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13 Weeks

July 3, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comments 2

baby #1 / bump / pregnancy

Happy last week of the first trimester to us : )

How far along? 13 weeks

Weight Gained: 5 lbs

Symptoms: Everything makes me cry… luckily I’m usually alone when this happens : )

Movement: None

Food cravings: I find myself wishing for cake quite often. If Nothing Bundt Cakes wasn’t over half an hour away with no traffic, I’d probably be there every day… with different wigs.

Food aversions: Lettuce

Sleep: Could use more

Stretch marks? No

Belly button in or out? This thing has turned into a crater.

Miss anything? Juice : ( I think I might start juicing again despite the doctor saying not to : ) I’m defiant. I’ve really noticed my eyesight getting worse again and my headaches coming back. I think all the carrots helped the eyes and please someone tell me how pumping your body with nutrients is worse than popping a Tylenol every day for your headaches?

Mood? Happy. With the occasional tear.

Maternity Clothes? None… but I have noticed specifically this week that my belly is not able to be sucked in easily any more… I see a distinct awkward growth!!

New baby items: I got my first parenting books and a couple prenatal workout dvds… those count as gifts for baby right? :D

Exercise: Note above ^^ workout dvds have been purchased! Okay, aaand I’ve been trying to keep up my normal routine too.

Best moment of the week: Beach day with my loves!

Looking forward to: Being a mom

In other news, that dog has discovered there is an abundance of food for him to eat, whenever he wants, just outside. In other words, he has found my tomato plants. I have had one, yes one, small tomato because he always gets to them before me! Does anyone know how to stop this without having to buy a fence? I haven’t let him go outside the last couple days cause I’m still mad he ripped my only zucchini plant out and shook it to its death. Poor little zucchini :[

In happier news, it’s almost the Fourth of July!!!!!! I love patriotic holidays : ) : )

Step away from the dirt pit…

June 30, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comments 3

date night / the daily life / wedded bliss

I’m convinced the main reason I haven’t found myself gushing about all things LA is well, because, I rarely get out of my house. I’m that lady that should probably have cats but instead has one rambunctious dog who she takes to the dog park every once in a while, goes to the grocery store, and has occasionally ventured out to a restaurant here and there. It’s sad. I would like to say it will change but it probably won’t. But! when our small group says they are going to a baseball game, we rouse our boring, tired souls and go, no question. Sadly, our baby’s first baseball game was a Dodgers game. I told Greg I’d go but I’m wearing my Giant’s hat. He said I would get killed. I told him, who would kill a giiiirl? He said, you’re right, I’ll get killed. I thought long and hard about wanting to go through life without a husband and left the house, sans hat. We had a real good time though. I learned that Dodger dogs are extremely long and skinny and made me feel weird to eat. Their pretzels are gourmet which really just means dense and whole wheat like – aka more healthy – aka the whole reason one does not buy a pretzel – for health. Anyways, after the Dodgers lost, they had fireworksss!! Aaaaand we got to go on the field to watch them. Look! We touched real baseball grass. It was fun : ) And here’s some of our small group just so you know we do have some friends down here and we aren’t just making up stories about our imaginary friends we visit each week.And then on Saturday, Greg ended up having to work all day long so we went to a movie as a brightspot and saw How to Train Your Dragon 2 which!, I shall have you know, was the first movie we ever saw together (well the first one). It was a rainy day in Santa Cruz, many years ago, and there was nothing playing – we both had zero to low expectations and ended up being pleasantly surprised. We got Mexican hot chocolates after and went back to the place he was staying to watch more movies and order more pizza. Oh the days of being awkward friends ; ) Anyways, we were pleasantly surprised with #2, too. Aaand then! On Sunday!!!!!!!! *take in happy sigh* We got to go to the beach :D:D:D:D:D We brought the dog. It was a glorious day! That dog was bad as usual but! oh my! be still my mommy heart! that dog SWAM! Ok folks. This water down here….. it’s amazing. I was trying to lure him in (and no parents, I did not plop him into the water – he came in all on his own <3 ) and found myself just going all the way in without screaming from the cold! It was heavenly. He hopped over all the waves and came paddling towards me and then would turn around and go back towards his dad. It was so very dear. I could have stayed in there watching him all day but Greg was convinced he was getting tired and decided to take him to rest. Enter miserable Greg. Greg HATES sand. : ) That dog was now wet and leaping and now we had no more dry towels and that husband of mine, oh, he’s really good. He just sat there and tried not to look angry and I was the proudest of wives. He did so good. Just lookit.

^^happy husband

^^they mimic each other ; )

Peaceful, it was not. There was strangling, sunburns, and a scraped knee from that dog pulling a small pregnant lady across the sand, but my heart was so full and happy : ) I love being near the ocean. Especially with my fambily : )

^^this is that dog playing nicely with his ball, conveniently next to Greg’s napping head

I was kinda proud of myself cause I actually brought water, and sodas, and snacks, and books, and everything possible to have a lovely beach day. We ended up calling it the sandy bag of doom that nobody wanted to touch. Also, despite my efforts I did forget dog bags. Sorry sidewalk walkers. I tried to fling it to the side ; ) Nevertheless it was the happiest of days that ended with a fresh homemade shrimp louie and our first fire in our bucket.

^^please ignore the dry, highly flammable backyard

12 Weeks

June 26, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comments 2

baby #1 / bump / pregnancy

I think my stomach has officially shrunk but maybe it’s because the pudge pudge bloat is *starting* to decrease and real baby is starting to emerge!! I was sick the other day and felt scary skinny again so I took a picture lying down like one I had from before when we first found out we were pregnant and sure enough <<somethins changed>> So. Bloat be gone. That’s my answer to this ^^

How far along? 12 weeks

Weight Gained: 5 lbs. Clearly something’s keeping right along..

Symptoms: My face has been oozing (nice) sore-ville lately, thank you acne. I don’t remember telling you you could make your home here. For this I blame the water. Greg and I have been trying to drink it by the gallons and they sayyyyy this will make your skin have a little party but just you wait, it will be glowing in no time. I am waiting. Also, things smell strongly. Also, I am dizzy.

Movement: I felt something again on Saturday! Although I keep reading you won’t be able to feel it until week blah blah blah. But I don’t think they are talking to unemployed women whose sole purpose is spent concentrating intensely on such matters.

Food cravings: Cheeeeeese is still so, so good. Cake has also become my crack. I. Can’t. Stop. Shoveling. It’s scary how little willpower I have these days.

Food aversions: I don’t have much of an interest in things that are actually good for me. I shall now go hang my head in shame. :[

Sleep: Good

Stretch marks? No

Belly button in or out? In

Miss anything? My period. Just kidding.

Mood? Happy

Maternity Clothes? Nada

New baby items: Sorry baby, nothing new this week

Exercise: Eh… it’s in there every once in a while. I do watch lots of exercise videos though, for when I have the energy… while I sit and eat more cake and regret all my life choices.

Best moment of the week: Seeing how beautifullllll our baby is already :D I think we both were kinda thinking it would have, I dunno, disappeared or lost its little heartbeat or something awful but it was so happy and alive in there, kickin away! Happy parents.

Looking forward to: More doctors appointments! I had no idea they could be so fun!

No offense but, my baby is cuter than your baby

June 25, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comments 6

baby #1 / pregnancy / wedded bliss

Oh my goodness, I am so smitten. We got to see our baby again for the 12 week check up and oh my sweet potato pie, it has the most adorable little profile I ever did see. It was so cute, squirming all around, kicking its lil leggies and *my favorite* arching its little back. Sigh. I honestly thought they were just going to check the heartbeat otherwise we would have taken a video, but we were blown away by how developed it looked already. We saw little fingers and everything! The doctor said baby is not shy at all so I hope he/she stays that way and doesn’t have to deal with people telling him/her how veryyyy shyyyy he/she is his/her whole life ;) Not that I had to deal with that or anything… Also, knowing the gender will help with the fluidity of these sentences :)

In other news, happy birthday blog!! I’m so happy I started this little thing a year ago because just lookit all that has happened!
We moved from this place to this place.
We received this bundle of terror, I mean joy.
I got to go to Indiana for the first time and see where my love grew up!
We celebrated one whole year of marriage — almost one and a half! : )
There were parties, and exploring, and food finding, and trips galore and most importantly, baby came into our lives and we couldn’t be more thankful. What a great year! Thanks for following along with our little ol life : )

In honor of such an occasion, here are:

50 Things You May Not Know About The Nettles

1) he still opens car doors for her
2) he is very specific about what side of the bed he must sleep on
3) they talk in weird voices around their dog
4) they talk in weird voices around each other
5) she has a habit of collapsing to the floor when she is frustrated
6) this never ceases to make him laugh
7) he is the only boy she has ever sung for (that’s how she knew she loved him)
8) she has lots of big ideas
9) he shows her the reality of said ideas
10) he takes date night very seriously
11) she is thankful for that
12) he can make a beautiful bed
13) if he is at a bar with her dad, the chances of them ordering the same drink are 100%
14) they plan their lives around food
15) they miss Sausalito
16) she often wonders when they are going back home to their little place on the hill
17) she likes to walk
18) he likes to drive
19) they resent ever having to pay for parking
20) he says he loves pie
21) she has made him two and they have both gone to waste
22) they both remain convinced the Lord put on their wedding
23) she loves Greek yogurt
24) he can’t stand the smell
25) he HATES hearing people chew
26) she use to call him while she was eating just for this reason
27) she hates being tickled
28) he respects that
29) they could both sleep in a large refrigerator and be happy
30) other than while sleeping, she is always cold
31) he has a business voice
32) he is not allowed to talk to her with his business voice
33) she has opened his eyes to the world of “tones”
34) he had no idea someone could be so sensitive to them
35) he can now tell when something is wrong because of said tone ;)
36) neither can decide if their dog is a good dog or a bad dog. they spend most date nights discussing this.
37) no one can make her smile more than him
38) she has a hard time not crying if she sees a dead animal on the road
39) he is very proud of how perfect he keeps the toothpaste
40) he has made her coffee almost every morning of their marriage
41) he spoils her an unnecessary amount
42) he buys a new Chapstick on every single trip he goes on
43) they currently have 45 lying around
44) he refuses to teach her how to code
45) she thinks she could help him with his work! If only she knew how…
46) he knows how to fluff pillows like a pro
47) when people come over, they wander the house refusing to sit down so it looks nice when they come in
48) they have lit candles almost every night of their marriage
49) they go through a lot of lamp oil
50) they are madly in love

11 Weeks

June 19, 2014

by hillywoohoo

Happy Birthday! Anniversary! Fathers Day!

June 17, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comments 2

family days / home / mmmm meals / the daily life / wedded bliss

Last week was hard on me because I made the big decision to put away my paints for a while to focus on other things at this stage in our journey. It felt very much like I was losing a part of myself or had failed in some way since I never actually got to see it go anywhere, per say. Hopefully later on down the road, I’ll get to do it again but for now, I just felt like God was calling me to focus my energies on other things and so I shall. All that to say, I was very thankful for a busy weekend to distract me from my latest breakup : ) Greg and I had a chore weekend. What’s this you say? You actually roused yourself from your lazy slumber and did something!? Why yes we did. On Saturday we worked out in the yard for far too long (considering our list of other things to do) pulling weeds and sweeping etc – those suckers had gotten so tall, they were almost over Greg’s head. No joke. We went to the hardware store together – this is beyond fun for me… I’m not sure why. I had an urge to buy a flag and by golly, it’s a good thing we did cause, well, it was Flag Day. Did you put your flag up, people? We did. It makes me so happy. It’s still up.We went to the grocery store together – I LOVE company at the grocery store. I always feel so dumb wandering around trying to find things by myself. Greg did more dishes than he has probably ever done in his entire life. We worked and worked and cleaned and prepped because mom and dad were coming! They were down in Laguna Beach for their THIRTY FIFTH anniversary, my moms birthday was the day before, and obviously Father’s Day was on Sunday, and they were coming to stay the night before they headed back up north. Mom said to make tacos but she doesn’t know how we have longed to have a proper dinner party and have yet to find people down here that would really appreciate it. Plus, with three events to celebrate in a weekend, tacos would be a slap in the face. Silly mom. So we prepped. And felt our age when we woke up the next morning for more prepping and cooking. And then, much later than we had anticipated, we headed out to join them at the pool for pina coladas and sunshine. It was heavenly. I hate living so far from the ocean. Every time I get near it down here, it’s like a can take a deep breath again. One time I was so mad at Greg, I got in my car, drove straight to the ocean and all of a sudden I couldn’t remember what I was mad about anymore. All was right in the world : )

And then we rushed home and enjoyed a fine dining experience : ) Happy birthday, mom! Happy Father’s Day, dad! Happy anniversary, you guys!! :D We love you!!!

isn’t he the cutest : )

Happy Birthday Momma!

June 14, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comment 1

family days

Happy birthday to one of the most inspiring ladies I know! I love you momma! This baby is gunna be so lucky to have a grammy like you. Happiest of birthdays to you : ) Love, Hilly

10 Weeks

June 12, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comments 7

baby #1 / bump / pregnancy

Every day I ask Greg, “Can you see it!?” and every day he answers, “I can see you are sticking it out…” And then he proceeds to try to straighten out my spine which then makes me feel like an ape woman.

How far along? 10 weeks

Weight Gained: 3 lbs.We got a scale! Greg insists it doesn’t give an accurate reading, bless his soul.

Symptoms: Ummmm acne. Fun. Oooo and! I can actually make it through the day without a nap : ) Go me.

Movement: It’s probably nothing since they say you probably won’t start feeling baby till 16 weeks, but last night, just as I was drifting off to asleep, I had my hand resting on my stomach and definitely felt something I’ve never felt before (and believe me, I am familiar with tummy movements. I am a still a Welty). I woke Greg up and told him I felt a TWIRL!! And then I proceeded to feel several more little happenings for a little while after. It was positively magical, so just give me this one and don’t tell me it was just air bubbles ; )

Food cravings: Gummy bears. I’d been talking about my desire to just have a gummy bear for the longest time but every time I went to the store, I couldn’t find them! So the other night when we were coming back from our friends house, we stopped at the gas station and Greg got out to fill er up and when he came back in, he had my bow tie wearing friends in hand! And the people rejoiced.

Food aversions: Not really.

Sleep: I had a very real dream that I miscarried and woke up so sad. It was a boy in the dream. Is this telling?? I’m still convinced it’s a girl : ) Other than that one time, I’ve been sleeping pretty well!

Stretch marks? No

Belly button in or out? In

Miss anything? Drinking liquids without feeling guilty : ) Doctor said I can’t have coffee, juice, milk, smoothies, soda or basically anything remotely fun. That leaves water. I’ve been disobeying.

Mood? I was wondering when the irrational angry mood would kick in. We got a dose of that one last weekend but overall, been pretty happy : )

Maternity Clothes? My “fitted” shirts are feeling a bit too sausage casing for me these days :/

New baby items: Still doing my research : ) Babies are awfully fun to research.

Exercise: I did it! I did 5 days a week last week! So. Stinkin. Proud. Now for this week…

Best moment of the week: Probably finding this in each one of my kitchen drawers <3

^^ yuss my drawers are messy BUT I know where everything is so that’s all that matters : )

And whatever I felt last night at the very least made me so very excited to start feeling movement on a regular basis! I couldn’t stop smiling : )

Looking forward to: More baby moving!! Aaaaand Greg actually believing that I am not in fact walking around pushing my stomach out all the time.

The Curious Case of the Sensible Shoes

June 9, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comments 2

date night / mmmm meals / that dog Bentley / the daily life / wedded bliss

It all started when I was sitting around Friday night, dreaming up what sounded best for dinner. Gnocchi obviously sounded best but I had run out of time and energy to make it myself, as I am prone to do these days. Never fear! Friday is our date night and we haven’t had one for the longest of times so I asked my boyfriend on a date and tada! he accepted. I remembered this place we went to when we were originally house hunting, that had homemade pasta that wasn’t over the top good but definitely felt like a home cooked meal, and I was so sure they would have gnocchi. So I strapped on my tallest of heels and headed out to meet my husband. Enter giant hill. Greg umm, doesn’t always calculate time correctly, so I arrived first and parked way up high on the giant hill. I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried to go down a steep hill in 5″ heels but a stable arm is much appreciated/needed/counted on. You kinda go forward, and down.. in a toppling sort of manner. Greg said he was still 20 minutes away so I took a deep breath, and proceeded forward, carefully choosing each step, and trying to ignore the crowd at the bottom, apparently fascinated by the scene I had become. Success! Not one knee to the ground was taken. Not one stumble. What grace I had! Naturally, I rewarded myself by eating the entire bread basket before Greg arrived. It was delicious. And after all that, no gnocchi. We still had a delicious meal. Split a pasta dish and a cheese plate and put this one in the cheapest dates of all time record book. I love cheap, fun dates. The next day, in a big effort to not have thisbe our entire Saturday, again, I had the brilliant idea of going on a family outing and walking into town. Oh, I forgot to mention, Friday, I spent all day cleaning out my closet, getting rid of half my clothes, and promising myself to be more fashionable in the coming days/years/lifetime. I’ve wanted to walk into town for the longest time. It’s only about three miles away and oh how I love walking and I hate paying for parking so it just seemed like the most wonderful solution to make me happy in each and every area. Before we head out the door, Greg asks the silliest question: “Are you going to be comfortable in those shoes?” Since when has women’s footwear ever been based around comfort? I had on, after all, my moccasins – the very shoes I’m convinced the Natives wore on their feet as they walked from here to there. So I laughed at him, and today he’s still laughing at me as I moan about my aching feet and the blisters the blisters! His feet did just fine in his running shoes. Go figure. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all as we made our way into town with our over eager dog. Lucky for us, there was a music festival going on and we probably would have removed each hair from our head in frustration trying to find parking anyways. Instead, we had a delightful lunch and a wonderful time. Walking is good : )

^^ just look how happy. he loves to be invited places.

We even got ice cream! Again, I’m sure the nutritious side of this pregnancy will kick in eventually.And then we came home and slept as our old aching bones wondered what just happened. And that dog got more attention.

9 Weeks

June 5, 2014

by hillywoohoo

comment 1

baby #1 / bump / home / mmmm meals / pregnancy / the daily life

Bump bump bump – yes this counts as a bump! Craziness that our little babe has got everything in place to grow grow grow! Gosh, I sound like the goose on Charlotte’s Web. Anyways let’s use this handy dandy questionnaire from every other maternity blog on the interwebs to keep track!

How far along? 9 weeks! Last month of the first trimester! Please energy, please come back.

Weight Gained: Imma go with 4 lbs still… the dreaded scale should be here by next week…

Symptoms: I probably could sleep all day if I was sure Greg wouldn’t ask me what I did all day : ) Other then being sleepy, all my other symptoms seemed to have vanished… is that bad? I actually gave Greg a big hug this morning without it hurting! Hallelujah! Darn boobs.

Movement: Probably too early for that..

Food cravings: All food pretty much sounds good all the time. Although, we had just come from a big brunch with our friends and decided to do a bit of errand shopping in the mall. We were both talking about how full we were but then! With red and yellow lights from above, there was hot dog on a stick calling me, calling me (yes, with an echo). Greg tried to hold in his disgust as I gobbled it down in seconds : ) Ooooo it was so very good. I want one now. Again. And with the lemonade : ) : )

Food aversions: Not much. We have a lot of chocolate in the house right now for some reason.. people keep giving it to us. That doesn’t sound very good ever. I want fruit gummies : ) Ironically, chocolate was the thing that tipped Greg off to me mayyybe actually being pregnant. I asked him for some chocolate ice cream… with some chocolate sauce? And could I get some chocolate milk on the side? That’s a surprising amount of chocolate for one that prefers fruit desserts.. I got the raised eyebrows : )

Sleep: Pretty good! Minus a couple very weird, scary dreams. Those can stop.

Stretch marks? No *fingers crossed*

Belly button in or out? In, I should hope still

Miss anything? Festive drinks : (

Mood? Oh so happy

Maternity Clothes? The last probably seven shirts I got had a baby someday in mind ; ) I’m just so prepared for such things..

New baby items: Oh jeeze. Just lookit what my momma got this little one:

It’s the dearest. I can’t help but keep taking it out and holding it… it’s so very tiny!

Exercise: Doctor says FIVE. TIMES. a week. So far, so good! I like having a reason to do something : )

Best moment of the week: Hearing the heartbeat, duh!

Looking forward to: Someday getting to announce it to the world : )

In other news, it’s been a pretty slow week. Greg’s been crazy busy at work yet still mustered up the energy to bake (yes HE baked) some banana bread! I heard him working away in the kitchen. That’s probably the dearest of all sounds. And it was delicious.

I made yet another soufflé that refused to rise all the way. But I was still pretty proud cause I whipped it by hand like a real french woman. That was the most action my wrist has gotten, oh, in its whole lifetime. Plus, you know you’ve cooked a real french meal when every whisk you own has been used : ) And I got the happy smile from my husband cause he thought it was a lot of work (bah!) and I used greens from our garden for our salad. *woman points*And lookit! My husband still managed to make my drink look just as festive as his (and just a touch more girly).

This is the meatloaf sandwich I ate before the corn dog. You can now understand Greg’s confusion and disgust (I’ve never been a big eater so this is all so very odd). But boy was it good. Dad, you’d really like this place… It’s old and dark and funky with all the German decorations you like.. and all the waitresses are St. Pauli girls, all the time ; ) I was thinking, isn’t it a little early to be wearing that costume, lady? It seemed a normal thing for her.

And last but not least, exciting news of the week: We have grapes in our yard. Did I mention the artichokes too? Our little dirt pit just keeps on springing up new surprises. It’s awfully fun to go outside and find something new on your property though : ) Oh! And a tomato plant has sprung up in the front yard… I am hoping the Lord isn’t preparing us for a famine in the land where we have to live on our four grapes a day. This would be a very bad time considering my newfound appetite! Just kidding. Hope you all are well! Happy Thursday!