Turning 26

We have decided to make our trip to see Behold the Lamb of God at the Ryman an annual one - that is until it hit us that next year it might be a bit more difficult to manage :) We'll just have to see how that works out, won't we? It is such a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday and the Christmas season all at once.

We checked in at the Union Station Hotel just before hitting the town.

The lobby of this place is unbelievable. Another one of those perks of being a teacher is getting a discount at hotels on the historic register.

We dined at the Spaghetti Factory, just like last year, then walked to the Ryman. Let me just say, it's a good thing that place has so much history because their wooden pews ain't so comfy. The show makes the constant rear-shifting worth it though. The music was again breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and refreshing. Andrew Peterson's awkward introductions always make for some good laughs too. I was so excited to see Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None the Richer) on the program, but when she tried to sing along and didn't even know the words, I was flabbergasted. What disrespect! It almost distracted me so much that I couldn't enjoy the final song, but Jill Phillips' soul-piercing harmonies quickly brought me back. Thanks, Jill. Hope to see the whole crew again next year!

Before leaving town on Friday, we made a quick (well, I sure tried to make it quick) stop at Anthropologie and the Mall at Green Hills. I discovered my new favorite and much too expensive children's clothing store - Janie and Jack. At least I can find it on ebay! Of course, we couldn't leave town without dropping by the Cheesecake Factory either. Their cobb salad is the best. Well, that and their strawberry cheesecake.

This entire long weekend felt just like a repeat of last year because we had a Christmas party with our small group the day after we returned from Nashville - on my birthday - just like last year.

It really was a miserable time. Can you tell?

The ladies are a bit easier to gather for a photo.

Turning 26 this year felt pretty good - well, besides the persistent nausea. But other than that, it was a fun weekend surrounded by all my favorites. Thanks everyone!

Madelyn's Date Night

Looks like we have a track record for skipping out on birthday parties this year, but I missed Maddie's celebration at Chucky Cheese due to a photo shoot so we took her out for a date night instead.

First stop: Target. She got to pick out her own presents. Easy enough.

She ended up with a massive Princess activity book, a regular book, and her favorite - the $2 microphone.

Funny side story. We also picked up a gift for a Dirty Santa while we were there. Though we didn't realize it until the following night on our way to the Dirty Santa exchange, we left the gift in Maddie's bag. No biggie, we thought, we'll just drive over and pick it up. Trouble was, Maddie thought the Punkie Brewster DVD was hers, so they opened it up and watched it the night before. Apparently she is now a Punkie Brewster fan; we just couldn't bear taking it away from her, so we picked up a can of Spam on the way to the party instead. No harm, no foul :)

And what birthday date would be complete without a little ice cream?

I am proud to have given Maddie her first Marble Slab experience. And let it be noted that I had none. This pregnancy thing is really messing with me!

Here's a link to the reason I missed the party :)

Country Bumpkins

Kim, Brooke, Me, Angelina, Rachel

We headed out Friday evening for a whirlwind weekend of shopping. What we didn't know is that our lodging would really be the highlight of the trip. Brooke has a family connection to the CEO of Earthlink who happens to own a lovely place in Park Place on Peachtree (that he often leaves vacant). Every inch of this place was decorated for Christmas - the table setting, the towels in the bathrooms, the glass containers on the bookshelves. It was a study in understated elegance.

We, on the other hand, were quite the opposite. Between valets and doormen, men coming to unlock the apartment and carry our bags, we didn't know what to do with ourselves. By Sunday, they all realized we would just rather do it ourselves (and not fork over the $3), and they quit trying to do everything for us. They sure were nice, but that life is just not for us. I think we all agreed that we prefer the portion God has given us in little old Powell, Tennessee. We looked only a bit conspicuous in this building where Elton John currently owns an apartment and where Oprah just recently sold hers.

Thanks, Rolla, for letting us country bumpkins invade your penthouse suite. Too bad I didn't snap a picture of the sunrise this morning. Incredible.

The shopping was a bit more challenging this year with my persistent nausea. I haven't actually gotten sick (thank goodness!), but for the last week, if I'm not sleeping or eating, I feel sick. Seems like a cure would be to snack lightly throughout the day, but food is just not appealing right now. I've had pizza four times in the last week because it's often the only thing I can imagine eating. I should mention that I did okay last night at Pappasito's though :) I've heard

some women tell me it will only last a few more weeks while another told me today that because I get car sick, it will last the entire nine months! It's all good though. When I imagine actually holding a baby in my arms in July, none of this stuff in between seems to matter.

The other highlight of the weekend was this morning's service at Buckhead Church.

Todd Fields and the rest of the band, choir, and orchestra opened with a medley of Christmas carols sang to the arrangement of some U2, Coldplay, and Justin Timberlake. It was nothing short of incredible. God has gifted those people with some serious talent and creativity. I must admit that many Christmas songs had become somewhat ritualistic for me, but not today. I was moved. And the rest of the auditorium was moved to their feet for a standing ovation. Thank you Buckhead Church for the fresh, poignant insight into the Christmas season.

ATL

Tomorrow I'm headed to Atlanta for the annual Christmas shopping trip. This will be mine and Angelina's third trip, but we've got some novices joining us this time. Kim, Rach, and Brooke are in for some marathon shopping and fantastic eating. Pappasito's here we come! Actually, I hope I can handle the Mexican deliciousness. As of right now my diet is consisting mostly of unsalted saltines (how's that for an oxymoron?) and bran flakes. Oh, and Smoothie King. Thanks, Mom!

Since I've actually finished all of my Christmas shopping, I'm focusing on filling out Andrew's wardrobe and getting myself some new winter items. Again, thanks Mom! She so graciously allows us to buy our own Christmas presents, she pays us back, and she wraps them for us to open on Christmas Eve. She's a good one!

I'm most excited about heading to Anthropologie. Girls, just to warn you, I could spend at least an hour in that dressing room. We'll definitely need to split up. I've got my heart set on this top.

But with its hefty price tag I keep thinking, "That would almost buy a bedding set for a crib." Wow, this motherhood thing really changes everything doesn't it? :)

We Have a Heartbeat!

What we learned at today's ultrasound:

• I'm 5 weeks 6 days.
• The heartbeat started yesterday. Ah-mazing.
• The heartbeat was 113 beats per minute - too early for the gender test. Any thoughts on whether or not it's true that girls' heartbeats are faster?
• Baby McAffry measured at 3 millimeters. So unbelievably tiny!
• My due date is July 28. Andrew is already worried about deciding to send Baby Mc to kindergarten at 4 or 5 years old. Guess we will have time to figure that out :)

The first of a multitude of pictures to come!

Out of the Closet

I think it's about time to admit that I've been hiding something. No, really - hiding it in the back of my guest bedroom closet. Here goes. Over the last few years I have collected a few items in preparation for Baby McAffry. They were all great deals and were just too cute to resist.

Can't you just imagine snuggling with a tiny baby in this so soft Laura Ashley onesie? And how perfect is it that with the baby coming in the summer, the size should be just right?

If memory serves me correctly, Mom and I got this while buying Christmas gifts for all the baby girls born in our family last year. It's Ralph Lauren - our favorite!

This one just might be my favorite. When Andrew and I were in Charleston just months after being married, I found this. He was a little hesitant, but just like he accepted all my Bride's magazines when we were dating, he allowed it.

Don't take this sampling of clothes to mean I only want a girl. In fact, I would love to have a boy first. It's just that girls are more fun to buy for! I know many couples won't admit to a preference for a boy or a girl, but you know we all have them. Of course, we will be delighted either way, but there it is. I said it. It's out of the closet. Really though, I'm so anxious to hear a heartbeat tomorrow that nothing else really matters.

The Big News

You may have noticed the blog silence here at The Handwriting on the Wall as of late. It's not that I didn't have anything to say; it's just that everything seemed insignificant until I could say this. After five years of marriage, Andrew and I are excited to announce that this party of two is about to become a party of three. We're going to be parents!

As excited as we were to find out, we were almost as excited to tell my parents. Check out this video to see the play by play.

Check this link if the video above doesn't work.

What did Mom and I do immediately after sharing the good news? Go to Target of course!

I'm so glad we didn't run into anybody we knew because our giddy faces would have given us away. We had to buy something gender neutral, so we went with the multifunctional Boppy. The lady at the cash register asked if we needed a gift receipt, and we both couldn't stop giggling. "No, we don't need a gift receipt. It's for us!"

I can't wait to see this Dad in action.

Me on the day of the first ultrasound.

Mom brought me a Pregnancy Survival Kit complete with Tums, chocolate, and baby lotion - just to get used to the baby smell. :)

With the cookies, doughnuts, and brownies Mama Ese has been bringing me, I might be needing this a little sooner than expected. Thanks, Rachel!

My next ultrasound on Tuesday should provide me with a more definitive due date. I look forward to journaling Baby McAffry's development with you all.

Things have been busy over at the Sarah C. Photography blog. Click here to check it out.