One Year

July 25th...the day we decided to let everyone know we were going to be together forever! What a great day that was! The weather was perfect (aside from being blazingly hot!) and everything was beautiful! I remember being so happy and not caring about anything except walking down that aisle and saying "I do" and kissing my HUSBAND! Sometimes I still can't believe that after so many years of being in intense like with this man (who barely knew my name) God would somehow bring us together! I love reading my past journal entries and prayers to God about Jason and the discouragement I felt at times. It just shows how faithful God is and how no matter what we think, if it is in His plan then it is going to happen! I even started dating other people and God brought me out of that and back to pining after Jason! It's hard to believe that a year has passed since that wonderful day...and so many crazy things have happened in just that year! Specifically in 2009...but the best one will come about in just a few short weeks! Here's a rundown of our life together so far:

• End of September to November 2, 2008: Secretly dated! (That was fun!)
• October 31, 2008: Our first kiss ("So...how was it? Was it ok?!")
• November 2, 2008: Made our relationship public
• February 10, 2009: Got engaged!!
• April 8, 2009 (I think...): Got our little puppy Kate
• July 25, 2009: Became one flesh!
• July 27-August 2, 2009: Honeymooned in Mexico...amazing!
• November 24, 2009: Began moving into our new house!
• November 30, 2009: Official close date of house
• December 15, 2009: Found out we were expecting our first bundle of joy!! (And what a shock that was!!!)
• August 17, 2010: Expected arrival date of this little man growing inside me who I know will look just like his daddy...hopefully with mommy's dimples!

So yeah...it's been crazy! But amazing. And oh how I love this tall, bearded, funny, loving, musical, cuddly, SEXY, God-fearing man of mine!!

Here's a comment I wrote in response to his blog about our anniversary (which if you're interested in, and he's a great writer too!, go to www.jasonbunch.net ):

Happy Anniversary! (You should not request your pregnant wife read these while she’s at work by the way…you know I’m emotional lately!! These kids probably think I’m crazy tearing up over here!) I love you so much more than the day we got engaged…then the day of our first awkward kiss…then the day we got our first baby (Kate…who I know loves you more than me!!)…then the day we said “I do”…then the day we first woke up together…then the day we had our first fight…then the day you came home and I was wearing my veil crying in the closet because we didn’t have a videotape of our wedding and you reminded me of all the amazing moments of that day…then the day we moved in together…then the day we signed our lives away for this wonderful house…then the day my family told me how much they love you and we’re perfect together…then the day I saw that plus sign on that stick and realized we made something amazing together…then the day(s) of this pregnancy that you have shown me over and over how supportive and loving you are…but I’m sure not as much as I’ll love you the day we first see our child…the day I first see you change a diaper…the day you teach Harrison to be a wonderful musician just like his daddy…and so many other things to come that I can’t even fathom them right now! God sure knew what he was doing when He surprised me with our life together. As crazy and hectic as it’s been I wouldn’t have it any other way! I love you so much and can’t imagine a day without you!!!!

Gotta Catch Up!

Wow...it's been quite a while since I've updated! And left the blog on a negative note at that! The past 4 weeks have flown by! We have had a lot going on since we were at 32 weeks. And now we're almost done with the 36th week and Harrison will be considered full term! Such a relief to make it to that moment! The past 4 weeks have been filled with trips...crazy summer school kids...and a wonderful baby shower!

My older sister, Vanesa, got married in Chicago on July 9th so we flew up there for that. It was fun to see family again. It was kind of hard too because everyone was so cute and tiny and able to bend over...me...not so much! It's also really hard for me to depend on others to do little stuff for me...like help me get out of the car and pick my 30 pound bag up. Just frustrating. But other than my selfish complaints of being pregnant the trip was great! Jason and I went with my cousin Michelle and her boyfriend into the city Saturday after the wedding and did a lot of fun stuff and walked around. It was good.

Summer school started right when we got back on July 12th...that was not so fun. It's still going on. Next week is the last week. It's just hard when I barely have the energy to clean my house...much less keep up with these crazy kids! But quite a few of them are pleasant to be around and have very interesting personalities. I'm kind of glad I won't be around for the start of the year...even though it will be really hard to have lesson plans and stuff going for the beginning. Oh well...it is what it is!

July 17th was the baby shower! It was a lot of fun! Kristan and Cassi did such a good job with it! My mom and little sister Stephanie came into town for it. And so did my two good friends from high school, Mandy and Jessica! I didn't know they were coming so it was a great surprise! With the distance I didn't really expect them too because I know how hard it is for me to be able to get out of town for stuff. So that was really nice! We got a lot of good stuff for the baby. Hopefully we will be able to finish up the nursery in the next couple of weeks and just relax until Harrison gets here.

One last thing. This past Monday was my 36 week appointment. This is the lovely one where you get the Strep-B test and an internal exam. Those are always awkward...especially since I haven't had one for 9 months! Well...in walks my midwife with a med student. So I'm already uncomfortable and here is this young, skinny, pretty girl here to just observe. And I wasn't asked if it was ok...just told she'll be observing. I'm kind of mad at myself for not speaking up and saying I wasn't comfortable with it. And every time I let myself think about it I get super annoyed. It'll be interesting at my next appointment when I talk to her about it because part of my birth plan is no med students. And people tell me "oh...when you're in labor you won't care who's in there...you won't even notice...after having a baby you won't feel like that anymore...blah blah blah" And maybe all of that is true. But I feel this way NOW. And I think those feelings should be recognized and respected. I understand some things can't be controlled when you're in labor. My birth plan might not be followed exactly. And that's ok. But the things that can be controlled should be how I want them to make me comfortable. It's my body...my baby...my experience. Is that too unreasonable to expect? I really don't think so. And if that makes me a crazy pregnant lady who expects too much...well that's just too bad! :)

And Harrison is doing wonderfully, FYI! Growing perfectly (if not a little big...but that's to be expected!) moving around lots and giving mommy lots of heartburn and indigestion! So he better have lots of hair! :) I can't wait to meet him...he can come out anytime after July 31st!

Well dang...

Last night I hung out with Karyn and Brad finally! I haven't seen them since the baby reveal party really! It was good to hang out and catch up. Dinner was good and we had some amazing cheesecake from Cheesecake's by Alex! It was the white chocolate raz...which was our wedding cake also! We talked about baby stuff and pregnancy issues going on...Karyn felt the baby moving...Brad made a few typical Brad jokes...and we watched some Friends. Reagan has changed so much...she is so pretty! It's fun to see babies go from that cute but gender neutral type stage to "what a beautiful little baby girl!" Everything was great hanging out...then I went to the restroom. As I was washing my hands I decided to check out my belly...and that's when I saw them....stretch marks!!! I couldn't believe it. No more bikini's...no more having my belly just poking out...can't have pregnancy pics taken without worrying about that...ugh.

When I got home and was laying in bed all I could do was cry. It seems like such a trivial thing to be so upset about but I just can't help it. And I still have a little less than 8 weeks to go...who knows how many will be added. And these aren't the faint, silvery type of stretch marks...these are those red, spidery looking ones that can quickly turn into fire at a moment's notice. I'm just so sad. One thing my husband has always told me he loves about me is my skin tone and how soft and pretty it is. No longer. All those bottles of lotions...wasted...because it apparently didn't matter how much I slathered on my belly...those angry marks to remind me of how stretched out my skin is getting were going to pop up anyway.

And the absolute worst...I'm upset with Harrison. I don't want to admit that. I hate saying that. But I blame him. So now I'm more than ready for him to come out so I can forgive him for giving mommy ugly marks on her belly. Because I know as soon as I see that little face and he grasps my finger so tightly none of it will matter. The morning sickness, the cramping, the back pain, the shooting pain that makes me not able to stand, the 40+ pounds I've tacked on, no beer, no wine, limited caffeine, messy house, having to trade in my sports car for a family car, no 1st anniversary vacation, STRETCH MARKS (the last straw for me apparently!), blah blah blah...none of it will matter. And it will all be worth this little life we've created.

(I apologize for the gloominess of this post...I promise it's not always like this!)

Karate Chop!

Phew! This baby is working my abs out for me! Not to mention my bladder...lungs...ribs...stomach...kidneys...whatever else is in there he can play with...!! He has been the most active little boy the past few weeks! Last night Jason and I were just laying in bed and watching my belly moving and jumping around! I really wish we had a camera to record it before he runs out of room. Guess I should charge my camera! I can't believe we only have 8 weeks left! This pregnancy has flown by (as of now anyway...I'm sure given the next heat wave I'll be ready to be done!) Here's a pic of my belly, 32 weeks on the dot!

I am really hoping to get the nursery done by Tuesday of next week. Monday will be my first day of summer break (the very little one I have). I'm looking forward to resting and getting some stuff done in the house. I really need a housekeeper!

On another note, my good friend Emily had her baby boy yesterday morning!! Jacob Max Eddy came into the world at 2:30 am on 6/22 weighing 9 lbs 4 ozs and measuring about 20 in long! He is so cute and chubby!! Unfortunately he has a valve in his heart that didn't close so he's in NICU until that sorts itself out. Not really anything that isn't easily fixed, according to the doctor's, but they want to keep him monitored. It's preventing his blood from being oxygenated. So if you could say a prayer that that gets fixed naturally and quickly I'm sure the Eddy's would appreciate it! Here's a pic of the little (?) tyke!

Emily is doing great! She looked amazing last night...not at all like she'd been through over 9 hours of labor! Can't wait to see him and Harrison becoming great buds!

Oh Yeah!

This past weekend was a good weekend. My mom came into town and helped us get a crib. I can't wait to put it together and have the room all set up! It's such a daunting task though. We literally haven't done anything yet! Bought some paint this weekend and have an idea for the room...that's about it! Hopefully we can get the furniture moved out this weekend and paint the room. Maybe put the crib together as well!

The baby shower for work that Leigh threw for me was this weekend also. It was pretty fun and I got some good stuff. Lots of diapers and wipes. A few things from the registry. And the cake was super cute and super delicious! All in all...good fun!

Best of all...today was the last day of school! Hallelujah!!!! Now all I have left is to clean my room out and some meetings. It's not like I'll even really have a relaxing summer. With all of the workshops and teaching summer school I literally only have 3 1/2 weeks off total. And 2 of those weeks are the 2 weeks before Harrison's due date...so who knows how I'll feel or if he comes early. Oh well...gotta pay for this little dude somehow!

The Connection :)

I think Harrison is starting to recognize Jason's voice! I'm so excited for that! It took Jason forever to finally feel Harrison kicking away. He saw him move a lot, but never felt him. The past 2 days whenever Jason starts talking Harrison will start kicking and moving around in there. It's so sweet to start noticing that connection. I cannot wait to see Jason and Harrison together. The first time Jason holds him, changes a diaper, feeds him...teaches him how to pump his fist just like daddy! The first time Harrison runs to him...the first game of catch...maybe teaching Harrison how to play guitar. My husband is going to make the best daddy and I just cannot wait to see it happen!! (Harrison, you're a lucky little boy and you don't even know it yet!!)

Jeopardy!!

I think Harrison is going to be just like his daddy. Knowing lots and lots of facts that make you think "How and WHY in the world do you know that?!" Those types of facts that are usually useless, but interesting (or not). The reason I think this is because of last night. Jason had band practice for the worship event coming up so I was left all alone for a couple of hours. I fully intended to get some work done. I worked all through Wheel of Fortune, then decided to lay down on the couch for a few minutes. The second the theme song for Jeopardy comes on Harrison starts going crazy! He is kicking and punching the mess out of me for almost 10 minutes straight! If anyone were to peek in my windows I would have looked like an absolute fool! I was just laying there staring at my belly laughing so hard! Either he was enjoying the show, or he's as upset as I am that Alex Trebek shaved his mustache off...who knows?!

[Side Note: I am VERY excited about this weekend!!! My friend Leigh is throwing me a baby shower for work people and I can't wait! My mom is coming to help us get the crib and then we are going to pick some paint and, finally, paint the nursery!! Yay!! Maybe we'll even get around to putting the crib together! I'll be sure to take some pics and post for everyone to see!]