Date Night - at last!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it seems strange that a Date Night would be a big deal for 2 married people, with 2 incomes, and no kids. However, because of the sickness I've battled, it's literally been months since we've gotten out for a "date." For as long as we've know each other we've never gone this long without a night out. So needless to say, it's a very big deal. All week I was hopeful that we could go out on Friday. At our Dr. appointment last week my Dr. really believed I would start feeling better. All things considered...this was a much better week. I only threw up 1 time for 4 of the last 7 days. Even though some people cringe at the thought, I've been pretty thrilled.

So, we decided last night we'd go out. Chris came home from work and we took a walk together and then got dressed for dinner. Since we've had such awesome weather here we decided to take the Jeep and with a few things to celebrate Chris for I wanted to go somewhere he'd enjoy. Funny that my not-so-Texas husband picked BBQ from County Line. :)

We left our house and without talking about it Chris took the scenic route. I had this intense realization of deep connection with him...it's exactly what I would have wanted....the less windy, more beautiful route to soak in the sunset and really awesome weather in our open air jeep. He even reached over and rested his hand on my leg and took my hand into his so that we could enjoy this together. We still didn't utter a word and for those moments I was blissfully happy with our "oneness," our knowing what each other loves and doing it without asking, our quiet enjoyment of something while feeling so close, and all of this without saying a word. I know that in 6 months we may not have the jeep and moments like this will be few and far between. I know that silence will be less common. I know that with a new little one we'll have to learn about each other in our new roles as parents and that will require lots of communication, prayer, time, and even fights. In that moment, however, I felt really ready for the next chapter. Not that I have all the answers or that I will do it gracefully - I won't. But, I know we've done these past 2 years and 3 months well. We've learned about each other, we've loved each other well, and we've respected each other. It may be a calm before the storm in a sense but I had this overwhelming peace that we're ready....as ready as you can be for the next chapter of life. It was suddenly more than just a date night for me. It was a milestone I won't soon forget. I'm so proud of Chris and who he is as a man, a boss, a friend, and a husband. I can't imagine becoming a mother with any other man becoming a father next to me.

Gushy stuff aside we soon arrived at County Line had an AWESOME meal. I literally wanted to lick my plate as everything tasted sooooo yummy. I was so thankful to taste each bite and that I wasn't eating soup, spaghetti, melon, or rolls (my survivals the past weeks). I had smoked turkey and smoked ham with a baked potato. Chris had ribs, brisket, and sausage with beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. We even got dessert. I don't normally keep sweet things down so I had a few bites of apple cobbler and homemade ice cream but let Chris eat most of it. And...I made it to bed without throwing up any of it. It was the perfect date night. I don't have pictures for you but I'll keep the picture in my head and in my favorite memories.

I love you, Chris. I'm so proud of you!

The Sn-uke

I promise after this post I'll quit posting about all the "fun" of first trimester pregnancy stuff and get back to things that more of you will care to read. However, no one told me all this stuff and I don't want to be blamed for the same offense....

When I was in High School I remember that my Dad and Brudder thought it was hilarious when they would sneeze and fart at the same time. They'd laugh so hard anytime it happened. I am sure they would be thrilled to know I am disclosing their bodily function bonding stories on our blog but since neither of them seem to be loyal readers and since I could share worse....there is it. The Sn-art (sneeze fart) was a laughable offense in our family. (Laughable for them, offense for my mom and I).

As the weeks roll on in this journey called pregnancy everyone keeps telling me it will get better. I cling to the hope they are right. This week however was as bad as any of them when it comes to barfing and wanting to sleep all day. The only difference is that I'm 12 weeks in now...which means I don't have the energy to care about where I throw up, how I look, or even keeping track of how many times I puke each day to ensure I'm eating and drinking enough. I just throw up. So, one day, out in the front yard for some fresh air, sunshine, and a hello to my neighbors who I really should say Hola! too (they don't speak much English).....it happened. I went to sneeze and I puked. I Sn-uked. I guess my body thought if my mouth was open and I was projecting out that it was fair game to clear out this hour's round of puke. Unlike my Dad and brother, I didn't laugh. And...if the language barrier wasn't enough this moment with the neighbor was a whole new level of awkward. She almost wanted to be compassionate, I think, but ultimately decided to pretend she didn't hear the large gag and splash and acted busy and ultimately went inside. Como se dice "Sorry about that, I'm pregnant and miserable!" en espanol?

I don't have a picture for you....would you even want one? I'll keep my promise...this is the last post on first tri fun....I've got a good one to post if I can figure out how to download pics from my camera phone. Stay tuned :)

Something's cooking

I know I've been BAD, BAD, BAD about blogging the past month...yep a whole month. For those of you who sent the blog love to let me know you missed our posts, wondered what we were up to, and so on....THANKS! It's been encouraging in spite of our month off that people actually care or at least like to read what a mess we are.

The last month has been a long one and while I could have some interesting pictures to post if we really documented it, I'll spare you the visual and just tell you about it. I've thrown up 26 of the last 30 days and on the days I've thrown up, there have only been 3 that I threw up less than 2 times. I had a few record days where I basically threw up all day...that was before the meds. My mom came to town for three days (never take for granted the blessing of a supportive Mom!) to cook bland foods for me and things other than TV dinner for Chris. Chris has scrubbed toilets, cooked every meal (when my mom wasn't here), and loaded and unloaded the dishwasher more times than he should ever have to without my help. Our house is a wreck and each week I surprise myself with the lowered bar of what is acceptable to leave the house wearing. I knew I'd hit an all time low when I went to the grocery store in my pajamas, with chipped toe nail polish, no makeup, barf breath (I puked in the front yard on the way to my car and didn't have the energy to come back in and brush) and hair that had not been washed for three days. I've traded my slavery to shoes and fashion for slavery to survive. And, the most precarious thing of all is that we're actually thrilled about all this.

That's because we have something cooking....this picture was taken a month ago but you'll get the drift....

Garden update - Week 3

Ok so we are technically in Week 4 of gardening but since I didn't get last week's pictures up and haven't taken this week's pictures yet, I thought I'd get caught up.

Since we're in a drought and well on the way to a record 3rd ever hottest year in Austin (by how many days we're over 100 degrees) there is no chance of over watering. I just water every day. Somehow they're still surviving.

Everything is getting bigger! The pumpkin plant (first picture) is nearly taking over it's part in the garden. The edamame (soy bean - 2nd picture) is tall and lanky and looking green. The third picture is our corn which sometimes looks like weeds. We have to be careful what we're pulling out. The fourth is our little cantaloupe plant. I'd almost be worried but I can cheat because it's week 4 and I already know that somehow this week those melon plants have nearly doubled in size!!!

Take me out to the ball game...

For almost as long as I can remember I've been going to baseball games. Some of that is because my Grandpa, Dad, and brother love baseball and we lived in Houston, home to the Astros. But the other some of that is because my Uncle Gary is a Major League umpire and always got us great tickets when he was in town to call a game.

Side disclaimer, he's not technically my Uncle. His wife, Cheri, was my mom's college roommate and were so close that when we were younger my parents wanted us to call them Aunt Cheri and Uncle Gary because they were more dear than the Mr. and Mrs. most non-family members were called. Also, the picture of Gary is not from the game we saw but a good action shot!

Anyway, since I don't live in Houston anymore it's been harder to get to the games. In fact, since Chris and I have been married we had not gone even once. Harder to believe still was that Chris had really only been to one other Major League game in his life. Considering I've been to probably over 100 in my life, this streak just had to end. So, Gary was in Houston this past weekend and we made the trip!

We went to the Saturday evening game against the Cubs. It was an AWESOME game. The Astros won 4 -1. Cameron, Gary's oldest son, came too. He just graduated from High school which completely freaks me out because I vividly remember holding him when he was just a baby. He was adorable and tiny and now he towers over me and has a deep man voice.

Some super fun things went down in my favor....let me set this up. First, the attendance roster of our crew included my dad, Chris, Brudder, His wife (Kari), Cameron, and me. Kari thinks the Crack Team is crazy and always says she will try to let loose around us. Cameron just didn't know what he was getting into and was maybe a little shy or overwhelmed. Anyway, here's the recap of Crack Team does Major Leagues:

1. Game is about to start. Umpires do a brief meeting at home plate. Recalling my childhood of calling out to Uncle Gary and waving like a fool I ask "Does Gary still do the Salute/Wave I see you at the beginning of the game?"

Cameron: (laughs) He wouldn't wave

Kari: And...he probably can't see us.

Me: (standing up, waving, and screaming like a fool) GARY!!!! WHOOO HOOO!!!! GOOO UMPIRES.

Gary: (from the field - the salute/wave I see you...)

Kari & Cameron: (mouths open in disbelief)

2. 5th Inning Chic-fil-a promotional Chicken dance and t-shirt throw. Around this time I've danced to every song, clapped and chanted with each prompting and had some good old fashioned ball game peanuts. Some of our crew thought we were settling in. I was convinced we had just gotten started. So down the aisle comes the chic-fil-a cow and some intern with a bag of shirts.

Cameron: (with no intention of doing it) Awwww - we could have gotten a shirt.

Me: Oh...we'll totally get one when they come back up the aisle.

Kari: You are too funny. (And in disbelief we'd catch a shirt)

Me: (stands up to do chicken dance, sees the cow mascot coming) WHOOOO HOOO!!! YEAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! (more screaming and waving like a fool)

Intern: (looks over, feels sure I've earned a shirt, digs frantically in her sponsor covered satchel and throws the shirt)

Me: (reach over the heads of my sitting family and grabs the shirt) WHOOO HOOO!!!

Kari & Cameron: (mouths open in disbelief)

3. 7th inning stretch. They play the normal "Take me out to the Ball game" which I of course sing at the top of my lungs. This time the family did stand up and partake...I'll give them that. Then immediately following that song, they played "Deep in the Heart of Texas" which I also sang all three verses of at the top of my lungs and even did the hand motions I learned in elementary school. Texas born, Texas proud....it still freaks my husband out.

Kari & Cameron: (mouths open in disbelief)

(Chris too this time)

4. Post game. We're waiting outside the player/umpire exit with a group of hopeful fans. Apparently they think that players will stop their car after a long game and sign autographs for the mob. What are they thinking? Well one actually did, he must be a rookie. Anyway, he pulls his Bentley over and starts signing autographs. I get right up in there and hand him my free chic-fil-a shirt. Why not? He asks for a pen so I shout to the hopeful kids and groupies "I need a pen" and someone passed one right up. Too bad Cameron was in the locker room with his dad and Kari was picking up pizza or they would be:

Kari & Cameron: (mouths open in disbelief)

5. Gary comes out. When I was younger, I would run up screaming to Uncle Gary after the game. Because he was also younger then fans would often follow my lead and ask "Who are you?" hopeful he was an Astro. It was priceless. This time however, I ran up to him screaming and he hugged me as usual but the hopeful fans didn't bat an eye. Guess they knew by this point that I was crazy and Gary wasn't an Astro.

Needless to say we had a great time. Chris enjoyed the great seats and watching the umpires....he's never considered their role so carefully before. Go 'Stros! We love Gary!!!!

Garden update - Week 2

We've made it through week 1 and some stuff is actually growing! We needed to do some weeding in these shots and we still have a long hot summer to grow...I mean go before we have eatables but when your thumbs are black like ours, we have to celebrate the baby steps!

The picture of the seeded stuff is melons....if you'd like some, let me know. We won't be able to fit all of these in our garden.

Bill-paying Blues

Surely you can imagine where I am going with this....

It's that time of the month where receipts are accounted for, bills are paid, and we see where I've gone over budget this month - usually clothes, gifts, or house stuff. It's not my favorite thing we do together at the Crack house but it has to be done.

This month, Chris decided to make it a little better. He pulled out his day of the week 'stashes he got as a birthday gift for his sister and put one on. Once I snapped a shot or two he demanded I sport the 'stash too. Needless to say, for those 10 minutes we weren't so concerned with balancing the books or double checking each receipt!

Next time you are in the midst of bill-paying blues, reach for a 'stash.