Long, Lost Volleyball

I miss playing volleyball. I really have been out of it for almost a year since I was preggers with Peanut last summer. After college, I was introduced to the volleyball world here in Greenville and would play just about year-round. I've come to love outdoor grass tournaments more than playing indoor.

Here's my first outdoor tournament. It was in September 2005 at the Labor Day Festival in Simpsonville. My partner, Joe, and I were definitely underdogs but made it to the finals...and lost. We were SO close! The prize for first place was money...quite a bit if I remember correctly. I walked away with no cash but did come away being proud I made it that far. Several times I thought I would pass out from the heat...wasn't used to playing outdoors. Thus began my obsession with outdoor tournaments.


This was a tournament in Charlotte. Katie and I quickly became doubles partners and did very well. We won first place in this tournament...might be hard to see but we're holdin our cash monies in the second picture. :)

This was at one of the big tournaments in Columbia - they're the most fun.


I know my form is horrible here but I like how high I actually got...not too shabby for 5'3 huh? :) I wasn't really taught a whole lot about volleyball. In fact, I played baseball/softball most of my life - walked on to my college volleyball team after my friend told me they needed more players. My freshman year in college, my coach taught me how to pass - I credit him for that. But then he left and we got a coach who had no experience and was very young and I had no further actual coaching.


This was at the Labor Day Festival tournament in 2007 - 2 years after my first debut...we won this one too :)


I even got Septtro interested and he started playing....this picture makes me so proud! :) We've played in a few coed tournaments together before but had to stop...the two of us on the same team wasn't working out so well. He's gotten back into playing indoor on Tuesdays and would like to get back into playing outdoor again soon.

I hope in the future I'll be able to get back into playing. I know and am thankful that the reason I'm not playing now is because my Ladybug is on her way. I'd much rather have her than be playing volleyball for sure...I just miss it. :) Ladybug will definitely be exposed to volleyball...that's for sure!

Charleston trip!

My mom and I went to Charleston this past weekend. I hadn't been to the beach in about 5 or 6 years and was looking forward to going back. The weather really wasn't that bad...but next beach trip, there are definitely things we'll remember to bring (such as our canopy, my beach volleyball, and a bigger cooler).


We found some parking along Palm Blvd that was free - woo hoo - and was right next to the public beach access.

Ladybug's first trip to the beach!


Ladybug served as a great umbrella holder for some shade. :)

Mom and I

After the beach, we were looking for somewhere to eat for lunch and stumbled upon the Cupcake store - $2.75 is a lot for one cupcake but man are they delicious!


By some miracle, I was able to wait outside in the heat for this yummy food - Jestines...downtown Charleston - so good! We ended up getting stranded inside because of a really bad thunderstorm - thus ruining our plans to go back to the beach that evening. We did get to go to Paolo's or something like that...it's gelato ice cream - not as impressed as I thought I'd be but it was good.

Sunday before we left, we hit the outlets. We found some really good deals at Carters and Gymboree. This is Ladybug's coming home outfit! I was SO excited to find it! Uh hum, notice, it's pink. ;)


I think I may have actually convinced my anti-beach husband to come to the beach next time. :) We had a really good time...so thankful we were able to go. Oh, and a big shout out to my good friend Kris for letting us crash at her house so we could spend money other fun places!!!

26 weeks

Week and day: 26 weeks 0 days - ladies and gentleman...I'm now in the single digits in my countdown - 97 days!!!

Belly Button in or out: definitely out

Wedding rings on or off: still off - although I tried my engagement ring on the other night and it seemed to fit ok but am still scared with this hot weather, they'll get stuck

Food cravings: steamed squash, sandwiches with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and big, juicy pickle!

Food aversions: none!

Nausea: gone!

Energy level: I've resorted back to a few naps here and there

Weight gain: I think close to 30 pounds - doctor said I was gaining healthily though

Mood: definitely starting to anticipate Ladybug's arrival!!

Maternity clothes: I plan to go to Miracle Hill to look for skirts and more shirts today or tomorrow...the store has been closed for a week or so due to storm damage - excited about what I may find!

Size of baby: eggplant

Changes of baby: weighs about two pounds - double from my last post! She's inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid as lungs develop, eyes fully developed (starts to open eyes and blink), brainwaves detectable

Next appointment: July 10th at 8:30AM - glucose screening test!!

Other: my ankles are almost gone and if I'm on my feet a lot, they will ache; tailbone hurts if I sit too long, her movements feel more like jabs now and I LOVE it :) So far, I've loved being pregnant....the comfortable and the not so comfortable - it's an amazing gift!

Here's a pic from Sunday...I was 25 weeks and 5 days

Pink - it's my favorite color

Ok so pink really isn't my faaaaavorite color - per se. But I've come to realize that many people are a bit timid or - dare I say - scared to give me anything for my Ladybug that even resembles the color pink. Please hear this: the color pink and I get along just fine. I would say we've become quite close friends these past few years. I may have misled some when I mentioned I hope if I have a girl, everything isn't completely pink. Allow me to clarify...I think pink is cute and believe Ladybudy will look absolutely gorgeous in it. In fact, I will welcome pink things of any sort. All I meant before was that I didn't want EVERYTHING (and I mean everything) to be pink. I mean, c'mon let's face it - too much of one color can be quite overwhelming; even downright boring. I guess I had nightmares about everything just being completely and utterly solid pink...like a huge bottle of Pepto exploded - leaving no traces of any other color. I don't mean I don't want anything solid pink...I just had these visions of my nursery and house turning into the house of pink.

All that to say, bring it on. Bring on the girly things - I'm ready! I realize I'm not the girliest of girls but I will help my Ladybug fully embrace her girliness to the best of my ability.

P.S. Please note: anything saying "I'm in charge", "I'm the boss", "attitude", "spoiled" or anything of the sort will not grace my Ladybug's precious caramel-colored skin no matter what color it is...sorry, but I just personally don't think it's cute and it's not the message I'd like her to send to others no matter how old she is.

P.P.S. Does this post make people want to get me absolutely NOTHING??? Perhaps I may find myself shopping for my own clothes for my Ladybug.

Ralphie Update

So I meant to type this a while ago - shortly after my post about our little stray doggie friend, Ralphie.

I did find a home for him - well, sort of. A lady contacted me from a rescue: Animal Welfare of Laurens County, Inc (and yes, it was legit - I researched it) where they have 3 acres of land for the dogs to play during the day and sleep in their kennels at night - which I'm sure Ralphie loved because he took to the kennel we put him in very nicely. They update all shots and take applications every weekend for adoptions. The adoption process is very strict - interview, visit home, contract involved. They do their best to make sure the dog will go to the best home possible.

I found his listing - she kept his name...Ralphie. :) Click here to see him. I think he's gained some weight...looks good.

She emailed me afterwards and thanked me for finding him a good place and not just dumping him at the pound where he'd hardly have a chance to make a family happy. I emailed back and asked how he was. She said he was doing fine and was her new shadow and he was, indeed, a very sweet lil guy. I haven't heard anything else but wish Ralphie the best. I cried when he left. Yes, I know...but he was so cute and sweet. And I'm pregnant.

Suka was actually kinda sad to see him go I think. They were playing very nicely before Ralphie went to the rescue. The next morning, she sniffed all over the front porch and garage for him.

I hope wherever Ralphie is, he's happy.

not my brightest idea

I was wearing a white shirt yesterday so I thought I'd zip up my favorite light jacket while eating lunch so if I spilled anything (there was ketchup involved), I could more easily get it out of my jacket than my white shirt. It didn't quite work out how I planned. It was zipped up completely for about a mili-second. Then this happened:


I had to slip it over my head to get it off...zipper wasn't budging. I've since been able to get it almost all the way back down and fixed except for this one last little nitch! Poor lil gray jacket.

CVS Pampers UNADVERTISED deal

***UPDATED***
I went at lunch to the CVS on State Park Road. They were SUPER helpful! I found out you can only use the Extra Care Bucks on more deals for Extra Care Bucks on the same card. Although, I was able to use my husband's card to get 3 more packs of Pampers (cause it's a limit of 3 packs per card). Then I used some ECB I got from yesterday's diaper deal - from my card - to buy a razor and 2 Dawn dish detergents (also used manufacture coupons for razor and soap) and only paid $0.75 for the razor and soaps! Plus, I got $4 more ECB for the razor and $1 ECB for the soaps to use later on from my card and still have $15 in ECB on my hubby's card to use later too! I'm starting to really want to figure out this CVS thing more now. :)


I haven't been all that great at figuring out the CVS thing - knowing what to buy and how to use my Extra Care Bucks. But I for sure couldn't pass this deal up! I'm tryin to get a stockpile going of disposables (see this post) whenever they're on sale. I heard about a really good one and then Shawna told me she was able to do it at her CVS so I gave it a try yesterday afternoon and it was, indeed, true!

Here it is!! I went to the CVS on Five Forks and they DID ask for the print out of the coupon so you might want to print it out and take it with you just in case (follow instructions to print out coupon).

www.southernsavers.com is a great resource to save money with coupons by the way.

I got Septtro a card for scenarios like this one because they only allow you 3 packs at the sale price with each card so I will use his card to get 3 more. What I'm not certain of is whether I can use Extra Care Bucks from my card to make a purchase on his card. I'm thinking not but who knows.

Has anybody else tried this deal? What all did you get? Any tips for others?

Safety First!!!

In My Face

Monday night, Septtro informed me that Ladybug's skin was still see-through. I told him it was not. I had seen a picture of a baby born around 22 weeks and their skin did not look see-through. I was very sure I was right and felt sorry for how misinformed he was - you know, the poor pitiful dad who doesn't know much about what's going on because they're not experiencing it on the same level.

The next morning at work, I flipped over my daily baby calendar to find this interesting fact:


Nice sense of humor, God. Humbless needed - noted.

So I've come to realize that Septtro may know more about what's going on with Ladybug and me more than I do. And that's ok with me...he's more in tune with how I may be feeling physically and emotionally which has definitely been a plus!

23 Weeks

Week and day: 23 weeks 0 days

Belly Button in or out: yeah it's out - and you can tell if I wear a shirt that's clingy

Wedding rings on or off: off! I had to before they became too hard to get off..I was afraid I'd wait too long and they'd have to be cut off or something :)

Food cravings: honey nut cheerios and milk, pickles (claussen!)

Food aversions: nope

Nausea: gone!

Energy level: I can feel that nesting starting to creep in - wrote out a to-do list the other day and anxious to start crossing things off!

Weight gain: I don't know really - probably bout 20 pounds or so

Mood: I told Septtro the other day how frustrated I was that I feel so sad all the time. I feel like I shouldn't be that way. This is a happy time. He was very understanding and said I shouldn't feel bad for being sad a lot cause that's just the hormones. But this past week, I've felt more happy...although I'm sure I can still cry at the drop of a hat.

Maternity clothes: I can't fit into ANY normal clothes now - well at least pants. I went to Miracle Hill and got some pretty good shirts that were just a bigger size and that's worked out quite nicely so far.

Size of baby: large mango

Changes of baby: starting to build fat, now weighs around a POUND - no more ounces!, skin becoming less see-through, practicing breathing by sucking amniotic fluid in and out of her lungs

Next appointment: June 9th (week from today) - measurements and hear heartbeat

Other: I can't say enough how amazing it is to feel her move around. I could just sit around all day with my hands on my belly - feeling her dance around in that secret world of hers. Septtro said her name the other night and she moved right away - made his day! :) I love watching him connect with her in that way. In other, less exciting news for most, my skin seems like it's starting to clear up a little bit - just in time for summer so yay! Speaking of summer, I think I'll be wearing skirts and dresses more than ever...it's SO much more comfortable when it's hot and humid out.

Lost Doggie

We have a new friend. He will not be staying. But he is sweet and lovable. I named him Ralphie. I know you think that means I'll be keeping him. You're wrong. This afternoon, he will be taken to the vet. They will check for a microchip. We will look for a home for him. If no home comes, he will have to go to the pound. That makes me sad. That would be a waste of a really fun dog. Here he is:



I must say, he's quite persistent. He came to our house Tuesday night in the rain. He pawed at our front door. We shooed him away. He pawed at our back door. We shooed him away. He pawed at our kitchen window. We let Suka out to chase him away. He came back. He chose us for some reason. But we really can't keep him. I think he's a miniature pincher. He can't weigh more than 10 pounds - if that.

I will miss Ralphie.

21 week pic and some updates

Here's a pic - this was taken at 21 weeks and 2 days.

I'm currently 22 weeks exactly!

So the really fun news is that Septtro was finally able to feel Ladybug move for the first time! Last Thursday (May 21st), we were at my parents house and I had my hands over my tummy and thought I felt her move but wasn't sure. Septtro tried to feel but she wouldn't move again. Then, the next day at work, I was at a meeting and put my hands the same way and it was unmistakable - she was movin like crazy and it was so fun! So that night, I had Septtro try and he felt her but wasn't sure. I asked if he felt her and he said, "I don't know" and I kinda barely tapped his arm and said, "It kinda feels like this" and he said, "Yeah I felt that". I reassured him that was, indeed, her. :) But he really felt her Sunday at church before the service. His eyes just lit up and he said, "That is so cool!" I loved the fact that he was able to connect with her in that way! Since then, he's been able to feel her several other times.

Last Monday, I woke up with the weirdest feeling. It's hard to explain. I mean, I know there's a little human inside my belly. But it was like this heavy mass of something really low in my abdomen. A few days later, I didn't feel it but I felt it again Saturday. I wonder if maybe after Ladybug has been active, she burrows down to sleep for a good day or so. :)

In other, less exciting news, I'm having leg cramps during the night. I've actually had them throughout the pregnancy. They haven't been bad - it's not every night. But apparently, it's something that can happen during pregnancy.

I'm not sleeping through the night but that's ok with me. I had a scare that I might have UTI so since then, have been setting my alarm to make myself get up to use the potty. I've always had a bladder of steel but I know it's not so good to hold it all night - especially when baby girl is basically sitting right on my bladder. Speaking of, during the day yesterday I think I had to use the restroom at least 5 times in an hour. I'd be lying down and feel her move and then have to scurry off to the ladies room. :)

Oh, and the wedding rings came off on Sunday. It was already a little difficult to get them off so I went ahead and took them off before they fused with my fingers.

To cloth or not to cloth - THAT is certainly the question

So...yes, I am one of those people. Call me crazy, a tree-hugger, out of my mind - I've already heard it and barely told many people. My husband and I want to use cloth diapers for our baby.

Let me tell you pretty much the ONLY reason why I even considered cloth diapering is because of the cost savings. Let's face it - I'm pretty tight with my money. I get natural highs when I save money at the grocery store and refuse to buy something without a coupon if I know I have one. Whenever we eat out, I even try to use a coupon (we don't really eat out much).

After doing research on the Internet and talking to a few people who have used cloth diapers recently, I realized there are SO many different ways to go. You can buy the luxurious cloth diapers, the one-size-fits-all (but does it really?), the old-fashioned diapers; you can have a service come collect them and wash them for you or do it yourself. And then there's all the different ways to wash them. What I have realized is that cloth diapering is not like it was when my mom had babies. It's definitely evolved and I haven't talked to someone who does it who doesn't love it. So it can't be that bad right?

So here's the thing...I've decided to do just like my friend, Sara...if we get enough disposables at showers and such, we'll go that route. After all, if I'm only doing it for cost reasons and if I get a bunch from others, I'm saving money. Call me a chicken if you like. All I know is, I know several ladies who just had babies and I feel like the last thing I'm going to want to do when I bring my baby home is figure out a schedule/method for cloth diapering. However, I am a little bothered by the fact that disposables give a lot of babies really bad rashes and would feel bad for puttin my lil ladybug through that discomfort.

I'm not completely throwing cloth diapering out the window. If we feel we're spending too much money, we'll take another look. But for right now, well, send those disposables my way and we'll take it from there! ;)

Shhhhh - I'm sleeeeeping

Ok so this was kinda posed. He wouldn't wake up for ANYTHING. :)

20 weeks!

Week and day: 20 weeks 3 days

Belly Button in or out: I pretty much am buttonless now

Wedding rings on or off: on but it takes some wigglin to get them off

Food cravings: chocolate milkshakes or chocolate ice cream in general

Food aversions: nothing much

Nausea: haven't gotten sick in a month!

Energy level: I am so anxious to get the nursery started - already took a HUGE load of stuff to Miracle Hill to clear out some space

Weight gain: total I think is 17 pounds...most of it at the beginning

Mood: I can cry over almost anything

Maternity clothes: gradually acquiring more as hand-me-downs or at Goodwill or Miracle Hill (and I must say, the selection at Miracle Hill was fabulous)

Size of baby: banana

Changes of baby: practicing breathing and swallowing more and more, skin forming different layers, head becoming more proportional to rest of body, sleep patterns similar to newborn

Next appointment: June 9th - measurements and hear heartbeat

Other: shortness of breath, nasal stuffiness increasing - the BEST part right now is feeling her move...I LOVE it - there's nothing like it! I'm noticing her moving around the same time every day - early morning, mid-afternoon, and evening

We're havin a.....

Ladies and gentleman (do any guys read this anyway?):


I am proud to introduce you to our.....(scroll down - that's for you Lor)





































little girl!!!!!
I'm not posting the picture that proves her girlishness - let's give her a lil privacy right? :)

She weighs 11 ounces - right in the middle of what she should be. Everything looks great! She was very cooperative (or very immodest) because she gave us the perfect shot as soon as the ultrasound tech tried. :) The tech asked if I had caffeine before I came in because she was so active - I didn't so she's just a very active little baby. She said her head is just above my belly button and her feet are basically dancing all over my bladder - already - thanks baby girl!

Yes we have a name we like but we're not telling a lot of people. I don't want somebody to say something that will ruin it. I will say her middle name will be Falefou in honor of my late mother-in-law. We plan to give all of our kids Samoan middle names - or at least Polynesian names.

I'm excited to see Septtro with her - he's gonna be such a sweet daddy to her.

See, my motherly instincts are right on track - mommy points for me!!! :) Ahhh, I'm in love already - my little ladybug!

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,
Tomorrow is a big day for all of us! We'll get another peak into your secret world. I can't wait to see you again! I wonder how much you've changed.

I keep thinking you're a little girl. I wonder if I'm right. I'm not quite sure where that is coming from. I will truly be happy either way. Ever since I was little, I wanted to have a boy first. That's probably because of your Uncle Mark. I liked having an older brother. But I've been around little girls enough now to be comfortable with a girl too. See, your mom isn't quite the girliest person around. I may not be able to do your hair or dress you in the latest fashion, but I'll love you like no other! It will be nice to know if you're a boy or girl so we can start picking out names. Your dad and I pretty much have a name picked out if you're a girl. If you're a boy, well, we'll have to do some more thinkin.

I love feeling you move around inside me. It's one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced! I'm pretty sure I smile every time I feel you. Sometimes I get nervous when you haven't moved in a while. But then I remember that you're sleeping just as much as a newborn. You seem to like it when I eat - that's when you're most active. You like food, don't you?...just like your mom and dad. :) On Sunday, I ate some macaroni and cheese. That's my favorite food. After I did, you moved the strongest I've ever felt! It made me jump because it startled me! You like mac and cheese? A child after my own heart. :)

I'm a little nervous about tomorrow my sweet baby. I want everything to be ok. I want you to be growing right on track and there to be no problems. I hope that's true. Trusting God is such a minute-by-minute, day-by-day decision. You'll learn that soon enough. I love you baby! See you soon!

Hike in the Mountains

Septtro really wanted to go to the mountains Saturday. I....well, I did not. I feel like I have so much to do at the house and I was gone last weekend. But, I conceded. We went with my mom and my sister-in-law's mom, Cathy - and of course, we brought the dogs. Septtro wanted to find a place where not many people knew about..."The Narrows" of some sort. He looked on the map before we left and said he knew where he was going. Unfortunately, the map wasn't as easy to follow once we got on the little back roads and we found since this was a place that not many people knew about, nobody could tell us where to go. We got lost - asking two country bumpkins drinkin themselves into oblivian while gutting their catch of the day for directions. They weren't much help. Cathy ended up spotting the sign tucked behind some brush and we followed it.


This was when the trail got a bit rough. I wasn't really expecting an hour and a half hike one way.


Cathy and mom

And here it is in all its glory - a river...with rocks. I hiked all this way, knee pain increasing, blisters forming, and feeling like I'm breathing through a straw - for this?? Ok, ok, so the actual "Narrows" were further down from this with a waterfall. But the path was even more narrow and I was tired of walking. Looking back, I should have at least gone to see it. Maybe then I wouldn't have felt so cheated.


mom and me - yeah we pretty much are twinkies


Septtro actually got in the frigid water - and said it felt good


The sun shined down on just him in the water - handsome fella isn't he?


I'm really not normally this dumb. Water shoes are good for wading in the water - NOT hiking over 2 miles. I'll blame it on the pregnancy. :)


Seriously, she has to be one of the prettiest dogs ever.


Baby and me chillin. And yes, that's a skirt. Alert the media! (it was hot and I'd just gotten it as a hand-me-down)


Haha Suka was bein a pansy - although I guess after being thrown in the water (by Septtro) in the past, I might have been a little afraid too.



She won't get on a rock near water but climbed up here all by herself




All in all, the day wasn't really very fun - at least for me. But it was an adventure. And hey, at least we didn't get rained on right? Septtro ended up carrying me the last bit cause my body was just plain tired and we were taking a break every 5 minutes. Mom wasn't able to get a picture of this cause by the time she saw us, he was ready to unload (mom and Cathy left before we did cause they thought they'd slow us down but I think the underestimated how long it'd take me to get back - plus, apparently Tillman turned into a sled dog and pulled Cathy up the hills and stairs).

Oh and another plus, that night, I did got a foot massage for my efforts.

Boy or Girl???

So I've thought this baby is a girl for quite some time. Then, today - just for fun - I got online and did a quiz and it said boy. Then I followed criteria for an ancient Chinese predictor and it said boy. I know all these things can be totally wrong but now I'm starting to second-guess my "intuition". :)

Will the 13 EVER get here????

Wedding Weekend

So these are a lil late...we went to Ohio for my brother-in-law's wedding the last weekend in April (same weekend my lil nephew was born).

The groom's crew with the new addition - Kari (in white hat)! :)

The three brothers - Setnick, Stephen (groom), and the best lookin one - Septtro ;)

Stephen looking at his bride


Ok I might be a lil bias, but I think Setnick has the best voice of anybody I know.

They gave each other a high five after they kissed - it was cute! :)

In memory of Falefou Sene - wish I could have met her...sounds like an incredible woman!


Septtro pointing to my baby belly that you can't really see in this picture

The new Sene family! Yay I'm not the only white girl anymore!!...but still the shortest by far!


Seriously, what kind of photographer puts a bridesmaid that already looks young on her knees?

Yeah, we're cool


Bride and groom's first dance (Stephen is about 6'6 so, yeah, their kids will be tall) :)

and brother's first dance

quite convenient that my husband has size 15-16 feet at times like this :)


Yay!!! What a fun wedding!