Lilly goes to DC and the Big Easy...

I have been chastised for not adequately updating my blog. I had no idea I had so many fans! Just kidding. We have been crazy lately fitting everything into a finite amount of time we have before the baby comes and I have tons of pictures to show, but have not had the time to sit and write.

All that being said, writing has become slightly more difficult these days. I think I am beginning to understand the "brain drain" other women talk about. I have had to begin proof-reading my emails such that the recipient does not assume I have been drinking upon reading what I wrote. Flight of ideas does not even begin to describe how a sentence begins normal and then sounds like gibberish. I suppose that is my disclaimer for all posts starting now.

With every week I continue to get bigger, but thankfully am still holding on to somewhat of a normal sleep schedule, exercise routine, and daily life. I am holding my breath, as is Blake, for when this becomes obsolete. I once told Blake, that I don't really mind being pregnant, now that the nausea has passed, (during which I was wondering how anyone got dooped into having more than one child) so long as the pregnancy does not drastically affect my daily life. I still do most things I have always done, including spending every free moment I am not in school traveling to keep in touch with good friends. I think, though I might have one more trip in me if I can convince Blake, that my traveling days have finally ended, but they ended with a BANG! I have since been quarantined to the Memphis area if Blake is not traveling with me. I think he is scared that I will go into labor and he will not be able to get there and he will miss the entire experience. Normally I would tell him to stop being so sensitive (I know, you are thinking... wow Jaclyn, that is so sensitive of you) but given the gravity of becoming parents and the fact that this is a huge life changing experience, I have decided to be considerate.

About a month ago I ventured to Washington DC to visit one of my best friends from college - Robyn, who is getting married in May. How I am going to manage to fit into that dress 4 weeks post partum will, I am sure, be a subject I will talk about when this becomes a reality! Anyways some of her friends were hosting a bridal shower, and as the matron of honor I thought I would try to help/attend. So Lilly and I fly to DC and arrive in a winter wonderland of ice. While this slightly derails my fitness routine (uh-hem loose routine at that) we had a great time and it was great to have some pictures with Robyn before we both go through huge life changes :)

The shower was lovely, Jill and Michelle did great jobs, and despite the fact that the theme was wine and cheese, a theme somewhat lost on me, Lilly and I survived the horrid temptation. Some of the highlights included making me into the shotgun bride with toilet paper. I think my team was at a definite disadvantage given the extra girth, and the fact that the dress could in no way resemble the wedding dress she will wear. I might note that my team should have been at an advantage given the fact that I was one of two people having already seen the gorgeous gown! We had a great time, I miss seeing her more often, and can't wait to fit into that dress and dress Lilly up for her first big event!

THE BIG EASY..... 2 weeks before Mardi Gras

I had never been to New Orleans. This is something most people in Memphis find hard to believe until I remind them that I grew up in VA, and we went to New York, not Louisiana, to go to a big city. Nonetheless, when my friend Stephen Choate married my friend Kathryn and they moved to NO for residency, I knew a trip was in my future. I had been telling Kathryn that I wanted to come visit for quite sometime, and as the time grew closer for Lilly to arrive, the time for my girls trip to New Orleans was drawing to a swift close. Somehow we managed to get our schedules together and her mom drove me down to have a girls weekend.

Upon my arrival I declared my intent: To eat my way through the Big Easy! I mean what better time to be in a city with great food than when you can almost eat guilt free! I had bignets, Po'Boys, and the most delicious Cajun red fish EVER! The meal at Jacque-mos was quite possibly the best food I have eaten in a couple years. Needless to say the cuisine did not disappoint.

We spent time walking around the French Quarter, looking at architecture, the occasional palm reader and steering clear of all the sketchiness including the bars and voodoo. (that junk is scary) One of the coolest things was discovering the above-ground cemeteries. Because New Orleans is actually below sea level, they are unable to bury people in the ground. Weird huh?

We had fantastic weather- unlike DC- it was 75 the entire weekend. I went running/trotting in the garden district, and just enjoyed spending time with Kathryn and learning about her new home. All in all it was such a great weekend, a perfect end to my single excursions. Kathryn gave me a beautiful hand made outfit, and her mom generously funded all the fun and bought Lilly one of her first smocked dresses! Smocking is a big deal down here, as are embroidered spit-up cloths (yet again another story for another day).