…love Jillian

I don’t know how I’ve gone this long without posting the most exciting news of the year.  (You know, most exciting right behind the time we announced we were having a baby and then again when we announced she was a girl!)  Over Memorial Day weekend while we were at Taylor Swift, Mom and Dad picked up their newest addition—Cooper!  He’s about 8 or 9 weeks now.  Look at his little face; is he not the sweetest thing you have ever seen? 

Hey Mister, can I come live with you?

I miss my Mommy, so I’m gonna need to rest on your shoulder like this:

So what if my favorite rope is bigger than I am—tiny toys are for babies:

Um, that giant rope kind of wears me out:

Isn’t he the cutest puppy in the world?

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Ok, I know it might appear as though I have fallen off the face of the earth but I assure you that is far from true.  Hubs and I have just been super busy.  (Now, I always think exactly the same thing when I hear one of my favorite bloggers say they haven’t posted because they were “super busy,”  because honestly, how “busy” could one person really be?)  Well, let me tell you! 

First, we put on offer on this house:

And, theeeeeeeen, they accepted.  So we had to do a bunch of inspections, loan stuff, organizing, cleaning, and packing.  Well, I did most of the organizing, cleaning, and packing but it’s not like Hubs can write an adequate post for jillianranee.com so blogging had to wait. 

Then, in the midst of all the aforementioned stuff we were delivered this piece of priceless news: 

Queue: sleeping, eating, hormones and emotions.  We are currently 12 weeks and it was the hardest kept secret of my life.  We feel incredibly blessed and now I feel like I can post again without having to keep this monumental news a secret!   Last Monday we heard the sweetest (and fastest) little heartbeat in the world–it was definitely a moment I will not soon forget.  However, Hubs has really needed his suit of armour lately; I’ve cried, yelled, and been all around unpredictable for several weeks and it doesn’t appear there is an end insight, well except for when the baby gets here…sooooo, in like 6 or 7 months.

Right now, all my emotions aside, I feel incredible blessed.  We have a new house, a baby on the way, and an amazing family.  I don’t think a girl could as for much more in this moment.

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Today is my birthday.  The big 31.  And while I mostly still feel like I’m in my 20’s a few things have definitely changed (in no particular order): 

• There was a time (not too long ago) when I could smell my own feet.  That’s right folks; I could get my toes to my nose with no problem at all.  A few weeks ago, I was sitting on the couch with Hubs and noticed that my feet felt a little sweaty (which sort of concerned me since I had just showered) so since they were in Hubs’ lap, I asked him if they smelled.  He made a gross face so I grabbed one of them and pulled it towards my nose only to realize I could only get it a little over half way and in the process made a sound like a 90 year old women had just stooped down and got back up.  I seriously thought my hips might have broken it was so loud!  I still don’t know if my feet smelled that night.
• My metabolism is not coming back.   Like Ever.  It’s a struggle to merely maintain my current weight.  And my love affair with food is growing stronger and stronger year to year. 
• There was a time my biggest “want” was a fun night out and a nice boyfriend.  Now my biggest wants revolve around moving into an actual house coupled with getting Hubs to load the dishwasher and pick up his clothes.
• I’m still not sure what ‘Get your Diamonds Up’ means….
• 4 inch heels are getting less and less comfortable.  And comfort wins out on fashion more times than not….nothing beats a good pair of fuzzy boots and leggings!
• Having a baby has turned into a high priority.  Cause seriously, I’m not getting any younger.  It was only a couple years ago my girlfriend and I joked around about having a ‘community’ baby…now I really want one of my own.

I’m sure this list will grow longer and longer the older and older I get but for right now, I’m hanging on to my youth as long as possible.  Sure I could have smelly feet while wearing fat girl pants but all in all it’s not so bad….

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These last couple weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions and craziness.  It feels like every time I get a handle on one thing…another things needs attention.  I suppose that’s just life though.   So here are a few things that have been rolling around in my head the last week or so:

• Work is still hit or miss.  I think I had a pretty decent October; however, somedays my phone barely rings.




• My love affair with Fusion Fitness has taken a little bruising since the remodel (which produced monumental amounts of dust.) I’m super excited for the remodel to be complete and we can get back to taking our shoes off.




• Which brings me to my next topic.  I cheated on Fusion with Crossroads Bootcamp and loved it.  Bootcamp is a closer drive as it’s on the way to/from work so I’m going to use the 12 session Groupon I bought and then make an informed decision as to stick with Fusion or switch to Bootcamp for a while….I can’t (aka refuse) to pay for both.




• Hubs and I had a conversation (well really I talked and Hubs listened) that might have been better had under different circumstances (someone, I’m not pointing fingers here, might have had a little too much wine before said conversation) but the jest of it went like this:  be an active part of our little family (me and our puppies), do some chores once in a while or I’m keeping my townhouse to ensure I will have a place to live when I get tired of cleaning up after him—Sooooo.  Dramatic.  Well, now he’s being super helpful and present and while I love it; I also feel like I might have been a little hard on him…after all, he is my husband and I really didn’t mean to scare him into thinking if he didn’t get over his aversion to loading the dishwasher I was going to leave him.




• (For any boys that read these posts, I apologize in advance)  Earlier this week I was on the receiving end of a Hysterosalpingogram and we found out that all my lady parts are working fine.  (You know, in the baby making department.)  The doctor assured us everything was good and that this particular test had a tendency to raise the likelihood of baby making 10-15 and in some cases 20%….so, with no blockages and a higher likelihood of the baby making stars aligning we have definitely been thinking about what life would be like with a little Bambino in our house.




• Oh, and speaking of babies, I have been hoping for Baby Heide’s delivery this week but the little guy seems to be holding strong inside momma.  So we definitely have something exciting coming up in the next few days!  I cannot wait to meet this little guy!

Only one more day til the weekend. We have a pretty fun few days planned: bday party tomorrow night, game night Saturday, and a quiet Sunday home with Hubs watching football and eating pizza which I’m really looking forward to (the spending the day with Hubs part, not the eating pizza part although pizza is pretty darn yummy and a staple in our household.)

No Comments | In: Babies, Being an adult is lame, Good Buddies, How much I love my Husband, I miss my metabolism, Marriage, Working is for the birds, Workout | | #

So, I have a ton of topics that need to be discussed, none worthy of their own post so here they are:

• I purchased the Laser Hair Removal Groupon a couple weeks ago but cannot get up the nerve to actually make the appointment.  I mean, I hate needles — I cried like a baby when I was forced to take an additional measles shot when I was 19 (yeah, I know laser treatment isn’t NEEDLES but I’m just trying to give you a measuring stick for my pain tolerance.  It’s low.)  So, now every time I think about calling and making my first appointment I immediately get sweaty and nervous.  I think Hubs is gonna have to go with me….isn’t that why women get married?  So, they have someone to drag along on scary (albeit elective) appointments?




• Fusion is working.  I know it.  I can feel it in my legs and butt and shoulders and abs.  And I’ve noticed that every time I think I’m building up some sort of tolerance to the level of Fusion I’m doing there is a more advanced modification; and so begins the pain all over again.  I think that is why I love it.  When I started the only parts that got sore were my back, abs, and shoulders.  But the stronger I get the more deep I can feel the exercises.  It’s like a light goes off and I can finally understand what the exercise is SUPPOSE to feel like and I feel like such a dumbass because I’ve been actively participating in the exercise without being able to tell which part it was suppose to be working.  Maybe it’s because I wasn’t strong enough to work the parts intended or maybe it just takes a bit of practice.  Either way, it’s working.   I can tell–even if the scale doesn’t agree with me….




• Hubs and I’s relationship feels good.  We are as happy as we’ve ever been.  Or at least I am.  It’s amazing how putting a little bit of distance (aka independence) on things makes such a big difference.  I feel like I’ve owned the things I want to be doing: Pilates, reading, school, running, and not worrying so much about our schedules lining up.  Which in turn has basically put the urgency on him and he responded right away!  I felt the shift immediately and I have to admit…it feels kinda good




• Our finances have been locked down.  Hubs got his allowance and he finally seems to own the amount.  Before, he would qualify purchases (food, drinks, snacks, exercise, misc crap) item by item and day by day whether they fell in the allowance or debit card category.  But now, EVERYTHING falls in allowance and it makes a difference since I do’t have to log in to see what he’s spent before we go to dinner or something.  The Carter Family has two major financial priorities right now:  paying down bills and buying a house.   I think if we can keep up this pace we will be out of debt and living the American dream in no time; although I’m not sure the 2.5 kids fit in our plan so we might just have 1 or 2 (depending on the sex of the first one) and let Juls/Bret have the our extra 1.5/.5–then they can have an even 3 or 4.  That sounds easier than trying to have ½ a kid…I hope Juls and Bret appreciate our generosity!  

Oh, and since you brought it up—kids.  We’re working on it (and that’s all I have to say about that)

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            So the waiting for my new little niece or nephew has been temporarily alieviated while I wait for the arrival of my newest little sister…ROXIE*!  She was born on April 1st (April Fools Day) and is currently living in Ohio.  Mom/Dad are making the long trek to Ohio today and little Roxie should be home on Saturday night or maybe Sunday morning but I have my fingers crossed for Saturday :) 

           Isn’t she the cutest little thing you have ever seen?  You know, except for Maggie and Lucy and Jakerrrs (although I suspect Jakerrrs might not want to be called cute….and he certainly isn’t little!)  Anyway, I’m so tempted to go with them but I have so much stuff to do, you know, with all of Hubs treasures sitting all over our garage, (and we’ll be gone for most of the following weekend) so, Hubs and I will clean the garage on pins and needles waiting for our newest addition!

*As of now Mom is keeping the name Roxie but that is subject to change after we meet the little fuzz ball!  Also, having a name already puts her a little bit ahead of the game considering Maggie thought her name was Puppy Wuppy for months and little Gwacie didn’t get named for over a week!

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It’s finally official.  These kids are having a baby! 

         We are all ecstatic for this upcoming addition—especially a couple first time grandparents!  Juls and Bret told us the news a few weeks ago but I was given strict orders NOT to Twitter or Blog so this has been a super hard secret for me to keep! 

           In the last month, our family (well, me and my mom) have been knocking around a few names for my new niece but apparently (according to the new mommy) that is a job for the ACTUAL parents…who knew?!?!?!

           Anyway, Juls has to cook the baby til January and in the meantime it’s baby showers and diaper collection!  Have you seen those little infant life jackets?  So, cute!! 

Congrats to you both!  I love you!

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So, after this post I was questioned (on four separate occasions) as to my status as a mother-to-be and just to be clear, we are NOT expecting.  I know it’s probably disappointing (to both sets of hopeful grandparents, a couple anxious aunties, and several Waldo residents) but Hubs and I just like talking about babies….for now.

Sorry to everyone that thought I was keeping a secret.  No such luck…

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Just when I think I need to post something even if it’s borderline lame Hubs starts talking….

Watching an old episode of The Office:

Dwight Schrute:  Schrutes produce very thirsty babies. 

Hubs:  (looking over) Breast Feeding.  How do you feel about it?  They are saying on the internet that mothers should breast feed for 6 months. 

Me:  (laughing) Well, if you read it on the internet it must be true.

Hubs:  Seriously.  6 months. 

Me:  6 MONTHS?  We can see how things go.

Hubs:  They (my midwife clients) posted a study on their website saying that 6 months is your best bet to having a healthy baby.

Me:  Plenty of babies are fine without breast feeding you know….in fact, some babies won’t breast feed.  And some mothers think it’s uncomfortable and don’t like to do it.

Hubs:  Babies don’t like it?  They are mammals.  Mammals are meant to breast feed.

Me:  Really?  Mammals?  You’re going with the mammals argument?  You know most mammals only “cuddle” when it’s time to make a baby. 

Hubs dropped the breast feeding conversation immediately….

2 Comments | In: Babies, How much I love my Husband | | #

I’m not sure if she is fully ‘out’ with her news yet so I will refrain from mentioning names but a good friend of mine just announced (well, announced might not be the right word as she simply told me) she was pregnant!  Up until a month or so ago I didn’t even realize they were trying; I’m so excited for them!  This will be the second of my close friends to have a baby!  Sure, people I know I have babies, but as far as close girlfriends she will be the second.  I wonder who the third will be?  Is there a Baby Carter in our future?  Or maybe a Baby Williams?  (aaaaheeeem Juls)  I’m eager to find out!

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