Photos

Eric and I took some time while in Chattanooga to take our own maternity photos.  Thought we would share a few here.  Baby will be here soon!  

Chattanooga

I've never really liked the term "babymoon," but I suppose that's what it was.  Eric and I went to Chattanooga for a long weekend to enjoy a getaway before Baby arrives.  We had both been busy in the weeks prior, and fairly stressed.  I think it's safe to say we were clinging to the hope of a relaxing weekend... and that's just what it was!

Before we left Nashville, we spent some time physically preparing our home for Baby. And apparently preparing our cat for a new sibling :) 

We also enjoyed breakfast at a local restaurant called The Pfunky Griddle.  I had been hanging on to a groupon for this restaurant and we finally found the chance to go.  Yum!

We spent a day at the Tennessee Aquarium - very educational and fun :)  I don't think we realized how big the aquarium would be.  Eric read on the website it should take about 2 hours to tour, so we planned our day that way.  Turns out we spent at least double the recommended 2 hours there.  Good thing we both have a little bit of nerd in us :)

Our mornings were spent in coffee shops; reading, relaxing, and report cards for me (ugh).  We have enjoyed visiting coffee shops together and this is something we haven't been able to do together for the past several months because of Eric's work schedule.  While his schedule will be changing again soon (he'll have Saturdays at HOME!!), we know we won't be taking family trips to a coffee shop with our infant.

And because a vacation isn't really a vacation without dessert - we researched and found 2 chocolate shops :)  Oh yes, the sweetest part of our trip! 

We returned to Nashville relaxed, and while I wouldn't really say "ready" for Baby... we're a whole lot closer! 

The Great

So one more quick post - we've started getting our diapers in and I LOVE THEM!!  We still have a ways to go (to have enough diapers) - but check out how cute this little guy is :)

And these!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Baby Style

The Good:
I feel great :)  I do have some minor back pains, but all things considered I feel extremely fortunate.  I'm working, making it through the day, and overall I am very happy. 

The Bad:
I'm not sleeping very well.  I'm going to bed early, so despite not sleeping through the night, I think I'm still getting an adaquate amount of sleep.  I wake up frequently, find comfortable positions difficult to locate, and often have trouble getting back to sleep. 

The Ugly:
This is suppose to be our nursery.  Oops.  Someone (Eric and I) missed the memo that we need to get this room ready.  Anything "baby" is currently stacked in a closet, propped behind a door, or conveniently located on a top shelf in the laundry room.  We know this needs to change, we just haven't found the time to do it yet. 

Here's to praying for a full-term pregnancy, because this momma's not gonna be ready early :) 

Enchilada Amazingness

I've been experiencing a bit of "writer's block," if you will.  So much to say, and so many ideas - it just hasn't come out in blog format.  I'm still working on some things, so maybe we'll get a "drive-by" blog with several topics coming up soon!

So what inspired this post?  Food, of course :)  Eric and I enjoyed this made-from-scratch enchilada recipe last night.  Not only was it delicious, but also healthy.  We used all fresh ingredients from our CSA, and it turned out great.  Simple to make, but a little time-consuming.

Healthy Chicken Enchiladas

To Commit to Memory

I was sitting on the sidewalk, in the shade of an old oak tree, waiting for AAA to return my call.  I had been there for nearly an hour, alternating between the shade and the 100° heat that filled my car.  The car needed a new ignition lock.  At the time I thought it was just stuck and continual tries at turning the key would magically get a rewarding response.  With blistering fingers and accumulating sweat running down my back, I was growing increasingly frustrated.

My phone rang.  My husband was on the other end, calling from the peaceful and serene beaches of a small island off the coast of South Carolina.  "I'm sorry you have to go through this," he said.  "I wish I were there."

"Why?" I blurted, my annoyance with the situation clearly shining through. "So you could sit here in the blazing sun and wait?"

"No," he replied softly, an almost hesitant response.  "So I could give you a hug and say 'Happy Anniversary.'"

Really? I thought.  Could it be?  It's 4:30 in the afternoon and I haven't realized it's my anniversary yet?  What was the date, anyway?

"No, Eric.  I would have remembered if we got married on 6-7-7.  Isn't it on the 9th?"

"No, Joy.  It's today.  Go home and check the blanket."  He was referring to an embroidered afghan we received four years prior.

After my apologies for forgetting, and my best "Happy Anniversary to you, too!" we hung up.  I never had been especially aware of dates, regardless of the occasion.

As I slouched through the next hour waiting on the locksmith to replace my ignition lock and make me a new set of keys, I decided to make a bitter situation light, and posted a very joyous, "Happy anniversary to the love of my life..." on facebook.  I was looking forward to the responses and congratulatory remarks of friends and family.

Once home I had deadlines to meet for a project I was working on.  As soon as I finished eating, I began diligently working, telling myself social networking would be a good reward after I had met the deadline.

Around 9:00 I felt the vibration signaling a new text. "Um didn't you get married on June 9th?"  It was from a long-time friend and bridesmaid in my wedding.  This situation warranted a break from my work immediately.  I quickly snatched the blanket from the back of the recliner.  There it was.  The bold blue numbers almost laughed at me.  June 9, 2007.  I immediately went to facebook.  Scattered through the expected congratulatory remarks were two more inquisitions from life-time friends questioning my proclaimed anniversary date.

I went back to the blanket and took a picture.  Then I sent the following text.

J: lover, our embroidered blanket quite clearly says June 9.
E: no way
J: here you go

E: but i already posted it on facebook

as if this somehow holds weight over our actual wedding date

J: me too, hours ago

E: i feel foolish

J: you and i both.  though now the blog will be much better

E: oh wonderful. at least now we can see each other

I do look forward to the few awake moments we'll have together tomorrow.  Will there be an anniversary celebration?  Probably not.  But two days later when we visit Morats, the bakery we still dream about, walk the sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and stroll the deserted streets in the pre-season days of this tourist town, we will remember.  It was here we spent our first anniversary.

Frozen wedding cake.  Miniature golf.  Endless sweets.  Peaceful sunsets. Walks in search of ice cream.

Perhaps we will be so fortunate to see a glimpse of our past as we walk hand-in-hand into our 5th year.

Homemade Salsa Success!

I made salsa today for the first time.  Admittedly, I built up more excitement/anticipation than the salsa could possibly live up to, but it was still good. 

Not an excellent picture, but here it is.

I used this recipe from food network as a starting point:

Ingredients
3 ripe plum tomatoes (about 3/4 pound) or 1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained

1/4 cup chopped red or yellow onion

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon Emeril's Hot Sauce or other red hot sauce

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor, combine all the ingredients and pulse until the salsa is mostly smooth but still slightly chunky, about 7 pulses.

Transfer to a bowl. Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and set aside until ready to serve the nachos.

My alterations:

I was inspired to try salsa because we received fresh cilantro and garlic scapes in our CSA this weekend.  So... instead of garlic cloves, I used scapes.  And apparently I bought the wrong kind of tomatoes, but I'm not sure how that makes a difference (I'm no tomato expert).  Finally, I don't have a food processor :)  I do have a food chopper that works really well, so I have tiny pieces of tomatoes and onions, and I really like it!  I doubled the recipe, and I'm glad I did.  I love salsa!  This recipe ended up very fresh tasting, and light. 

Eric wasn't as pleased, so he blended a small portion and added red pepper.  I wouldn't be surprised if he adds jalapeno, too.  He wanted a bit more of a "kick." 

Regardless, I would call it a successful first attempt.