33 Weeks

How Far Along: 33 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Pineapple
Best Moment This Week: Going on the hospital tour and seeing the little angels in the nursery AND realizing that you'll be here for us to cuddle so soon
Gender: sweet baby girl

Movement: Definitely more jabs and more pressure on the bladder

Food Cravings: Sweet tea is becoming harder to resist so I've started allowing myself splurges here or there

What I Miss: Not much, I have to say that I'm a pretty happy girl

Sleep: Waking up every few hours for a potty break but otherwise, sleeping sound

Belly Button: Pretty much flattened out
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: All maternity with the exception of longer shirts and loungewear from pre-pregnancy
Stretch Marks: Yup.

Symptoms: I've felt a little more pressure from her head being down
What I am Looking Forward to: Getting more and more ready for her grand appearance with everything from purchasing car seats to choosing a pediatrician.

32 Weeks

How Far Along: 32 Weeks 
Baby is the Size of A: Honeydew
Best Moment This Week: Going through all your new clothes and things and realizing that your arrival is around the corner!
Gender: Baby Girl

Movement: Lots of kicking and rolling and oftentimes on my bladder. 

Food Cravings: Chicken pot pie, alfredo pasta and Thanksgiving food!

What I Miss: Getting up from bed without pushing off with my arm.

Sleep: It seems that I'm sleeping for longer periods of time now, knock on wood.

Belly Button: Still hanging in there...mostly flat though.
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Yup.
Stretch Marks: I think I just need to suck it up...they exist.

Symptoms: Just normal preggo problems...peeing often and heartburn.
What I am Looking Forward to: Our last holiday season without a little one to hold.

The big nursery reveal!

Here is Abby's nursery!  I'm happy to finally reveal it and think it's absolutely precious...if I do say so myself!  It's been pretty much done for a while now so I decided it was about time to share.  Jon and I love it and I can't believe that in less than 2 months (with any luck) there will be a precious little angel in there!  I hope she'll like her room as much as we do!

31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Head of Lettuce again
Best Moment This Week: Having our second baby shower and getting all sorts of handmade things for you from Nini and lots of family and friends!

Gender: Littlest Princess

Movement: I think I spoke too soon, your movements are big and so much stronger than before.  They can be quite startling sometimes. You can definitely tell that you're getting bigger inside there and possibly running out of room without pushing up against the outside from time to time.

Food Cravings: Sweets...as always, but nothing specific.

What I Miss: Being able to put on pants, socks and boots without struggling.

Sleep: I have to make sure that I don't eat anything to cause heartburn too close to bedtime or I have a mid-night attack.  Other than that, great!

Belly Button: Still hanging in there.
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: I just organized my closet into things I can truly wear now and most are maternity.
Stretch Marks: I dunno, I think I'm in denial of a few smaller ones that have popped up but they're still all really low on my belly.

Symptoms: Not really...sometimes I feel a lot of pressure down lower but I think it's because of baby being head down now.
What I am Looking Forward to: Organizing your room with all your new things!

Baby shower #2

Last weekend we had our second baby shower for little baby Abby!  We received so many great things...especially handmade items!  Baby girl now has her fair share of crocheted blankets and hats, appliqued burp cloths, handmade booties, bibs and plenty of cute clothes!  We have been so blessed by all the people wanting to shower us and baby with gifts and can't believe that we will be meeting her before we know it!  I didn't manage to take many photos this week but did get a few to share.  We had people drive and fly from states all over to come and shower our little princess and couln't be more appreciative!

 

30 Weeks

How Far Along: 30 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Head of Lettuce
Best Moment This Week: Finding a school for you for when I have to go back to work and trust other people with my sweet little angel AND getting surprise baby presents at the door.

Gender: Our little Abby Baby

Movement: You're moving a little less, well I guess I should say that you're not quite rocking and rolling throughout the day now.  It's more startling movements.

Food Cravings: Hmm...milk?  I've been drinking milk with a tablespoon of pumpkin spice creamer in it lately and have stopped a couple of times to pick up a milkshake on the way home so that's probably the closest thing I've had to a craving this week.

What I Miss: Not really much, I'm a pretty happy camper really.

Sleep: Good...I always have been able to sleep.

Belly Button: Still there in a shallow form.
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Got a cute dress for my shower last week.  I'm not able to squeeze my belly into many non-maternity shirts anymore...they seem to be a little too short.
Stretch Marks: No more than before.

Symptoms: A little bit of back aches if I'm standing/walking a lot but not bad...and I'm still wearing heels at work so I can probably blame it on that.
What I am Looking Forward to: Your second baby shower this weekend!!

Baby Shower #1 with Fabulous Friends

I had so many pictures of all the wonderful friends and family that came to shower baby and me with presents that I had to make two wonderful collages to share them all!  I am so thankful for great friends that are excited to meet baby Abby!  Two of my good friends Erin and Kelly put together a "French country" themed baby shower for baby girl.  They even put together a diaper raffle which provided us with over 1,000 poop holders for Abby.  The food was great, the decorations were beautiful, the weather ended up being perfect, the friends were fabulous and the presents baby got, well....were plentiful!  I can't believe how much we received.  When I got home I unloaded everything (with the help of two fabulous friends) and lined it up in the bottom of baby's closet.  My goodness...check it out!

See...I told you, we are spoiled!

29 Weeks

How Far Along: 29 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Butternut squash
Best Moment This Week: Ordering your stroller!

Gender: Princess Abby

Movement: It's amazing how much you'll move sometimes.  You've started really moving later in the evenings around bedtime

Food Cravings: I finally gave into my sweet tea craving and made a gallon of decaf at home.

What I Miss: Being able to lean over to put on shoes without having a belly in the way...although it's not that bad, just different

Sleep: Sleeping like a champ and sleep-walking perfectly to the bathroom and back

Belly Button: Same still...there, just quickly disappearing
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Mostly.  I've really started liking my maternity jeans and have been rocking the leggings and boots this week
Stretch Marks: Still hopeful

Symptoms: I'm trying to decide if I've felt Braxton-Hicks contractions this week because sometimes my belly feels much firmer than others
What I am Looking Forward to: Seeing all the friends that are coming to our first baby shower this weekend to shower you with presents and (I'm sure) plenty of cute clothes!

28 Weeks

How Far Along: 28 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Cabbage
Best Moment This Week: Seeing your bigger movements and feeling how much stronger you're getting

Gender: Sweet Baby Girl

Movement: Lots!  I'm waiting to feel you make the big move into the head down position because at the last Dr. appointment you were transverse

Food Cravings: This week was mainly just about wanting "American" food after getting back from vacation

What I Miss: This week I've missed sweet tea

Sleep: Pretty good...just interrupted by bathroom breaks

Belly Button: Getting close to flat after a big meal but still a little innie
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Pretty much gravitating towards maternity shirts only now but still able to wear certain styles of non-maternity
Stretch Marks: Holding steady

Symptoms: I've had a few spats with back pains if I've tried to do too much
What I am Looking Forward to: Buying baby stuff!  We need to start buying the essentials like a car seat so that the hospital will let us bring you home.

27 Weeks

How Far Along: 27 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Head of cauliflower

Best Moment This Week: Relaxing by the pool in Puerto Rico

Gender: Our little angel princess

Movement: Lots of moving and they feel like they're larger movements now too

Food Cravings: Desserts! Luckily we were on vacation and able to indulge a little every day!

What I Miss: Being able to lay on my stomach...especially on a pool chair, I know, tough life :-)

Sleep: Good with lots of pillow around me

Belly Button: It's still there
Wedding Rings On or Off: On but a little tighter after a lot of walking
Maternity Clothes: Yup, my maternity clothes are the most comfortable
Stretch Marks: Below the swim suit line, thankfully!

Symptoms: A little back pain and hints of heartburn
What I am Looking Forward to: Baby showers right around the corner!  I can't believe we're getting close enough for baby showers, classes and maternity pictures to be NEXT month.  Crazy!

26 Weeks

 

How Far Along: 26 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Cucumber
Best Moment This Week: Seeing your sweet face on the ultrasound

Gender: Baby Girl

Movement: Lots of movement, especially in the mornings before I get out of bed.  It's so strange to me how you know when I wake up...I wonder if you're startled by my alarm in the mornings too

Food Cravings: No major must-haves but lately I've been on a chicken tender, turnip green and fried green tomato kick

What I Miss: Being able to eat a big meal without feeling so stuffed!

Sleep: Best when on my left side

Belly Button: Still slightly in for now
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity clothes but can still wear non-maternity dresses and tops as long as my belly doesn't make them too short
Stretch Marks: No more so far but I've still got some growing to do

Symptoms: Getting a little tired again and have less room in my stomach for food these days
What I am Looking Forward to: Celebrating our 3 year anniversary and babymoon in Puerto Rico!!

25 Weeks

How Far Along: 25 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Eggplant for the second week

Best Moment This Week: Adding the decorative touches in your nursery!

Gender: Princess Abby!

Movement: You are on the move all the time and I hope it continues because I love feeling you move inside my belly.

Food Cravings: Anything pumpkin, specifically pumpkin ice cream

What I Miss: Not being paranoid about waking up on my back in the middle of the night and generally sleeping comfortably any way

Sleep: Good...minus the paranoia.

Belly Button: Still slightly in for now
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: I'm pretty much only wearing maternity pants but still can wear longer, non-maternity shirts and regular loungewear( even if my belly hangs out a little)
Stretch Marks: Three on my lower belly...please stay that way

Symptoms: Lots of movement, a tighter belly
What I am Looking Forward to: Seeing you at the 3D ultrasound and having your Nini and Gaga there to see your pretty face too!

24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Eggplant

Best Moment This Week: Registering at Target for all your baby things!

Gender: Mommy's princess...and daddy's angel!

Movement: You're definitely getting stronger and are generally pretty active

Food Cravings: Panera cinnamon crunch bagels with hazelnut cream cheese

What I Miss: Being able to fit into anything from my closet

Sleep: Pretty good...I seem to be sleeping more throughout the night and not having to wake up as often to pee

Belly Button: Still indented slightly
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: I found maternity work pants!  Target pulled through this week so now I can ditch the belly band
Stretch Marks: Still only the two little ones, fingers crossed.

Symptoms: I feel like I have a little less energy this week and might be a little moodier too
What I am Looking Forward to: Lots...classes at the hospital, maternity pictures, baby showers, another 3D ultrasound, and the babymoon!

23 Weeks

How Far Along: 23 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Ear of Corn

Best Moment This Week: Seeing your ballet moves from outside my belly

Gender: Our little princess

Movement: You've become mostly active in the mornings right after I wake up

Food Cravings: I've craved random sugar cereals throughout but this weeks highlight craving was Captain Crunch.

What I Miss: Not having to think about what I'm eating and how everything goes straight to baby girl.

Sleep: Great!  We've been going to bed later too so that could have some to do with it.

Belly Button: Still indented but definitely shallow
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: I haven't added any...I need to find some black work pants but am not having much luck so I'm holding out and still rocking the open zipper with the belly band for now
Stretch Marks: No more, fingers crossed.

Symptoms: Baby alien moments that make my whole belly move
What I am Looking Forward to: Seeing you again soon and relaxing on the beach in Puerto Rico

Nursery Decisions

Ottoman vs. pouf?

 

 

This is the latest of my nursery decisions.  I want it to serve function but obviously look adorable too.  I have the matching chair for the plain white ottoman and can't decide what I want to prop my feet up on.  The ottoman is functional in that it would work for possible future kiddos and doubles as added storage (probably for books) but the pouf is just so darn cute and will serve more function for Abby over the years.  Help!  Someone make my decision for me!  Also, I've been asked about a sneak peek of the nursery so I pulled a couple of photos off my iPhone from the progress that we've made along the way.  We have now added a chair (next to the left curtain by the window) and soon will add an ottoman.  The next steps are to add some storage to the closet and wall decorations!

 

 

22 Weeks

How Far Along: 22 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Papaya

Best Moment This Week: Having daddy feel you kick!

Gender: Sweet little girl!

Movement: Yes, all the time!

Food Cravings: Pumpkin spice lattes and Varsity chili dogs
(although I can't have one)

What I Miss: Pumpkin spice lattes and chili dogs :-)

Sleep: I only wake up a couple times throughout the night and always fall right back asleep

Belly Button: About the same as last week
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: I bought a pair of jeans that I actually like and that don't resemble Pajama Jeans
Stretch Marks: The ones that I had are a little darker now

Symptoms: Nothing new really...I just have to eat smaller meals to keep from getting uncomfortably full
What I am Looking Forward to: Scheduling maternity pictures and getting some more things for your nursery!

21 Weeks

How Far Along: 21 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Spaghetti Squash

Best Moment This Week: Being able to feel rolls and kicks inside my belly

Gender: Little Princess Abby

Movement: Yes!  You're most active in the later afternoons/early evenings and mid-morning

Food Cravings: All I want is a Subway melt!  Or Inoko's fried rice with lots of yellow sauce!

What I Miss: Subway melts!

Sleep: I'm definitely sleeping for longer periods of time between potty breaks and switching sides

Belly Button: It's still there, just shallow
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly yoga pants and tank tops at home and am still wearing select, old work clothes for now.  I am getting closer to ditching the heels though...we'll see.
Stretch Marks: Still holding strong

Symptoms: Round ligament pain one afternoon this week.  I was given Dr.'s orders not to clean the house again for a while since that's what seemed to have brought it on ;-)
What I am Looking Forward to: Having two baby showers thrown by amazingly generous friends and family and everything else that seems like it'll be right around the corner.  Maternity pictures, showers, the babymoon...another 3D ultrasound with Nini and Gaga in tow...so much to look forward to!

20 Weeks

How Far Along: 20 Weeks
Baby is the Size of A: Banana

Best Moment This Week: Seeing you at the 20 week ultrasound

Gender: Sweet little girl!

Movement: Fluttering...and more of it.  Seems that you're most active in the mid-afternoons

Food Cravings: Egg salad sandwiches

What I Miss: Sleeping on my back and Coke!

Sleep: I wake up a good amount throughout the night to switch sides but am able to fall right back to sleep

Belly Button: In but definititely a little more shallow
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: I'm trying to make do with things I already have
Stretch Marks: No more to speak of...fingers crossed.  I want to wear a bikini in Puerto Rico next month!

Symptoms: Just tired in the afternoons and much earlier in the evenings than I used to be as a night owl
What I am Looking Forward to: Feeling like there's no mistaking my belly for a preggo belly in public.

19 Weeks

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Baby is the Size of A: Large mango

Best Moment This Week: Figuring out what people kept referring to as "flutters" felt like

Gender: Sweet little girl!

Movement: Yes!

Food Cravings: Chick-fil-A sandwich with extra pickles

What I Miss: Being able to eat dinner past 5:30.  I am so hungry by the time I get home after work!!

Sleep: Great...I could always sleep

Belly Button: In but definititely a little more shallow
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Finally started wearing maternity jeans and still able to wear most my summer dresses
Stretch Marks: Alright...I think I have another small one below the panty line.

Symptoms: Still have a hard time taking the prenatal vitamins without puking.
What I am Looking Forward to: Our 20 week ultrasound to confirm that you are a perfectly healthy little GIRL!

18 Weeks

 

How Far Along: 18 weeks
(ugh..this is the best I could do for a picture using the self-timer, Jon has been out of town and working late quite a bit so I was on my own this week to make do)

Baby is the Size of A: Sweet Potato

Best Moment This Week: Painting and putting together your room, it's so cute!

Gender: Sweet little princess!

Movement: I think maybe some little flutters...still not really sure

Food Cravings: Hmm...I would say maybe sweet tea this week.  Not any major must-have cravings though

What I Miss: Being able to just grab anything for lunch.  It's so hard to find something to eat that's not fast food or deli sandwiches

Sleep: Great...although I wake up to switch sides often and still usually have to get up once to pee in the middle of the night

Belly Button: In
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Most of my non-maternity clothes and the Belly Band but I did break out some maternity jeans and I may never go back...I love the stretch
Stretch Marks: Still just the little one

Symptoms: I'm hungry all the time!
What I am Looking Forward to: Getting to see you at the 20 week ultrasound next week!

A closet fit for a princess

Looks like she's off to a good start to being spoiled....and well-dressed too

(Oh, and since I'm a little bit of a perfectionist I should note that all the hangers have since been switched out to white)

17 Weeks

How Far Along:  17 weeks
(I'm a little behind on posting still but figure there will always be a week delay)

Baby is the Size of A: Onion

Best Moment This Week: Getting your bedding and lots of smocked dresses from Nini

Gender: Sweet little princess!

Movement: I think maybe some little flutters...still not really sure

Food Cravings: Milkshakes at home with lots of milk

What I Miss: Being able to stay up late without feeling like I'm half alive the next day

Sleep: Great...I could always sleep

Belly Button: In
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Pretty much wearing all my clothes still with use of the Belly Band for pants and am finally wearing some more fitting shirts since my belly has rounded out and looks much more preggo vs. beer belly-ish
Stretch Marks: One small one really low...ugh

Symptoms: I have a lot more energy, still can't stomach certain foods
What I am Looking Forward to: Painting the nursery and getting everything settled into YOUR room!

16 Weeks

How Far Along: 16 weeks

(I'm a little behind on posting this since I am actually 18 weeks, but better late than never)

Baby is the Size of A: An avocado

Best Moment This Week: Ordering your nursery bedding!

Gender: Sweet little princess!

Movement: I think I'm feeling something...not quite sure though

Food Cravings: Corn Chowder..I know, random

What I Miss: I'd say sweet tea this week and I might have splurged a little

Sleep: Pretty good and not having to get up to pee either, although I'm about to burst come morning

Belly Button: In
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: Still pretty much the same...the Belly Band is my lifesaver for fitting into pants
Stretch Marks: One small one really low...ugh

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good actually, still have an intense gag reflex at night
What I am Looking Forward to: Getting your crib and bedding!  We ordered it all this week and it should all arrive sometime soon!

15 Weeks

How Far Along: 15 weeks

(I decided to wait until I felt like there was more of a baby bump rather than a box of donuts in my belly, so today is the first week of baby bump pictures)

Baby is the Size of A: A naval orange  

Best Moment This Week: Seeing you on the ultrasound for the first time since you were a 7 week peanut, finding out you are a baby GIRL and finally sharing the news with the cyber world and extended family and friends 

Gender: Sweet little princess!

Movement: Sometimes I wonder if I'm feeling flutters but think it's probably still too early to feel. However,  you sure were on the move during your ultrasound last Saturday!  It may just be that you like French Toast like your daddy!

Food Cravings: Ice Cream...this week...Choco Tacos sounded good

What I Miss: Sometimes Coke, sometimes deli sandwiches 

Sleep: Usually pretty well with one potty break in the middle of the night and repositioning since I'm trying to always be on my side 

Belly Button: In
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Maternity Clothes: a few maternity shirts and looser non-maternity tops along with pre-preggo pants and the Belly Band 
Stretch Marks: Nope...hopefully that will continue to be the answer 

Symptoms: indigestion and constipation occasionally...just keepin' it real! :-)
What I am Looking Forward to: Buying a few things for your nursery, including a crib and bedding!

Baby girls' first trimester...

Was Rough.  Since we managed to keep our happy news a secret and therefore didn't share all the details while it was actually happening I figured I'd recap a little about the first part of baby girls' journey.  We had been trying for a while and pretty much had things charted out and down to a science of when ovulation and all things related should occur.  So, needless to say when the day came that we could possibly get a reading on a test we took the plunge.  There we were waiting on the little plus sign to appear and...Nope.  No plus sign.  So after a little disappointment but realizing that everything would happen in the right time we moved on and figured we'd just try even harder next month.  Well, next month wasn't it...because only 5 days later...well, Aunt Flow didn't arrive.  So, just thinking things must be off and not wanting to get Jon excited over nothing (he was out of town on business) I decided to buy a test and take it before work the next day.  I just knew that the next morning I'd have the very unwelcome visitor and there'd be no reason to waste a test.  Well, no signs of anything to come the next morning...so, there I sat, waiting on the plus sign to appear and...there it was!  It can't be...no way...so, another test taken at lunch in the Publix bathroom (this time the digital, fool-proof kind) and...PREGNANT!  The word was there...wohoo!  So, since I definitely didn't want to call Jon to break the news I took pictures of the tests and put together a little "Looks like we're having a baby" collage, sent it over to CVS and picked up the print, gift bag and picture frame on my way home.  When I arrived home I came straight inside to Jon and handed him the bag.  I'm sure it was suspicious especially because I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.  But, he opened it up and acted surprised and was sooo excited!  Now, to keep the secret....geez!  It was so hard to keep the secret...especially  from my mom and Jon's mom.  The people that we talk to practically every day and talk about the smallest life happenings with were some of the people we had to keep our HUGE secret from.  Luckily, when all you're doing is working a sleeping the weeks go by fairly quickly.  The weeks between 6 and 10 weeks were the hardest.  I had quite the sour stomach, was practically eating saltines to survive and sleeping every moment I could.  Things started getting better around 11 weeks but still are hit or miss some days, and the intense gag reflex still remains.  Also, around 11 weeks was when I started seeing some roundness in my lower belly.  So, it was good timing to start spreading the word.  It felt great when we told our close friends and family because I finally had an explanation for my weird narcoleptic behavior and odd eating habits.  And, once the secret came out I had a free pass to crave whatever ice cream treat I wanted and permission to take a nap on a Friday night.  Man, I should've milked this earlier....

Our best kept secret

The secret is out......Jon and I are expecting our first baby due for arrival January 12, 2013!  We couldn't be any more excited and are so happy to finally let the cat out of the bag (and get back to blogging)!  It's really hard to think of anything to write on a blog when all your energy is being put into growing a baby and all of your thoughts are consumed with your growing the little one.  But, now that we're officially in the clear and well outside the taboo time frame of the first trimester we're happy to share with the entire cyber-world.  Jon and I found out right away...at about 5 weeks and managed, very surprisingly, to keep up the poker-face on why I wasn't drinking, why I was always tired, why I craved tater tots, why sushi wasn't an option for dinner and simply why I lacked general energy and pep.  We would consult each other before every friend get together or family dinner and refine our story.  Sometimes Jon would forgo a drink to throw everyone off in thinking that we just partied too hard the night before.  Sometimes I would be taking a medicine that I wasn't allowed to combine with alcohol.  Sometimes I just felt dehydrated and needed to drink water.  You know, anything that could be halfway believable to keep our best kept little secret from being revealed.  It was hard.  We tried to find ways to only "twist the truth" in hopes that we weren't blatantly lying.  And, although I think after three straight months of excuses people started to believe something was fishy, we managed to keep our best kept secret yet!  So, now that our close friends and family know and we've had multiple confirmations from the Dr. that everything is truckin' along we are very happy to let our sweet little, yet oh so big secret out!  Baby Ray is coming soon!!  Oh, and we had an ultrasound on Saturday and Baby Ray is a Baby GIRL!!!

Here's the deal...

I'm so tired and unmotivated to write on this little blog o' mine lately.  I apologize for those of you who wait every day for that amazing life story of the Rays, but...I figure I'd spare you guys the boredom.  I started to feel like I was writing just to write and probably inadvertently wasting 3 minutes of each one of your lives, so...I'm taking a break.  Not that it isn't obvious by now, since there has only been one update in the year 2012, but...it's official...the blog and I are ON A BREAK.

See you again when I'm motivated....and not tired...and have great life stories to share ;-)

Hello 2012!

So, obviously I've fallen off the earth on this blogging thing lately.  One day I'm sure I'll get back in the mood, but for now I think I'm taking a break.  However, not before I list a few New Year's Resolutions to help hold me accountable and to have a reference to look back at.  So, here it goes...

1. Live a healthier lifestyle.  This involves cutting back on caffeine, exercising, cutting back on alcoholic beverages, making healthier eating choices and cooking more at home.  Obviously I'm not expecting a miraculous improvement on all of these but I need to focus on living a little healthier in general.
2. Establish a morning routine.  Right now I don't have any sort of routine in the mornings and since I am the exact opposite of a morning person I could definitely benefit from a routine to keep me in check with showering in the mornings and getting to work on time. 
3. And number 3, get back in touch with Jesus!  Jon and I have been talking about getting involved in a church in our neighborhood since moving in a year ago and I think it's about time that we find ourselves a church family and start going every Sunday.
4. This is kind of a bonus resolution....BUDGET!  We need to figure out an actual budget and stick to it this year.

See ya later peeps, until I feel like talking again :-/