O Christmas Tree

 The Rigby "Blue Spruce" Christmas Tree

 My handsome lumber jack husband ;o)

I have never ever had a real Christmas tree until now.  M was so excited to share that experience with his preggo wife.  Soooo on Saturday we road out to a Christmas tree farm in a beautiful quaint town in VA.  I love the countryside here.  It is so beautiful with the rolling hills and old homes.  Once at the farm we searched high and low for our perfect tree.  M also introduced me to Blue Spruces last year and I knew that it was what I wanted for my first real tree.  The tree really is the perfect shape.  Last year we didn't decorate because we were about to move, so I was glad to get all my great decorations out for our last Christmas with just the two of us.  The only downside to a real tree is it will not stop shedding and between my hair, the dogs' hair, and the tree I am a sweeping maniac. LOL

Give Thanks!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This year has been quite the adventure for M & I with moving, new jobs, and approaching parenthood.   We are very thankful for our healthy family, friends, jobs, renters, clearing debt, our dogs, and baby Mac.  I can't describe how excited I am to meet this little guy.  After our 18 week ultrasound it hit me like a ton of bricks.  To have gone from never really knowing if I wanted children to falling madly in love with this little boy we haven't even met is very emotional.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for our lives.  He is in charge and I am so thankful he blessed us with this opportunity.  M & I are staying put for  Thanksgiving and will have dinner with his parents.  The news just said that they expect 900,000 travelers on the road in this area.  We will make the 13 hour trip home for a sweet TN Christmas!!!  I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

The Good and Bad Buys in Hair care of 2010

Good Buys

Twisty Bobby Pins

I saw these on TV and had to try them.  These hold my hair up in many different styles all day and they do not make my head hurt.  If you know me then you know I have super thick long curly hair. I bought mine at Target.

Kerastase Shampoo and Conditioner

(the best in hair products you will ever buy) I promise!!!

I am very picky when it comes to hair care.  I color/highlight my hair every 2 to 2.5 months because of early grey. ERRR  Since I spend so much on that I feel that I should use good products.  I have tried many different brands because I was trying to find a less expensive one, but this is the best.  I am done shopping around and will stick to what I know is good.  It's a bit pricey, but more concentrated so it lasts longer.

Bad Buys

Bumble and Bumble Alojoba Shampoo and Conditioner

I have tried many different Bumble and Bumble products and this was by far the WORST!!  I have never been pleased with any product from this high end brand. 

Organix Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner

TERRIBLE!!!!!! This was one of my shots at a cheaper hair product and what a waste of money.   I thought maybe since I am preggo that my hair doesn't detangle as well as it used to, but when Amy came to visit she used this and reported the same thing.  I have never put so much conditioner on my hair in my life and once it is rinsed out I think there are more tangles than before.

Garnier Shampoo and Conditioner all in One

You guessed it another shot at a cheaper product.  I will make this brief.  It gave me an awful painful case of a dry scalp.  I had to have 2-3 deep conditioning treatments at a salon before I had any relief.

Cheers to Beautiful Hair!! XOXO

What's in a name?

Malcolm "Mac" Raylynn Rigby

is our son's official name!

A couple of years ago we came across a book written and illustrated by Mike's paternal grandfather Malcolm Rigby at the age of 9.  At that moment we thought that is such a strong name for a boy.  His grandfather was brilliant and even Amelia Earhart's weatherman.  We also both loved the fact that we can call him "Mac" for short.  Malcolm is from Scottish origin and the name of four kings in Scotland.  I love royalty! Raylyn is a name we came across and it works out great because my father's middle name is Lynn.  Naming a human being is one tough job.  We wanted a strong classic name that would represent him well throughout his life.  It is crazy all the opinions people will throw your way with names.  I would love to know about your name or childrens' names.



Fall into DC

Amy Love Smith came to visit me this past weekend!  This wasn't her first visit, so we did not have to do quite so many tourist things.  It was very different from our previous trips because of this new stage of life I have moved into.  We had such a great time.  When she arrived we hit up Georgetown to shop and of course pay a visit to the famous "Georgetown Cupcake."  The apple caramel cupcake was a hit.  We also got in on our third reality tv show together while there. LOL  Our agents must have notified them. ;o)  Friday we went to the "Newseum" and the Capital.  Fall is my favorite time of the year and it's even more breath taking at our nation's capital.  Friday night we went with my girlfriends here downtown DC for a delicious dinner at "Central."  Saturday and Sunday were our days to just be like we used to back in graduate school.  It is always so hard when we say goodbye, but with little man on the way I know we will see each other several times this spring.  I thank God everyday for placing such amazing people like Amy in my life. 

"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." Edna Buchanan

The top of the "Newseum"

Mac's first visit to our nation's capital

"Georgetown Cupcake"

Reveal Party

We decided to do a "Reveal Party" for our little baby Friday night after our appointment.  It wasn't as hard as I thought to keep a secret from family and friends here because I still got to tell sooooo many people back home.  You are welcome to laugh at my cake.  It was my first time to bake a cake (no Mike did not marry me for my domestic abilities), but it was surprisingly very easy.  I made the inside blue and the writing looks so ghetto because I did not know I needed tools with the icing.  I then tried to make it look better with polka dots, but by the time we got to Mike's parent's house they had melted on the cake.  Mike's Aunt Cyndi was in town from Seattle and his best friend Scott was in town from Fl.  Lots of family and friends gathered at his parents house for the party and dinner.  As soon as we got to the house his mom came running toward the cake with a spatula.  She was NOT going to wait any longer.  She was really hoping it was a girl, but now she has 6 GRANDSONS!!!  Mike and I are still debating names, but I think we are close to deciding.  I never knew it would be this hard.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I think you can tell how super excited we all are about this sweet little boy!!! XOXO

I am a BOY!

  I surprised Mike with daddy gifts!

                                                            Mike with his parents

                                                

                     Mike's oldest sister passed down that sign that reads "Mother's of little boys work from son up to son down."  I am thinking this has a very good chance of being true.  I have been feeling him on the go since he was 18 weeks.