February 2014 = Boy Oh Boy!!!

What do you know, more snow!!

February 12:  Gender Reveal!

We had our parents in town the night we found out the gender of our little baking bun.  It wasn't elaborate, just a cake that had what it was written on it.  We dressed in blue and pink, just for fun.

Brandon's parents also dressed in blue & pink!

We set up the camera on a shelf so we could capture the reveal (although it's not nearly as entertaining as the video when we revealed we were expecting!).

 

It's a BOY!!

After telling our parents, we face-timed with our siblings.  My brother's kids were so excited to find out what their new cousin would be!  And they had some pretty funny ideas for what to name the little guy.

Valentine's Day:

We continued our tradition of going to Qdoba to kiss at the register for a free burrito deal! 

Later, we gave presents to each other.  Mine to Brandon was a years worth of pre-planned date nights.

He gave me a kit-kat (of course)....

.....and surprised me with a night out to eat!

I didn't know where we were going until we pulled up to the restaurant - it was the Melting Pot!  There were even roses waiting for me a the table!!!

I LOVE the Melting Pot!!!  (and I freely admit, mostly because I love the chocolate fondue).

The staff at the restaurant went above & beyond.  When they realized I couldn't get a good picture of Brandon and myself because the lighting was so dark, they went and got their own camera, took a picture, printed it and framed it for me!! 

February 18 - Brandon installed ceiling fans in all the upstairs bedrooms (none of which had overhead lighting when we moved in).

February 19:  Dinner with Shannon

And another baby bump picture!

February 20:

This sums up my pregnancy to this point!

Weekend of February 21-23:  Visiting Lville

We spent the weekend in Lville, mainly to participate in the Anthem 5K

L-R:  Brandon's Mom, Me, My Dad, Brandon and My Mom

 Dad and Brandon ran together.

The moms and I had planned to walk it.  However, I was unable to keep my heart rate from getting too high without walking really slow (doc didn't want my heart rate above a certain point for an extended period of time) and since this was over 3 miles, it would have taken forever to walk it as slow as I needed to.  So, about a quarter mile in, I told the moms to go on and I turned around to head back to the start/finish line.

By the time I got back there, the guys were already finished running!!

That night, we had Game Night at my Mamaw's with my crazy family

Mamaw made her famous No-Bake Cookies

The guys played "Stock Market"

The girls played various games....

.....like this one where you have to try not to pop the balloon!

August = Hard Work!

August 2-4:

Laundry Room Makeover

Our out-of-date laundry room needed an overhaul, so we took an entire weekend (plus a few days after work) to make it over.

Here's some before and after pictures (pardon the bend in some pictures - fisheye lens!):

Our laundry room also doubles as a small kitchenette complete with coffee maker, mini-fridge and sink (sink pictured above - it's a utility sink, but sink nonetheless).  This room is directly next to the guest room, so it's like a little guest suite when people come to stay.

 Shannon's Birthday:

After a long weekend in the laundry room, I met up with friends from Lville for Shannon's Birthday.

I gave Shannon a crepe pan, spreader and Nutella (since she and I *loved* our Nutella crepes in Paris)

The Girls - Shannon, Jenn, Me & Gina

August 7:

Date Night!
We went to see the new Star Trek movie.

August 11:

Another family 5K!

Back: My Dad

Middle: My Mom & Brandon

Front: Brandon's Mom & Me

The girls walked & the guys (who look ready for action) ran.

Brandon's parents brought us a house-warming gift:

We also celebrated my Dad's birthday!

August 17:

Move - Round 2

After our big move out of the duplex in May, we still had to gather more of our my stuff from my parents house.  While we lived in the duplex, we stored several things in their attic & basement (from combining our two households).  Plus, I was excited about finally moving my piano to our house (even though it was technically mine it had always lived at my parents house).  Along with all that we had stored at their house and picking up the piano, I decided it high-time to get all my old childhood toys and memorabilia out of their basement too.  This was no easy task as I was a BAD pack rat as a child and am still trying to recover from those tendencies.

Getting everything that was mine out of my parents house actually required a big box truck!!

Yikes.

 

Our "Happy Helpers"

My Dad and my cousin, Jamie

Mike & Shannon (and us)

The piano and another big piece of furniture we moved at their new home (although the piano would be moved later that week to the upstairs).

August 25:

Granny's 80th Birthday

My Granny is quite a remarkable lady. Turning 80 hasn't slowed her down one bit.  She's still an avid painter, incredible cook, active member of her community and she never turns down a request to spend time with family or help out in anyway she can.

She requested no presents, instead, she wanted each of us to write her a letter.  I've included mine below, because there's no way to really describe Granny in just a couple lines.  And even my letter to her doesn't seem to capture all that she is.

"Granny,

Happy 80^th Birthday!!!  What a special and extraordinary person and grandmother you are.  I know of no other Grandma’s like you!!  With all your talents and hobbies, your involvement in the community, your journaling and memoirs, your knack for beautiful things, but yet without pretention; your passion for cooking and baking, your stories of travel, your unique way to savor special moments, your ability to see the good in everyone and accept people for who they are, the way take pleasure in the smallest parts of life, your activeness of life in general – you simply amaze me and I strive to be like you in so many ways.  You really LIVE life.  You don’t just let it pass you by, but you’re an active participant, soaking in every Kodak moment and relishing each person in your life.  When I tell others about my Granny, they can’t believe all that you do and how special you make everything.  

 I love that I have a Granny Art Gallery in my house!  Everyone that comes over comments on your art work and when I tell them my Granny is the artist – they stand in awe.  I treasure my hand-written cookbook and although I feel I can never make things as good as you do, I love that I have your recipes to try!  You are such a wonderful gift-giver, each present fits the person you are giving it to so well and there is such specialness in the way you have thought-out what to give them.  I LOVE coming to visit you and getting to spend time talking and learning from you.  And between your yummy meals, vintage décor, thoughtful hospitality and open spirit, I feel like I’m at a Bed & Breakfast every time I stay the night!  

  

Some of my favorite memories growing up are coming to your house for the week with Katie.  It was so fun and special.  What other Granny would take her grandchildren all gussied up like they’re from the 20’s out to a restaurant, but you did!  You just make everything special and fun and memorable.  I love that.  And I love you.  I’m so blessed to be your Granddaughter!!  So,  on your 80^th Birthday celebration, I just wanted you to know how special you truly are, how much you enrich the lives of everyone you meet and how thankful I am that God made such a tender-hearted, gracious and genuine Granny for me to love!

Melanie"

Granny with all her children (my mom is back row far right):