up Biltmore girls, laugh. it. up. I actually enjoy bicycling. 30 minutes seems like no time. Plus, I figure it's working out the most important areas :) HA! Everything else on the mommy-front is good. I have been having some unusual cramping, which I am blaming on working out. OR, it could just be the stretching ligaments around my belly and a growing uterus. ? Who knows.

While riding my bike today, I was listening to Nichole Nordeman's "You Are Good" on my iPod. For whatever reason, I found myself listening to this song on repeat...over and over again. It's such an encouraging and truthful song. Lyrics are below! Happy Hump Day!

Until Next Time,
The Guff

You Are Good
Nichole Nordeman & Erin O'Donnell

When the sun starts to rise
And I open my eyes
You are good, so good
In the heat of the day
With each stone that I lay
You are good, so good

With ever breath I take in
I'll tell you I'm grateful again
When the moon climbs high
Before each kiss goodnight
You are good

When the road starts to turn
Around each bend I've learned
You are good so good
And when somebody's hand
Holds me up helps me stand
You are so good

With every breath I take in
I'll tell You I'm grateful again
'Cause its more than enough
Just to know I am loved
And You are good

So how can I thank You
What can I bring
What can these poor hands
Lay at the feet of a King
I'll sing You a love song
It's all that I have
To tell You I'm grateful
For holding my life in Your Hands

When it's dark and it's cold
And I can't feel my soul
You are so good
When the world is gone gray
And the rain's here to stay
You are still good

So with every breath I take in
I'll tell You I am grateful again
And the storm my swell
Even then it's well and You are good


Ain't that the truth! God is so good.

My Georgia Peach

I know it's kind of a big picture of a peach, but I figure it's almost the actual size of baby guff this week!!! eeek! A PEACH! You must think I am crazy freaking out about my baby being fruit sized- and maybe I am- crazy about this peach. Every Sunday, which conveniently marks the start of a new week for our son or daughter, K and I read aloud the next week/chapter in What To Expect When You're Expecting. Then oooh and ahhh and giggle about what it will be growing or producing that week. (OK, I'm really the only one who giggles). Well, it's Sunday. He's still asleep, and I am up and ready to read the chapter. But I'll wait for him. Semi-patiently. Might even let him have breakfast first. While I wait, I figured I would tell you about our dates this week! Thursday we had "mattress and milkshake night". I have been on a homemade milkshake run and he likes to make them for me (doesn't he?...) So we grabbed our mattress, pulled it out into the living room and had a movie night. Turns out we didn't have enough milk for 2 milkshakes (my oversight, that I like to blame on the pregnancy. Who doesn't get milk when they propose a milkshake night? ugh.) so I really lucked out and got the only one. It was delicious. Then, to end our date with a BANG! I was asleep by 8:30. Poor husband, I'm a lame date. BUT I totally made up for it last night. We had talked about going to see B.B. King & Buddy Guy in the winter, but tickets seemed too expensive, and with new baby news it totally slipped our minds to even reconsider it. Until yesterday. We were driving home from (unsuccessfully) shopping for maternity pants- K's favorite outing- and we passed The Fabulous Fox Theatre. We saw the marquee. We looked at each other. K wondered aloud if they were sold out. Surely. So, he got out his pocket computer, er, iPhone, and checked everywhere online. Sold Out. We reached home and decided to run by the box office just to check. I dropped him off, looped around the block, and came back to see him standing on the curb waiting for me- tickets in hand! Stoked. We were stoked! We had about an hour to get home, eat, get dressed and walk back up to The Fabulous Fox. (I love being able to walk there- I am going to miss that.) Our seats ended up being front row balcony. Front. Row. It was incredible! I stayed up well after midnight last night, thank you. If you have never listened to Buddy Guy or B.B. King, you must. I like to listen to it while cooking or straightening up the house, or on a rainy day laying around with K reading. It's true blues, and they are The Best.
Here's a picture of me before we left:
I think someone needs to tell me not to wear light jeans with these boots again. Whatev. I am really trying to stick out baby guff in this picture. I'm getting a pouch, but it's not really that big. I guess at some point we should start taking pictures to capture how big I am each week. I don't like the thought of that right now, so I'll keep putting off pictures of my not-flat stomach until I decide it doesn't look like a fat stomach anymore, and a definite pregnant one:) Last night was my first time wearing a Belly Band! (I was so not fitting into my skinny jeans.) We were unsuccessful finding maternity pants so we bought a belly band instead, which is way more practical since I'm not really that big. So. Comfortable. It is a little awkward though, something I'll definitely have to get used to. It totally felt like I was just walking around with my pants undone all night. Strange feeling.

Oh My Date Week! My man is awake and we are going to see Avatar! I love this man. He's full of fun. I'll leave you with this picture of us from 5 1/2 years ago. Who are those people?! :) Have a Super Superbowl Sunday!



Until Next Time,
The Guff

If wishes were horses...

Have you guys ever heard that quote? "If wishes were horses beggars would ride"? I started to think of a title, and "If wishes were... If wishes were..." came to mind. Too bad I couldn't remember the rest. Of course I googled "If wishes were quote" and that one came up. Along with "If wishes were horses, we'd all ride" which I kind of like better. But not really. I can't decide, so obviously I didn't finish my title. As if you care, that much, about the title of this post. Anyway. If by chance you do care, that much, I'll tell you why I decided on that title. (Like you have a choice). My big sis suggested at the very, very beginning of my pregnancy that I create a "Wish List" for baby guff on Amazon.com. We buy everything we can on Amazon- love the place. So recently, I created one. I made it private- just for my viewing pleasure- because some of the things on there are crazy. Like the $100+ organic sling I drool over. Isn't it beauuuutiful? sigh. As I kept adding things, I found myself adding a good mix of practical and definite wish-y. So I made it public. Go check it out for yourselves- but don't judge me- I have no expectations of receiving that camera that's listed. (For pictures of little guff, of course:) It is exactly what it is- a Wish List. And we all know, If wishes were horses...

One wish that has come true: I have officially been sick 'free' for 1 week!!! I am still having some cramping and a little nausea here and there, but no substance! I called my doctor last week and she suggested some over-the-counter and natural nausea remedies. I had hit my wits end. It had gotten to me. I could not do it anymore. And, right as I reached that point and my beautiful mom sent me a package of encouraging words, peppermint and ginger, the sick ended. Wouldn't ya know it? However it were to play out, I am glad it's over. (It is over, right?) I have been finding myself craving things lately. Sushi, wings with blue cheese (can't have soft cheese, Reg) and a glass of red wine with a steak. I like a medium rare steak, on the rare side. Seeing a pattern here? I think it's a brain thing more than a pregnancy thing. I know I can't have it, therefore...I want it. Reminds me of that organic sling...

Shout Out!

This picture makes me laugh. (It's the only one I could find of you two without the boys in it... AND there isn't one in existence of the 3 of us. What's up with that?) These are my Biltmore girls. We had dinner last week and it only confirmed how much I miss them! Don't get me wrong, I definitely love my current job, but as Nay-Nay said Tuesday @ dinner, we were more of friends than co-workers. We're all right around the same age, and pretty much had the same issues, interests and lifestyles. (Other than views on recycling and bicycle riding.) It was so easy to talk to them about life and get some of the best advice in the world. While getting paid. Love ya!

So... in the world, or womb, of baby guff there's a lot going on! I'll save the fun stuff for next week, when I am actually upgrading in fruit size and weight. I am just really excited about it all! We go on Monday for our next doctor's appointment. I can't wait! We are getting our nuchal testing done as well as hearing the thump thump again:) It will have been 5 weeks since we first heard the little heartbeat, and I can hardly wait to hear it again. It is such a miracle! This week lil guff is sucking it's thumb. Love. Oh! And this is what he/she is looking like:


Until next time,
The Guff