Our Baby Girl

A lot has happened since I last wrote. A little girl did a lot of growing and then came out and had still been growing. We are enjoying getting to know her. I'll be telling you the birth story later.

Our Little Papaya

I'm now 24 weeks along in my pregnancy. Our baby has been really active in the past few weeks. It's really exciting to be pregnant now. I've been over morning sickness for a couple of months. The thing I miss most is being able to lay comfortably on my stomach.

Our Little Prune

We had our second prenatal visit this past week. We heard our baby's heartbeat. It was amazing. I can't wait until I start showing a little more and people will be able to actually tell that I'm pregnant.

Our Little Blueberry

We have a little one on the way! I'm so excited for our little baby. I'm seven weeks pregnant and that makes the baby around the size of a blueberry. Being pregnant has been interesting so far. I've noticed that I'm more emotional, tired and really thirsty all the time. I've been drinking a lot of water. I noticed that if I keep eating throughout the day I don't get nauseous. And I noticed that driving or riding in the car makes the morning sickness worse. I had to loosen my belt at work earlier this week and I feel like my belly is just slightly bigger. Maybe it is just all the food I'm eating or maybe I'm starting to get a little baby bump.

It's interesting that the people who are most excited are mothers. I guess only they know the true joys that a little one brings. Some people think we got pregnant way too soon but I know that it was in God's timing. Brandon and I both wanted to have kids for years. I'm so glad that we are living this dream together. I love him so much and am so glad to have this baby with him.

I can't wait to hear our baby's heart beat in three weeks.

Just Married!

The wedding was amazing! We got everything set up the evening before and then we had the rehearsal. I was tired of going through it, I wanted to say "I do" for real. We had the rehearsal dinner at my parents. Brandon and his mother cooked pasta for everyone. I hardly slept that night. I was so excited and it was the first night in our new apartment. I had a few friends stay with me.

We woke up early and got ready on the big day. Most of my bridesmaids got ready at the apartment. Once we were all dressed we headed over to the church. We had decided to take our pictures before the ceremony in order to save time. Brandon and I saw each other for the first time that day in the sanctuary. He looked so handsome in his tux. I was excited to see him. The one thing that no one prepared me for is that we had very little time together during the days leading up to the wedding. I missed him so much and just wanted to be with him. That moment was really special.

Our wedding went smoothly. We had quite a few guests come and it was exciting to see everyone. I was so impatient that I put the ring on Brandon's finger way before I was supposed to. I really liked taking communion with our parents. I think it was the most meaningful communion that I have ever taken.

The reception was fun but we didn't have that much time. And we forgot to do the slideshow and the bouquet toss.

We spent our honeymoon in Sedona. It was a really long drive but worth it. Waking up to the beautiful scenery every morning was amazing. We enjoyed horseback riding, driving to sunset views, visiting Jerome, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and trying out different restaurants.

We had a great time but were glad to come home to our apartment and start to set things up. The first month of marriage has been amazing. We love shopping for groceries and cooking together. We have gotten most of our apartment together. We got a good deal on furniture from a local thrift store. We have been blessed with lots of gifts from friends and family.

I started working for my father. Having a job, karate and sorting through my stuff and finding places for everything takes up most of my time. But we still have time to do fun things like walk on the beach and watch Monk. We are hoping to get Netflix soon so we have access to more movies and TV. We started going to a chiropractor this week. Brandon is really excited about karate and getting his next belt. We got a Vitamix. It is a really good blender that will last for years. We have been enjoying smoothies this past week.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of my life with Brandon.

1 day left...

This will be my last blog as a single woman. I'm so excited for today and tomorrow!

I was really busy yesterday. It started with packing up boxes getting ready to move. Then Brandon and I signed the paperwork and got the keys to our new apartment. I love the new place. We both moved in our stuff and then last night my friends took me out to dinner. I had a lot of fun.

I decided to sleep one more night at home. Everyone was busy when I got home so I decided to print the wedding programs. They look amazing. Then I went to bed, but I didn't sleep that well. I guess I'm too excited. I woke up before the sunrise after a dream that my Uncle and his family decided not to come to the wedding. After an attempt to fall back to sleep I peeked out the window and was relieved to see my Uncle's RV parked on the driveway.

I'm looking forward to what today brings. I'm getting my first manicure and pedicure, decorating the church and the rehearsal and dinner is tonight as well.

Wow! This has been a long road. Not as long as some people but long for me. Looking back I can say that it is worth the wait. Tomorrow will be here before I know it and we will be bound to each other under God. I've waited for that day so long. Way before I met Brandon.

I love Brandon and can't wait to begin this next step in our lives together!

2 days left...

It's amazing what a little sleep can do to change the attitude.

Today is moving day. I've decided to only move most of my stuff instead of all of it. I've got my boxes packed and my bed stripped. My brothers are going to carry the furniture and boxes. I'm excited about checking into our apartment. The plan is to get everything loaded up and ready to go beforehand. Then we will sign the papers, get the key and clean the place before moving our stuff in.

As far as wedding planning goes I think I got it all done. Maybe a few things here and there. But it's mostly under control. I'm really excited because the celebrating starts tonight.

It's weird how fast my life is changing. I'm glad that I have friends and family helping me out.

3 days left...

I'm really tired. Tired of wedding planning and organizing. I just wish that Saturday would be here and then I can rest afterward. Wedding planning is stressful.

Moving two days before the wedding is insane. The only thing more stupid would be moving the day before or the day of. I feel like I've made a big mistake cramming everything into such a short time period.

I feel so alone...

4 days left...

I feel like one of my posts is missing.

Well, my father made all 20 candles on Saturday. They look really nice. I started getting the favors ready by putting candy into boxes and tying them with ribbon. I bought plates, plastic ware, cups and napkins last night. So we have everything for the reception. I'm really excited that everything is coming together.

We went dancing again last night and had a lot of fun. I've been making a lot of phone calls and organizing. I can't wait until the day arrives and I can enjoy myself and not have to worry about this or that.

Friends start arriving tomorrow.

8 days left...

The deposit is made on our apartment and we move in two days before the wedding. Well, I move in. He doesn't move in until after the wedding.

I wrote the schedule for the wedding weekend and came up with my vows yesterday. Now I just have to get Brandon's vows and I can email my grandfather (the officiant) the details.

The biggest thing left is making candles and working out the details of decorating the church. I have lots of little things to do but we have enough right now to ensure that the wedding will be a success even without all the details.

I bought the aisle runner, flower girl baskets, ring bearer pillow and cake knife and server.

I have a lot of packing to do...

9 days left...

Yay! We are down to the single digits.

We got our apartment. I'm bringing in the deposit today. I'm so excited because we can start moving in our stuff before the wedding. It's going to make the next week and a couple days insane though.

We got our marriage license yesterday at the county clerk's office. I'm so excited!

We also took our engagement pictures finally. They were a lot of fun. I like our photographer and she is easy to work with and we both feel comfortable with her. She remarked that we are very photogenic. I can't wait to actually see the pictures.

11 days left...

I had a very stressful day. I realized how much of the planning hinges on getting our apartment. I won't know exactly what the wedding weekend is going to look like. That sort of made me freak out today.

Today was the day when Brandon and I finally had more days together than apart. I'm glad that we finally reached that milestone in our relationship. I'm even more glad that we don't ever have to worry about living in separate cities or states again.

Wow! I'm going to be married in less than two weeks...

13 days left...

I have less than two weeks left. The hard thing is balancing wedding planning as well has packing up for the move and making all the arrangements for living on our own. There is no time left for me to dilly dally.

I'm working on thank you notes tonight. Tomorrow I'm going shopping with a friend and possibly swing dancing. Tuesday I'm going over the details of the flowers and Wednesday I have my final dress fitting. I still have a whole list of stuff to do including getting the marriage license, car insurance, shopping (clothes, decorations, food), writing the ceremony program, etc.

I'm hoping to hear back about our apartment. It would be nice if we can move in our stuff next weekend.

14 days left...

My family had a great New Year's Eve Party last night. Brandon and I stayed up most of the night (we drifted off to sleep after 4am) and woke up in time to watch the sunrise together. It was a great way to bring in the new year.

The days are ticking by fast. I'm looking forward to Monday when I can call and make the last arrangements for flowers, music, cake, food and whatever else I need to. Part of me is scared that I won't get everything done. But I know that the wedding will still happen even without a cake for example.

We are hoping to hear about our apartment soon. They are re-reviewing our application early next week.

Maybe I should get started on thank you notes today...