Purchase, Purchase, Purchase

My well known love of shopping has prompted several of my friends to inquire as to what I have purchased for "the kid". I think I surprise all of them when I calmly say to them "Uh...nothing".

But here's the deal...while many of our friends and family are thinking and seeing all of the $5-10 cute outfits and shoes that they would love to see "the kid" rockin', I'm seeing and researching the $250 cribs and $225 strollers that "the kid" needs in order to be safe. Gotta prioritize! We are thankful for the surprise gift we already received from Aunt Tasha (Charles' sister), cute outfits we got a glimpse of from Nana (Charles's mom), and nice picture frame from Aunt Endia (good friend of the family).

However, I am pleased to report that on April 21, I bought the first item for the kid!! It was something I orginally saw when Charles and I started a registry, but chose not to purchase in attempts to try and hold out. Well I didn't want it to be gone by the time a shower came around, so I had to snatch it up for the "the kid". Do you like...

No Thank you

"The kid" does not like pineapple!!

Last month, I needed a snack while at work and remembered that I had some fresh pineapple in refigerator. I was about 3/4 finished eating the pineapple when my stomach started feeling...different. A coworker was in my office and I told her, "I don't think the kid likes pineapple."

Several weeks later my stomach didn't feel so good shortly after getting to work. I thought perhaps I just needed to use the restroom, but when that didn't work, I just worked through the uncomfortableness. Later that afternoon, that same coworker was in my office and I mentioned to her that my stomach was hurting and all I had was an Eggo and fruit salad that morning. She immediately said, "You didn't eat pineapple did you?" I looked at her with the strangest look thinking "What's so bad about pineapple and how would you know you've never been pregnant?" So I finally answered her question and said "Yeah, why?", remembering that the fruit salad had pineapples, strawberries, peaches, etc. She said, "You said the kid doesn't like pineapple." I immediately responded "Oh My Goodness, you're right." I was so happy at that moment, I could have fallen out of my chair. Just to know why my stomach was feeling uncomfortable. I thought it was crazy that someone else had to remind me what "the kid" didn't like, but hey she was the only one that was around when it first happened so she was the only one that could remind me of that. Needless to say after that, I called Charles to inform him that "your child doesn't like pineapple" so he could also remind me not to eat it. He simply proclaimed "I doubt it...try it again later." Uhhhh, no thanks brother!

It's a shame that pineapples are everywhere now! Being that this is the only dislike I have discovered for "the kid" it is still a little difficult to remember. I mean even today, I was in the grocery store looking for pineapple orange juice. Thankfully they didn't have it and then I remember..."uhhh might not wanna do that."

1 Year Down

It was one year ago (3 days ago), that my best homeboy and I stood in front of our friends and family during a pretty easy going ceremony (that fit our personalities) and said "I do..." wanna do this for life.

Well I woke up Sunday morning, looked at Charles, and said to myself, "Yep, no regrets". We made it through our first year of marriage!

Being that it was Easter Sunday, we went to the church of Pastor Long, who married us. Then we had dinner with Pastor Long and his family and my parents. Lots of laughed shared with good people. Shout out to the Long Family! We had intentions of watching our wedding video, but watched Celebrity Apprentice instead and fell asleep before it was over. Hahahaha! What can we say, we did just return from the 3-day CIAA baseball tournament in VA. It didn't end up the way we would have liked (2nd place), but thankful never the less for a good season (conference record 24-4).

Even after a year, still loving our pictures... http://agarfield.smugmug.com/Weddings/Tameka

It's Really Me

Today is a better day already, compared to how I felt yesterday. Thank God!

As I was leaving home this morning I heard Kirk Franklin's new song "I Smile". I've heard the song before, but honestly hadn't really listened to the lyrics. The words that caught me this morning were "Today's a new day..." and then I heard

"I smile, even though I hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile...
You look so much better when you smile, so smile.
Now everyday ain't gonna be perfect"

That did it for me! I can do this. Even though what I felt wasn't necessarily hurting, more like heavy/uncomfortable...it's gonna be alright.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5QNFow99SY

Now I do understand that this song was probably not meant the way I'm currently interpretting it, but hey it's working for me right now. Music can influence us in so many ways.

Yep...it's a new day, let's make it happen!

Well, I tried to get away with the belly picture for you all, but some of you have asked to see "ME". Head to toe, so here you go, taken this morning before work. Hope this is good enough Tasha and Brandi!

24 weeks

There's the man! He didn't want his picture taken this morning, but at least ya'll know he's alive and well.

Heavy but Smiling thru

This week has been BUSY! Work, extra curricular obligations, and weekend work obligations. None of this was a surprise and I prepared myself for it, however, I didn't prepare myself for the heaviness I would feel within my body. I've tried not to complain (much) during this process, but when you're not used to carrying around extra weight, a smile might not be reflected all the time.

Today, I needed a little assistance in making me smile so I went to YouTube. I typed in "heavy" and what came up...heavy metal, heavy rock, heavy rock........heavy d. : ) Oh how about a nice throw back jam courtesy of Heavy D. Now I almost chose to listen to Heavy D & The Boyz - Mr. Big Stuff, but again I didn't want this to seem like a complaint. So I chose, Heavy D & The Boyz - Nuttin' But Love. Because although I might feel big like Heavy D, we got "Nuttin' but love for the kid".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJEbfeG2oAE

If you can't view the video or are not familiar with the song, the chorus basically says:

"I got nuttin' but love for you baby,

I got nuttin' but love for you honey"

It also surprised me to see Cynthia from the Real Housewives of Atlanta and a couple other celebs, before they were the big names we recognize today.

By the way, many of you have informed me that you are reading the blog, but can't post comments (without signing up). I don't know what's up with that, but thanks for reading. : )