bff trip to Ellicott City

Laurel and her husband moved from Kentucky to Maryland in January. We haven't lived in the same state since we were in high school, and even though I was sad for her to leave a home she had grown to love, I was super excited to be only two hours away from my friend instead of eight. I'm blessed to have several super close gal pals, but Laurel has known me the longest and has loved me through some crazy times. We lived in the same neighborhood when we were younger and saw each other nearly every day. In high school her family moved to the other side of town (only 10-15 min away), and the night before their move we both bawled like babies. :)

Now that she's settled in and I'm feeling MUCH better, we were able to plan a day for just the two of us. Ellicott City is a nice halfway point between where we both live, and I had heard from several friends that I would enjoy EC's downtown. We had a great time, despite the fact it was freezing cold and rainy! Here are some highlights:

Randy and Steve's The New General Store

This was the first store we popped into downtown, and it didn't disappoint! I circled the store at least twice and could've stayed for another half hour (or longer). There was so much to look at! Jams, sauces, mixes, cookbooks, kitchen tools, linens, pretty porcelain goodies... the list goes on. The building itself has a lot of character and the owners are a hoot. The reporter in me was dying to write up a piece on this gem of a shop.

Sweet Elizabeth Jane

Sweet Elizabeth Jane reminded me of my favorite store in downtown Frederick (Silk & Burlap), but it's easily twice as large and has much more merchandise (including more affordable options). Laurel and I found something we loved every two feet. We hardly glanced at the clothes, even though they were lovely, and instead focused on the incredible displays of kitchen and home decor, jewelry and handbags. And candles. Lots of pretty, expensive candles. Give yourself lots of time to explore this shop, and bring a girlfriend!

A Journey From Junk

We actually didn't go in this store, but we wanted to sooo badly! It's not open on Mondays. Boo! We could see through the windows, though, and it looked like a fun place.

Vintage Bliss

Yet another girly boutique! Eat AFTER you go visit this shop, because it has three levels of cuteness and each step will remind you of how full you are. 

We popped into several antique shops, a home decor store and a toy store, too. Every now and then we'd come across a shop that wasn't open on Mondays, but there were still plenty of places to explore. We lunched at The Trolley Stop and split a yummy chicken, bacon and cheese sandwich, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend the place. I read great things about Johnny's Bistro when I was planning our day, but it sadly isn't open on Mondays. I wish I had read about the Little French Market Cafe - we didn't veer off Main Street, otherwise we might've seen it in time. A friend of mine suggested we grab coffee at Bean Hollow, but instead we went to Old Mill Bakery Cafe in hopes of getting a yummy treat. Unfortunately, everything behind the counter either looked stale or looked like it could feed six people. Our mochas were great, though, and the atmosphere was perfect for catching up with a friend.

Have you ever been to Ellicott City? Where would you recommend shopping and/or eating? I'm sure Laurel and I will meet up here again, hopefully in better weather!

16 weeks

baby avocado best get used to make-up less and no-shower mama

I seem to be feeling better with each passing week. I now know to pack snacks and a water bottle even if I'm only leaving the house for a few hours. I don't know what I'll do with myself once morning sickness passes for good! Maybe we'll celebrate with a vacation? Haha.

Last night I had a dream that I received $100, and my first thought was now I can buy the diaper bag I've been eyeing! Yikes. Who am I!? (In case you're wondering, the bag is well under $100.)

I didn't expect my center of gravity to be affected until my belly was bigger, but I'm constantly wobbling and running into things! I also mix my words up and struggle with finishing sentences. I called an octopus an "octopotamus" the other day. I thought I was weird before I got preg, and now I'm SURE of it.

looking back on week 16...

best meal: baked onion au gratin soup ("apple cider, Gruyere cheese, vidalia onions, crostini, thyme" omg YES) and an oyster po'boy from Firestones. also, tomato soup and grilled cheese. also, Outback bloomin' burger. OK, EVERYTHING I EAT IS THE BEST! 

happy moments: sleeping 10-12 hours a night, going downtown with my momma, laughing at Arrested Development with Andy and sipping on an iced coffee while getting a pedicure 

baby moments: I've seen some occasional movement when I look down at my belly. I haven't felt the baby move yet, but the sudden movements were under my belly button right where the nurse said the 

baby was. Was that you, baby?

read about week 15 here

what makes me happy right now

Sunday was a beautiful day. The sun was warm, the breeze was cool but not chilly... it was just perfect. After church I had to blitz the main floor before a friend came over while Andy was outside putting down new mulch. I kept looking at him outside and wishing I was out there with him.  A few hours later, once my guest had come and gone and Andy had finished his work, we returned our Redbox by walking to the gas station instead of driving there. We walked hand in hand and talked about how proud we were of each other for working so hard. I voiced my surprise that he was willing to go on a long walk after toting heavy bags of mulch around, and he said, "I know you've been wanting to go outside all day." :) Is there anything sweeter than when your spouse makes a sacrifice for you? It was a small part of our day, but that walk made me so happy. Walks do the mind and body good. Just don't tell the dog that we took a walk without her.

This morning I was supposed to get up at 6:10 to leave the house at 6:35 for Bible study at 6:45. Instead, I woke up at 6:25. Whoops. I brushed my teeth, threw on yesterday's clothes and dashed out the door... right into pouring down rain. Gah! It was worth it, though, just like it's worth waking up every Tuesday morning. Great women, great discussion, sweet encouragement. Plus, decaf coffee with a splash of half and half. YES, PLEASE. (Aaaand a cheese danish, because I've been eyeing them for weeks and haven't gotten one til today. Worth it.)

I mentioned last week that I'm starting to be more productive at home instead of a permanent blob on the couch. Well, I've been blobbish today, but I'll chalk that up to my 6:25 wake-up and the lack of a nap. Anywho, last night I made spaghetti squash au gratin to go with our leftover eggplant with turkey bolognese. Having a nice dinner made and having a tidy house main floor was so, so nice. Happy suzy homemaker.

I'm getting a pedicure and a burger some time this week.
Happy me.

What seemingly small thing is making you happy right now?

this is how I felt about my cheese danish

15 weeks

week 12, 13, 14 and OHMYGOSH I'M ONLY 15 WEEKS WHAT IS UP WITH THAT BUMP?!

I'll admit, I'm already struggling with comparing my belly to other bellies. I KNOW it's ridiculous, but it's still a struggle. You wouldn't know it from the picture, but I've only gained a half pound since last week! 

I've been baking and cooking and doing laundry and trying to re-establish some normalcy in this house. It feels so good to be productive, and now I feel a lot less guilty when I take naps or catch up on my shows. We've been eating out in the evenings more than usual (trying to catch up with all the friends we hardly saw when I was at my sickest), so I'm trying to make smart decisions when I pack snacks and make lunch. I'm really into oatmeal, strawberry bread and apples and cheese. And for dessert, a quarter half of a plain spinach tortilla. It's all I want to eat at night!

Preg moment of the week: Andy came over to the couch where I was sitting and pointed at my sweatshirt that had taco salad stains on it. "Hi stain-y," he teased. "I'm pregnant!" I said, trying to look cute and pitiful. "Yeah, but your mouth is in the same place that it was before you got pregnant," he said back. He sure knows how to make me laugh. And be a pain in my neck. (Love you, babe!)

also, I started sobbing uncontrollably in a coffee shop. yikes. I think I need to wear a sign on my neck warning people of my crazies.

looking back on week 14...

last week was a total blur, so we'll move on to this week. 

looking back on week 15...

best meal: We had dinner at Dan's in Boonsboro last night with friends, and the fish and chips I ordered took me right back to Ireland.  

worst meal:  this category isn't necessary now that I'm eating normally. 

happy moments: see below!

baby moments: I couldn't stand not knowing how you were doing, so I went to my doctor and requested to hear your heartbeat again. It took a long time for her to find it, and Andy wasn't able to be there to hold my hand. I prayed hard and begged please, baby, let me hear that you're alive, and not too long after I heard that beautiful thump-thumping noise. You're hanging out right on top of my bladder. No wonder I have to go all the time! 

I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU, BABY!

growing up

A year ago I was wrapping up my final pieces for the newspaper I worked for. I was breaking the news to all our friends that we were moving to Maryland. We were house hunting in a city that we didn't want to move to. I was saying goodbye to Andy and heading to Uganda for my first missions trip. 

A year ago I was completely confused by God's timing and plan. I knew that Andy's promotion was a blessing and I felt confident in our decision to move, but I still wasn't thrilled with all of the changes.

Here we are, twelve months later.

printable here

I really grew up this year. I became more confident in myself. I was proactive about what I wanted. I forgave quicker and apologized more often. I slept more, read more, cooked more, explored more. I decided that moving to a city where I knew no one meant I should embrace going to the store with no makeup on, and embracing that mentality eventually lead to me caring less about how I look in general. I created space in my days for therapeutic activities, like taking baths, reading by the creek with my dog, buying myself an iced coffee or getting a pedicure.

Yet, the most vital growing had nothing to do with coffee or books or naps. It had to do with learning an important lesson: that happiness is a choice. If you take a look at a post I compiled two years ago about secrets to a happy marriage, you'll notice that I knew the importance of choices back then. I guess it's just taken me this long to fully get it. One event in particular hit this lesson home, and that was my trip to Uganda.

I had an absolutely fabulous time in Uganda, even though I was without my favorite person, without cute clothes, without a hair dryer, without my regular group of friends or my bed or my dog, yada yada. While there were many reasons why the trip was wonderful, I firmly believe that the biggest reason was my decision to stop thinking about me and what makes me feel happy and to focus entirely on Jesus and what makes Him happy. I prayed for weeks leading up to the trip (and I had many people praying for me) and asked God to help me set aside all of my self so that I would be completely flexible to do whatever He wanted me to do. I guarantee you that I COULD have had an awful time if I had allowed myself to give in to negativity.

This world is full of things that can bring you down. Negativity can creep in so cunningly that you don't even notice it at first, but it spreads like a disease. Yet we are given the opportunity to resist and to choose something better. I am happier in my marriage because I choose to be. I am happier in my work because I choose to be. I am happy living in a place I never desired to live because I choose to be.

And now, I find happiness through my misery, because all of this nausea and vomiting and mood swings and food aversions and gas and pimples and constipation are the result of a highly anticipated human being growing inside me. I couldn't be grosser looking happier. :)