Pregnancy Faux Pas I'm Totally Cool With

Little did I know the world of pregnant ladies could be so judgey.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as let's be honest, the world of ladies can be pretty judgey - why would we expect any less from some extra hormonal ladies?  Anywho, throughout my pregnancy I have spent lots of time on TheBump.com, as it has been a great way to connect with woman due around the same time as me and get advice on everything from registries to recovery from moms who have Been There Done That (BTDT is the acronym for that on TheBump, incaseyouwerewondering).

There are quite a few Pregnancy Faux Pas that are apparently frowned upon in this round-bellied world, and today I'm coming out and saying this pregnant chick right here?  Totally cool with them.

Counting Months 4 Weeks at a Time

Lots of pregnant ladies are outraged at people who count their months 4 weeks at a time.  For example, if you say you are six months pregnant when you're 24 weeks, you're in for an earfull.  Here's the thing, though.  In every other estimate of time, I always count my months by 4 weeks.  If someone says something is in 8 weeks, my brain automatically thinks 2 months - is that really all that abnormal?  Andplusalso, lots of people don't know pregnancy is usually counted in weeks, so when they ask you how far along you are, they want to hear an answer in months.  Granted, this does become a little awkward now as I am 9+ months pregnant (if you divide my weeks by 4, of course), but there is still no baby.  Little does society know that you're really pregnant for 40 weeks...or 10 months!  We've been tricked for our whole lives.

Gender Reveal Parties

This one really gets me.  Many many ladies on TheBump and throughout Cyber Land are appalled by even the thought of a Gender Reveal Party.  These ladies see it is as completely self-involved (it might be a little, I can see that), and over the top.  I have read things as nasty as "no one but you cares about the sex of your baby" and "the correct term is sex, so gender reveal party doesn't even make sense" and "why subject people to a party all about your baby's genitals" and the ever popular "why does everything have to be a party these days?".  We proudly had a Gender Reveal Party and here's why.  We were excited, and so were our friends and families.  Were they as excited as us?  Probably not, as this little one is ours and not theirs (though my Mother-in-Law may say differently).  But they were excited, and we wanted to share a fun moment with them.  I also don't see the problem with turning things into a party.  Why not celebrate the big and even the little moments in life?  If someone didn't want to attend our party, they certainly didn't have to, but who turns up their nose at free food, booze, a good time with some friends, and a little surprise via cake cut?  Not me!

Push Presents
For those of you unfamiliar, a "push present" is a gift given from the New Dad to the New Mom after the birth of their New Baby.  They have gotten increasingly popular over the years, and range from housewares and appliances, to sweet and thoughtful jewelry, and some people are lucky enough to be gifted diamonds and extravagant gifts like that!  While by no means do I think anyone should expect a present for delivering a baby, why is it a problem if one might be lucky enough to receive one?  I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that the ladies who have such a problem with push presents are just a wee bit jealous.  Of course the baby is the present, of course that is what it's about, but you know what, a little present never hurt anyone!

Sip and See's/Sprinkles

A sip and see is a small get together, sometimes female only sometimes co-ed, hosted after baby's arrival, and the focus is on (maybe I should say, the focus should be on) meeting the new baby and congratulating Mom (and Dad, should be there also!).  A "baby sprinkle" is a small shower, thrown in lieu of a traditional larger baby shower, often to celebrate a baby of the opposite gender of their older sibling - the gifts are usually very gender-centric, focusing on girl or boy clothes often times.  There are many many people who feel the issue of anything even remotely resembling a baby shower for a second or third (or fourth or fifth, for that matter) baby is black and white - showers are for first babies only.  While I tend to agree, a traditional baby shower is to welcome a mother into motherhood, and is a little tacky done for second and certainly third babies, I think there is something to celebrate about each baby on the way, and sip and sees and sprinkles are wonderful tasteful ways to do that!  Plus, if you don't agree with it, don't have one and don't go.

 

Bumpdates/Weekly Blogging
Clearly I have no objections to Bumpdates, as I've been posting them here for months now!  These weekly updates are truly more for myself and family and friends who care to keep updated than readers, as I know they can be a little repetitive at times.  However, as a blog reader, I love reading weekly pregnancy updates and have since before I was a pregnant blogger myself!


5 on Friday, v.6

5 Things...

 

...I'm working on today

 

1. Crib skirt for Baby M's nursery

 

2. Burp cloths (also for Baby M, in case you thought I had a spit up problem).

 

3. Wrapping presents - yay for Christmas!

4. Leftovers.

 

5. Wining back the family poker trophy - poker night is tonight!

 

...I'm excited about

1. I officially have only 15 days left of work before my maternity leave starts!

 

2. Christmas is less than a month away!

 

3. With Christmas less than a month away, that means Baby M's due date is fast approaching!

 

4. Finally getting to put some Christmas decor up in our house - yep I'm one of those who waits until after Thanksgiving is over.

 

5. Um...leftovers, duh.
 

...Happening in 2014

1. While I'd love for her to show up a little early in 2013, by 2014, Baby M will definitely be here!!

2. Handsome Husband will finish his second, and start his third year of law school.

3. I will have three months off work to bond with my new little friend.

4. HH and I will turn 26 - yikes.

Celebrating our 25th birthday this year, tacky Las Vegas style!

 

5. We will celebrate our third wedding anniversary, and our sixth year of being together as a couple.

A Blog Rut

As some of you very diligent readers may have noticed, I am in a bit of a blog rut. 

 

I'm simply finding myself out of things to say, and all that I have to talk about relates to pregnancy and Baby M and I'm reluctant to let this blog turn into a complete pregnancy gab-fest.  Though it might be better than letting it turn into a non-active blog, I suppose!

 

I don't want to stop blogging, I love sharing my thoughts here and being able to look back over the years.  I will continue to blog, but it may not be as regular as it has been in the past.  Or perhaps I will feel overwhelmed with inspiration again, and I will get back to posting like my life depends on it.  Only time will tell.

 

Are there any topics you'd like to read about on Stress Case?  If so, please do tell!  Maybe you'll inspire me to blog more often, I might just be missing your great idea!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Maybe A Few of my Hopefully, if I'm Lucky, Favorite Things would have been a more fitting title for this little Christmas wishlist post!  I always know when we're really getting into the holiday shopping season when I start getting requests from Gardening Mom and Grandma Beach Bum for a wishlist, and both have asked in the past week, so it looks like Christmas time is a'comin!

Here are some things on my wishlist this year:

{1} Graco Pack and Play {2} A new makeup bag/case {3} An HD video camera that I can easily connect to my computer {4} Perfume!  Chanel Chance is one of my favorites {5} Photoshop Elements {6} Polar Fitness Heart Rate Monitor {7} Ergo baby carrier {8} Timi and Leslie diaper bag

As you can see, this year my list is a little dominated by Baby M items, but what can I say?  I'm excited!

What's on your list this year?

{Down with the Dearmore's}

The One Where My iPhone Luck Runs Out

I've rocked the iPhone since 2009.  I put off getting one for a few years, because I am never really the type to rush out and buy the newest gadget on the shelves.  However, since buying one and becoming an iPhoner, I can't imagine having a different phone, as materialistic as that may sound.

I've had relatively good luck with iPhones.  I know so many people who've shattered multiple screens, spilled something on their phones, lost their phones, or gotten them stolen not once but multiple times.  I always felt pretty proud that a scatter-brain like myself managed to dodge a lot of iPhone killing bullets!  (Okay, there was one time where my iPhone fell into the toilet and may or may not have stayed there for like thirty minutes before I realized it.  One time!)

That is, until this week, when my pretty and not even a year old iPhone 5 went from perfect to this in a split second launch from my waistband:

Not having access to a cell phone is not an option for me, being that I need to be accessible for work, and I'm 33 weeks pregnant.  So off to the AT&T store we found ourselves, and $150 later (I'm really in baby mode, because I all I kept thinking was how many different baby items we still need that I could have bought with that), I was the reluctant owner of a brand-new iPhone C in white.

Reluctant because I just wanted to keep my own damn phone!  I didn't want to spend the money on a new phone I don't even really like the look of (no offense, but the 5C looks like a toy)!  I didn't want to spend the money on a phone at all when we have so many other purchases I'd rather be making!  I didn't want to deal with this!

Before heading down the road of a full-blown meltdown about the phone situation, my sweet and much more level-headed and easy-going Handsome Husband reminded me that shit happens, and that it's not the end of the world.

And then I remembered what a #firstworldproblem my iPhone catastrophe was, and how lucky I am to have a man who can remind me of that.

November Goals

So, my Ocotber goals may have been a little lofty.  And by lofty I mean that I barely got anything done.  So, take a little looksie below my updates because you'll be seeing lots of the October goals again under November!

October Goals

 

Update all the photos in our house, and add some picture frames to our TV stand in living room. - Fail!

 

Finally paint the little table for Baby M's nursery. - Fail!

Decide on and purchase outfits for maternity photos. - Counting this as done, though I haven't laid the outfits out, I know what we're doing in my head.

Organize kitchen cabinets. - Fail!

Purge and organize master bedroom closet, and dresser. - Fail!

Start organizing Baby M's closet - order or purchase modular unit and/or extra bar and install it! - I managed to pick up the fabric bins for the closet organizer (the organizer I tried to buy but coulnd't because I was alone and it was ridiculously heavy!).  I still need the closet organizer to really get started, but I did buy some hangers!

Have HH put crib together! - Good job, HH!

Put Christmas 2013 spreadsheet together and decide what homemade gifts I'll be doing this year. - Yes!  We budgeted our holiday spending, and I decided what gifts I'll be making this year!

Finally clean up the remainder of the junk we pulled from the second bedroom. - Counting this as done, though HH does have some things to put away in the garage!

Go on an honest-to-goodness real date with HH. - Done and done!  That's right, we got 2 dates in this month!

 

Get my fall decorations out, put them up, and make at least 2 more to add to our home!  And blog about them! - Okay, I did not get a chance to make any decorations, and while I'd love to say that will happen in November, it's simply not happening this year with the amount of baby stuff to get cracking in (we're less than 2 months out!).  But my fall decor is up, and though it is not much, it makes me feel a little more festive!

November Goals

Get thank you notes out for both showers, and any gifts received for Baby M.

 

Update all the photos in our house, and add some picture frames to our TV stand in living room.

 

Decide on a pediatrician for Baby M.

Finally paint the little table for Baby M's nursery.

Organize kitchen cabinets.

 

Order shelves for Baby M's nursery.

 

Wash Baby M's newborn and 0-3 months and organize her dresser.

Purge and organize master bedroom closet, and dresser.

Start organizing Baby M's closet - purchase modular unit and have HH set up!

 

Order remaining wall decor for nursery.

 

Make mobile and crib skirt for Baby M's nursery.

 



 

5 on Friday, v.5

5 Things...

 

...I did last weekend

 

1. Got my craft show on with Gardening Momma, picking up a few necessities (like push-pop fudge) while out.
 

2. Had some super yummy noodles at famed restaurant, Anqui.

 

3. Finally finished my little filing project that had sat spread out on our entire living room floor for three straight days.  I think HH is glad I'm done with that.
 

4. Was hosted for a lovely dinner at Baker Girl and The Esquire's brand new home!
 

5. Suffered through another entire episode of Homeland without Brody. 

 

...in my purse

 

1. A to-do list from about three weeks ago, that got about a quarter of the way actually done.
 

2. My wallet, which I am still loving.  One of the best gifts I've ever gotten!

{Hobo}

 

3. My keys, of which I have an abundance.  A key for our home and our mail box.  A key to my parents' house.  A key to my clinic.  Two keys for my parents' house in Arizona.  Oh, and my car key.
 

4. A lipstick, and an empty tube of mascara.  Necessary.
 

5. About 47 bobby pins.  But don't you know it, I can still never find one when I need one!

 

...I watch on TV

 

1. As mentioned earlier, Homeland.

 

2. Nashville

3. Real Housewives of... just about every city.  Beverly Hills gets started next month, woo hoo!
 

4. Grey's Anatomy

 

5. How I Met Your Mother

 

Happy Friday!

 

A Scary Revelation

Want to know something scary I just realized?  (Though, sadly, it's been true since March 16, 2013.)

I am now closer to 30-years-old than I am to 20-years-old.

 

I often feel conflicted over aging.  Sometimes I feel excited about what life has brought me and continues to bring, and no where near worried or anxious about my age.  And then, sometimes...not so much.  Sometimes I feel worried that the years are going by too fast.  Worried that I won't have the time to do everything I want to.

I feel ashamed that I'm 25 (and a half) and don't have a Bachelor's Degree yet.  I feel anxious that in less than 5 years I'll be 30 and I don't want that to be true anymore.

I feel like I have lots (okay lots might be an overstatement) more babies to have, and I just want to be done before 35.  (Side note: No judgement for those who choose otherwise, whether voluntarily or due to health, financial or any other reasons.  My own Gardening Momma had kids in her late 30s.  'Tis a personal preference.)

 

Might be morbid, but every year I age is a year everyone else ages, and losing people that are important to me scares the living daylights out of me.  I don't want to know what that part of being a grown up feels like.

 

On the other hand, I'm so excited to be in the current stage of my life.  Blissfully and happily married to a man I love and can't get enough of.  Starting a family right around the time I always imagined.  Making memories in the home we worked so hard to buy.  Watching my younger sisters grow into young adults.  Witnessing the youngest generation of HH's family get bigger and bigger - with us adding a little lady to the mix now, too!  Working for an organization I respect, one where I feel valued, compensated appropriately, and important.  Having my relationship with my parents settle into a happy adult stage, something I never knew I wanted until it happened.

 

Here's hoping my 30s will be even better than my 20s. 

But the next 4 1/2 years don't need to fly by or anything.

Blogtember: My Personality

Monday, September 9: Take this short personality test and respond to your results. (at the end, find the detailed profile of your personality account - click "click to view" under "You" and "self awareness and personal growth." You can even google your type and find more info on it!)

I am weird in that I totally love these little online quizzes, so I knew I would be linking up for Blogtember today!  I happily spent about 20 minutes clicking yes or no, and wasn't too surprised when this greeted me at the end:

After a little research, I found a great synopsis of the personality type HERE.

Ironically enough, ESFJs are considered "The Caregiver".  Maybe nursing wasn't such an out-there career path for me, afterall!

"ESFJs are people persons - they love people.  They are warmly interested in others.  They want to like people, and have a special skill at brigning out the best in others."  I hope that I am able to bring out the best in others.  As far as wanting to like other people?  I really do think that I've become much more interested in getting to know and truly liking new people as I get older.  And I'm glad, because mean girls are so high school.

"The ESFJ takes their responsibilities very seriously, and is very dependable.  They value security and stability, and have a strong sense of focus on the details of life."  For sure this is me.  I am organized, detail-oriented, and dependable to a fault.  I don't think I let people down very often (hopefully never!), and that is something I pride myself on!

"They are extremely good at reading others, and often change their own manner to be more pleasing to whoever they're with at the moment."  I have always said everyone has many versions of themselves that they put on in front of different groups of people, but overtime I've found that this isn't necessarily true.  That not everyone does that, but I certainly do.  By no means do I think I'm fake or insincere, but I don't drop the f-bombs around Grandma Beach Bum like I do around Best Friend Cute Apartment, and I don't talk types of diapers with Best Friend Swagger, like I might with Tutor Girl.

"They usually have well-formed ideas about the way things should be, and are not shy about expressing these opinions."  Yes, yes, yes.  I've been told my views on life, and how I personally think it should be lived are too...rigid?  And that could be true.  I have very strong views on how things should be, and I don't often censor those thoughts.

"ESFJs are typically quite conscious about gender roles and will be most comfortable playing a role that suits their gender in our society...female ESFJs will be very feminine.  ESFJs at their best are warm, sympathetic, helpful, cooperative, tactful, down-to-earth, practical, thorough, consistent, organized, enthusiastic, and energetic.  They enjoy tradition and security, and will seek stable lives that are rich in contact with friends and family."  I would only hope that someone would use all those lovely adjectives (or any of them!) to describe me!

French Fries

Want to know how I know that Handsome Husband and I were meant to be?  He lets me have his soft fries, and I give him my crunchies.

{via}

 

I have a thing about crunchy food.  All the people who know the best know about it, and HH especially knows the ins and outs.  I don't like crunchy food.  I'm not a big potato chip person, I always toss (usually into HH's bag) the crunchy french fries, and if there's hard taco shells only?  I'm eating ground beef with cheese on top, cause that crunchy shell ain't coming near me.

 

It's weird, I know, and I don't know why it is, but I just prefer a softer texture.

 

Wouldn't be the worst if HH wanted all the soft fries too?  A deal-breaker, for sure.

On Babymaking: What a Mind Eff

This series of eight posts was written throughout our journey of trying to conceive our little New Years Baby. I am so glad I started writing from the very beginning, because I can look back and remember how I felt during this time. I remember feeling like every single person in the blogworld's story started out with something like "so we started trying, and much to my surprise, I got a positive test a few weeks later, and 9 months later we had a healthy baby!". While I by no means, suffered from infertility, our road to where we are now was not completely covered in rainbows and butterflies. There was anxiety, and sadness, and lots of worry. I know there are women out there who feel like less of a woman because they didn't get pregnant that very first month, and I know that because I am one of them. I hope that, in addition to great diary entries of what was going on in my mind at the time, maybe just one woman will relate to our story.

Post originally written November 9, 2012 - about three months into our Babymaking journey.  Read about the decision to start trying HERE and my first negative test HERE.

So our first really half-assed, middle of month decision, month of trying had come and gone.  I had my first negative test, but I stayed positive as I knew we hadn't really tried that first month.  It was more of a spur of the moment thing.

Month two, here we come!  And this time, I'm not joking around.  I started charting - a crazy person thing in and of itself, something I literally had no clue about until I had been married over a year and started doing some research on the whole babymaking thing.

I was armed and ready for this little battle, and had no intention of taking this war past two months.  I was going to win this damn thing and my prize would be a baby!  Without getting into too many details (because mostly, I don't want to explain all the insane abbreviations - BBT, TTC, OPK, BD, blah blah blah), I backed myself with an army of fertility aids.  I knew when I ovulated, and I knew when to expect my enemy (aka that bitch, Mother Nature).

So we did our thing (still can't get over how awkward this is to write about), and I waited.  I was determined to wait until I missed my period before taking a test, but then again my willpower blows, so I tested slightly early.  Another negative (can we just talk about how effing ridiculous it is that for your entire sexually active life until you're ready for kids, you are so relieved to see a negative pregnancy test and then all of the sudden it's the worst part of your day week month?).  Okay, no biggie, it was still early and it wasn't the end of the world - this was after all the first real month of trying.

But then I waited.  And waited.  And wouldn't you know it, my friend still hadn't arrived.  I shit you not, kids, this was the latest Mother Nature had arrived for the party in my entire life.  So I kept taking tests, and getting negatives, and getting sad, and then still waiting. 

{source}

And then, finally, five days later than I expected her, my nasty little friend arrived. 

I was sad not to be one of those lucky ones who gets pregnant right away, how easy that would have been.  But I'm not in any huge rush, and I have faith that when He is ready to tell Mother Nature to eff off - He will do so.

How to Survive the First Year of Law School: The Spouse's Edition

1. Be social. 

This is my number one tip to the significant other of someone starting law school.  1. It helps with any kind of jealousy you may have over your loved one getting close (which they will) will all sorts of new people.  I'm no psycho, but of course I feel a little left out when Handsome Husband starts talking about all these people I don't know.  Which is why it's perfect if you start being social - then you do know them.  And better yet?  They know you.  And 2. No one wants to be the clingy wife constantly following her husband around.  I don't have to hang all over my husband at social law school functions.  Why?  Because now I have my own damn friends there!  Just because I'm not getting a JD doesn't mean I don't have anything in common with the future lawyers of America!  I was happily surprised to meet some very down to earth and super fun people through this experience.  I hope these new friends of ours last a lifetime!

 

 

Being social at Law Prom aka Barrister's Ball in February

 

 

2. Get a hobby. 

Law school takes up a shocking amount of time.  On top of classes, reading, and studying; you've got social events, meetings with professors, and networking.  Your spouse will be busy.  Sure, you can attend lots of the social events, but you're always the +1.  If you don't have something that is yours, that you are truly invested in, now's the time to find it.  I am invested in my career, and also threw myself into decorating and getting our new home ready throughout this school year.  Now?  I read a lot about babies, too!

 

 

3. Be helpful. 

I am by no means a Stepford Wife, but there are times during law school where I need to step my game up to help out Handsome Hubs.  I try to do the majority of the cooking throughout the year, but come finals?  That increases to cooking, cleaning and laundry because finals studying is seriously no joke.  I've never seen anything quite like it, and if I hadn't been here to experience it myself, I'd never belive how much time really goes into studying for these exams.

 

 

4. Be interested.

This might be my downfall, because if I'm being honest?  Civil Procedures and Torts bore me to death.  It's hard for me to stay interested in these topics, but the fact is, when your law student gets home from school, all they want to do is talk about school.  There have certainly been times where I've had to sigh and tell HH enough about law school, but do your best to listen, to take it in, and to be interested in what is engrossing so much of your loved one's time and thoughts.

 

 

5. Stay confident in your relationship.

It may come as a shock to you, but there are lots of breakups, and even divorces, that happen throughout law school.  I have to attribute this to the great stress that the schooling puts on the student, combined with changes in social life that might be affecting these relationships.  The statistics are there, and stress doesn't do any relationship good.  If you go in expecting it, and knowing your marriage can come through the other side not only in tact, but stronger, it will only fuel you to make that happen.  I can say, without a doubt in my mind, there has not been one moment throughout the first year of law school where I thought my marriage was in jeapordy in the slightest.  But if there was?  I'd fight for it, because I made vows for better or for worse, and if some law school stress is the worst we get - then I'll consider us very lucky.

 

 

 
 

6. Encourage your partner.

I consider myself a master of the pep talk, and I think my HH would vouch for me.  Sometimes, your partner will just feel stressed and overwhelmed and like there is no way he or she will make it out of this with anything to show for themselves.  And that's where you need to come in, and remind them how wonderful they are, how much hard work they've put in, and how far they are going to go.  Law school can break you down a bit, and it's your job to build your husband back up.

 

 

7. Go on dates.

Law school is a total time suck, but don't let that take away all of the romance from your relationship.  Go on dates, and talk about anything, even if it's mostly about school.  Take your husband somewhere fun, and make him court you sometimes too.  Don't forget that before being a law student, he was just a man in love with a woman, and after law school he'll be that too.  Relationships (all relationships, not just romantic ones) require nurturing, don't forget to water your garden!

 

 

7. Remember, this is only a very very short period of your life.

In the grand scheme of things, law school accounts for hardly any of your life.  A whopping three (or four, for part-timers!) years is nothing compared to the 50+ years you'll be married!  Even when it's the worst, when your partner gets a worse grade than anticipated, or you feel like you haven't seen your husband in weeks because well, you sort of haven't, remind yourself - this is not forever.  Yes, the life of a lawyer's wife has got to be trying at times, but this knock-down drag-out world of grades, competitiveness, drama, law review, externships and craziness is only temporary.

On Babymaking: The Decision

This series of eight posts was written throughout our journey of trying to conceive our little New Years Baby.  I am so glad I started writing from the very beginning, because I can look back and remember how I felt during this time.  I remember feeling like every single person in the blogworld's story started out with something like "so we started trying, and much to my surprise, I got a positive test a few weeks later, and 9 months later we had a healthy baby!".  While I by no means, suffered from infertility, our road to where we are now was not completely covered in rainbows and butterflies.  There was anxiety, and sadness, and lots of worry.  I know there are women out there who feel like less of a woman because they didn't get pregnant that very first month, and I know that because I am one of them.  I hope that, in addition to great diary entries of what was going on in my mind at the time, maybe just one woman will relate to our story.

This post was originally written on Sunday, September 23 - a little over a week after we made "the decision".

The decision to start a family is not an easy one.  And by that I don't mean that myself and my Handsome Husband are not sure if we want a baby, or to have a family, but the decision as to when to start trying to start that family...not an easy one, in my opinion.

HH and I have always known we wanted to have kids (we say four now, but I think I need to have one before I know if I can handle four little ones running around).  It was something that didn't even really need a conversation because it was such an integral part of both of us, but of course there was a chat had at some point in our courtship - though it couldn't have been all that intense because I have no recollection of it.

We also always said we wanted to be "young parents".  We want to have the opportunity to know the generations that will follow us, and with our lofty conception goals, we'd have to get started young to pop em all out, right?

So about six months from our mid twenties (makes my stomach turn every single time) and a month or so after closing escrow on our very first home, we sat down and had a serious chat about babies.

I've always had a mental list of things I wanted to check off before a mini Stress Case came to be.  As we chatted, I realized I had crossed all of them off my list - married, financially independent, own a home, both have good jobs.  And at the top of the list of reasons why we should start a family?  We both really wanted to.

{via}

And while I'll keep some of the details of that little convo between HH and I, we clearly came to an agreement that night to give it a try.

(PS. Does anyone else think talking (to other people, not my HH) about the whole trying to get pregnant process is totally effing awkward?  Like yup, one night we decided to try to have a baby and then we had lots of ... fun trying, totes TMI.)

Blogging With a Purpose: If I Were to Win the Lottery

Joining one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Becky, for 52 Weeks of Blogging With a Purpose.  I adore Becky, and she has some wonderful purposeful blog ideas for the next year or so.  I'll be joining in often!

 

If I Were to Win the Lottery...

 

...I'd go out and buy my husband a very fancy car, and surprise him with it.  That would be how I'd tell my better half that I'd hit the lotto!

 

...I'd put my little condo on the market, ASAP, and buy a bigger home in my town, something more like this:

Available for just under $4 million - I'm frugal!



 

...along with that home purchase, I'd be heading out to Needles, California and buying the biggest river house I could find.  The ones right on the water, with private beaches.  I'd stock it with some jet skis, a brand new boat, and everything else a river rat could need.  And that would be how we'd tell my parents' about our big win - by showing them their new upgraded river house.

 

...I'd do the right thing and put a lot of money away.  Whether it be investments or savings accounts, a big chunk of money would be set aside for my children's colleges, weddings, and anything else we might be able to help them with.

 

...there would be lots of generous gifts flowing for our friends and families.  Contributions to college funds would accompany any gift for all the kiddos, as I've seen first hand how hard it can be to struggle with student loans as a young adult (I have to take every opportunity I can to thank my parents for allowing me to one of the very few who don't have the problem!).

 

...Disney World would be seeing our faces again, this time, in luxury.

 

The big question: Would I quit my job?  If I'm being honest, I would.  But here's the thing, I would do it so I could go back to school.  I have had a goal of going back to school for years, and lottery or not?  I would be attaining that goal!  The lottery would just make it so.  much.  easier.



Baby M: The Details

I promised you details, and details you are getting!  I will be doing weekly Bumpdates and I will do them Thursdays as that is when my weeks change over, each Bumpdate will be for the week prior to that (ex: I turn 15 Weeks tomorrow, tomorrow's Bumpdate will cover Week 14).  I am so excited to share the details of this sweet New Years Baby we're waiting on.  I've actually been blogging throughout the entire "Trying to Conceive" process, and I'm so glad that I decided to do that!  That will all be coming soon though, so for today?  The details and the answers to the questions I've been getting since "coming out" with the news!

Baby M

M is for our last name, I cannot seem to come up with any cute or clever nicknames for this little baby.  The only thing that ever comes to mind is Stress Baby, which seems highly inappropriate.  New Years Baby, maybe?

Due Date: January 2, 2014

Was it planned? It most certainly was!  This is a question we've received mostly from friends our age, and I'm pretty sure the curiosity stems mostly from the fact that they can't in their wildest dreams imagine that they would plan a pregnancy.  But for the record, we planned for this baby, wished for this baby, prayed for this baby, and love this baby already.

Do you know if it's a boy or a girl? Not yet!  We will be finding out, and we're hosting a Gender Reveal party to find out in a fun way with family and close friends.  That will be at the end of this month, and I can hardly contain myself!

How long have you known? I found out on April 24th, so I've known for about 2 1/2 months.  I never beleived I would be able to keep a secret like this, but it was much easier than anticipated.  Though we did tell some people earlier, only a few people knew before our 12 week scan.

Any names in mind? We do have a top boy and girl name, and though we are not worried about sharing them in real life (I tell anyone who asks), I will not be sharing on the blog.  I may or may not share after our little baby makes it's debut, but that's still up for debate.

How have you been feeling? I have to admit I had things very easy.  My morning sickness was limited to only nausea in waves, and there were only two times that I thought I might throw up, and it eventually passed without a trip to the bathroom.  There were about three weeks where I was so tired I thought I might drift off at work, but other than that, it wasn't too bad.  I know that I am lucky, and hope that this will be a trend for all the pregnancies to come in my life.  The one symptom I've been blessed with is heartburn like a mother, and if the myths are true?  This baby is coming out looking like Rapunzel.

Do you have a bump? I'm definitely showing, and though I am so excited to grow this baby, it's sort of embarassing.  Maybe it's because some biatch giving me a massage last weekend said "Wow, you look big for only 3 1/2 months!" or maybe it's because we just now told all our friends so I was constantly worried around town that we'd run in to someone who didn't know yet and give our secret away with my mini bump.  I'm not as nervous now that it's "out" and look forward to this mini bump turning into a bigger one.

13 weeks, 2 days

Any other questions?

Bumpdate with some specifics about this past week coming tomorrow!

Firecracker

Along with some yummy hot dogs (and an adorable selection of toppings),

chicken sausage,

carne asada,

fruit and dip,

and lots of beer,

we treated our 4th of July guests to a little surprise...

 

 

That's right, there's a baby on the way!

Details to come!



Things Thursday: Things I've Been Doing Instead of Blogging

1. Couch surfing.  Maybe a little too much time on the couch.

2. Tons and tons of family time!  Last Sunday, we managed to have each meal with a different group of Handsome Husband's family!

3. Um, Big Brother started.  Hello?

4. Using my camera.  I got to take some pretty pictures of MIL Red and her fiance, Mr. Bear, down at their oceanfront wedding location last weekend.

5. Getting more and more excited for our upcoming Beers & BBQ 4th of July Party!  Friends, booze, food, sun and 'MERICA loving...my type of day.

6. Planning (and by planning, I mean, listening to Gardening Mom's plan and loving every idea) a long weekend getaway with Gardening Mom and Sisters Singer and Swimmer.  August can't come soon enough!

7. Enjoying basking in the sun on my walks to and from my work parking lot and on the weekends, but not loving the too hot evenings that have already started. 

8. Having mini family reunions at Downtown Disney.  Lots of family was in town, and it was so nice to see everyone!

9. Really missing blogging, but really lacking the motivation to write.

10. Reading lots of blogs!  I might be lagging, but I'm reading YOU!

What It's Like Being Married to a Saint

It's true.  My husband is a saint.  You may think I'm being sarcastic, but the man truly deserves a medal for the things he does.  I don't know any woman who is quite as lucky as I am.  And here's why.

My husband:

• Does the laundry, almost exclusively.  I've literally done maybe four loads since we moved in to our home in September.
 
• Washes the dishes, even when he cooks.  To be fair, sometimes it takes him a few days to get to them, but I'm the last girl you'll hear complaining about a few dirty dishes in the sink.
 
• Makes the bed nearly every day, just because he likes the way it looks and feels.
 
• Sweeps and steam cleans the floors.
 
• Is the only person who touches our vacuum.
 
• Brings me lots of meals and drinks in bed, often times without even being asked.
 
• Takes the very very best care of me, in every single way possible.

He does all of this while making me smile, laugh and fall a little more in love with him each day.  I truly don't know how in the world I got so lucky and blessed.  The truth is, I would love him just the same if he was a big ole slob (coughlikemecough).  But can't lie, it's nice that he's the opposite!

 

He also looks good golfing, another win for HH!

 

You may be wondering what it is I do after reading HH's long list of chores, and I gotta be honest, so am I at this point.  I suppose I do most of the cooking, and lots of looking pretty around the house.  Let's be real - HH is definitely the lucky one.  

Sprinkles Ice Cream

Sprinkes Ice Cream.

 

Did you even know this was a thing?  I, for one, had no idea until Sister Swimmer enlightened us over our family weekend at the River.  Curiosity, my sweet tooth, and needing a reward for surviving another four-hour-long river roadtrip (each way) led us there last night before we headed home to watch Mad Men and snooze before work on Monday.

 

{via}

 

The entire car ride back from Arizona, I was looking forward to the cupcake sundae Sister Swimmer raved out.  I ended up deciding on a red velvet cupcake with chocolate chip ice cream (though they were almost out of chocolate chip, so I ended up with mostly vanilla).

 

{Yelp}

 

This cupcake sundae idea is genious.  Basically they cut the cupcake in half; put the bottom at the bottom of the ice cream cup; top with a few scoops of ice cream and throw on the top of the cupcake, frosting and all!

 

The red velvet cupcake was moist and yummy, and the cream cheese frosting was delightful.  The vanilla ice cream was seriously some of the best I've ever had, and I actually preferred it to the chocolate chip, so I was glad I ended up with it!

 

All in all, a fun novely treat every once in a while!  Note that these sundaes are so sweet with the combo of cupcake, frosting and ice cream.  Definitely not an everyday type thing, but a must-try if there is a Sprinkles Ice Cream near you!

 

Have you ever had Sprinkles Ice Cream?





Who Says "Crayon" like "Crown"?

Last week, I stumbled upon this seemingly off-topic article on Starcasm (the one and only source for MY celebrity gossip!), and thought these colorful maps were so interesting, I had to come share.

I have a thing for accents, like I seriously wish I was Southern, because I think the accents are so darn cute.  Alas, I am not, and though I do say y'all every once in a while and I pronounce my "a"s a little off, I really don't think I've got an accent.

Coke is a type of soda.  If you want another type, you can't just go around calling them all Coke!

I say pa-jam-ahs

This one made me laugh out loud.  Who the hell calls a crayon a crown?!

If someone told me to put my mouth near a "bubbler", I would not be on board.

 

Where does your dialect fall on these maps?

There are tons more of these over at Starcasm!