32 weeks

I'm in the home stretch!!

First Anniversary

While there may be anniversaries in the future which are just like any other day, caught up in the craziness of life, (although I hope not) our first anniversary was anything but.  I give props to my hubby for going out of his way to make it special!!
He had mentioned once or twice that he stayed at an amazing bed and breakfast for his old job in the small town of Snowflake, AZ.  The way he described it sounded so quaint that I knew it would be right up my alley and I do remember mentioning that it would be fun to go sometime.
I pause here to comment that while the idea of a bed and breakfast is often romantic, he had to go to Snowflake for work; to audit a business; with his team of guys.  Yet, he said it was pretty much the best place to stay in town- he wasn't kidding.
So to celebrate our first anniversary, he booked the Honeymoon Suite (awww) and off we went for our adventure to Snowflake.
For those of you who have not been to Snowflake, don't blink or you will miss it.  It is super small and has one main street.  I am told that getting a Sonic was HUGE for them (and is still a big deal).  The drive up is beautiful, but once you get there, the sites are few.  Yet, we were going to spend time together, so what did we care?
The owner remembered Brandon and commented that he is keeping much better company than he used to.  Agreed!  :-)

Brandon also mentioned (many times) that the best Italian food he had ever had was in Snowflake.  I would always think that his expectations of Italian food must be low (sorry babe) and as I have been fortunate enough to get to Italy- and I ate plenty while there- I am sure that I would feel otherwise.  (Really, how snotty was my attitude??)  So, for our big night out, we made our way to Enzo's.  

Enzo's is a small (emphasize small) rectangular building.  When you walk in, you are greeted not only by only one room with 8 tables, one hostess/waitress, but also signs letting you know that Enzo is the only chef in the kitchen and if you are in a hurry, this is not the place for you.  Not to worry, we were committed.  There was only one other couple in the place and I wondered if that was a sign.  Yet, I made my dinner choice and waited.  And, I do have to report that B was right- best Italian food I have ever had!!  This guy is amazing and how he went from Sicily to Snowflake is beyond me.  If you ever make the trip- add Enzo's to you list of to-do's.  

Proof that B liked his food down to the last bite!!

Breakfast was delicious and we had the neat experience of sharing a large table with 2 other couples.  Although we had never met, it was neat to learn a bit of each other's story and how they learned of the B&B.

So much has happened in our first year and we feel so blessed!  I love you Brandon and can't wait for our many anniversaries to come!!

Maternity Photos

I feel so lucky that my photographer friend Rachel wanted to do a maternity shoot with B and I.  

We had a great time and here are some of the results.  

Thank you Rachel!!

http://www.rachelann.com

28 weeks

So I am now to the point where I go to the doctor every 2 weeks!  Wow- where does the time go?
All has been going pretty well, except I had a little scare in that they thought I may have gestational diabetes.  I had to eat a special "diet" for 3 days and then go in for a round of 4 blood tests over 3 hours.  For those of you who have gone through this before (and even multiple times) I commend you as it was NO fun.
Here is the "diet" I was to follow.   I use that word loosely as if you are able to read the paper in the photo, it is basically high carb and high sugar.

Really, I have to have a small candy bar each afternoon?  Funny how when told that I needed to, I didn't feel like eating one.
Yet, I am so pleased and thankful to say that after all that, my tests came back normal- no diabetes!!!

Asher moves around all the time now.  Ok, I am sure that it is more likely that I feel him more as he has less room to move around.  It is such a neat feeling and something I wouldn't trade for anything.
My "heater" has also kicked in (as Brandon says).  The always cold Amanda is now on the warmer side.  Oh boy, just in time for summer!!

A dog's life

Yes, I am officially someone who writes posts about her dog. :-)  It's really more that I love this picture and was able to take it before she realized and came to check out what I was doing.

Cocoa really loves her new yard.  She also loves to "sun" herself, as we say.  I'm thinking she wants a friend, though, as she laid down by Deer.  Now, Deer is just a little yard decoration and I know that may seem weird.  Yet, the story goes that I saw it while with my Grandma in a plant nursery when I was about 2 years old and loved it.  So, as many Grandma's do when their grandchild loves something, she bought it for me.  Deer has been somewhere in the yard of the homes I have lived in ever since.  

But as for Cocoa and a friend, she will have to settle for Deer until Asher comes along.  And then she may wish that she had the place to herself again. :-)