little pleasures

I tried to write a monthly "little pleasures" post ages ago, and failed. Just like my attempt to keep up with every monthly or weekly series I've ever started on this blog. fail fail fail.

I'm not bringing little pleasures back for the long haul, but I did want to share some things that have been putting a smile on my hormone-riddled face. I don't want to look back on this time as being completely miserable, because there have been lots of laughs and cozy naps and hours spent watching the snow fall. 

Puppy antics

Casey knows how to high-five, so I asked her to high-five me if I'm having a boy. She looked away. Then I said, "high-five if it's girl," and she promptly obeyed. Goofy dog! Also, she moaned during an entire episode of The Office — the one where Pam has her baby. Casey did not like it when the baby cried. Last night she moaned dramatically when Andy started talking to my belly. Apparently the jealousy has already begun.

Husband antics

The other day Andy started laughing and pointed to my sweatshirt. "That's the most pregnant you've ever looked," he said. I glanced down and realized my Dove Bar must have rubbed up against the top of my sweatshirt. Chocolate everywhere. It was also all over my face and I had no idea. 

This morning he sang "Payphone" to the dog. "You're at a payphone trying to call home but your paws can't hit the keys...so you called China then started barking because you don't like Chinese."

Movies

We used to watch movies all the time, but then we got hooked on television series. We're running out of things to watch on Netflix (any ideas?) so we recently popped in "Juno" and "The Princess Bride." It was interesting to start "House of Cards" after seeing young Robin Wright Penn. (We haven't finished "House of Cards," so don't give anything away!) 

Maternity clothes

I've ordered a few maternity items from Gap and Old Navy, but I found some great loose non-maternity tops at LOFT and TJMaxx while I was out shopping on Sunday. I felt pretty ridiculous stuffing my sweatshirt under tops in the dressing room, though! My favorite non-maternity shirt might be the "Stars Wars" tee I found in the men's clearance section of Target. It's so soft... I have a feeling I might be living in it soon! I'm also pretty psyched that the two clothing items I purchased for the Uganda trip are perfect for my growing belly. One is a maternity tank top that I bought b/c of it's high neck, and the other is a soft maxi skirt. 

Uganda pics

The team I was supposed to be on has arrived home from Uganda and I've really enjoyed looking through the pics they've put on Facebook, along with ones posted by the American girls that live there. 

the lovely Zion Project girls (pic by Jenny Childs)

is this how it's going to be...?

Last week I asked Andy to make dinner because I didn't feel well. He was reading an email when I asked him, and instead of hearing a question he heard a command. He heard, "make me dinner!" instead of "will you make me dinner?" I could see his jaw working and I knew he was running through a mental list of all the things he had done for me that day... vacuuming, mopping, getting me snacks, reminding me to take my vitamins, etc. He's the best.

His response: "Is this how it's going to be for the next seven months? I'm not trying to be mean; I just need to know."

LOL. Boys.

I didn't really know how to answer him, because I don't know when I'll feel better. And the longer I endure this nausea and ceaseless vomiting, the more I've begun to wonder the same thing. "Is this how it's going to be?" Even if I do feel better by the end of my first trimester (fingers crossed), that's still three weeks away.

I knew I would have to make some sacrifices when I got pregnant, but I didn't anticipate that the sacrifices would start right away! I haven't felt this unattractive in weeks (and I don't even have a belly yet). This is a little embarrassing to share, but I know that I appreciate women who are vulnerable about their struggles, so... here's how growing a baby has affected me so far: awful all-day sickness, pimples, dry skin, chapped lips, bloating, sleepiness and sleeplessness, insaaane gas... lovely, right? I also didn't anticipate being mostly confined to the couch for WEEKS. I'm not the kinda gal who loves cleaning and doing returns, but I gotta tell you I am SO ready to return to my housewife duties in addition to working more often! I'm also looking forward to going back to church, getting together with friends and wearing anything other than pajamas! Hmm, maybe this is a tiny taste of what having a newborn will be like!

OK, enough complaining. Clearly I've been struggling with having a positive attitude! I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I know that I'm incredibly blessed to be carrying a baby. I know I'm incredibly blessed to have a loving spouse that helps shoulder my burdens. I know this is just a phase —that it WILL get better eventually.

And it's not every day your husband does all of the chores without being asked AND makes a run to McDonald's so you can have a hot fudge sundae. 

baby!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are thrilled to announce that we're expecting a little one this summer! If you've wondered why I've taken time away from the blog, it's because I've been sick a little LOT all month. It's incredible how much of a pajama-wearing pretzel-eating hermit I've become.

a few details:

*I'm 9 weeks and 5 days 

*My due date is August 25th

*The baby is approximately the size of a grape and already has earlobes. EARLOBES!

It isn't unusual for me to be a little late, so I tried not to think anything of it. Plus, I had a feeling that if I were to get pregnant I wouldn't be able to go on the Uganda trip, and I really wanted to go. (I would have left for Uganda yesterday, actually!) I prayed about it a lot and wrestled with mixed emotions. I finally took an at-home test on New Year's Day and it was negative. I didn't buy it. I had a pretty strong feeling that I was pregnant, and I know that those tests are often wrong. The next day I had an appointment at the travel clinic to get a prescription for malaria medicine. I talked to the doctor and explained that I didn't want to get the prescription until I was absolutely certain that I wasn't pregnant. They took a blood test and told me they'd be in touch.

I threw up the next morning.

The doctor's office called on Friday, Jan. 4th while I was in northern Virginia visiting my parents and some friends who were in from out of town. My plan was to have coffee with my friend Rachel and then head from NOVA down to Harrisonburg for a weekend with some of my girlfriends. But as soon as I got the call I knew I had to tell Andy! I hijacked my coffee date w/ Rachel and instead asked her to drive with me up to Frederick so that I could tell Andy in person. I always thought I'd tell Andy through some cute gesture or something clever, but instead I just ran into his office and said, "WE'RE HAVING A BABY!" Lots of kisses, hugs and belly kisses followed.

Yesterday we got to see the baby for the first time. It was magical! We both cried a little and then Andy said he felt like he was going to pass out and I had to lunge for my bag of pretzels to keep the nausea at bay. Haha!

While it's been super exciting to know that there's a little baby inside of me, I've definitely struggled with morning sickness and with surrendering my trip to Uganda. (If you're wondering why we're telling people a little early, it's because many of you would figure it out if you heard I wasn't going to Uganda.) I don't understand why God aligned so many things to make the trip possible and then laid it on my heart to let it go, but I have unwavering faith that His timing is SO perfect. We had the baby talk on July 1st, 2011 and since then have let go of any "control" we might have over a pregnancy. A few months ago a doctor suggested that both Andy and I be tested for infertility. We decided we'd wait until after my Uganda trip to get tested, and lo and behold we got blessed with a baby! 

I probably won't be blogging much (or at all) until this morning sickness passes, so bear with me!

YAY!!!!!

sky is womb and she's the moon

resting

I'm taking some time away from the blog, but I'll be back soon! Check back in a week or so.

faithful in prayer

erica reyna design

Early last fall I was getting restless with my job as a nanny and I prayed countless prayers that God would send another job my way. I loved the family dearly, but I didn't love the feeling that I was moving backwards.

Nothing happened (for a while). I would hear of jobs that sounded right up my alley only to discover that I'd have a two-hour commute each day. I filled out the paperwork to become a substitute teacher, but heard that the hiring process could take months. I didn't know what to do but pray.

Then, in a matter of weeks, I became a substitute teacher and a freelance writer for Ibelieve.com. These two new jobs have blessed me greatly. I had no idea I would love substitute teaching as much as I do. (Nannying was great preparation!) I come home exhausted but happy. Freelancing has also been wonderful. Getting paid to write about my faith is a dream come true!

If you are struggling with discontentment in any area of your life, I encourage you to go before God and ask Him to change your attitude and your circumstances.