Pregnant

Sorry it's been so long since I've had the chance to post, as many of you know by now we are expecting!

We are thrilled beyond imagination and have been trying to wrap our heads around everything that has been happening. We were hesitant to share our news too quickly because of my miscarriage a few months ago but were finally able to go public a couple of weeks ago after we completed the first trimester! I am 14 weeks pregnant, due July 25, 2012.

Around 8 weeks I was diagnosed with hyperemesis which is basically morning sickness of the devil! I've been on zofran ever since and while that helps me eat and retain nutrients it carries with it migraines and drowsiness as if being pregnant didn't cause enough exhaustion! Ha! I have been SLOWLY getting better, timing my meals, learning what I can tolerate and trying to sleep as much as possible! My sweet husband has done most of the laundry for the last two months and I'm so thankful that the whole family is perfectly content eating cereal for dinner multiple nights a week!

I promise to come back more as I regain some energy, for now I just ask you to pray that the hyperemesis fades quickly (it usually lasts about 20 weeks) I'll leave you with some pictures of what you've missed!


Addiston Enjoying the tree, and our family Christmas photo.


Addiston in her first Christmas performance!


My grandma helping her open a "special present"


My Grandma's reaction!


Reading her new book!


Opening Presents at my parents.


Enjoying her favorite toy of the season-A new slide!


The Miller family finding out the big news (#1 Sister ornament)


Jared's family visit-Breakfast at Loveless Cafe


Riding the antique carousel with Grandpa Miller


My parents visit-in a giant rocking chair with Grandpa Boyer


My life most of the past two months!

It's beginning to lool a lot like Christmas

Confession: Christmas is one of my least favorite holidays. There it is I said it. Don't get me wrong I love christmas, the real christmas, the bible story and the symbolism of it, but the commercial, craziness of turning a holiday into "get me this, I want that" turns my stomach.

I do believe in balance and that things can be calm and enjoyable and I strive for that at our home so hey who knows maybe I'll grow to say Christmas is my favorite holiday.

We spent the weekend decorating the house. The tree is up, the lights hung, and there is an assortment of holiday themed knickknacks around my house all of which I promise were purchased by my mother or grandmother!



Addiston's has an assortment of favorite ornaments. Topping off the list is a talking nativity that my mom bought her last year.



A close second are all of the bulb ornaments she just walks up to the trees several times a day and points to each and every one and says "ball ball" and Finally our first ornament fatality of the season, a ballerina of mine. I'm not sure how it happened but she no longer has hands!



My favorite thing was a when I was putting out the nativity my grandmother made me and telling Addiston the Christmas story as I got out each piece, she looked at me and looked to the nativity scene and looked at me and pointed to one of the camles and said "dog, woof woof"

busy

ok real quick, Addy's first art project from mom's group last week,



On our drive home Jared casually made the assumption that our whole week was booked...wasn't it? I retaliated that we had Saturday morning free but that I wanted to put up christmas decorations. He smiled. When somebody asks me how we're doing I instinctively reply, "good but busy." Busy is how I always respond, and it's become second nature to have it ready to fire off in response to any question. And Busy becomes this black hole that mysteriously abducts us away from the humble land of availability. I've lately been reminded though that everyone's busy. I think we often make the mistake of assuming that our worth somehow corresponds with how busy we are. We find ourselves bragging about how many responsibilities we have how at the end of the day we're so fried we can't do anything, but then there's the flip side, We've all done it, faked being busy to get off the phone, or out of a lunch date we fear may be awkward.

If companies struggle all year to break even and Black Friday finally flips the switch to gaining profit, then perhaps I should do likewise and focus on the rest of the year as pure gain. I'm going to enjoy it, to embrace the busy as my life and not something keeping me from my life. After all I did sign up for this!

So I'm going to let my girl help me with my "busy" like doing laundry, because let's face it her little face lights up when that machine dings after you push start!



And I'll let her help with the grocery shopping.



And I'll stop what I'm doing and play "help" (where she pretends she's trapped behind the baby gate.)



I'll read her a few extra books in the afternoon extending storytime by at least one more giggle and a hug, we'll have more dance parties. I'll teach her a new word or a good place to tickle her daddy. We'll bake more scones, and have adventures, we'll try and forget that time we were forced to pause and try and be in the moment. Giving thanks for every moment. For now Jared's dad is in town and we are torn between cheering for our two favorite teams: OSU and Duke. Addiston had no problem choosing a side.

Jared's home

It's 1 am and despite my best efforts sleep eludes me. It's our last night at Jared's Parents' house and my mind is racing of all the things coming up tomorrow, this week, next weekend; the reminder that our holiday will be officially coming to an end and normal life will commence soon. Life without card games till midnight were players names are sung in tones of grandeur as if knights being announced at court. Days void of no house cleaning or laundry catching-up, but of mario, car talk, and shopping. There is always coffee here. Seriously. Always. Everyone is always sipping a steamy cup of jo regardless of the time, and apparently my chai tea had some caffeine in it so who knows what time my body will give in.

I'm working up the gumption to bid farewell to Coffee. Our relationship goes way back, and we've certainly had our starry-eyed moments, he slayed me with his foamy cap, his rich and creamy sips, his double shot of caffeine. Oh, he's slick, that coffee. But his caffeinated dark side's been messing with my body, and I wanted to explore other options, date other drinks. So I'm in the early stages of a relationship with this roobious tea. With a little german rock sugar, he has nice swirling capabilities, so we'll see how it goes I'll keep my options open though and keep flirting with the chai.



I love when we get to come up here. It's a far treck from our little country music town (8 hours roughly) but it's peaceful here. The view in every direction is open, still. A car or buggy passes the house maybe once an hour and at night is is dark, no city light pollution, no convenient store generator buzzing, you can see stars and the glow of the moon on the corn. Faith runs deep here, it's not an action it's a way of life, a mindset. Dave and Amanda (Jared's parents) are calm, laid back, and so giving of themselves, no matter who you are you will be offered food, a conversation and most likely coffee. Addiston never hesitates going to them, as if she knows they are safe because they are so calm and we are calm around them. It's so sweet to watch her interact with her grandparents that unfortunately don't live just down the hill as both of Jared's grandparents still do.



Oh and she has mastered the word "dog" and loves the family dog Lacey.



I know I sound all; life is magical, and perfectly fun but traveling with kids is hard. We all sleep in one room which in our case means in one full size bed since Addiston thinks that if she can see us she gets to sleep with us. So we've all gotten very little, we've all been a little grumpy and zoned out, I'm pretty sure we've all gained a few pounds. She is missing one pacifier, Jared did indeed only have one pair of pants for the whole trip and I am short a pair of socks.

We are blessed to have such an amazing family, who loves us no matter what and always offer coffee!

Gobble, Gobble

Well I'm not going to lie, the last two days We spent trapped in our car the majority of the day and it is something that I dread. We try to time our trips when Addiston is sleeping and we take turns driving. Jared says I have road rage, I say most people are just idiots! When we are in confined spaces for too long things can get ugly. I get impatient and chatty, Jared (my patient introvert husband) attempts to appease my chattiness but really I know he wants to ring my neck and duck tape my mouth. It may have taken us 5 hours to make a 3 1/2 hour trip but we made and still said I love you when we went to bed so it all worked itself out!

I am methodical in how I get ready for trips, planning out coordinating outfits for our little family, packing separate bags for their designated houses, making sure we have an extra set of clothes each and double checking for each essential item. But lately my mind has been scattered, I have been planning ahead and getting lost in my head. So maybe we will only match one day this time and maybe Jared only has one pair of pants for our 5 day trip, maybe not. I'm not sayin'

We like to spend Thanksgiving at my in-laws. Nothing against my family but lets face it, Amish country=better food!


A couple of weeks ago when we were headed home I remember talking to Jared about feeling un-thankful. I know I am so blessed and that I have a beautiful healthy immediate family and an amazingly supportive extended family but for some reason I was in a little funk and felt a little guilty about it. But the last few Sunday's our pastor has spoken about some really powerful stuff that has stirred up a renewed spirit in me and I have been overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness this past week. I'm so thankful for my husband who is patient with me and prays with me, but mostly I'm thankful for my Lord and that as 1 Thessalonians says, I can give thanks in all things, not necessarily for all things, but regardless of my circumstances I will thank the Lord for my life, my family, and His grace, in all things.

Check us out: Last year and this year.

She's growing like crazy!

Happy Thanksgiving!