belly vs. desk

So I started a photo class at UT through their informal classes ... and it has been just great. I'm not sure which aspect has been better....to be around people who love what I love and are inspiring me to be better at it, or just to walk across campus nearly 30 weeks pregnant with a backpack on and take it all in. Seriously, both aspects have been amazing for me. Last night, as I was walking from my car across campus I actually started singing in my head..."Ain't nothing gonna break my stride...Nobody's gonna slow me down...Oh no, I've got to keep on moving". Yes, I do know how lame that is... I don't even know how that song would come to my mind... but I felt so empowered to be taking a class and proclaiming to the world (and mostly myself) that becoming a mother is not the end of me, but just the beginning of a new era. I don't want to be naive to the fact that so much will change... so much... but I do want to hold on to what I know makes my heart beat fast and makes me feel real.

The looks on the faces of the other students are also priceless. None of the looks have been offensive... but more like, "Dang, still not quitting college, huh?"

The best part of the night was when I went to sit down in the desk and realized that I had grown a bit since the previous week... My friend Kristen who is also pregnant and also in the class quickly whipped out her phone and captured the moment... she affectionately titled the photo 'belly vs. desk'. I think belly won.



I can only hope that next week I will be parading across campus with a lawn chair strapped to my backpack.

our little man... up close.

Here is our little man, in 3d. It was so fun to get to look at him and poke him, and watch him move... and feel like this is all so real and so good. My parents, Zach's mom, and Zach's sister and brother in law were all in the room to watch this 'unveiling' of his sweet little face...and he finished our time with a smile. I couldn't believe it... and I don't think anyone else could either. These are my 3 favorite shots.



my lips, perhaps?



the most adorable, snuggly pic...



the smile.

It was all a priceless experience. We can't wait to really meet him.

wellies...

I have always wanted a pair of my own... But I am perfectly content living vicariously through our little boy to come. My sweet Grandma Rose sent these in the mail. So cute.

what not to say.

So I am 26 weeks and 5 days pregnant and over these last few weeks I have decided, in all my new found wisdom and ripe, bold pregnant demeanor, I should compile a list of things you should not say to a pregnant woman. Yes, the reason I know you should not say these things is because they have each been said to me (recently). So please, take note. I first mention what has been said to me and in parenthesis I have noted why it is not appropriate to say or what I only wish I had said in reply. My momma will be proud that I did not choose to say these things.

1. "Wow, you look how I feel." (Folks, what is this supposed to mean? I didn't say anything... I just grinned, and thought about how the blog I was compiling was only getting better thanks to fools like her.)
2. "Geesh, you look miserable." (Really?? Because the funny thing is I AM NOT... but you probably are.)
3. "How far along are you?" ( pause for my response ...) "Oh really, that's all?" (This can only make a preggo feel fat. That is all it can do. If you ask her how far along she is, you MUST follow up with "you look great"... It's not that hard... just do it. It's 3 words.)
4. "Are you just ready to pop, or what?" (Pop your face is what I'm ready to do.)
5. "Now I just don't think I was that big at 25 weeks when I had my triplets." (Said in a sweet southern draw from a very tall thin woman... do I need to really tell you what I was thinking? Im sure you can assume so I don't have to get totally tacky on my blog.)
6. "Now, that is going to be one BIG 'ol boy, isn't it?" (Nope, its going to be a TINY little thing. I am just getting fat for fun... the baby seriously is still the size of a pea.)
7. "Are you sure they got your due date right? From the looks of things, you are going to be earlier than that." (At this point I had received so many comments about how I had 'popped' all of the sudden and my belly was so big that I just wanted to tell her some obscure thing like, "Well, I went to the doctor yesterday and the strange thing is there is not only a little boy in here, there is also a PONY. Miracle, right??!! So, you are right... I might have to deliver a little early with how complicated things might get birthing a boy and HORSE on the same day.")

now this is the true champion of all amazing comments...

8. "Wow, you really are blimping up now aren't you... I can see it in your face!" (What's funny is I have this rare type of pregnancy where the baby is actually growing IN my face. You are actually the first one to notice.)

So here's the thing. If what you are wanting to say to a pregnant girl involves the word blimping, big, pop, or 'i can see it in your face'... please refrain. We can all do without... We are just trying to make it to the end.

I have taken these comments in stride... and mostly just laughed really hard with good friends about how ridiculous some people can be. In all honesty, I am thankful that I have some good stories to share... So if you'd like, don't heed my advice and keep 'em coming. I will just blog about you.

a tree

Zach went hunting this weekend and I took it upon myself to do a little project of my own. Hopefully... if you were a judger of a the bright orange... you can start to see the vision with this project. I knew all along I wanted a tree on the wall in the room somewhere...and I finally arrived at the right idea. I painted a silver tree on the wall and used fabric scraps to collage leaves (and one tiny bird) all around. I hope this is something our little man will enjoy looking at (and lets be honest, probably picking at) for a while to come.



Im starting to feel like it needs more leaves. Input? I decided to stop when I felt like it was possible for me to go overboard (I have been known to do that) but now I'm considering more... opinions welcome.







I love fabric.

while I was away...

Z finished the dresser! Before I left he asked me to pick a color so he could work on it while I was in Forth Worth visiting Jen and new baby Russell... I had no idea it would be totally finished and put back in the nursery when I got back. He never ceases to amaze me. I chose a bold shade of orange ('life vest orange' to be exact... and please, no judging on the brightness. I have a vision...)

The guy not only painted the thing, he put the hardware back on and went to the store to pick out some DARLING shelf paper to line the drawers and cabinet.






A job well done.

Russell in all of his cuteness

There isn't much to say aside from the fact that he is adorable... what a blessing!