Organic Garden

We finally got the babies room painted. I cannot say "Thank You" enough to my friend Angela, my sister, her friend Robert, and my friend Jenny and her little sister Rachelle.

Without you guys I would not have a beautiful baby's room awaiting wee little one's arrival.

We picked out the bedding a while ago and decided to go with a bright vibrant green color called organic garden that matched the sheets nicely.

I started out the day thinking I could handle it. I quickly found out that 6 months along pregnant women are not designed to paint walls from top to bottom. I could paint only the middle of the wall without hurting myself!

Angela basically did all the green paint that wasn't in the middle of the wall. My sister and Robert did a lot of the white, along with Jenny and Rachelle who did the closet doors. Again, I am so grateful to all of you for helping, and bebe thanks you too!

Farewell Dr. P

As most ladies know (and some guys are probably told) the good ole' "Lady Doctor" can't just be anyone you find. Like a normal family physician... the patient needs to feel comfortable with the Dr. and trust them.

Moving from St. Clair County to Macomb County back 7 years ago, I knew I couldn't realistically drive to St. Clair for those appointments anymore. I began my search and picked a Dr. near me that was in my network. I saw her for a few years and was discussing some things I didn't like about her with coworkers one day. What I thought was normal ended up not really being appropriate for a Dr. like that to be saying.

My co workers referred me to their Dr. When I called to see if she was accepting new patients, she wasn't. The nurse on the phone told me they had just started a new Dr. in the practice and he was very nice... blah blah blah. I can come and just meet him. Him? Him? I've never seen a male for that before...

So I went and met him. I learned very early on that I made a good choice in switching doctors. He informed me that much of the treatments that the other woman had me going through were not necessary. I learned the hard way and now that I was married, Dr. P was guiding me through a pregnancy!

At my last visit in June while only 4.5 months pregnant, Dr. P informed me that he may not be staying in the state of Michigan any longer. He wasn't sure yet, but wanted his patients to know. Shortly after I got a letter confirming he was leaving. I was sad because I trusted him and he was really about letting women have the kind of birth they wanted.

I asked around and everyone had a doctor they liked. For me the easiest thing to do was to stay with the practice and go with another doctor there. I chose Dr. G. Let's just say I don't have much luck with the OB doctor choosing!

I went in for my first appointment with her at the beginning of June. She never introduced herself to me and as soon as she walked in her cellphone rang and she took the call. It was her daughter and she had me wait for 15 minutes while she took the call. It didn't seem like an emergency and she didn't excuse it as being one. She was very short with me and because of the phone call, she didn't have time for questions. The second time I went I asked her opinion of epidurals. Basically I was told I was getting one. All women get them. I don't know if I want one or not, but I do know that I want a choice. If I don't want one, I don't want to be forced to have one!

I left my second appointment with her somewhat frightened of the kind of birth I might have. I called the health insurance and they were completely nice about the situation. They instructed me on all of my options and pretty much told me to not go anywhere that I am not comfortable. So I called around and found a mid-wife who practices with a group of O.B. doctors in Macomb County near us. She was accepting new patients so I went and met her. I am so glad I did!

She is a very up beat person who makes Greg and I feel like she is just as excited about our birth as we are. She is there to advocate for the birth plan that we want and will guide us through every step of the way. I have seen her about 5 or 6 times now and feel so comfortable with her. It is very reassuring. Even Greg has met her and likes her enthusiasm. She answers all of our questions honestly and doesn't treat us like we are asking anything dumb. We are new to this and she understands.

When I tell people we are using a midwife, usually the first question is... Are you having a home birth? Heck no! I am to chicken for that! I chose to use a midwife because I want the least amount of medical intervention as possible. There is no reason to have drugs and be hooked up to machines for the duration of my labor if possible. If medical intervention needs to happen and the midwife agrees, then well, I need to care most about our child's health and my health. I wouldn't deny it - if it is needed.

We are still giving birth in the hospital where all the equipment is. Nurses will be there just like any other birth in a hospital. The mid wife will be there instead of an actual O.B. doctor, unless a procedure is needed. If something is needed one of the doctors from the mid wife's group will step in and do their best to support the least amount of medical intervention as possible.

The Second Trimester Begins

I can officially say I have made it this far! I am in my second trimester of pregnancy!

Apparently that means no more morning sickness, daily nausia or sleepless nights. Oh wait. I didn't have any of those symptoms to begin with!

After speaking with a number of friends and women who have had children before, I feel kind of guilty not feeling crappy. I mean, I have my days or my nights where I am just.... blah. But it is nothing that ever interferes with my day and for that I am so grateful!

I will continue to hope that the remaining months of pregnancy are as event free as these first few have been!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage...

Greg and I have been married for a little over 8 months now, but we have been together over 4 years. Through all this time we spoken about how we want a family. We both agree on more than one.

I was an only child for 14 years. There was nothing wrong with that, but when my parents couldn't play with me and the 2 neighbor children were busy that left me to my own imagination. I remember having a good one, but how much fun would a pal be that was there all the time? Greg would like more than two children. I'm more about seeing how the first one goes and deciding from there. Who knows if we will even get to be blessed with children right?

We decided in January that we were both ready to give it a try. I mean, mentally we are ready, financially, we think it will be OK and who knows how long it might take, I've had friends try for years with no luck and finally it happens!

Prior to this positive one I took a few negatives over the last few weeks. I haven't been feeling "the same" and was convinced I was pregnant. Finally this one came back positive so I took another before bed last night and it was also positive. So, as far as my urine is concerned I am building a baby as I type!

I am sure there is plenty more to do to confirm this, but wow. We are going to be parents.

Look out...

Veil Drama

What an accomplishment! After months and months of working on, ignoring and procrastinating having to work on my veil... It is almost done! There is about one hour of work left to do on it and it will be complete! It is perfect with a few minor flaws that make it home made - that I don't think anyone will notice, unless I start telling people after a glass or two of champagne!

I am so grateful to my Aunt for helping me get through a project that I really had no clue of what I was doing. I am also grateful for stumbling across a young woman's website that had step by step instructions for what to do. I thought about posting a picture, then I decided... There are only 28 days until you get to see it!

Greg and I are so excited for the wedding which is quickly approaching! We are putting the final touches on some minor plans and just making sure we tie up all the loose ends with vendors.

We cannot wait to see everyone and celebrate!!! Oh so soon!

Stuffing, Sealing and Sticking

The invitations, response cards, envelopes and directions are all finally printed. I am finally able to get started with the sorting and stuffing of the envelopes. Over the next few weeks I plan to take it slow and just stuff the envelopes and seal them up and get them ready to go.

I need to go to the post office with a full invitation set up and make sure I have the proper postage on the envelopes! I have read and hear so many horror stories of people not putting proper postage on their envelopes and getting them all returned to them in the mail! That would not be fun!

Only one more week left until the shower R.S.V.P's are due! After that - there is only 2 weeks or so until the shower! I cannot believe how fast time is moving! I think we are both very excited for all of our hard work and planning to pan out into a celebratory event!

You'll Hate David's Bridal...

With only 159 days until Greg and I are married, the gals and I finally were able to go out dress shopping today. I had no plans really for exactly what kind of dress I wanted them to wear. I was hoping for one of many outcomes.

What happened today wasn't really something I had even considered, but it turned out just fine! :)

Beth came by the house early and we grabbed some coffee. We headed over to David's for our noon appointment with a sales woman there. I was in no way prepared for the amount of females hormones that we were about to encounter. I had an appointment and you would never guess it. The sales woman was of absolutely no help to us. The gals and I stumbled across a cute tea length dress. It was not only cute, but had this thing that went underneath for a hint of complimentary color and also a matching sash for that "other" color. After lots of trying on and discussing... We decided to go with a emerald green and lilac color. I love the combo. The green is so happy and Irish looking.

The sales people at David's were not helpful to us at all. In fact, they were actually pretty rude. When the girls were paying, the sales person barely acknowledged us. She was so snotty when asked simple questions it was ridiculous. I shouldn't have let the girls even get their dresses there, but I didn't want to put them through another shopping day! Yikes!

Unfortunately, I did not want Terri in the same dress as the gals because I don't feel it is flattering for her. We were not successful in finding her a dress, but we are going on Tuesday after work for that.

We headed to the mall later in the day today and my mom was able to find a great deal on a dress too. So she is set as well... after her alterations are made.

Now.... Greg needs to worry about those tuxedos!

Checklist Update!

So far at the knot.com I have completed 39 items on their little to-do list. Unfortunately today I received an email telling me that I was slacking on my wedding planning. Supposedly I am over due on 13 items on their handy checklist.

• Contact newspapers to announce your engagement (you may need to have an engagement photo taken as well). Not so sure we are even doing this!
• Finalize the guest list. I am trying - really I am!!!
• Start looking into registering for gifts. Already!?!? Yikes!
• Request demo tapes from ceremony musicians. Hmmm.... Do we really want those violinists?
• Think about how you might want to wear your hair. Again, trying...
• Begin looking for a baker to make your cake. Cake tasting --- yummm...
• Brides: Start shopping for bridesmaids dresses. Does trying to schedule a date count?
• Make sure your maid of honor and best man are aware of what you expect of them. Like what? Making sure I don't go crazy?
• Register for your wedding gifts. I thought we already went over this???
• Brides: Decide on the bridesmaid dresses. Again, wasn't this above somewhere.
• Purchase and send guests save-the-dates if your celebration is over a holiday weekend or at a faraway locale. Ugh, I don't know about that one...
• Book a baker, choose your wedding cake design, and send a deposit. I thought it said to look above... We must really be behind!
• Brides: Collect necessary measurements from attendants or pass along vender information so that they can order the dresses themselves. Hopefully this is not necessary and they will get dresses together when we go shopping...

I think it is the lists like this that are stressing me out! Geesh! Hopefully this shower business will be finalized soon and more stress will be relieved!

It Arrived in One Piece...

What a day Tuesday was! My dress finally arrived in the mail via UPS from Kansas! I was able to track the shipment through the internet. It was so stressful to watch the dress move across the Midwest and not know if it was the right size or the right length that I requested until I finally had it in my hands!

When I was getting ready for work Tuesday morning, I logged on and checked the status. The dress arrived in Detroit at 6:30 in the morning and was loaded on a truck for delivery to me at 6:45 a.m. I kind of thought when I got to work it would be waiting for me, but it wasn't.

Finally around 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon the security guard called and gave me a jokingly hard time. I went down and got the dress. Once I got over the shock of how small the package was, I opened it.

I discovered that the dress was in absolute perfect condition! I went to one of the artist dressing rooms and tried it on because I had to... It was a little big but the length was perfect and fit wonderfully! The dress was exactly what I was expecting!

I am so grateful to have found the deal on eBay. I emailed the woman who sold me the dress and thanked her for the deal because without that I am sure I would STILL be dress hunting!

Whew - that is a big stress reliever. Now I just have to stare at it in the bag for 7 more months.

Another Money Saver!

I am quite determined to save money on this wedding in any way possible. With just under nine months to go I have decided it is time to start practicing with making my own head piece and veil. With the assistance of my Aunt Jenny, Greg's mom and my friend Elizabeth I have been deciding what supplies I need, how to design the stuff and what I might change to make it better.

A little over a month ago, my Auny Jenny and I went to JoAnn Fabric in Portage and bought some odds and ends to get some ideas for a veil. After lots of surfing on the web and playing around I think I know that for the cost of $20 at the most I will have a lovely pearl trimmed finger-tip length veil... Instead of a plain somewhat sparkly veil for $150!!

Then Greg's mom and I went to JoAnns in Utica. We were there a while and Greg even tagged along because dinner at Macroni Grill was involved... We found tons of things to use on a veil and head piece. I got pretty pearls, swarovski crystals, clear beads and wire. $10 and 45 minutes later I had a headpiece. A headpiece that my friend who does hair said will be perfect to use!

Bammmmm! I saved even more money! Greg does not understand. If I could rent a wedding dress and all the goods along with it for FIFTY whole dollars - I wouldn't understand either!

Pachelbel's Canon in D

In preparing for the actual wedding cermony, the church has given us a booklet with song suggestions. One song that always makes me think of a wedding is Pachelbel's Canon in D. Most everyone knows this song. When I hear it I usually get teary eyed.

This comedian is absolutely hilarious. He doesn't change my high opinion of the song, but he does make me laugh my butt off! I think you will be hearing this song at our wedding! ;)

I found THE dress!

I finally found it! Well, I found it a while ago so I should say, "I finally bought it!" The very first time I tried on dresses with Melissa I found it, I just didn't know that I found it at the time.

I went back to the store with Jenny at happened across the same dress. It looked familiar but I wasn't sure if it was the same one. I put it on and it fit like a glove and I fell in love... I danced around in it and made sure it would be comfortable sitting in it and all that good stuff. The only problem was that the dress was a little above my price range.

The women at the store were awesome enough to give me the style number and designer name. Of course I spent the next few days looking for the dress on the internet. Low and behold, I found the dress for almost $300 less than it was in the store! After shipping and insurance, I could save $250!

I found a local seamstress to look at the dress and tell me her opinion on the alterations. She charged about the same as the store that sold the dress so I went ahead and bought it online! I even got to order the propper length that I needed. As we all know, I need a little extra help in that area :)

So - in a few months or so, I should have my wedding dress!

I would offer a picture of it, but since Greg also looks at this site - I can't! Sorry!

Reserve Your Room Online!

We all know two things for sure about me...

1. I am an organizational freak!
2. I love to save myself and anyone else I can ... money $$$

That being said, I know it is early, but I was very excited when the manager at the reception hall told me about a nice hotel nearby that offers free shuttle service to and from the wedding reception. Not only does that mean no cab fare, but also no drunk driving from our inebriated friends and family! That is really important to me, so I hope this whole plan works out!

Here is the deal...

Currently, there are 10 rooms on hold for the night of June 26, 2008 and 15 rooms on hold for the night of June 27, 2008 at the Courtyard by Marriott at 30190 Van Dyke Ave Warren, Michigan 48093.

All reservations at the discounted rate and in our reserved block must be made by June 1, 2008! Just mention the Wilson Hall Wedding to get your discount or use the handy links below to reserve a room online!

If we get at least 10 bookings at this hotel, there will be free shuttle service to and from the reception. The rates for the room will be discounted and breakfast the morning of June 28th may also be discounted! (We will find out later!)

There are two styles of rooms to choose from. To receive the discounted rate
on the web, you must use the links below! Book now and lock in the rate!

• A room with 1 king bed.
• Or a room with 2 queen beds.

Don't forget to mention the Wilson Hall Wedding to get your discount! You may also call: (586) 751-5777 or (800) 321-2211. Click here for more details about this hotel and a map!

Of course Greg and I hope to see everyone get rooms and not drink and drive, but we know that cannot happen! But, we can do our best to help everyone out!

Get Notified!

After telling everyone and their mother about this site I realized there was a little problem.

How is anyone suppose to know when to come back and check out the site?

So... Me being the nerd I am, I went ahead and set up an email subscription for the service. I see quite a few of you already signed up after having the link up for a week or so now. That is great!

There are 40 more days of school left before this wedding begins to really get planned!

Another Show

The wedding planning has been pretty uneventful lately. To me that is good because I have three weeks of my semester left at school and then I start my final one!

My friend Amy and I went to a bridal show at the Troy Marriott. It was kind of crazy there, but somehow it was organized. I got more ideas and more useful information from vendors. Again, I did not win any door prizes, but my friend won a few things - so that is cool!

I did get to meet the woman who is doing the body boot camp that I want to join when I graduate school. It got me a little more excited about joining, especially when she introduced me to a girl that is enrolled in the class now. I wish I could start taking the class now!

I need to be patient. I plan on joining in July.

First Bridal Show

I bravely went to my first "Bridal Show"... And I didn't make Greg go with me! I made Jenny go with me instead ;)

A very talented photographer that I know got me passes to the Brides to Be bridal show in Clinton Township, Michigan this past Sunday. I was a little nervous about going because I didn't know what to expect and I don't like large crowds of people like that. It was hot, crowded and some of the vendors were pushy. It was nice to see ideas and things I know I do not want... My favorite thing to get to see was the centerpieces for rent that were not expensive and looked nice. I cannot recall the vendors name, but I am sure I have their paperwork in my big ol' bag I got when I registered!

We got there just in time to sign up for the door prize drawings, which was the main reason I wanted to go. I was hoping to win a honeymoon or something! :) A few very lucky girls did win.. so there is hope yet!