Boy, Oh, BOY!!!

Yes, that's right... We're having a BOY!!!

Cutter James Brodie should be here around the end of October. We've had names picked out for years, before ever thinking about trying to have children. We wanted something unique for his first name. We saw Cutter years ago and it just stuck! James is Chris' father's first name. Chris has his grandfather's first name as his middle name, so we though we would do the same.

Cutter weighs 13 ounces and his heartbeat was 158. The ultrasound was awesome... we got to see his organs, even all the way into the four chambers of the heart! She said his head was a little big- wonder where he gets that from! The tech said everything looked great. He's healthy and we couldn't ask for anything more.

We found out Thursday, but wanted to tell people in a fun way, instead of just blurting it out. After months of deliberation, we decided to go ahead and find out. After our appointment, we bought his first outfit...

That night, we planned on telling our families through Skype (shameless plug here, but it's free). We wanted to be able to see their reactions. Since they all live a distance from us, this was the best way. We couldn't wait this time like we did when we first found out. We didn't tell my family for 3 weeks and his shortly thereafter! It was great, being able to tell them and see what they had to say.

We had to wait another day to tell friends. I wanted to do something fun, so we had a cookout at our house. Friends wore the color they thought it would be. It was neat to see the differing opinions! I couldn't think of a way to tell them, so settled on gifts for the three kids that were there. No one found out until they opened them... Jamie and Laura got boy baby dolls while Maddox got a Lightning McQueen car.

20 Weeks

I'm 20 weeks along now, so halfway there! I cannot ask for anything more- I have been blessed to have had such a fantastic experience so far. I'm still learning when to stop and rest. I tend to push myself until exhaustion or soreness, but don't realize it until I'm already to that point. Ice packs are great when you lay on them!

The room is a SLOW task right now. It's been our store-all for the last 4 years in this house, so that is taking a little while to sort through. I did manage to get the closet cleaned out and ready to put things in it. Furniture will go next, and then I can start on everything else. I'd like to get a lot of it done before I go back to school. That way, I don't have to worry about it when I'm so exhausted those first few months back. My goals only, but we'll see what actually happens!

So, I hope this world is ready for another Brodie boy in it!

After Much Consideration...

... we found out what we are having!!!

Before I tell, let me tell you about the last few months that led up to this decision...

Every girl grows up with their dream wedding in mind. Not me. Every girl wants to know what gender their baby is. Not me. Well, not exactly. I wanted to know, just not until the baby was born. That is what I grew up thinking. Wanting.

So when we found out months ago we were expecting, whether or not to find out was the big topic. He REALLY couldn't wait, I really could. It didn't matter to me if we waited all the way until our 20 week appointment or even when I delivered. He was dying. I thought he was going to have a heart attack when I scheduled the appointment for today, a Thursday, when we could have scheduled it for this past Monday. Oh well! I hadn't decided yet, and I wasn't ready, so 3 days made no difference to me.

If there is one thing we have learned through our 5 years of married life, it's compromise. We both do a lot of give and take. We decided that this time we would find out. But if we did that, it had to be on MY terms. When I wanted to, and to tell people how I wanted to. If we could wait 3 and 4 weeks to even tell our parents we were pregnant in the first place, a few hours wouldn't be too bad. Plus, I wanted time to enjoy it, just me and him, to know and to wrap our minds around it.

So, after all was said and done, we are having a...

...BABY!!!

(Don't think I was going to tell you right away! You have to wait your turn, just like everyone else!)

Baby Prayers

While hanging out after church Wednesday night, my favorite 3 year old decided she wanted to talk about the baby. I showed her how big it is now. Then, she proceeded with questions and comments, all her own, of course...

"Will it come out of your foot?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"I want it to be a girl. That way I can give her these pink shoes I can't wear anymore."

"How much longer will it be?"

"Can I hold it?"

My favorite though, gives the reason for this post:

"Do you pray for the baby?"

This question came from one of her Bible stories, where Hannah prayed for a baby. From there, she decided we should say a prayer for it. She wanted me to, but we talked her into doing it. From here on, I had to hold my breath to keep from laughing aloud, but it truly was one of the sweetest, most thoughtful prayers I've heard from a 3 year old. And long too, as she walked around the living room! Unfortunately, I cannot remember all of it, but this is just a BRIEF summary...

"Dear God, We want to pray for Taryn's baby, because this is how we talk to God. She wants a baby and I hope it is a baby girl so I can give her these pink shoes so she can wear them when she gets bigger. Please help Taryn as she decides whether she wants a girl baby or a boy baby. And help it grow bigger and bigger. Amen. I mean, in Jesus' name, Amen."

I love it! I can only hope that my little one is as hilarious, sweet and caring as she is...

Just Wait

Just wait. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that over the years. Especially before I was pregnant.

... just wait until your kids are struggling in school... just wait until you are chauffeuring your kids everywhere... just wait until this, that, and the other...

Not that I don't mind advice. In fact, I welcome it! Sometimes though, I wonder if people think I have just crawled out from under a rock. (If you have told me "just wait", this probably does not apply to you.) This applies to those general statements that make me realize that I have a lot more common sense than people either give me credit for, or even, more than they do.

I realize that a child is going to change my life. That things will not be the same as before. Those changes are already taking effect. However, I do not feel like a child is totally going to rock my world and throw me completely out of orbit. I feel prepared for many things to come. I can "just wait" for the things that are going to come my way, those things with which I am going to have to deal in many different ways. I know that there are going to be difficult and different times, but I will handle it the way that I always have: head on. And I will ask for help when needed.

There are two situations that have recently brought this to light-

1) Belly Touching. I know I might have mentioned this before, and I have talked in depth to some about it. I am a very personal person. I am not touchy-feely. I have a personal bubble, and I like it. I have only touched a pregnant belly once. My good friend knew I was not going to touch her, and when her baby boy was moving around one day, she grabbed my hand and yanked it onto her stomach. That's it. I'm not going to touch, grab, or invade someone else's personal space.

However, not all people feel this way. Many people (or one or two in particular) think that my stomach is free game. Even before there was even the slightest sign of a growing baby, they were rubbing it like it was a magic lamp and a genie was going to come out. This is not a magic 8 ball, no wax on, wax off. This is MY stomach. Not theirs.

Just wait though... they say it happens more and more often when you get bigger...

Many people have understood when I made a small comment about it. They know and understand that this is my space, and that I will invite them into it when, and only if, I feel like it. Some though, do not take a hint. Jokes do not work, small comments (like "this is a little awkward for me") have yet to be effective. The only other way I can think is to start slapping away hands. After consulting with my lawyer, I could be charged with battery, but I might be able to charge them with battery in return (for touching my belly without my consent). I'm willing to take my chances. So please, belly rubbers, be aware that if it continues, you might get slapped, or your feelings hurt when I have to tell you straight up how it is.

Moving on...

2) My toenails. Yes, a funny topic, but yet, the emotional trigger for this post this evening. There is nothing I like better than taking time to repaint my toenails. I love the way they look when just done! I had a chance to do them tonight for the first time in a few weeks. That's when frustration set in.

Just wait... you won't be able to see your toes before the end of it...

My belly is not that big yet, but nevertheless, it was in my way. Flexibility aside, I could not sit the way I normally would. I could not pull my feet toward me to reach them. Instead, picture me on the edge of the couch, feet drawn up one at a time at the most awkward, to-the-side angle ever. That's how I had to do it. And it took forever!

Much to my determination, they are done. A nice coral color for the summer. It only took a little frustration, a few tears, and a slightly sore back to accomplish it. Thankfully, I was given money at the end of the year from a student to go get them done. I'll save it for when I can't work it out myself. Thankfully, I was able to do it myself and not take Chris up on his offer to help paint. Love him, but he makes me nervous! I might have to use him later on as well.

So, all things aside, I will just wait. Patiently. I will see and experience everything that I need to and might not always want to see. However, I can wait. I will. And I will love every minute of it.

I think...

16 Going on 18

16 Weeks

18 Weeks

It makes me laugh looking at these pictures. First off, Chris has to take them, so I don't really know how they turn out until I look. That's why we take several- so at least one turns out! For some reason, I think I look bigger in my 16 week picture than I do in my 18 week. Might have been the shirts, or maybe a larger breakfast that morning.

We went to the doctor again today for a checkup. Things are still looking great! I found out I have gained 10 pounds in all. 5 in my first trimester and 5 in the last 5 weeks. Not too bad at all- just hitting new digits I have never seen before!

It's weird to hear the heartbeat. It sounds funny in the middle of the fluid. The last time we went, it took quite awhile to get it. I know we were both holding our breath while we waited. Today it did not take near as long. Luckily.

As far as I am doing, things could not be better! I feel great. No food has bothered me. I don't crave anything specifically. There are times when I want juice, or Oreos, or chips but that's it. I have noticed that I am not eating NEAR as much as I did the first trimester. I think that was to keep the nausea away... or because I was just hungry all the time!

Nausea did not last long. Never was it in the morning. Only in the evenings when I would get really tired. That was the one thing I was terrified of when I thought about becoming pregnant. Not a big fan of it!

We go back in two weeks for an ultrasound. Not 100% on finding out yet... only about 85%. Chris, on the other hand, is DYING to know. I still have two weeks left to decide...