Oh look! Another post!

So I have been thinking a lot about what I have wanted and where I want to be and so on and so forth. Here's what I have been learning, and I will tie it into how it pertains to my pregnancy right now. So, you know how in the bible it teaches not to judge others and to be loving and accepting? Simple, most basic Christian moral values right? We learn about it almost everytime we go to church. Bible also tells us that God answers our prayers and knows our deepest desires. I think this is so true! For so long, I have wanted to be married and have a happy family, but I didnt think it would happen out of order. My plan was to go to school, get a good job, meet someone, fall in love, get married, work for a while, then have kids. Sounds like a great plan huh? Well to be honest, My lifestyle wasnt quite matching up to the perfectly paved road I sought out. So this is what happened: I got pregnant by an ex boyfriend who I was barely dating, at the most aweful time! I had just finished my BA and was on to getting my Masters. That was NOT my plan!!!! Im sure if you read my early posts you can tell the distress I was in when I first found out I was pregnant. When I took my first test I literally prayed that I would get a "just kidding" note from the doctor. So my second thought after the initial shock was "now I am obligated to stay with Taylor." Not that hes a bad guy because he totally isnt, but we did have a past that wasnt successful and I was unsure of how commited he was, much less, how committed I was. I had spent the past two years being single and was in the mind set that I was going to be single until I was 25! Ok, enough rambling... I have learned most that prayers are answered in the most odd ways. I had prayed or was praying to God that I would be able to change my lifestyle. How did He do this? By allowing me to get pregnant. This is where judgement ties in. You see, things happen to people as a lesson and often as an answered prayer. It might not always look like we expect it to, but if we seek to align our lives with Gods will, then he will do just that. No matter how bizzare it might look. So, people can see me and think "oh, shes not even married, living with her bf and is pregnant... poo on her" But I see it as a huge blessing, not only for me but for Taylor. This experience has helped us grow up, grow closer, and find a love that is bigger than just us. We have appreciation for each other, and one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever heard of.

I thought God was punishing me, but it turns out that I am being blessed beyond belief. He has chosen me to carry a new creation of life and to take care of this child. I am so lucky and happier than I have ever been. Taylor and I have a love for each other that I dont think either one of us has ever experienced. I feel like I am getting everything I have ever wanted and cant help but ask, "Why, God?". Not to say that this experience isnt going to be difficult, and I know we will face many challanges but as of right now I am overwhelmed with love and support from my friends and family. I literally feel like the luckiest girl ever.

God really does work in mysterious ways, and when you think your life is taking a turn for the worst, step back and take a look at the big picture... What have you been praying for and how is that situation a blessing in disguise? And remember, if God brings you to it, He will get you through it!


Thanks for everyones support and love. I cant imagine what I would do without such amazing friends and family. I love yall so much and cant wait to share the life of my baby with you all!

16 weeks and 5 days

Sooo, everything has been going well. I was feeling a little sick this past sunday and monday (tummy troubles) but am feeling better now! I had a doctors appt today and he only checked the heartbeat. Bummer... I love getting ultrasounds. My next appt is on Sept 15 and this special technician lady is going to take measurements of everything and give me a better estimated due date... AND!!!!!!!!.... I will also be able to find out the gender!! YAY.. Ok but there is an issue. Tara was supposed to do a gender cake party where only she knew the gender and then made a cake and then we invited our friends and then cut in the cake and yaddy yaddy... But now, my appt is on a thursday bc thats the only day this lady is working, and Hannahs wedding rehersal and ceremony is that weekend, then Tara goes to PWs the next week/weekend, so we'd have to wait at least two more weeks after we even found out... I seriously dont want to wait that long! So I am trying to think of another cute way to reveal the babys gender. I dont even want to wait for two weeks.. And I am sad that I didnt even get to see poppy today! Oh, well... baby will be here soon enough!

In the mean time, I am keeping myself very busy. School is going to take up a lot of time, and work, and I have something going on almost every weekend til the end of time. Hopefully I can manage everything. The house finally came together really well... it looks homey and is very nice. I am happy with everything so far.

Still havent been able to feel the baby yet.. I am ready to feel him/her! And I lost another 2 pounds... I need to gain weight!

Blog soon,
ALyssa and Poppy

15 weeks and 5 days

So it has been about a week since I last posted. Taylor and I are moved in to our house. Just been getting everything put into place.. which takes forever! I have been feeling better, eating more, and getting really good sleep at night. I still get tired early but I am not taking naps during the day so I am just exhausted by bedtime. Today classes started. Taylor already finished his 3 for the day and I am about to start my first one! I have class 3 times a week in the evenings from 530-830. And I will work one full day and two half days during the week as well. Going to be a busy busy semester! But I am officially starting grad school which is exciting and scary at the same time. This weekend Taylors parents are coming into town and we are going to a wedding for his friend on saturday. Should be fun.

So anyway, I have my next doctors appt on tuesday. I always get excited to go. Hopefully Taylor can go and my sister too. I just really want to know the gender already. I was reading my books/stuff online and it said as early as week 16 you can feel the baby move. I havent felt anything yet but I really really want to. I am also ready to start showing! I feel like I just look fat or bloated. I know people who know me can tell that its not just too much icecream but I want to look pregnant already... And I know by the time I look uberly preggo Ill wish I was skinny again. There are just so many fun things to look forward to! Now that we are in the house I am ready to start decorating the baby room. Right now its acting as storage. Anyway, its the mystery of the disappearing baby bump... hopefully it will be obvious soon!!!!!! Baby is an avacado now... woot woot, guacamole!


Ok, classes are starting and I need to pee <3

Love,

Alyssa and Avacado

14 weeks, 4 days

Well last night me and Taylor signed the lease to our house. Sunshine house for 24 months! I am excited and I know its going to be a great starter home. The landlord is really cool too so I am excited about everything. We will move in this weekend! I am excited, and nervous at the same time. Taylor is really excited too so that makes me happy. We have been doing good. He just finished summer school and now fall semester starts in about 10 days... oh my lanta.. gonna be a tough semester. Especially taking finals about 8 months pregnant. I can do it though. It will be a fun challange. So lately I have been bipolar in my emotions and physical well being. I have had a couple of really bad migraines paired with nausea. I threw up yesterday and was nauseous all day. This past weekend I was ok on friday then sick on saturday night with a headache. I went to Taylors show (which was really good!) but my head was killing me. I took tylenol but that doesnt help. Usually sleep and an ice pack on my head does the trick. I still have bad acne on my face, irregular bowel movements, and on and off nausea. Still tired but its only sometimes, not as bad as before. For example, packing boxes takes longer because I get more tired easily. Thank GOD I got movers :) So other than that I am just getting a bigger belly. Havent really gained much weight... I actually have lost weight! Thats a good thing I guess, at least I am not blowing up like a balloon! I dont think Ill lose anymore weight from here on out. Its time to gain a pound a week, says What to Expect.

I have definitely been busy since P1, since I was chosen as SGL. It has been time consuming yet rewarding at the same time. I am trying to keep up with my commitments and small group and others in my class. Tara finally agreed to go so I am thankful for that! I finally got to hang out with all the girls this past week and I am soooo glad I did. They are all very supportive and happy for me. I have such good friends! They all wanna see my belly, and go to the baby showers, and meet the baby. I am so anxious to know the gender!!! I wanna know so bad. Taylor of coarse wants a boy... I have a feeling its going to be a boy. But who knows! My doc said we wont know until next months visit. These next two visits are critical times to watch over my uterus because Ill be in the 5 month range. So far I have had no problems, but hes going to take extra care. Gender isnt as important as my health and the babys health. I am sure everything will be fine.. just have to double check. So far this has been the craziest experience of my life. I cant wait to really start showing and decorating the room and baby showers!!!! and especially meeting my child!! ahhhh.. SO excited!

blue dress- Aug 3rd (13 weeks)
work out clothes pic- Aug 13 (14 weeks)

12 weeks and 6 days

Poppy is getting so big now! I just love going to ultrasounds to see it (him/her?). I am acutally lucky because women normally dont get ultrasounds everytime they go, but my uterus is all funky so I get one every month! Hey, works for me! Yesterday my mom went with me which was super cool. I am glad she got to go. Surprisingly she didnt cry... Usually shes niagra falls but I think she enjoyed seeing her grandbaby. Doctor said everything looked normal and good. Baby is growing like it should and the heart beat is 156. NORMAL! Thank God. I lost 2 more pounds. So I am 130 now. I wonder how much weight I will gain. I am hoping no more than 20 pounds. I just want to be healthy and not turn into a beached whale. Anyway, Taylor and I had our first counseling session and it went really well. I am glad we are going. It was just basic questions but he gave us questionnaires to fill out and then an online assessment that rates our compatibility and shows areas we need to work on. I think it will be good to help us be on the same page. We had our first fight... not really a fight though.. I guess misunderstanding, hurting of each others feelings, idk what to call it. But it wasnt necessarily bad. We were able to be open and honest with each other and there are still things we both need to work on. In this situation its what I need to work on. But we are moving forward at a good rate I think and everything seems like its gonna work out. I think we are gonna live in the Sunshine House. Its the best so far. I can see us being a family there and I really like that idea.

Tonight I am celebrating my birthday with Ashley, Bailey and Tara. I am excited. Me and Bailey are gonna look at rings before dinner at Perico's. Andy is gonna propose (not saying when bc Bailey might read this!) and we need to be prepared. I am excited and so is she. I cant believe we are all growing up. I am so thankful for such great friends and family <3 I dont know what I would do if I was completely on my own!

Ok I think thats it for now!

Peace, Love and Poppy <3

12 weeks and 4 days

So here's a new picture. Jeans are getting tighter and belly is getting bigger. Finally took my belly button ring off. And we didnt have much luck looking at houses this past week. We might move into the sunshine house. Its off babcock and is 3 bedroom 2 bath. Slightly small kitchen and bedrooms but it could definitely work. I like that it looks and feels like home, tile/wooden floors, and great owners that seem really nice and flexible. Ive been feeling better. Not as nauseous, but still tired and my face breaks out non-stop. Its annoying. And I recently got a canker sore in my mouth (maybe due to stress from pathways?) and it hurts sooo bad. Its been almost a week, and its hard to eat and brush my teeth. Anyway, its my birthday week! So I will be 22 this Saturday and will be 13 weeks preggo! Its exciting... I am going to be soo busy this semester. Finishing pathways, hannahs wedding, my baby showers, living with Taylor, starting graduate school, working, counseling, prenatal classes, doctors visits, and just being pregnant in general! Should be interesting... But I know I can handle it. Just gotta take one step at a time. I do have money saved so if anything I can stop working. Not something I want to do though. We need to save as much as we can. I am excited for a new change in life. With challenges comes growth. I have a lot of growing up to do and I feel like this birthday marks the end of my youth. I am officially grown up. Bitter/sweet. I had a good youth though... thankfully my mom didnt let me grow up too fast. I had a great high school and college experience.. now its time to live in the "real world". I cant believe family and career are next in my life. I have my next doctors visit tomorrow. I love seeing the baby on the screen. My mom is coming too so she is really excited. I am excited for her to come too. We went shopping in Fredricksberg yesterday and we immediately were drawn to the girls stuff, big bows, tu-tus, ruffles and pink, pink and more pink. Still excited to find out the gender, hopefully by next month!!!

Anyway, othr than that everything has been good. Taylor and I have good communication and we spent the weekend together, which was nice. My mom is coming to my work today to see me at my job, haha. She wants to see and meet everyone and we are going to lunch. I am excited. Growing up is kinda fun :) (might not be saying that in a few weeks/months/years!)

Love,
Alyssa and Peach