Dear Baby, Pink or Blue? Love, Mommy

Dear Sweet Baby,

We find out tomorrow if you are a boy or a girl! I can't begin to tell you how very excited we are to find out! I'm certain you are a boy but your Daddy is equally certain you are a girl....I guess we'll know in 12 short (or very long) hours.

If you are a boy, I hope you look exactly like your Daddy looked when he was a baby. He was the cutest baby ever and grew up to be such a handsome man. He had blonde hair until he was 6 though. Hard to believe, huh? If we end up with a blonde baby I will be completely shocked since we both have olive complexions with brown hair and brown eyes. If you are a boy, you will be honored with being named after the best person that I think ever lived, my Grandpa Perry, your Great-Grandpa. He passed away 10 years ago from Alzheimer's Disease, but he had the sweetest spirit of anyone I've known. He was always calm and truly appreciated the simple things in life. Your full name will actually be John Perry, but you will go by Perry. The John part comes from Daddy's Grandpa John. He is still living and is a wonderful man too. He used to be a veterinarian. Impressive, huh? We both thought it would be neat to name you after both of our grandfathers. You will have a lot to live up to, but we know you will surpass our expectations.

If you turn out to be a girl, your name will be Elle Sofia. It's not after anybody but it's classy and elegant. I have always been in love with the name Isabella, but it has taken off in popularity over the last 2 years, of course! It's been #1 and #2 on the baby name list ever since the movie Twilight came out. Growing up I always had at least 1 other Kristin in my class and my name was very common. Your Daddy and I both agree that we want you to have a more unique name than Adam or Kristin ever was for our generation. That's where we came up with Elle. It is unique (not even in the top 100 names), but not totally out there. It is beautiful but your name will never be as beautiful as you!

When I was first pregnant, I had a dream that you were a little girl walking in a field hand-in-hand with Grandpa Perry. You looked to be about 4 and had long, wavy, brown hair that was flowing in the wind. You were wearing a light pink dress and you were both grinning ear to ear. I do believe that you (girl or boy) were in heaven spending time with Grandpa Perry before you were conceived, so the dream felt very real. If you turn out to be a boy, then I will always think that it must have been your younger sister that will come later. :-)

If you are a girl, you will always be dressed super cute with matching bows everyday. Your Mommy and Daddy will be broke! If you are a boy, then I'll be a little more picky about what you are dressed in. I'm not really into trucks and sports emblems being all over clothes, and let's face it, there's a surplus of that stuff out there. I will look all over to find you the cutest polos, plaid shorts, and hats. The kind of hats like your Great Grandpa Perry used to wear. And, we'll still be broke! ;-) If you are a boy, you will have an old-fashioned Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter nursery. If you are a girl it will be shabby chic with pale pinks and ivory colors. I can't wait to start shopping!

You are such a blessing from God and have already brought such joy and fulfillment to my life, my precious baby. This is the last day I have to wonder what you indeed are, a boy or a girl. Your Mommy and Daddy love you so much and can't wait to see your gorgeous face and beautiful heart beating tomorrow at our ultrasound.

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living,

My baby you'll be.

Love,

Mommy

A Year of Wedded Bliss

Exactly one year ago today my husband and I slid these rings onto each other's fingers and made sacred vows that we will honor the rest of our lives! It has been a truly amazing year filled with many life-changing events....

Betsy became a big sister when we brought home our new puppy Khloe in September....

We closed on our first home that was being built all summer, in October....

We found out we were going to be parents in February....

And we told our friends and family that this is the type of family portrait that they can expect from us next Christmas!

God has truly blessed us! I can't wait to see what else He has in store for us!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary Adam!

I LOVE YOU!

Apples to Apples

Have you ever played that game? According to Amazon.com, "the name of the game is a play on the phrase "apples to oranges," and the game is about making comparisons between different things." It really is an entertaining game that I totally recommend for game night!

I also found the title and meaning of the game to be ironically appropriate after reading a friend's blog post entitled "Apples" that basically refers to teachers complaining about everything under the sun and particularly pointing out how frustrated she gets when she sees her teacher friends facebook status updates that say things about them having to return to work after enjoying spring break and counting down the days to summer break.

Before I continue on with my response, I would first like to point out that I too, am pregnant and hormonal just like the other woman and by no means am trying to start a "war on words" if you will. I just feel the need to defend my position as a teacher since I was apparently one of the ones doing the "annoying" last night, as I posted a status update that referred to my countdown until summer break.

I know what you are all thinking right now. "Ooo this is getting so juicy, I wonder whose blog post she might be referring to." And you are probably planning your next steps to crack the case after you finish reading my post, but that truly is not what this is about. If I haven't already said this, I think this person is very nice and would like to maintain a friendly relationship with her as we share a lot in common, even if we vastly disagree on this subject.

So,

here

goes

nothing....

Believe it or not, I don't totally disagree with the entire post. She points out that many (not all) teachers complain about numerous things....lack of money, unruly parents, work days, etc. I too, find this to be true, as I know a few teachers that do seem to complain about everything, but in every group of people there usually always is at least one bad apple. However, my main problem with her post is that I don't think she is comparing apples to apples, instead I think she is comparing apples to oranges. She did have me at the beginning, but when she went on to say that the thing that most annoyed her about teachers was their facebook status countdowns, she totally, utterly lost me.

Yes! Some teachers do complain about everything!

Yes! Most 24 year olds in other professions start out making the same amount that teachers make.

Yes! ALL professionals have to deal with difficult people and situations that are challenging.

Yes! Teachers are very lucky to get winter breaks, spring breaks, and summer breaks. It's definitely one of the perks!

No! It's not fair to place every teacher that posts their summer countdown zest into the "complaining teacher" category.

That, in my opinion, is a total apples to oranges comparison. I and most of the teachers I know, currently have facebook statuses showing our enthusiasm for summer break, because we are indeed ENTHUSED about getting some time off of work! Who in the world wouldn't be? Do people in other professions not ever express how tough it will be for them to have to return to work the next morning after a week long Caribbean vacation? Do people in other professions not get excited when they get to take a personal day(s)? Exactly my point! We are all human and it is in our nature to get excited about having some time off to spend with our families, or take a vacation, or even just read the book we've been wanting to get to for the past 6 months.

So with all do respect, please do not think of the notorious summer break countdowns as a way of complaining. It is simply just a way for us to show our eagerness for being able to sleep-in in 30 more days and have a little break from work responsibilities.

I LOVE my job and LOVE that I get to spend my days working with young minds that will grow up and do AMAZING things, but you will always be able to count on my summer break "countdowns."

In my mind, you just can't compare the random bad apple to all the good apples out there with a little enthusiasm for soaking up the summer sun, because after all, wouldn't you be excited too?

Practice Makes Perfect

Last October we decided to add another little furbaby to our family. We named her Khloe and at 9 months old she is currently weighing in at a whopping 4 pounds. As responsible pet owners, we knew that we needed to get her spayed as soon as she hit the 6 month mark, but with Adam traveling so much and me fighting pregnancy symptoms, it just kept getting put off. We finally decided that we would make an appointment for her over Spring Break, since we would already be boarding both dogs at the vet's office that week. However, when we called to make the appointment, nothing was available, so we scheduled for a month later and went on our merry way. Until 2 days ago when Adam was holding her in his lap and we discovered BLOOD! Our little baby had become a woman overnight! Who knew dogs could go into heat at such an early age?!?! Bob Barker failed to mention that tidbit! As exhausted as I was, I immediately told Adam to get in the car and within 2 minutes, Khloe was in the kennel and we were off to buy doggy diapers! I have to admit that it's been very cute and quite hilarious watching Adam get practice changing diapers. I just never would have thought his first diaper change would be on our DOG! But hey, practice does make perfect!

A great Daddy already!

A Hot Mess

Yup! That's me! I've managed to feel every emotion in the book over the last 4 hours. As of now, all I feel is FRUSTRATED!

When I first found out I was preggo, of course I was paranoid about it actually sticking, but who isn't?? I took approximately 10 pregnancy tests until I had my first doctor's appointment at 6 weeks, but I'm pretty sure that that is somewhat normal for a first time mommy. After seeing my baby's precious little heart beating away at the 6 week visit, I lost most (I can't say all) of the miscarriage worry. From that point on, a strange calmness came over me about my baby being safe. Of course it probably helped that I got to see my little pumpkin again at 8 weeks and 10 weeks.

I've quickly realized how fast the tables can turn. This morning I woke up and noticed that my boobs (sorry if that's TMI for you) were not nearly as sore as they have been throughout my entire pregnancy. I grew a little concerned, but tried to just let it go. However, as the day passed, that was nearly impossible. I spent most of my free time googling miscarriages. Throughout the course of my actions, I learned what a "missed miscarriage" is. For those of you who don't know, it's a miscarriage without any symptoms, where the baby just stops growing. Learning that information was all I needed to know to throw me straight into a tizzy! Great!

Because of my paranoia, I decided to look into renting a fetal doppler, so I could hear my baby's heartbeat anytime I wanted to. I figured it would be a good way to help ease my nerves and hold me over until my next ultrasound visit on April 16th. I found one on storkradio.com for only $20 per month, pay as you go. Just as I was typing in my debit card information, I got a call from the hubby. I was happy to hear from him and cheerfully filled him in on my great idea!.... I won't give you all the boring details as to exactly how our conversation went, but just know that I hung up the phone very disappointed and upset that he just didn't understand. I believe the exact words he used were, "Don't you just think that that is taking it to extreme measures? Why don't you just call the doctor?" MEN! ...........

So here I am, approximately 1 hour later, writing to all of you. I've delayed processing my order, but the screen is still pulled up on my computer. What do you think, should I bite the bullet and rent the machine, or listen to my husband and try to relax for the next few weeks? I'm counting on all of you to help me make this decision! What would you do?

My Bump is Getting Plump

My "Bump" at 11 Weeks

At 11 weeks 2 days today, I can finally say that I have an official baby bump! It's been this size for about a week now, so I know for sure that it is not from bloating or from having to eat every 3 hours (which I am TOTALLY sick of doing) and just getting fat. It's definitely from my growing little pumpkin who is now about the size of a fig, according to babycenter. Now let me ask you, am I the only one that has never seen a fig? If you know what in the world they are referring to, then congratulations, because I think you are one of few. For those of you like me that have no clue, Baby Robinson is about 1 and a half inches long and growing rapidly.

On a sour note, just when I thought my bump was visible to the world, a salesmen at the mall yesterday told my husband and me that we should "go find a restaurant with a patio and enjoy some margaritas" since it was so beautiful outside. WHAT???? We had spent at least 20 minutes around this joker and he couldn't tell I was pregnant???? Because of him, I spent all last night googling shirts that said "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant." Needless to say, I will be one happy mamma when I get the first "when are you due" question. As a matter of fact, I think I will hug that person...or look really offended and tell them I've just gained some weight. Haha.... Could you imagine?? :)

I realize that I have been a very bad blogger the past few weeks and not kept you updated, so let me give you a quick 1st trimester update:

• Severe heartburn
• Had a "feeling" I might be preggo....
• Could not STOP SMILING after I got my BIG FAT POSITIVE on February 3rd
• Shared the news with my hubby by giving him a giftbag that had an "I love my Daddy" burp cloth inside
• Could not STOP SMILING after I saw my husband tear up when he found out
• Bought What to Expect When You're Expecting
• More heartburn
• Noticed I had to eat every few hours or I got queasy....this has not yet stopped....
• LOVED FOOD
• Built a "snowman family" with the hubby and emailed pictures to our family to surprise them with the news (this was a very last minute idea, as it rarely snows in GA)
• Felt EXHAUSTED 24-7....still do actually....
• Had 3 ultrasounds....1 at 5 weeks, 1 at 7 weeks, and 1 at 9 weeks
• Got butterflies when we saw our baby dancing all over the place at the 9 week visit. That's when it began to feel real.
• Started calling Baby Robinson "pumpkin" since he or she is due in October
• Looked at the ultrasound pictures every time I felt nauseous to remind myself that it's worth it
• Realized I might very well be in labor on my 25th birthday
• HATED FOOD....and realized that I had never truly had a loss of appetite EVER in my life, until now....
• Thanked God everyday for blessing us with this miracle

and currently I....

• hate food and hate the fact that I have to eat every 3 hours even more....ugh... nothing sounds appetizing
• cry much more easily....I didn't think that was possible
• make everyone guess the sex when they see me
• pick out everything I'm going to buy once I find out the sex...I feel bad for our bank account
• am still nauseous and extremely fatigued
• most likely drive my husband crazy with all of my complaining
• shrill with excitement when I'm by myself and remember that I have a baby in my belly
• carry Tums with me everywhere I go...heartburn still thinks he is my best friend
• still thank God everyday for this blessing

That about covers it! Me and little pumpkin will be back soon. They say the first trimester yuckies go away when you reach the second trimester.....keep your fingers crossed....we're very close!

We're Expecting!

That's right! The secret is out! Mr. Robinson and I are expecting baby #1 on October 15th, which makes me 6 weeks 3 days pregnant. We could not possibly be more excited about our precious little peanut. I'm very much so in the middle of the first trimester fog and wayyy to exhausted to write much more. I'm realizing fast that carrying a baby is hard work, but totally worth it! I'm so blessed!