Happy Mardi Gras!

Val Kilmer was looking like a hot piece as King of the Krewe of Bacchus, so I couldn't resist. Love those boots, Batman!

Debbie Downer Alert

This past week I had my 30 week appointment, and there was some good and not-so-good news. I'll give you the best part first. I passed my glucose test that I had 2 weeks ago with flying colors! Woohoo. Helen is doing great, moving a lot, and getting really big! The not-so-good part...I am packing on the water weight in my face, digits, feet, and now my legs. I have managed to gain 6 lbs in 2 weeks without changing anything in my diet or exercise habits. Talk about a great way to usher in the 28th birthday. My doctor said there is nothing I can do about it, and nothing to worry about, it's mostly water. Ugh. Tell it to the judge, doc. (The judge being my pregnant, completely irrational, overly-emotional brain.) Have I told you how ready I am to not be pregnant?

Kelvin: Decoded

I got this fun survey from Facebook...and yes, I am probably going to get in trouble for it. Let's see how well I know my husband: (Hopefully I'll do better at this game than I did at the one at my Bachelorette party, girls!)

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? Golf, Bowling, Cops, any variety of Cops, like Beach Patrol, Speeders, etc, Antiques Roadshow, History Channel, Fox News

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Seriously, there's not much he won't eat. He doesn't like Mexican food...he calls it "fake". (Snob)

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Bud Lite, or vodka & tonic if you're paying ;)

5. Where did he go to high school? Natchez High School

6. What size shoe does he wear? 10.5

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Golf clubs...there are some in every room of our house.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Roast beef or turkey...as long as it's made with love.

9. What would this person eat every day if he could? Southern, homestyle type vegetables, meats, biscuits, etc

10. What is his favorite cereal? Honey Bunches of Oats

11. What would he never wear? Bright colors

12. What is his favorite sports team? The Saints

13. Who did he vote for? He watches Fox News...

14. Who is his best friend? Kevin has tons of friends, all from different places. I swear, he knows everyone!

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? He hates it when I whine.

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? I think he would rather me cook an entree than a cake... If I cooked something sweet for his b-day it would be some sort of breakfast.

18. Did he play sports in high school? Golf

19. What could he spend hours doing? Um, you mean what DOES he spend hours doing?? Golf, Bowling, Tiger Woods on Wii

20. What is one unique talent he has? I would never have guessed, but he is really good with kids. They LOVE hanging out with him!

Sweet Bike

(Funny thing-this pic was taken outside our house when his grandmother lived here)

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

We had a Mardi Gras weekend! Kevin's sister, Amanda, was the Queen of her Krewe this year, and we got to attend some fun parties for her. There was a cocktail party & a formal ball, along with the parade on Friday night. This was my first Krewe experience, and it was a lot of fun! Just wish I could've stayed out a little later...we preggos need our beauty sleep. I am really looking forward to next year when I can really get my Mardi Gras on! Here are some pics of the Smith family letting the good times roll.

Tara, Amanda, Uncle Eddie, and yes, my husband giving you the "Hey, Baby" point.

The Smith clan enjoying the cocktail party.

Amanda, with her parade float trophy.

Kevin and me with his parents.

They even let guys with walkers and pregnant women into the party! (This guy was getting down, so I made K take a pic!)

Y'all are going to be so excited!!

Well, we finally got the floors in Helen's room finished, and they are really gorgeous. Makes me wish we had enough money to just rip out all the carpet in the house at once and re-do the hardwoods. Fortunately, the only carpet we have left is in the front living room, hall, and our bedroom. So, slowly but surely we will get it all up.

Anyway, the guest room has turned into a semi-nursery! Now Helen can arrive! It's still a little bare...no crib or much wall art yet, but it is a lot better than before. I am starting to feel more prepared if this pregnancy gets cut short for some reason.

I am, however, starting to realize that there really is a baby in my belly that will be coming home soon. And I'm shaking in my size 8.5 flats! (Um, yes, my feet have grown 1 whole size) As soon as we moved all that furniture in the room, I looked at it, and it all hit me at once. I thank God that I have Kevin here with me...he is so good at bringing me back down to earth when I start to freak out about baby-time.

Unfinished Floors

Y'all didn't know I had a part-time job? (Hot pic, I know. I figure in about 10 weeks I'll be giving up all pride anyway)

Mmmm...cabbage

After my 28 week appointment today with the doctor, I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Everything is looking great, and Helen is still growing one week ahead of schedule. I am starting to have an appointment every 2 weeks now instead of once a month, and my next sonogram is at 34 weeks.

Honestly, I am so ready to get this girl out of me! Pregnancy has been full of ups and downs. The ups: Giving life and the feeling that brings you is amazing! Wearing elastic jeans is also amazing! I think those are the only 2 ups. Ha! The downs: INDEGESTION! HEARTBURN! Those are my two biggest issues right now. But it is also inconvenient to just not feel normal. Not being able to come home and have a glass of wine with my husband or eat some raw sushi. It almost makes you feel like you're sick.

I make this sound really bad, but believe me, I know that this is all for a good cause. When I lay eyes on my baby girl everything will all be worth it. You betcha.

Helen is the size of a chinese cabbage this week.