Mardi Gras and a Birthday

A random catch up.

Mardi Gras happened two weekends ago.  Time really is flying by.  Tuck arrived on Friday.  We went to eat Mexican that night because, that's all we eat.  Saturday morning we woke up and headed to Berns and Nelson's house.  They cooked a feast for us.

 AuD's gone wild

We (and when I say we, I mean everyone but TK- ol' Tuck was trying to be a hero and he paid for it later) started off with mimosas, pancakes, eggs, and bacon.  Oh and vodka gummy bears made by my roomiekins.  Awful and wonderful all at the same time.  We didn't spend much time there (just enough) to catch the train to the parade.  We had a great afternoon.  Hurricanes.  I mean pretty self explanatory.  I also learned I have an affinity for catching beads.  Obviously way above the competition (takes me back to my Easter egg hunting days).  Oh and our glasses?  EVERYONE asked where we got them...we were smart and shopped early...so popular.  Tuck's head burned...in February.  Next time he will: eat breakfast and wear a hat (he will learn to *listen* to the wise one...one day).  And could Sub.way have picked a better time of the year to do $5 foot longs?  I'll tell you.  No they couldn't have.  And does my 23 (almost 24 : \) year old body recover in quite the same way as my 21 year old body did?  Also, no.

We had a great time.  So glad I got to share a Big City first with my man.

Tomorrow marks year 25 for old man TK.  OLD MAN.  I got to go see him over the weekend to celebrate his birthday.  Yeah, three weekends in a row...that never happens. We had a fun time with his family.  I especially loved getting to feed, snuggle, and love on the little CuddleBug.  Be still my heart. I think TK liked his gifts.  He tries to guess what's in each box.  It makes me mad especially when he guesses correctly. I want it to be a SURPRISE.  Next time he's getting rocks in a box.  Or nothing at all.

Happy Birthday Tuck. 

So thankful to get to spend another year with you.

You're practically 30 but I still love you!

Valentine's

I spent the weekend celebrating with my man.  My Valentine.  Former Palentine.  And all in one short year. 

Last year around this time we were still figuring each other out.  Actually a year ago I was writing this post and this post.  A year ago, this past weekend, I was meeting Tuck for the SECOND time.  While we talked all the time back then I was very adamant that we were NOT "dating" and we most certainly would NOT be celebrating Valentine's Day.  He would be my Palentine, nothing more.  I'd be lying if I told you I didn't secretly hope he'd send me flowers that day.  Don't worry.  He didn't.  BUT in typical Tuck fashion, he sent a care package a week later...see, a Valentine, just not on Valentine's.

So like I was saying, I went to see him this past weekend.  Having class until 3 on a Friday, then driving six hours...blows.  There's really no other way to put it.  As a side, I decided to blow my diet and eat (God Help Me) Mc.Donald's on the way down.  I was enticed for probably 20 miles.  Driving into the pitfalls of hell Osceola, Arkansas for this highcarolic-superfatty-cancerladen tasty meal only to find that the restaurant was 4 more miles down the road.  Long story short.  I blew my diet on Chester's Fried Chicken from a gas station.  What.ev.

I finally arrived to a very happy boyfriend who met me JUMPING UP AND DOWN in his driveway.  Saturday morning he worked.  I washed clothes.  We grabbed lunch and went to see the baby.  Sweetest little guy I know.  Precious cheeks, so cuddly, and that baby smell.  Yeah.  We left shortly after and went back to relax.  Spent the afternoon catching up with friends.  That night we went out for a wonderful dinner.

We exchanged gifts as well.  He's always so thoughtful.  The weekends always end way faster than they should.  I got sad this time.  Surprisingly didn't cry as I was leaving but had time to mope on the way back.  Took it out on Tuck.  I know.  Was really bummed knowing he couldn't come this weekend for Mardi Gras.  Complaining that less than 48 hours together just wasn't enough.  Whining.  Truly PMSing (I can admit that now).  Even got that snotty cry going.  Just being a girl.  I was a real pleasure, I'm sure.

So the real Valentine's Day rolls around.  I start getting these real cryptic texts about a delivery, Friday, and something sweet.  I was so confused but finally guessed that Tuck IS my Friday delivery (He can't keep a secret/surprise going to save his life...bless his heart!)!  I'm not sure how anyone can work 55 hours in 4.5 days but he's doing it.  Not taking lunches.  Going in before the sun rises.  For me, my surprise was even sweeter than the actual gift he gave me.  Quality time is my love language, for sure.  Getting to spend my weekend with him AND getting to do something in my city with him that I've never even done?  Icing on the cake.  Thanks, Bug.  It means the world to me.

So there's our first/second Valentine's Day. 

Funny what can happen in a year.

He's Here!

Today was an exciting day.  Super Bowl Sunday, Tuck's nephew made his debut.

The whole pregnancy, he has been measuring a week early.  So we knew he would be a big guy.  Well, last week, at the 39 week appointment, he measured 43 weeks!  Umm whoa.  Since his due date was the 6th, they made plans Friday to induce tomorrow.  The doctor did an extra sonogram to make sure he was hanging tight and to see how much he would weigh...to determine if he would come naturally or via c-section.

I think everyone has been on pins and needles.  Every day I've talked to Tuck I've said...this is the last day they will do X, Y, or Z...this is the last Friday night just the two of them, etc.  We've all been ready for his arrival.

So this morning I wake up and see I have a text from Tuck's sister.  We text randomly a lot so I didn't really think much of it.  I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep but the phone was staring at me.  Just beckoning for me to read.  I popped back over to see what she said, and much to my surprise her water had broken!  I immediately text Tuck...too excited to go back to sleep. Tuck said CuddleBug (as termed by the babe's mother) would be here around 11.

So I had to do something.  So I worked out.  It was after 11.  Hadn't heard a thing.  My boyfriend was NOT responding to my pleas for information.  Finally at 11:46 AM I got the sweetest picture of the little CuddleBug. Well that really opened up at can of worms for Tuck because I naturally had 4 million questions that he was unable to answer on the spot.

CuddleBug weighed in at a healthy 9 pounds 8 ounces. 19 inches long.  Future little linebacker.  Blonde hair.  Sweet cheeks.  What looks to be a good combination of both parents. Seems to have a pretty mellow personality...from what I hear, at least.

The sweetest thing?  Hearing my boyfriend talk about his new buddy.  I really almost cried. He was SO excited today.  He told me: this is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.  Tuck was pretty defensive when they poked and prodded the little guy.  He quickly learned I need to be updated frequently.  He graciously obliged.

The (nameless) grandparents were pretty excited too.  Who am I kidding?  They were thrilled.  I say nameless because they haven't decided on names.  As a grandparent, this would be one of the most exciting things for me.  We ALL know I LOVE a nickname.

Things I'm looking forward to?  Seeing Tuck hold him for the first time.  Getting to hold him myself...on Saturday!  Watching Tuck's sister and brother-in-law raise him.  Watching him grow up.  Sporting events.  Gifting him with really loud and obnoxious toys.

I couldn't have been more happy/thrilled/exuberant/over-the-moon about today.  I so WISH I could have been there for the celebration. 

CuddleBug (heaven knows, I promise I will come up with a different name as you grow), you have been SO loved and prayed for since we first knew of you.  You were so wanted...by all of your wonderful family.  While I can really only speak about the King side (even though I've grown to love and adore your Pop and Marvie) as far as family goes, you couldn't have a better one.  As far as parents go?  They're the best.  Can't wait to see the plans our God has for you.  What a wonderful journey it will be!

He's Here!

Miscellaneous Monday

I've been absent.  Getting back into the swing of things.  Starting week 3 back in the Big City.  It feels good to be back...after a bit of a rough start.

The weekend after our 365, Tuck came to visit with me and my family before I went back to school.  He had to come on Saturday because we are knee deep in tax season.  That day I kind of woke up feeling "off".  I was never hungry for whatever reason, but don't worry I didn't miss a meal.  At dinner I noticed I was slowing down...that kind of oh-my-gosh-stop-eating-you-are-going-to-throw-up feeling.  Tried to put it in the back of my mind.  We (as a family) watched Miss America.  The "storm" was raging.  After the pageant, I went upstairs with Tuck to pack.  That lasted about two seconds.  I was miserable.  I'll spare you the details but I did every thing I could to not get sick.  But it happened and fast.  My I-can't-even-watch-Grey's-anatomy boyfriend stayed with me the whole time.  I was so surprised he didn't flip.  I thought I was fine after that.  Nope.  Around 1:30 AM I was in SO MUCH pain and was beyond dehydrated...like every muscle group cramping, dehydrated.  Tuck made the executive decision to head to the ER...that's when he flipped...shuffling me out to the car, carrying my TWO purses, getting shoes on my feet, not sure how to get to the hospital, nervous I was going to lose it in his new truck, carrying around my (ahem) vom bucket...who could freaking blame him. By the time we got to the hospital I was about to die.  I KNEW my gallbladder was coming out.  I was green.  My nails were blue.  My blood pressure was so low I could hardly sit up.  In triage, I bumped a man in the ER who had an issue after a prostate surgery.  Bad news.  After fluids, two rounds of anti-nausea and IV pain meds, and a CT..we got a pretty inconclusive diagnosis but thankfully, we were out the door.  The sun was rising as we pulled up to the house.  Tuck had been up for 22 hours.  I was delirious.  Boosin tucked us in.  I ate fifteen noodles three days later and lived on Gatorade for a week.

I ended up getting back to the Big City later than expected but everything always works out.  I'm just now feeling caught up.  And after two weeks of class?  I bought my books.  Today.

Shot from 365 weekend.  Daddy Duley (Poodle's bf), skinny Poodle, you know the rest.

THIS past weekend, Tuck came to the Big City for the first time since November.  The man worked SO HARD to get here on Friday.  Had to get in ~55 hours before Friday.  He worked ~6:30 AM to ~7:30 PM every night.  He did it.  It meant so much to me.  He was exhausted by the time he got here but put on a good face.  The weekend was relaxing.  We went to the Science Museum and the mall on Saturday.  Might have gotten an awesome cupcake from The Cup.  Then enjoyed dinner at Molly's in S.oulard...we enjoyed alligator, hurricanes, fried oysters, and shrimp and grits.  It was the best weekend we've had in a while and I loved every second of it. 

Now?

-I'm working on my fitness.  Who isn't?

-I should be writing a paper for class

-We are patiently (or not so patiently) awaiting the arrival of Tuck's nephew 

-I'm LOVING my clinic site 

-My sheets are clean, clothes are washed, house is dusted and vacuumed. 

-Looking forward to my first (to get to celebrate) Mardi Gras in the Big City

2011 Recap

January-February
Spent my first winter in the Big City. Lived through the Snowpocalypse of 2011.  Learned that a parka is a MUST.  Got stuck in the snow a zillion times...thankfully, I was assisted by many random acts of kindness.

Met my main man. Spent endless hours on the phone.  Got to see him for the second time in February at the Charty....first engagement party to host!

 (First picture.  Ew and ew.  We both hate it)

Panicked for entirely too long about WHAT to get Tuck for his birthday.  Finally figured it out.  Screwed up his cookies and ended up making an ungodly amount of chocolate chip, white chocolate chip, peanut butter chip cookies...they evolved into a tri-chip cookie because of my salt fiasco.

March
A busy month.  I went RED and cut my hair off.  Celebrated my first birthday in the Big City.

After midterms, I jetted off to meet Tuck's family for the first time.  Without him.  He did come home after a rehearsal dinner, only to leave me again the next morning to take pictures for the wedding he was in.  Lucky for him, I can hang.  After a sweet wedding, he took me to my house so he could meet my parents.  We didn't waste any time, huh?
That visit started my Spring Break.  I got some rest and a good visit in with my Mimi before heading to (I'm sorry, but it's true) the bottom of the map for a special wedding.  My cousin, Cher! Such a fun, family weekend!

April
Tuck's first visit to the Big City!

 First holiday to spend with a BOY.  Easter at home with the fam.  Also, LOVED my Friday fish fry's during Lent with Berns.  Looking forward to them this year!

May
What to say about May?  I'd like a re-do on May.  During finals, we very unexpectedly lost my cousin. You read it.  You were there.  The whole series of events of the days following are still so surreal.  But through the unimaginable, I was lifted up so many sweet friends.  I really saw how my Big City friends are really my family.  My school jumped in and took such good care of me until I could get home.  In truth, I just wanted to be with my family.  Feel that fierce bond.  It was there and is still very present.

 

You're lucky when friends become family.  Fortunately, my "family" continues to multiply.  Without these three?  I most certainly would have failed my Neuro final the day after he died.  I'd also laugh a lot less if they weren't around...and I wouldn't weigh nearly 4,000 pounds.

During my intersession class, I got to go celebrate MyH(e)art at her bachelorette party...in Nashville, one of my very favorite places.  An amazingly wonderful weekend with school friends and my "wedding" friends- after two Tupelo weddings...I feel like I'm from Tupelo. 

 One peene picture.  Had to have one.

June-July

Spent my first summer in the Big City.  Learned that I really enjoy working...meaning NO HOMEWORK and/or STUDYING for almost three months.  Got to really enjoy my city.  Made some new friends.  A very special Canadian...without her, clinic would have been very interesting.  So thankful for her friendship.

Got to stand by and see MyH(e)art and Chadberry get married.  Truly one of the sweetest weddings.

Boosin and my aunt (Stella) came to visit for Stella's birthday.  Fun weekend and first of my extended family to make a visit!

4th of July I spent with the Grenada posse.  If you haven't read THAT post, look back.  I can't even link it.  Can't relive that one.

 Tuck came to the Big City.  We hit up our first game together.  Exciting times...especially with how the season ended up.

Saw my childhood heart-throbs.  BSB.  Which proved to be slightly depressing.  But was also a great release from the every day.

August
Fun month spent at home.  It was a great break.  I got to see Tuck every weekend.  We went to CRae's wedding.  That was pretty much it.  I was nervous to head back to school.  Worried that my classes were going to be overwhelming...ended up having a great semester and learned more than I could ever imagine.

September

Good times you were.  Got to go back to my favorite place on Earth for a football game or two. 

This happened.  Infected salivary gland, in case you were wondering. 

We remembered the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  (I have some great pictures that I can't find right now)  I spent the entire Sunday (weekend of the salivary gland infection) just watching specials from that day in 2001.  So much I didn't understand back then. 

The Wolf also made his first visit to the Big City.  You could say he liked it.  I never did blog about that weekend, did I?  We.had.fun.

October

Was a whirlwind.  Midterms were brutal this time around.  We all seemed to manage but our fun was had literally in the last weekend of that month.

First weekend of October- Oktoberfest.  I'll be back this October.  Don't you worry. 

The Cards won the World Series.  That was such a crazy time.  I think we were all on pins and needles during game six.  I went home from the bar thinking we would lose.  Ha.  They pulled it out and Tuck got to be there for the big win.  That weekend we also celebrate Halloween.  The Cards victory parade.  Tuck's first weekend to stay an extra night.  And my first break-in...thank God he stayed. 

November
We attended our first hockey game.  Lots of fun. 

I'm assuming not too much else happened.  We spent Thanksgiving at my Mimi's.  It was a strange Thanksgiving because we were all at her house...but she wasn't there.  Don't get me wrong, she's still here.  I never advertised that she fell a few weeks prior to Thanksgiving.  In her backyard, picking pansies.  Poor girl shattered her shoulder and BROKE HER BACK.  They did a total shoulder replacement, while her back had to heal on its own...like in a brace.  We went to visit her at the rehab facility.  Made my Thanksgiving.
Tuck spent Thanksgiving with me.  The next day we went and I met his father's kin.  His Nana?  I love.

December

Well, well.  I still managed to have a little fun.  I spent a lot of time being miserable, on my own accord.  I wanted to be with Tuck.  I didn't want to do schoolwork.  I didn't want to study but had to.  Just knew I would "fail".  I didn't.  Here we are having fun.

I was SO HAPPY to be home when finals were over.  I got home the 20th.  December 23rd we headed to Mimi's for Christmas.  That day, Jenty called to tell me she was engaged.  I knew he had the ring for quite some time.  Every call from her, I knew "this was it".  I cried as she told the story...but if you REALLY want to cry...let him tell you the story.  The boy goes all misty...ol' Jenty isn't much for the waterworks.

Christmas was wonderful.  Different.  But wonderful.  We took a trip to the cemetery on Christmas Eve.  I never thought I would want to go there.  Surprisingly, I did.  I'm not sure my trips would be complete without a visit.

The carolers came as usual.  The gumbo was served.  As we say, there was "much wine"...much much wine...if I'm being truthful.  The laughter was abundant.


That day there was one we couldn't stop thinking about.  There was one who was working who we really missed.  And then the others who are normally scattered.  Santa visited our chairs.  We had wonderful food.  And that night?  I left my family to be with Tuck's.  I.cried.the.whole.way.there.  I was totally fine when I got there.  I had just never left before.   I had a marvelous Christmas there too.

My Christmas miracle this year?  Watching Mimi.  I mean this so seriously.  The woman is the strongest person I know.  Nothing gets her down.  At Thanksgiving, she was in a bad way.  Probably not as bad as the initial fall, but it was hard to see.  Christmas?  She was doing so well.  She sat with us.  Didn't push herself too much.  Even got out of the house a few times.  Another plus, the brace (that we thought would be on for at least another month) came off this week. 
But possibly the best example of selflessness and true friendship was watching Mrs. Ann care for Mimi.  She came every night around 8:30 or so after Mimi got out of the rehabilitation center.  Yes, even Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Every. Night.  She tended to her every need.  Created a routine for her.  Cared for her.  Was so gentle with her.  I am so thankful for her.  She truly is a special lady and means a lot to our entire family.


2011 was a pretty great year for me.  It has its obvious up's and down's. 

2012 is already looking to be amazing.  Let's hope so.