One Year = One Dozen

This is totally almost two weeks late, but better late than never right?? I received one dozen red roses from my wonderful husband on our 1 year anniversary. Now usually when Jan brings home roses (which is quite often and I love him for it!), he brings several dozen. But this time, there was only one lonely dozen. And don't get me wrong, I wasn't ungrateful at all, just kind of surprised. So after I arranged my new, beautiful flowers and placed them on our kitchen table, he said, "By the way, it's only one dozen because it's only been one year." Of course my immediate thought (which I also verbalized) was, "What are you going to do at 50 years???"

Aren't they pretty? I think he's a keeper!

St. Patty's Day 2011

I just realized I completely forgot to post two pictures from St. Patty's Day...oops!

My lovely husband in his green shirt and festive hat! Daisy wasn't impressed.

My niece Sydney came to visit for about an hour before we had to leave to attend a dinner party. I decided to make rice crispy treats and decorate them with green shamrocks, so she helped!

Anniversary Fun!

This past weekend, Jan and I happily celebrated our 1-year wedding anniversary on the beach…during college spring break! Ha! When Jan and I picked out our wedding date, which actually occurred before he officially proposed, we never considered that our anniversary would fall during spring break each year. Why did we pick March 20^th? Well, we wanted to get married in the ‘spring’ but before it was too hot (GA = hot and humid, ugh!!) and his family (Father = college professor, Brother = college student) would be able to easily come over from South Africa during their fall break (southern hemisphere). So on March 20, 2010, I was blessed with the opportunity to marry my best friend on an amazingly beautiful spring day.

Fast forward one year and while booking our quick anniversary beach trip, we realize we will have to contend with spring breakers. Oh well! It was a great trip and a nice little escape. 

Here's a quick summary: Saturday, we had lunch on the pier at Pineapple Willy’s. Jan enjoyed a bucket of their amazing ribs and a 190-Octane/Rum Runner (mixed) cocktail and I had the grouper basket, with some h2o. We found LOTS of enjoyment ‘people watching’ and reflected on our own college spring break trips…ok, Jan reflected on his…I can’t remember mine (10+ years ago). After lunch, as we were leaving the restaurant parking lot, we witnessed a guy crash his motorbike and several drunk, scantily clad ladies embarrassing themselves. I immediately realized that we were at spring break ground-zero and needed to quickly get away. We managed to settle on the very far west side of the beach where there were hardly any spring breakers, and enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine and quiet relaxation. That evening, Jan challenged me to a round of putt-putt, where he unapologetically beat me, his 28 weeks pregnant wife. However, I did make a hole in one, so I was fairly happy with my performance. After golf, we enjoyed a nice waterfront dinner at the BoatYard. Sunday consisted of more beach time and the drive home. All-in-all we had a great time and added several more memories to our marriage storybook! 

Preparing to play putt-putt...

At the BoatYard...we may have gotten a little too much sun on the beach! 

 

Our 1-year anniversary on the beach and 28 weeks pregnant! 

I am thankful everyday to have Jan! He is an amazing husband and is going to be an outstanding dad. I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not dreaming! I look forward to celebrating many, many more anniversaries...even if they are on the beach during college spring break! I love you, Jan!

1 Down...49 To Go!!!!

Well, at least 49. This Sunday, March 20th, Jan and I will celebrate our 1 year anniversary! We had a fabulous wedding and it's been an amazing year, so I thought I would share some photos from the big day.

Before the ceremony...we were hiding around the corner from each other!

Jan couldn't get the ring on my finger...he was a little nervous, but it made me laugh!

Mr. & Mrs. Jan Greeff!!

Our fabulous wedding party jumping for joy!!

We are escaping to the beach this weekend to celebrate our anniversary and have a 'babymoon' of sorts. Happy Friday and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Sunshine + Grill + Friends = Great Weekend!

What an amazing weekend…the weather was fabulous, the food was great and I felt nice and relaxed heading into this manic Monday, even with the silly time change!!

Weekend Highs:

-I successfully made a new Chicken Florentine casserole for dinner Friday night.

-My husband made breakfast Saturday morning…coffee and South African pancakes, yum!

-We had friends over for a grill out Saturday night…good conversation and homemade hamburgers!

-I discovered a great new picnic/bbq side dish (recipe below).

-My pale, white skin soaked up a little vitamin D. J

Weekend Lows:

-I had to spend Saturday morning cleaning house…ugh!

-I finally trimmed Daisy’s nails so she doesn’t look like Wolverine anymore…double ugh!

The great new picnic side dish I recently discovered and made for our Saturday grill out was a creamy corn salad! It is yummy and I recommend you try it when you get a chance.

What you need:

-Shoepeg Corn (1 can, drained)

-Grape Tomatoes (a handful or two, depending on how many you want, halved or quartered)

-Cucumbers (3 small salad cucumbers or 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced)

-Red Onion (one half of the onion, or whatever amount you like, diced)

-Mayonnaise (1/3 cup)

-Sour Cream (1/3 cup)

-Dill Pickle Juice (a few splashes from the jar)

-Salt/Pepper (to taste)

What you do:

Combine all ingredients together, chill for a couple of hours and serve!

I LOVED this side dish and it will become a summer staple! It is cold and refreshing, and a great compliment to any picnic or grill out. I served it with corn chips (Tostitos) but you can serve it with anything or nothing at all.

BTW…I asked Jan what his weekend highs/lows were and his response was, “My highlight was making a birdie playing golf Saturday morning and I don’t have lows.” Gotta love him!

100 Days and Counting!!!

According to my pregnancy time keeper, we have exactly 100 days left until Abigail arrives! Now I realize that her due date is just an estimate, however, my hope is that she will arrive on exactly June 19th! Why is this so important you may be wondering? Well, first of all, the Greeff’s (soon to be known as Ouma and Oupa) will arrive in Atlanta from South Africa on June 17^th at 4 p.m., and I definitely want them to be here for her big arrival. Secondly, June 19^th is Father’s Day this year, and I think she will be the most amazing gift I could ever give Jan! So, 100 days and counting…hoping for a June 19^th baby (but anytime after June 17^th is okay). Haha!

And speaking of Abigail, below are a few pictures of some of my favorite little items.

This is the first outfit/onesie purchased for Abigail...obviously Jan picked it out.

She is ready for football season...go DAWGS!

I just could not resist this flower hat!

Happy Friday everyone! 

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. ~Author Unknown

This past weekend I was lucky enough to spend time with five amazing friends. 

Friday night I met Ashley and Roxi at the bridal shop to watch Eva try on wedding dresses. Eva was a college tennis player, so she is tall and lean and EVERY wedding dress looked great on her. She did manage to find “THE” dress, and I know she will be absolutely stunning on her wedding day. We followed the dress shopping with dinner at Fuji where I enjoyed chicken teriyaki and jealously watched my friends eat sashimi and sushi. :(  At times like these, I remind myself that I am "baking" something way more important than raw fish and I know Abigail will be well worth all the sacrifices!

Saturday morning Jan and I ventured to Atlanta where I met my two wonderful friends, Brittany and Jennie, for lunch. We had a great lunch at JCT Kitchen, a place I had been eying for a while, and then participated in a little retail therapy. I have been friends with Brittany and Jennie for several years (maybe 8?) and it has been fun watching us transition into different life stages. Since we’ve know each other, all three of us have gotten engaged and married, Brittany has been blessed with two darling little girls, Jennie has the cutest little boy and a new baby girl and I am pregnant with my first. The three of us have gone from shopping at Louis Vuitton and Burberry to buying kid clothing at H&M!  

Brittany, Me and Jennie in the Spring of 2006 at Jennie’s wedding shower.

Jennie, Me and Brittany last year at my wedding.

Both ladies are beautiful and amazing, and I’m lucky to have them as friends!

First Blog Ever :)

So without further ado, I will begin our family blog today. Please remember I am new at this and I am sure these posts will get better with time!

Preggo Update!

 

How Far Along: 25 weeks!!

Gender: It’s a GIRL, Abigail Suzanne Greeff.

Size of Baby: Approx. 14 inches long and 1.5 lbs, about the size of an eggplant

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 14 lbs.

Baby Movement: She is becoming more and more active – especially early in the morning!

Sleep: I’m beginning to sleep less. I usually average 8 to 9 hours a night (a lot, I know!) but have averaged about 6 hours this week (hello 4:30 am).

Things I Miss: Sushi. Also, the weather has been great around here lately, so I miss being able to enjoy a beer with my husband while sitting outside in the nice spring weather.

Cravings: None.

Best Moment of this Week: Jan was able to SEE Abigail move in my stomach. I absolutely LOVE his reactions! He is beyond excited and I can’t wait to see him hold his little girl.

General Well-being: I feel great! My stomach has definitely gotten bigger and people can now see my ‘baby bump.’ I’m struggling to find clothes that fit but finally bought a few new shirts online the other day.

We have a very busy and exciting weekend ahead. My friend Eva is getting married on June 4th in Germany, so I am meeting her and some girlfriends at a bridal shop after work today to watch her try on wedding dresses! Then Jan and I are headed to Atlanta tomorrow. I am meeting two girlfriends, Brittany and Jennie, for lunch and shopping, and Jan is going to pick-up a new batch of boerewors (South African sausage) from the butcher…yum!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!