19 Weeks Pregnant

I don't know how single moms get through pregnancy. Pregnancy is hard enough with two people I can't imagine how it would be without a partner.

For the first three months I was useless. I didn't move from the couch for two solid months. Brady was there to do laundry, clean the kitchen, make dinner, work full time to support us, give massages, cool me down with a cold rag, say kind words, and give me all the attention I could ever dream of while reassuring me that I wasn't going to die or feel that sick forever. While Brady was at work I had my Mom, Dad, and siblings on call just in case I needed anything. My parents made sure our fridge was stocked full of Ginger Ale and made sure I had plenty of Preggy Pops and Ginger Candy. Being pregnant is a team effort.   

After our trip to Kentucky, around month 4, all of the sickness started to fade and I started to feel like I was able to function again.

Month 5 is now here and it comes with its own set of issues. Thy name is reflex. My Grandma Sharon and I were having a nice lunch at Chili's last Friday and as I started to inhale my House Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing my throat started to feel funny. Before I knew it I had tossed that Salad all over the booth, my lap, and hair. Word to the wise: YOU CANT EAT FAST WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT. 

That little incident got me thinking about all the little things that happened to my body once I got pregnant and I started to wonder why no one had ever warned me? I grew up with this idea that pregnancy was going to be wonderful. I would have a cute little baby belly and then a cute little baby. No one ever told me that it would actually be quite inconvenient. Not that I would ever trade the end result in order to rid myself of all these little inconveniences but I just think that there is another side to pregnancy that we aren't told about. 

1. Your new favorite place to sleep will be the bathroom so make sure to wash the rugs and Pine-Sol the floor because you're going to be on that floor whether it's clean or not.

2. Your tummy is not the only place that stretch marks will appear.

3. Shaving you legs is a battle. Shaving your "down stairs" is impossible. 

4. I never got headaches until I got pregnant. Tylenol PM makes it all better.

5. Ginger Candy is not candy, it's poison. 

6. Your boobs will get bigger no matter how massive they already are. And no Victoria Secret does not sell that size. 

7. They say you pee less when the second trimester rolls around. Lie. I still have to pee 250,000 times a day. 

8. Your boobs will hurt like you're having a heart attack but don't worry! It's just your milk ducts coming in. 

9. Fried food WILL give you terrible heartburn so if you don't want it stay away from the chicken, red sauces, and onion rings. 

10. Even though you are no longer having periods your going to become a leaky faucet so keep panty liners handy!

11. You use up more energy laying on the couch while you're pregnant than your husband would while training with a professional body builder at the gym. It's okay to take lots of naps.

12. Your going to be freezing or sweating where ever you go so dress in layers and pack a sweater. 

13. Don't move fast! It's dangerous. 

14. Because the ligaments in your body become all loose to accommodate the child you're growing your feet might grow a size or two.

15. Don't stay seated for too long because your toes will swell up like little sausages. 

16. If you've never had allergies before you may acquire some new ones. 

17. Burping and farting can not be avoided. Sorry newlyweds!

18. There is a whole list of foods you're not allowed to eat while your pregnant. Like: bacon, hot dogs, tuna, packaged lunch meat etc...

19. Make sure you have someone around to help you get up if you decide to sit on the floor. It's just easier that way. 

Everyones pregnancy is different and some of these things may be things that are entirely unique to me and my pregnancy. I just had to get it all out somewhere! Thanks for reading!

An Angry American

This blog is a response to the comments I have been viewing all day on facebook, twitter, and other social media sites. It is a response to friends and others whom I've never met. I write this knowing full well that most that read it will be offended but I am not here to sugar coat pills for people to swallow. I am an aggravated pregnant woman. My hormones are somewhere up in outer space and I really don't care what "you" think anymore. For one of the first times in my life I have an opinion on something that has not been influenced by anyone else's thoughts. I have something to say. I have an opinion on what is going on. I have a "bone" to pick with the American people.

Many have used the quote today, "An eye for an eye leaves the world blind." This is one of my favorite quotes. It is something I believe wholeheartedly. I, however, do not believe that it is being used appropriately in this context. That context being; the death of Osama bin Laden. 

On September 11, 2001 2,998 people were killed. Calling the murder of 2,998 people an "eye" and the death of bin Laden the other "eye"  is absolutely reprehensible. It is not the same or in any way equal. After ranting through text to my husband about how frustrating these thoughts were making me I was inspired to write it down, doomed as I may be. It got me thinking. Maybe a more adequate yet less eloquent quote would be (ahem), "Removing the thorn left in ones eye, after an attempt that another makes to put it out, allows the wound to heal." How some Americans are mourning the death of a man who is responsible for murdering our brothers and sisters is sickening to me. I understand mourning the fact that he will spend eternity in hell, and never know the love of Jesus. But to mourn because he didn't receive a trial, or a prison sentence, or a needle in his arm... I'm sorry but you need a reality check!

America does not celebrate his death but the removal of a thorn that has been stuck in the eye of our nation for ten years. What about the husbands, the sons, the children whose lives were taken because of a religious war they never even realized they were fighting. Cry for them. Don't cry for this man.

But sure! Let's pretend that "An eye for an eye" is an adequate statement for this situation. I would rather live in a world full of invalids than a world where we cry for the villain. When did we start shaming Superman for thwarting Lex Luther? Brady says this, "That's what an atmosphere of political correctness gets you, a country full of pansies." 

So let us be sad because the villain was defeated, and goodness prevailed, and the victims families finally, for the first time in years, have peace. Let us mourn the fact that our tax payer dollars haven't gone to waste on a trial for Osama bin Laden. Please, honor this man and cry for him. 

We are at war with evil! Wake up America!

Sincerely, 

An Angry American

Cravings...

I went from a nonchalant eater to someone who knows exactly what she's hungry for at all times. It's like I hardly know myself anymore, though I'm more in tune with what my body needs than ever.

This morning at 3am I woke up craving a Pina Colada. I woke Brady up, talked to him about my dream drink, and as he drifted back to sleep I realized that I was not going to get what I desired. So this morning when it was really time to get up (10AM) I was a woman on a mission. I wanted that drink.

Walmart was first on our agenda today. We ran out of toilet paper sometime during the night and started using napkins. I don't know why we let it go that far. I woke up feeling sick like usual. I know now that the only thing that makes me feel better is a nice little bland breakfast but the smell of the kitchen, the pantry, and the fridge was not worth braving for the relief the food would bring my churning stomach.

I decided a hard shell taco from Taco Bell would do. We made our way out the door after I peed for the third time. We payed rent, we ate a couple tacos, we deposited a few checks, and then off to Walmart we went!

Do you know how hard it is to find Coconut Milk at Walmart? Nearly impossible. But we found it along with the toilet paper and 80 dollars worth of other things that we deemed 'must haves'.

We play fought about who would put the groceries away, and who would do the dishes as I sat down to write my government paper, my tropical drink nearly forgotten. Nearly. I finally made myself a nice little Caribbean drink with a side of Sweet Chili rice cakes, and now I am finally satisfied.

If you have the ingredients on hand or if you don't this is an awesome smoothy that will satisfy all your Pina Colada dreams.

Caribbean Colada

A Virgin Islands vacation in a glass

Mango, banana, coconut milk, pineapple — this lush treat is like a visit to the tropics. Making your smoothies with frozen fruit is a good idea for two reasons: You're more likely to have it on hand —   any time of the year —   and frozen fruit makes for a thicker, more shake-like smoothie. Furthermore, there's no need to add crushed ice, which just waters down the flavor.

Ingredients

¾ cup frozen mango or peach slices
1 medium banana, frozen and sliced

¾ cup vanilla yogurt

½ cup unsweetened coconut milk

¼ cup pineapple juice

2 Tbsp wheat germ, if desired (I left this part out)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in blender or food processor and process until pureed. Pour into a tall glass and serve.

Makes 1 tall glass.

Nutritional Information

• 1 serving = 380 calories
• Protein: ½ serving
• Vitamin C: 1½  servings
• Calcium: 1 serving
• Green/yellow fruit: 1 serving
• Other fruit: 1 serving

21 and Pregnant...

I missed my classes again this morning. After setting my alarm clock last night, determined to make it to class today, there was a disconnect this morning. Somehow it didn't go off. Or I shut it off and just don't remember, which is entirely possible.

I didn't get up until Brady got up for work, and by then I had already missed both of my classes. My Professors probably think I'm dead thats how long its been since I've made it to class. I have no motivation to complete school. I have no motivation to do anything other than write music, play my guitar, read a little, do some algebra, sleep, rinse and repeat.

After Brady and I got married I had this surge of energy to prove to him, and myself that I was the best darned wife that ever walked the earth! I was a chef, a house keeper, a laundry mat, a masseuse, and I loved every minute of it.

Then he knocked me up, and the first trimester started and since last week I sleep, eat, pee a lot, do algebra, rinse and repeat. I feel great, albeit tired and a little frightened. I just can't seem to get anything done. I just cleaned the kitchen for the fist time since Sunday. There is a basket of unfolded laundry sitting in the middle of the floor staring me down. Mocking me. I feel like yelling back, "Shut up you stupid basket of whites! You'll never be brilliant again!"

I should have started dinner, instead I started writing. Poor Brady probably wishes he had his old wife back, and she will be back once I get out of this funk, or get unpregnant.

Side Note: We are going to have to figure out a way to get this baby out while I'm sleeping. Because pain+brittany=unmixy things. If anyone has any ideas comment below.

As I was doing the dishes I started writing this blog in my mind and this reads nothing like the masterpiece of fragile, budding, maternal wisdom that I composed. Something else to blame on the pregnancy, apparently the hormones are not only ruining my sense of decorum, but my ability to form rational thought. Though Brady would argue I was never a rational being to begin with. This is my blog and I get to think of myself however I like!

As I come closer to motherhood the more childlike I become. *sigh*

I did make delicious Sloppy Joes last night with homemade potato wedges, onion rings, and ranch dressing. (See Recipe below) It sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen! It was so good though. Today I made Subway sandwiches for lunch. Well in my mind they were Subway sandwiches because that was my craving this morning. Tonight I'm going to make Bagel bites for dinner because Bradys never had them and I made him sacrifice his Pizza Rolls at the store because I bragged and said that Bagel Bites were better. I think they are. I hope he thinks they are. If he doesn't think they are I'll cry and eventually he'll come around.

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Butter (I only used 1 Tablespoon)

2-½ pounds Ground Beef (I only used 1Lb)

½ whole Large Onion, Diced

1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced (I used 1/2)

5 cloves Garlic, Minced

1-½ cup Ketchup

1 cup Water (1/2 cup)

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)

1 teaspoon Dry Mustard

½ teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)

Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste

2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (optional)

Tabasco Sauce (optional; To Taste)

Cayenne Pepper (optional; To Taste)

Salt To Taste

Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

Hamburger Buns

Preparation Instructions

Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.

Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Enjoy!

Onion Strings/ Potato Wedges

Ingredients

1 whole Large Onion/Potato

2 cups Buttermilk

2 cups All-purpose Flour

1 Tablespoon (scant) Salt

¼ teaspoons (to 1/2 Teaspoon) Cayenne Pepper

1 quart (to 2 Quarts) Canola Oil

Black Pepper To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Slice onion very thin (or if you're making potato wedges cut potatoes into the shape that satisfies your minds idea of a wedge.) Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk and soak for at least an hour.

Combine dry ingredients and set aside.

Heat oil to 375 degrees.

Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tap to shake off excess, and PLUNGE into hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove as soon as golden brown.

Repeat until onions are gone.

Eat before your family sees them.

Repeat with another onion, because they’ll be really mad they didn’t get any.

Taking Out the Trash

You know how everyone has ideas about what a man should do around the house, and what a woman should do? Typically those ideas are grown from your parents ideas about what chores are proper for men, and what chores are proper for women. Like mowing the lawn, and taking out the trash is a mans job, doing the laundry, and cleaning the grout is a womans. That is what I grew up believing at least.

When I moved to Colorado a couple years ago to attend the New Life School of Worship I shared an apartment with two girls my age that also attended the school. I grew up living with six guys so there were things that I just never did around the house.

1. Mow the lawn
2. Take out the trash
3. Scoop the poop
4. Any kind of car maintenance
5. Any kind of yard work
etc.

Living with two girls (that came from families with lots of woman) was difficult in the respect that it was ingrained in me that I still should not have to take out the garbage (we didn't have grass, or yards, or shared vehicles, or animals or I'm sure we would have had more issues than trash).

It was crammed so far into my DNA that the thought of taking it out never actually entered my mind. It was something I never had to think about before. It would always magically disappear and a brand new empty bag would appear. Just like that. I was blessed.

So why am I sharing all this useless information with you? Because school was cancelled today and I've been working on my homework for the last two hours. Deciding it was high time for a break I ventured into the kitchen to find an overflowing trash can. Not only is it overflowing, the sight alone wouldn't have penetrated that deep, but the smell ranks about a 7 on the "worst smells I've ever smelled" list. All of these years of being blessed by brothers who know their place, and fights with roommates because I couldn't get over myself came flooding back to me. I raced back to our bedroom and my laptop knowing that I had to record this momentous occasion.

You guys... I'm going to take out the trash.

The embodiment of the dreaded chore itself.

I never knew it was so hard to pull a bag out of a plastic tub. 

Finally. 

I was on a roll.

Sitting safely outside where it will not bother anyones senses ever again... Except for Brady's when I make him take it out to the curb. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day! 

P.S. You can click on the pictures to make them bigger! I just discovered this!

A few thoughts on weddings and engagements...

Brady and I said our vows on January 8, 2011, just seven short days after deciding that it was time to become husband and wife. There wasn't a 20,000 dollar wedding budget, a chapel, or a wedding party, but a desperate man, and a desperate woman ready to become one.

On January 1st Brady and I were in Oklahoma getting ready for his older brothers wedding. We were both in the wedding party and were due to arrive at the church earlier than the rest of the guests. We decided that we were not going to wait till May to get married on the drive to the church.

The rest of the day was a blur. His brothers wedding was beautiful but it was hard to focus when all I could think about was the decision we had both made. Being the impulsive person I am I wanted to run away and do it that day... or fly to Vegas and do it the next. Brady however is a little bit more organized, and methodical. We debated days, and places, and court rooms, and people. In the end we settled on January 8th, the first wedding date we picked out way back in August, and a small ceremony in my living room with parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Giving up the big wedding wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. There is something ingrained in us women, at a very young age, that reads "YOUR WEDDING IS GOING TO BE THE HAPPIEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. START DREAMING, AND PLANNING NOW!" And from the beginning its not about love, or your groom, or God. It's about a day, and more importantly... it's all about you. I think that some woman get so wrapped up in fantasizing about "the day" that they forget to think about other, more important things.

I was through overlooking the 'other more important things.'

My wedding would only be the best day of my life for one day, and then the next day would be the best, and then the day after that, then the day after that, you see where I'm going with this. If your happiness is dependent on the day, or the gown, or the guest count, or the venue, you are not getting married for the right reasons.

We eliminated all the distractions, and it was easy.

We wanted to enjoy the spoils of being married, so we planned a wedding in six days.

We felt that pleasing the Lord was more important than pleasing societies view of what an engagement, and a wedding should look like.

If you are engaged, and planning a wedding, I think that six months is a ridiculous amount of time to wait. Why tempt temptation? There is something magical that happens when the man you love slides that 2,000 dollar insurance policy on your finger.. oops I mean engagement ring, and all of the sudden you just want to jump each others bones all the time, and it's name is "we're going to get married anyway!"

There's no shame in a short engagement. Like Debbie Morris says, "God doesn't only bless big weddings. Why wait till you're burning with lust?"

Our families were extremely gracious. They stood behind us, and though they were surprised they had no problem helping throw together a wedding in six days. Six days of craziness vs six months of stress. We lucked out.

Our wedding was everything we ever wanted. I swear by short engagements now.

I'm looking forward to having hundreds of best days with my best friend.

As for today... it's a snow day, and we slept in till 11. Brady is playing Call of Duty Black Ops, and I am hammering away on these keys and watching the snow turn to ice. It feels like the best today I've ever had.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Brady and I have been talking about starting a blog for awhile. It's not that we think we're interesting, though we do, just that both of us feel like we have a lot to say. This(blogging), we both agree, is a sufficient way to express what we have to say. We both like to be heard. I think that's one of the many reasons why we adore each other. We both understand the other's need to speak out.

We weren't planning on starting this blog until life settled down a bit. We definitely didn't plan to start it on our honeymoon but something happened tonight that made me want to 'speak out'. It's not a statement or a declaration, more like a diary entry that I want to share.

Brady and I are here in San Antonio, TX on our honeymoon. It's been a wonderful, mind blowing week. Quite possibly the best of both our lives. Tonight we decided to stroll the Riverwalk and have dinner at the HardRock Cafe. After dinner and a couple drinks we decided to go in search of the bar Coyote Ugly. I've always secretly wanted to be a Coyote, I just love Jesus too much. We ended up getting turned around, and stopped to regroup on a well lit corner.

A couple nice looking guys asked Brady for the time, and began to walk on. We didn't think anything of it until one of them summed up the courage to ask us if we could give the two of them some money for dinner. The other stood off to the side and looked at his feet, you could tell it was a humbling experience for both of them. He went on to say that they were only in San Antonio for the night, and didn't have any money to eat. Brady didn't even hesitate. He pulled out his wallet, and handed the brave one a bill.

You could tell that they didn't expect us to actually help them by the looks on their faces. Brady sent them on their way, and we continued our search for the bar. Let me just stop to say that I love my husband. He is so generous, and kind. I don't know many who would have helped the two.

Not five minutes later we were crossing underneath a bridge, back on the Riverwalk, and a homeless man stopped us and asked if he could sing us a song to earn a few bucks. I don't know if it was the alcohol or the Holy Spirit but we stopped, and let him sing. He was terrible. He was loud, and smelly, and scaring the other couples that walked by.

After he had finished two songs, I asked him if I could sing for him. Anything to get him to stop. I got him to sit down beside me, and after a second of prayer I launched in to 'Here I am to Worship' and hoped for the best. He got teary eyed and sat silently as I sang. After I finished, I thanked him for taking the time to listen to me and then asked if I could pay him for his time. He readily agreed, and Brady pulled out a bill.

I think that this is the start of a beautiful marriage. We both like to be heard. I think the most meaningful way to speak out is through your actions, and Brady's actions are some of the most beautiful words I've ever heard.