We're expecting!!!!!

So.... Eddie and I are expecting our first baby in March, 2010. Actually, 3.28.10 to be exact. We are so over the moon... words can't even describe :)

I am currently 14 weeks along and so far so good. I found out at the end of July 2009 and our world has turned 'baby crazy' since then.

We heard the amazing heartbeat at 11 weeks and that was when we really started announcing our fabulous news! I was a bit nervous to say it too loud, for fear that this was all in my imagination or for fear that something would happen. But, I am officially in my second trimester and boy does it feel great. Well... for the most part!

I haven't had the miserable nausea like my dear friend Jamie, who is currently 13 weeks, is experiencing. From week 5 or 6 until about week 9 or 10 I definitely had evenings (NOT mornings... why it's called morning sickness is beyond me) where I felt like total poop. I managed to lay in bed one Sunday afternoon into the evening and even the slightest bit of noise or movement made me feel like I was going to barf everywhere. Not pleasant. Luckily, I haven't had the pleasure of feeling quite like that since that day. Mostly, my symptoms are as follows: extreme exhaustion (which has finally subsided, as of week 12!!); the need to pee every hour on the hour (which I currently still experience, especially during the night); constantly hungry; headaches that even Tylenol won't touch (which is the only pain reliever medication that pregnant gals are recommended to take); heartburn... my oh my, it's in full effect... note to self, do NOT drink orange juice; unannounced break outs (I am not dealing with this one too well); bloatedness (which is no longer - I definitely have a little "pouch" sticking out now); and I think that about covers it. It could be worse... so I won't complain. Too much :)

But man it's worth it. Totally worth it.

I have created a Baby Blog so that people can read up on my status and see what's new in our life and in the very new life of Baby R.

check it out: www.reynoldsbabyblog10.blogspot.com

Ciao for now,

Meredith

HELLOOOO football season...

So as much as I absolutely adore the summer... I am so ready for fall weather, the changing of leaves, Eddie's ah-maz-ing chili, warm and fuzzy sweaters, and of course, ohio state football. It just doesn't get any better than that!
I cannot believe that September has already arrived. Where oh where has the time gone to? I remember my looooong awaited countdown to Hawaii. That vacation has long come and gone. Since Hawaii the rest of my summer has just seemed like one HUGE blur. So many things happening at once.
Rachel came home like a million times - which I will NEVER EVER complain about. So not only did I spend a week with her in paradise, but she was home in June for Comfest, and again in August for our mom's 60th birthday celebration. I am hoping to see her and Bri this coming winter as well :)
I just celebrated my 31st birthday (what happened to 30?!) this past Sunday, August 30th, and needless to say, I partied a little differently this year (tee hee hee).
I can't believe that I am 31. Don't get me wrong, I am cool with 31... I just can't believe that number is coming out of my mouth. Eddie and I started dating on the cusp of my 26th birthday - I was so young back then, and didn't even know it.
But onto a different, more interesting conversation...
the Buckeyes.
It's that time of year in good ole' Columbus Ohio. The air has a slight crisp in the evening and the smell of football is in full effect. I love the way the the leaves change on Neil Ave. Nothing gets better than football Saturday.
I used to be quite the tailgater, but as the years have passed I am sort of just over that whole scene. Unless it's a huge game - like the OSU vs USC game, which we will be out of town for - I prefer to watch it at home with some good food and good friends or at a low key bar. Campus is crazy and the students seem to get crazier by the year. My time of craziness and drunken afternoons has passed... Eddie, on the other hand, will be in the midst of the beer, crowds, drunks and craziness until he's 80. He is a devout fan. God bless him!
Best of luck to our favorite Buckeyes. Here's to an absolutely perfect season!

Such Great Heights

I am thinking it's a sign
That the freckles in our eyes
Are mirror images and when we kiss
They're perfectly aligned
And I have to speculate
That God himself did make us
Into corresponding shapes
Like puzzle pieces from the clay
And true it may seem like a stretch
But it's thoughts like this that catch
My troubled head when you're away
When I am missing you to death

When you are out there on the road
For several weeks of shows
And when you scan the radio
I hope this song will guide you home

They will see us waving from such great heights
Come down now, they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away
Come down now but we'll stay

I've tried my best to leave
This all on your machine
But the persistent beat
It sounded thin upon listening
And that frankly will not fly
You'll hear the shrillest highs
And lowest lows with the windows down
When this is guiding you home

They will see us waving from such great heights
Come down now, they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away
Come down now but we'll stay


- Such Great Heights by Iron & Wine (The Postal Service)



Our first dance as husband and wife.

The Legend. The King. Michael Jackson.

Growing up, Michael Jackson was by far my favorite person to watch. Dance. Sing. Perform. I even had pictures of him in my closet that I would kiss every night before going to bed. I was the epitome of an 80's child and wanted, so badly, to learn every single one of his fly dance moves. I wasn't allowed to watch the Thriller video at my Grandma Sprinkle's house... she said that it was the devil. She was so wrong. Amazing was what it was. Yes, I will admit that I would hide my eyes at certain parts of the video and that scary laugh at the end... still gives me goosebumps to this day.

So, in paying homage to this incredibly talented man, I say this: Michael, you were adored by millions - all over this world. It has always been my lifelong dream to see you in concert one day. Although that won't happen, your music will continue to live on. Your dance moves may be copied but will never be the real thing. You were a one of a kind man and I respected you to the utmost. I hope that you find peace and solace in your life now... and are finally able to rest. You will always be, my king of pop. My cultural icon.

Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

Oh Eddie, how I adore thee...

So I decided to write a blog on the many, many things I love about my best friend, my most favorite person to laugh with (and at, sometimes!!)... my husband.

* you make me smile morning, noon, and night.
* you have one of the best personalities. ever.
* you make me feel beautiful, even when I am feeling like shit.
* i love your sweet kisses.
* and your soft hugs.
* i know, without a doubt, that you will be an amazing father to our children.
* i love watching you when you don't even know that i am looking your way.
* i love all of our inside jokes.
* i love the way that you love me.
* being married to you has been such an incredible honor to me. thank you.
* i love the fact that you trust me. no questions asked.
* you have guys night and i have girls night. and somehow at the end of the night, we always end up together.
* traveling with you has become one of my favorite things to do. i couldn't imagine having to fight over the window seat on an airplane with anyone else :)
* i love the fact that you are one of the most talented, artistic builders/designers that i know.
* i couldn't have imagined going through an eight month renovation with anyone but you.
* and i can't wait to do it again.
* i love how your eyes turn from green to hazel to brown... all in 10 minutes.
* i love your friends, our friends, and am so thankful to have them in my life.
* i love it when you dance and just live in the moment.
* i love your beard. really, i do.
* i love the fact that your ac/dc t-shirt is your most favorite shirt in all of your wardrobe.
* you have the most incredible laugh.
* i love comfest sundays with you.
* i will never forget our first kiss. the first time we said 'i love you'. and our first dance as husband and wife.
* i love it when you cook.
* your family is amazing. i couldn't ask for anything better.
* you support me in any and everything that i do. you are my #1 cheerleader.
* and i am yours.
* when you dream, you dream big. i love your assertiveness.
* we don't call you EZ Ed for nothin'!!
* i love that you wore a 'just say no to drugs' t-shirt on our first date.
* ... and i love that i didn't care. just as long as i was with you.

I love you from your head to your toes.
Ever thine
Ever mine
Ever ours...
I love you, babe!

Back to life, back to reality...

Back to reality it is. No more aloha time for me.

I was in tropical hawaiian paradise for 7 ah-maz-ing days only to come back to life... back to reality. Let me just tell you, it is my destiny to live amongst the mountains and beaches of Maui. Beauty pours from the mountain tops and touches you when you swim in the crystal clear waters of the Pacific. The people are wonderful and esquiste. There is something to be said when you're out on an island, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by all of nature's beauty at her finest. So, Eddie and I have made up our minds... when we retire, at the ripe ol' age of 65 (not kidding!!), we will move there. We truly had the time of our lives. And we couldn't think of anyone better than my sister, Rachel, and brother-in-law, Brian, to share this experience with. We stayed in a beautiful private home in Lahaina town. It had a master bedroom, a second bedroom, and a guest bedroom with a pullout sofa. Two full bathrooms - plus an outdoor shower which I LOVED - a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, and living room with a 52'' plasma tv. In the front of the house, we were greeted by beautiful hibiscus bushes, exotic flowers, and a hammock swing :) Out back was where the party was at! A wonderful pool and spa, a fabulous patio area and a grill for grilling our fresh fish! And it was all ours for 7 days!! Did we just die and go to heaven? Facing the west were the Maui mountains... I loved how the clouds would hover over them amid the blue skies...Everything from the sunsets... to the mai tais... to the fresh fish... to the beautiful black rock beaches... to the welcoming people... it was all so perfect. I already can't wait to go back!

We're already planning next years vacation... COSTA RICA 2010 HERE WE COME!!

Mahalo

Fun with games.

I am: A wife, daughter, sister, friend and lover

I want: An Audi A6. In Red

I have: 4 tattoos and would love one more. I promise to stop after that!

I dislike: Mushrooms. Ick. I also don't like liars & disrepectful people.

I miss: My Grandmother Charlene every single day of my life. I also miss my sister and wish that we lived closer to each other.

I fear: Losing the people that I love.

I feel: Excited and anxious about my new job and what it holds for me.

I hear: Earth, Wind and Fire on my radio :) Doesn't get any better than this!

I crave: Some of the most unusual things on a daily basis. But mostly, I crave Chipotle.

I usually: Straighten my hair. But on rainy or humid days I let it do it's thang. Sometimes the curls are just too hard to control!!

I search: For peace and forgiveness in everyone. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. But after that, you're done. Fool me once shame on you... fool me twice shame on me!

I wonder: What my puppy is doing right now. Probably barking his head off at people on the street... or sleeping under the bed.

I regret: Eating that lobster bisque last night. My stomach is on fire today :(

I love: sitting on the beach with an adult beverage and good Caribbean music.

I care: too much about what other people think of me.

I always: say 'I love you' and 'sweet dreams' to Eddie when we're going to bed.

I worry: about not having enough money to do all of the things we love to do.

I remember: names and faces. Always.

I believe: That life gets better with age!

I sing: really obnoxiously. Even my dog would agree.

I try not to: critique other people. It's not nice.

I don't always: listen to my husband when he is talking :) ha.

I argue: with Eddie about leaving every single light on in the house.

I write: notes on post-its all of the time.

I win: my own battles.

I lose: staring contests with Eddie. Every time!

I wish: I was in Hawaii right now.

I listen: to a HUGE variety of music. It all makes me feel so good!

I don't understand: Ignorance and racism.

I can usually be found: At work, at home, at Goodale Park, shopping, having drinks with my favorite people in the world!

I forget: my sunglasses all of the time!

I am happy: when I am surrounded by love and laughter.