To Do: Buy Matt a truck

Note: Pretend like this is a new development.

My husband is perfect is nearly every way.  (Yes, I realize it's almost Christmas time.) He's also nearly identical to his own dad, John...well, except for this one thing.  Matt loves to switch vehicles!  So when he got a truck at the end of October, he decided to keep it a secret until his dad came to Little Rock to visit us in November.  John just smiled...and likely his nose flared a bit (a trait they both share).

In the 18 years he has been able to drive, Matt has owned a few vehicles.  Here's the stats:

1. 1989 gray Pontiac Grand Am with 2.2L turbo

2. 1997 red Ford Ranger (later driven by his sister and converted to a monster truck)

3. 1999ish white GMC Sonoma

4 . 1996 red Ford Ranger Supercab (sold it to that identical dad in 1998, who yes, still has it)

5. 1994 white Pontiac Sunbird (sold this to his Aunt Kara)
     * Also had a work van during this time
    
6. 1999 white Chevy Shortbed

7. 2002 taupe Ford Taurus (formerly my car)

8. 2007 silver Dodge Ram
     * Sold this when CAT was doing major layoffs and we wanted to get rid of a vehicle payment.

8.5 2009 red scooter (couldn't make it up the hill to our house in Little Rock; sold to CAT employee who  still drives it to work daily)

9. 2005 taupe Ford Taurus (barely made the drive from South Carolina to Little Rock to South Carolina)

10. 2007 white Ford Edge (bought it in South Carolina to get cheaper taxes right before we moved)

11. 2008 Razorback Red Ford F150 (Matt swears that "Mateo" will drive this one day...he has to keep it awhile anyway...Mateo has to wear this shirt we got him)

Other Notes:

* We started dating in 1998 when he had #5

* We got married in 2003.  He has since gone through 8 vehicles in that 8 year period.

* Let's do the math: 33% were white; 33 % were neutral (gray/taupe/silver); 33% were red
* Matt's dad has had 6 cars in the past 30 years. He still drives and owns 50% of them!

* Matt has a very patient, understanding, loving wife.

To Do: Wait for a Baby

Waiting, waiting...waiting for a baby (My 4-H House sisters know how that chant goes!)

Holy cow!  It's only a matter of time.  Everyone tells you that the time will fly.  I think those first few weeks, when we knew but were waiting to tell, were the longest. Part of me wants him to hurry and get here, but part of me is not quite ready. 

Here's a new belly shot for you, along with a sneak peak at the nursery. I'm still waiting on the letter Z to arrive, then I'll unveil the final alphabet project!


As most of you know, I'm a worry-wart. Big time!  My friend, Jamie, will tell you that I worry about crazy, irrational things.  But ironically, I'm not as worried about child birth as I thought I would be.  (I reserve the right to change this statement as I enter the hospital though).  Sure it took myself a few many years to be convinced that my wimpiness could handle birth, but now I know I have no choice.  Thanks for all those who shared their horror stories, but really, I just don't want to know what to expect come d-day.  We are all off better that way.  We skipped the $65 childbirth class--sorry nurses, you will just have to tell me what to do.  (Like I'm going to remember anything anyway...I know I'll be panicked!).  I used to be worried that my water would break in some embarrassing public location, but I've since learned that only 10% actually have their water break naturally anyway, and it's almost always at night.  Let's hope I didn't just jinx myself there. 

I'll be the first to admit that I have had an easy pregnancy.  It's probably God's way of encouraging me to do this again sometime.  The last few weeks have brought about the feet in my ribs, the constant acid reflux, and swollen hands (I've managed to get my wedding ring off, but not the other ring...shoot!).  And I even have the waddle going on most days.  But really, it's not bad at all.  I imagine that "Mateo" is probably more anxious about getting out.  I think this may be his thoughts:

My doctor told me a few weeks ago that I make pregnancy look easy.  I assured her that she would be earning every $ on delivery day! (Crossing my fingers that SHE actually is my delivery doctor!). 

It seems as though not unveiling the name has been more torturous for everyone else.  Only a little longer people!  We picked out our boy and girl name almost instantly after we found out we were expecting.  It will be so nice to actually use it!  But the worry-wart in me worries that with all the anticipation, people will be disappointed or won't like it (which is exactly why I don't want to hear that BEFORE the name is given...I'll just keep changing my mind).  But for those of you that are curious, we will give you a hint: It did make the list of Top 100 names of 2011.  That should help you narrow it down.  Oh, and only 1 of you has guessed correctly :)