Wrapping it Up

It is making me feel anxious and guilty that I haven't posted since the beginning of December!  Not that my readers particularly mind, but I am kind of weird about certain things.  With today being the last of the year, I feel like I'd be ending 2011 without all of my ducks in a row.  And, as people who speak to me daily know, I am trying to line things up and get organized before - all of the sudden - I'm a mom, it's 2023, I'm a grandmother, Miles is retiring, etc. etc.!  I sometimes worry about the future, is what I'm saying, y'all.

Tomorrow marks a new year, and I definitely have some goals for this year (please see aforementioned worries concerning future), but let me back up and tell you about our super-busy, fun, and festive December, for now.  I will try to keep it brief, but not really, because we did a TON OF STUFF. 

December 3rd was my niece, Scarlett Jane's, 5th birthday!  I can't believe she's five. 

December 8th was Bennie Rue's 60th birthday.  We celebrated with a special surprise party!

December 10th we went to a wedding in Dallas.  It was for Katie, Miles' childhood friend and my college buddy.

December 12th was Joanie's birthday.  I didn't get to spend it with her, since for some reason it's not a national holiday and work called.  But, my mom was there.  Read about it and see her cute pictures, here! 

December 12-16th was my last week of work before a two-week break.  I was pretty tired from the three weeks back since Thanksgiving break.  So, that worked out well!  I worked hard and didn't bring home any school-work for the break, but I brought home about forty pounds of food/gifts from my sweet students.

December 16th we went out for a fancy dinner at Mercury Chop House with a friend from college and his wife, Dev and Anna.  It was great to see them, since we don't get together nearly enough!  I need to get Anna to send the one picture we took...

December 17th marked my getting the new family car we've been needing, and we attended the Grand Prairie Lights. It was crowded but cool.

December 18th was a great day spent with two of my best friends, Britney and Emily.  Britney and I met Em in Grapevine to walk and shop on the adorably festive Main Street!  I needed this girls' day badly, and we had a wonderful time shopping and catching up.  We were supposed to take a picture in front of the big tree, but we got caught up with our good time.

December 19th I had a doctor's appointment with the sonographer.  He checked all of baby girl's organs, measurements, etc. to see that all was well.  All was well! Yea!

December 21st was Miles' work holiday party!  I got to put faces to names I hear a lot, so it was a great time.  Here's the only picture - with my awesome pink toilet in the background.  I was trying to see if I looked pregnant or just fat. 

December 23rd was spent registering for baby gear with my dear sister.  I owe her for life for making an overwhelming experience easy breezy!    Miles & I also went to see Jacob and their girls at my parents and visited his grandmother at his parents.

December 24th was Christmas Eve.  We celebrate with my side of the family on Christmas Eve.  We had a wonderful time!  Seeing the kids enjoying Christmas and each other is the best.  That evening we went to the Jenkins to be with the rest of the family.  There were more cute kids there!  Also, it was my cousin Joe's birthday.  Celebrations, galore!

December 25th was, of course, Christmas Day.  We spent the day with Miles' side of the family, and it was extra special this year with his grandmother joining the festivities.

December 28th was my smiley niece, Lucy's, 1st birthday! I have no idea how she is already one year old, or how she is only one year old, since it feels like she's been a part of my life forever.  I stole this picture from my sister's blog because it was so adorable.  Here is the link to more from her day. 

This past week, there has also been a bit more family time, some time with friends, some time working on baby stuff, a lot of time spent on house duties, and, in general, just utilizing the time I have to get these things in.  

In many ways, my December reflects this past year of my life.  It was crazy busy and full of people I love.  I wouldn't have it any other way!

I hope 2012 is as blessed and fantastic as 2011.

Meant to Be...

When I see Miles on his hands and knees searching for the perfect gray, stuffed kitten, I know our having a girl was meant to be. 

If he's willing to delve into the debauchery that is Toys R' Us for my sweet niece, he'll probably do anything for our baby girl. 

Just saying...makes me happy. :)

Making a List...

1.  Time has been flying, and my week off of work (sorry, I am a teacher and have an exorbitant amount of time off) went by so quickly.  I had a bunch of plans, things I was going to accomplish throughout the week.  I was about 70% successful - at relaxing.  And, about 30% successful in getting things checked off the to do list.  If you know me, you know that ratio could have definitely been worse!

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2.  I had carolers at my door Sunday.  It was awkward, because they were just kids, and I felt like they wanted something for their efforts.  I was all, "Y'all do know I'm out of Halloween candy, right??"  I mean, I finished that off a week ago.

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3.  We did put up the holiday decorations.  Miles' outdoor lights are definitely the best part of our decor.  My attempts to pull something sophisticated together inside - with my menorah and a hodge podge of Christmas stuff - leaves me feeling insufficient and weak. 

Looking at Pinterest all day, does not help with that feeling.  People are, apparently, really good at decorating.

4.  I just realized during that last little nugget of truth, that I never mentioned Thanksgiving on my blog.  Happy late Thanksgiving!  We are super grateful for all of our blessings, family, and friends.  We ate too much, of course.

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5.  I'm  doing a yoga class, when I can find pants that fit.  Last week, we had a sub.  She made me take naps in different positions for an hour.  It was everything I could do not to burst out laughing during all of these moments of relaxation - being relaxed and reflective is just so not me. 

My normal instructor was back this week.  She makes me feel stretched and strengthened!  I am the least flexible or strong person I know, so having this feeling once a week is important to me.  I have bruises on my knees and can barely sit down on the toilet, but at least it feels effective instead of funny. 

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6.  Breakfast for dinner is good fun.  I had fun the other night.  Just thought I'd share this gem of a dinner idea.

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7.  I'm in the process of looking for a new, used car.  This is beyond exciting to me because I do not like my current car.  It's tiny.  Brett, Shannon, and I have had some major debates on the topic of a van over the past six years.  Despite the fact that they've brainwashed their children into thinking the van is the "coolest car ever," I will not be getting a van just because I'm having a baby. 

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8.  I have five family members with December birthdays.  You can feel sorry for them now.  

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9. And, on random number 9, I'm out of random things to list!

Think Pink

Miles and I were very anxious and excited to find out the gender of our baby this past week.  We didn't want to get our hopes up, because it is semi-early in the pregnancy to find out.  But, you can't help doing so, really.  

As you'll see below, we found out that we are having a little baby girl!  As you'll also see below, she looks like a bird right now.  Her new nickname is Birdie.  

Hopefully, you will not think it is weird that I am keeping a journal (don't know if that's the right word) of cards about the baby experience to possibly share with Birdie in future years, or to just reflect on myself.  They help me process what is going on and remember the differences week to week with how I am feeling physically and emotionally.  

This week I wanted to share my card with all of you.  Since I would want to share everything in this one, I thought it was appropriate.  Enjoy!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Last weekend, I went to Houston to visit my sister and her girls.  Jacob was out of town, so I didn't get to see him.  But, it was a fun girls' weekend.  I love getting to hang out with Joanie.  She spoiled me with good food, great talks, and a sleep number bed.  I can't wait to go back, again!

I wish she lived closer, but I am really lucky to have her as my sister.  

My nieces are so darn cute! 

Ava, who is three years "old", was very interested in the fact that I am pregnant.  She would point at, or touch, my belly and say funny things.  She said, "My daddy told me you have a baby in your belly," or, "Is it a baby brother or a baby sister?"  Each of these comments was without prompting, at moments I was alone with Ava, and not talking about being pregnant - so it was pretty funny. 

"What? I'm just asking..."

One of her other best questions was, "Why do you have a baby in your belly?"  I responded, "Well, do you remember your Uncle Miles?..." 

Lucy, who is ten months "new", was very polite and didn't pry at all into my personal life.  She just made me hope I have a smiling, happy baby like her. 

"Life is good when you can almost walk!"

My other nephew and niece have also made hilarious comments about my being pregnant, when they found out and since. 

Ben is seven and very knowledgeable about what to expect when the baby arrives, "Good luck with that baby," he told Miles and I as we left his house, "it's going to cry all the time!"  True that, Ben, true that.  And, thank you for the well wishes. 

"You're going to need 'em, Aunt Chell!"

Scarlett, four going on twenty-four, loves babies.  We will always remember how adorable she was with her attention to each Ava and Lucy, when they were infants.  Well, the next time she saw me after the baby announcement, she kept looking at me all funny. With hope in her voice, she finally asked, "Did you already have your baby?"  It had been one week! 

"I could definitely do it in a week - look how easy this is."

All I know, is that my baby is going to be very lucky to be surrounded with all of these fun and funny playmates as he or she (we don't know if it's a baby brother or baby sister, yet) grows up.  I had to write down their comments before I get old and forget what they said.  Plus, I will definitely need ammo to embarrass them in the future, when they get too cool for me.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

We had a festivity filled weekend:

Friday night I chaperoned a school costume dance my student council put on. As you can imagine, the middle schoolers had some amazing costumes...

Amazingly funny.
Amazingly boring.
Amazingly inappropriate.

That's all I'll say about that. But, speaking of inappropriate, I did take the opportunity to get away with calling my students nerds. No costume immediately got you an, "Oh, I love your nerd outfit."

I create my own fun!

Saturday, we went out to Dallas to hang out at Clay and Heidi's house. Our other friends Brandon and Janelle were in town from Houston, so we all had a wonderful time catching up and carving pumpkins.

On Sunday, Miles carved another pumpkin, while I watched, and he roasted the seeds.

Tonight we passed out candy. The only complaint I have is that most kids don't even say trick or treat anymore. I mean, I should at least have the option.

So, all in all, I would say we were pretty festive over here! Hope you all had a fun Halloween, too.

The Order of Events

Here is a story for you. All pictures are at the end. You have to read through the order of events, as it occurred for me, to understand my mindset and hear about what has happened to me from my point of view! Sorry, this is a long post.

It happened like this.

Sarina calls me on a Wednesday night at 6:30.
"Michelle, will you come over here?" she asks panically.
Because of the tone, no question for me, "Yes, what's going on!?"
"Just please come, now."

So I went, truly having NO idea what I was in for because Sarina never asks for anything. I was just hoping she wasn't implicating me in anything she would then want me to keep from Miles. (Turns out I did have to try to lie to Miles about what occurred once I arrived at their house, but only for a few hours and without success, really.)

When I walked in, Sarina is shaking and almost crying. She has a manic smile on her face, and is holding a stick out to me. It's a pregnancy test - a positive pregnancy test.

Well, the rest of the events of that evening include me realizing why I know this before Matt (he had just left for a Ranger game and would be potentially gone for hours), driving Sarina to buy a ridiculous amount of more pregnancy tests (that each in turn came up positive, as well), and laughing at Sarina and trying to convince her that she was pregnant (she thought she definitely had eaten too much chicken or had cancer).

The next day, I went with her to get a blood test (you know she still didn't believe it, even with the doctor telling her) and, of course, by Buy Buy Baby.

This day was a day that I was full of advice about pregnancy and babies and full of scorn at her worries and fears. I was full of excitement for Matt and Sarina and their new lives that were beginning. I was full of joy for a new life, a new niece or nephew.

Fast forward to three weeks later. Matt and Sarina have just shared their news with their parents. Miles is still adjusting to the idea of his brother becoming a Dad. I am still full of all sorts of knowledge, of course!

I am still full of advice and excitement, and I know oh so much about this baby stuff...

until the night I make a panicky call, from my bathroom, to Miles in the living room.

To his credit, he was ready. He had a shoe in his hand in case it was a roach or a spider, and a paper towel to scoop up one of those baby geckos, if that was the case. He was ready!

However, I had a different need this time. I needed to tell him that I had just taken a pregnancy test to ease my conscious, but that it had come up positive!

All of that knowledge, and stuff I was certain of, flew out the window. I had been full of it - literally and figuratively, I now realized. Now, I was full of worries and fears. I was full of uncertainty.

Miles helped me calm down, and I slowly came to terms with all of the sudden knowing nothing. I mean it - that was the immediate feeling for me. I knew nothing, and it scared me to death.

Being on the other side of a positive pregnancy test was exciting and full of joy and knowledge. That is what I was used to. That side. This side was scary, shocking, and daunting.

Fast forward, eight more weeks.

I am thirteen weeks pregnant this week. We have experienced so much joy in the discovery of this baby, in the sharing of our news, in the excitement of what's to come.

We are beyond ecstatic to be sharing this time and experience with Matt and Sarina. We love that our babies will be the same age.

I've had two great doctor's appointments, with everything looking good. This past week, I had the best experience yet, in hearing the heartbeat. It's beginning to feel real and normal to be pregnant.

Miles and I are truly overjoyed about the baby and feeling what first-time expectant parents can probably all relate to at this time in the pregnancy.

But, guess what I still know, now!? I know nothing!!


Here are some pictures from the past 13 weeks.

It took me the course of a week and five tests to believe I was pregnant. Yes, I have apologized to Sarina for making fun of her disbelief.



The night we told our parents (6 weeks pregnant).


Sarina shocked and excited at the doctor. She is about two and half weeks ahead of me!







The cutest moccasins ever and the only thing we've bought for the baby, haha! (bought on our Manitou Springs vacation)


Getting kind of fat...can't stop eating! It's not really the baby, yet, but I will blame the baby for being voraciously hungry. I was about 10 weeks pregnant here.