This week...

This week has been funny and kind of unusual.

Here are some highlights from the week-

For the first time ever, I fried an egg. I have scrambled eggs several times, but have never fried one.

I really don't like the yellow part, and it is kind of weird when it leaks out.

On two different occasions, I have cried through the song "It Won't Be Like This for Long" by Darrius Rucker. All I can think about is my baby... that I haven't met yet..... growing up and living life- which is what I want them to do... but still the song gets me a little weepy.

I was supposed to have a new student on Wednesday, but he was a no show. I learned the problem with telling twenty 7-8 year olds that we are getting a new student before the student actually shows up. Maybe he will come tomorrow?

For the first time since I have been pregnant, someone other than my husband talked to my stomach, in public no less. At first I wasn't sure what she was doing, but then I figured it out. So funny.

Have a super week my friends!

Baby J- Part 5

This comes the saddest part of our pregnancy....

See my car.....

Isn't she cute?

I got her as a celebration gift for getting into Auburn. She was sitting in the parking lot one night when I got out of church. She had the classic big red bow. I promptly named her Daisy and treated her as I would a small child. I rudely (just being honest) avoided driving anywhere until she hit 10,000 miles (Rebecca, thank you for continuing to be my friend). And that was a sad day. Through college, I celebrated her birthday every November 9th by wearing my Beetle t-shirt. I enjoy the responses people give when I drive by... it always cracks me up when people are hitting each other because of my car.... such a funny game. 

So when I saw this commercial about 3-4 months into our trying to have a baby, I laughed because I knew it would be me...

And then I actually cried once because I was afraid it would never be me. My husband looked at me like I was certifiably insane.

So we have been car shopping. Not for Nissan Maximas, but for a cute SUV. So far, our favorite is the Highlander but we also like the Volvo XC90 and the Murano. We are not sure when the big transition will happen, but I promise you there will be tears. 

Baby J- Part 4

After waiting a little while and getting closer to our first doctor's appointment, we began telling other people around us.

We did Christmas late with Brian's extended family and announced to them through a game of dirty Santa. We put a note in a bottle that said "Brian and Ashley are pregnant." It was so fun to see everyone's response!

We stopped by several friend's houses to tell them personally and made LOTS of phone calls to others close to us. 

I waited until I was 12 weeks to make the official announcement to my school. 

Our sweet technology coordinator wrote a poem for me to send to the faculty. I forwarded it to the parents in my class as well. I was SO impressed by her poem writing ability!!

I told my class that same afternoon. Their responses were very funny. I mentioned that Brian and I were having a baby in September. After looking at me for a good 30 seconds, one said- "are you adopting?" I said no, that I was pregnant right then and another one said, "wait a minute, you're PREGNANT?" My favorite moment was when someone asked- "how did you get like this?" I politely ignored the question. 

Kids are funny, funny little things.

Have a super Friday! I am excited for the weekend!

Baby J- Part 3

Tuesday, we began telling people close to use about our baby.

First, we surprised my parents by stopping by with a little surprise. We are not the stop by without calling type of people, so when we showed up at the door, I think they suspected something. We presented them with a little envelope of our family-

I had mixed the baby into the group so they would be surprised.

It took Daddy a second to figure out what the baby meant, but once he did, they were both very excited!!

The next morning, Brian and I got up early to see Brian's parents and brothers. They were coming in from their trip to Israel, so we had to arrange that we pick them up from the airport to share the news.

For Christmas, I had given my MIL a paper doll of everyone in the family. We tucked the baby into an envelope and headed to the airport. We had to wait a little while because their flight was delayed, so we enjoyed the sights of the Birmingham airport.

Once their flight arrived, we met them by security. They didn't know I was coming, but were so sleep deprived, they didn't think anything of it. Brian mentioned that we found one last Christmas gift as we were cleaning up our decorations. As soon as she opened the envelope, my MIL squealed and ran to hug us. Brian's dad and brothers slowly figured it out and joined in the celebration. 

It was so much fun to tell our families. Everyone was so excited and so ready to help us celebrate! We are blessed by such a fabulous family. 

Baby J- Part 2

Once I realized I was pregnant, I could not wait to tell Brian. I had told him the night before that I didn't think I was pregnant because my body really seemed to be saying no, so I had no idea if he would be surprised or not.

I have spent the past year considering how I was going to tell him and what his response would be. I knew I would only have one chance, so I just wanted it to be perfect!

After making Cricut banners with Brittany, I called Brian to see if he wanted to grab lunch. My thought was that I would meet him and tell him over lunch, but he mentioned that he was already out. I knew I couldn't make it through the day without coming right out and saying it on the phone so I had to come up with a new plan QUICK!

I ran to Lifeway, a local Christian bookstore to pick up the New Dad Willow Tree figurine and wrapped it in a bag with the two pregnancy tests.

I then drove the 30 minutes outside of town to go to Brian's office. I had a verbal argument with the guard at the gate because for the first time since Brian started working for the company, he didn't know I was coming. I told the man I had good news, but he kept asking if I was sure I would be well received. Though I assured him I would, it took at least 5 minutes to get through the gate.

Once I got to the parking lot, I asked Brian to come down to see me. He was completely oblivious to the reason I was there, telling me later that he thought I was just in the area and wanted to see him (did I mention it was a 30 min. drive to his office? Funny man). It was pretty cold outside, so we went right inside his office door and I handed him the gift bag.

As he opened the bag, he was still completely unaware of what was happening. I had wrapped the pregnancy tests in tissue paper, so I suggested him open those first. He mentioned later that he thought I had brought him pencils or a pen or something. hehe. Once he got down to the tests, he looked at it for a good 5 seconds before responding. When he did, it was complete shock. He quickly realized that this shouldn't be common knowledge quite yet, so we moved out of the doorway as he opened the Willow Tree.

His precious response, complete enthusiasm, and sweet tears were everything I had ever dreamed about. I could have never dreamed of a more perfect response and will never forget the moment for as long as I live.

It is a terrible picture, but it is our only pic from the experience.
Next step, telling the fam!

Knit Day

I went to a friend's house to knit yesterday. I knitted at the end of my time at Auburn, but hadn't picked it up since I graduated. It was like riding a bike! 

I used much smaller needles than I ever had before, so the little piece of scarf you see in the picture took 3 hours to make. About 5 minutes after this picture was taken, I undid all my hard work and started again with larger needles. I can't wait for my finished product!

Happy Sunday!

Baby J- Part 1

Brian and I met September of our freshman year at Auburn. I knew pretty quickly that my relationship with him would be different than the other relationships I had in the past. This man had a fear of the Lord, a respect for his parents, a relationship with his friends, and a desire to glorify God in his future that I could not take lightly. By December of that same year, I was sure he was the boy I would marry.

But we had 3 1/2 long years to go before we could even really consider it.

We spent those 3 1/2 years well- we truly got to know each other, discovered mutual likes and dislikes as well as a few likes and dislikes that really opposed each other (for example, who knew he didn't like shopping ;) ). We learned how to communicate better and how to serve Jesus together. Our time at Auburn was an amazing experience that prepared us for July 14, 2007 and the commitment that would change our lives forever.

The day we got married, Brian and I said we would wait 5 years to have children. It was only sensible and so obviously completely up to us (HA! Sarcasm..) It would be perfect- he would work for his company, get several promotions and settle comfortably into his job, while I found the school of my dreams, tenured, and soared through teaching with a breeze and an ease that only an experienced teacher could have.

But, that obviously wasn't the Lord's plan. After three schools in three years, my dreams of tenure quickly flew out the window and a new dream took it's place- a dream of raising a child in a Godly home where it would be loved and nurtured and prepared to be a servant of the Lord. Brian's dream was the same as mine, he just didn't see it quite so *vividly* at the time.

But the Lord moved his heart and continued to move mine toward a child. In Jan. of 2010 we went off the meds but decided to wait until later to try to get pregnant. We officially started trying to have a child in May. By November, I was seriously discouraged. Though we hadn't been "trying" long, my trust in the Lord's perfect timing just wasn't adding up to my "perfect timing." We called the doctor to get suggestions and ideas and realized we just weren't ready for the doctor's idea of the next step.

December was a fabulous month. Though we were busy, both of us were out of grad. school for the month and had time to enjoy each other. We went shooting with friends, had a family reunion with the side of my family I hadn't seen in 10 years, and spent some time on our own in Fairhope.

But as things go, Christmas came and went and my body was telling me that I certainly wasn't pregnant this month. The Monday after Christmas (Dec. 27th) my friend Brittany was coming by to make a banner for her daughter's 1st birthday party, so I was up early. I decided I would just take a test to make sure I wasn't pregnant- I was tired of thinking about it and wondering. I had a variety of packs of tests in my cabinet to prepare for the day it was finally positive, but I was sure it would be negative, so I pulled out the cheapest test I had. Imagine my surprise when in less than 10 sec. I had a double line! I quickly ran to the paper to check I was reading it correctly and sure enough, I was pregnant!

Toomer's Corner

I love the campus of Auburn University. 

I love the memories and the future that Brian and I have there.

I love the fact that as part of our first date and part of many dates after, Brian and I walked around campus exploring it's beauty. I love the memory of pep rallies in the street in the intersection of Magnolia and  College. I love the memory of rolling trees at Toomer's Corner after big games and celebrating our victory with the Auburn family. 

 I love the dream of football games with our children as they grow up and of taking pictures of them in their cap and gown.

I love Auburn. 

And I'm sad for Toomer's Corner. I know it is just a tree, but it is a huge Auburn tradition. It breaks my heart that Baby J might not be able to roll the tree after a game or take a picture kissing their future spouse under the tree before graduation. It is such a huge part of Auburn. And I'm sad.

If you aren't from Alabama and don't know what I'm talking about click here.

And click here to see the idiot who did it. They arrested him this morning.

I believe in Auburn and love it.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Once again, I am linking up to This Kind of Love for What I Love Wednesday!!

I am LOVING the fact there is a baby growing inside of me. No, I don't always feel great and yes, there are definitely some strange changes happening to me, but I am so excited to meet our little one. September seems like SO far away!!

I am loving Greek food. Has anyone had spanakopita? It has to be one of my favorite foods. Today, I left school to stop by a local Greek restaurant and buy some. :) It is cooking now!!

I am loving that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is out in the dollar theater. It means it is just a matter of time before it is out on video!!

I am loving the fact that I am going to learn to knit on Saturday! I am looking forward to great fellowship and a new scarf!

Finally, I am loving my sweet husband! 

Or as he keeps referring to himself as- my baby daddy. HA!

Have a blessed night!

Then and Now

Then

The day we were engaged- 2007

Now

Baby J- Due Sept. 2011

The ultrasound was taken when I was 7 weeks. Baby J was 10.5 MM and had a heartbeat of 153 bpm.
Today was my second appointment. Baby's heart beat was 160 bpm.
 I will be 12 weeks on Friday and I couldn't wait to announce the news on my blog! The Lord is SO good!

Over the next couple of days, I will post about things leading up to now- I have been dying to document it all, but truly stink as a journaler. We are so excited about adding to our family!!!

Have a FANTABULOUS week! 

Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow night is our Valentines date night!

I can not wait!!

Here's a preview of our date plans!