Kinda Working Mom

This is a rather informal announcement of a somewhat big change in our little lives. I started a new job this week, and so far I am loving it. I am still doing Mary Kay and Photography, so please still contact me for those things, but we needed a little side cash. Funny how a baby makes you think that way! I think between Josh and I, we have our hand in about 12 different pots right now. Whatever it takes for us both to be able to work mostly from home and be with Little Bit!

My poor friends got sick and tired of hearing me complain about not having any money and how worthless I felt most days. I think a lot of those feelings came from not being able to peel myself off the couch for many of the last few weeks thanks to the baby, but it was getting tough. I had watched friends be in similar situations and always said things like, “You’re crazy. I am lazy. I would love to just sit at home all day!”

This, I found out, was not the case. It was so hard to watch Josh over the last weeks kill himself and all I could muster out of a day was emptying the dishwasher. So, my dear friend Kimberly got a totally God-Sent e-mail after listening to me cry one night.

There was a lady in her neighborhood looking for some temporary help, about a 6-month project, with the work to be done from home. DING DING DING, Anna! So I have accepted a job answering phones and dispatching leads for a local roofing and contracting company. I LOVE it so far. I have spent a few days with the family that owns the business and it is already such a perfect fit. They are so flexible and I love the work. All of the roofers and contractors I interact with are such nice Southern men. It’s like I’m already part of the family.

So if you call my cell over the next few months and I accidentally answer, “Thanks for calling Biltmore Contracting” just ignore it!

Belly Week #14

Editor’s Note: I can’t blame any difference that you may see in this week and last to the baby. It has been a long, hard week and I have not treated my body very kindly. I have eaten at Chick-fil-A and Waffle House for most meals over the last 48 hours. Oh, the life of (tagging along with) a rockstar wedding photographer. More on that later …

Today I learned …

… that I am not cut out for organic farming. I have never tried it not pregnant, but I can’t say I’d do much better. Today we took a family outing to one of Josh’s many “jobs” right now, his organic farm. Jack and I were eager to see this place!

We let Jack off the leash for a while, which we rarely do, and he was freakin’ in his element! He was running around sniffing everything. He found a creek, a trail, and tons of other stuff in minutes. We finally leashed him and went to work.

Josh and I hoed some weeds in a couple of the beds. He kept telling me not to overdo it, not to get too hot. I kept saying, I’m just fine. Honey, stop worrying. Then out of nowhere it hit me. I literally stopped mid-sentence and went and joined Jack in the shade.

Then Jack started going crazy and barking. Everything went to hell in a handbasket. So, I don’t have many pictures to share from our day, either. If I left Jack’s side he’d whine like we were beating him. Spoiled brat. At least we hopefully learned how not to spoil Little Bit since we failed miserably with Jack.

(Speaking of, I can hardly type right now, he is passed out right on top of me. I don’t think he knows how to sleep any other way.)

Thanks, Jay

My neighbor just sent me this article. I laughed the whole time I was reading it.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/23/america/NA-MED-US-Diet-Baby-Gender.php

As if it weren’t enough that the Browns only make boys, Honey Nut Cheerios are one of my main food groups. Seriously. I have had an instinct it is a boy for a few weeks now, too. Hmmmm.

It’s about to Get Ugly – Hot Dogs

Okay, my post title needs some explanation. First, I am completely embarrassed by what I’m about to admit to the world. That’s why I say it’s about to get ugly. And, the subject matter of the day: hot dogs.

I LOOOOOOOVE hot dogs. I know how nasty that is, and many of you are crinkling your noses up right now in sheer disgust. Yes, I know what is in a hot dog. I know they are “the leftovers.” I understand they are completely disgusting. But I adore them. I blame my father, he shares my affinity for them.

Hot dogs weren’t exactly a staple in my diet or anything, but I ate my fair share. Weird since we try hard to eat organic and natural as much as possible. Many a day, though, Josh and I would raid the local QT (gas station) for their $0.99 hot dogs. We would leave $6 later with chips and drinks and armfuls of food. We called this “lunch.”

Hot dogs are a no-no food for pregnant women, and I can’t tell you how badly I want one right now. I can taste it. I can smell it. Plus, it’s spring and people are starting to have cook outs. Ugh, how I want one.

We’re planning on going to the Braves game soon, and I’m just going to say a prayer over my foot-long. I just can’t not have one at a baseball game – sorry, Little Bit.

The “Belly” Band

I have had quite a few questions on here and on facebook about the “Bella Band” I referred to a few posts back. Let me just say, this thing is a life saver! I got it a few weeks ago when my pants still buttoned easily, but the button digging in to me was getting uncomfortable. It’s basically like a tube top for your pants. It covers your whole mid-section, and goes over your pants, allowing you to unbutton and/or unzip your pants. Let me just say, Heaven. I’m really close to having to unzip.

The fancy version is the Bella Band, which can be bought at multiple sites online. They have many colors, as well as versions with a lace edge. Here is a link.

My version, the tummy sleeve, was purchased for $17 at Motherhood Maternity. It comes in white, black, and nude. Here is a link to it.

Great Find

I was at a local consignment store this week looking for a crib. Even though I have been in that store multiple times, I never noticed there was a maternity clothes section! DUH! I was so excited. I have been looking at bathing suits for a few weeks now, anticipating I’ll need one a lot this summer. I did a little victory dance in the fitting room when I tried this on:

But even better … this was the price tag …

Thank goodness for consignment stores and people that take really great care of their maternity wear!

Belly Picture #1!

Okay, I’m not nearly as excited about posting pictures of my stomach as I thought I’d be. But I’m going to do it anyway. Josh took this today (our official first day in the 13th week!). Just in the last few days it has been harder and harder to squeeze in to my clothes. I have been wearing a Bella Band for the past few weeks, just for comfort, but it’s now absolutely necessary. I ran out to the grocery store without it today, and it was the longest 10 minute trip! I was out of breath due to the lack of oxygen! Ha! So, I’m going to try and take weekly pictures from here on out. 13 weeks …

Sponsor Me at March for Babies!

March of Dimes Fun!

Okay, for some reason it’s not letting me post this video straight on to the site, but click this link to see a little video I made this morning to promote March of Dimes March for Babies. My team is walking on April 26 at Centennial Olympic Park!

Here is our team page. Here is my personal page.