Where Have I Been All This Time?

So you've probably been wondering where I have been for the past few months! Well....I've actually been quite busy! If you don't already know hubs and I are expecting Baby Boy Bennett in December 2012!!! We're soooo excited especially after having struggled for nearly 3 years! It's been quite an experience and I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm not one of these women that LOVE being pregnant! I'm actually quite far from it! The beginning started out quite rough. Not so much throwing up but definitely that queasy feeling and not being able to eat MEAT! I felt awful for hubs because I just flat out couldn't cook anything for dinner that involved meat. THANKFULLY we are over that phase and I'm loving anything food right now!! :) I also had a few months bout of headaches non-stop. DARN hormones! But we're over that now to and just absolutely loving life and feelign FABULOUS! I'm currently 25 weeks almost 26 and counting down the days until we meet Baby Boy! He's been moving all around like crazy, and especially at night time when daddy gets home from work! Our favorite night time ritual is getting into bed and putting daddy's hand on my belly and letting him feel his acrobats going on in there. I call it hubs' bonding!!

Here is my baby bump at 22 weeks!!! :) I've been doing quite well with the weight gain all along, keeping it at steady 4-5 pounds a month, but at the 6 month visit earlier this week I gained 9 pounds! Holy man! I asked my doctor about that and he reassured me that a 9 pound weight gain at month 6 is actually quite normal because months 6 and 7 seem to be the time when you gain the most weight. PHEW! I was starting to get nervous! :) I go for the glucose screen in about a week and half and I am dreading drinking that awfully icky sweet orange drink in 5 minutes! Can't they seem to make these things at least somewhat enjoyable? Ok, enough about how baby and I have been doing! I was so excited to finally start shopping and registering and most importantly getting his room put together! We went shopping for furniture quite a few weeks ago just to get ideas. Well low and behold when we inquired about furniture at Buy Buy Baby we were informed the bedroom set we liked takes 16-18 weeks to order. WHAT THE HECK? That long for furniture?!?! Well needless to say once we heard that we bought it that day and they actually had that set in stock so we ended up taking it home. I tend to be a little impatient so of course as soon as I got it home I made hubs put it all together! Mom and Grandma spent a day a few weekends ago painting for us while we were out of town. You know how those paint fumes aren't good for baby! I absolutely love the colors and how it came together and my favorite part is how the furniture looks! The room is still not yet complete, I have a few more things I want to get settled in there, but take a look at the "somewhat" finished product!

I'm getting more and more anxious to meet this little guy! And all I can think about when he keeps me up nights is who will he look like? Will he have daddy's eyes, mommy's lips, daddy's nose, mommy's personality??!?! I guess we have at least 14 more weeks to wonder! A good friend of mine suggested I start blogging more, so I apologize for the long drawn out entry today, but I promise to make a better effort to blog on a regular basis! She's definitely been my inspiration to start doing it again! :) Until next time.....

Let's just say I'm looking forward to going away for a few shorts days at the end of February. Even though it's only for a few days, I cannot wait. The hubs will be making the trip to warmer weather with me, and we are certainly looking forward to it.

I guess it's what I need to get through these next few weeks of winter. Although, I must admit, Winter as we know it hasn't been that bad. For crying out loud it was 50 degrees yesterday on January 11! Who can complain? To be honest, I'm kinda hoping it's a mild winter and that spring is not too far away!

I've been following a friend of ours blog for a few days now and ABSOLUTELY love it! She's got some really great ideas for outfits, life, and recipes (my fave part). We've tried a few of her recipes that she's posted and they are yummy! I must say that the Caprese Pasta was to die for and super easy to make! :)

I'm also currently pondering painting the living room here in the nex few weeks, just have to decide on a color! I'm in this painting mode lately! Got the Kitchen and the Laundry Room done over the past few weeks and I'm loving the color it adds to our home! :) Take a peek!!

As soon as I get other rooms painted I'll be sure to post pictures!

2012: A year full of Happiness, Health, Love and Justice

Let's just say I don't like to wish the time away, but glad that 2011 has left us and hopeful that 2012 will bring a year of happiness, health, love and justice.

2011 started out to be ok, but during the last 6 months of the year were awful. It started with the loss of my grandmother in June, Ashley lost her dear friend Lauren to a brutal murder, and we lost my grandfather in November. Needless to say, it sucked.

2012 also brings a pretty "BIG" year for me as well, I turn 30 in 2 days! I must say up until now I've not been too thrilled about turning 30, but as it has gotten closer, I am at ease with it and here's to hoping my 30's bring a lot of joy and happiness!

I'm also really excited for my sister Ashley this year, she got her first official job as an attorney working for a small firm doing defense work, I'd like to think my grandfather was looking out for her and had a role in getting her this job! She'll be a great attorney and will be very successful in her field!

Gramps also was looking out for my mom as well, we got a LARGE hospital contract to do their billing! That's pretty exciting news, and it opens up the doors for so many more possibilites! I'm prepared to work hard in 2012, because the rewards at the end are endless! :)

Happy New Year to all!

Rest Peacefull, Gramps

Ralph P. Richley, April 4, 1934 - November 15, 2011.  Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.  Love you grandpa, you will forever be our guardian angel.

Read his Obituary

"I'm gonna love you forever and ever, forever and ever, Amen"
xoxoxo

Starting to Feel Like Home...

We FINALLY closed last Wednesday and spent the later half of the week and weekend getting things in order.  Greg, Matt and Jason got storage cleaned out Wednesday night and the unpacking began.  Last night was the first time we sat down on the couch to watch tv since Wednesday! The new house is starting to feel like home! 

I must say it is quite nice having a place to call home again, and having my own space again is the absolute best feeling ever!  My dad spent a few hours Saturday morning hanging the heavy things on the walls, while I waited for Direct TV and Time Warner to do their thing! Anyway, here are a few photos!

I absolutely love the kitchen and how the mackenzie child's stuff compliments it so nicely!  I am also in love with the living room as well and how "homey" it feels! I could sit on the couch and cuddle up with the hubby or dogs, watch tv or read a book there all day everyday!

I'm also super pleased with my new bedding that I bought.  I was a little nervous that Greg wouldn't like it, but he actually said he likes that it offers a little bit of color, rather than just neutral tones like we are used to!

Anyway, it's time to get back to work! I will post more pics once we are finally settled in!!!!

Finally.....

FINALLY closing on the new house Wednesday October 19, 2011 @ 10am.  It's only been a LONG 3 and a half months!!!!!!!!!!!! Will post pics of it once we are settled in. :)

Perfect Fall Weekend

Last week started with a trip to the airport to pick up my sister, Ashley!! So excited to have her home for a few days, even if we weren't moving.  We started her stay off on Wednesday with a girls trip to DSW, what girl doesn't love herself some new shoes?!?!  I of course bought 2 new pairs that I didn't really need, but HAD to have!

Thursday night we decided to all go to Ember Woodfire Grill in Livonia for a family dinner! My absolute favorite place to go!! The food is amazing, and delish.  It was Ash, Dad and Jared's first time there so we had to show them what the hype was all about! 

Friday night the "kids" went to the Haunted Hayride of Greater Rochester.  We had lots of fun and rather than scream at the ghouls that try to pull you off the ride we laughed the majority of the time! It was nice to hang out with my siblings for a few hours! That doesn't happen that often.  I must say that I did almost get pulled off the ride, and my sister and brother's friend Kyle had to hold me back from the ghouls!

Saturday was the annual Custom Brewcrafters Festival of Ales that my sister and my brother in law's girlfriend Courtney and I went to.  It was nice to attend the local event, but didn't really like any of the custom brews other than the Strawberry Blonde and Apricot!  Many of the brews were too "skunky" and resulted in me taking a sip and dumping them out!  Saturday night Ashley visited the local bars to hang out with friends she doesn't get to see too often, and Courtney and I went up to the Doan Fall Tent Extravagazna to see the boys and go out afterwards.  I was totally scarred when Dancing Derek started to dance in the middle of the showroom at the Dodge store and convinced 2 women to dance with him, club style, and then the women started kissing..... We soon got the heck outta there and went to TC Hooligan's at the mall at Greece Ridge for some drinks and apps.  It was overall a fun night!

Sunday was spent with mom and Ash shopping at the Galleria Mall in Buffalo! It's our annual fall trip out there to start the Christmas Holiday shopping! Scary to think we are so close to Christmas again! Where did the last year go?  Dad made his signature lobster mac and cheese for dinner and we had some friends over to end out the weekend on a great note!  Ash goes back home to GA Tuesday morning! :(

And lastly, we better be closing/moving this weekend!!!!!! Or else, the attorney's will see the bad side of Jamie!!! :)