Through the eyes of Raymond

So....I was reading Blue Eyed Bride's blog the other day and she and her husband are taking the same route that Raymond and I are....get married and immediately get pregnant!! It has been fun reading and following her blog as she and her husband get adjusted to married life and preparing for their first child. Even though I don't know her personally, it has been somewhat of a comfort to read her gripes, laughs, etc and sit back and be able to empathize. She spoke a few weeks ago about what her husband's response might be if someone were to ask him what the first year of marriage is like. Which got me thinking, what would Raymond say? I thought that maybe I would share with you some of my husband's thoughts on the first year of marriage....with a pregnant wife.....
1. Not just pregnant women go to the "pregnancy doctor's" office. (Note to self: Become familiar with the term OB/GYN)
2. Get really comfortable in the kitchen because apparently, if you are pregnant, you can't cook.
3. Everyone said that pregnancy brings about crazy mood swings and severely emotional moments....I'm still trying to figure out how that will be different than our life before she got pregnant.
4. If your wife says she's cold, the air goes off. If she's hot, get the fans going. Always be in defensive mode because this could change from second to second.
5. Prepare yourself before walking in the house- always have a smile and a kiss ready with open arms, but don't get down if she just looks at you blankly. She still loves you.
6. Is it Wednesday? Yep, she's probably crying. Is it Sunday? Yep, she's probably crying. Does the day end in y? Just bank on not ever understanding why she's shedding tears.
7. Pregnant women get "very overwhelmed" by something very little- say, packing for a weekend getaway?
8. Be prepared to stock up on the most random foods. Even though you've never seen her eat a fruit roll up or Eggo waffle, if that's what she wants, get it.
9. It might be okay one day for your golf clubs to sit by the door, but don't be shocked when the next day you might as well have committed a moral sin.
10. Be ready to apologize, even if you don't know what you are apologizing for.
11. Pregnant women seem to need to put their feet up A LOT.
12. You will be hearing the phrase, "I can't help it, I'm pregnant" more times that you can count.
13. Women's bodies do things that you could have gone your WHOLE life without knowing.
14. Spiff up your foot and back rubbing techniques.
15. Become an expert at doing EVERYTHING around the house.

I thought that some of you who know Raymond might get a good chuckle out of this. Your chuckle will be greatly increased if you know me at all. Raymond is a good soul! That's why I know he'll make a good daddy!

Off to Junior League tonight. I am really excited for the year to be wrapping up. We have finally seen all of our hard work pay off. My group had their Provisional Project last weekend at Richland Memorial's Childrens Hospital and it was a hit. The children were so excited to have us there. We had a Movie Adventure Party and had all sorts of crafts, movies, goodie bags, and treats for all the children. It was such an amazing experience to be able to bring some joy into these sweet children's lives. It truly touched me to the core when I realized that this could very well be me with my own child. I can only hope and pray that there would be a group of women who cared as much. The staff was amazing and it is such a wonderful place that does so much good for so many families.

Hope you all are ready for the weekend! Raymond started his preparation class for the FE exam in April today. It's 80 intense hours of prep for the exam and although he's anxious for the actual test, I think that he is ready to put himself to the max! I am so proud of him and I know that he will do so well. He will be occupied with that for the next few weekends so in the meantime I will be forcing myself to get on the nursery. Especially this weekend since it's supposed to be really yucky. I will have no excuse but to lock myself up in the house and clean and clean and clean!

Hopefully this weekend I will be ready to have the "before" picture ready to take of the nursery. This weekend is Corps Weekend down at The Citadel and I hate that I won't be able to end up going down. Please keep all of the cadets in your continued prayers as they are bringing this school year to an end. This is always an exciting time for them! Also, please continue to keep my friend Jessica and her husband Trey in your prayers as well as he is beginning his career serving our country. She is doing really well and holding up like a well, soldier (sorry Jess, no pun intended).
Hope you all have a blessed evening!!!

"And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times. It's you, it's you, you make me sing. You're every line, you're every word, you're everything."
-Michael Buble

Love,
Charlotte