It's A Girl!

Yahoo! K and I found out last week that we will be having a sweet, precious, beautiful little baby girl this summer. We can't even stand it we are so excited! This definitely causes a LOT more giggles, tears, snickers and yes, baby talk around these parts. The baby talk is kind of like I talk to our dogs... which is kind of weird... but whatev. It exists. I get all emotional at the thought of K having a little girl. Partly because I am jealous- she is so going to be a daddy's girl- and partly because he is just going to be an amazing father. I have always thought of him with our future children and known that he would be amazing, but now that it really is happening, and fast, it's hard for me to contain the overwhelming feeling that I get. That "how did I get so lucky" feeling. I cry all the time.

As a matter of fact, I am crying now. Can I just tell you the reason I'm crying? Because K is leaving to go out of town tomorrow. . . . . nope, there's no catch. That's it. I don't want him to go. Plain and simple. He is going to pursue a potential great opportunity with his career and I am not happy about it. I mean, I am happy about it, but I thought he would be flying. That is the real reason I'm crying. You see, I read the AJC at work all day. and CNN. I watch the local news (which K has begged me not to do). And I read about people in car accidents and horrible things that happen to people while out on the road. Drunk drivers, wrong-way drivers, falling asleep at the wheel, losing control, etc. etc. The list goes on. So, yes, I did lose my marbles when he told me he would be going out of town. I usually do. I just don't like being alone. But when I asked what time his flight was, and he informed me that he was driving- marbles would have been wonderful for me to lose at that point. I went loony. cross-eyed. snot-faced. "BUT YOU CAN'T *sniff* DRIIIIIIVE!!! WHAT IF SOMETHING HAP *sniff* PENS?!!!" {insert hyperventilation} Can someone just chime in and let me know that this is totally, totally normal? Anyone? This is normal, right? Ok, if it's not, just tell me it is. Lie people.

Enough about my psychotic problems. Let's talk about my sweet baby girl some more:) -wait, she won't inherit the crazy, will she?-

We have already decided on a name for our little hoot:) Before I shock you (or not) with it's originality, let me just say that I don't care if you don't like it. Just don't tell me you do if you don't. And don't say it's 'interesting'. We all know what that means. (Right, JBB?) No, it's not a family name or a name based on any kind of meaning. There is a long history with each of the names, and we liked them together, so there ya go. That's it. Our daughter's name will be Chamblee Ophelia Guffey. Our little cog.

Yes, Chamblee like the city, but pronounced differently. Not a 'sh' sound, but a hard 'ch'. Like chip. Ok enough explaining. Our little Cham is doing great as of her last ultrasound. I am loving the little movements that I get to feel and I still haven't gained a pound- just a mere 6 ounces. All of my weight is shifting to the belly. I like that it's getting sucked out of my face and into my belly. That seems so, SO fair.

As of next week I will be a full 5 months pregnant. 5 MONTHS PREGNANT! That's nuts. Our little girl is the size of a small cantaloupe this week. Holy smokes! We have been talking to her and dancing (a lot) with her and really soaking in every moment. It's unreal that in as little as 17 weeks our little one could make her entrance. Ah! -ps- I am totally loving the fact that I can say 'her' and not 'it'. So much cooler. And, for those of you that insist on belly pics, I have one just for you:

I love our sweet little family <3 (and how rad are K's glasses? Love!)

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Formerly Miss Jones

I know! I have so much to write about, and I am so far behind. I will try to wrap the last couple of weeks up in one run-on sentence. Or four. With help from the above pictures... Annnnnd Go!

Annie's bachelorette party was too much fun- we rented a mini bus and all of her best girls rode out to East Andrews, where I drank one too many O'Douls and we danced all night at the 80's dance club upstairs, which I think I already wrote about, but maybe not...? I definitely feel a little tippy around tippy people. I like it. Annie's Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner were awesome, and the weather on her wedding day was STUNNING, as was she. Need proof? Check her out here. The wedding day went smoothly and perfectly. I can't think of a couple that is more of a perfect fit. I could hardly hold back tears as Mae walked down the aisle, and I saw Travis alllmost lose his cool. The ceremony was short, extremely sweet and beautiful. The reception was nothin' but a party! We got our groove on all. night. long. Why can't people get married 2ce a year?! Weddings and receptions are too much fun.

There is a lot of in-between news, but I feel like I am way too late to try and fill everything in. You would be reading for days.

Actually, I am just going to start a new post about Baby Guff. Give all the attention to the baby. I have big news.

Until Next Time,
The Guff

It takes 2 to Mango!

I would like to start out by saying that I had full intentions of uploading all kinds of fun pictures to document things that have been going on around here... but K is out playing tennis and I don't know where the camera cord is. So, later you might just get a post with a string of pictures. Just sayin'.

Although this week is almost over, I'll still let you in on baby guff's stats: The little hoot has grown to the size of a large mango! I can't even believe it! I should, however, by the feel of my pants. I now have 2 pairs of pants that are appropriate for work that still fit. Two. Which is odd, because according to my scale, I still haven't really gained any weight. Just belly. This weekend is break-down-and-buy-some-dadgum-maternity-pants weekend. No more sucking in and having detailed button marks on my belly when I get home. Those things hurt. And itch. TMI? AND- I totally felt the baby move for the first time. It was awesome. My parents will be in town this weekend and we are going fabric shopping once we know whether to lean towards pink or blue.

You know what else happens this weekend? ALOT. Before I start that novel, I'll tell you about last week...

My sweet, hilarious, brilliant and obviously gorgeous niece turned 7. SEVEN!

I remember when she was born- my senior year of high school. Wow. I love you Pixie!

Last week was also Mae's bachelorette party~ FUN! We went to an 80's dance club and danced all night long :) I am a huuuge fan of the 80's much to K's dismay. I think it has a lot to do with my big sis and her totally rad 80's dance moves that she taught at my 5th birthday party. The moves stuck, and so did my taste in music.

Since the camera cord is MIA from the move (...along with my headbands and jewelry...) I suppose I can slip by another week without posting a belly pic:) SUCKAS! I don't know why I have so many requests for them... is it because you want to gloat your beautifully thin and tan summer tummies by looking at my pale and bloated one? Ugh. I know, I know, there's a baby in there! I'm just not loving the bump yet. (remember when I begged for one?!) Does that mean I am a terrible mother? No, of course not. . . Right?

Like it or not, the bump is growing. Friday is the big day. We find out in less than 36 hours if we will have a little boy guff or a little girl guff on our hands. We have officially picked a name for each, so we can start calling the little hoot by name as of 10am. It is kind of freaking me out if I'm being honest. I really, really don't care what it is. I go back and forth every day thinking, "MAN, it would be so cool to have a rad little boy." then moments later "...but a sweet little girl would ROCK!" Then I worry that once I know what it is, I will be disappointed that it isn't the other :( Is this normal?!!? I really am a horrible mother already. Yike.

MAE IS GETTING MARRIED ON SATURDAY! I can't believe it! My best friend will marry her best friend in like, 2 days. Crazy. It is going to be awesome. The weather will be perfect. She will be gorgeous. It will be THE perfect day. Ahhh!!! I finally wrote out my toast for Friday night- and cried the whole time. I have since read and re-read it over and over again to try and get desensitized to it. I just can't sob and get all snot-faced, mascara runnin' and awkward laughin' up there. I just. can't. I will already be large and in-charge, and I don't want to be the overly emotional prego girl who you can't understand because she just won't stop crying... I'm gonna need to lock it up. And I will :)

This is random, but I just have to get it out there. Where does the lady at work get off callin' me 'Nat' ??? I hate being called Nat. Seriously, if you call me that, you are either in my family, or basically in my family. OR I didn't hear you. Because I would make sure that you didn't call me that again. Ever. And, for all you smarty-pants out there who see this as an opportunity to call me 'Nat' for "fun"- just don't. It's not funny. And who does she think she is calling me that?

My weekend starts tomorrow! I am going to wear my hair in a ponytail and get a mani/pedi after work tomorrow. Just like it was a real Friday. I have actually quit biting my nails and will actually have a little something to offer when I walk in and ask for a paint job tomorrow. I am sure they will notice- and appreciate it:)

Now, I just need to call Mrs. U and find out where the best Nail Talk & Tan is in our neck of the woods. (I mean, is it me or are all nail places called "Nail Talk & Tan"?) Anyway, she knows where everything is.

Can't wait to get some pictures up! Can you hear me now: "Kraaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiggggggggg! Where's the camera cord? I neeeeeeeeeeeed it for my blog!"

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Too Tight Tuesday

Like, whoa. The little hoot is the size of a sweet potato! I know that he/she is going to get much, much bigger- I just can't get over how quickly this pregnancy is flying by. I remember reading about baby guff in week 6- the size of a sweet pea- when he/she was forming it's eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. I stood in the shower, cried, and thought "I will never forget this week." That seems like last week, and it was 12 weeks ago!!! Like. Whoa. I am so glad that baby is growing, but I am already ready for next week. I hate, hate, hate sweet potatoes. Hate. I love any kind of regular potatoes: mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, french fries, tator tots, potato skins, baked potatoes, potato chips, etc. etc. But sweet potatoes? No thank you. This is the only week of my life that I will think of a sweet potato and smile. Until my next little hoot comes around~ Lord willin'.

I keep spelling potato wrong. There are so many red lines under that paragraph. I just think it needs an 'e' on the end. Whatev.

So, I wore a dress to work today for the first time since I grew a little bump. I wore tights, and I was miserable all. day. long. First, the tights obviously did not fit me anymore. But I made them. I knew they were tight, but I told myself to suck it up- they are tights. Second, I glanced in the mirror and realized that they were so tight that I had a double baby bump. I was not giving up that easily- I really liked the dress. Bella Band to the rescue! After spending about 20 minutes trying to smooth out the bump, I headed out the door. It was a long day. I was in the bathroom like, every 15 minutes smoothing out and re-arranging. They were so tight that while sitting at my desk I felt like I was practicing lamaze. I will never. EVER. wear tights again while pregnant. Ever!

Speaking of work, tomorrow is 'casual day' so I get to wear jeans and something green...I'll probably sport maternity jeans for the sheer purpose of balancing the unbelievably uncomfortable outfit I wore today and the pajama feeling pants that I know and love. My office roomie is a young, hip mother of three (much like my big sis) and she gave me a BIG box of maternity clothes which I have already worn. out. So thankful for that!!!

And...not so thankful for the time change. It is 10:00 which means I am an hour past bedtime already. WHEN did this happen? No matter- I gotta go!

Until Next Time,
The Guff

...and more Blah

Sorry to bother you again... But I wanted you to know that I have the best husband. In the world. He just brought me these:



Until Next Time,
The Guff

Blah Blah Blah

Wa-Lah!

Picking up the furniture>K working hard to assemble the crib>Big fail at taking my own picture>Furniture Complete!!!

So, yeah that was our Thursday in pictures. I know, I need to get my real camera out and post real pictures. I just don't feel like it, and the iPhone is so convenient. I promise I will. Sometime.

I decided against the spray tan~ after a word from the wise I decided to check with my doctor pre-chemical tan. She said there was no research to prove that it was at all harmful, but there also wasn't any to prove that it wasn't. So, why risk it for a little glow? She also decided it would help to remind me that in Japan the whiter you are, the better. Wow. Not helping doc, I'm in America- as are the weddings and bridal parties I get to attend. I decided instead to go on (my fave) amazon.com and order some self-tanning stuff. Hopefully it will get here in time and it won't totally suck. That's the hope.

OK... Who's Next?!
You know they say things happen in 3's, and I have news of 2 pregnancies this week. That means one of you could be NEXT! :)

Last night I met up with a dear friend for "drinks" and then met up with my man for dinner and "drinks". I had a grand total of 4 non-alcoholic beers last night and it kind of made me sick. How does that happen? I also had an epiphany- When I do get to have a glass of wine, or two, maaayybe three, I am going to be such a lightweight. My tolerance is hitting an all-time low. I can't even drink non-alcoholic!!! Haha... Oh well.

I really, really wish I had my camera out now. Bailey has totally gotten into watching TV. Mostly when dogs are on. He gets wide eyed and makes little noises like he's talking to the other pups. If he gets really into it, He'll run up to the TV and get up on his back legs and watch reeeeeal close. It's hysterical. He is having some health issues lately- He has been having the pee problem, so we took him to the vet Thursday to get him checked out. He recently turned 9, so he was in need of a full physical anyway. They checked him out, and I am happy to report that the doc said he is in "pristine health". They took blood and urine samples for further testing and found that one of his thyroids (dogs have 2...weird) is low and his white blood cell count was extremely high. It looks like he is fighting some kind of infection. We should know more next week, but in the meantime he is on general antibiotics to kick whatever it is that's turning him into The Urinator. Ugh. And- FYI Uncle Dave- Bailey has lost a few LB's and the doc said he shouldn't lose any more. He's just a stout little guy. So there.

Busted! I just took some ghetto shots of Bay watching 'Doggie Daycare'. Please excuse the mess:




“If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.”
-Roger Caras


Until Next Time,
The Guff

Cloth vs. Cloth

Our stroller and car seat are here! We got them in the mail today and put it all together. No, I am not going to put the car seat in my car and drive around with it empty for the next 5 months. But I wish I was that insane. It's so darn cute.

We have been going back and forth talking about diapers lately... We decided early on to be a cloth diaper family- we just can't decide what kind. Initially we wanted to go with gDiapers, mainly because they are adorable and have little g's on the butt! Perfect! They are also considered a convertible diaper- you can use cloth inserts or flushable. The flushables are really, really great for the environment. After actually reading about all kinds of different cloth diapers we realized that gDiapers are really, really cute-but there are SO may options! We have looked into several different kinds and are basically just marinating on them for a bit. Do any of you have any insight to cloth brands? Our main concern is comfort and convenience for the baby- and for us. Secondary would be concerns about its environment friendly qualities and the financial weight. Kind of. We want it all! Cute, convenient, green and affordable! ;) Here are a few brands that we are deciding between:
gDiaper, Kissaluvs, Oso Cozy, Baby Kicks and Econappi:





So. That is what's going on in our house at the moment- diaper talk.

We also have to think of a grandmother name for K's mom. We are very, very fortunate to both still have all of our grandmothers- which means most of the traditional names for grandmothers are already snatched up. All of the funky new-age ideas I come up with are quickly shot down, and probably for good reason. So, we spend a lot of internet time searching for grandmother names, too, for the perfect fit. Any suggestions?

It's official: I only have 4 pairs of non-maternity pants that still fit me. Which means I have to rotate every week which pair of pants I wear twice to work. This week it's brown. Eh. Today I was sitting at my desk chowing down an entire "section" of graham crackers and my pants button snapped open. I think the 4 pairs is slowly dwindling to 3. Yike!

OMG. I am so getting a spray tan tomorrow. Usually by this time of year I am hitting the tanning bed and bronzin' it up! Well, I made a vow last year that after my wedding I wouldn't go to the tanning bed anymore. Ever. And, now that I am pregnant I definitely can't do the cancer box. BUT I have a bachelorette party and 2 weddings to hit up in the next 5 weeks, so I am getting my base tomorrow. I am excited! I have had one before, but not when I was this pale... so if it turns out to be terrible and you see me out this weekend, shut it.

Maybe I'll post pictures.

Riiight.

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Little Hoot's Nursery

Yesterday was a bit overwhelming for me. By the time we got to the baby stores, I was hungry and a little out-of-the-mood. There were so many options of cribs and dressers and mattresses and prints that I just couldn't decide. Which is nothing new. This is the reason we picked it all out before going into the mess of it- so it would be easy. Once we were there my mind started wandering and I liked everything. After sitting in the comfy gliders and talking it out we got what we came for- and got the heck out of there! For some reason I just couldn't stay in there for a long time. It was just too much. I mean, do you know how much stuff you need for a baby?! SO. MUCH.

We ordered our nursery furniture and should have it within the next couple of weeks:


We decided to wait on the dresser, as we already have an armoir that we are using for baby and may have an extra dresser from our room by the time baby gets here. I think the thing that put me in the off-mode was hoping to bring the nursery home yesterday and then realizing I would have to order it all. Boo. I know I have plenty of time- I was just disappointed. We decided to go with this set, mostly because we both weren't big fans of rounded, fancier cribs:


But also because it was a convertible bed- which was a requirement. I can't wait to get it all set up!

After we ordered the furniture, we decided to go ahead and get a few other things: Pack n' Play, Travel System and High Chair. Not that we will need a high chair for a while, but it is the same print as the others, so why not go ahead and get it? A while ago we saw a print at Target that we both really, really liked- for a boy or a girl- and we stuck with it. We got the pack n' play in the store, ordered the travel system, and are still on the hunt for the high chair. The print is called 'Little Hoot' which I have taken a liking to and started calling baby guff :) Here's a picture of the pack n' play that we set up last night- It was SO. funny. setting up:





Yes, it's a lot of blue and brown. It's also adorable. If little hoot is a little girl I won't have her nursery in pink ponies and ruffles anyway. I can't wait to find out!!! 19 days! Oh, and I promise to get bump pictures up soon!

Today is a beautiful day!

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Bella Banes

It's early for a Saturday... and I am wide awake. Today has been declared "Baby Saturday" in our house all week. (I think I told you that already, but I forget...) We are going to furnish the nursery today and get other necessary baby guff stuff. I can't wait!

Really, I just wanted to post a quick blog and announce the birth of Isabella Rose Banes~ daughter to a friend of mine. This friend in particular gained all of her baby weight in the belly. Not in the face, not in the ankles, not in the backside- but in the belly. She looked great up until the last minute, I'm sure. This little girl is going to have the cutest of things, as her mommy is creative and beautiful herself.

I'm stoked to get all the gory, nasty, nobody-wants-to-talk-about details regarding delivery from her. Even though she probably did so well that nothing phased her. She's the calm kind who probably did it all natural while doing a sudoku puzzle to pass the time. She's strong like that. I'm gonna be a hot. mess.

Anyway, Congrats Diggy-Boo!!! She's totally gorge!



-ps- Remember these days D? Well, they are OVAH!



Until Next Time,
The Guff

Ur-ine Trouble, Mister!!!

This post is for my baby. Not the one on the way, but the one I already get to hold every day. My first true love. My handsome prince. My booboo. My scootsie. My pup.

I am so mad at him I could die.

I woke up this morning and saw that he had peed on his pee-pad overnight. So I gave him a treat. I praised him. I told him 'good boy'. I loved him back to sleep.

Then I turned the lights on and saw what he had really done. He had, indeed peed on his pee-pad. He had made the corner of it appear like he got some good use out of it. Sike. He missed most of the pee pad by a mile, thus allowing his urine to drive through all of the little roadways in the tile. Every. Last. One. My entire bathroom floor was swept with pee. It took two towels- adult sized towels- and about 40 kitchen towels to clean up; plus a lot of bleachy-cleany-earthy-friendly stuff. The bottoms of my jammie pants are now yellow tinted, and I straight up smell like pee. Darn dog. I didn't spank him. He just tried and missed, right? and he's so cute, and asleep. And old. Ugh. The only part of the bathroom his wetness didn't get to was the bath mat. "Good" I thought. I had just washed it the night before. I leaned in to turn on the shower... and my foot hit a wet spot. I took a deep breath, picked up the bath mat and threw it in the laundry with the other seemingly dozens of pee soaked towels. Twice in one night? WHAT ARE YOU DRINKING?! Whatever- I was already going to be late. At this point I'm flustered. I go to iron some pants and they take forever to iron. Ugh, corduroy, you annoy me. I finish the forever-to-iron pants and slip them on. Or not. They don't fit me anymore. Awesome. So I guess I'll wear the same pants I wore yesterday. What? They're black, no one cares. I get to my closet. My foot hits a wet spot.

"You are kidding me. You are kidding me. You are KIDDING ME!!!" - My brain.

Not a joke. My handsome prince peed 3 times in 1 night. 3 different spots. And tricked me with the side shot to the pee-pad.

I was so "pissed" (heehee)

Until Next Time,
The Guff

Dear March 26, please hurry.

Cereal. Yogurt. Milk Carton. Pop Tarts. Smart Ones Ravioli. Yogurt. Green Tea. Half a bag of Baked Lays. Entire box of Mac and Cheese. Still hungry? - check. And how have I lost weight?!

We went to the doctor early this morning for our monthly checkup and I have actually lost weight this month. She's not too worried about it... yet. All of the blood work from last month came back and looked great! What a relief. They took more blood today so hopefully this round will yield the same results. When the nurse came into the room to check our little baby's heartbeat she said something to the effect of, "Oh! There's 2 in there?"

I think we both panicked for a split second. "n-n-no, just the one. She told us s-she double-checked..." was all I could muster. "Oh, ok, your heartbeat is just really loud, then!" Really? Don't scare me like that. Don't get me wrong, twins would be quite a blessing- and with K being a triplet- quite a possibility. I just wasn't prepared for that kind of surprise. I don't like surprises at all, much less one of that caliber. I thought of questions to ask my doctor this time, so I wouldn't harass the nurse in the 4 weeks between appointments. I was proud of myself for being prepared. Then I forgot. All of them. Thankfully K would prompt me "Hey babe, what about..." Oh Yeah! Then my doctor laughed at me and said that I had finally gotten "pregnant brain". Great. I already have no sense of balance. Is that normal? I have heard of pregnant women becoming clumsy- but not with their balance. I have, several times, been walking a straight line down the hall at work and then, like someone pushed me, ran into the wall. WHAT WAS THAT? Annnnd laugh at myself. Then pout a little.
This week my little avocado is, well, the size of an avocado. (Wow, Natalie, creative.)

That looks pretty big, right?

24 Days. 24 days until we go back to the doctor and find out if baby guff is a baby boy guff or a baby girl guff! It is taking all I am not to go buy one of those over the counter gender tests! This weekend has been declared "Baby Saturday" in our house. We are going shopping for the nursery!!! We have kind of picked out our furniture online, but are going to check it out in person and bring it home. LOVE. It is going to make it crazy real. My mom will be in town the weekend we find out the gender (for Mae's wedding) so that Sunday will be a Forsyth Fabric day. My mouth literally just watered as I wrote that.

I feel like there's so much I want to talk about, but I am tired and hungry. Wah. I'm calling it quits.

Until Next Time,
The Guff