We Should Come With Filters.

When something big is happpening in your life, such as a wedding, a baby arriving, etc., people seem to love to give you unsolicited advice. I don't understand why that is. I am sure I am guilty of this too, but boy am I going to be conscious of it from now on. Today, someone looked at me and said "When did you say you were due?" and I said "August." Then they said, "You probably think you're showing, but you're not." Now, I know that this person was probably trying to say something nice, but it didn't come across that way to me! I definitely have a small "pooch" that was NOT there before, and not that there is anything wrong with that, but this person does NOT know me well enough to be commenting on whether or not I am showing. And they also don't know me enough to know what I look like not pregnant. Maybe I am all out of whack because of pregnancy hormones, but it got me thinking. Why do people think that you want their advice or their opinion?

Now it's not only advice, but people tell you their horror stories. Now this is something that I can't understand, because I promise, every possible scenario of things that can go wrong has run through my head many, many times. I know that things happen, but there isn't much you can do about them. The best thing for me is to do what the doctor says and try to think positively about things, and not have to be reminded every day that something can go wrong.

I think that if someone asks your advice, you should go for it and tell them the kindest, most honest truth that you can muster. Otherwise, you should keep your opinion to yourself.

I keep having to remind myself of a piece of advice my mom did give me. Let it go in one ear and out the other, and don't think about it, she said. So from now on, MY advice to anyone who is expecting a baby, planning a wedding, or doing anything that prompts people to give their unwanted opinion will be, "Do what YOU want to do, and don't worry about what anyone else thinks."

Now I can come down from my soapbox!

Just another day...

Well, now that the news is out that Bud is coming, I thought we would end up being more social since we don't have a secret to keep. That has NOT been the case. Unfortunately, all I want to do when I get home is put on comfy clothes, warm socks, and watch some good TV. Unfortunately, this writer's strike business has made that VERY difficult for me! I am managing to relax pretty easily. I would like to see my friends though. I miss everyone!

Sometimes (most of the time) it feels like it takes so much effort to do anything. I was so tired after my shower the other day that I had to rest before I could dry my hair. Everyone tells you that you will be tired, but it is much different than I thought it would be. And much more life changing.

Now, since I have been pregnant, Hays has also become a different person. First, he has had almost every single one of my symptoms! Somedays, he feels worse than I do. Second, he has been so protective! I am really enjoying this "protective husband" phase and I hope I don't try to milk it for all it's worth, since I have a tendency to do so. I think that once Bud gets here, Hays will direct that protectiveness to him/her, and that makes me happy too, even though I will probably miss it just a little bit. Thanks Hays, for all you've done lately. I feel like the "thank yous" over and over again aren't enough, but they are a start. It's so great that he lets me know that he knows it's "our" pregnancy, and not just mine. It makes carrying it that much more special.

Let it snow...

This morning it snowed in B'ham! They have been predicting it for the last few days, so I woke up this morning and looked out the window and I was so surprised to see... nothing. However, we were only awake for a few hours and then the snow started coming down pretty hard! It was beautiful, but really cold outside, so I stayed in while Hays went out to take some pictures. This is what he got:

I said to Hays, "Why don't you go outside and take some pictures of Daisy in the snow?" And he said "Ok." So he comes back in laughing, and these are the two pictures that he got.

Yes, she is using the bathroom in these pictures. When I asked him "why are those the only ones that you have?" he said "She would only stay out there long enough to do that, and came right back in!" So these are our lovely memories of Daisy in the snow.

Unfortunately, now the snow is melting. It was pretty while it lasted though!

BIG News!!!!

Well, some of you may have been wondering why I haven't blogged in so long. The truth is, we have been keeping a BIG secret for about 5 weeks now, and we are so excited to be able to let it out!

Yes! We are having a BABY!!! We are so excited! I am nine weeks pregnant, and my due date is August 18th. We were so surprised at first, but we feel so blessed and happy about our new family member. We had our first ultrasound today, and we heard a strong heartbeat and saw the beginning of little arms and legs. Everything is going really well, and we honestly could not be happier.

And YES, that really is a baby in the pictures. I know it looks a little like a bean, or a peanut, but we saw a wonderful heartbeat! We are calling it Bud until we find out the sex. So please keep Hays, Bud, and me in your prayers. I have not been feeling well (all the usual pregnancy symptoms), and I am anxiously awaiting the end of this first trimester, because everyone says I will feel better then. So sorry I have been pretty lame lately, but it has been so hard keeping the secret and since I have been so sick it has been hard to go anywhere, but we will become more social now!

It's Been a Long Time....

Sorry it has been so long since I blogged. My break from school seemed busier this year than it has in the past. We had a great few weeks and it was so good to see the family! Here's a little run-down of our past few weeks:
First, we went to Dothan to stay with Hays' Dad and Stepmom. We had a great time! I love going to their house because it is always so relaxing. You don't feel like you have to jump up and get dressed or feel really busy. While we were staying with them, my parents came down to stay with my brother, so we were able to go back and forth and see everyone almost every day, which was really nice.
After we stayed with them for 2 days, then we went to my Brother and Sis in law's house for a couple of days. Alan was on call, so we had to work around his schedule just a little bit, but it wasn't bad. We had a great time with them, as always.
On Christmas day, Ronnie, my stepmother-in-law, made a big meal for everyone, and she invited my family over too! I thought it was really nice to be able to see both families on Christmas day. I feel really lucky that we were able to do that.
So, we had a great Christmas in Dothan, then it was time to go home, but not for long! On Sunday, we loaded up the fam (me, Hays, and Daisy, of course) and headed to Atlanta to stay with Amanda and Benji for the New Year and go to the Chick-fil-A bowl, which was awesome.
Amanda and Benji have a great house, and it was so good to see them. Daisy was SUPER excited! Benji just might be her favorite person ever. I would never give her a choice of who to live with, because I am pretty sure that she would pick Benji, hands down.
Did I mention Amanda's pregnant belly? She is showing now, and it is SO cute! I have a picture, but I have been forbidden from posting it, so you will just have to take my word for it.

A Great Loss

As I write this, I am completely devastated. I can't speak, so I thought this would be the best way to express my feelings. My major professor from graduate school, and one of the most influential people in my life, passed away last Friday at his home. I missed the services.

George Folkerts was an incredible person. His passion for nature, conservation, biology and field biology will never be matched. He taught me so many things... about science, and about myself. There are memories that I have forever in my mind of class trips we took, singing by the campfire and hiking, standing with our arms outstretched around a huge tulip tree in the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness, and George lecturing us on the "real world." His message was simple - the pursuit of knowledge is the most important thing in life, and untouched areas of nature are the "real world."

George was the only person that I ever met who could believe so much in God and evolution at the same time. He made me stand with leeches attached to my legs in the middle of a North Carolina swamp, and he told me I better not cry, that they wouldn't hurt me. He made me realize that I could overcome my fears in the pursuit of knowledge, and I will take that lesson with me always.

I got to see George about two months ago. He met Hays and me at his favorite place in Auburn, Buffalo's. Our visit was short. We had plans to go into the field this spring. He looked good. I am SO glad that I had that last visit with him.

George had a wonderful, full life. I cannot even describe to you all how many lives he touched, how much valuable conservation work that he did, and how many smiles he put on people's faces each day. I know that I would not be the person I am today had I not known George. He was a wonderful teacher, and an even better friend.

This picture is from the first day of our three week journey in the Southern Appalachians.

Deck The Halls With Tacky Sweaters

So sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I was SO sick last week with the most terrible cold! I missed two days of work, and I try so hard not to miss! The cold could have been exacerbated by the party that I went to last Saturday night. Sarah and Heather hosted a great tacky christmas sweater party!

I have to give props to a certain thrift store here in the Ham, right near my neighborhood! The Briarwood Thrift Store was so well organized, they had all of their Christmas finest hanging together in the ladies section, so I didn't even have to search for the tackiness, it was all right there. Hays found a lovely sweater and turtleneck very easily as well. SO if you need clothes for certain themed parties, the Briarwood Thrift Store is a great place to go, and proceeds benefit the school! Here are some pics from the party:

I cannot explain how hard I laughed when I saw Trey. He looked like Dwight Schrute ready for an "Office" Christmas party.