2013 is going to be amazeballs.

Two legitimately amazing things are going to happen in 2013. First, the Anchorman sequel comes out. I have been waiting for this movie honestly since the opening credits of the original Anchorman movie. And if we’re all being honest with ourselves, I’m probably gonna take the day off and see the midnight showing. Maybe in costume. We’ll see how that all shakes out. Then, I will see it again but with pen and paper to take notes of all the one liners that I will quote for the rest of my life. And it will be glorious.

And that other thing? No biggs:

I suppose the photo needs no caption, but in case it does, we’re expecting an addition to our family in October!

This whole process has been quite a ride, and I waited as long as I could to let the cat out of the bag for obvious reasons. Today marked a big milestone we haven’t hit in awhile—the second prenatal appointment. We heard baby’s strong, healthy heartbeat for the second time and it was awesome.

We saw baby for the first time on March 7, which was both heart wrenching and ironic because that was the day our sweet BDub was due. With a lump in my throat, very sweaty palms and Joey by my side, I walked into that same room with the same ultrasound machine and the same tech who has given us a roller coaster of good and bad news over the last year and a half. But then, when she clicked on the monitor and we heard that unmistakable ‘thumpthumpthumpthump,’ I just knew this baby was meant to be mine.

That’s not to say I don’t have my scared days, because I most certainly do. There was a day about a month ago when my chapstick (red) exploded all over my face and I used a tissue to wipe it off and then tossed it in the toilet. Then I peed. Then I looked before I flushed and nearly had a heart attack until I realized what I’d done.

My body is exhausted and I feel like a dumpster fire, but everyone tells me “that’s a good thing,” as if that somehow makes the 24/7 nausea and general feelings of poop sandwichery better. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that my body has spent its fair share of the last 18 months pregnant with nothing to show for it…so this time it’s working overtime. And I’m cool with that.

I freak out at the littlest signs of a cramp or a sneeze gone horribly wrong. And I think that’s totally normal. Honestly, any woman who has experienced loss at any stage during pregnancy has her own trepidations or fears—no matter how seemingly irrational. And I’m an irrational person to begin with, so the combination is really just asking for it.

But enough about that—this post is about joy and life and celebrating a very cool thing: Anchorman 2 is coming out! Oh, and we’re gonna have a baby!

Progress!

In addition to the addition of the beautiful erosion tarps, our lot is now staked! We drove past on Saturday and were delighted to see all the orange and purple flags strewn about. It was cool to walk around and see where the house will actually sit on the lot. Hoping for the first dig this week!

You will note I am also holding Alex's lawnmower, because he wanted to make sure our lawn was "nice and cut" for the "constructions" to start their work.

I don't even know what an erosion tarp is.

However, when we got an email from our Realtor last night telling us they put the erosion tarps on our property, I nearly peed myself. I've never been so excited about something I knew absolutely nothing about.

We took a little drive, and much to my surprise, this is what erosion tarps are:

They are small and weird and cute and I love them so much...because they are the first step in the actual build process. Hopefully there will be a giant hole there (that I will love equally) next week sometime!

The one time I was filmed for the Food Network.

Joey and I recently spent the weekend in Cleveland as part of our Anniversary getaway. On said trip, we had many adventures...front row seats at an Indians game, tickets to the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame, and many, many delicious restaurants to try. Most of them were on wheels.

She said whaaaaat?

You see, Cleveland has a pretty spectacular variety of Food Trucks - and they've grown in popularity recently due to Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race." Detroit doesn't have any food trucks (tear), and since I have a soft spot in my heart for street vendors I was SUPER keen on trying as many as we could in our 3 days there.

So keen, in fact, that I decided to start a new quest, dubbed "30 B4 30," that is, to eat at 30 different food trucks before I'm 30. It's a lofty (and somewhat silly) goal, especially considering I will have to travel far and wide to meet this quota.

Anyway, word got out as we were waiting in line for some grub at a food truck by the name of JiBARO, and LO AND BEHOLD, the Food Network just happened to be there filming for a show on the Cooking Channel Called "Street Eats."

They were fascinated by my story - and intrigued that we had driven all the way from the Dirty D just to enjoy their meals on wheels. And so, they asked to interview us.

OBVIOUSLY, we said yes. Despite the fact that it was seventy trillion degrees out and I was sweating like a hooker in Sunday Mass, we totally rocked it. Joey threw out culinary descriptors that Bobby Flay himself would have envied. We laughed; we played to the camera; we were coy; we were foodies. We were brilliant.

So brilliant that the producer said the whole segment will be about us. FOR REAL. This is where I die and start signing autographs faster than Kate Gosselin in her hooker heels and too-short skirts.

The show airs on the Cooking Channel and we will be part of Season 3 which will start in April. I promise that I will shamelessly promote myself like the dude with the "Cash for Gold" sign on the street corner in Anytown, USA as soon as I know the exact air date.

Oh yes, I'm a famewhore.

As photographed by Food Network camera man.

Dear Thursday: please end.

Because when Thursday is over, that means that it's Friday, which also means that it is the DAY MY SISTER FINALLY CARTS HER ARSE BACK TO MICHIGAN. Oh, and she's also bringing her handsome hubby & that sweet little chubby-cheeked nephew of mine.

But really? It's all about the sister. Like, GET. HERE. NOW.

Those of you with a sister get me. And those with a sister living practically on the other side of the Moon (which is just due east of Connecticut) totally get me. I'll probably never be ok with the fact that she lives in CT nor will I ever get used to these once-a-year-and-every-other-year-at-Christmas visits, but I will cherish them when they come.

And Friday? It's COMING.

Look out, Detroit. This crazy duo is getting all sorts of reunited.

And before my phone starts blowing up with texts from the self-proclaimed "forgotten child" Kyle, you know I love you dearly. And also? Thank you for living in Michigan so I can see your face any time I want. Don't tell Kelli and the others (hey, they might be out there), but you're you're my favorite on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and every other Sunday.

NIEPHEW WATCH: GAME ON!

It's happening! My flight leaves at 4:30. Wait for Aunt Kristi, baby!!!

Addict.

Should I ever be cut open (read: freak wind sailing accident or 2nd C-section, whichever is more likely at this point), I'm relatively certain the doctors will find coffee (and wine) flowing freely through my veins.

At what point do I admit that it's a sickness? When I have a club card that gets me 10% off? When the baristas (from three different locations) know me by first name? When I don't even have to place an order because they already know what I want? Or when I get a GOLD members card in the mail WITH MY NAME ON IT?

That's right. GOLD. VIP. PERSONALIZED. Boo-ya. The only thing missing from the pomp and circumstance of it all was being hand delivered by a singing telegram boy wearing a latte costume.

This has to be what Kim Kardashian felt like when she got her Amex Black Card in the mail.

Customer Service Lives On! ...and tales of my woes to find the perfect purse.

I've raved about the fabulousness that is 1154 Lill on more than one occasion 'round these parts. But for those who are new or suffer from some form of acute memory loss, allow me to refresh: it's an upscale custom handbag salon in Chicago (and other locations) where super awesome girls like me go to create fabulous, trendy, one-of-a-kind bags. Basically, its an amazing, creative space filled with a myriad of canvas purse designs and hundreds of chic fabric swatches just waiting to be and mixed-n-matched to handbag perfection.

I have the Andi, the Samantha and the Charlotte, and recently made the pilgrimage to design my latest beauty, the Lexie. Yes, it's an addiction.

I know - it might be my best one yet. I simply ah-dore it! And the functionality and versatility of the bag itself is sheer perfection. Because of the links on the straps, I can wear it long as a messenger bag, short as a shoulder bag and even double-hooked as a backpack.

The ooooooonly thing I've found wrong with this purse is that the zipper pull is teeny weeny. Like, sometimes when I'm fumbling a cell phone, keys AND an infant (who is terrifyingly close to toddler status) I get frustrated and can't even find the stoopid thing.

And so, I did what any good PR girl would do in my situation: I wrote them an email about it.

I wasn't rude at all - in fact, my note was quite the opposite. I praised LILL for their designs, but noted that a bag in the upscale price range of $150+ should really have a bigger and better zipper. Also in true PR girl form, I presented both the problem and the solution: a zipper pull! I simply suggested that if manufacturing a new zipper was not an option, they should consider adding a fabric zipper pull (matching the shoulder strap fabric selection, natch) to improve functionality and ease of use.

And guess what? I got a reply...and an awesome one at that:

RIGHT?!? I mean, who does that? Companies that care - that's who. So, as if it wasn't painfully obvious to begin, I'm a loyal LILL girl for life.

And on the likely chance that this post has you itching for a new purse, the Lexie is actually on sale through Sunday. Go to their website and use promo code: LEXIE to snag your own, one-of-a-kind Lexi-roo for $120. Or design something else. Who am I to dictate your handbag choices?

You're welcome.

Vacation Bliss.

In roughly 48 hours I will be well on my way to this:

A dear friend of ours owns a cabin on the French River in Canada. It's about 300 miles north of Toronto and is on an island. Which roughly translated means that no form of technology is allowed while I'm there. No texting. No Facebooking. No blogging. No emailing. In short, no one can find me. It's bliss, really.

I've never really been much of a "nature" girl. In fact, you'd have to pay me to sleep in a tent. My idea of roughing it is a Holiday Inn Express with crappy bathroom freebies. But there's something about this place that is just magic. I hike. I canoe. I boat. I shoot rapids. I swim in open water. I've even been known to catch a fish or two. It's but once a year, but I am so, so, so looking forward to it.

And no, Alex will not be attending. This is a vacation for Mommy and Daddy, only. Word.

Anticipation Is The Mother Of Invention.

Or something like that.

Anyway, big things are coming to ABM3 tomorrow.

Stay tuned.


P.S. - Happy 6 month birthday to my wittle Alex. WIPpo pics will be posted later tonight...I barely had time to brush my teeth this a.m. But I did, so don't judge.