Good To Be Back

Well, hello there!

It's been quite some time since I've opened a fresh, new page here.

It's Saturday afternoon.  I'm still in my pajamas.  Steve just made a quick stop for a desperately needed bottle of juice (mixing a little with water helps with my nausea). And I am gonna march upstairs soon and take a desperately needed shower.

Before I do, I felt it was time to get back into the groove here. 

I have missed blogging.

I have missed a lot of things.

But I have to say, as much as this past month (and all its first trimester glory) has kicked my ass,

I am proud of myself for not being stubborn and pushing myself too hard.

I'm not a girl who finds it easy to say no or I can't.
But when no and I can't means taking care of the baby...it comes so easy...without question.

These past couple months have taught me a lot about myself. 

Somewhere, in the midst of puking my guts out, dry heaving my eyeballs out and sleeping some days away...

I have gained strength. 

I have gained an even deeper appreciation for things I might sometimes take for granted.

And most importantly,

I have gained complete and utter faith that

I am going to be a mother.

Tears are already starting to well.

(And the nasty scent of the popcorn that Steve's chowin' on across the room is starting to make me sick.)

So, I am gonna start closin' this post up.

Because I have a ton of posts that are coming - ones that have been stirring inside my head and heart for weeks now.  Some, deep and intensely emotional.  Others, full of funny and hormone induced stories.  And the next post coming - one I've prayed to be able to write for so, so long.

I went through my photos from the past month and had fun looking back.

It's been a while...
A homemade breakfast at Kelly's.


Chats about life and baby things.

Much thanks to Kelly for these mama books and the comfiest body pillow.

And for all her mama tips and tricks.

lil' snuggly Daxon. <3

***

Dinner at mom's.  She knows how to end my constipation problem. :)

***

Celebrating this lady's birthday. <3

Taking a trip together to Petsmart. Hoping to see some kitties.

My true crazy catladyness comes out in full force when I get to hold a tiny fluffy.

Ha!! Look at my face!

(Thanks for the photos Kelly!)

My baby bump also comes out in full force after a lunch of crab bites, taquitos and cheesecake!

<3

And another "Kelly birthday!"...

A day together to celebrate this awesome girl one more time.

Lunch on a beautiful summer day in town.

We scarfed down our ice cream before I could take a picture.

It was that good.

***

A Sunday with family. <3

***

Though I didn't take lots of photos during my many days of being a rotting vegetable at home,

I made sure to capture a few.

Steve would text me each day - "How's it going over there, Boo Boo?" (Speaking of Boo Boo, I developed quite an unhealthy obsession with the "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" show on TLC this past month.  You know you love it.)

My response was usually a photo like this...

Ravishing, I know.  Don't you love the bangs?!

I would bring a bowl of cereal upstairs with me each morning and I always had a line of fluffies trying to drink the milk.

And then cleaning the offices.  It's a blessing some days.  And a pain in the butt on others.

It either gives me rushes of adrenaline or makes me more nauseous.

But let's be honest, I am so grateful to be by myself and able to run to the bathroom (even if I just scrubbed the toilet) and puke in privacy.

I just love this picture.  That's all.

***

And now, before I really go...

A few Beano pics.  (I've got more saved for the next post.)

This was two weeks ago, at nine and a half weeks.

The baby danced and wiggled away as soon as his/her image came on the screen.

I laughed and smiled as happy tears fell.

Steve, the nurse and I couldn't stop cracking up. 

Doesn't Beano look like a little monkey?

It was so awesome to see "him" shakin' it!

I think baby likes music as much as his/her mom and dad!

The last song on the radio before I got out of my car was "Moves Like Jagger."

I tried the following day,

at 9 weeks/5 days, to grab some bump shots.

But, I was so icky feeling and the kitties were A+ photobombers.

There wasn't much of a bump anyway.

But that has kinda changed in the past week, and especially in past few days.

I have only been half as pukey and been able to keep food down a bit easier.

I definitely have an appetite regardless of how I feel.

Something wonderful has come of it in the past few days...

My brother treated me to brunch on Thursday.

 And Kelly and I had a Taco Bell feast yesterday.

Along with a cookie sundae.

And, at just a few days short of 12 weeks...

The baby is making its presence.

<3

(Thank you for the bump shots, Kelly!!)

<3<3<3

A big thank you to everyone!!  Thanks for all your kind emails and thoughts while I've been "away" these past couple weeks.  You guys are wonderful!

I'll be back before mid-week - new post - new song.

Now, it's time for that shower.

Almost 12 week Lovin',