How Much I Have Learned

I realize this past year has really taught me a lot, and I am so grateful for everything in my life! I got married, bought a house, and so far, have experienced the first 4.5 months of pregnancy. So let me tell you.... my expectations of how things will be, and how they actually end up are completely different! I have definitely learned (and have always known) that I get a bit anxious with the unknown, and I have always thought of myself as being too scared to do things- but looking back, somehow I think I have just faked the confidence and pushed forward, and things always seem to work out just fine- even better than I could have expected!
Getting married- Luckily I had a pretty good idea of the kind of man I would marry- and the day I met Felix (or a few days after) I knew he was the one. He took a bit longer to be convinced of this fact, but I had no worries!!!! I knew the exact dress I wanted for my wedding, the flowers, the decor, (this was all before I even met Felix...jk). I knew the song I was going to dance with my father, I had an exact picture in my mind of how I saw our wedding day. Yet come the wedding day- all I saw when I walked down the aisle was the man in front of me who made me feel complete. Dont get me wrong, the room was definitely beautiful, the guests were amazing - but in the end, it was me & Felix getting married- celebrating our never-ending love for each other, it was the most magical, happiest day of my life and felt NOTHING like I had expected it to be- it was a feeling I could have never imagined! The Day We Closed On Our House
Buying a house-My perception had been that this was a very complex process, one that required a lot of research and knowledge of real estate jargon that was going to be extremely difficult to understand. I didnt even know how to go about getting started! The very first day Felix & I went to look at an open house- we pulled up to the home (one that was about $200K over our budget) and we stood outside discussing who was going to ring the doorbell- if you were even supposed to.... until we finally got the nerve to walk inside. To my surprise, the house was just a normal, regular house! And the realtor greeted us, explained the details of the house and that was about it!! Nothing to be afraid of!!!! After an initial trial with a realtor that didn't work out- I spoke with some friends at work and got the name of a fabulous realtor and within a few months, we became homeowners!!! Our mortgage broker was extremely helpful and led us through every educated decision we made. So I learned from this process that I shouldn't be scared of the unknown- all you really have to do is ask a few questions to get started- and roll from there!!! What Our Days Were Like- Sick & Pregnant
Pregnancy-Oh boy! This one has been the furthest from my initial thoughts of what my pregnancy would be like. After watching all the baby shows and seeing my sister & friends pregnant- I thought about how I was going to have such an amazing pregnancy! I was already at the peak of my fitness- and I figured I would just keep teaching aerobics, working out, and eating all my fruits & veggies- going about my everyday life.... a little belly would grow, we would get some baby stuff and then in June we would have a baby! WELL little did I know!! I taught aerobics for about 3 weeks into my pregnancy and then BOOM- the nausea hit and that was the end of my world as I had known it. Just trying to get up out of bed and pull a shirt over my face was enough to make me gag. Then- my body completely rejected fruits & vegetables and most other foods, I couldn't ride in the car for more than 10 minutes, definitely couldn't get up to take care of poor Matti Watkins, and all this time- Felix was commuting an hour to & from work getting home close to midnight. I was completely useless and it took every single bit of strength I had just to get to work each day. Felix has been amazing- taking care of me (well.... he did have to walk away when I would vomit) but for the most part he is amazing!!! He cooked, cleaned, took care of the dog, did the laundry, and even gave me hugs when I would cry in the car (or airport) from frustration of feeling nauseaus or when my clothes wouldn't fit anymore!!! Now at 18 weeks- I think we are over the hump and I am waiting to feel "good & healthy" again and start enjoying this pregnancy. My favorite part of the day is first thing in the morning when we are lying in bed and can see the little baby bump that has started to grow. I am just beginning to feel little infrequent movements in my belly from the baby, and I can't wait until I feel the big movements... especially when Felix can feel them!!!! What have I learned from all of this?? Well first of all, toasted lenders bagels & light veggie cream cheese are my drug of choice, along with lightly pan fried chicken breasts! And those little motion sickness bracelets have been my savior (and permanently indented in my wrists!!!) But seriously- I have cleared my mind of any expectations for when the baby gets here, I am no longer scared to take care of him/her and know we will just learn as we go, and enjoy every minute of it because Felix & I will be doing it together, and so far- anything we have done together has turned out better than I expected!!! I couldn't be more excited to meet our little baby and embark upon our new adventure..... I can't believe we have to wait until JUNE!!!!!!!! OH- and I am no longer watching A Baby Story.... too scary!!!!!!