Q is for the Quest

Well it has been a busy weekend to say the least. House hunting is not all it is cracked up to be. We have been scouting out places on the internet since January just to get an idea of what we can get for our money. Recently we started scoping out some townhomes about half a mile from where we are now. We really really really liked them, the amenities that come with them, and the location. But we wanted to scope out some single family homes as well. So Friday we went with our realtor and looked at about 5-6 houses. The first two were going to be big time fixer uppers, something we are not going to have the time and energy for with a newborn until maybe next summer. So those were out. We did however find two that we really liked. One we really fell in love with. I loved the colors, the lighting fixtures, the kitchen, the bathroom, and the nursery. The problem? It is a short sale (pre-foreclosure) which means even if we were to put in an offer, we would have to wait at least 30 days to hear from the bank. And even then, we could be starting from square one. The other one we liked was in an area we weren't familiar with, but it seemed pretty decent. It had nice hardwood floors and a pool, but the taxes were $ 

4,500. Um, yeah. 

So after my nervous breakdown (poor Jeremy) and stress and research, I think we made a breakthrough today. We went back to the townhomes we fell in love with and met with the guy about pricing options and such. After we left there, we made a list of pros and cons between the townhome and a single family home. There were 20 pros to the townhome and 8 pros to the single family. Some of the pros of the townhome include the fact that it is brand spanking new so we get to pick out our tile, paint colors, cabinet colors, appliances, and granite colors. It also it going to have a nice community pool and recreation area (for those of you who know me, know that a pool is a big deal. I also want to teach my child to swim and be comfortable around the water at a young age.) It is in our prime choice of location.  And it comes with all appliances. With a house we would have to buy a fridge, washer, and dryer which would be a fast $2000. We are also happy with the size. It has 1800 living square feet. 2434 if you include, courtyard, garage, and such. SO hopefully this will work out for us. He has 3 models that will be available for our September time frame, so we are hoping to get the ball rolling this week and hope that they haven't sold any of them. I think I shall have a glass of sparkling grape juice now!

P is for Pregnancy Update

We went in today for my 16 week check-up and everything is progressing normally. It makes it a little more real when you have to fill our paperwork about whether or not you want an epidural. The baby's heartbeat was strong- it sounded like galloping horses. The doc said it sounds like its moving around alot! We FINALLY get to find out the sex of the baby on July 22. I cannot wait. It doesn't matter to us either way, but I am dying to know. I am a planner and I have to map out nursery colors and all that fun stuff. 

I am also getting quite large. I am officially in maternity clothes, which I LOVE. I think I will wear them for the rest of my life. Below is a pic of my baby bump at 15 weeks. (I am really poking it out there for dramatic effect, however, it is getting larger by the day )

O is for "Oh my Gosh" Nan's first celebrity encounter

Let me set the scene: 5:00 Thursday afternoon, Publix grocery store across from the church. Me, looking rather frumpy in my big maternity pants, going in for milk and some other items. I am standing in the checkout line and as I am eyeing the candy bars and gum I look out of the corner of my eye and see none other than Tiger Woods. Not kidding.  He was 30 inches from me. His groceries were on the check out belt right behind my groceries with only a plastic bar separating them. I immediately get nervous and I can't stop looking, although I am trying to act inconspicuous and non chalant.  I think I started to sweat a little. I mean this guy is in the Gillette commercials and was just on the yahoo homepage. Even the check-out lady did a double take. For those who are dying to know he was buying two bags of  Dole pre-packaged salad and two containers of coffee creamer (one original, one french vanilla). He was donning a tight red nike workout shirt, backwards baseball cap, sunglasses, windpants, and some kickin' tennis shoes. Looking very similar to the above photo (minus the flexing).  I tried to check out his knee injury, but he was wearing loose pants. He was also talking on his cell phone the whole time. I wonder who he was talking to. 

Anyhow, as I was getting in my car calling Jeremy to rub it in his face I see Tiger getting in his black Escalade and he is right behind me as I leave to go home. I should have slammed on my brakes so he would have rear ended me. He then would have maybe bought me a new car and perhaps something for the baby. But oh well. I am so excited to finally have a celebrity siting after being in Orlando for two years! I was beginning to think it would never happen. 

N is for nails and names

Pregnancy does have its good side effects. Long fingernails and thick hair. I was never blessed with long fingernails no matter how hard I tried or how much magic nail growing cream I used (thanks mom). But over the past couple of months my nails have grown to extraordinary lengths. That is until the other day when some snotty kid thought it would be cool to half wash his/her hands in the ladies room and not dry them off. I must have been the next person to leave after them b/c there was a wet/soapy residue on the door handle and my fingers slipped catching my beautiful nails and breaking them right off at the bed. I said words I won't repeat. So I am now back to my normal looking nails, but no fear, they will be back soon.

In other news, we have been racking our brains over baby names. Considering how indecisive I am, it will probably change 10 times before December 12. This frustrates Jeremy. But this is serious business. This child will be stuck with this name for eternity and I would like to avoid a potential playground bully session over a name. So here's what we have so far:

Girl (first and middle name included):

Aubrey Grace

Laurel Bailey (would be called Bailey, can you imagine a 3 year old trying to say "Laurel"?)

Hannah McKenzie

Boy:

Andrew Leyton (would be called Leyton)

Leyton Elias

something with Bennett as a middle name

I am having problems with boys' names. Jeremy is perfectly content with Leyton, but I need options here and I can't think of any for boys (which stinks, b/c I think this child is a boy).

Suggestions would be appreciated.

M is for MarioKart and Maternity clothes

I have never been a "gamer". Actually, I don't understand the whole "Dungeons and Dragons" and "Halo" games that people revolve their life around. They scare me. BUT, I have found a game I love. MarioKart for the Wii. It is sooo fun. One of Jeremy's students let us borrow it a couple of weeks ago and we played it non stop for two days. I was so excited because I "beat the game" after only a few hours, but then Jeremy let me know that I had it set on "Easy." Way to stomp on my joy there, honey. After we returned it Jeremy called every store in Southwest Orlando to see if they had any in stock. They didn't. Apparently we aren't the only ones who like it. We finally just ordered it from Amazon and have been faithfully playing it for a week. Here's my problem though: When I play by myself I come in first place every time, but when Jeremy and I do two player, I come in dead last. He comes in first EVERY TIME. The one and only time I was about to beat him he threw a turtle shell at me and passed me at the finish line. I was livid.

That's ok though, I can learn to be a good sport. Its just a game, after all.

M is also for Maternity clothes

My pants don't fit anymore. Sadness. I gave the jeans up about two weeks ago, but gave them one last go on Friday. Not Comfortable. My beloved khaki pants, which had about 2 inches to spare 3 months ago are also about to be retired. It is really rather depressing. I mean I don't look pregnant yet. I'm in that awkward in between stage where I just look fat. Not fun. If you see me lately, I will be donning skirts and dresses. But my boobs are getting too big for my frikkin' dresses. But, I think I am about to break down and get the beloved maternity jeans. At the beginning of this, Jeremy said I could get whatever maternity clothes I needed except for the hideous jeans with the elastic thing. Whatever Jeremy, I'm getting the pants. My friend, Jenna (also pregnant) got the jeans at Target last week. Let me tell you people, they are cute. Its like a jean look with a sweatpant top. What a dream- I may wear them forever.

L is for Little Love Survey

ok, so I couldn't think of anything else for "L" so here is a survey I copied from myspace

What are your middle names?
Don't have one and DeWayne (I'm not kidding)

How long have you been together?
5 years in August (we have been married for 2 of those years)

Do you have any children together?
We are expecting!

What about pets?
Nah- we skipped the pets thing and moved straight to kids. But if our landlord allowed pets, we would have had one since forever

Did you go to the same school?
HS no- College-yes

are you from the same hometown?
No

Do you live in the same town now?
um, yeah

Who is the smartest?
He is fo sho smarter

Who is the most sensitive?
we are both pansies

Where do you eat out at most as a couple?
hmm...Chilis or the Chinese place down the road

Where do you shop the most as a couple?
I do the shopping in the family

Where is the furthest you have traveled as a couple?
Jamaica

Who has the best group of friends?
we have the same friends

Who has the craziest exes?
hmm...probably him

Who has the worst temper?
well, we are both very even tempered, but mine is worse. I tend to raise my voice more

Who does the cooking?
I do - he cleans

Who is more social?
He is

Who is the neat-freak!
hmm, neither really unless it entails a dirty sink (that drives me nuts)

Who is the most stubborn?
depends

Who wakes up earlier?
I do

Where was your first date?
Crescent City Grill

Who said I Love You first?
he did. I would be too chicken to do that

Who has the biggest family?
him

Do you get/give flowers often?
He has given me flowers on a few occasions. Chocolate is better

Who is more jealous?
hmm, neither

Do you have little pet names for each other?
Yes but I'll refrain