raising beasts: 10/01/2011

15 Weeks

Bye Week! This last week was Evan's bye week, meaning, no practices or meetings. We were able to leave Philly and go on vacation. Since I am going home for Christmas, we went to visit his family in Birmingham (Homewood), Alabama. We spent 5 nights soaking up the southern lifestyle. It reminded me of home. I was surrounded by genuinely nice people and family.

Upon our arrival, Deb (Evan's mother) set a tent up out front with a sign that said "Welcome Home Evan & Katie." It was so considerate because days before our trip I told Deb how I wanted to go camping but Evan said we wouldn't have time. We didn't end up sleeping outside because a cold front happened to move in the day we arrived and stayed till after we left, but it was so sweet.

The next day, on our way to met Evan's dad Ed & stepmom Dee Dee for dinner, we picked up Evan's brother Adam from the airport. It was a surprise, no one knew Adam was coming in from Arizona. His dad & stepmom couldn't be more happy to have the boys home. Lots of laughs were shared and fantastic southern food for dinner. They also surprised us with birthday & baby gifts. We received our first baby's first stuffed animal and of course if was a elephant. The softest little thing you'll ever hold. For those who don't know Alabama's mascot is the Elephant. ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Our days were filled with "this is where I..." & "theres where I..." and of course meeting all of his blasts from the pasts. One night Deb invited Evan's father and fathers side over for dinner. It was beautiful, we all sat around the fire pit out front and ate more great southern cooking.

Evan, Adam & Granny

Deb, Evan, Ed & Adam

Chris & Evan

Dee Dee & Chris

Saturday is football day in Alabama, actually everyday might be football day down there. Everyone seems to be a huge college football fan. Deb go the hookup and we sat in a skybox to watch the game. Before the game started, we ate at Evan's Uncle Bob's restaurant "Wings U." After "Wings U" we headed over to the tailgate party where I got the best view of true fanatics. I mean, these people are crazy about their pride. After a win (37-6) against Tennessee, we spent 2 hours in traffic to get back to Deb's house. Long day made getting to sleep easy.

The trip was great, and my body was exhausted. I slept over 15 hours when we finally made it back to Philly. Looking forward to going back with the little one.

The little one. I couldn't be more excited to find out the sex. For awhile I told myself that it was okay if we didn't find out right away. But now that we have an appointment I'm dying to know. Only 7 more days and we could hear and see the news of what gender our "baby shark" is.

As far as symptoms, they come and go. One day I'll wake up feeling sick and others I'll feel fine. Head aches come and go and no matter what I put or don't put on my skin, breaking out is inevitable.

My mom sent Evan this cartoon clipped out of her local newspaper last week....

It's the little things that matter most.

14 Weeks

I've been meaning to post a new update but I really don't have much to say that has changed about the pregnancy. I haven't gained any weight and my bump hasn't grown. In fact sometimes I wonder if I'm losing weight. Don't be alarmed, everything is just fine (normal/healthy.) Baby Mathis is being his/her monstrous self with a speedy heart rate and giving Mommy all symptoms her friends don't have through their pregnancy (lucky ladies.) Somethings are starting to ease, like morning sickness. Even though I've been saying that for a few weeks now, it does seem less and less troublesome to deal with. I have also had those little bursts of energy, spending it cleaning or doing something with my main man.

In the last two weeks I've used my extra energy in creating a surprise Baby Shower for a new friend I and the other player's wives have had the pleasure of meeting and loving. That has not only taken my energy but also my time from Evan. Since choosing not to work while in Philly, Evan has bee up and down with where my attention should and shouldn't be. And for this brief time that he had ZERO of it, he became a little more attached and acted... perhaps deprived. Adorable for the time that it lasted, but once I was done with the planning he was ready for me to find a new activity. I'm still finding that perfect balance. PS: I can email anyone the game and activities I created for the baby shower if you would like them for your own event.

We had games where guests could win a prize but also had an area where you could create a page for a scrapbook that the Mommy-to-be could add pictures and writings after the baby arrives. Next to the scrapbook area there was "Baby Jenga" where each person had three blocks to write a wish for the baby, a wish for the mommy and daddy and a block for advice. It turned out just beautifully.

Lindsay Morhinwig, the Mommy-to-be Keelie Rosa and Tammy Reid.

Before the planning of the Baby Shower, Evan was doing some secret planning of his own. We celebrated my 22nd birthday (just us two) and it was absolutely lovely. Evan surprised me with the biggest Edible Arrangements I have ever seen, teddy bear and bouquet of balloon attached. We told each other that we won't give gifts to each other on birthdays or Christmas, but just to make every day of our shared lives special. He ruined that deal, he bought me lovely presents. Now I have to come up with something for his birthday in two weeks. I'm taking ideas.

My parents sent me a package full of my favorite things and some new things as well (maternity tops!) But my favorite gift of all was the writing in the card. My mother and father wrote of how proud they were of me and their excitement for this year.

Let me toot my own horn. I couldn't be more ready for parenthood. I am strong, responsible and very much capable of anything I put my mind to. I was raised the same way I will choose to raise my children. I couldn't be happier of all the paths that I have chosen to take in my life, each and every one. They have all created this being I am today and I don't regret a single moment of wrong doing. Hell, if I didn't party I wouldn't have met the man who hired me for the job where I eventually met Evan. In all honesty, I can say that I am more ready for parenthood that most parents out there. Not once have I questioned our choice of starting a family. What book says that once you have kids your life has to stop and you have to give up on your dreams? I have plenty of items on my bucket list and I want my child to be right there with me, watching me or joining me in whatever it may be. Graduating college, getting promoted, sky diving, Euro trip. This life was created to be surrounded by loved ones. I love my boyfriend and we love this child. We can't wait to meet the little guy or gal.

In other news, EAGLES WON!!!!! Yes! The Eagles beat the Redskins in DC yesterday and gosh, it feels good. Evan has always been one to accept loss and move on to what it's going to take him to slaughter the next team, and that makes it very easy on me. BUT WINNING?!?! This is exciting, he comes home with two other gentleman that live in the apartment above us and you can hear them from the car. Their spirits are high and their voices loud with laughter. They did such a wonderful job. I drove to DC and stayed in their hotel the night before, not in the same room of course, they have rules against that. Driving 6 hours in one day would have been too much for me. It was quite funny to wake up the morning of the game and watch the boys (players) leave the hotel front entrance to the three large busses parked 10 feet from the door. It looked like the Obama was leaving the building! There were security guards surrounding the perimeter, looking up and down every corner. I know it's serious and the boys could be in danger (especially off their turf) but it just looked silly to me. I kept thinking "These guys?" lol. After they left, I packed up and was off to the game. No special treatment for player's significant others at away games! Nope! No sir! I parked a mile (or more) away and paid $40!!! Yes, $40 for parking, crazy. No free food, no special room I can lounge in, in fact... my seat was the second row from the tip top nose bleeds. It took serious energy to go to the bathroom or get a snack during the game, there were so many stairs. I was luck enough to sit next to a friend, a players girlfriend's seat was right next to mine and her family was there so there was always someone to chat with. In the end, the boys won and that drive home in traffic was that much easier because of it.

Our view :( It was like the whole stadium shook!

One more very important football note, Evan is rated #2 Guard in the NFL! The article writes "Mathis graded out at a 7.6 rating overall, but it's been his run blocking that received rave reviews as he has a 5.1 rating in helping the league's top-ranked rushing attack. Mathis has a 1.5 in pass blocking, a 0.5 in screen blocking and a 0.5 in penalties. 'I think I've done what I've needed to do to keep getting better every year,' Mathis said. 'I've always put it on myself to continue to improve. So far, I think I am playing the best (of my career), but I still know I have plenty of potential. There's plenty of room to go.'" For more information follow the link:

www.philadelphiaeagles.com

Now, it's the beginning of the "Bye" week. For those who don't know a "Bye" week is the chosen week each team has off for the season. If they're not injured and need treatments they have to stay of course. That chance is nerve racking for every player that plays in the game before Bye week and plans on going home. Luckily, Evan wasn't hurt. We are leaving tomorrow for ALABAMA! I've never been to the south before, this is my first time meeting his family (outside his mother and brother.) I am also going to my first Alabama football game, tailgate party and all! Woo hoo! We're going to have a great time.

12 Weeks

Pregnancy is going great. I smile & laugh more than ever. My skin is clearing up, boobs are "settling", my morning sickness is so minuscular, etc. I am however... breaking down and crying over sad movies or music.

Evan's uncle Skip & cousin Jessica came to visit us this week. They drove all the way up from Alabama to photograph Evan at the Breast Cancer game and are staying till Wednesday. We loved having them, although I wish we knew more about the city so we could show them around a little more. Skip, being the professional photographer that he is, convinced Evan & I to take some photos couples/relationship/family photos and you know what, we truly enjoyed it! Skip is fantastic and I suggest everyone to work with him. Here is his link: http://www.facebook.com/skipbaumhowerphotography

I'll post the "so serious" ones later but here are some bloopers!