101 in 1001

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This year instead of a New Year's Resolution or a list of goals,
I've decided to make a list of 101 in 1001.
I've seen them on quite a few blogs &
 thought it was a great way to achieve goals in a more timely manner.
Some should be pretty easy to cross off, while others may take a little time.
It will be challenging, fun and most of all help me grow as a person
 & I can't wait to get started!

Starts: January 1, 2014
Ends: September 28, 2016

Key:
If it is crossed off, I have completed it.
If it is in Bold, it is a work in progress.
If it is in italics, I did not complete it.
*These are in no particular order.

Goals:

  X1. Lose baby weight. 

X2. Graduate with my Bachelor's degree.

3. Find a red wine I love.

4. Become members of our church.
5. Buy a new Bible.
6. Put together a book together of 100 Bible verses & favorite quotes. (1/100)

7. Read 25 books. (1/25) 

--Sippy Cups are not for Chardonnay 

8. Do yoga everyday for 30 days. (0/30)

9. Get a passport. 

 10. Buy a bike & ride it 2/3 times per week. 

11. Find the perfect little black dress.

X12. Make healthy lunches for myself everyday for a month. (25/30)

13. Find a 9-5 job with benefits.
14. Get a blow out. 

15. "Unplug" for 48 hours.
X16. Save enough to buy myself a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM.
17. Commit to a skincare routine.
X18. Go an entire month without buying anything at Starbucks. 
19. 

20. Find the perfect mascara. 

Wife:

21. Recreate our first date.
22. Watch Mr. Army Man jump out of an airplane.
X23. Bring him lunch to work.
24. Make it to a promotion/graduation ceremony.
25. Start a daily devotional.
26. Get couples massage.
27. Take concealed handgun class together.
28. Pack his lunch everyday for a month,
complete with a handwritten note. (0/30)
29. Go to a couples yoga class .
30. Take a Salsa class together.
31. Start our own Family Christmas Traditions.
32. Go fishing with Mr. Army Man in his new boat.

Cooper:
33. Have a natural birth- no epidural.
 34. Breast feed for at least 6 months. (3/6)
35. Take him to visit the Memphis Zoo.
 36. Try making homemade baby food.
37. Teach him to walk before 1st birthday.
38.  Potty train by 2nd birthday.
 39. Get him a life insurance policy.
40. Take him to the Marbles Children's Museum in Raleigh.
41. Take him to the Pink Palace.
42. Buy a Piggy Bank.
43. Start a savings account for him.
44. Make his first birthday cake.
45. Have Cooper Baptized. 

For Others:

46. Volunteer for The Salvation Army,
ringing the bell to collect Christmas donations.
47. Be someones maid of honor. (10.4.14)
48. Donate old clothes to local shelter or those in need.
49. Send out 101 letters snail mail style. (13/101)
50. Send a random care package to a friend.
51. Bake Christmas goodies for neighbors.
X52. Buy someone coffee at Starbucks.
 53. Donate blood.
54. Donate old books to local library.

Blog:

55. Go to some kind of blog conference. (11/7/14)
56. Make blog business cards.
 57. Guest post for a blogger.
58. Organize my pictures on my computer.
X59. Work with a friend on a blog project.
X 60. Launch a food blog. (Coming Soon!)
61. Host a giveaway on a friend's blog.
62. Get a better camera.
63. Leave 10 comments on other blogs everyday for a month. (0/30)
64. Buy a photo editor.
65. Host a blogger event. 

Homemaker:

66. Buy a new mattress for our bed.
67. Buy new platters & service ware.
68. Remodel master bath.
69. Meal plan for an entire month.
70. Bake/cook for 10 people I love. (2/10)
71. Pay off credit card.
 72. Save $150 per month.
 73. Landscape side flowerbeds.
74. Paint our living room.
75. Get built ins installed around fireplace.
76. Fix up backyard.
77. Keep my room and closet clean for at least three months. (0/3)
78. Make a fancy drink. 

Adventure: 

 79. Stay in Tunica.
80. Go on a girls trip.
81. Fly first class.
82. See a drive in movie.
83. Attend the Fayetteville Blues & Brews Fest.
84. Go to a horse race.
85. Stay at a B&B.
86. Visit five new cities. (0/5)

STL

Asheville, NC

Roanoke, VA
87. Go to a Cardinals baseball game. (7/10/14)
88. Go to a wine tasting at a vineyard.
89. Spend a weekend at the beach.
 90. Attend the Smithville Ham & Yam Fest.
91. Get a psychic reading.
92. Go skinny dipping.
93. Go on a baby moon.
94. Go to tequila bar.
95. Go on a picnic.
96. Party on Beale Street in Memphis, TN.
97. Go to a Dinner at the Goat Lady Dairy Farm.
98. Spend the weekend in Asheville. (8/17/14)
99. Go white water rafting.
100. Go ice skating.

101. Finish this list & make another one. 

Wish me luck! 

Bumpdate: Week 28

Week 28

  

Gender: It's a Boy! 

Weight Gain/Loss: +18

Baby's Growth: Baby boy should be measuring in at around 2 1/2 lbs. 

Movement: This baby has officially reached wiggly worm status.

Food Cravings: Fruit but mostly pineapple, grapes and oranges. Sparkling water & fruit gummies. 

Symptoms: It's getting harder to get up off the couch & out of the bed. 

Anything Making You Queasy/Sick: Not that I can think of. 

Sleeping: Best sleep of my life.. 

Other than waking up every 2 hours to potty! 

Stretchmarks: Getting a few on my love handles.. 
I've been lathering up a couple times a day with cocoa butter 
& belly oil to prevent more. 

Belly Button In/Out: In... 

Nursery:  

We need to:

Hang curtains

Put new knobs on dresser

Steam clean carpets 

Decorate built in book shelf

Wash all clothes

Wash all bedding & blankets

Hang artwork 

Find mirror to hang above dresser

Order rocking chair

Spray paint monogram for above crib 

Organize all his presents from his baby shower
Put down rug 

Favorite Moment This Week: Just relaxing & spending time with my family! 

Looking Forward To: Christmas with my family 
but most importantly the dessert table at my grandpa's house. 

{Sidenote: I've never been a big sweet eater
until I got pregnant & now I can't get enough!}

Arkansas Baby Shower

On Sunday, December 15th, I had my first baby shower. 

It was absolutely gorgeous. 

Mr. Army Man and I are so blessed to bring our sweet baby boy 

into this world surrounded by the sweetest friends & family.  

My shower was a ladies only brunch that featured:

Hash Brown Casserole

Crudités Platter  

Mini Quiche

Fruit Platter

Cheese & Jam Ring

Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents

Snow Flake Cupcakes

Blue Punch 

Hot Chocolate Bar 

The hostess' completely outdid themselves & 

we are so thankful for everyone who attended and "showered" our bundle of boy!

It was so great to see y'all while we were in town & can't wait for baby to meet each one of you! 

Bumpdate: Week 27

Bumpdate: Week 27

Gender: It's a Boy! 

Weight Gain/Loss: +14

Baby's Growth: Baby boy should be measuring in at around 2 1/2 lbs. 

Movement: All the time. This little one doesn't stop moving.

Food Cravings: Sparkling water and sugar cookies.

Symptoms: Having difficultly breathing... Other than that I'm feeling much better than last week. Still on procardia for contractions, as well as bed rest. 

Anything Making You Queasy/Sick: Acidic foods, the smell of a wood fire, men's cologne. 

Sleeping: Like I haven't slept in years. It's do easy to go to bed & so hard to get up! 

Stretchmarks: Starting to get some on my "love handles". 

Not too thrilled about this but my sweet little boy will be so worth it.

Belly Button In/Out: In... 

& it looks smaller than usual.

Nursery:  We really need to clean up the nursery.

We also need to:

Hang curtains

Put new knobs on dresser

Steam clean carpets 

Decorate built in book shelf

Wash all clothes

Wash all bedding & blankets

Hang artwork 

Find mirror to hang above dresser

Order rocking chair

Spray paint monogram for above crib 

Organize all his presents from his baby shower. 

Favorite Moment This Week: Shopping in Atlanta & coming home to Memphis for Cooper's baby shower & seeing all my family & friends. 

Looking Forward To: So many things... Finishing up Christmas shopping, a Christmas party & just soaking up this time with family! 

Happy Family

Getting optimal nutrition while being pregnant was the first thing on my mind when I found out I was expecting. 

Sometimes it's hard to get all those key nutrients in when your sick to your stomach or constantly on the go.

When a representative from Happy Squeeze reached out to me about trying this product I accepted with open arms.

First off let's start with the pros:

Easy to enjoy.

Full of vitamins & nutrients.

Most range from 60-90 calories.

& serveral delicious flavors to choose from. 

Cons:

They are hard to find.

I ended up going to four grocery stores before finding them.

Although the product is hard to find, I recommend trying to find it. 

I personally think that it is a great snack to have especially if you are always on the go, much like myself. 

Make sure you head on over to get the "squeeze" on this amazing product. 

They also have products specifically for babies, toddlers, & for your growing family! 

& if you really want to try sign up for the giveaway below.. Because let's face it. Everyone likes free food! :)

This giveaway includes:
Happy Squeeze - $25 value

2 Take Ones

1 HF Red Tote Bag

Product:

Mixed Case Happy Squeeze (12 pouches)

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

*Today's post was sponsored by Happy Family but all opinions are my own. 

Bumpdate: Week 26

  Week 26

Gender: It's a Boy! 

Weight Gain/Loss: +16

Baby's Growth: Baby boy should be measuring in at around 2 pounds. 

Supposedly the size of a head of lettuce???

Movement: All the time. This little one doesn't stop moving.

Food Cravings:  Tuna salad sandwich (still haven't had one, but definitely on my list), 

coffee, pears & sparkling water.

Symptoms:  See below. 

Anything Making You Queasy/Sick: Acidic foods, the smell of a wood fire, men's cologne. 

Sleeping: It just depends on the day.. 

I did pick up some Unisom to help. 

Stretchmarks: Starting to get some on my "love handles". 

Not too thrilled about this but my sweet little boy will be so worth it.

Belly Button In/Out: In

Nursery:  We really need to clean up the nursery.

It still has quite a bit of Army gear in tough boxes.

We also need to:

Hang curtains

Put new knobs on dresser

Steam clean carpets 

Decorate built in book shelf

Wash all clothes

Wash all bedding & blankets

Hang artwork 

Find mirror to hang above dresser

Order rocking chair

Spray paint monogram for above crib

Favorite Moment This Week: Finishing up my classes for this quarter. 

Looking Forward To: Heading home to Memphis for my first baby shower on Sunday! 

I cannot wait to see all my family & friends especially before the holidays kick off.

***

This past Friday, I woke up not feeling well.

I didn't want to get up & go to work.

I went anyway..

I started feeling dizzy, nauseous, short of breath, 

sweating profusely, and I had a bad headache. 

I called the doctor & they told me that their office closed early on Friday 

& that I needed to go to the ER immediately.

I left work early & my friend's mom came & sat with me in the ER.

I was immediately admitted & hooked up to monitor the baby & contractions.

I was having unbearably strong contractions every 2-4 minutes apart.

And was told I was going to be kept overnight for further evaluations.

I was hooked up to an IV and they ended up giving me two shots to stop contractions, 

two steroid shots to help baby boy's lungs and heart progress (just in case).

And started me on some medicine to relax my cervix as I was 1 cm dilated.

I finally left the hospital on Saturday night, 

and have been put on strict bed rest indefinitely. 

I had another doctor's appointment today & as long as I stay on bed rest and keep taking my medicine accordingly I should be fine.

I also had my glucose test today, and passed with flying colors.

Although my hemoglobin and iron levels were extremely low.

Hopefully with this much needed rest and relaxation and some good family time I will be back to normal soon.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers via Instagram & Twitter.

If you don't follow me make sure you do!

Instagram- @meneal

Twitter- @morganeneal

Thanks for reading!

Come back tomorrow for an awesome giveaway!

Bumpdate: Week 25

Week 25

Gender: It's a Boy! 

Weight Gain/Loss: +14

Baby's Growth: About a pound and a quarter. 

Movement: Tons. Little Bear loves moving around especially when I'm eating! 

He loves food like his momma!

Food Cravings:  Tuna salad sandwich, coffee, grapefruit, pears & sparkling water.

Symptoms:  Braxton Hicks Contractions & Backpain.. 

Anything Making You Queasy/Sick: Men's Cologne, Grilled Foods & Fire Smoke.

Sleeping: Thinking about picking up some Unisom to conquer my sleep problems. 

My mind will just not turn off.

Stretchmarks: Starting to get some on my "love handles". 

Not too thrilled about this but my sweet little boy will be so worth it.

Belly Button In/Out: In

Nursery:  We really need to clean up the nursery.

It still has quite a bit of Army gear in tough boxes.

We also need to:

Hang curtains

Put new knobs on dresser

Steam clean carpets 

Decorate built in book shelf

Wash all clothes

Wash all bedding & blankets

Hang artwork 

Find mirror to hang above dresser

Order rocking chair

Spray paint monogram for above crib

Favorite Moment This Week:  Making my moms thanksgiving recipes. 

Looking Forward To: Getting all my major tests & presentations over with this week 

to conclude this quarter of classes.