She's got hair like a superstar.... (not so much)

Zoey has developed Alopecia.

I'm pretty distraught. Yes, I suppose I am extremely shallow and would like my baby girl to keep her hair... but, it's more an extreme sense of guilt since she only lost all her hair after I gave her a bath last night. Her hair is still just as thick on the back of her head, but the top is totally bald! She has the hairline of a 50 year old man....

Or her 26 year old father?

You tell me?

It doesn't help that she's also developed a farting problem to rival an 80 year old man. Sigh, I have a lot to teach her about being a lady!

Oooh this is how it starts

Zoey is 1 month old!

(And she hates taking pictures as much as her mom)


stats on Zoey:

-She's starting to put some chub on. She weighs 9 lb 8 oz! Meaning she went from the 32% in weight up to the 50%. Such a good little eater! And she's in the 83rd% for height. (I don't know how I made a tall baby, but I'm real happy for her)

-She started smiling her 2nd week, but it still happens right after a good meal or after passing gas... but i suppose those two things make a lot of people smile

-Her first laugh in her sleep was on thanksgiving day

-She started tracking me with her eyes at 2 1/2 weeks.

-She holds her head up and looks around... this started early, but she's definitely getting stronger and almost to the point where I don't have to worry about supporting her neck

-She absolutely hates sleeping on her back, will tolerate her side, and sleeps best on her tummy. This makes me slightly paranoid about SIDS, but sleep deprivation wins and we do our best to make it safe for her to sleep on her side or tummy.

- Everytime she cries for more than a minute, cary plays me a lame movie about the period of purple crying... it doesn't help the situation.

-Cary wanted me to include, that she finally loves him more than her grandma. (He thinks she doesn't really love him--not true just different than her adoration of the baby whisperer).

Lately, she really likes to go through 3 diapers in about 15 minutes. She has this thing about waiting until she's in a clean diaper to finish her business. Family tells me that newborns don't plot--but if you could see her grin, you'd doubt too. I think she knows what she's doing and finds herself hilarious.

Seriously though, she's more fun every day and we're excited for all the big milestones to come!

And honestly to look you in the eye, it's easier to lie

I have a beautiful, healthy baby.

It'd be really easy to just post pictures of her and pretend life is shiny and perfect. It's easy to only mention the funny ancedotes and happy moments and allow everyone else to fill in the blanks with visions of a well adjusted mom who has finally reached her calling in life.

But why do I have to lie?

Because I'm afraid you'll quit reading? Possibly. But people listen to horribly depressing songs all the time. Because I'm afraid to admit I'm not perfect? Perhaps. Doesn't everyone want to be the person who makes it all seem easy. Because I am too prideful? Obviously. I only have one kid, and a supportive husband and my pride tells me that I am extremely capable of taking care of a baby.

And yet...

I feel like I'm falling apart. I feel defeated... by a cute (not so chubby) 8 lb baby girl.

I can't say that there's been one thing to tip me over the edge. It's everything. The three 2 hour bouts of sleep because of nighttime feedings that are supposed to get me from day to day are definitely catching up with me. The physical pain that typically begs a few days rest to recover, which will never happen. The heartbreak of that ;ittle quivering bottom lip when I can't figure out what my baby needs followed by desperation to make the crying stop. The inability to stay on top of chores, which equals a dirty home and is not helping with the lack of peace in my life. The exhaustion that compels me to collapse whenever possible, verses the need to stay on top of daily tasks and needs such as bathing and eating. The guilt of not doing anything to meet Cary's needs, when he's the only thing getting me from day to day.

And then of course there is my body image--i place way too much value on my appearance. The philosophy it took 9 months to gain the weight, it'll take time to lose it doesn't comfort me. My previously flat sculpted stomach from hours of concentrated workouts is now in a sad state of shriveled excess skin and stretch marks that no amount of ab workouts will ever make look half as good as helen mirren in a bikini. Nothing fits, which often crushes all resolve to get out and pull myself out of this rut. I pull the fat pants back on and one of Cary's t-shirts and allow myself to stay in all day.

If I could change even one thing would it be enough? I don't know. I suppose the only therapy I could come up with was to get it off my chest. So here it is.

Please don't feel the need to come to my rescue.

Like the title says "it's easier to lie." Ah, the weird quirk of my generation. We'll post our darkest feelings on the internet, but if you ask us point blank, we'll lie.

I have a case of the baby blues. Perhaps, I just needed to write it down so I remember what to expect next time.

Despite it all,
Let's just say,
I'm not so down that I don't still thank the heavens every day that I'm no longer pregnant!

Oh and for those who just look for pictures (I know you do mom, it's ok :) Here's a little humor to sum it all up.

I can tell by your eyes that you're not getting any sleep

I have started countless blog posts in the past weeks, and then baby girl wakes up or something else comes up and I never seem to finish writing the posts. So... maybe one of these days I'll finish them, but for today I'll just share a moment of my life via pictures.

Zoey loves sleeping in this position. What a goof!



I caught her laughing in her sleep. I wish she would laugh when she's awake, but I enjoy it while she's napping too. Wonder what she's dreaming about--probably her dad's dancing ;)



I'll be honest, sometimes life with a newborn feels a little overwhelming and I pause and think "What have I gotten myself into? Oh, what I would give for a 5 hour stretch of sleep!" And then she giggles in her sleep and it cracks me up and melts my heart. Those laughs get me through another day and hopefully soon they'll become daytime giggles and nighttime slumber.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

Family Dinner at the Tippets Residence

(Friend's brought us dinner tonight (it was delicious))

(**These friends have a 2 months old baby boy, which is how the conversation got started**)

Cary: Hey Zoey, your boyfriend is 13 lbs. How do you feel about that?

Carla: Oooh we have a chubby chaser on our hands.

Zoey: [thought: why won't they give me my pacifier]

Carla: ooh or you could go for J.B. I mean he's a year older than you, but definitely a good looking little boy... and he has cool parents too.

Cary: Well, it's not like you have much competition so I suppose you can make up your mind later.

Carla: Well there is [good looking friend's in the ward]'s daughter. She'll make for some stiff competition Zoey.

Cary: Whatever Zoey, your mom is much more conniving. [Good looking friend in the ward]'s lost her edge.

Carla to Cary: Conniving huh? I'm not sure how I got dragged into this... [dirty look]

Zoey: [coincidentally makes same dirty look]

**Haha I forsee lots of great dinner conversations once Zoey can also verbally contribute**

Just have a good time

Introducing:

Zoey Morgan Tippets


Haha I like making faces with her.

But this one is a little cuter.



Physical Stats on Zoey:
-Dark brown hair, and lots of it (stupid ultrasound tech didn't know anything)
-Dark blue eyes. They're gorgeous! (Although technically they could change by 6mos)
-Super long finger and toes.
-Born at 8lb 1 oz. She's long and skinny... with her mom's chubby cheeks. She probably carries a whole pound in her cheeks alone.
-She has a puffy right eye. It's some extra blood vessels and they're blocking a tear duct. It makes her eye look a little uneven but we still love her and it'll go away!

Characteristics from Cary:
-Skinny limbs
-Chill personality
-Not a morning person! She gives me the dirtiest look when I wake her up and then tries to pretend she's still asleep.

Characteristics from Carla:
-chubby cheeks
-dark hair
-good at making faces... and she rolled her eyes today (that's right--starting early)


Anyhow, she's a pretty cool baby. I'm stoked she's mine and I never have to give her back to anyone after holding her :)

And you're overdue

My Gratitude List Continued...

Sunday, November 6 2011
1. A friend who also delivered two weeks late. She understands that it's more than just one more week.
2. Ham. It's delicious.
3. My dad for words of comfort on a rough day.

Monday, November 7, 2011
1. West Wing. Sometimes all it takes is an old favorite to make a new obsession.
2. Delicious homemade dinner. Sometimes I outdo myself. Sometimes.
3. Cary coming home early--just because he knew it would make me happy.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011
1. Finishing sewing projects
2. Mom for helping me finish those projects
3. Shopping in Cary. All their stores have way better stock and selection than Durham. What's with that?

Wednesday, November 9, 2011
1. The good nurse at my dr practice. She's perhaps the only one--and she makes up for the rest of the stupid people at that practice.
2. Jamie. She wrote an awesome letter to baby girl, that reminded me just how many people are also anxiously awaiting her arrival.
3. A great home teacher who was able to help Cary give me a blessing.

Thursday, November 10, 2011
1, 2, 3. I'm scheduled to go to the hospital tonight!!!!! I seriously couldn't be more grateful. It has been a very physically painful week (with an extremely painful end coming I'm sure), and I'm soooo excited to say adios to pregnancy. I seriously couldn't be happier.

Feel the heartbeat in my mind

Day 12.

Despite my usual reservations, I might as well share some documentation--so you don't think I've faked this whole pregnancy, and everyone stops asking if my due date was calculated wrong (NO! Sorry, it's not that hard to figure out a due date, and don't try to cheat me out of 42 weeks... I'm mean that's almost a year!)




Ok, so I'm not very good at taking my own photo



Could my belly stick out any more?



Cary having fun shaving.



He's so weird :)

We also videotaped her moving in my stomach last night... but it's kinda creepy (read: looks like something out of alien) and i don't know how to cut it down to just the fun bits. I'll post if I figure it out, or have Cary help me later.

Ooh child, things are gonna get easier

I must admit, meltdowns aren't as few and far between as I'd like.

I'm frustrated with my body and the horrible stretch marks that continue to come out of nowhere and taunt me. I'm frustrated with the pain that never ends in a trip to the hospital. I'm annoyed with my less than tactful doctors who say all the wrong things. I'm jealous of all the friends on facebook whose bodies could figure out how to get a baby out and have cute little newborns. I'm annoyed with the constant advice to sleep now while I can--what in the world makes you think I'm sleeping? I go to bed at midnight only to wake up at 3 and flip seamlessly through channels til 6 am before I finally doze off only to get up 2 hours later for an 8 hour shift. And more than the advice, I'm especially tired of hearing "you're STILL pregnant!" Does it really warrant an "Obviously!" Thanks, you're not helping the situation.

oooohhh deep breaths

ok, sorry just thought maybe getting out of my head for a sec might help

Since 2005, I've always tried to dedicate November to the Attitude of Gratitude Challenge. Gratitude is a proven way to increase happiness in your life and a wonderful reminder of just how many blessings we have and that the Lord is looking out for us. So each day I list 3 unique items I am grateful for.... allow me to play catch up

November 1st
1. A baby that will soon be part of my family. Not everyone gets this blessing while on earth and despite complaints, I do realize how fortunate I am to soon have a little girl in my life.
2. Beautiful north carolina fall weather. 70 degrees with a cool breeze and fall leaves is enough to lift anyone out of a funk.
3. Ice cream

November 2nd
1. Comments at work that bring a smile--they are extremely rare these last few days of pregnancy. One lady said to me "You are all belly! Once that baby comes out you'll be right back to a flat stomach and my aren't we all going to hate you then!" Probably not true, but it was the perfect thing to say after hearing from every other customer how huge I am.
2. Heather bringing dinner over and chatting for a little while. The company was really good for me.
3. Modern Family. That show is hilarious, and I'm grateful to talented writers for sharing the laughs.

November 3rd
1. A Clean house. It puts my type A anxiety at peace :)
2. Warm showers. Really long one's. One of these days Cary will get to feel warm water again, but for now I'll take whatever therapy I can get!
3. My mom for her care and concern and delicious meals. Would I starve without her... no, but her food is a lot better than the toast and cereal I would have put together for dinner.

November 4th
1. I told Verizon no more! Oh how my body is grateful for this break.
2. I made a ginormous list of projects to keep myself busy this coming week, and I am already diving in!
3. Cary's love and support. He quits trying to cheer me up and lets me cry when I need to, and then turns around and makes me laugh to make it better. I don't know what I'd do without that boy--he just makes life better.

That for me, it isn't over

Still no baby.

Cary's friend's are all teasing him that she's already picked up the procrastination gene.

I wish I could totally blame him for that, but I'm not much better.

We had an ultrasound and baby is healthy. She supposedly weighs 8 lbs 2 oz, although the doc thinks she feels more like a 7 lb baby. She doesn't have hair :( And they won't induce me til 42 weeks unless something goes wrong.

I know it's just one more week, and in the grand scheme of things it won't matter. Heck maybe we'll have an 11/11/11 baby! ... but in my fragile emotional state, it was a big blow and I'll spend the rest of the day moping (mope-ing, not to be confused with mop-ing, def none of that going on) and watching grey's anatomy.

Stay tuned... everyone keeps promising me that a baby will eventually show up!

Everyday I'm shuffling

Still no baby. (I'm sure that's obvious by a lack of cute baby pics--I post this merely to remind my child in 10 years how much she tortured her extremely impatient mother ;)

Anyhow, I'm ridiculously excited to go into labor and constantly wish for it! I think I'm the only person who is gonna be beside herself giddy when the excruciating pain finally sets in. I can't wait to have my body back! I know... it'll take some time, but labor is the first step and I am ready.

But... in the meantime, Cary entertains me with youtube clips. Here's two of my fav this week






haha poor dog...

I am days away from change

As I continue to anticipate my awaited baby's arrival (wait, she's still gonna arrive, right? just checking. I'm starting to have doubts ;) I digress), I often think back to previous moments in life and what I would have told myself.

I think back on college, dating, single life, pre-pregnancy life in general and laugh at my growing list of What I wish I had known's...

Then I saw this video and smiled, because I think we all occasionally wish we could tell our previous selves our current knowledge.

haha I especially liked "Google doesn't have children." So true.

I need you to hurry up now

I know you all wished you worked in retail. Verizon Wireless in particular.

And I know you all wish you were pregnant dealing with the public.

Because then you can be speechless when your customer says (and i quote) "you must be having a girl, you know how I know that.... your nose is fat."

Seriously?

Yup, it's rare for me to be speechless, but I was.

(I contemplated posting a pic, but her psychotic ramblings don't deserve that sort of justification)

Between my psycho customers who say whatever the crap they want to and people who think it's ok to merge onto the highway going 35 mph--I'm about to lose my mind.


To Baby: Kanye says this best

Now that don't kill me
Can only make me stronger
I need you to hurry up now

'cause I can't wait much longer

I let the day go by

Went to the doctor today. Baby is chunky and still in my belly.

Dr said "Well, there's a lot of women who never get any stretch marks.... that's certainly not you, is it."

Oh everytime I close my eyes

Emily just commented on her blog that she hasn't posted much because it didn't seem like the appropriate place for it. I suppose I've felt like that through most the pregnancy.

Yes, I'm still pregnant. Yes, I'd like to see baby girl in the outside world as much as everyone else... or perhaps 50 billion times more. I don't post much, because I'm an awfully pessimistic pregnant girl, and all my smiles, and fake positive attitude gets sucked up at work by random strangers.

For liz: I do get tired of talking about it all day, every woman telling me her labor story, and people commenting on how huge I am--but I deal with it pretty well.

Although I don't help myself out, by coming home and looking back at all my friends pregnant pictures and realizing that their belly reached maybe half the size mine has (yeah, yeah, all my weight gain is in my belly--imagine how much pain that equates to when your little parasite entertains herself by poking her foot as far out as your already stretched to the max skin can take. I'm convinced I'll give birth by her ripping my stomach open herself. I digress).

Anyhow, I wasn't gonna post about pregnancy. Sorry. I'll be happy to tell the world, when baby is finally born.


On to the meat of the post!

For young women's this week, one of the girls was teaching about standards and explaining Mormon standards. She was explaining the importance of not doing drugs, dressing modestly and ended with the fact that we don't encourage tattoos because we respect the bodies we have been given and that's what makes us awesome.

"After all" she says "You wouldn't put a bumper sticker on a porsche, would you?"


(*Not to offend anyone with a tattoo, I just thought it was a clever way to explain our standards)

You turn me over and over

Well, the big day has come... and gone.

(That is, the day I had previously discussed with baby girl would be the right day for her to enter this beautiful sunny carolina home waiting for her (not my actual due date)).

I am not sure how this little misunderstanding is going to affect our relationship, but it currently is not shining favorably on our future mother-daughter bond.

Baby girl needs to hurry up and recognize I'm the stubborn one in this family, and I just want to share the baby one on one time with all the family anxiously awaiting her arrival!


P.S. current fav. song of the week: Matt Nathanson's "Faster"
It could just be b/c I'm preggo... but these lyrics sound like he's singing about his baby girl, it's cute.

"Faster"

You're so delicious
you're so soft
sweet on the tip of my tongue
you taste like sunlight
and strawberry bubble gum

you bite my lip
you spike my blood
you make my heart beat faster

own me, you own
you rattle my bones
you turn me over and over
'till I can't control myself
make me a liar
one big disaster
you make my heart beat faster

it's the way you swell, slow
pushing right out your seams
it's the way you smile, baby
when you've got me on my knees

your all night noise
your siren howl
you make my heart, beat, faster

own me, you own
you rattle my bones
you turn me over and over
'till I can't control myself
make me a liar
one big disaster
you make my heart beat faster

cause I jump back, crash, I crawl
I beg and steal, I follow you
yeah you own me
and you make my heart beat faster

(I can't get enough
because its on like
I guess this world is over to me)

you own me, you own
you rattle my bones
you turn me over and over
'till I can't control myself
make me a liar
one big disaster
you make my heart beat faster

The tourists come and stare at us

I'm starting to worry my baby is gonna come out orange and overly round...



Ready to pass the basketball... come on Cary it's your turn!



Dismiss the double chin (just bad angle), bad hair and complexion (it's 11 pm, long day at work and I'm pregnant people--give me a break!)

But you gotta keep your head up

So I'm chilling in greenville, and training is especially boring... So I kill some time watching videos on the various devices we're "busy" learning about.


Here's my two favorite of the day (give me a break--at least these are somewhat job related):



(haha if cary did this... there's not even words)

and video number 2



if only this could play on repeat in the verizon retail stores... people might take a deep breath, realize they're ridiculous and at least have a smile on their face

Bills on my mindset, I can't deny they're getting high

So, I've been too exhausted to post lately. But I suppose I should have shared that Verizon came around and transferred me to a Durham store! Yay, because now baby's delivery will be covered by insurance--and we'll be able to pay the bills for a few more months! Not so yay, because 45 hours at 8+ mo.s preggo is.... extremely exhausting, especially in the retail world.

Other tidbits from past few weeks:

1. We went to the beach! Cary agrees that NC beaches are a) awesome and b) for sure warmer than Cali.

2. Our crib finally arrived, and now I'm even more excited to fill it... I'll post pics this weekend (perhaps)

3. My mom, heather and kim hosted a beautiful baby shower for baby girl. It was wonderful. Good variety of friends, delicious food, elegant decorations... and baby got spoiled! We received wonderful and practical! gifts for which I'm sooo grateful. It's overwhelming just getting all the big items, so I'm extremely grateful for help with all the other necessities and just nice-ities.

4. Oh, and wonderful VZW (verizon) is making me go through new hire training again (yeah, I did this for a month last december). Yes, I did switch positions within the company, but let's be real... the only differences between the two positions could have been explained to me in a day. Anyhow, I'm chilling in Greenville, South Carolina. Training was a) more interesting the first time b) more fun in Denver and c) I liked the original peeps better. So, i mostly just try not to look too bored, keep my feet from swelling and focus on not having the baby yet, as I'd really prefer she be a tarheel born baby! Oh, and I'm trying not to gain an extra 10lbs this time around since I'm already packing 25 extra.

5. Last night, I was craving dessert, but being unfamiliar with the area I decide to consult the hotel concierge. I'm hoping for a little gem dessert shop, maybe a cupcake place, and expecting at least the local coldstone--but no, he suggests the gas station just down the street. Then when I make a face, he lights up and says "oh, well there's a McDonald's just 2 miles away!"

Seriously greenville, the best you have to offer is a $1 hot fudge sundae?



I get to spend 3 more weeks in S.C.

Mmmhmmm.

6. Everyone seems really concerned about me going in to labor with the stress of traveling and working, etc. I get to come home on the weekends, so I've decided as soon as baby wants to show up... I'm leaving all my weekends free for her to do so. However, next weekend is general conference, and somehow I think I'd have a real hard time paying attention should I go into labor, SOOOooo I'm aiming for the following weekend. Oct. 8th baby--feel free to grace us with your presence. I'll keep the rest of you posted on my attempts to control the uncontrollable :)

We're all right where we should be

Verizon isn't letting me transfer to a NC store (lame) so now I have several weeks to kill. Any advice on how to spend your last two months of pregnancy?

I get tired real easy so I'm sad to admit I've wasted my time watching crap tv lately. Has anyone heard the media refer to the Kardashians as American Royalty (this is in regards to Kim K's wedding)? How sad and pathetic for us. This may be one of the few things that makes me sad to be American. I mean, Britain has Will and Kate (classy) and we have the Kardashians.... sad, sad, sad.

I also watched that show where the girls are pregnant and don't know til they go into labor. Although, I definitely wouldn't want to be that person, I'm amazed that they don't have symptoms. I have the buddha belly going on that makes a lot of tasks difficult, and rather than kick counts, I have more luck counting the few minutes in the day she's not practicing gymnastics in my belly. Oh, and the stretch marks are finally showing up (not as in finally, i wanted it to happen, but finally-the inevitable dread) I'm trying not to make a big deal of it. Cary says he'll love me stretch marks and all ;)

In other news, we're moved in and we have a guest room with a guest bed! Feel free to come visit (even if you live in Raleigh, hey, sometimes you just don't want to drive home). (**For those outside Utah, we're conveniently close to Wilmington Beach**)

oh yes I did, yes I did

Soooo... I have opinions.

And sometimes I share those opinions. And then people think I'm an idiot.

Allow me to explain...

When people ask how I am doing (I'm 32 weeks and getting bigger almost daily), I generally say something along the lines of I don't love pregnancy and I can't wait to have my baby already.

Then people tell me to enjoy my pregnancy because babies are so much work, to which I respond,
"oh I'm excited for the baby, I could forgo the pregnancy all together"

This is usually followed by an eye roll and a "you'll see"

**Disclaimer: I realize I don't have children, and therefore do not understand. I realize that babysitting, or even watching kids for a weekend while parents are gone doesn't equate to the 24/7 responsibilities of parenting**

Yet, allow me to explain my thought process. Once baby is here I can sleep on my stomach! That means that those 2 hours in between feedings might actually include sleep instead of constant tossing and turning in an attempt to get comfortable.

Also, it is my first and only baby--so I'm still in the stage of life where I will be able to sleep when baby does--also leading me to think I might get more rest than I have had the past several months.

Finally, with pregnancy I can't just take off the belly and take a break when I just can't handle another minute (nope, that's usually when I start crying and try to hide it from Cary, because there's no definitive reason or solution to the crying). When baby comes, all of a sudden I can hand baby to Cary and say I need 5 minutes. When baby gets older, I can put them in the crib and lock myself in the bathroom for 5 minutes. I can take my mom up on her generous offers to babysit. What I'm getting at is that I can't wait to have my body back and in my current ignorant state I feel like I will be able to tackle much more when it's JUST me in my body again.


But, please feel free to share your eyerolls and "if only you knew" comments

You know what they say? Life ain't always easy

What a week....

We made it to North Carolina! Thank goodness my mom drove with us, otherwise it would have taken us all month!

Thursday, I spent all day in the hospital with Kidney stones (so they think... they can't actuallly test for this while I'm pregnant, nor can they treat it).

My family is amazing and moved all our stuff into our new apartment while I entertained the nurses at the hospital.

And now I'm lounging around at home because I'm extremely sore, tired, and the doctor has banished me to light activity. I've decided this doesn't jive with my personality, so I'm putting "the secret" into effect and sending subliminal messages to baby girl that she needs to be born in 7 weeks (as opposed to the full 10 left). I'll let you know how that goes.

Please tell me, what there is to complain about?

It's official. We've left P-town.

Cary says we're never coming back.

(But I've left and said that a few too many times, so I didn't get hung up on goodbye and said "see ya later" (Just in case... don't want to permanently jinx myself))

Soooo our journey across the country began yesterday.

We made it to Colorado Springs with the two cars!!!

I started to doubt whether I'd make it.

I have new found admiration for the pioneer women.

I just drove 10 hours while pregnant and was miserable,
I can't imagine walking 10 miles and birthing a baby in the plains

I've also decided they were insane.

So even though I'm laying on my side today recovering from my horrendous past two weeks...

as my current favorite song states

This could really be a good, good good life.

Love and marriage, goes together like...

Today Cary and I were asked to speak in our old singles ward about the joys of marriage.

Being experts and all (ha, we've been married a year), we had soooo many insights (heavy on the sarcasm)

Anyhow, we probably didn't have any impact on the group, but they asked us a lot of good questions. I felt the questions were sincere and deep... too bad I don't ponder the depths of how Cary and I ended up together or why we are happy because then I might have had an answer to some of the questions.

But,

Just some funny things Cary contributed...

He equates marriage to the lessons learned in the Princess Bride.

For example, "Marriage is like the fire swamp. Once you learn the dangers (i.e. what not to say to Carla) it's actually quite beautiful."

Also, "Marriage is great. You finally found a special person you can annoy for the rest of your life."

Ha, good times.

We'll probably never be asked to share our thoughts on marriage ever again.

Where we're gonna be when we turn 25

***Sidenote: Cream cheese is perhaps one of the most delicious substances known to man***

Just call me "CARLA THE CONQUEROR"

Tears may have been shed.

Sleep was definitely lost.

Frustration met it's peak.

Don't look too closely or you'll realize I'm not really a seamstress

And it still doesn't hide my belly...

However, it is done!

I haven't sewn a dress since high school... but why should that deter me? Ha, someone should save me from myself sometimes.



Where are the little cinderella mice when you need them?


Just plugging along.


I have unpicked and re-sewed about 4 times already! Despise is a fitting word for this project.


Looking more like an electric blue potato sack than a dress... desperation and emotions are spinning out of control, so i decide to call it a night (at 2am).



Still managing a smile. Finished at 2 am! Flight leaves at 6 am... ugh.

I love my friends.

I sometimes lose sight of why I get caught up in projects and I apologize for the cuss words in my head.

My friends mean the world to me, and I will try to do what I can to make them happy (or their big day what they hoped). With all that my friends do for me.... what's a little sleep?

What am I gonna say

Do you ever have moments in your life where you pause and think, holy cow, how did I get here

I specifically remember, being about 20 and looking at the missionaries and thinking, WAIT A MINUTE, you guys were always so old and wise. Ha, now they look like little boys and I pray that they'll be able to handle all the challenges ahead of them.

Pregnancy is another one of those moments for me. I walk past a mirror and see my belly and think WHOA, hold the wagon! Since when am I old enough to be pregnant, and how can I maintain a semblance of my fashion and personality?

I must admit...

I am not one who loves my body pregnant.

I enjoy having a flat stomach and fitting into cute clothes.

I have a hard time not comparing myself to other preggo friends.

I generally don't care to post weekly updates on the growth of my belly.

I also am not sad that I don't have many pictures to document this period of my life.

However...

My family is so supportive, and has sent fun maternity clothes, and I think I owe them a fashion show. Also, in an effort to embrace my body exactly how it is and just be grateful for the strength of my body. Here's my update:

6 months ish

15 lbs gained

(if i continue at this rate, about 15 more expected)


(***Disclaimer: Cary is a terrible photographer apparently... I didn't realize it would be so difficult to zoom in or not chop off my legs, but i guess not :/ and I will post the pics anyhow)

This is the point at which I realize, how comical cary's photography skills are so I might as well have fun with it.

This shirt looks huge, but it's actually more flattering with the black shirt underneath because it's a sheer fabric.

Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know. Can you repeat the question?

I currently work for Verizon Wireless.

(I should probably say a wireless phone company that shall remain nameless... but this really has nothing to do with verizon and everything to do with their customers).

There are two circumstances that occur repeatedly on a daily basis in our store and I feel the need to clarify/vent.

1. Indirect v. Direct Retail Locations.

Have you ever bought a cell phone from a kiosk in the mall/walmart/costco and wondered how come they can sell AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile?
Well, that's because they are an indirect retailer.

They are essentially a franchise, that buys the rights to sell Verizon cell service with their own merchandise. This concept seems especially difficult for our customers to grasp.
Daily, people argue with me that they bought their phone from Verizon.

Technically, if you didn't go into a Verizon Corporate location you bought the phone from whichever indirect retailer is on the top of your receipt (i.e. bullfrog, diamond wireless, wireless advocates). This is a little confusing because they say Verizon in large letters above their store followed by premium retailer (or something similar).

So... this means you can't return your phone to a Verizon Corporate store.

I accept that customers may not understand this concept initially, but once I explain the difference to you--it is not necessary to scream and throw a fit.

A perfect analogy would be if you bought a samsung tv at walmart, and although target sells the same brand, you can't return the tv to target.

2. Free phones

DAILY, I have customers who enter the store, and when I say "Hi, how are you today?"
They respond, "Well I have a piece of crap phone, how do you think I am? Maybe I'd be better if I didn't have this piece of crap."

First, if someone smiles and says hi, how are you? It's more polite to respond with a sociable answer, such as fine, ok, i'd even take a been better.

But, I digress. So they're case is that their phone is a piece of crap.

Well, I don't admit this to the customer (but their phone is a piece of crap).
It was free.
I guarantee they walked into the store several months prior and said "I want the free phone."
Now, they are back, crying foul because that free phone doesn't work like an iphone.


Back to analogies. If someone gave you a free tv, would you expect it to be a flat screen, have perfect picture, and get all the channels?


And when the free tv died a year later, would you call your cable company and cry foul?


No, for some reason I don't think you would.


And, yet.... that is what I deal with all day every day.


Thank heavens for Sunday.

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine

So I finally plugged my camera into the computer and realized, I haven't downloaded pictures in about 3 months. So here's just a few of my recent fav's.

Cary graduated!!!! And it was a gorgeous sunny spring day in Utah at a cool 55 degrees...

Roger and Mama T came out for baby wyatt(our newest nephew)'s blessing and graduation. It was fun to spend the weekend with family.

I couldn't help but suprise my little choc-a-holic beau with a fun Easter basket. Mmm cadbury eggs, jellybeans and everything in between.

American fork canyon.
Gorgeous.
I've hiked Mt. Timp before, which is extreme, so we decided to go easy this summer and hike timp caves. I had heard it was paved the whole way, how hard could it be?

Well, I don't like to make pregnancy excuses, but at twenty some weeks, I'm not sure any hike is easy. It was paved,
but that doesn't mean much when you have a 1000 ft incline.
Also, I recommend lighter clothes even though it's cold in Utah.

oh baby, baby

The fans demand pictures... so even though I'm not a lover of the belly shot, here is my buddha belly for all to enjoy.

I apparently suck at taking my own photos... but I actually look really good in this one ;) Gotta love a dirty mirror

Cary says I'm not big. I say it's all a matter of angle.

Ba-da-da-dum. (This is also a more flattering pic, I'm not seriously gonna post my really huge pics)

And she's daddy's little girl

The topic in church today was father's! Obviously...

Cary walked away from the meeting a little annoyed because he feels like mom's get praised and told how amazing they are; whereas our speakers today talked about how dad's need to show their love to their spouse and children, spend time with their family, and follow the commandments.

Although, there weren't very many stories shared about father's, the speakers highlighted important things for father's to do with their children. In particular, father's should spend one on one time with their kids, go on vacations, and talk to their children.

All of this just got me thinking about my favorite times with my dad...

So I'm going to share :)

As a kid, I remember going shopping with my dad. He's not a big shopper at all, but I remember him taking me shoe shopping and always understanding my need for whatever shoe was popular at the time. He let me get $50 timberland's in 3rd grade! He'd also take me shopping for his clothes and ask my opinion on his ties (which made me feel so grown up and trusted.) My absolute favorite though was when we'd go shopping for mom. He'd take me to pick out my mom's christmas present, birthday present, and mother's day gifts. I loved it. It made me feel great when mom loved what we had picked out.

(Now, my dad very well may have done this with all the kids at different times, but it seemed like it was our thing--which is all that really matters).

I also remember late nights swimming in the pool in our backyard. He'd never rush me off to bed. We'd just float there and let the helicopter leaves fall from the trees and listen to the rhythmic slaughtering of the bug zapper. Oh, summer nights...

As a teenager, some of my best memories are learning to drive. Dad isn't always the most chatty. But he'd talk to me about cars. I had lofty dreams of buying a car which dad would attempt to talk me out of, while humoring me and explaining all the different cars for sale in the paper. He'd also take me on drives to get experience while I had my learner's permit. The cold dark mornings on the way to seminary are forever burned in my mind as we listened to talk radio, and dad would freak out everytime I ran over an animal--there are a lot of little critters in NC that are hard to see in the dark!

Anyhow, I could go on, but the point is that I'm a lucky girl. My dad always put us kids first and I have so many great memories thanks to him.

Hit me with the words you got and knock me down

Soooo.... I may not be handling pregnancy as gracefully as I once hoped I would (read: people ask me how I'm feeling and I respond "HUGE" with a few tears in the corners of my eyes).

Honestly, I've been really lucky. I haven't been too sick, and I didn't really start showing til about week 16. And then it was just a little bump, easily mistaken for a big meal.

Well... I've popped. In the last two weeks I have grown more each day, outgrowing more and more outfits by the day. I attempt to keep my concerns about my appearance between Cary and my pile of discarded clothes on the bedroom floor, but I was so fortunate (sarcasm) to have my insecurities thrown in my face yesterday. An ob/gyn is talking to me and looks at my belly and says, "oh well, you're like 28 weeks, right? you're almost there."

..... long pause..... me: "No, I'm just huge, thanks."

Usually, when people ask if I'm preggo, I smile and say "oh no, I just ate a big lunch," then when the look of horror ensues, I tell them I'm joking and yeah I am preggo.

But this doctor practically said I'm almost two months fatter than I should be!

This just happened to come at the end of a week filled with several less than flattering comments... needless to say Cary has had his work cut out for him. Poor guy.

I'll eventually post pics of myself, but today I feel very much like this guy


Struggling to keep my shirt from curling up over my belly.

I blame magazines, for giving me the hope of looking as gorgeous as heidi...



This is her at 9 months. Yeah... some days I wish I was a 6 ft tall, drop dead gorgeous super model.

Instead, I more closely resemble...




Anyhow... don't worry too much about me. Just a bad day, and I keep a cute onesie taped to my mirror to remind myself of the end goal... a beautiful baby with cute little chubby legs and funny faces!

Just can't get enough

tehehe... check out this text convo btw my bestie jo and Cary.

Jo: Cary, I didn't even tell you congratulations!!! She is going to be one cute girl!


Cary: Thanks Jo! I sure think so, I'll have to restrain myself from soiling her :)

Jo: Hahaha please reread that text. And yes you will have to.


BAHAHAHAHA... oh cary, he should really proof read his texts before sending them (but at the same time, i haven't laughed that hard in a while).

***in case you missed it, he meant spoiling her***

Oh this has gotta be the good life

Sorry for the wait...

I've got a feeling that it's gonna be alright

Wow, it's been so long since I blogged I'm suprised I remembered the password.

I'll be even more suprised if someone actually thinks to check my blog and read this.

So of course I must come back with a bang!

I'm Preggo! And tomorrow I find out if it's a boy or a girl!

Really, I have no preference. I want both so bad, I don't care which I get first. I've always wanted little boys and it'd be especially fun to brainwash a boy with my grandeur plans of tarheel basketball while we are in NC, but a little girl with chubby legs sticking out of baby bloomers sounds awesome too!

Anyhow... so there's my excuse for not blogging. Not a very good one (since most my friends are mom's and somehow find the time), but I'm tired, growing a baby, working 40+ hours a week, keeping Cary in line ;), cramming in friend time before we move, ya know...

Marry me, today and every day

10 Things I have learned since getting married:

1. There is such a thing as 3 ply toilet paper. And YES, your tush does deserve it.

2. Just because you got the apartment with the dishwasher, doesn't mean said dishwasher will actually be capable of washing the dishes... beware of unwanted leftovers.

3. You may not be able to cure your spouse's chronic snoring, but you can invest in quality memory foam. At least you'll be lying awake in comfort ;)

4. The Mr. may very well convince you that you would rather eat a restaurant cooked meal than get a new outfit.

5. Single life is much more exciting and fun... but dinner followed by a competitive 2 person game of Monopoly Deal is entertaining too.

6. Does that little extra toothpaste in the sink really bother you that much? Really? Maybe you should spend less time in the bathroom!

7. Football is a man's sport. Decorating/Cooking a women's. Basketball--the sport everyone can agree on!
(Highly scientific stereotypes based solely on my own marriage)

8. You may wake up in the middle of the night to find your loved one is slowly inching you towards the edge of the bed. When you finally wake up hanging on for dear life it's up to you whether you believe his story about a crazy dream, or suspect him of just trying to get the whole bed to himself.

9. I still have a lot to learn.

10. Whenever your spouse decides to point out one of your flaws, it's really great to scream "WELL..... you married me!" Then you both laugh.

I almost fell into that hole...

Cary's out of town.

Normally I handle being home alone great. I sleep better and I'm about three times more productive!

But...

Today, I'm watching HGTV while eating dinner, and I see a spider on the white counter and think to myself forget that house it has a spider.

About two seconds later I realize it's not on the show, it's on my tv. The spider is in my house!! I then proceed to have a mini heart attack, which was actually pretty painful. Then I call Cary who has to coach me through sucking up the spider with the vaccum cleaner.

I know you're thinking I'm all sorts of pathetic right now.

Well...

I am! I need my man to come home! Because I'd really like to make it to 25, and if anymore events like tonight happen, my future is questionable.

So if you're too school for cool

My sister Emily is an english professor. She'll sometimes post a funny sentence out of a paper a student submitted (annoymously, of course). I thoroughly enjoy reading these, because it's funny to laugh at the ridiculous mistakes we all sometimes make.

Emily posted this video on her blog:



I have a few thoughts about this.

First, she probably should have made her blog private. It's not too hard to find a blog, so she should have anticipated a student could come across her blog.


Also, she said some horrible things, and how can you expect a student to feel safe and encouraged to learn in an environment where the teacher seems to hate you and think negatively of you. I would hope teacher's were setting an example of how to treat those at school with you, whether it is other teachers or fellow students.


However, I think there is definitely a double standard here. Students and parents alike can post and say whatever they want about teachers. Another blogger wrote his perspective as a waiter and wrote terrible things about customers all the time, and America applauded him and invited him on every talk show to educate people on how to be better restaurant customers. Why can a teacher not comment on the lack of discipline in her class and the lack of effort on her students part?


Overall, I disagree with her method of commenting on her students. She wasn't opening discussion, she was resorting to harsh and general insults, just as you would expect a high schooler to do...

...but I really want to keep reading Emily's posts about her students. What are your thoughts???

My head is up in the clouds

So I've been bad at posting.

For a minute there I felt like it was pretty vain to constantly post about my life and expect that people would actually want to read about it... but today I got to thinking, if any of you decided that I would be extremely disappointed because I check your blogs as part of my quick morning routine.

Wake up. Make Cary lunch. Check blogs. Get Ready. Tidy up. Off to work.

It's great. And really the blog is to keep track of myself since I don't journal regularly anymore.

So here's a bit of my last two weeks.

Pretty much I spent one week making 4 baby blankets. My sister in law, and 3 of my mac grill besties are having/had babies.


It's Jen's 5th boy... so I decided to stray from the traditional blue.


I got a sewing machine for christmas and it does all sorts of awesome stitches. Snowflakes for this blanket.



That's a rose design fleece/soft and comfy fabric on the back. Bad lighting. Very cute.






Yup, my friends are all having baby girls... all due about a month apart. It was a lot of fun to get into sewing again. And now, I've opened a can of worms and have 4 more to do :)


Also, it was Valentine's Day this past week.
And I usually don't care to make a big deal about it, but it was the first year I've actually had a valentine! (Last year doesn't count, because my valentine was on another continent... and yes I didn't time my previous boyfriends well... don't judge)

Anyhow, we had decided to celebrate on tuesday because we both have tuesday off. But Cary made me a delicious dinner on monday and did Insanity with me!
What a perfect Valentine. He sure knows what I like :)

(For those of you who don't regularly watch workout info-mercials... click here to learn about the best workout I've ever done)

Tuesday we went to the roof! I've wanted to check this out for years. It's a restaurant on the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in downtown SLC, with a gorgeous view of Temple Square....

I mean you're practically dining with Moroni.

Since I forgot my camera in the car... here's some strangers enjoying their meal there... our experience was just as enjoyable!