Recently . . .

I am so behind on documenting my pregnancy that I think my fetus is second hand embarrassed for me.  I love reading other people's pregnancy posts complete with weekly bump shots, but I haven't really felt compelled to take many pictures yet.  Being tall has helped me hide the pregnancy weight pretty well.  Up until about a month ago my bump was non-existent.  These days I  look like I just ate a few too many cinnamon rolls over Conference weekend.  It's definitely gotten to the "I can't zip up my pants anymore phase" but I just find things to be . . . kind of uninteresting in that realm.  Or maybe super interesting if you are now thinking of cinnamon rolls.  Mmmmmm.

As of Saturday, I am 23 weeks pregnant.  23 weeks.  I know I'm still a lightweight in the pregnancy ring, but I feel like I have already learned so much over the past five and a half months!  For instance, I have pretty much learned not to be a psycho.  (Key words being "pretty much".  I did happen to have a mini-meltdown a few hours ago over wanting a milkshake but not having ice cream.)

I have gone from crying almost everyday about almost everything to crying maybe once or twice a week about something completely random and usually food related.  In terms of baby, I have been able to listen to a sweet little heartbeat using my fetal doppler.  It's so comforting to hear a steady heartbeat a know that my little love is doing well. I have an anterior placenta, so while I have felt a few flutters I'm not sure if I've felt a sure kick.  The doctor said strong kicks are coming soon, though!  When you're not sick and you're not bumpin' it's sometimes hard to "feel" pregnant, but I think that feeling is rapidly encroaching and I couldn't be more excited!  I know the gender of my little canteloupe, and I will share that on the blog soon!

I get asked a lot "Do you have any names picked out?" and I always feel kind of stupid saying "No" but I'm really telling the truth.  James and I have talked about it a good amount but neither of us feel super connected to any particular name right now.  I keep saying a certain name in my head, but I don't want to share it until it's "the one".  Which, knowing me, won't be until after the baby debuts.  This probably sounds kind of bad, but I'm not really sure I want advice on names?  Like, if I were to tell someone a name I like I would be super bummed out if I got a bad reaction to it.  Ya know?  I don't want opinions to ruin a name James and I think is perfect.  But, like I said . . . we're not even to that point yet.  We're calling the baby "Rumplestilkson" so far, so . . . we've got a bit of brainstorming to do still.

About a month ago I had my last ultrasound.  I can't believe that the next time I seem my baby we'll be face to face.  From our first ultra sound to our last ultrasound our baby turned from a dinosaur to rough sketch of an infant.  I can only imagine the changes that will take place in the next few months.

The other day I felt a sincere ache to hold my babe.  It was such a strange feeling, and I can't really describe it but my arms just felt like they were missing something.  I know every mother probably feels this way about her child, but I just get the feeling that I'm carrying someone very special.  It makes me tear up just to think about the beautiful life I'll get to bring into this world in 17 weeks.  Maybe less!  I can honestly say that I love being pregnant.  I wake up every day feeling like I've accomplished something great.  I've sustained a life.  Sure, there are days when I get insecure about my changing body, but the reality of this miracle makes any stupid little hardship seem so mild in comparison 

I feel like I should be doing things to prepare for my little chicken wing, but I don't know where to start!  We just barely moved into a new home so I now know where the nursery is going to be and have a bunch of wonderful things from my amazing sister in law, but I know I need to be buying more of these baby essentials.  Any tips on cribs, baby swings, changing tables, baby carriers, baby baths, and diapers would be super appreciated! Seriously.  I don't have a clue.

I can't think of anything else interesting to write right now, and to be completely honest I'm sure this is only interesting to maybe my mom?  But I guess it's high time I write something about this pregnancy because I couldn't be more thankful for it.   So many more posts I need to write.  Hopefully this week I'll put a dent in it!

How We Told Our Families . . .

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I found out that I was pregnant on November 26th.  As we were leaving the doctor's office, one of the nurse's said "So are you going to tell your families for Christmas?" At that point we'd only known we were parents for approximately two minutes, so we hadn't thought it over, but hey!  It sounded like a great idea. I hadn't ever really sent out Christmas cards because I am kind of a slacker when it comes to snail  mail but hopefully gathering addresses of all our cousins and grandparents wasn't a dead giveaway that something was up.  

I started looking to Pinterest for inspiration for a Christmas card because, as we may have discussed before, I am no designer.  I eventually found an idea that was perfect for what I wanted to do . . . but I have since lost the link.  My conscience just wanted me to throw it out there that the card I made in Photoshop was totally inspired by a card another couple posted on Pinterest.  

Anyway.  Here is what we sent out to our loved ones:

And then tucked in the back was our most recent ultrasound.

Kind of sneaky and cute, right?

Telling our parents was one of those experiences that I will never, ever forget.  I have never experienced so much joy or happy tears in my life!  This little babe will be the first grandchild and great-grandchild on my side of the family . . . so it was really exciting to be able to share the news with my parents and grandparents.  James' parents live just an hour south of us so it was amazing to be able to share the news with them that they'll have a new little life to snuggle and love on, too!  James' grandpa remarked that he's still not sure which one of us resembles the babe the most, but we're sure excited to find out in about six months!

The First Trimester is the Deepest.

When I walked into the doctor's office on November 26, I did not expect to walk out knowing I was a mother. In fact, just ten minutes before my appointment ended, my doctor was discussing a treatment plan for me that would require me waiting almost a year before I could carry a bundle of joy.  A knock at the door and a positive pregnancy test later, that prescription was no longer needed.  I was a mommy sitting next to a daddy.

I can't come close to describing how I elated I was upon hearing the good news.  It was the first time in my life that I cried for joy.  I wanted this more than anything.  

The months that have followed this wonderful news have not been easy.  But as I started to write about all of the sickness and physical difficulties, it seemed stupid to complain.  I have waited for this my entire life!  Many women wait for this for years.  In some ways, morning (all day) sickness has been a huge comfort to me.  My body is changing and adapting to the growing life inside.  I cannot think of a more worthy cause to dedicate myself to.

On the other hand, my husband has been super lucky in the sense that he has had the opportunity to live with a deranged psycho-path.  This is helping him become way cultured.  Allow me to elaborate:

• I cry over everything. Like,  I cried watching Tommy Boy a few weeks ago.  Yeah.  Tommy Boy.

• For about two months I hated pretty much everything.  (Everything and food are synonyms, right?)
• I have become obsessed with washing my hands after touching anything.  Yesterday at Walmart James asked me if I could push the cart for a minute, and I cried a little.  So many germs, you guys!
• Most of the things I eat revolve around the thought, "Will I be able to function if I throw this up and never want to eat this again."  After a very emotional situation involving frozen yogurt, I've got to be super picky.  
• I've started using a belly band, even though my protuberance is nowhere near protruding.  It just makes me feel pregnant.
• Half of the smells I smell remind me of pickles.  
• James has resorted to keeping his potted meat collection in a drawer in his office, and he sneakily eats it when I'm in another room.  (Okay, maybe I'm turning him into a weirdo, too ;))

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you the ones that make me sound like I could be committed (for now).

In a little over a week we get to find out what the gender of this little baby . . . and I am SO excited!  I can't wait to start really preparing.  I can honestly say that I don't have a preference.  James and I will both be ecstatic either way.  

Happy Weekend!!!

Re: Facebook

I have been getting quite a few questions regarding my Facebook account lately, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on the subject here.

Social Media.  Love it, right?

Not right.  Not all of the time, anyway.

I was 17 when I first got my Facebook account, and that was actually pretty hipster of me. 

This was back in the day when you needed a school e-mail to sign up, and you had to join a college or university network.  When I first signed up, I had ten "friends" and only four of them were real-life-hang-out friends.  Even with those ten "friends" I was instantly fascinated by the world of social networking and obsessed with checking in on my virtual friends and acquaintances. While I'm proud to say I never got into Farmville or Mob Wars,  I would get on Facebook multiple times a day, for hours at a time.  

The word "excessive" immediately came to mind as soon as I typed that last sentence.  At 17, with a buzzing social calendar and more than enough school assignments to keep me occupied I had no reason to seek out electronic companionship.  But I did.  

Almost six years have passed since my first login to Facebook.  At different points over the past six years I have experienced varying degrees of reliance on the social networking site.  Some days I could re-hash every status update of my nearly 500 friends while other days I wouldn't have a clue what was going on.  Some days I would look at the lives of my friends and "friends" and compare myself relentlessly.  Other days I would wonder if people were comparing themselves to me.

When I think about the kind of life I want for my baby, tears immediately come to my eyes.  It's crazy how much you can love something that is the size of a peach.  I think about what I had as a child, and I want the same for my sweet little babe.  I want him or her to grow up being confident.  And I want him or her to have a mommy who is present.  I feel like these two words cannot exist adequately in my life when  I dedicate so much time to social media.  So, about a week and a half ago I deleted my Facebook account.  This decision is not right for everyone, but for me (right now, at least) it is perfect. I might change my mind next week, or I might change my mind in ten years.  Who knows?  For right now, it is important to me to learn how to manage my time and insecurities better. 

If you're wondering if I deleted you from my "friends" list, I didn't.  I deleted me.  

If you're wondering if I don't like you anymore, and that's why we're not friends, you're wrong.  I am just taking a break.

If you are wondering if I am a weirdo for taking down my account, you're right.  But whatev.

What are your thoughts on Facebook?  Do you think I'm a wacko?

ETA:  I recently re-activated my account--but my break from Facebook helped me SO MUCH.  I feel like I use it so much more responsibly and have learned how to manage my time better.  Unplugging for a few months was a good experience for sure.  

Single Ladies, Eat your Hearts Out

There are some people who you just instantly "click" with.  People who you meet, and immediately know that they are going to be in your life for a long time.  Maybe forever.  For me, Sam Taylor is one of those people.  So, duh . . . it's only fitting that I would introduce him to you, my blogging (and real life) friends.

Sam was one of my very best friends in college *ahem* University.  Prior to getting married, if I was hanging out with anyone, 99% of the time Sam would be involved.  During a few of the 1% of the social outings minus Sam, I would get questions like "Where is your brother?" After being confused for a second I would tell them exactly where Sam was.  Because I always knew.  

Now Sam attends graduate school in Texas and we don't really see each other ever.  Sad, right?  Well.  We both have blogs, and keep a pretty close tab on the other's life.  I was thinking maybe some of you would want to marry him, so I told him to come find a wife on my blog.  

Single ladies . . . I present to you, Samuel Hardman Taylor.

***

You could describe me as unlucky in love. You could call me unlucky in kissing, cuddling, and hand holding.  You could describe me as unlucky in crushing even. You could also replace the word unlucky in all the previous sentences with "never happens." Never. I am practically a widower. The only relationship I have been in is with Beyonce. When I broke my foot dancing to Single Ladies, it kind of put a damper on our perfect relationship. I lost trust in her. Had to cut the ties before things got messy.

Yep, Sammy Boy is very single.

I know Honey Boo Boo's mother is in a relationship, and I am not. Thanks for rubbing it in frankly. I mean I am not desperate or anything, but the fact remains I am probably the only person who studies romantic relationships in graduate school but has no personal examples to provide.

I had to evaluate my situation of to figure out why the ladies do not throw themselves at me, but people like extra creepers are able to land themselves a significant other. I shower. I am educated. I have a job. I don't live in my parent's basement. I don't think I have any disgusting habits, unless you think flossing regularly is disgusting. My whole dating life is just one hella epic fail.

All arrows point to the fact that I should be open to the dating marketing and a way steamy hot .

Then I figured it out. I don't have a resume. I don't expect to get a job without a job resume, how can I expect to get a date without a dating resume.

Then I realized, I am not actually ready for an actual girlfriend. I could use a blogging girlfriend though. You know someone to have completing posts with and earn husband and wife potential points with.

Now the question becomes, am I qualified for the job?

I am accepting job posting on my blog: Taylored

Sincerely,

Your Future Blogging Boyfriend?

P.S. Here is a picture of me holding a baby.

Alert the Media:

Today is my birthday, and I have a feeling it is going to be a pretty good day.

You wanna know why??

Well . . . 

1.  James is taking me for waffles this morning.  (And I kind of have a thing for waffles.)  

2.  I got to choose my own birthday present this year, and I happen to give really good gifts to myself.

3.  Today I am officially out of my first trimester!

That's right!  Kim and Kanye aren't the only ones expecting a babe this summer.

Baby and I are going to celebrate by keeping the above mentioned waffles nestled safely in my belly.

2013 is already shaping up to be my very favorite year.  Ever.

New Layout

Turns out, I get sick of things way fast.

This is my second blog design that I've done by myself.  I hated that weird little first one I had, and I don't completely hate this one . . . so this is good.

I'm mainly posting this because I don't love how the pink on my last post looks with the new red layout, but I didn't want to go back an re-do that whole post.

So this post isn't a complete waste, here's a cute puppy for you to look at:

Okay.  Talk to you later.