Reflections In The Waves

We're on vacation right now, and I couldn't be happier. This trip was a last minute one, spurred by the thought that I wasn't sure when we'd be able to get away again, with a new baby on the way. After I booked it, though, I had those second guesses, like maybe I shouldn't spend the money because I'll be on maternity leave for six months, but now that we're here, I realize that life is too short for those second guesses.





Money doesn't matter. What does matter is that I'm eating up every minute of the giggles and squeals, the thrilled little voice shouting, "Water park, water park!" the three of us cuddling in the king sized bed, eating junky food (I'll regret this when I step on a scale!), and just having this time for us. We head home tomorrow, but I know the memories we're making will last forever.

Half Baked

Flashless 20 week belly shot taken for Beth's photo challenge, You Capture. This week's challenge was to capture something you love without using flash. And what do I love more than this belly and all it carries?

My Birthday Boy

Luke,

Two years ago, you were born. Two days ago, I happened to be standing in the very room where you were born, and I recalled how at the moment you entered this world, a ray of sunshine broke through the heavy February clouds. Your name means bringer of light, and from that first moment, you've brought more light to our lives than I could ever imagine.

You bring light to me every morning when I get you out of the crib, and you nestle your sweet head into my shoulder and murmur, "Hi mama." You bring light to me at the darkest time of my day when I have to leave for work, and you sweetly hug and kiss me, but you never, ever cry, like you know how it's already so hard for me. You bring us light with your laughter, your wonder, and the way you're such a boy, but yet you still fold so sweetly into our arms.

No matter what, I promise we'll never take your light for granted.
All of my love, always.

The Big 1-8

Today was pretty much made of fail, so I didn't get this picture taken until later this evening. But after dinner with friends (and a hilarious moment in which friend's three year old TOTALLY copped a feel), I'm feeling like I can suck it up and face 8th graders again tomorrow. And if that doesn't get me through, then the thoughts of a THREE DAY WEEKEND will.

18 weeks! Camera over face totally intentional due to a combination of factors that made me look grosser than gross.

Too Tired For A Terrific Title

I feel like I've popped in the last few days. It's hard to believe I'm 17 weeks already.

This pregnancy is flying by, and more and more lately, I'm realizing how unbelievably blessed I am to have this. Two very beautiful friends found out this week that the babies they'd wished and hoped and dreamed of were not to be. I want to cry and scream at the unfairness of it all, at the fact that as much as I want, I cannot fix it for them. I want to hug them and wave a wand to make it all go away, but I can't. But what I can do is treasure every single moment of this and realize how very, undeniably lucky I am to have what I have. I want to throw on the brakes and slow it down, just so I don't blink and suddenly it's July.

Rub Me The Right Way

I have a confession. When I was pregnant with Luke, I lied about something through my entire pregnancy. I lied about this something because it's basically the pregnant woman party line, and well, I didn't want to let my fellow fecund sisters down. But I don't think I can keep living a lie, so I hope this doesn't get me kicked out of the club. Are you ready for the truth? Can you HANDLE the truth?

I like having my belly touched. I like having it patted and rubbed and ahh'd over. When I was pregnant with Luke, I tried to hate it. I rolled my eyes when people would mention it like I hated it. But I didn't. I couldn't! And so the other day, when I got my first belly touch from the treasurer at work, I had to admit to myself that I really loved it. Granted, I've never had a stranger touch my belly. I can see how that would bug, but really, who likes to be touched by strangers--pregnant or not?

When friends and family touch my stomach, I know they do it out of love. I know they do it because they can't wait to hold this baby, and right now, touching my stomach is the closest they can get. I'm happy to share that with him, but that doesn't mean that I don't understand women who don't like the touching. So instead, if groping pregnant women is what you like, this one is open for business!

My Cupcake Bump

Today was a good day. I went to bed last night, ridiculously happy for a friend. I woke up this morning STILL ridiculously happy for that friend. Don't you love that? Today was pajama day at work, which meant that I got to wear my cupcake pajamas, complete with matching slippers. AND my students were taking the ACT until 11 this morning, so I had nothing to do until then. As such, my team and I ordered a calorie-laden breakfast from Schoop's. So not only did I get to hang out and do nothing in my pajamas, I got to hang out and do nothing in my pajamas while eating blueberry pancakes with whipped cream and a side of hash browns. Oh, it was GOOD.

I mostly failed at bump shots tonight because my camera batteries were dead. I had to use the webcam on my computer, which is decent... except for when you're moving while it's trying to take a photo. And because my favorite little cupcake decided he needed to be in the pictures, I was moving. A LOT.

You can't see my stomach at all, but I like this one.


16 weeks! 4 months. How the hell did that happen? I'm not a math teacher, but doesn't that make me almost halfway through this whole thing? Doesn't seem possible, but I'm feeling little flutters daily and loving it.