Second Trimester!

The second trimester is supposed to be the best. You look and feel great...regain your energy. I have felt fairly energetic throughout my pregnancy so far. I haven't had any terrible mood swings...got a little weepy watching "Oprah's Big Give," but hey what woman wouldn't? My growing bump looks more like a spare tire at this point. I think I might start posting pictures each week of my growing belly. Stay tuned...

On the floor...

Last night was my very first night on the floor at Douglas J. I was very nervous, to say the least. My first guest was a full head highlight! She was a very sweet, nurse from Beaumont Hospital. I worked diligently for four hours, making sure every strand was perfect. At the very end, my guest had a huge smile on her face, gave me a hug, and told me that she had never been treated so well at a salon before. I have never felt such satisfaction!

This is what I am looking for in a career, bringing joy and happiness to others. Even though, cosmetology may seem like a simple job to some, it means more to me. I love helping others feel good about themselves. I like giving compliments and I love making someone feel good about the way that they look. Everyone knows the feeling of getting an amazing haircolor or haircut. You walk out of the salon feeling like a million dollars! THAT is what I strive to provide each and every person that sits in my chair. I want them to walk out feeling a difference...feeling sexy and beautiful. (Or sexy and handsome!)

I did it!

I took the leap and chopped my hair. Picture to follow (have to have Jeff take one this week)! I also colored it back towards my natural color (brown). It was quite the dramatic change. Maybe I should have done one or the other to ease myself into such a different look. Oh well...I was sick of the dry, blonde hair. Time for a makeover!

Birthdays Galore!

(Picture courtesy of Lakeside Knitter)

This weekend Jeff and I went back to Grand Rapids to celebrate Brian, Angie, and Mom Burch's birthdays! We went out for a fabulous dinner at Bonefish Grill with the family and then went to Naya to celebrate Brian's 30th birthday. We both had a ton of fun! It was so nice to see everyone all together. The highlight of the night, I would have to say, would be the surprise visit from Elvis! Who knew "The King," would be making an appearance to wish Brian a Happy Birthday? It was quite a treat!

CONGRATULATIONS HONEY!

Just want to say congratulations to my amazing husband for passing his LEED certification test. It is an incredibly hard test - passing score is 85% or higher. Now, he is considered a LEED AP AKA "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional." This is quite the feather in his cap.

He has been studying for over two months for this test. All of his hard work has paid off. I couldn't be prouder. CONGRATULATIONS JEFF!

Holy Macaroni and Cheese Batman

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809271891/video/5569794

I cannot wait for this movie!

Ba-bump

Jeff and I heard our baby's heartbeat for the first time today! It was like the sound of galloping horses...or a swoosh swoosh. It was so fast! I could not have anticipated the immense joy that I felt hearing our baby's tiny beating heart. This could possibly be one of the best days of my life. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

With technology being so saavy, you can now purchase a doppler fetal heart rate monitor for less than $100. I really want to get one soon! I would listen to our little one's heart before bed every night. What a great way to end the day =)

Last Lecture

This is a book written by a college professor who found out that he has terminal cancer. This is a book written as his famous "last lecture," dedicated to his three young children. Very inspiring. Very good read.

'Last Lecture' Highlights

-Be good at something, it makes you valuable.

-The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people.

-Don't complain. Just work harder.

-Anybody can get chewed out. It's the rare person who says, 'Oh my god, you were right.' As opposed to, 'No wait, the real reason is ...' We've all heard that. When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it.

-You just have to decide if you're a Tigger or an Eeyore. I think I'm clear where I stand on the great Tigger/Eeyore debate. Never lose the childlike wonder. It's just too important. It's what drives us.

Congratulations Lisa and Chris!

Congratulations to my cousin Lisa and her husband Chris! They are expecting a baby due November 22nd! I am so thrilled that there will be another baby for Christmas =) Lisa and Chris got married in October, shortly after Jeff and I. So, now they have joined the club of "Newlyweds/Newly Expecting Parents." They will have the cutest kids!

Bug-a-boo!

I took the day off on Friday to go shopping with my mom at a new outdoor mall "Patridge Creek." We strolled into a cute baby store called "Right Start." I was very impressed! The sales staff was so knowledgable on everything a new mother needs. Who knew that the new strollers/car seats have foam core in them to help baby's back/neck develop? I do now!

I think I have found my favorite stroller. It is the Bugaboo Bee. It is a little on the pricey side, but has all of the amazing features that I was looking for in a stroller. I also like that it is lightweight and compact enough for me to carry and stow myself. There are a lot of models out there that are very large. You know the ones I am talking about...they look like they weight over 100 pounds and always seem to have the tiniest women pushing them. No wonder they are so skinny! They are pushing the mothership! That must be a workout in and of itself.

So, for me, the Bugaboo Bee is my stroller of choice. It can hold up to 45 pounds and has great add-ons that include a sun-shield and an all-weather shield. I also figure it looks "manly" enough that Jeff woudn't be embarassed pushing it around. I like it in black...that way it won't be gender specific for future kids. I know it is a little premature as our little one is only 10 weeks, but in my mind it is never too early to start researching.

NEWS FLASH!

Something extraordinary happened last night. Jeff used the word "NO." He didn't say "Maybe," or "We'll see." It was a sound, firm "NO." I was taken a little off guard! I personally DESPISE the word. I don't believe in absolutes...and "no" to me is an absolute.

Now, you may be thinking what on earth did you say to prompt the "Yes Man" to use a word that otherwise is foreign to his vocabulary. Well...I asked if we could get another puppy. I love dogs and feel my life is incomplete without one. I know we have a baby on the way, but I still would like to get a dog.

I suggested instead of saying "No," why not say, "Sure we can get a dog...once you are done with school and we figure out how a dog will fit into our lives with a new baby." He agreed that was a better response. The Yes Man prevails!

Hindsight is 20/20...I should have encouraged the use of the word "no," since children need to hear it and respect it. Jeff definetely needs some practice. Maybe I will just ask him every day..."Honey does this make me look fat?" That is one exception to my dislike of the word. I would be very happy to hear Jeff respond to that with a very loud "NO!"

I'm dreaming of Christmas...already!

I have no idea why...but in the past few weeks, I have been wishing it was the holiday season! I love Christmas...decorating the tree, wrapping presents, making cookies, and all of the other wonderful sights, smells, and tastes of the season. However, I think on the brink of spring...it is a little odd that I have been longing for December already!

I have been smelling cinnamon and other scents that remind me of Christmas at school, making a list of who I have to buy for this year, and I even went so far as to bring my Elvis Christmas CD to work to listen to! Nowhere in all of my pregnancy reading, did I read that longing for a particular season/holiday was part of the nonsensical behavior that pregnant women exhibit, which leads me to wonder..."Why am I longing for Christmas so much?"

I suppose the answer is that for me, the magic of Christmas never wears off and it gives me something to look forward to all year long. Or, perhaps, the fact that I know the baby will be here and dreaming about all of the fun things that Jeff and I get to share as a family this year is just plain fun! So, I think I will go buy a Christmas inspired scented candle and continue to listen to my Christmas tunes...why not? If it makes me smile, I guess I don't care if I get asked a 100 times why I am playing Christmas music in April. =)