BWildered

Merry Christmas

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:06:00 +0000

We hope your Christmas is merry and bright and filled with family and love.

Happy Christmas Eve

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:49:00 +0000

This time of year can be crazy. It can be stressful and overwhelming. And for some people it can be lonely. We can lose sight of what's truly important. But no matter how much I am stressed, no matter how much there is to do inevitably by the time I wake up Christmas Eve I am in full holiday spirit mode.

I am so happy this year because I know all the wonderful things that 2010 is going to bring. I am happy this year to be able to so close to all my family and to be able spend time with them all. I am grateful for the life I have, the man I married and the many, many other blessings God has given me. And because it is that time of year I wanted to make sure all my family knew how much they have blessed me this year and how much I love them.

Dad & Mom - You are the perfect examples of love, grace, and kindness. Thank you for continued support and encouragement throughout this year. I'm so glad Jackson has you for your grandparents. He couldn't be more blessed.

Josh & Nicole - It's not been an easy year but you have both met the challenge and showed the world that you are a team and always will be. I've watched the two of you become closer and stronger through adversity. I'm so proud of you both and blessed to call you brother & sister.

Andy & Jill - Andy you picked the right one! I'm so happy you have found the perfect girl for you. And Jill I am so happy to have you as a sister. You fit right in! Even if we still have to watch you guys make out like the newlyweds you are! :-) I know 2010 holds some awesome things for you!

Lovebug & Butterbean - Tia's girls! I love you both so much. You make me laugh. You always run at me full tilt with your arms wide open. I hope that as you grow up you know that Tia is always here for you.

Sherrie - I know it's been hard. I KNOW, but I can't imagine how you have felt this year. You've made some huge sacrifices to do the right thing. I hope you know that I'm proud to be your sister and I love you so much. I know next year is going to be a little brighter, a little better. Good things are coming. I just know it.

Bradley - You are on the right path! Keep it up! I know you are going to become someone amazing that we are all so proud of. Work hard. It's worth it. I promise.

Frank - I'm glad you were here to celebrate this year with us. I'm glad that I am getting the opportunity to know you better. Be strong. Persevere. I believe in you and what you can do.

Hubby - Love of my life. Wasn't sure I would ever get it but I did. Father of our son. You make me laugh and drive me crazy. I wouldn't have it any other way.

My heart is full today for each of you too that have read over the last year. Through the good, the bad and the sarcastic. I wish you all (yes all 8 of you!) a wonderful Christmas. I hope its full of lights and cookies and family and laughs and relaxation. Take the time to hug someone's neck today or call and tell them you love them.

Happy Christmas Eve friends.

I'm in the Christmas Weeds

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Need. More. Time.

Christmas is in FOUR days. FOUR days people. I have goodie boxes to finish, presents to wrap, and STILL more gifts to buy. Losing those few days last week really slowed me down. I've been lucky enough to not have to venture into the mall YET but I think that changes today. I'm going to have to break down and do it. Not looking forward to that too much. I think especially because I used to work in retail I really hate the mall at Christmas time. In fact I don't even really ever GO to the mall. Target is my mall.

One thing I am looking forward to this year is hosting Christmas at my house. It's a Wilder's year so we will be hanging out with the family here. Usually my SIL hosts it but this year has been a hard year for her and she needs the break. And I'm happy to give it to her and have everyone over. I'm looking forward to just hanging out all day. We have no major plans other than a lot of laziness. Which sounds right up my alley right now. Maybe I'll even sneak in a nap. There will be lots of yummy food of course. I'm still working on that part. Which reminds me I REALLY need to go to the grocery store!

This year seems to have just snuck up on me. I'm usually pretty good and done by this time. I don't know if it's because I'm moving slower or what but I'm in the weeds this year. I have to pull it together! Anyone else struggling to keep up this year? Or is it just me?

Pregnancy 101: No I'm not drunk, I just have vertigo

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Yesterday marks our first trip to Labor & Delivery. It all went swimmingly. The staff was great. They were ready and waiting for me. They got me right in and hooked up. And all because I can't seem to stand up straight. I have vertigo.

Let's talk vertigo for a minute, shall we? Have you ever had it? IT SUCKS. And when I say that in all capitals I am yelling it. It is the epitome of suckiness. It's like a really bad hangover with the spins. I can't tell you how much fun it is to stand up or sit up and suddenly find yourself nearly falling over because the world is upside down and gravity seems off. They kept us there for about an hour and a half and monitored me. They were worried that is was a high blood pressure issue, but my blood pressure was fine. Jackson was happy as lamb, active as ever. In fact they had to come in and adjust the monitor because he was moving so darn much. No distress for the little mister.

The OB on call said it isn't uncommon for her to see vertigo in pregnant women this time of year. She suggested benadryl at night and sudafed during the day. Both of which have been absolutely no help. And the waves of wooziness that come with the dizziness? Just another lovely side effect. Lucky me! As you can see I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself right now. I have 100 things I want/need to be doing right now but most of those require me being able to stay upright for long than 10 seconds at a time. So I'm wallowing a bit. I don't take back anything I've said about the parts I enjoy about being pregnant, but this is one side effect I could have done without. Especially because my body is already off balance due to the large belly in front and the loosening of my joints. Guess I'll go sit in my chair and eat some chocolate until I feel all better.

Pregnancy 101: 32 Weeks down, 8 to go

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:53:00 +0000

32 weeks. THIRTY-TWO WEEKS. That's only about 8 weeks left people. I'm not ready. I mean really. I have WAY too much to do. On the other hand I would really enjoy being able to breathe and eat and sleep (DON'T say it. I KNOW.) again.

I had my monthly check-up yesterday. Everything is looking a-ok. I'm measuring 33 weeks. I only gained 3 pounds last month (YEA ME!). And according to my midwife Jackson is in prime delivery position. Which I could have told her from the butt sticking into my lungs and the fingers playing around down, ahem, south.

The last week has been a little rough. Insomnia is getting worse. I find myself staying up until I can barely keep my eyes open hoping that once I hit the bed I will zonk out. Not so much. It takes such an effort to find a comfortable position. And I toss and turn all night. My poor hubby is finding himself on the couch nearly every night. Not because I make him move but because I keep waking him up. Poor guy. He has to be at work at 4 a.m. so he really needs his sleep. And I'm sure part of the reason for his move is my snoring. Oh yes. I am now a champion snorer apparently. Sexy.

The heartburn has been out of control too. I'm trying a new tactic of eating small little meals all day long. More like snacking all day. And gulping my water down earlier in the day in hopes that it helps. I have discovered if I just stay upright for at least an hour after I eat something it cuts down on the heartburn quite a bit. And at this point everything gives me heartburn expect water.

My belly is starting to look like something out of Alien. At different points of the day Jackson will just push against different parts of my belly and I look all lopsided. His kicks are getting so strong they actually will make me jump. And some of them tickle. Which is weird. I think we are both getting a little cramped with our situation and will be quite ready to have our own space. But I know I will miss this time of just him and I. We will never again be as close as we are now. I believe everyone when they say that I will actually miss his kicks. Although sometimes they hurt a bit they still make me smile. That's my boy in there. My son. And I'm just about ready to see his scrunchy little face.

My Favorite Girls

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:06:00 +0000

If you have been hanging around this site for any length of time you know how much I adore my nieces. They are the funniest little human beings I've ever met. My youngest niece, the Lovebug, seems to be the most excited about Jackson's arrival and also very concerned about the size of my belly. She's asked me more than once, "Why you belly so big?" And the other day when she was at my house she stuck her ear to my belly and told me that Jackson told her that he is ready to come out and play with her and that he loves her very much.

My oldest niece, my Butterbean, has proudly declared that she believe Jackson's is going to be a genius. I believe she is probably right. I had a dream the other night about her holding him and cooing at him. She also asked me a few weeks ago when he was going to come out. I told her in February and she asked if that was after Christmas. I said yes it was and she sighed and said, "That's forever from now." I agree kid.

I took the girls out a few weeks ago to get some fall pictures of them. Here's a few of my favorites.

Pregnancy 101: Getting Weighed Down

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Do you remember this post about weight? Did you read the post written by my friends Michelle and Lori? If you didn't you should. It was a good series and it was nice to read about other women's struggle with weight. A few days ago I read another post that really touched me and brought it all to the forefront again. Jenna over at That Wife is also pregnant with her first child. She is a few months behind me but she wrote a blogpost the other day about pregnancy and weight gain that really hit me.

15 weeks

I've shared with you before that I struggle with my weight. I am, by no means, someone that will ever be 110 pounds or a size 6. For me weight is a daily struggle. Something that if I want to maintain a certain weight I have to be on top of it daily. There is no break or down time. Before I got pregnant I was attempting to not only drops some pounds but also change my body image and self-esteem about the whole issue. I don't WANT to be someone that obsesses about it. I don't want to spend my days counting calories and pounds. I want to be healthy and I want to be proud of who I am no matter what my body looks like.

16 weeks

Before I got pregnant I had lost a little over 20 pounds of the course of quite a few months. I was working on changing my attitude towards food and allowing myself to still enjoy food but within moderation. When May hit and I got pregnant I wanted very much to not just throw caution to the wind and eat all the crap in the world because I'm now "eating for two (HELLO MYTH WE TELL OURSELVES TO EAT MORE!)". The first trimester was not super easy. I wasn't sick but I figured out quickly that if I didn't constantly keep my stomach full I would feel sick. So I did. Kept my stomach full and the pounds started coming back. Second trimester was actually easier. I gained less in those three months then I had in the three previous. So I was feeling pretty good about that. But now the weight is really coming on. And coming on strong. And two weeks ago I found my first stretch marks. I am not kidding you when I say that as soon as I saw them I walked away from the mirror because I was ready to cry. Personally I think making it to seven months without stretch marks is pretty good but now they are there and they are also coming on with a vengeance. And every time I see them I cringe and quickly cover my belly.

20 weeks

I know people say that this is not the time for me to worry about my weight. That I'm supposed to gain weight, blah, blah, blah. And I do get that. But I don't want to be on the other side of this and have 100 pounds to lose (of course I exaggerate. Lord help me if I did!). Being a first time mom I can only IMAGINE the insecurities I will be facing at the time. Am I doing this right? Am I going to break him? Will I be a good mom? I don't want this to be one more insecurity piled on. I do try to be aware of what I am eating and making good choices. If I'm hungry during the day I try to reach for a piece of fruit over candy. I'm not eating out anymore now that I'm not working but when I was I still tried to make good choices. Sandwich vs. a hamburger. At night the chocolate monster hits though and I have to have just a little bit. Plus, I feel a bit doomed because all the women in my family get HUGE with pregnancy. And I don't just mean fat. I mean belly for days. My teeny-tiny sister was a walking belly. In reality I have gained most of it there. I can still pull on my pants I used to wear and they fit everywhere but the belly. I can pull my shirts on but nothing is buttoning across my, ahem, chest (HOLY cow people. That's what I feel like.). So I try to focus on that and think that maybe it isn't so bad. But the fact of the matter is there is excess weight and Jackson isn't taking it all when he vacates the premises.

31 weeks

This is not what I want to be focused on right now. What I want to be focused on is this little guy that plays soccer for hours on end in my belly. I want to be focused on preparing myself and my life and my house for this newest addition. So how do I handle it? How did you handle it? Did you through caution to the wind and say "I'll deal with it then"? Or did you deal with it daily?

Happy Birthday Dad

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Today is my dad's birthday. When I think of my dad the first word that comes to mind is kindness. There isn't a mean bone in his body. After any of my friends meet my dad the first they they always say is, "I love your dad! He is SO nice!" And he is. I've never met another human being with such a heart for people. My dad is the epitome of an example of a Godly man. I know he isn't perfect but he is one of those rare people that will stand up and admit when he was wrong and do it in a humble manner.

The thing that I always impresses me about my dad is HOW he is my dad. He married my mom and had a ready-made family. A new wife and two little girls under 5 for a guy who had never been married and was very much used to doing things a certain way. But we never felt the stress or the struggle (I'm sure at times it was there.) And when my brother came along it wasn't any different. We didn't suddenly feel pushed aside by the "real" kid. (And I have to say that my dad's family was the SAME way. Which says a lot about them and why my dad is the way he is.) There was never any difference between us. We were all his kids. I cannot imagine being under 30 and suddenly acquiring the responsibility of two kids and a wife. My dad adopted my sister and I when I 14. We always went by his last name but they waited to make it official until I was old enough to make the decision for both my sister and I. There was no question as to what our answer was. Of course. He was our dad. This song always reminds me and my sister of our dad. If you haven't heard it, grab a tissue.

It has been such a joy for me to watch my dad with my hubby too. Like any father he made sure I was sure about committing myself to him for the rest of my life. I think my dad would be perfectly happy if he was the number one man in our lives for the rest of our lives! But now as I watch my hubby and dad sit and talk and my dad offers up advice or praise sometimes it just makes me want to cry. I'm so glad they are forming this relationship and growing closer. Especially now with Jackson on the way. I can't wait to see my dad interact with my son. He is an awesome Papa to his girls and I know he is going to be awesome with Jackson.

Happy birthday Dad! I love you so much and I'm proud to be your daughter.

Happy Birthday Roomie

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Happy birthday to my old Roomie. Girl, you will always be the one that got me off the couch. And for that I'm forever grateful. Thanks for all the laughs and the hugs and the crying on each other's shoulders. Happy birthday dear friend.

Jump on the Bandwagon: FeatherBrain Headbands

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:48:00 +0000

I love headbands. LURVE them. I, however, have a very large head and find that they tend to either give me a headache or slowly slide off the back of my head. Not cute. Plus, I've always been into accessories. I mean, it totally makes the outfit! And now that I'm pregnant and I find myself wearing the same five things over and over the only way I can change it up is to add cute accessories. Enter FeatherBrain.

I have been looking for some cute, flexible headbands to wear. Specifically with the thin headband. I first saw these on The Pioneer Woman's website and just fell in love with them. They are so beautiful! I went to Etsy and just drooled over all the stuff in her shop. After many hours of selection I narrowed it down to a pretty peacock feather. I already know exactly where I want to wear this too. I think that these would make awesome gifts too! Plus, they are on sale so perfect for this time of the year! This headband fits really well. It's snug without giving me a headache and has enough give to fit over my melon head. I'm now drooling over all her other headbands. I can find at least 6 that I would like to own!

Sorry about the weird photo! I wanted you to see how it fits!

Let it Snow

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:37:00 +0000

I can hardly believe it but it actually snowed here last night! It's already melting and melting quickly but it sure is beautiful.

Purty Update

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:22:00 +0000

I updated the blog! I found the background and banner at The Cutest Blog on the Block. They really do have the cutest stuff! What do you guys think of the make-over?

And here is my most favorite commercial right now. Who else thinks this sounds like Britney Spears?

Pregnancy 101: Not So Much a Lady

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:30:00 +0000

AMEN.

Happy Thanksgiving

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day full of friends, family, love and lots of yummy food!

Pregnancy 101: Third Trimester Insomnia

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:55:00 +0000

I've read online from multiple people and multiple sites that once the third trimester hits a lot of women experience insomnia. I would read different womens blogs and twitter about how they would be wide awake at 3 a.m. and starving or unable to go back to sleep. I'm exactly two weeks into my third trimester and am the lucky girl that is already experiencing this phenomenon.

Starting at the end of last week I wake up every night around 2 or 3 and am just awake. I'm a little uncomfortable, sometimes really hungry, but mostly WIDE awake. It's so annoying. I find myself tossing and turning from side to side begging myself for sleep. I have tried to counteract this by making sure I have a glass of milk before I go to bed so I don't get hungry but I still wake up. I bought myself a body pillow awhile ago and that has worked like a charm up until now. I just can't seem to figure out what it is. All I know is that I'm super annoyed by it. When I wake up I internally groan and think "Not again!". People I just want my SLEEP.

Did any of you experience the third-trimester insomnia? How did you deal with it? I would love to hear any tricks or suggestions you have!

Type A Unemployment

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Okay so when I got laid off last week I decided I was going to take a vacation. I haven't had a vacation since we got married in 2007. I mean, I have taken a few days off here and there but not multiple days in a row and just vegged. So I told my hubby I was giving myself a break and was going to take a vacation for the rest of the week. That lasted exactly a day and half before I was bored out of my mind. So much for vegging.

So to save my sanity I have put myself on a schedule. I have a list of things to get done everyday and they include projects that have been left in the dust since I got pregnant and have had no energy to cleaning the house. It also helps that this week is Thanksgiving week. Lots of prep to do. I've scheduled my entire day by hour right down to dinner time. At least this way I have a goal in mind.

The only problem with this is that it is SO easy to get distracted! And suddenly I find myself behind. Which I do realize is no big deal but I'm a goal driven person so when you don't actually accomplish the goal its annoying. Because seriously? I have the time to do it all. Plus in the last few days I'm being rudely awakened at 3 or 4 in the morning by a growling stomach and a kicking son. It is taking me about an hour or so to get back to sleep and then I want to ignore my alarm when it goes off. On one hand I think maybe I should just let myself sleep until I wake up, but I don't want to be a sloth. And I don't want to get too used to all the sleep! Only 3 more months until I will be getting no sleep!

Today on the agenda is not only some cleaning but also decorating for Christmas! Everything but the tree of course (because I ONLY use a live tree!). I can't wait to get all my Christmas stuff out. Should take me a good few hours to get it all done so I will feel quite accomplished at the end of the day!

How do you SAHM's handle the scheduling? Do you make lists or have goals in mind daily?

New Moon

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Yes, I am writing about Twilight two days in a row. You didn't think I would be able to say nothing about it did you? I won't give anything away but I will tell you it was good. Really, really good. Cinematically it was shot much better. I think they had a new director on this one and it was much less dark and twisty. Kristen Stewart looks a lot better in this one as well. I liked it better than Twilight!

The line was CRAZY. We got there at 8:45 and there was already a line inside and out! And apparently some of the people had been there since before 3 p.m.! They had showings at 12:01 (our time), 12:02, 12:03 and 1:00. And I think on the hour after that because when we left at 2:30 there were people lined up for the next showings. Yes. 2:30. A.M. I'm beat. But it was worth it. And so much fun. One thing we did miss out on was that they were showing Twilight before New Moon. So you could see it in the theater and then watch New Moon. I wish I would have known that! I would have totally spent all day at the theater!

Now, however, I'm going to have to go sleep the day away cuz Momma is TI-RED.

Team Edward

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:53:00 +0000

Tonight's the BIG night! New Moon premieres at 12:01 and I will be there. Yes, I am dragging my 7-month pregnant and swollen body to the movie theater at midnight to watch a teenage movie. WHAT?!

I've read this series two times already and I'm reading Twilight again right now in preparation for the movie. And I fully intend to watch the movie today too. Good thing I'm not working I've got some serious business to attend to.

I actually really hated New Moon the first time I read it because HELLO? NO EDWARD for 70% of the book. Boo. But I think the movie will be a little bit easier to get through since Jacob is magically delicious (and yes I realize that is just a bit creepy since he is 17 but COME ON. He's the one parading around without a shirt on!)

Anyone else being a dedicated "Twihard" and going to the showing tonight? I'll be the one there with the Team Edward shirt on.

You watch this and tell me Jacob isn't MAGICALLY DELICIOUS.

Happy Anniversary

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:05:00 +0000

(Because I'm the awesomest wife ever I COMPLETELY forgot to schedule my anniversary post. So here it is today, a day late. LAME. But hey! It's here!)

November 2007-The Memory Journalists

Today is my second wedding anniversary. In some ways it has absolutely flown by. I can't believe it has already been two years! In other ways it seems a lot longer. We've moved three times, changed jobs twice, gotten laid off twice, been separated by job training for three months and survived terrible coworkers and crazy bosses. And here we are starting a new adventure in our life, waiting for the arrival of our son.

September 2008

He is my best friend. The first person I want to talk to when things go bad. The first person I want to celebrate with when things go good. He's my sounding board and my soft place to land. He's calm when I'm wound up and always willing to go to bat for me. He is always consistent and reliable and I know I can depend on him.

November 17, 2009

Happy anniversary my love! I love you so much and I'm looking forward to the next 20 years!

Guess I'll just stay at home

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

No more 8:30 meetings that last 2 hours, sometimes more and say the same thing over and over. No more 4:30 meetings telling me what a crappy job I'm doing. No more to-do lists that have 25 plus things on it that I can never quite get through. No more tears (over this). No more stress (related to this). No more feeling like a hamster trapped in a wheel performing the definition of insanity.

Yesterday I got laid off. And I should be upset. I should be devastated by it. But I'm not. Not even a little bit. I can't even muster a little regret up. It was so obviously not the place for me. And I was there simply because it was a job that paid me. I cannot even begin to describe you the weight I felt was physically lifted off of me when they told me.

I have a few ideas of what I'm going to do. A few plans I want to try to get going. Mostly I'm going to enjoy these last three months of pregnancy and take this time to ready my house for the arrival of Mr. Jackson. I'm fully aware at some point I will probably have a freak out about the fact that I don't have a job, but hubby and I are on the same page. We both feel this is the best thing that could have happened. When I'm stressed so is he and removing the source of stress is good for both of us. We are going to be okay. Actually better than okay. We are going to be great. I just feel it. So congrats to me for getting out of the rat race for a little while! Think I'll go eat some bon-bons in celebration.

Happy Birthday Momma!

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Today is my Momma's birthday! She doesn't look a day over 30. I hope I age as well as she does. She's not only beautiful on the outside but she is gorgeous on the inside.

Momma is the center of our family. She's our cheerleader, our comforter, our shoulder to cry on, our confidante and the best example that any of us could ask for of a good mother and wife. We can only hope that we follow her example and be as good as she is.

Momma, I love you so much. Especially now as I head into this adventure of motherhood. I read somewhere that when you get pregnant and become a mother you appreciate your parents, especially your mother, so much more. And it's true. When I think of the fact that my mom did this THREE times it blows me away.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday Momma! We are so blessed to be your children. Thank you teaching us (STILL!) and being our rock!

Pregnancy 101: 27 Weeks

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:19:00 +0000

I'm officially 27 weeks. Or at least I was as of Monday. 27 weeks. I can't believe it! Only 2 weeks left in my second trimester and then its off to the finish line. I'm experiencing the fun pregnancy symptoms now. Feeling Jackson's kick and punch my insides and today he had the hiccups!

I'm carrying him VERY LOW. In fact that is the second thing women comment on when they see me. The first is "HOW HUGE I AM". So all is soccer playing he is doing is happening way, way down there. My favorite part is when he is waking up in the morning. He pretty much wakes me up every morning with his dance routine.

This past weekend I went with my Momma and we picked out the nursery stuff. I'm so excited about it! Although I did throw everyone for a loop because originally I had a very specific idea in mind and I completely went a different direction. I'm not going to tell you what we are doing yet because I want to wait until we get it all together and show you. But it has something to do with one of my favorite things!

Hubby has taken to giving my belly the rub down. I think now that I'm really showing it is making it more real for him. He hasn't been able to feel Jackson move yet because the little nudger stops moving as soon as I try to get Hubby to feel it! I'm hoping soon he will be able to feel him move though.

The worst parts right now is my stinkin' sciatic. It doesn't bother me everyday but when it does it is pretty awful and will stay with me for a few days. I haven't been having the headaches which is awesome. I have been getting a little swelling but it's mostly when I'm on my feet too much and I need to give myself a break.

Today is exactly 13 weeks until Jackson's due date. THIRTEEN WEEKS. That is so close! I can't believe that in such a short amount of time I'm going to have my son in my arms. I can't wait!

Getting Schooled

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Today I'm going back to school. When I started out in college my goal was to get a degree in photography and tote around my camera for the rest of my life. But due to the choices I made and the college I went to that didn't happen. Of course I still tote that camera around but not like I thought I would.

Over the last year I've been really working on getting better at my craft and learning what I can about digital photography and processing and setting up the perfect shot. And its so much fun. I'm taking one more step today to improve my favorite past time. I'm going to the Kelby Photoshop Seminar. And I'm so freaking excited! The people teaching this class are the best of the best and this seminar is hailed as one of the finest. It's an all day thing so I hope my little pregnancy brain can hold the plethora of information that they are about to give me. I'll let you know how awesome it is (sidebar: have you noticed that awesome is my word of month lately? I can't stop saying it!) and how worth the money it was!

Pregnancy 101: The Good Stuff

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:55:00 +0000

I don't HATE being pregnant. It's not the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Most of the time I feel pretty good. I have the yucky stuff I deal with (Could I BE anymore tired? Don't answer that. Also, since when did CHOCOLATE give anyone heartburn?) but for the most part I can still do most of the stuff I want and keep up with about 80% of what I'm used to doing. Plus there's a big prize at the end of the TEN MONTHS (Who made up that 9 month lie?), so a little discomfort is well worth it.
There has however been a few things that have happened since I got into my second trimester that are pretty cool. Example #1, I got's me some nice nails:

Do you SEE those nails? First of all, let me explain I have NEVER had nails this long unless they were made out of plastic. I am one of those lucky people that my nails grow just past the quick and then split and rip. Plus I used to be a major nail biter. I have small, chubby little grabbers so the short nails always made my hands look so much worse. I've never really liked my hands because of how small and chubby they are and because I had no nails. But now! Lookie here! I've got some pretty fantastic nails going on! My hubby loves them because they are good back scratchers. I love them because they make me feel pretty. Especially when they are painted. In fact they are growing so fast (and strong I might add) that they are almost becoming an annoyance. But I'm not complaining! No siree! I know only a few more months and they will be a thing of the past, so I'll enjoy them while I have them.

Example #2, model worthy hair:

I have always had pretty nice hair. It's very thick and there is bunches and gobs of it. I can do a lot of things with it. Plus I've always been of the mindset that it's JUST hair and if I hate something I've done with it I'll just dye it dark brown or grow it out. However, THIS hair. THIS hair my friends is luxurious hair! This is the type of hair women kill for! I have a routine with my hair down pretty good. It only gets washed every two days (Wash it Monday, wash it Wednesday, wash it Friday, etc.). This works really well for my hair because I've trained it to be less oily and as heavy as my hair is blow drying it is a CHORE. And this is also why every time I DO wash my hair someone asks me if I got my hair colored. I just tell them no, I just washed it. But my old hair shed A LOT. I mean, clog-up-the-bath-and-have-to-pour-a-bottle-of-Drano-down-it-every-6-weeks, alot. However, pregnancy hair? Holy beautiful hair. I hardly shed at all. It's silkier than it's ever been. And the oiliness is pretty much non-existent. I mean I can literally go almost 4 days without washing my hair and it looks as good on day four as it did on day one! Crazy! And hello weed-like growing hair! You remember a few months a go when I chopped all my hair off? I've mourned it ever since. I just like my hair long so I've been trying to grow it out again and up until about 2 months ago it was doing it at a snails pace. All of the sudden it's in the race to win it! Go hair! Of course, all those Debbie Downers out there have made sure to let me know that most women (And I'm sure I'll fall into this category as it happened to both my mom and sister.) lose quite a bit of hair after they give birth but honestly I think it will be okay because I've got PLENTY to spare right now.

Example #3, I'm never wearing pants with a waist again:

I would like to kiss the person on the mouth who invented this pants. There is no comfort in the world like maternity pants. It's like a big sigh of relief everytime I do. It's genius I tell you. Of course it sucks that styles are so limited and let's be honest, not always so cute, but girl all you need is a few good staples and you are set! I have a black pair of work pants, a brown pair of work pants, a pair of jean capris and a pair of brown cargos. I'm looking to add two pairs of jeans and I'll be good. I would wear these pants 24 hours a day, two days in a row. It was a little weird before I became the walking belly to have a band up that high but now it's nothing but love. I'm seriously considering keeping these pants and wearing them every holiday season. Think of it! Everyone puts on a few pounds at the holidays and wishing they had more room for all that yummy food! In these pants? You got all the room you need.

There are a few other things that I can think of that I love about being pregnant but these are my top three. And I fully intend to enjoy every single, solitary minute I have them. What did you love about being pregnant or what do you think you are looking forward to?

I Heart Glee

breewilder@gmail.com (Bree) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:42:00 +0000

Okay, so if you are friends with me on FB or follow me on Twitter than you know I HEART GLEE. No seriously. It is my newest, greatest love and I can't get enough. And if you aren't watching it I feel very, very sad for you. I might even shed a tear or two. Because you are missing the awesomeness. The kids are awesome, the singing is SO cool, the teachers are dorky in the coolest way and did I mention the COOL songs? Look here, don't take my word for it. Check out these clips and then tell me you aren't interested.

Seriously, how can you not LOVE the singing. I wish I could have found the full clips of some of the other songs but you can catch up on on all the episodes on Fox. And you MUST watch it next Wednesday. It's not to be missed. And then you can come back here and thank me profusely.