Baby Update: 27 weeks

It's been business as usual since my last baby update. Not much has changed, except for the size of my belly.

It's the very last week of my second trimester. Next week I'll begin my third trimester, which means this baby's birthday is getting closer and closer.

I'm feeling great. I've got tons of energy and I'm having virtually no side effects from this pregnancy. My weight gain has been steadily creeping up. I've gained 12lbs. so far.

***Side note on weight gain: I just think it is crazy the pressure that is put on women. When you aren't pregnant you are not small enough, and when you're pregnant you suddenly aren't big enough. I've had so many people comment on how small I am. I know it is meant as a compliment, but it just makes me feel self conscious and then I start to worry about the baby. (Also crazy how much I'm already worrying about the health, safety, and well-being of this little baby). For example, last week I was getting a pedicure and another girl walked in who was very pregnant. The pedicurist asked her when she was due, I thought for sure she was going to say the end of October or November. But no, she said she was due January 23. Then the pedicurist looked at me and said, "But you're due January 15, why you so small?" Maybe it is the hormones, but all I wanted to do was cry.

Anyways, I had my monthly appointment this morning. My favorite part of these appointments is that I get to hear Baby J's little heartbeat. Since I'm not high risk and baby is developing perfectly I don't have any scheduled ultrasounds, so these little heartbeats and kicks are all I get until Baby J makes his or her appearance. It is 30 seconds that I cherish. Today Baby J's heartbeat was 137 - good and strong, just the way we like it. And, if you were wondering, Dr. Golden is very happy with my weight gain and the baby's development. He told me that everyone carries different and some people gain all their weight at the beginning and some at the end, and some gain steadily all along. And he told me not to worry.

I have another appointment in 3 weeks, then I start having appointments every other week until Christmas. Then I have appointments every week until Baby J decides to come! 3 months seems like forever to wait, but at the same time it seems way too close! 

Showered with Love

The invitations, designed by me.

It's really happening! I'm having a baby!

I have to keep reminding myself. I don't think I'll fully comprehend it until I'm in the hospital, and even then I'm sure I'll feel like it's a dream.

Over the weekend my sister hosted my very first baby shower.

We kept the menu limited to sweet treats, including homemade lavender macarons made by my incredibly talented sister.

It was a great day of full of friends, fellowship, and fun. I'm so blessed to have such a great support system to lift me up and keep me from freaking out completely. Don't get me wrong, Jim and I couldn't be more excited or more happy about having a baby. I'm just feeling such an overwhelming sense of responsibility and feel like I just don't have enough time to prepare.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures:

Why I Care

I have the most amazing job in the world. I get to work with students from all around the world who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Not only are they passionate, but they are actually doing something.

Lately I've had the pleasure of working with a group of students who created something called the Why Care? Campaign. The concept is simple. Before you can take action, you first have to realize why you care. The students set out on a quest to ask people to share why they care about hunger with the goal of collecting 10,000 by World Food Day on October 16. I was there to provide the tech support - creating the website and the graphics for the campaign - along with promoting the campaign amongst the 300+ universities involved with Universities Fighting World Hunger. So far, the results have been nothing short of amazing.

Most of you know that I care about hunger, especially since it is my job to care...literally. But for me, it goes a little deeper and is much more than a job. Here's why I care:

In 2002, when I was just 15 years old, I had the opportunity to go to Haiti on a mission trip with my church youth group. I some how got my parents to agree to let me go and on a hot day in July boarded a plane to Miami and then on to Port-au-Prince with my now husband and Father-in-Law, plus 6 other students and 3 adults. I remember getting off the plane and feeling like I had just opened the door of a hot oven - the heat and humidity hit me like a ton of bricks.

I really had no idea what I was getting in to. It was my first time traveling out of the US. I knew that Haiti was a poor country, one of the poorest in the western hemisphere. I knew that it had struggled throughout its history with political disputes. I knew all of this, but didn't really think about it before I got there. I never thought about the lasting consequences of hunger or its devastating effects on the success, or failure, of a country. Haiti was about to open my eyes and completely change my world view.

While in Haiti there were many, many experiences - some down right frightening, others simply heartbreaking - that opened my eyes. Though we had things stolen and were completely surrounded at times I never once was mad at the people. I realized it was all from an act of desperation to provide for their families. Something that touched my heart, but that I could never really understand until now, as I prepare to have a family of my own.

Haiti set me on my path to do something to help others. At 15 I wasn't sure what it would turn out to look like, but I knew I would do something. I went on several more mission trips throughout high school and during college I was very involved with the Committee of 19, the Auburn chapter of UFWH. But it wasn't until after my junior year of college when I had my internship at the World Food Programme headquarters in Rome, Italy that I realized I didn't need to be physically feeding people to make a difference. My role as a humanitarian would be as an advocate, inspiring others - specifically students - to make a difference. As one person I knew it was going to be hard to feel like I was making an impact, but if I could inspire an entire generation, real change was within reach.

The smells and the sounds of that country still haunt me. But I am thankful for the experiences that molded me and shaped my life. Haiti ignited my passion and helped me realize why I care.

McCrady's Restaurant

Food is good, and good food is even better. Every now and then you get to experience a meal that stirs your emotions and leaves you wanting more. McCrady's was one of those experiences.

Tucked away in a little alley in Charleston, South Carolina is a little gem of a restaurant that has been there since 1788 and I'm sure has only gotten better over time. It is now creating culinary masterpieces under the direction of Executive Chef Sean Brock, who won the 2010 James Beard Best Chef Southeast award.

The restaurant specializes in innovative cuisine using a fresh farm to table approach. They work with local farmers and producers to use only fresh, seasonal ingredients and sustainably harvested seafood.

We chose to do the 4 course tasting menu and Jim took the option with wine pairings for each course. Here's what we had:

Jim's Menu:

First Course - 

Masami Ranch Wagyu Beef Tartare

Egg Yolk, Ramps, Chrysanthemum and Black Walnuts

Wine Pairing - Brut-Premier Cru, Rene Geoffroy, "Expression". Champagne-France

Fish Course - 

Grilled Charleston Swordfish

Roasted Cabbage, Turnips, and Green Apple

Wine Pairing - Riesling, Donnhoff, "Tonschiefer". Nahe-Germany

Meat Course - 

Moulard Duck

Heirloom Pumpkin, Lacinato Kale, Butter Peas and Pear

Wine Pairing - Gamay Robert Serol, Cote Roannaise-France

Dessert - 

Chocolate Pots de Crème

Peanut Butter and Vanilla Mascarpone

Wine Pairing - Brachetto/Moscato, Euo Perrone, "Bigaro". Piedmont-Italy

Emma's Menu:

First Course - 

Pears Roasted over Pecan Shells

Pecan, Coconut and Grains of Paradise

Fish Course - 

Snapper Crusted with Green Peppercorn

Carrots, Whey and Wild Beach Herbs

Meat Course - 

Thornhill Farms Chicken

Autumn Greens, Chesnut, Apricot and Roasted Garlic

Dessert Course - 

Heirloom Pumpkin

Vanilla Ice Cream, Gingerbread

Simply listing the menu cannot begin to describe how great this meal was. Everything from the ambiance in the restaurant to the perfectly timed courses was outstanding. This is a splurge, but it is an experience that is well worth the price. I highly, highly recommend making a trip to Charleston just to eat at McCrady's.

Oh, and plan to get there early for your reservation so you can enjoy a cocktail or two and some phenomenal bar snacks that will only tempt your taste buds with what's to come.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a town like no other. It is the epitome of Southern culture and style. I'd been there once before, but Jim had never been, so we decided to take a long weekend trip to explore this Southern gem.

Charleston is an old port city known as The Holy City for the abundance of churches that dot the city. It is rich in history as it was part of the original 13 colonies and due to it's strategic location was home to many important battles during the Revolution and Civil War. The city also has some impressive preservation laws deeming that anything that has reached at 75 years of age has historical significance and must be protected. I can imagine this could be a nuisance if you are attempting to do any work on a home or building, but it has left this unique city perfectly preserved. When you walk down the streets south of Broad St. it is almost as if you have stepped back in time.

I've said it before, but we LOVE food. For us, traveling is all about discovering the local cuisine. My sister, Laura, and her boyfriend, Dustin, share this philosophy and were along for the long weekend trip. We all ate our way around the city and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. Here are a few of my recommendations:

Best place for dinner:
Poogan's Porch
72 Queen Street

We ate here for dinner the first night.

This little find has great ambiance and even better food. It is a must for dinner if you find yourself in Charleston. The value is great, entrees range from $18-25. They specialize in low-country classics with a twist. You will not be disappointed.


Best place for lunch:
Fleet Landing
186 Concord Street

For a quick and yummy lunch we stopped at Fleet Landing, right on the waterfront. I would recommend this place for lunch. We all got fried seafood baskets with tons of fried goodness for less than $9 each.


Best place for a splurge:
McCrady's Restaurant
2 Union Alley

Hand's down this is the best restaurant I've ever eaten at in my entire life. It is a splurge, but well worth it. Starting at $60 per person you can enjoy a 4 course chef's tasting menu that is an absolute feast for your senses. Click here for more about our experience.


Best place for chocolate:
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
90 Society Street

For a rich and decadent treat, Christophe's is the place to go. At $1.85 a piece the chocolate is a bit pricey, but 1 or 2 of these little morsels is all you need. I had a piece of dark chocolate filled with lavender caramel. It was divine.


Best place for brunch:
Hominy Grill
207 Rutledge Avenue

This is a great place to go for a good 'ol fashioned Southern brunch. It's a little off the beaten path and they don't take reservations for brunch, so get there early and plan to wait.


These are just a few of the places we tried and enjoyed and would definitely go back to, but if the few places we tried are any indication of what else Charleston has to offer you pretty much won't be disappointed no matter where you dine.

I'll leave you with a few of our favorite pictures from the trip: