20 weeks 1 day.

I've gained 5.5 lbs since July 6th. I think that's pretty good since I've eaten myself out of one house and into another. Brya was fantastic, she passed all of her measurements and Dr. Bauman said she looked great! She didn't want to give us a whole lot of profile shots today, but we got a few good photos.

Udder Covers

MOOOOOOOO!! I feel like a cow cause I just ordered my udder cover!!! If you know someone who's pregnant (other than me) or maybe you're having a baby - either way - Udder Covers is having a great promo right now for a FREE COVER.

Go to Udder Covers pick your cover and type CHOICE2 in the promo code at check out and your cover will be FREE! You do have to pay $9 shipping, BUT well worth it! These make great shower gifts!!

Dad's visit to Germany #3 - Castles

Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle

Dad's visit to Germany #2

Nachtman Crystal Shopping (and glass blowing!)

Dad's visit to Germany #1

first German beer (and the first time I think I've ever seen my dad drink a beer!)


Rothenburg o.d.T

Baaaaaaalloons!

little friends

I got out of the shower this morning to find a little green friend resting on my travel size Degree. If I had known that's all he wanted I would have put some outside for them. He's number 8 and I've perfected the art of catch and release. We lost 2 & 3 to unfortunate accidents during the 'catch' part.

More house photos and basil

I've been trying to grow some basil since we moved here. I've never ever had a problem before but for some reason when I moved here what little part of my thumb that was green turned a weird shade of brown. WELL the new house has turned things around for me. My basil has taken off and I've never been more excited. (I guess I should also note that the entire back yard is FULL of herbs...including basil, so now I can stop trying to grow it, but I won't!)



Ginger's spot. She's there everyday when I get home from work. Watching the street and speaking to whoever walks by. (Some smart person please tell me if that should be whoever or whomever...it's killing my brain to think about) But all of my readers should know by now, English is not my first language. HA!)



APPLES APPLES AND MORE APPLES! Pie anyone?


OUr house, front door and all.


GRRRR! Ivy.

Brya's room

Our lovely new house is well...lovely and dated. The Germans sure do love some crush velvet wallpaper...did I mention with patterns?! Lovely. Yes. Lovely. I can stand most of the rooms, but like any new mom, I have a vision of what my little girl's room will look like, and it doesn't include circa 1980s wallpaper. Sadly when I went to OBI (like Home Depot) I found that the wallpaper isn't circa 1980s, you can in fact, still buy it today. I did not and opted for the plain white instead. Yes, I'm re-wallpapering a room. I never thought I'd say those words or type them for that matter. Yes, I'm putting UP wallpaper. But let me explain, the German walls are crazy rough plaster and no fun to paint without some work, so it's just easier to put up white wallpaper - and paint if you want. I shall leave it white.

Brya's room. The blind is down b/c it was really bright and sunny and it blew out my photograph if I didn't close it. She has a nice view of the horse field beside our house as well as the town church.



This section came down last night in about 5 minutes. My ADD kicked in and I just happen to walk into the room and started tearing down paper.



Today I did almost an entire wall in about 15 minutes. It's very calming. I might be a little sad when this part of the process is over and I actually have to hang something in it's place.

NEW HOUSE PHOTOS! FINALLY!

I know I know! All of you (my 3 readers!) have been on the edge of your seat for WEEKS waiting for photos of the new house. This must be like Christmas for you! I'm glad I could add a little excitement to your day.

Our sad, but fantastic porch, it's sad b/c we left all of our patio furniture in storage back in Alabama. Fantastic, cause, well, it's a porch!



steps leading up to the porch and a shot of our wild strawberry patch, it's been pretty hot here the past 2 weeks, so all my strawberries died :(



Our little green house needs a LOT of love, but I'm happy I have it, even for just one year! Also, our plum tree and compost 'area' - I throw things in there, and a few days later my landlord comes and get them!


The adorable little shed (which somehow got completely blown out - what a horrible image! but it's the only one I took)


Our neighbor, taking a drink and being curious of Kyla and me.




Looking up our driveway to the road

Name!!!

I finally came up with a name for little Brya, Brian was of no help as he turned down every name I gave him, so I've taken things in to my own hands.

Precious Topaz Mercades Smit

16 week photos.

Someone (I won't mention any names) was ALL over the place at the last ultrasound. I go again on the 31st of August, so maybe we'll get some better shots of her then. But I will say, because she was all over the place - we know that she is a she - well at least for now, but I saw the ultrasound and since well...I've had at least 35 in the last two years, I consider myself an expert ultrasound reader, it looked like a girl to me too!

gobble gobble

I've been in Turkey since last Saturday - hard to believe it's been almost a week! I spent the first part of the week in a small village near the town of Izmir on the west coast, laying by the beach and pool. Relaxing, swimming and trying to convince a very stubborn mama cat with one adorable kitten that I really was her friend. At least when I left she had stopped hissing at me.

Today I flew to Istanbul! I'm love love lovin' it! Turkey is a fantastic country - with a decent exchange rate and vendors who want to haggle. Today I got a throw for 20 lira...he was asking 45. (20 lira is about $13). The people are great, there's lots to see I'm excited about the rest of my weekend. Today I hit up part of the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque, tomorrow I"m going to the Spice Bazaar. I'll have TONS of photos to post when I get back home. I'm off to find some coffee...not Turkish coffee...just plain ole coffee with sugar and cream. Now if I can remember where I saw the Starbucks!

16 week update

Little Brya was moving and shaking yesterday. Yes, BryA, my wonderful Dr. Neudack thinks we have a little lady on our hands. I got to see her spine, which is something I don't recall seeing before. Of course I left my USB stick at home and so I have to go back by the doctor tomorrow to get a digital copy of the ultrasound. They aren't the best photos, since she was moving all over the place and barely sat still long enough to get her measurements.

Poor Brian, I made him call me at in the middle of the night after his flight so I could give him the news. Not only does he have to put up with me and 2 female dogs, but it looks like there's going to be a little more estrogen in our house in the coming months. I may have to get him a fish...or one of those cute little barn kittens down the street! I am a sucker for cats. He's going to kill me for typing that.

We are all moved into the new place. Or I should say the boxes are moved, the unpacking is slooooow going, but going. There have been hot air balloons flying over our house almost every day and I must say our dear sweet Ginger is not a fan. She runs around the yard barking at the sky, it's pretty comical to watch honestly. Maybe I'll get some photos of the new house posted this week.

Ok, so I'm off to lunch with two favorite co-workers, Mike and Jess.

the future

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