One plus One makes Three…

Yep. Me and the Handsome are expecting a little one.  Since I crave bean burritos… we definitely know this kid is part Mexican.  For humor’s sake I’ve been contemplating calling it “Beaner” instead of “it”. Because calling my baby an “It” annoys me, and saying “little him or her” at every reference moment is also annoying and time consuming, Beaner it is. So Beaner is currently 10 weeks and 5 days in production according to Beaner’s size. I know, we didn’t quite wait until the end of the first trimester, but we waited until all normal signposts were still a “go” for Beaner production.  I didn’t want to tell the planet we were pregnant AT ONCE! for a couple of reasons:

1. The parental units of said Beaner were still getting used to the idea of being parental units. Handsome is sort of still at reeling stage. Poor Handsome is a planner and this was a surprise detour on the Path of the Handsome. We were worried how everyone would react.  To our shock and amazement, we were the only ones shocked. Every other living soul (close family and friends) were supportive and excited.

2. (the most important reason) I could have lost the Beaner. In fact we had a minor(read MAJOR) scare at Easter and I was put on bed rest with no happiness until I saw The Doctor. The Doctor gave me an “all clear” with instructions to quit my taxing exercise class. Zumba. Sad Princess face. Life is hard for a mourning mommy that lost her baby. Prayers for a cousin rise up. She’s struggling with physical, emotional, and spiritual pain. I could keep Beaner to myself until we got The Doctor high five.

Handsome declares that he is not calling his child “Beaner”, he’s reverting to the male pronoun, because he is he a “he”, so he’s using “he” to refer to The Beaner. I decided that he can call Beaner a “he” all he wants to, it’ll probably solidify my chances of getting the little princess I want. I’d take the other pronoun too, just with less excitement. We don’t have the boys in my family. My dad has Three  Daughters, a Wife, a Female dog-human(The Pepper), two sisters, and a niece. Most of my cousins on Mama’s side are girls. The force is strong with the females. Women are EVERYWHERE!!!

But the Handsome is the gender-determiner… so… God knows for now. He’s going to place me with the Beaner I need.

In other news, Cousin Bri is also pregnant with a girl. My long time friend- Ally Wally is pregnant with a boy. Beaner will have friends EVERYWHERE!!! Yay for babies! All you girls in Bossier: DON’T DRINK THE WATER. Unless you wanna be totally pregs, in which case my advice changes to: DRINK THE FREAKING WATER. Cousin T just had her little girl in February, she is full of new-mommy love and excitement. I am so glad to be able to ask a bajillion questions to a nurse-lady related to me. She’s an awesome caregiver. Love you T!

I am finally getting used to the idea of being a “mommy”. I have a more constant reminder that I’m pregs… All the lovely body changes happen to ME. It’s no wonder Handsome has a harder time. He can still wear his favorite jeans. He can still eat things like french fries and not feel like death warmed over a sheen of cold sweat.

I don’t have really bad morning sickness, in fact other than the usual feeling of exhaustion-ugh-have-I-just-been-run-over-by-a-mac-truck?-why-can’t-I-sleep-enough? and a bit of nausea, my pregnancy symptoms are relatively benign. I have killer heartburn though. Heaven forbid I go two days without a Zantac. I thought I was having “evening sickness”. Nope. Simply heartburn that’s easily managed. Thanks mommy friend from Dallas. You have been a lifesaver. You know who you are.

In other news, I got laid off from my job in January… and then Handsome came up with an awesome idea.  If I wanted to continue working with my cousin The Florist, I should, and I should see if she could teach me. The Florist was very enthusiastic and she is helping me get my Louisiana Floral License.  I love working with flowers. I also recently got a job at LaBloom in Shreveport.  It’s been great fun learning flower shop ways. I have been trying to absorb as much as possible and I greatly appreciate all of my teachers.  The Florist has been a wonderful help and I hope to flourish in this new endeavor.

Beaner can still be around with flower business. That’s the beauty of it, as long as I get established, I will be able to work from my home and Baby Business will be a challenge, but not unmanageable… I hope. And pray. And cross my toes.

Anywho, that’s the flight-status update on The Princess and the Handsome.

And Beaner? Beaner is proving to be my Handsome’s child by being an evasive goober for the Nurse yesterday at our appointment.  We weren’t going to get a sonogram because if she could capture Beaner’s heartbeat on the speaker and time it, Beaner wouldn’t get pictures. Instead, Beaner evaded the Mean Lady’s microphone after she found Beaner’s heartbeat TWICE. Mean Lady dug the microphone into Mommy’s tummy and nope. Wrong spot! Sonogram time for Beaner the Ham.

On screen my sister got to see little Beaner wave Beaner’s little arms at the camera and Beaner looks quite content. On the OPPOSITE SIDE of where the LADY had originally found the beat. Beaner, evasive little Ham, wanted to take pictures with Beaner’s Aunt Rachody.  Rachody got to see and hear Beaner’s heartbeat. 173 beats per minute. Quite normal according to The Doctor. The Doctor rocks. She is a friend of my Wonderful Cousin M. A close friend. I remember throwing a shower for M at The Doctor’s house. I think it was for M’s eight year old who should not be eight because that makes me old. The Doctor has given me the necessary Doctor’s Note for the Mediterranean Crooooze! Which will be happenin’ soon! Yippeeeeeee!

Life is awesome folks, I hope you’re having an awesome week!

Your Pretty Awestruck,

Steph

Sorry this is late! but I wanted to share my Valentine’s…

I love the newlywed life. I make lots of yummy things for my sweet Handsome husband to try… and then he had to go to the doctor where we learned we had gained a bit more than we wanted… so now It’s time to make healthy fun newly wed things… or at least learn how to moderate the intake or  perhaps exercise more. Anyways… This Valentine’s Day I made conversation heart- s’mores dipped in candy melts- for the Handsome Husband and our families. Yum!

I googled “homemade graham crackers” and found this recipe. I looked like other bloggers had used this method, so why not try it?

Wellllll I learned why people don’t make their own graham crackers. Graham crackers, made this way, are a pain in the patootie. They get all gross and sticky while trying to shape them the way I wanted. So naturally no two crackers are exactly alike, thus making the- sandwich dipped in candy melts- section a complete mess. Also I can’t find my connection for my camera to me computer… so… I had to use my phone’s camera. Photographers::::warning:::: go away. my pictures aren’t perfect and I’m okay with that. This is for entertainment and mild idea purposes only.

So after making heart shaped tiny cookies*** next time I’m using a bigger cookie cutter*** I dipped them halfway into melted chocolate.

They were sort of tasty at this point… and this was Handsome and my version of the Superbowl. Really? There was a football game on? Nice. Glad I had cookies to make. And so was Handsome.

After they dried I stuffed them with Marshmallow fluff. nom nomnommmmm

Please excuse the horrible shaky picture. I was laughing at this messy part.

And then I dipped them into different colored candy melts with… mixed results. Apparently Candi Quik works wonders, while the stuff from craft stores was just… crap on a pogo stick. Sloppy looking pink and blue ones totally made me pout a lot.

I wrote on them with red edible markers and experimented with the sparkle gel. After the gel had dried on the cookies below, I realized I should have use that stuff in the first place.

Over all, I thought they came out cute.

Obviously these were only fit for family, but hey, they were a hit with that crowd. I was told that they disappeared quickly from the little blue plates.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s day. I know we sure did.

Your Happily Newlywed,

Steph

I’m baaaack- a revisit to St. Lucia

Ok… this business of being a newlywed is no joke. Especially at the busiest time of the year. I love being occupied. Poor Handsome is not very used to the comings and goings of an active gal like me. You’d think he would be, giving that we dated for two years before we were engaged, alas, he’s not. The presence of THE NEWLYWEDS is very often requested, and I LOVE it. Poor Handsome. We have to schedule do-nothing-days for him to readjust to life. I’m an attention whore seeker and he’s shy. I’m surprised he didn’t go catatonic with all the people at the wedding. Of course we had a wonderful honeymoon to look forward to… tales of which I’m finally going to share with you.

We went to the island country of St. Lucia for our honeymoon and it was fantastic, just what a newlywed couple needs after the work and stress of a gigantic wedding. We flew out the morning after we got hitched… are we crazy? Yes. His kind but always early parents brought us to the SHV airport and hour and a half before our six am flight… Ok, so this would mean we would be late at airports such as DFW, LAX, DEN, etc… at good ol’ SHV? Shreveport Regional Airport? We were approximately an hour early for check in. Shreveport’s airport is cute, functional, but verrrrry small and at six am? Nearly inactive. We were asleep on our feet, it’s a miracle we made it through all the check points and to our hotel in one piece.

Though I knew I probably looked like a ran-over dog, there were obviously other couples who looked much worse for the wear at our connecting flight from ATL. One girl still had her hair in an updo!!! Seriously? Other girls also had obvious just- got married and didn’t bother to shower- hair and make up…. My favorite was this one girl who still had feathers attached to an ENTIRE HEADPIECE attached to her HEAD. Hey, she’s never going to see these people ever again, including this amused observer, so I guess get your money’s worth girl! GET it!

Everyone who had JUST gotten married looked positively exhausted. Our Wedding weekend was the weekend of 11-11-11. I have no idea why such couples were obsessed with a bunch of ones- perhaps their favorite number?- but that meant our flight was jam-packed with young couples from all over the US.  I can only imagine the running joke with the stewardesses.  ” Betty! Betty! I have a guy with countable hickies!!!” “Oh Diane,  I’ve got full wedding hair on row 6!” “I’ve you two beat. Wedding dress with train on row 46.”

I can. Only. Imagine.

How many times do you think they’ve had to stop a couple from “using the airplane bathroom” together? Thankfully I didn’t hear any debacles of this nature during our flight. However, I WAS in a MILD coma in my seat, so Lord only knows what could have been happening.

When we arrived, we all staggered into the St. Lucia customs line. It was a loooong line. Handsome and I were nearly cross-eyed with exhaustion. We got checked in with the Sandals Resort buses and they drove us an uncomfortable 20 miles- one and a half hours across the island to the resort. I hadn’t realized our ride would be so long. 20 miles normally means 30 minutes or less to my flatlander brain. Bah. St. Lucia snorts derisively at my naivete. Mountains were everywhere. St. Lucia is a volcanic island, it’s natural beaches are more of the black rocks variety. Once we got there, the concierge service we had signed up for, whisked us away for an immediate check in- to the tunes of steel drums, clean moist towels, and a quick serving of Rum Punch. We got into our room  and were delighted by the flowers decorating the room and champagne and special services menu offered to us.  Our bags arrived and we ordered the first of many room service meals. We both passed out at around seven pm St. Lucian time- only five PM at home!

We loved the beautiful island. We went on a canopy tour of the rainforest, went snorkeling, kayaking, sailing on a catamaran, and we went on a drive- in Volcano tour. The volcano tour was more like a tour of the island with a short visit to a stinky sulfuric pipe, similar to Yosemite. The Island tour was well worth the trip. We saw THE ENTIRE ISLAND on our honeymoon. All of the water sports were on-the-property of the Resort. We even went on a walking tour of Fort Rodney through the concierge service. They promised us a surprise at the end of the tour.  While we were extremely curious as to what the surprise would be, we only thought it would be a small rum-punch or chocolate party- similar to what we had done at other evening events. NOT SO.

The whole time we were on the honeymoon, every time we left the resort we would pass the original Black Pearl from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies 1&2. Naturally, Handsome and I would try to take a picture of the ship as we zoomed past.

The walking tour of Fort Rodney was fascinating to us- we are both a little bit dorky and love a bit of history. The guide showed us the excellent view of Martinique, the French island, which he said, that on a clear day, one could see the very cars driving on the island. This meant that the top of the fort where we had climbed was excellent for the occupying British to spy on the Frenchies.  After our climb we were led to a boat where they had us sit and, yes, enjoy a bit of Rum punch. Whoo hoo!

We also had a light snack on the boat and the Captain took us out on the water. Soon, we pulled up to the big surprise. They pulled up to the harbor of the BLACK PEARL. Handsome and my cameras had both died, after all our touring of the fort and taking dramatic cliff pictures, we had two empty batteries. Not only did we have no pictures of the BP, but the Captain stopped the boat on the water for us to watch the sunset… SAD HONEYMOONERS. (We were a bit lucky that on the way home a couple who went with us on the tour spoke with us and we told them of our sad predicament, the kind lady sent us two copies of the Pirate Ship. We were so happy to receive their card.)

Overall, the island was magnificent, the food was fantastic at the resort, and the people were so very kind. Theirs is a rich, interesting heritage and they embrace it cheerfully and with a sense of humor.  They are very proud of their booming tourist trade and banana plantations. We bought some banana barbecue sauce and I have no idea when we’ll ever use it, but even Handsome liked it.

We were sad to leave the island, but we were very happy to be back in the United States. We only had about eight loads of laundry and several hours of sleep to catch up on. Changing my name was exasperation itself, but we all lived happily ever after.

If only I could get used to filling out forms with my MARRIED name!

Your reminiscent,

Steph

Life in the New Year, Getting Back on Track.

This past Christmas was so awesome!  Family and friends were so wonderful and generous as always! Handsome and I are doing our level best to make sure we get to see both of our families at Christmas. We had a great break from work in which we took time to put away some Christmas and finally begin our setting up of our home as it should be- daily.

We still have so much to do, but we have hung a TV, built a shelf in the bathroom, and put away our five tubs of Christmas decorations.  We also spent time playing Handsome’s new game. I gave him Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for Christmas and I like to “help”. (which is really me getting motion sickness from the swirling Handsome does when he’s searching, battling, or running in the game. I yell, “Eat something, he about to kill you! Power up, Power up!” alot.) I was super geek-excited when Handsome got the book for the game in yesterday. It’s a nice, large hard back book full of tips and tricks to manage through the game. It’s super cool and now I have something to look at when he makes it spin too fast!

We learned a new game this New Year’s Eve with several of our friends. Brother Monkey, the Bearded Monkey, the-future- Mrs, Mrs. Joooones, and the Red Monkey all came over to play Munchkin Quest with Handsome and I this past weekend. I’d say it was Epic, but it wasn’t. Epic Munchkin Quest would probably have made our heads explode. What with THE WEDDING and all, it had been too long since we had all met and played. I missed them all.

This year is going to be full of firsts for Handsome and I. We are so happy to be together at last.

I can’t help but wish everyone the happiness I have with the Handsome man in my life. I know that life as we know it isn’t perfect, trust me, I am far from perfection. But I also know so many dear friends who are going through hard times. The kind of times that are heart breaking and soul stripping. Loss of so many means and of so many loved ones is a truly terrifying ordeal. My heart goes out to them, my prayers are always with them.  May the Lord Bless You, all the Days of your life.

I hope that 2012 improves for those dear friends who are looking at a tenuous road ahead of them.

On a lighter note(hopefully), it’s time for the exercise to resume as previously scheduled. I missed the classes. It’s nice to take a break once in a while, but WeddinghoneymoonThanksgivingChristmas was nutsoid. We were crazy busy and most of the precious down time went to finding Christmas presents. Hey, shopping for entire days on one’s feet counts as exercise, right? Right? We have probably walked all over Shreveport/Bossier in the past two months. Handsome is back at the indoor place and he’s been having a good time getting in shape the competitive way.

I read a fascinating article about how some people are truly made for competition exercise and some people… just…aren’t. The little ballerina that couldn’t, the little leaguer who’s afraid of the ball, the wanna-be that for some unknown reason just couldn’t do that back handspring to make the cheerleading squad? All me. Forget the fact for a moment that it’s true I had other activities as well. (The piano lessons, the Girl Scout Troop, Band, Oboe Lessons-ugh)  I was a squishy, musical, crafty kid.

It’s okay if your kid isn’t a sporty kiddo. It’s okay if they prefer arts and crafts over jock straps and catcher’s mitts. but they need to be healthy too. Even if they have the metabolism of a bird, the need the strength training and nutrition of a human. I had several friends growing up who were into martial arts, which probably would have been a good answer for myself. But there are also other ways to learn how to maintain fitness. They are coming up with kid-gyms. Where kids can play games and in doing so, build endurance and strength.

One of my favorite PE classes in Middle School was the year they were building the actual gym at Elm Grove. I loved not having to play volley ball and dodge ball and get reamed in the face. Our teacher, Mrs. B, dragged us all upstairs for Richard Simmons(Dicky Slims to me and my family- haha) videos like Sweatin to the Oldies, Disco Sweat, etc. She taught us how to square dance among other things to get us moving. I remember her class because it was the best year for a non-competitor like me.

So it’s no wonder that Zumba classes work for me.  Hey, I trip up and have to retie my shoe like any other goober in there, but I also can push myself or restrain myself. I can either get it big and sweat my brains out, or I can simplify moves that the instructor does if the day was particularly wearing. I truly admire anyone who leads classes for humble bumbles like me. They are guides to stay healthy, and if someone can manage to smile and have fun with it? Even more props. (I’m sure we of the awkward and the silly give other inspirations for grins, but hey, you get amusement where you can.) I also like to play dance games on consoles. Set on Easy of course.

I truly admire runners. I have secretly always wanted to learn how to be one. People, including the Handsome Husband Face, have tried to teach me how, but I cannot grasp the concepts. I can’t figure out how to breathe. I’m really special. I get hives just thinking about last time I made the attempt to run in an open field. Open field my rear end… grumble mumble grumble grumble… One of my cousins is a RUNNER. She’s awesome and I applaud Runner Cousin for all of her hard work and determination. She leaves parties early and goes to bed when she knows that she has a race the next day. She’s an inspiration.

Maybe one day I can too, be a runner. Maybe then my thighs, that I have named Thunder and Behemoth, wouldn’t wiggle ever so much. Props to the running machines out there. You inspire people. Like Forrest Gump. “I just felt like runnin’.”

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, I promise to report about the Magical Island Honeymoon soon!

Your striving towards better fitness,

Steph

Just Call me a Chicken…

Sooo… yeah there was this wedding thing that was crazy and awesome and fabulous and all… It was so eventful that it’s a terribly intimidating post. I’ve been intimidated. My own wedding was my bully. Blog wise.

The rehearsal was wonderful and fun. After the rehearsal our dear group of friends came over to our future abode. Friends that have been constant as the sunrise. They made all of my butterflies fly away… temporarily anyways. When Manda brought in her wedding present to us, the others asked if they could get/ bring in theirs. We said sure! So then we had an impromptu wedding shower, only without cake. (Unless you count the rehearsal dinner dessert of cheeeeeesecake! yum-Bernie) We visited until Genius looked down at his watch and wished us a happy wedding day. We all laughed. Then when everyone had left, Handsome and I exchanged our gifts to each other.

I opened this beautiful box and inside were two things, another package and a small scrapbook. It was a mini history of us. He Made it!  Handsome had used up his creative quota on the most beautiful book for me. I loooooove it! The last page was left blank for a picture of us on our wedding day. I was so happy and impressed with my dear future-Husband-face. The smaller package was a necklace from Jared’s. It’s very pretty and something to cherish.

I got him cuff links from the fabulous company, Celtic Promise. The cuff links matched his ring. I also gave him a blog I had started while we were only dating, but by then, I knew. Handsome was THE ONE. It’s a private one and all his. I knew he would like it, especially since it’s something he can access whenever he want.

It’s funny isn’t it, that both us gave the other two presents. One, a dialogue of beautiful memories; the other, something decorative and symbolic of our special day.

The wedding day? Insane amounts of fun.

We began the festivities with a Bridal Luncheon hosted by none other than the FAIRY GODMOTHER!!! She is the best anyone could ever ask for.  The bridal luncheon was at Chianti’s and it was FABULOUS. The flowers were gorgeous, the food was delicious, the wine was perfect. I settled my stage jitters with my out of town guests and family and dear friends.   Having this lunch was wonderful. I got a chance to see and visit with people who took the trouble of traveling hundreds of miles so see me get married. My wonderful FG made a beautiful toast that made everyone tear up joyfully.  My aunt and godmother is a wonderful woman y’all.

I attempted to eat the entree’(who on Earth can eat properly on their wedding day??), and almost left before they wheeled out the dessert cart… and then everyone laughed as I backed up the bus and plopped myself back into the chair… CHOCOLATE MOUSSE cake! Perfect for the nervous princess and the only thing that sustained me throughout the wedding. I got my hair done at the Renaissance Salon in Bossier City where the ladies there do a fantastic job and Tessa worked her magic on most of my ladies and my adorable fairy princess godchild.

We arrived at the Church and I was cooped into my bridal room until it was time. We got me dressed and received our flowers from our Flower Lady Cousin. We marveled at how adorable Miss Flower Princess was. The Baby provided relaxing and celebrational music.

After I was dressed, the girls were dressed, the guys had arrived, the Trolley was waiting, guests were all there, and everyone was lined up by the Wedding Gurus… we all realized one thing was missing- The Minister!!!!!

Well… everyone but me anyways. They had taken my stuff away, including my appendage known as my cellphone… and I was alone for twenty minutes before they informed me. I was surprisingly not freaking out. I was only worried about the dude. What could have happened? (Handsome was freaking out for both of us) My dad went out and made a short announcement that we were all here and merely waiting on the minister…

Guests enjoyed the music played by Shreveport Symphony members… who came and left… still no minister.

He finally came an hour late. By then I was really ready to walk down that aisle. Everything was set back- late by an hour.  .. but let’s focus on the awesome parts…

I married the love of my life!

Handsome was awesome. He made my gals swoon…

My girls looked AMAZING. I mean, look at them. All single. And on March 16th all legal. wink wink.

The cuteness squad ruled.

Daddy marveled at the beauty of his daughters,

The wedding party was great! Look at us! Ah-MAYZIIIING!

After our quickie photo shoot we jumped into the Trolley and got ourselves to the Petroleum Club, where we started the dancing.

Smug bride face.

Such a happy couple. side note- I’m wearing my Flower Princess’ charm bracelet- I have started for her. She’ll get it when she receives her First Holy Communion… but she can wear it to fancy things while I’m around- like to my wedding. She was falling asleep on the Trolley so we put it on me for safe keeping.

The cake was gorgeous! Alyson at A Piece of Cake was awesome!

The grooms cake was a chocolate xbox 360- It totally suited the groom. See the figurines? The soccer player groom and shopper bride toppers were too cute, but too informal for my cake, so I had them set on the groom’s table. Handsome likes them quite a bit. He saw them in a magazine, and loved the soccer player.

After cake, and during cake, and throughout the reception people danced to the rhythms of Windstorm Show Band of Shreveport. The Windstorm was AWWWEsome! Another bout of awesomeness brought to me by the amazing Fairy Godmother.

Another favorite of the guests was the photobooth-

My girls ham it up!

Mom and her teacher gang- Kindergarten and the principal.

She made this awesome scrapbook for the wedding and they had an attendant who helped our guests stick a copy of their strip onto a page for us, while they got the other.

Phelps Photo booth- they were an extra last minute add-on, but they were fabulous! Contact Roy at phelpsphotobooth@gmail.com. He’s reasonable and great to work with!

Fairy Godmother and I loved on the Handsome. Because he was just too… well… Handsome!

My beautiful cousin caught my bouquet, which accidentally was one of my bridesmaid bouquets… whoops! Sorry girls! I couldn’t find the toss bouquet! If I had tossed the actual one, someone would have gotten hurt for sure. That thing was HEAVY. But gorgeous. After that we took several pictures of Handsome and me.

I couldn’t stop kissing him. After being showered with bubbles, we jumped into my car(It’s the bigger of the two vehicles and I had to fit. I was huge in that dress!).

The next morning we were sleep deprived and drunk from exhaustion- not alcohol… but I’ll tell the Honey moon story some other time.

And it all couldn’t have happened without my Fairy Godmother. She’s amazing, folks. She has thoroughly spoiled me. I love her more than I can tell you and she is wonderful. I can only hope to be as elegant and generous as she is one day.

Thank you so much, dearest Lady,

Your Pretty Princess

Photos by Jena Leigh Photography

All of my vendors did not give me anything for endorsing them, but they were amazing. Thanks be to all of them.

Now… on to Christmas! Handsome and I are ready!

And today is the big day. . .

Today I really will marry my best friend. Literally. He and I almost didn’t date for the fear of our ending a truly wonderful friendship. Three years later we are getting married. I love you Handsome.

Busy Bride to Beeeeee!!!!… and a lesson on tact.

My Name is Stephanie and I have aweddingineightdaysandImgoinginsane-itis.  It’s a sickness. Only it’s symptoms can be treated.  Example?

Mental Restlessness-Patient should be given the Internets.  The crazy amount of information to be found on Wikipedia may or may not relax the individual. (Mad Queen Maria of Portugal anyone?)

Physical Restlessness- Send the girl to the gym for a Zumba class, failing that, make her do the Zumba Party game on Wii or xbox until worn slap out

Odd cough that doesn’t seem to come from sinus issue? Diagnosis: Acid Reflux in the Larnyx- treat with Zantac 2x-150mg

Crazy Appetite- Screw traditional eating times. Give her a cookie every now and then… seems to be only food that can go down without causing nausea or gas. Make sure the cookie is nutritious.

Desire to sit upside down in a chair?- got nothin. Just watch and clap I guess. (side note- I actually did this, see? It’s not comfortable… One needs the seat of the chair to extend for the position not to hurt the neck.)

I’m totally nervous. and going bonkers.  At least occasionally I have fun. I’m not worried about who I’m marrying, Handsome is wooooonderful. I’m just worried about all the DIY details we have in the works here. On the bright side, we have a bunch of cute things involved in this flying umbrella.  We we we so excited. (It’s Friday, Caterpillar, so nyah ;^)…)

Ok. Next topic. So I could be totally over sensitive right now, but I think people, particularly those of a certain age need to learn tact in a certain arena.

When approaching a couple who is about to get married, or who are newly wed:

PLEASE don’t ask them when they are thinking about having children. Don’t bother. It’s Nunya. As in None ya business.

Wonder to yourself. Write a blog, in a journal, talk to SOMEONE not that person. KEEP YOUR ANNOYING QUESTIONS TO YOURSELF.

Realize that it’s NONE, absolutely NONE, of your concern. And it doesn’t matter how close you think that you are to the couple, or even one of the members of said couple. YOU AREN”T WELCOME IN THEIR MARRIAGE BED. Get out before he/she rips you a new one or starts crying hysterically.(What if there’s a fertility issue, freak?)

Don’t get overly involved in someone ELSE’s uterus. You are asking a couple of people very serious personal questions. They only need to consult with each other to achieve an answer of timing and trying. You aren’t going to influence anyone over their choice.

In short…Show some courtesy and talk about other things. Food, holidays, the honeymoon location, shoot, the WEDDING (honestly, most brides and grooms barely remember that wild whirlwind of a night. Your take on their event would be fun to know.)

Oh and if you disagree with their choice, IT’S NOT YOUR CHOICE. Get over their decision.

My future spouse and I have some dear friends who are a lovely young couple. They’ve been married for two years. And they are wonderful together, they have had these two years of growth as a couple and as individuals. They are an awesome example of young marriage. People constantly nag the pair about giving birth. Birth guys. It’s hard, beautiful, lovely and terrifying. BIRTH. Making a PERSON to be raised. Babies DO NOT add a stress-free atmosphere to a family. They ADD stress to it. They are wonderful additions to a beautiful family, don’t get me wrong. I love the families that roll into church with their mini tribes. I love their human expressions of love. Babies are wooooonderful.  But they are a lot of hard work. To be a good parent, one must step up.  Leave my friends alone with your uneducated opinions. Take them to a journal or a blog.

Bite your tongue.

Your pretty opinionated,

Steph

The Princess is Showered… I need to Ketchup.

T-minus One Month until the Wedding Extravaganza! There are less and less things TO DO and more and more things DONE!  The anticipation is overwhelming. Last weekend I watched as a work- cohort got married to her Prince Charming .  She was very lovely and the church was very nice.

Future Mrs. Bee walking down the aisle with her daddy. She was radiant.

Ringing his bride- who had the giggles and he had manly tears streaming. Hey, it was a big moment for him, he just made a giant formal declaration to be everything for His Lady Bee.

Sealed with a kiss!

And then they all lived happily ever after and went dancing! After pictures of course.  At the reception we sat at tables and each had our own Moustache, lovingly provided by our bride.

Do I not look like my dad, or what? It’s uncanny, especially if you compare this to pictures of him in the seventies. I’m told he was hot stuff. I think his hair was huge.

Before the Bee Wedding, I had a family wedding shower and it was awesome!

Fairy Godmother had THE MOST elegant, wonderful shower for me. When I arrived, I HAD to go and scope everything out. I knew she had done wonderful things. There was silver polished to a gleam, crystal and glass shimmering in the soft light. There were mimosas and punch, and all kinds of brunch foods. Hashbrown casserole, Grillades and grits, cheese straws, fruit, Quiche, and biscuits and jelly! Fairy Godmother even made cute BUTTER! I had to get a tiny star butter pat just because it was so cute. Everything was very tasty especially these….

My aunt is a cake. If there’s a party, if there’s a gathering, she’s the one bringing the cake, trying the cake, waiting til the cake is cut.

So of course she had adorable petit fours with S monograms on them. They were DELICIOUS! Julie Anne’s Bakery does a phenomenal job.

Me with most of my Fabulous Hostesses!!! Tooth Fairy, Fairy Godmother and her bestie!!!

Look at that gorgeous table! Isn’t it just the most beautiful? Her house is the epitome of elegance and her taste shone throughout the shower. From the food down to the decorations, it was a lesson on how to throw a shower. I hope to be half as talented and wonderful when I grow up.

Me and the Fairy Godmother. Apparently We both needed to hold onto a chair by the end of the shower.

I got so many wonderful gifts and got to see so much family, it was just all so splendid! I was a truly showered Princess. No one else has a Fairy Godmother like we do. What would we do without her? She’s wonderful, beautiful, talented and generous. Thank You so much!

This past weekend we got more wedding accessories finished. Quick program preview:

 I know, I know, it’s tiny, but I want the full effect to be experienced on THE DAY OF.

Next weekend is going to be a another fun shower weekend!

Today we are at 26 days until THE WEDDING! AAHHHHH! It’s so close!

Your pretty showered!

Steph

 

And the verdict is….

So I went in to Dr. Shaman Miracle. She is amazing and really cares about her patients. Makes sure that you are properly diagnosed and treated. The cough grew worse over the weekend and even after taking a over the counter cough suppressant. Nothing was suppressed here.

Hack hack cough cough bark bark.

I have the most annoying hacking cough ever. By the end of all this, I was annoying myself, got no sleep due to the hacking, and yesterday I coughed a bit of the red stuff… from over-coughing, of course! Had to call Awesome Dr. Sherrin Mercer, who is Dr. Miracle.

Dr. Miracle’s Diagnosis? Upper respiratory infection going from viral to bacterial.  Just call me Princess of germs, (ewwwww) or as Dad sometimes lovingly calls me, “Snot Rag.” Isn’t he sweet? So I got a shot in the boooooty, and some fun prescriptions that make one very tired and loop-de-looly in the Brain.  Hopefully I can return to exercise soon. Going upstairs makes me short of breath at present, so aerobics is out of the question and I’m sure everyone at the gym would prefer for my circus of germs to stay at home.

Good job, body. Worst timing ever.  The most awesome part of Fall is going on right now, in my opinion…. THE REVEL!!! Every year this festival takes place Downtown Shreveport and it’s awesome!  Not too many BIG names are headliners, but Better than Ezra is the rock band and Windstorm Show band plays Friday night.

Fairy Godmother is GOING! The family is GOING! We are going to experience the awesomeness of our wedding show band!  I hope they rock our faces off and I hope the lung-funk (as my Artguru’s babysitee called it, THE DEATH) is gone by then.

If anyone is near Shreveport, climb out of your caves and go eat a funnel cake, listen to music, shop and marvel. Bring the kids. They have an entire section devoted to the short stacks in your life. Get Spiderman painted on your face, experience the dig, maybe some sand art. My favorite booth as a little princess was always the craft booth. I made many a worthless macaroni necklace, and several magnets for the fridge as a tiny princess with curls. Possibly a crown as well. I just remember it as the best fun EVER.

Uncle G will never forget taking Fairy G and me to the Revel as a date. They were only dating at the time. He loves to tell the story of how he and Fairy Godmother said, “No thanks!” to my parents who were offering them a stroller. Uncle G learned that day how heavy a two and a half year old can get. What lightened the load for him was everyone complimenting on my aunt and future uncle’s “baby girl” and he told every one that I was theirs. “Why yes, she’s ours!” “Oh, she’s just so cute!” Thanks! “What a lovely baby!”  He learned though. Next time, take the stroller. Kids are heavy and whiny if they’re on their feet too long.

Everyone, go and have a big time at the Red River Revel Arts Festival sometime this week.

Your Reveling

Steph

 

ANOTHER one of THOSE weeks…

The world of Stephanie, Pretty, Pretty Princess of Shreveport has been pretty busy.  There are a multitude of things going on at any given point. The candy shower was awesome, though there were so many things going on that weekend. I believe that my family is still recovering. The Baby had a marvelous Homecoming, The Cousin had a marvelous wedding and I had a Marvelous Shower.   Truly Marvelous. The Insane-in-the-membrane part of these marvels is that they occurred on the SAME day. I’m impressed that my head didn’t just whirl right off my shoulders.

We missed a lot of the Baby’s stuff, she has some adorable pictures of her and her GIGANTIC mum (Daddy was acting paparazzo). It is one of the senior mums, and whoo-ee! Her best friend and escort got it big.  It was beautiful, and loud. There was an entire bag of bells tied all up in it. Her shoes were mondo-cute, her dress was cute, her hair was done-up beautifully. I love events like those. Excuses to get all dressed up.  What princess wouldn’t?

Did anything go wrong with such a fabulous day, you ask? Other than wearing the wrong shoes to the Dixie Gin, you mean? I wouldn’t call it wrong. But I did forget my hostess gift. Dear Mrs. K didn’t even think a thing of my forgetfulness. I was so nervous something was going to go wrong and that no one would be there. Naturally, when I have one of these slip ups, the world goes askew. Must be something in the cosmos.

Sunday was a whirl of making cute things and writing thank you notes! Once again I praise my Fairy Godmother for insisting that we write thank you notes for every gift we receive. It made us assuredly polite. She has us so well trained in manners! It is so very easy to express gratitude and wishes of well being. Once must simply write down one’s appreciation for the gift and how much the person giving the gift means to you. It’s a very good habit. Thank you, FG!

Here come’s the askew nature of the world. It couldn’t have just been forgotten. No. I accidentally delivered the gift to the wrong house! At lunch on Monday, I ran errands with Handsome in tow. Poor Handsome. He was whipped around everywhere in this part of Shreveport. He must have been terribly lost once we had gone to Taco Bell, the bank, the post office, and then finally “Mrs. K’s” house. We went back to our respective offices. Later, on my way home I called FG letting her know I had delivered the gift to ###”Wrong” Avenue! Oh dear! I quickly got into a turning lane to rush to “Wrong House” and recover the present for my dear hostess. Only to discover that my present was brought inside by the young dude living at ### Wrong Avenue. About five years older than me, and he looked pretty nice.

I thanked him and we awkwardly laughed over him definitely not being “Mrs. K” on my note. So I left and rushed to the correct house ### Right Avenue. See the streets have the same numbering and the two streets have the same first initial. Anyone could have done it. But of course I had to.  FG heard from Mrs. K (and I hope she’s well, she had heart surgery the next day), she got my note and gift. Great! Whew.

Tuesday night Rachody and I finished the scandalous shower’s invitations. They are so cute, if I do say so myself.

We had simply piled all of our gifts in the living room on Saturday at the Cottage (I’m Excessively fond of a Cottage). Wednesday night we cleared space for our new dishes and things. It was a blast! Just like a couple of kids at Christmas. We set up his beloved bread maker and I cooed over my beautiful new dishes once more and put them in their special place in the cabinets. I love the new stuff. Especially the Mrs. K present! I received a Mariposa Clematis platter. Gorgeous. All of my new things are lovely. From the practical, useful items, to the ornate pewter serving ware.

I am such a very pampered princess.

Last night we groggily watched some DBZ and I coughed and coughed, so Handsome rubbed Vicks Vaporub on my upper chest/throat… Instant but not lasting relief. Whew! That stuff stinks! Allergies-or-cold-or-whatever-this-is-es? Suck.

Your coughing

Steph