timeline

Almost eleven years ago I met the love of my life...at a keg race get together between our greek houses...on one of my first days in Manhattan...he was the first boy I met...I was a big fan:)

For a year and a half I was kind of a b knew he was the one, but was too scared to jump into a relationship...lets just say I changed my mind a lot... 

Fifteen months after we met I sent Brady an email...I was ready to give 'us' a try...

Fifteen months and THREE DAYS later Brady responded to my email...we finally had our first kiss that night...:)

Almost nine years ago we said 'I love you'....

A little over five years ago he proposed...

Exactly four years ago we said, 'I do'...:)

This year has been one of the hardest we have ever gone through...Brady has been my rock...loving me through emotional meltdowns and personal triumphs...I am so lucky and I can't wait to add more memories to our timeline.

Happy Halloween!

What is the only day of the year that you can dress like an idiot and not feel like an idiot...Halloween! I love dressing up! For four years, Brady and I, and most of our friends, had the privilege of dressing in random costumes and outfits for a number of date parties...how I miss those days! I have decided that I am now going to use Halloween, and my desire to be a fun parent, as my excuse to dress up with Parker. From now on, we are going to have a yearly family theme--do you think he will still let me do this when he is in middle school?

My first idea was to go as the Wizard of Oz. I was going to be Dorothy, Brady the Scarecrow, Parker the Lion, and Piper Toto. Well, because I do not have time to make a costume--eh, ok, so maybe I don't have the talent either-- I went on a hunt for a Dorothy costume. That is when I discovered that the only Dorothy costumes under $40 are slutty. I don't understand the need for women to use Halloween as an excuse to dress slutty--sorry, sorry, that is an entirely different topic. Because of this, and the fact that I had waited until the last minute, I had to find something that was fast and easy. So.....we went as bananas and Parker was our monkey! I waited so long that I had to buy a kids costume for myself, but it worked out pretty well!


Brady is such a good sport!

No more pictures, mom!

Parker and my friend, Andrea's son, Cayman. So cute!

At my friend, Erika's halloween party!

We had such a fun Halloween and next year, I know I need to start thinking of ideas in September!

How time flies!!

Warning! This post is slightly cheesy!! Almost nine years ago, I met my best friend; two years ago, I married him. Brady was the first boy I met in Manhattan (well, at least the first boy I can remember:). We had both just joined greek houses and were at a joint event for both of our houses--ok, ok, it was a keg race (don't tell Parker) and I had had one beer over my limit (yes, that means one beer). If you know me at all, you know this means I was extremely talkative. I had a crush on Brady from the minute I laid eyes on him and went right up and introduced myself. After that, I told everyone I met that, "I was a big fan of Brady's!" "Barn Party" 2003

From that point on we spent a year and a half dancing around the idea of dating. Brady was the boy I couldn't admit I needed and I was the girl who wouldn't kiss him. I finally came to my senses and asked him to our formal our sophomore year-I know what you are thinking, and yes, it wasn't until he stopped chasing me that I finally realized I wanted him. From that moment on, we were inseparable.

Two years ago, on the first happiest day of my life, I became his wife. I am so blessed. And then, nine months ago on the second happiest day of my life, I became the mother of his child--brady's little mini-me. I know that this post is super cheesy, but I was feeling a little nostalgic and wanted to say a big thank you to my husband....you are the best!

I just wanted a chance to say how happy I am to have such a wonderful husband (seriously, who else would put up with my neurotic behavior!)

Date night

It is kind of amazing how much you learn to eat your words when you finally become a parent. While I was pregnant, I remember reading articles about how important it is to stay connected to your spouse after the baby is born--easy, right? Ummmm, harder than I thought. I always just assumed that this is Brady and I, we are different...best friends, partners, soul mates (I know you are probably gagging right now, but it is true:). What I didn't count on is how tired you are and how you are both just trying to get everything done and spend as much time with the baby as possible. Working and being a parent
is exhausting. We are both so tired by the time
we hit the pillow that we almost fall asleep instantly. This means we don't get as much time to talk as we used to (I know, I know, your mind was going to the gutter). More than that, when we do sit down to dinner together, Parker is right next to us--oh and don't forget about Piper begging--so our conversations are either constantly interrupted or they return to Parker.

We are both so happy to have Parker and can't believe how blessed we are, but we did decide that we need to make time at least one night a month to spend time with just each other. That night was last weekend. I leave Parker every day while I'm at work, but it is so hard to leave him at all on the weekends because you feel like you have to cherish every minute possible! So, after leaving him with my mom, we decided to go to Sumo's--our favorite! It was so nice to just spend time together and catch up on what is going on at work and everything else. I did embarrass Brady a little after having one glass of wine and "over-sharing" with our table mates. He can't be too embarrassed though because he did know this about me before we got married!

I can't wait for our next date night!

Oh my goodness... I'm a Mom!!

So...ten months ago, I found out I was pregnant. The title of this blog tells it all; I was completely shocked. I couldn't believe that we had waited so long and then were pregnant within six months of marriage. Boy...God must have a sense of humor! Since that time, I have felt every emotion in the book: fear, joy, excitement, even anger (just ask my husband...I think even my emotions had emotions!)
Finally, about two months ago, I felt nothing but calm. I was so ready for the bug to get here!! I am still amazed at how detailed God was when he created us. I realize I needed nine months to prepare not only physically, but emotionally. I needed to get to a point where I understood this was God's plan, not mine; that He knows much better than I do. Being a mom is the most wonderful experience I have ever had--believe me, I feel as corny writing it as you do reading it, but it is true!

Before I tell you how the bug was born, you have to know that I have always believed that I would not be able to deliver naturally. My mom had to have c-sections and I have just always had this feeling that I would also; in fact, she never even went into labor. So, on September 3oth, Brady and I went to my doctor's appointment with the goal of getting him to induce me that weekend. We didn't think he would, but we figured it was worth a try because my brother was coming into town and I wanted him to be able to see the bug before he left. When we got there, I found out I had a pupps rash on my stomach--it itched, but I couldn't see below my belly button so I had no idea! This is a rash that is basically your body being allergic to being pregnant and it doesn't go away until you deliver. Because it was making me miserable, he let us use it as an excuse to induce--yay!! I have never been so thankful for my sensitive skin!

The next day, we were both so excited!! Brady took me to Sumos (my favorite) before we checked into the hospital at 7pm. They gave me a pill to get my body ready for contractions and then let me sleep; poor Brady, they gave me a sleeping pill and he had to sleep on a plastic recliner. At around 3 AM, hard contractions started. Brady held my hand the entire time. The contractions kept getting harder and harder, but I was not really dilating. They were two minutes apart around 10 AM and I asked for an epidural. I felt like such a pansy...I thought I would be able to make it longer without it, and had to have the anesthesiologist and Brady convince me that I was not a bad person for getting it. Ridiculous, I know. I can't lie, that epidural was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Around 1:00, I still was not dilating so they broke my water. They thought this would help move me along, but instead I started getting really sick around 3:00. I was running a fever around 104 and felt like I had the worst case of the flu I have ever had. The nurses kept telling us that this wasn't normal and we started to get scared. My family and Brady's mom were in the hospital room with us and everyone was just so quiet. Finally around 5:00, my doctor came in and decided he wanted to get the baby out quickly. One of the other doctors went over the risks of c-sections; I was scared. I knew that a c-section was not a big deal, but when they are telling you they are worried about the baby's health and that the c-section has a risk of death for you or the baby, you start to worry. Finally we were in the operating room and I just kept praying for the bug over and over again. Brady held my hand until we held our breath until we heard the doctor say..."it's a BOY"!! I have never loved my husband more than I did at that point. It was such a miracle. Once I heard him cry, I knew that my life would be forever better.

Parker E Alexander is the most precious miracle. Brady and I are constantly in awe of him. Things have definitely changed (more stories on this), but for the better. I am so blessed to have them both in my life!

Mental Breakdown...almost

So, last week, Brady painted the bug's room. I was so happy that he was able to get it finished before he left! The one thing left to do was to put up the chair rail and paint it. Originally, my dad was going to help Brady last Friday, but something came up and he wasn't able to. Brady left for San Antonio on Saturday and so he couldn't do it then, but my dad and grandpa offered to do it while he was gone, yay! They put up the chair rail on Saturday morning and it looks so nice! I couldn't wait to paint it! Both Brady and my mom told me to wait until Brady got back, but I am not a very patient person and don't listen as well as I should. So of course, I decide on Sunday morning before church to do it myself. Not a smart idea. So, because I am such a smart girl, I decide to take the dog outside with me to the garage to look for the paint while talking on the phone. My first mission was to find the right gallon of paint; no problem. Then, I just had to get from inside the garage to the house carrying both the paint and the dog while talking on the phone...again, not a good idea. (Oh, and don't tell Brady I was holding the dog; I'm pretty sure his sympathy meter would go way down if he knew that!) Right as I'm opening the door, the gallon of paint falls out of my hand and opens on the garage floor. Paint is everywhere, Piper is trying to get out of my arms and my phone is starting to fall, eeeeek!! Lucky for Brady, ha, I'm talking to him on the phone while this is happening and just start balling. Not just crying, but uncontrollable sobs about what a mess it is and how I can't get it cleaned up and how I wish he was there. I have the nicest husband in the world; I still can't believe he is able to stay cool when this happens sometimes! Plus, he always knows what to say...he told me to leave the mess and go take a nap, ha. He is definitely a dad in the making!!

P.S. I didn't take a nap and I did get the trim painted, but I did not make it to church. I had paint all over me and it took forever to get it off. Actually, I still have some paint in my hair as I type this right now!

Where do I start...

I am more confused and scared now than ever. Brady and I had our first reality check this weekend...we registered. Oh my goodness, I cannot even tell you how overwhelming this experience was. It finally started to hit us that yes, we are going to need all--or at least some--of this stuff and we don't even know how to use it.

Our first endeavor was registering for a breast pump (if you could see me writing this, you would know that I giggle every time I say breast pump--real mature). There are about a thousand different kinds of breast pumps out there. You can get a single or a double, an electric or manual and then you have to choose among all of the brands available. Not only do you have so many to choose from, but the prices range from $50 to $400! Yes, I said $400 for a suction cup that sucks milk out of your boob, crazy!!! Now, I am actually one of the most frugal people you'll meet and I hate spending money, especially on a suction cup, but I am a little nervous that cheaper means more pain and more time spent locked in a bathroom during work. So, before we went, I did ask a couple of friends for recommendations; they of course all said the Medela double pump electric, aka $300, great! So, we get to Baby's R Us and Brady convinced me to register for the more expensive one (don't ask him about it because I don't know if he can even hear "breast pump" without blushing). He would die if I told you that it was his idea to go ahead and register for the breast cream and pads too...oops!

So after our adventure in the breast pump aisle we continued around the store picking out random things that either we thought we needed or the registry sheet told us we needed. Here are the highlights: 20 bottles (all different brands, sizes, colors), 6 crib sheets, 18 burping clothes, 6 snack cups (I can't lie, I am actually excited to use them for my own stash of cheerios I carry), 40 tiny little hangers, 2 strollers (getting a jogging stroller was secretly what kept me going after I first found out I was pregnant, I cannot wait to go back and get it), and two daddy bibs (Brady did this when he had the gun; one says, "my dad is cooler than your dad" and the other says, "if you think I'm cute, you should see my dad." I'm not going to lie, watching Brady register for these did make me think that my baby's daddy is pretty darn cute!) We also bought a crib while we were there. I was super excited because it is the one I wanted, but it had gone out of stock online. We got the last display model and even got a discount, wahoo!! Good thing we got a discount because the mattress ended up costing $40 more than the crib, seriously, the bug has a nice mattress than we do. We are just lucky that my parents offered to buy the crib and mattress...thanks mom and dad!

The funny thing is, that we did not even put a drop in the bucket of things that we need. I have no idea how to use most of this stuff and I really have no idea where we are going to put everything! Babies need so much stuff it is ridiculous! We are so lucky that Brady's cousin is letting us borrow a few of the bigger baby toys and the infant car seat. I am all about garage sales and borrowing right now!

All of this shopping and preparing is making me nervous. First, you buy all of this stuff and you get the nursery just right so you feel like you are ready. All of a sudden, WHAM, you have to actually bring the baby home and take care of it. You have this little person who is counting on you to survive and turn in to a decent human being, whoa, scary. We are just so blessed that we have such a great family and group of friends that can help us make sure the bug turns out ok!!

Whoa...slow down!

Lately, I can't help feeling like I am one step behind where I should be. When I first found out I was pregnant, I felt like, "8 more months...no problem!" Suddenly, I look at the calendar and 4 months have passed. Whoa, slow down, I'm not ready! Everyone is asking me about the nursery and showers and everything else and I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed. I feel like there is so much to get done before "the bug" is born, and I don't even know where to start! We did order a dresser to match a shelf we already have in the now guest room, soon to be nursery. So, I guess we will have a changing table in about a week. Now, we just have to figure out what color to paint the nursery; I will probably have to write an entirely new entry about this issue because Brady and I are definitely not on the same page!

This is probably going to sound silly, but it really hit me how much our lives are about to change when I started thinking about Christmas. Last year was our first Christmas as newlyweds, this year we will have a baby! Can you believe that! The next time I will see a number of my relatives, I won't just be pregnant, I will have a child. The next time my mom and I go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, we will be bringing a baby along! I just can't get over how much things are going to change.

I hope that Brady and I will be closer than ever and really stick together when we are both tired from all of the late nights. It is kind of scary to think that your relationship is going to change along with everything else. Brady isn't just going to be my husband, he's going to be the father of my child. I can't imagine loving him anymore than I do, but I know that the moment I see him holding the bug, I will. Life is just amazing!