a tribe called PINK

from blogspot to shutterfly

2009-09-04T21:17:00.003-04:00

Ok, so... as it stands now I'm putting this blog on hold and posting on my shutterfly site. Our family can order pictures and I want to cut down on all the websites that I have to manage. I can also JUST upload pictures to it and not feel compelled to write a witty entry.

Here's the URL: http://thepinkardfamily.shutterfly.com/

Please visit us and catch up (mostly in photos) on Tatum and her parents.

June Update: Part I

2009-07-04T10:31:00.006-04:00

Wow. It's been a while since I've posted! Sorry 'bout that!! Really, I am! Anyways, here are some pictures of what A Tribe Called Pink has been up to.

Laura and Jess took us to our very first visit to the National Zoo. Yep, you heard right! I've never been... to the National Zoo. Shocking, I know! It was fun, sweltering hot but we made it. Got a parking space and everything, although they DID have to create parking but I heard that's normal for the National Zoo. We saw a lot of animals, but we didn't go in any of the exibits (i.e. the repitle house); however, we did visit the pandas. THEY'RE SO CUTE!

Early in June Aunt Cindy came to visit, along with Jessie and Hanna. This was Tatum's first time to meet Cindy. We had fun hanging out and catching up!! It was so good to see them.

This is one of daddy's thift store finds!!! Ain't it grand? Tatum loves it!

Ok, that's 'bout it for now. It's July 4th and we have some celebrating to do!!! STAY TUNED FOR BEACH WEEK PHOTOS!

updating you on some milestones

2009-06-09T12:05:00.002-04:00

Tatum is attempting to scoot in this photo and actually does end up scooting, after I try to get it on video. Of course she does it once momma has given up trying to get it on video.

Tatum ate her first full meal of rice cereal last night, a little over an 1/8 a cup. Yippee! She seemed to like it. She opened her mouth like a little bird and didn't spit any of it up. Here she is trying to get every bit of it off of her spoon.

This is just an adorable close up!

Pictures of our Busy Weekend

2009-05-12T13:23:00.011-04:00

Last Friday, Tatum had her first ever babysitter. Jessica came over to play with Tatum while Tim and I went to the African New Life Ministry Banquet.

These two pictures are just adorable. Our little leg-licker and gooser is now Tatum's head licker. Of course, her head is so very sweet, I can't kiss it enough... I guess Hurley feels the same way.

Sunday was Mother's Day (yay!) and to celebrate Mother's Day there was a Baby Dedication at church.

Grandma joined us for Mother's Day and the Baby Dedication. We also went out to eat and then visited Tim's Grandmom. Tatum got to meet her great-grandmother!!!!! She was a bit sleepy, it was a busy day and Tatum was near melt-down in the picture below; but Grandma was able to calm her down enough to put her back in the carseat and then we left for a much deserved nap.

reflections on a milestone

2009-05-03T12:24:00.008-04:00

As I was nose to nose with my daughter on the cool floor of our basement, I watched as she struggled to rollover. She completed the roll moments before and was attempting her second go at this milestone. She turned toward me (to her right) in an attempt to roll to her tummy and at the 90 degree point she began to grunt and, with her left arm extended, the nails on her left hand scratched and grasped at the floor in hopes of pulling her self the rest of the way over. I could hear not only her grunts but also her scratches on the canvas of her play pad. This is a proud moment because… she didn’t make it. Her right arm was in the way which prevented the completion of her second rollover. Why was this a proud moment you ask? Like I said earlier, I watched her struggle to rollover… she tried and tried, numerous times, still with the grunts and grasps until… TA DA! She rolled over once more.

That made me think… naturally, because I over think and analyze everything.

One, it was fun to witness her growth and her struggle as she tried to figure out this new freedom of movement. (I wonder what goes through a baby’s mind when they are testing and trying new things. They don’t have a vocabulary, so they don’t think in words like we do. Anyone want to answer that for me?)

And two… (Here comes the over thinking), why didn’t I help her… you know, move her little arm out of the way, SHOW her what she needs to do? I did think about that while watching her but decided not to. As I was debating this in my head, it reminded me of James 1:2-4 which says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finishes its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I'm always asking God, "why" or expecting life to be a bit more easy as a believer, you know, like I expect Him to wave His magic wand and "bibbity-bobbity-boo" my troubles drift away and turn my pumpkin into a carriage fit for a princess or "reducto" and blasts away any objects in my path. I mean, He's God and He can do all that and more, sans magic and the wand of course. God is with me ALWAYS and I know He watches me and helps me walk through the struggles. He's going to allow me to make mistakes, or stumble over a task, encounter obstacles, get sick, be angry, sad, frustrated, etc because I'll grunt, scratch and pull through these trials, this growing period, as I try to turn toward Him.

Ta-ta-ta Tater Roll!!

2009-05-02T18:15:00.005-04:00

She rolled over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sat her down on her little gym, turned around to log onto the laptop and then turned back around and found her on her little tummy!! Then made a mad-dash to the camera and took this!

catch you up with some pictures...

2009-04-28T13:41:00.004-04:00

I could (once again) give you a list of excuses; for instance, that the whole post-partum dementia is eating me alive, but I won't. I'll just give you what you want... PICTURES!!

Here are Tatum and her little friends at their first Easter Egg Hunt. It was a rainy Saturday so we had the hunt indoors.

This is just a cute post-egg hunt picture.

Tatum's first Easter!!

Easter Lunch at the Bush's...

The Tues. after Easter, Aunt Emmy and Grammy came to visit. We had a VERY busy week and neglected to bring the camera with us everywhere, but here are a few photos from the week.

raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

2009-03-16T15:22:00.009-04:00

Before I venture into "Tatum's Favorite Things," here are a few items that we're learning aren't our favorite: We've recently discovered baby acne (dang!) and are hoping that it's not eczema. I think you can see some of it in the picture below. We're also working on some tummy time (also seen here in the pic). She isn't fond of this time but nobody can be happy learning how to hold up their great big melon head.

favorite appendage... she's working on the thumb and seems to prefer the left
favorite time of day... playtime (after second breakfast)
favorite lullaby... Baby of Mine
favorite playtime song... Hokie Pokie
favorite outing... Thrift Stores with Daddy! (She always gets a lot of stuff!)
favorite noise... "ahh-ooh"
favorite blanket... the miracle swaddle blanket
addiction... her swing (that's mommy's favorite also)
happy place... she immediately gets all calm and adorable at the changing table, once we put her up there she starts cooing and smiling. It's now so much fun... to change her diaper, blow-outs and all.

Tatum is only 6w, so all is subject to change. Who knows, once she finds her feet she could favor her right big toe instead of that left thumb.

Tatum goes to church

2009-03-08T20:52:00.009-04:00

Tatum and I (Elyssa) went to church for the first time since she was born. She did rather well. We went to X-Factor first (the Student Ministry's service) and then tried "big church." She got a bit fussy after the worship so Tim walked around with her and I was able to enjoy the service with my friend Laura.

We had some warm weather (finally) so she's wearing a cute little pink dress; although you can't tell in these pics because she was all snug and content in her car seat and I didn't feel like disturbing her sated state.

taking advantage of naptime

2009-03-05T17:57:00.005-05:00

The reason why I haven't posted is...well, obviously I'm a new mom and I was busy with my new little miracle. You could believe THAT or you could believe this more realistic excuse, realizing that Tatum sleeps a lot and that I probably have a few minutes to sit down and accumulate some new intel on life with Tatum. So, here's the excuse: SO MUCH has happend in the last 5 weeks that I'm not sure how I can write it down without writing a novel. I COULD be brief but there are things that I don't want to leave out. All in all, I'm just overwhelmed, not just with baby but with information and experiences, cute coos and diaper blow-outs. Ok, there it is...my excuse. There's just too much to say so I've decided to summarize (which for me... ummm is a bit daunting).

Where to start... oh, I know... LABOR!

Not NEARLY what I thought it'd be like. I read up on natural birth because that's what I wanted. Well, like the wise Rolling Stone sages say, "you can't always get what you want"; ergo, I was induced. Now, I never read up on induction, pitocin, pitocin+pain level, suction devices...etc and that's what I got. A wise mom told me that it doesn't matter what kind of birth you have (natural, drug-free, drug-induced, c-section), your goal is to bring home a healthy baby. And praise the Lord, we have a healthy baby girl!

I could go into more detail about the labor but I'm sure some will appreciate my discretion. Just know this; there was pain and I DO believe God designs us so that we can't remember said pain. After Tatum's birth, for a 24 hr stretch I frantically thought, "how in the world to women do that more than once... really?" I was bordering on terrified thinking that I'd have to do that again (Lord willing, right?). Then around the 48th hour post-labor I thought..."well, THAT wasn't too bad, but I'm not sure I could do that again." (<--Terror Level fell a bit.) Then my memories became (even more) fuzzy and I thought that (although not soon) "yes, it wasn't SO bad and I WOULD do it again." Tatum, healing, pain killers and post-labor fuzzy forgetfulness is a gift from God! Can I get an AMEN??

Here I am... all doped up and chowin' on some hospital grade ice chips. Ahhh... a fitting and nutritious meal for a woman about to go through 9 hours of labor.

Tatum's first "Daddy Time".

Tatum's shooting the peace sign to all the wonderful nurses at Fairfax County Hospital as she leaves for her new home. PEACE!

Baby Break

2009-02-15T19:07:00.003-05:00

Sorry you haven't heard from us in a while; we're taking a much needed baby break and are accumulating a plethora of Tatum pictures to post. (Although, I HAVE updated the "Chronicles of Nugget" slide show with my 40w picture... taken the night before Tatum was born.) Please, check back soon for some updates and adorable pictures like this:

Our Nugget of Joy is here!

2009-01-29T13:38:00.003-05:00

Okay, so for the past 7 months, this blogsite has been updated and managed by my beautiful and creative wife, but since she just pushed through (literally) the delivery of our incredible little blessing, she asked me to fill in.

On Jan. 28th, at 6:04pm Tatum Catherine Pinkard (formerly and affectionately known as 'nugget') finally made her first public appearance. She is now only 18 hrs old and has changed the course of our lives forever!!! She weighs in at 7lbs 12oz and is 19-1/2 inches tall. Tatum means "to bring joy" and well, as you can imagine, that is exactly what we are feeling...along with a sense of awe at how God knit her together in Elyssa's womb, a sense of humility and responsibility as we begin to meet the needs of this tiny little baby girl.

For the details of the labor, I'll save that for another posting from Elyssa. It took 10 hrs from the time Lyss was induced to the time Tatum arrived. Ten hours doesn't seem to bad, but of course, my experience was quite different than what you'd hear from Lyss...she was a champ! One funny note, a couple times through the active labor of pushing, Elyssa would say, "I'm such a wimp." All I could do was encourage her (and chuckle to myself what an insane statement at a time of outragous discomfort/pain) to keep pressing on as she neared the goal. Mom and Tatum are resting and bonding as we begin the process of caring for our bundle of joy. I've attached a couple of pics of our incredible little blessing, Tatum. Enjoy!

5... 5 Days... 5 Days 'til Nugget Comes (to the tune of the "5 Dollar Foot Long" Subway commerical)

2009-01-23T18:26:00.006-05:00

Well, I had an OB appointment today and I'm quite certain that it was my last. Yes, due to my "aggressive effacement and dilation" we've been advised to schedule an induction for Jan 28th @ 6:15am. So, there it is... barring any labor pains pre-Wed... we'll be heading to the hospital well before rush hour on Wed and welcoming our little nugget of JOY into this crazy-beautiful world.

What you can do?? PRAY!!! Not sure if you're counting (ahem!) but WE are and that is 5 days from now!! FIVE DAYS! My palms sweat (as do other areas) just thinking about it. I know I've been passively complaining about how uncomfortable I am and how I'm ready to meet her (see earlier post)... umm... but, knowing the definate date of when "shock and awe" will enter our lives and send us tumbling out of our comfort zone is a bit... no A LOT scary. I can see it in Tim's face. It's kinda like the day back in 2001 when we went to look at engagement rings and a strange silent but terrified shade painted Tim's face. (Tim explains that it was sticker shock and not "oh-my-gosh-what-am-I-doing" cold feet... right babe? Babe?) Anyway, yes... so five days! When you see us and we are a little un-responsive or we have that giddy dorky grin stretching across our faces, chalk it up to being in shock and awed at this most precious gift that we are about to receive.

"Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy; And upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God." Psalm 43:4

Nope, still percolatin'

2009-01-18T17:33:00.005-05:00

Ok, so many of you have asked and I will answer. Two weeks ago (Friday, Jan 9th) my OB was shocked to discover that I was already 3cm dilated, 75% effaced and at zero station. <-- For the meaning, check out google. (PLEASE SEE THE DISCLAIMER STATEMENT TO YOUR RIGHT!) I was told that I could "go" that night. As of this last Thursday (Jan 15th) I'm 4+/90%/0 station. Once again, my OB was certain that I wouldn't last the weekend... alas, no. Little nugget finds it nice and cozy in mommy's tummy and has decided to stay for a bit longer. She's a smart one too because it is freakishly cold in NoVA right now.

I must explain to those people that haven't seen me waddling around lately that it just plain stinkin' hurts to walk. I know walking can "bring on" labor but GEEZ, because I am so advance in dilating/effacement/station, every time I place a heal down my lower pelvic/abdominal muscles scream for some relief.

I've been logging some time on my exercise ball, I had some pineapple today and am planning some scrumptious eggplant parmesan for tomorrow (all of which are suppose to aid in inducing labor). I do realize that I'm not overdue; I choose to blame it on all the people who have put the notion in my mind that I will be delivering soon (you know who you are ;). That means that I get to be a mom soon and get to meet this "nugget of JOY" that we're blessed with. I admit, there is an element of me being tired of being pregnant; but I am completely excited to meet Baby Pink and hold her, see her, see who she looks like, smell her, get to know her, her personality, see Tim snuggle with her and fuss over her... etc. I think that means that my anxiousness has been replaced by sheer twidderpated excitement.

I've been doing a lot of praying lately and have realized that this is a perfect time to practice patience and rely on God's timing. Romans 12:12 says, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Please continue to pray for us as we are in our last weeks (er... days... hours... or minutes) of pregnancy. Also pray for a healthy Baby Pink and safe labor... and for Tim too!

tick... tick... tick

2009-01-11T18:37:00.003-05:00

So... my OB says that I can go at anytime now. Dr. K actually said that he expected me to go this weekend; but seeing how it's about 6:40 on Sunday night, it seems he was a little over eager in his estimate. Tim and I would appreciate your prayers as we brace ourselves for this long-awaited, blessed, life-changing event.

We also appreciate those of you that comment or stop and let us know how much you enjoy our blog. It encourages us and also reminds us.. er, me to update it.

Too fat to get into the car... priceless!

2008-12-28T21:01:00.006-05:00

ATTENTION faithful readers: I've updated "The Chronicles of Nugget" to include our 36 week picture.
----------
Back during Halloween, I wrote an entry about being too HUGE to get into my car... for reference, see post.

Anyway, IT HAPPENED!!! Luckily, I was with Tim and he just had to back out of the parking space in order for me to get in. Let me explain. First of all we were in Alexandria where space is sparce and it's proven by the tiny parking spaces found in that city and in this case the car was a regular oversized model, however, it was parked within its space.

So far, this has happened three times so far... AWESOME! I wish I had our camera; I'd have documented it.

Growth Spurt!

2008-12-19T10:12:00.004-05:00

Just posted my 34w picture (see slideshow) and DUDE... I'm huge!! Little nugget has grown so much in the past two weeks!!!

"picture book, pictures of your mamma, taken by your papa a long time ago..."

2008-12-18T13:02:00.013-05:00

So, after numerous pleas for pictures of nugget's nursery, the requests are finally granted. Without further ado (to include to addition of nick-naks and such) we present "Nuggetland."
Alas, due to its small size (and crappy camera), the photos are not super. l'd like to give props to the following:

Designer/Wonderful person who helped me decide what to do: Buffy G.
Carpenters (that fabulous shelving that goes around the room): my dad (grampa) and Tim
Painters: my mom (grammy), grampa and Tim
Furniture: Craiglist and Tim's undying love of the hunt and the perfect nursery furniture

Yep, you guessed it... l wasn't allowed anywhere near the nursery. (l managed from the remote and distant basement.) Let me tell ya, that was SO hard. l am truly thankful for Tim and my parent's for doing this and l think it looks lovely.l'd also like to include a few other pictures. The first is a picture of the three sweaters and matching hats my mom (grammy) crocheted for nugget. They are amazing and were the hit of the baby shower. She also crocheted a white ABC blanket. Move over Martha!!! (No photo 'coz my camera ran outta batteries.)

Here are some photo's from Thanksgiving (notice the preggo lady with a mouth full of food). (Pictured... me, Grammy, Grampa, Sherry and Emily Pinkard)
(Pictured... Emily, Grandma Pinkard, Nanny Wently (great-grandma), Greg and Jared Pinkard, Tim and l, and Grammy)

These next photos were taken on the day my parent's left. l echo again... blue is not my color!

lt's a wonderful thing...

2008-12-10T14:18:00.006-05:00

lt's been almost a month since l have seen Dr. Erica, my chiropractor (Maimonides Chiropractic) and my lower back (sciatica) was letting me know. l went this morning and received a treat. l GOT TO LAY ON MY TUMMY!!! l repeat, it was a wonderful thing! She had a little pillow with a great belly cut out and l laid down... ahhhh, bliss!

(Yes, yes... the "i" still isn't working.. My uppercases are lowercase "L's". We need to send the laptop in but it's hard to go without the convenience of our computer/laptop. Last time we sent it in we were without it for almost a month.)

Ok, next entry WlLL be the review of Thanksgiving and my parent's visit... maybe even a pic of the nursery!! F-U-N!

ln parting, l leave you with this photo of Tim and l at the lSM Christmas Dance... color us giddy!

33 weeks and counting

2008-12-08T17:15:00.004-05:00

l've just updated "The Chronicles of Nugget" slideshow to the right with my 32w photo, so check it out. Also, l apologize for the belated blog entry. l choose to share just one excuse... my parents were visiting from Texas and l was quite distracted. An update to include Thanksgiving and my Baby Shower will come shortly.

l am... 29 weeks!

2008-11-12T11:39:00.004-05:00

This is for my friend Julie (from Bol-i in Peru… not wait Scotland). She “tagged” me in the last line of her entry so I thought I’d accept her “challenge” and post it on my blog.

I am… fat and happy.
I want… a Grande Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks… sigh; oh, or a pint of Blue Bell Ice Cream, but I’d settle for Baskin Robbins. (I think my sweet tooth is back.)
I have… no idea how my friends juggle life with kids.
I wish… Dorothy’s ruby red slippers were real.
I hate… it that I have such a short fuse.
I fear… being a parent.
I search… for where my energy scampers off to every day.
I wonder… whether angels can still fall, why I have green eyes one day and brown another, whether nugget senses how I’m feeling, what heaven will be like and who wrote the book of love.
I always… wish I did more.
I usually… am starving at mid-night and must eat upon waking.
I am not… good with names.
I dance… like the Robert Palmer Addicted to Love girls! (Don’t lie you’re singin’ that song right now! Sorry.)
I hear... (or I read) that an average woman’s uterus expands to 500 times it’s normal size.
I sing… more because I know little nugget can hear me.
I never… realized how happy I’d be being fat and nauseous with heartburn, swollen feet and a sore back. Life is blissful.
I rarely… go a day without heartburn… ugh.
I cry… when I see/hear hearts worshipping. Specifically when a congregation is singing their loudest and the musicians cut off their instruments so all that’s left are our voices. I love that! Oh and D.C. Washington can always bring tears to my eyes.
I am not always… aware of my girth.
I lose… gallons of fluid a day thanks to my compulsive need to pee.
I’m confused… as to why I’m still visited by the pre-pubescent acne fairy at 31.
I need… focus, energy and right now a hot fudge Sunday… mmmmmm.
I miss… SUSHI, lying on my tummy, copious amounts of caffeine and the friends that I never get to see.
I dream… in familiar fitful images, kinda like flipping through channels on the TV.
I TAG… you, YOU’RE IT!!! Anyone wanna try? It’s fun and makes you think.

l'm 28 weeks... photo update!

2008-11-06T11:05:00.004-05:00

ln case you haven't noticed, l have been updating the slideshow to the right of the blog. l just posted week 28... that's 12 more weeks people. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Also, if you want to see a larger version of the slideshows (for instance the Costume Party or the Chronicles of Nugget), just click on one and it will direct you my web album on Picasa.

Pictures from the Sr. High Fall Retreat Costume Party

2008-11-05T13:57:00.007-05:00

Here are a few pictures from the Sr. High Fall Retreat costume party. Thanks to Michelle Jones for helping me make my Mrs. Bones costume and thanks to KMART for supplying Tim with a goofy costume.

l got the name Mrs. Bones from Kamber and Sara Grace Dancy. They call the skeletons that they see on Halloween "Mr Bones" perhaps to lessen the skeleton's scary-ness. l think it's VERY smart!! The unfortunate side-affect is that l've been singing that "Mr. Bones" song from White Christmas for the two weeks prior to actually wearing the costume... to include the entire weekend. lt drove me KA-RAY-ZEE!! For those of you that don't know the little jingle l'm talking about, here are the lyrics:

"Mr. Bones? Mr. Bones? How do you feel, Mr. Bones?"
"Rattlin’!"
"Mr. Bones feels rattlin’. Ha ha. That’s a good one."
"Tell a little story, Mr. Bones."
"A funny little story, Mr. Bones!"
"How do you stop an angry dog from biting you on Monday?"
"That joke is old. The answer is to kill the dog on Sunday!"
"That’s not how you stop a dog from biting you on Monday!"
"How do you bring a thing about?"
"Have the doggy’s teeth pulled out!"

Whew, it really is annoying to have that song in your head.

(FYl... the letter "i" stll doesn't work; l'm just using that fantastic copy/paste feature.)

Happy Halloween

2008-10-30T14:23:00.004-04:00

That's me, c.1979... rght mom!?

As you can tell am unable to use the letter ... wat, the letter "eye." Thanks to the clumsness that comes wth pregnancy, splled some water on my keyboard. Boo s rght! Really t's just typcal me, but f you reference my September 18th blog entry, you'll understand. So please bear wth me. For now, =1... mean, the letter "eye" wll be represented by the number 1.

1'm 27 weeks and 1 feel great. 1'm gett1ng rather large but not too accordng to my OB. (See sl1de show to your r1ght.) 1'm feel1ng l1ttle nugget move qu1t a b1t and my back, neck, head, legs are all do1ng great! Pra1se the Lord! 1 bel1eve pregnancy agrees w1th me. The only th1ng we're really deal1ng w1th are these RAG!NG mood sw1ngs. Well, actually 1t doesn't effect me so much as T1m... sorry babe. He's awesome though, understand1ng that 1t's the 1nflux of hormones that my body 1s try1ng to sort out and deal w1th. Luck1ly, these mood sw1ngs are coupled w1th slowness 1n the bra1n wh1ch means 1'm putt1ng James 1:19-20 1nto pract1ce. Th1s verse has been on my m1nd a lot.

"Know th1s, my beloved brothers: let every person be qu1ck to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the r1ghteousness of God."

Remember 1n my last paragraph, when ment1oned that 1 was gett1ng HUGE? Well, 1 was wonder1ng: When I park my car 1n one of those real sk1nny park1ng spots and an overs1zed SVU parks r1ght next to me, how am 1 go1ng to get 1n my car? When am 1 go1ng to be THAT B!G? Yeah… 1 had that problem today. Although 1t wasn’t so much and overs1zed SUV as 1t was one of those people who never learned how to park. 1 was able to get 1nto my car but the quest1on d1d occur to me as 1 was attempt1ng to squeeze nugget and myself 1nto my car. 1 k1nda w1sh 1t would happen; 1t would be a GREAT blog entry. :O)

(Whew... that wasn't too bad. 1t's just one letter. Happy read1ng!)

My head is hung and slowly shaking left to right...

2008-10-17T21:05:00.004-04:00

A month... sigh.

Ashamed. That's it. That's the word that describes how I feel. Please forgive this pregnant lady and her inability to update her blog. I do however update the slide show to the right, "The Chronicles of Nugget" and "Baby PINK says, 'I'm this big...'" As far as accumulating enough focus and energy to write down a continuous fluid thought... I'm gonna play the Pregnancy Card.

However, be aware that my guilt may build to a large scale and regurgitate an emotional pregnant mess all over this blog.

My New Favorite Game

2008-09-18T12:08:00.004-04:00

I love to play cards. My favorite game would have to be Nerts. For those of you unfamiliar with it, it’s a type of speed solitaire that you play with others. It can become very dramatic, as all of you know that I am. You gotta watch out for those silent types though… they always getcha and I have yet to beat my main nemesis… oh yeah, that’s you Julie Taguding!!! I love this game! I learned to play in Colorado with our Seminary friends and then played even larger games with our church’s younger married’s class. My first introduction to card games came a long time ago, long enough to be one of those dark, fuzzy memories that smells accompany. My grandmother, better known as Granny, taught me to play Old Maid with these huge fantastic cards that smelled like old books and sherry. Those memories of playing with her in there old house with orange carpet makes me happy and hungry for frozen butterfingers.

Well, I’ve been introduced to a new game… a type of solitaire. I play this game a lot, called "I'm pregnant". It's an easy game and lasts 9 months. It includes only 1 player and the rules are easy. Anytime I have a brain fart (or any other kind), commit a faux paux, have a senior moment, pregnant pause (ha ha, pun), eat a vat of hummus with extra garlic, fail to update my blog or have to excuse myself every 30 minutes for a pee run; I simply play the pregnancy card. There are many benefits to playing the pregnancy card; it can get you a better parking spot, a more comfortable seat, many well-wishes and smiles, a slew of helpful advice (some comical) and great embarrassing stories from your friends who have gone through the same thing. This is the best “game” ever! Granny would be so proud!

"Sugar and spice and everything nice,..."

2008-09-02T15:18:00.017-04:00

That's right! For those of you who know your nursery rhymes, we are having a GIRL!!!!!!!!

We had a great sonogram technician who got some great images of our little PINK girl and YES, to go on with the tradition of being a PROUD mom and dad, we are including a portion of her portfolio, however kidneys, spine, etc. are excluded.

She's so sweet sucking on her thumb. I guess we'll have to prepare ourselves for braces.

This is little nugget being social and waving to her fans.

Here she is in deep thought taking her Rodin stance or (queue the Napoleon Dynamite quote) she's striking a pose for her Glamour Shot.

"Okay, turn you head on more of a slant... Now, make a fist. Slowly ease it up underneath your chin. This is looking really good. K, hold still right there. Now, just imagine you're weightless, in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by tiny little seahorses. [takes the picture] That was the one. I think that's gonna come out really nice."

Nugget is getting tired of her "photo-shoot" and is ready to go to sleep,...

but not after flashing a great big smile at the "camera".

aw... nugget is loved

2008-09-01T19:39:00.011-04:00

So the last night of summer (Sunday night) we were visited by the toliet paper fairy. This time it wasn't just for Tim and I, but the papering was in honor of nugget... hence the babyfood and the due date which was cotton stuck in the grass with MANY toothpicks. The perps got us in the front AND back; we were even AWAKE when they did this. I don't know where Hurley was. She DID NOT do her bark-at-any-noise-or-anything-that-moves job. She definately enjoyed the backyard, after she smelled each swag and licked what she could.

GEEZ, Pinkard... update your blog already!

2008-08-27T21:28:00.009-04:00

I am so ashamed that it has been 6 weeks since I've updated with a picture and 4 weeks since I posted anything at all. Shame... shame on me! (Please envision standing in front of a mirror, left hand on hip, shaking my pointed finger at my own glaring reflection.)

Well, here I am... 18 weeks. I am finding it hard to move, bend over, high kick, split leap...etc. For those of you who haven't tried it, go to the store and get a melon (cantaloupe, honey dew... whatever) and sit in a chair with the melon in your lap. (It would work better if you strapped it to your tummy or stuck it down your pants, but I'm not gonna suggest that... just mention it.) Anyway, with melon in lap, knock over your water bottle so that it rolls under your seat and then (without moving the melon) bend over and blindly search for your precious water. I say blindly because you can't bend over far enough to see where the bottle went and if you do the melon plays 'squash the banana' with your internal organs.

Enough of that little experiment. The past four weeks (since I last posted) have been pretty smooth. I'm hungry all the time yet I can't eat that much. My stomach is being smashed into a small crevice due to the organs following suit and making more room for my melon sized uterus. I don't mind being hungry during the day, but when it hits 10pm and I'm laying in bed ready to commit to some beauty sleep and my stomach is starts growling... that's when it gets confusing. Should I suffer through my stomachs scream for food? Feed the beast and deal with the repercussions later (possible heartburn) and oh! my favorite... brushing my teeth again.

Really though, these two items are not as large as an issue as my sarcasm make you think. I'm ok with this. Tim thinks it's funny and so far, I think the same thing. Pregnancy has been wonderful and we are so thankful for this miracle!!

ATTENTION! 5 days left to vote on the sex of baby PINK. Tim and I find out on Tues. Sept 2nd.

"It moved!"

2008-08-03T20:18:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I flew to Texas to celebrate with my family because my brother Eisen is getting married on the 9th. Anyway, I was sitting in the terminal @ Reagan Nat'l Airport waiting to board the plane and reading (for the 2nd time) The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. As I'm reading, my mind is drifting off to the mid 19th century trying to visualize the character I'm reading about but only seeing Daniel Day Lewis... Anyway, like I said, I was reading and something happened. I don't know what exactly but it felt like someone strummed their fingers on the inside of my tummy, so I froze... you know, the way you freeze when you hear a noise at night and you're not sure what it was so you wait for it to happen again so you can identify it. It took me a second to remember that I WAS PREGNANT and realize that movement may have just been little nugget. But I wasn't sure because it didn't happen again. However, through deductive reasoning and sheer hope and excitement, I concluded that IT WAS nugget; because it wasn't a stomach twinge, rumble and it sure wasn't digestion or (blush) gas (which I've grown more acquainted with)... this was different.

Once I decided that this was in fact nugget a giddy, large, twitterpaited type grin spread across my face. I'll never forget that feeling.

"For you created my inward parts; you wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works and my soul knows it well." - Psalm 139:13-14

"Real Women Have Curves"... I get it now!

2008-07-28T17:48:00.006-04:00

I know, I know… it’s been 12 days since I’ve posted. I’m just happy that Tim is home from Rwanda and got a little side-tracked.

Well, here I am at the end of 13 weeks…

It’s funny, once I began to get curves (when Aunt Flo started her monthly visits) and I went from undershirts to the official pre-bra/sports-type/AAs, my mind has been conditioned that gaining weight is BAD. So when I lose weight I feel achievement, healthy, pretty and when I gain weight, I feel just the opposite. This gaining weight as a necessity, as in there is no way around it, is going against everything that I know. It’s just a little weird.

Speaking of gaining weight…
Tim and I were at Unique Thrift Store (shocking, I know) and, as I was waiting for Tim to finish hunting for junk and bargains, I went to see if they had maternity clothes. They have a small section, er… row, and amidst the “no way-jose” and “quick call What Not To Wear” I found 3 pants 1 jeans and a dress all for $21. Score! I need shirts more than I need pants right now though… the girls are trying to bust loose. Funny, I need maternity clothes more for my (er) upper-half than my lower… well, at least for now.

Hurley becomes aware... or she's just being Hurley

2008-07-16T10:44:00.005-04:00

I just had the sweetest moment with Hurley. There wouldn’t have been this confusion had she been able to SPEAK.

So, I’m sittin’ here reading my email and watching one of the seven installments of Scrubs that’s on everyday, when Hurley (who’s sitting on HER side of the couch) starts to belly crawl over to me. Once she is nose to tummy, she starts sniffing like I’m hiding a treat under my shirt. Then… she starts to lick where she’d been sniffing, puts her little paw on my tummy and then looks up at me with those big brown eyes. Now, I know that she’s a dog but… “aaaaawwwwwww”! I unrealistically though, “she knows!” I got a little teary and then realized… wait for it… I hadn’t changed since I spilt Baskin Robbin’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream on my shirt. Sure enough, I moved her over and she had been licking the very spot. Pffbbt! She wasn’t trying to connect with nugget, she doesn’t know that I’m preggers and that the world as she knows it will change come January… she was begging for some more ice cream!!

I went from crying to laughing out loud… needless to say Hurley freaked, jumped off the couch and began chasing her tail. (As a reminder to me that… YEP, she’s a dog.)

Now, I don’t make it a habit of letting Hurley lick my tummy. I mean, she’s a licker and I don’t let her just go to town and lick to her little doggy hearts content. I’m trying to get her to deny her cat side. I think things around me are just being filtered through my pregnant eyes.

Why am I sharing this with you? Well, not only is it embarrassing on many levels… it’s just dang funny!!!!!

freakin' out, pregnant style...

2008-07-14T15:07:00.000-04:00

Ok, this is COMPLETELY different from that of a non-pregnant freak out. I'm talking WHOLE BODY reaction.

Saturday night I thought the life, which now means more than my own, that meticulously and miraculously grows inside me... was in trouble. I was vacuuming; now, when I told my mom this she did that short shocked inhaled “oh no” breath, but really, am I not supposed to vacuum. Well, actually… now that I think about it; I guess I don’t MIND letting Tim do that.

Anyway, to keep this suitable for most people, I’ll just say that I felt something and went to check it out and OH-MY-GOSH!!!!!!!!!! I (understandingly) began to freak out! Then came large amounts of perspiration involved, my body was shaking, my eyes were scarlet with crying and my gag reflex was being invoked.

I called Dr. Rothschild completely forgetting that he (along with Tim) was in Rwanda. I then called my OBGYN office, then Bethany Drum. She came over and stayed with me. God bless her friendship.

...that was Saturday. Sunday I sat on my bum and practiced "taking it easy." I called this morning (Monday) to get an appointment and they had one open at 930am, so Bethany took me in (14 July). We were able to hear the heartbeat and see little nugget via sonogram. It was movin’ all over the place. (Sweet relief!) I think it was doing the happy dance... as was I.

Without anymore details… everything is ok. Praise the Lord! Here is a picture of nugget's happy dance.

cookin' for 10 weeks

2008-07-14T14:58:00.000-04:00

In 6th grade our class had an incubater for these fuzzy little yellow chicks. They were so cute but smelled ridiculously fowl... padum-bum-ching! (Insert cheesy laugh here.)

K... so here is a human incubater, praise the Lord... I smell like sunshine and daisy's.

Well this is just an awkward picture. I feel compelled to sing Madonna's Vogue... "strike a pose." I don't really know how to pose in this look-how-fat-I'm-gettin' pictures. I'm relieved that I don't have to hold in my tummy but what I realize is that IT'S necessary that the girls get a new corral.

Note taken: I'll smile next time.

nugget's first close-up

2008-07-14T14:51:00.000-04:00

This was taken June 11; I believe I was almost in my 7th week (or specifically 6w6d). The picture at the top has the heartbeat depicted on the bottom. The second picture is just a closer image.

I personally think that I have THE MOST beautiful (inutero) baby that I have EVER seen and that my uterus and the surrounding area is SLAMMIN'!

Oh yeah, baby PINK, due January 29, 2009.