Being Pregnant is Weird.

Forget all the strange things that are happening with my body, let's talk about what happens externally on a daily basis.

1. People constantly telling me, in one way or another, how big I am getting. Adults generally find a nice way to say it: "You're blossoming" or "You're popping" or "You're little one is growing" or "Your belly looks so cute!" The young adult with cognitive disabilities that I encounter daily either tells it like it is: "You're getting BIG!" or reverts to the daily "polite" questions I believe she's been coached to ask. The little kids with whom I work either ask questions or just tell me my belly is big or fat or whatever pops into their heads: "There's a baby in there!" It's slightly easier to take from the kiddos, even though it's usually less polite.

2. Nobody looks at my face anymore. Ever. It's like my body ends at my belly. At least I haven't had strangers grabbing my belly yet. I've heard that happens. I'm not looking forward to it.

2 1/2. I'm aware this is vanity, but I don't get any second looks anymore. Nobody attempts to flirt with me or even acknowledge my presence...except the people blatantly staring at my belly. But they're not acknowledging me, just the baby inside. It's changed the way I have always been able to casually interact with strangers while out & about. It's lonely to be seen as a belly instead of a person.

3. Nobody lets me help. I went to a meeting this week and the custodian had been given the wrong time for the meeting, so nothing was set up. All the early folks, like myself, put down our stuff and started setting up the chairs. Only, no one would pass me a chair and actually someone specially told me to go sit down. It's a folding chair. I can handle it. That's just one example.

4. Horror Stories. What is it about being pregnant that makes all women who have ever given birth NEED to tell me all of the worst things that happened to them when they were pregnant, in labor, etc. I don't want to hear horror stories; I'm anxious enough as it is.

5. Unsolicited Advice. Just like horror stories, I have been getting a fair share of advice. Unlike horror stories, I feel like it comes from people wanting to be helpful. Like horror stories, I don't want to hear it. I'm in a place where I need to take everything a day at a time and I know who I can ask if I need help. I have, I will, and I do ask.

The House

We bought a house! It was a foreclosure (which I find slightly ironic since that was the fate of the only other house I've owned), and needed painting, new blinds, and some TLC. My parents came down for the move and stayed with us, working like slaves, for days. We got the main floor, our bedroom, the master bath, and the upstairs bathroom painted, as well as new blinds installed, and several other random projects done while they were here. Friends and family (over a dozen!) came out on moving day to do the heavy lifting that I cannot. I am completely amazed at how much came together so quickly. Next, my inlaws descended to work on decorating and generously applying their decorating talent, time, and treasure to make our house a home. I am feeling so incredibly grateful and lucky to be surrounded by so many people.

When everyone leaves, I'm excited to start working on the nursery with a theme in mind...because I know now that the little sea monkey inside of me is...

 a girl!

Was that real?

I'm in my 16th week of pregnancy, eagerly awaiting my 20 week ultrasound to determine gender and to see my little one for the first time.

The bump!

It's crazy all the changes that I feel in my body, but last night was somewhat confusing. I'm pretty sure it's too early for me to be feeling my little one moving around inside of me, although I'm aware that the little sea monkey has been moving around for weeks. Hubby and I were catching up on the final few episodes of last season's The Walking Dead when I swear the little bugger started pushing up against the lower left side of my belly. Chris put his hand on my belly and said he felt a small thump-thump, then nothing. Could it be that our little one popped up to say hello?

Madison Summer

Due to an extensive travel itinerary this summer (Ireland, Kansas, and New York), the hubby and I have had precious little time to truly appreciate the beauty that is summer in Madison, Wisconsin. We missed the Art Fair, we didn't make it to a single instance of Concerts on the Square, and we only made it to the farmer's market on the capital square a handful of times. But we didn't miss the sunflowers.

My dear friend's grandparents turned their family farm into a public conservancy and this is (in my opinion) the very best time to see it. Bright yellow sunflowers turn their faces toward the sun as far as the eye can see! Where there are lots of beautiful, sunny flowers, there are also buzzing bees...

Insert your own metaphors here:

Ireland Honeymoon in Pictures...Out Of Order

Worth 1,000 Words

Looking at wedding pictures and reliving the tiny moments of the day...

I suddenly remember how my head felt heavy on the left side because of the low side knot in my hair...

The way it felt to wear my grandmother's wedding rings on my right hand...

The way my new wedding band felt so strange with the stones all the way around, and how thick the shellac manicure felt on my fingernails...

But mostly I remember laughing. A lot. And smiling so much it hurt. And wondering why I wasn't tired, even though I'd been up most of the night worrying about my poor friends who were sleeping under chairs in the Denver airport.

It was such a lovely day. It's a joy to assemble the photos into an album, and it will be a joy to revisit this day over and over again.

Just Married 3.23.13

Mr. & Mrs. McKee

Two years to the exact date that my divorce was final, I said "I do!" To the love of my life. My best friend since high school performed the ceremony, our families and friends traveled from around the United States (and London!) to be there, and it was lovely. Small, intimate, personal, and beautiful.

It feels good to be married this time. Secure. Safe. Loved. Encouraged. Supported. I'm so excited to see where life brings me (us!) next.