Presents!

People have been so generous to us for Christmas. Our families are amazing. Andy and I have been big slackers about presents this year, and although we have several of them, they are looking like New Year's presents at this point. Fortunately, we are Catholic and we have a Christmas season! So to our families out there, cards and Christmas goodies are coming, and we really do love you!

However, we did manage to get each other presents in time. Andy got me a gift certificate for a pre-natal massage, they are supposed to be amazing, and I'm very excited to see what it's like. I've been sore lately and feeling pretty hefty and stressed, so it will be great to have all of that worked out. He also surprised me by giving me my wedding band! We were planning on getting it anyway, but he wanted me to see it on Christmas, and I get to wear it for one day-today! Then it's back in the ring box until May (our wedding is less then 5 months away for anyone else who is counting down). I bought Andy a sweet Tolkien collection-it has a nice hardbound copy of the Hobbit, and two books by a Tolkien expert. He showed it to me in a bookstore a few weeks ago, and his eyes were all bright. He liked it. However, now I get a moment to be super mushy, Andy is the best part of this Christmas.

Merry Christmas

This is one of our official Christmas pictures. We wanted to get the baby bump in there also, but Andy and I both looked creepy in the baby one. We'll have to take some more pictures when we finally get out of our pajamas (probably tomorrow).

This is our first Christmas together sort of. Technically we were together last Christmas, but it feels different this year. This time we are actually planning out lives together. In this past year we graduated from college, decided to have a baby, moved in together, and got engaged. That was a darn big year, and I'm so grateful for all of the amazing things we've gone through and all the awesome people who have supported us. Although we miss our families today, we truly feel that we are each others' family now. The baby is healthy, and we are looking forward to welcoming her into the world.

Sorry for the absense!

I know, I know, I have been a very bad blogger lately. But I get off of work in three days and then I promise there will be updates, and pictures of the baby bump and wedding stuff...
All is well here. We got snowed in this weekend which was actually pretty fun, and Andy and I have a marriage prep meeting with the good father tonight. We have big plans for Christmas time-seeing a play, going through baby stuff, and getting our delivery bag ready.

More to come I promise!

Sick day

Well, today I stayed home sick. I don't feel sick enough to stay home sick, but I'm going on over a week of this nasty cold that makes my face feel stuffed up and my throat super sore. Andy told me to stay home today and try and recover. I feel pretty good after a day of sleeping reading, a bath, and some ugly betty, and I think I'm up for going to work tomorrow. I still feel pretty sniffly, but at least I got lots of rest today.

By the way, tomorrow Andy and I will have been engaged for three months! I don't know if you celebrate engagement days (maybe annually) but it's kind of cool, and I can't believe our wedding is still so far away. I guess the whole having a baby between now and then makes it feel longer. I'm looking forward to that to, but in a different way, and I am really ready to be married to Andy.

Pictures

You know what I realize about myself pretty much every few weeks? I am a bad picture person. I actually tend to look ok in pictures (I have a good fake smile, Andy and I are working on his), so it's not that I'm bad in them. I'm just bad at every other aspect of the picture taking process. I don't take them. It takes a serious amount of effort and thought for me to pull out my camera and take a picture. The only time I have ever been good about taking pictures was for my semester in Austria. Somehow walking for hours in strange, beautiful places gave me the kick I needed. But back here in the US I suck at it. Plus even when I do manage to hunker down and take a few they just sit on my camera forever. When I finally download them to the computer I stick them in a file and forget about them.
Over thanksgiving lots of people were taking pictures and I'm sure it will be great to see them and bring back all of our thanksgiving memories. I had a camera in my purse the entire trip, and I did not take one picture! But at the time good memories are being made I feel like I ruin them for myself if I whip out a camera. I like to just appreciate it. Selfish I know.
Hopefully, having a baby will jump start me into picture taking mode since those baby years are ones I do not want to forget. If anything I'm sure Andy will be good at it.
All of this makes me doubly glad that we are hiring a photographer for the wedding, since I don't know if I would actually demand anyone take pictures for fear of robbing them of their moments. But if we're paying someone than that is there job, and I don't have to worry about it!

Thankful…

So maybe it’s cliché, but I have to do a thankful post. I have so much to be thankful for this year, so much more than I ever expected.

I am so grateful for Andy. I am grateful for his love, determination, loyalty, and willingness to embrace life with me. I am grateful that we take such appreciation in small things together. We have such a delight in our simple life and in each other.

I am thankful for our healthy little daughter and that we will get to meet her so soon.

I am thankful that Andy and I share the same faith and strive to live it together despite our imperfections.

I am grateful for our upcoming wedding, that we will be able to proclaim to the world how our dedication and joy together.

I am thankful for our families. They have provided so much love and support especially in the last few months.

I am thankful for our jobs. Despite the frustrations and long days we are so blessed to have decent jobs that allow us to live a comfortable life. In the current economy we are so lucky to have so much.

There are so many other things I am thankful for…good music, my co-workers, Andy’s singing, our silliness together, my amazing bridal shower, that the car is working well, the birth center and all of their help, our priest, and for all the love, joy, and pain I experience with Andy everyday.

Football

Just a quick observation. On football day (which I have learned is Sunday, Monday, and Thursday!) Andy tries to give me lots of attention while he watches hours and hours of football. It is very sweet to see him try to give me extra love even when he is preoccupied with fantasy football. But, even when he comes and cuddles me he always strategically navigates so that he can see the TV out of the corner of his eye, just in case, something happens while he is chilling with me. He tries to hide it from me, but I am totally on to him. It's actually rather endearing.

And he just ate five kosher dill pickles.

Back in the District

Well, we're back. The trip to MN was awesome. Lots of family food and games. Andy and I made it out on Wednesday afternoon and celebrated with his family for the weekend. This is the second holiday I've spent with the Horners and they really know how to party.

Highlights...

The huge Thanksgiving dinner! It was delicious and the family interaction is very lively. Maddie and Micah are getting really big and are very affectionate. It was really neat to watch Andy and Tom wrestle and cuddle them. I got to show off my baby belly to everyone and let people feel little kicks, although I think by the end of the night the baby was in a food coma like me.

Friday was my bridal shower which was a lot of firsts for me: first bridal shower I have been to, first pedicure/manicure, and first bridal gifts. I can't believe how much work and care the Horner women put into my party. Thank you so much guys! They made me so special and so a part of the family. The manicure and pedicure were wonderful. Jenn made a little quiz about Andy, and I fortunatly won (I would have been so sad if I had lost). I was also given some really amazing presents. They were divided into times of the day cleverly. The shower was really amazing. Andy's family has been so welcoming to me.

Saturday morning Jenn, Maralee and I went shopping at the outlets, and I finally got some much needed maternity clothes. I am so excited to have pants that fit. I even got a date dress. Jenn, and Maralee provided good maternity clothes feedback/advice and had good luck themselves. I even got some shoes for the wedding and an outfit for our honeymoon.

Saturday evening was bowling night. Amazingly I did alright at bowling. I wasn't great, but I had some good shots, enough to keep my pride somewhat intact. It was a great way to hang out with the family.

Now Andy and I are back in our little apartment letting our brains turn to mush before we go back to work in the morning. I am loving my new robe (bounty from the shower), and Andy is anxiously watching football hoping for another win (he's such a stud). My throat is feeling a little sore, so I'm drinking some green tea. We are both tired and happy, not quite ready to go back to work, but greatful for a blessed Thanksgiving. We both feel overwhelmed at the generosity of family. They have given us so many baby supplies and love. I don't think we would feel at all ready for this baby if it weren't for their love and support. So, thank you thank you thank you.

Wedding Update

Yesterday I looked through a huge magazine of invitations. I don't know what's up with me, but there were none that I was crazy about. They were mostly formal and boring. I know invitiations are formal, but I want them to be interesting too. Actually in some ways I just want people to know they are invited, I don't care all that much about the actual invitations, but I don't want to spend a lot on invitations I don't love. Fortunately, my mom volunteered to do the invitations-which is completely awesome! She would care far more than I would and I'm sure they will be simple and tasteful. They probably won't be sent out until January.

Andy and I have known from the beginning (well since we set a date with the church anyway) that the biggest pain and expense of wedding planning would be the reception hall/food. Not surprisingly these are a little on the expensive side especially in Dupong Circle. (one hotel quoted us a $25,000 minimum! We said no thanks we would rather pay off our student loans.) Anyway, we found a great place a few weeks ago on the roof of a Hilton. It sounds tacky, but I promise it isn't. It's this great balcony with a dance area and a pool! (late night swimming anone?) I think it would be beautiful at night because it looks over the heart of DC and the lights will be awesome. You can also see the dome of the Church where we are getting married, which is kind of special too. I love the idea of being able to see the lights of the city, with lots of candles, and STARS! I love stars. It would be romantic an breezy. I've always secretly wanted an outdoor wedding and this combination would satisfy our religious and hippie sides.

And the church, the church, the Church (above)! Such a beautiful Church! I don't know how we got so lucky to be able to get married in such a stunning place. Every little nook of this place reminds us of the glories of God. I can't wait to walk down that looooong aisle seeing Andy's face get closer and more joyful as he sees me. (digressing into ultimate mushiness, I better move on for everyone's sake)

After we have the reception site locked down, I really feel like everything else is just details that may or may not happen. We are getting married, that is the most important thing. On a shallow note I have the most awesome dress ever to get married in. I'm a little stuck on shoes, I can't decide whether or not to wear heels. I love heals but I also love dancing and they don't always go well together. I think I may wear sweet heels for the ceremony and as long as I can stand them and then go barefoot, or maybe buy some little sandals.

Of course there is other stuff to work out. We want to get cupcakes in place of a cake, and we still have to figure out how to do flowers. We will need to rent tuxes and I have to lock down how I want to do my hair. I get to go makeup shopping and come up with a georgous new look that I can make (and use again!). But we have a priest and Andy is coming, so one way or another we will be married by the end of May 22nd, and that is what I am completely stoked about.

Big belly

I feel super pregnant today. Bursting. I can't believe she is going to get bigger! I don't think I have much space left.

Thanksgiving!

So, so close to such a sweet holiday. I have such fond memories of Thanksgiving when I was a kid. It was all about eating tons of good food, and singing around campfires (or huge, exploding, gasoline fires if my older cousins got to make them). I grew up seriously in the country. We also used to make saunas at Thanksgiving using tarps, and a few red hot tractor irons. Definitely not a typical childhood, but amazing memories. After my cousins and I would boil in the sauna we would run to the creek and jump in the icy water. We probably killed a few brain cells (and frogs) doing this, but I will never forget that crazy temperature shock.

Last Thanksgiving was my second away from my family, but Andy and I played at being mom and dad to a bunch of freshman, including my sister. We managed to make a pretty awesome Thanksgiving dinner too. Andy made the turkey (after running around with it raw on his hand and scaring girls), and I made stuffing, mashed potatoes and biscuits.

This year Andy and I are flying out to Minnesota to hang out with his family. I am hoping it won't be freezing icy cold, and he's hoping it will be. We are having my bridal shower too. I can't wait to see his family post engagement/pregnancy, and just to take a little trip before the baby is born.

Work

Today is one of those days where my job feels overwhelming. Don't get me wrong--I like my job, the people I work with, and the strange publishing things that I learn, but today it seems like there are too many details for my brain and pregnancy hormones. It is time for Thanksgiving I think. After that we are super close to Christmas, and then the baby will be so close! I can't wait to meet her, see what she looks like, and learn about her little personality.

Calling all bridesmaids!

Alright, so I think the word bridesmaid is kind of a funky title, although I've generally had good bridesmaid experiences. Anyway for the bridesmaids in my wedding I've got ideas to bounce off of you. I want you all to be happy, have a good time, and feel totally hot. My idea is to have the color mandated, but I really don't care what style of dress you guys pick (my only stipulation is that it's not floor length, but I don't think any of you would want a floor length dress anyway). The color is the "marine" at david's bridal which I promise looks a lot prettier in person than it does online, or in this goofy picture. Essentially it is an almost navy blue. I really don't care about the color of the shoes, hairstyle, or jewelry. You are all stylish tasteful women so wear what you like. And if you find (or own) a sweet dress in this color somewhere else that's fine too.
This is my plan right now, I think I think it will stay this way.

Sundays

An awesome Sunday chilling in the apartment. Andy and I have been trying to make it so we don't have any big things to do on Sundays, and it has been the best way to start our weeks off. Andy is in the midst of writing a huge paper on Samalia...which is really quite a depressing topic, but keeps me in tune with world affairs.
I chilled hard core. Watched Ugly Betty, worked on a collage for my cube at work (to brighten it!), and now just hanging out with the boy trying to understand fantasy football.
I am almost in full-blown maternity clothes. It feels so strange to be such a different, lopsided shape! I've been the same height and weight since I was 13! I do like the way my little tummy looks now though, since I definitely look pregnant now and not like I have a beer gut. I'm going to look for some sweet maternity clothes over thanksgiving at the outlets in Minnesota. I'm think I'm going to rock the skinny jeans while pregnant since I think it's super cute, and I want to show off my pregnant self. I'll post a picture soon.
Wedding stuff: I think we officially have a photographer! One of Andy's co-workers does photography on the side and is going to give us a sweet deal. Awesome. We've also been looking at possible reception sites and have some ideas. It may be on the roof of a hotel, which I think would be pretty neat with all the city lights. Plus there would be a pool and since Andy and I are going to have tons of candles involved in decorating, we want to put floating candles on the pool. We'll see how that flies with the hotel staff...

Sweet Weekend

This was a great weekend. I think this picture sums it up.

Other Blogs

I used to think blogs were dumb. But the past several months I've come across a variety of different blogs, and after talking to Jenn about hers, decided to start one. I knew it would be fairly impersonal, more of a tool to keep family updated on my life in the big city, and pregnancy. Yesterday I discovered an absolutely amazing blog--project subrosa. This woman is so real, so inspiring. I feel very connected to it since she is doing the marriage/baby stuff in close succession as well.

On another note, I just got invited to my bridal shower! Andy's mom, Sue, and Jenn are throwing it for me at thanksgiving. I am marrying into such an awesome family. We are getting manicures and pedicures before. I have never done either one of those, so it will be a new experience. I really was not expecting to have any pre-wedding parties except for a bachelorette party when I can actually drink again. So thanks Jenn and Sue!

Fish

For some reason these past two weeks have been so incredibly long. I think it's mostly because Andy has been gone so much. Seeing him sometime in my day gives me so much mental energy.

This weekend (that is what I'm shooting for right now) we want to go to the DC aquarium. Anyone who I've told I want to go to the aquarium have told me that it sucks. But I enjoy the fish in dentists' offices so I think I will be alright with a mediocre aquarium. Somehow watching fish automatically brings me back to a more child-like frame of mind--appreciating small things. And it reminds me of all my hardcore swim team days :)

Ugly Betty

Ugly Betty is back! I have been looking forward to this season for a while. I truly don't know why I like that show so much...it's just so freaken funny sometimes. Mark and Amanda are the most dysfunctional hilarious friendship ever. The first season was the best in my opinion. Tonight is the perfect night for it since the boy is still gone and I needed a lazy, wind-down night, with a dumb show, and lots of sugar.

Pining

Andy is away on a business trip. Actually the business trip part was yesterday in Minneapolis. So now he is staying with his family for a couple of days. I didn't know what a lamo I was without him!

In some ways being apart is kind of cool because it helps to remember all the things we love about each other, and it helps us remember our total awesomeness together. Andy once told me I am his "person." I love that. Just the idea that you can have a person in life. I have got to be the most blessed person. I'm only 22, and I've found my person. This is going to be the sappiest post ever written, but I just watched the romantic season finale of Everwood (I am sad that show ended in 2006), and I'm in the midst of pining.

However, Andy is having a good time with his family, and his mom likes my wedding dress! so life is good all in all. I've been able to put in lots of extra hours at work for our slowly approaching honeymoon, and I know I never want to be a loner professional.

I'll finish with one more sappy thing. We have both been listening to this song lately by Regina Spektor called "Two Birds on a Wire." Andy left me a note referencing this song when he left. Anyway its become a thing between us, as we talk about building our nest together. I found this pendant online and I really wish I could figure out where to find it!

Wedding and stuff

so much has happened in the past month, I don't even know where to start, but I've found "catching up" on everything that has happened does not work for me, I am a more in the present writer.

Wedding stuff....
I bought a dress. I'm not going to post pictures of it since Andy is super paranoid about seeing (it's actually adorable how freaked he gets everytime I get close to letting on of the details slip like the neckline, or type of veil).

Andy found the ring he wants! (to the left) Unfortunately they only sell it in monstrous sizes, and Andy and I both have small ring sizes. But I love how it matches mine. Also the three stones seemed very symbolic for me. The trinity, and our budding family are both reflected in the three little stones.

We figure that we have the church and a dress, everything else is pretty much extra. Although we do want to have a kicking party, which is turning out to be the most expensive part so far. and then photography...how I wish art was cheaper!

But the dress is the sweetness, I look at it and I feel beautiful. Andy is going to be knocked over. I want to describe it so badly!

Engaged!

Andy and I are engaged! I am so intensely happy about it. I never thought I would be someone to get married early in life, but it turns out it feels like the most right thing in the world. And I am proud of us, that we waited a few months after finding out about the baby to get engaged. We will never fear we are only together because of the baby, and she will never feel that (I am having a girl!).

The engagement was amazing, totally us, and I was completely surprised. We had been planning this date for our consecration for a few weeks (last Tuesday). We went to the Melting Pot (really fun, like being a little kid with food again). Afterwards, we walked down to the WWII Memorial, one of our favorite places, and so romantic despite being a war memorial. It was completely dark by then, and the fountains were glowing. I was rather frusterated at Andy because he seemed so destracted during our date :) We had a good talk on the way down, and I finally told him that I had thought at one point that he was planning on proposing that night, but that I understand that it wasn't time yet. We got down by the fountains and he wrapped his arms around me and told me he thought the reason I was itching to get engaged was because it was time to take that next step, to plan our lives together. I was sitting there shaking my head yes, glad he was being all romantic, and suddenly he was kneeling down asking me to marry him!
I had a hard time answering, but I said yes. He gave me the ring (which I have now studied in detail) and gave me a tender kiss. I started crying (of course) and it was just so amazing. My world is so right and peaceful.

I am so happy! May 22nd at 7pm in St. Matthew's Cathedral we will be getting married!

Peace

Well, I now have a real job. I can't believe I got a job at a publishing company as I have been hoping for years now. I had no idea that my internship would be so instrumental to my career. Of course, I also did not plan on starting my career pregnant, but life tends to be unpredictable. I owe so much to Sarah (my internship editor boss). She really went out of her way to help me land a job. Tomorrow I start my second official week as a professional. Seriously, though it has been really good. I like working normal hours, and having weekends off. Plus the actual work is fairly interesting, especially working with the different titles. It would be so sweet to be an editor someday.

This weekend was incredible. So peaceful, and full of love, good food, and knitting.

Letting Strangers into the Apartment

Yesterday I was walking home from the grocery store. I had just purchased the oreo ice cream cake for Andy's birthday, and I was rushing to get it into the freezer. It was around 6pm and the traffic on 16th street was nuts as always. I heard a woman yell at me from her car at the curb: "Hey can I use your cell phone?!" I did a double take and realized she really was talking to me. It was a young black woman. "My car won't start, and my cell phone gave out because I haven't payed the bill. Can I use your cell phone?" she implored me. For a second I envisioned handing her my phone and watching her take off into the very slow traffic, but I let her use the phone.

She confessed to me that she didn't have enough money for a tow truck. I really had no response to this because I knew that around 7am her car would be towed whether she had the money or not. About that time, she told she was bi-polar, and now I totally believe her. She ended up crying next to me on my couch, telling me how messed up her life was. I felt bad, but I really had no idea how to respond.

I was finally able to send her off to the metro, with her tears dry. I sat exhausted on the couch for about five minutes when Andy walked in from work. "What have you been up to?" He asked. Realizing I had been trying to help Najat for about three hours, I had a very long story to tell him.

Tawnyfrogmouth

A quick note on my title. A Tawny Frogmouth is a type of bird, an owl to be exact. When I first met Andy's family we went to the zoo with his niece and nephew. We found a type of bird called a Tawny Frogmouth. Actually, it was a type of owl. So I called my blog Tawnyfrogmouth since it is my spot to spew words, whatever words I choose.

Sonogram

Yesterday we had our first sonogram. First, the technician rubbed this really cold jelly on my belly and started rubbing the sonogram/remote/I have no idea what it's called around. At first, we could only see a bunch of black and gray blobs--then suddenly Baby. There was this little tiny person wiggling around in front of us. Andy and I looked in amazement as it kicked and turned. The technician kept marveling at how much the baby was moving. We just stared in wonder at the little life living in me. I can not believe that I can't feel it, I can't believe how much of a person it looks like. Andy thinks it looks like him, but I think it just looks like a very-big-headed baby. They gave us a few pictures and we've been sending them around to our family and friends.

The baby feels so much more real now that I've actually seen it. I'm more excited, and also more terrified. It feels so weird getting ready for this little person to come into our lives.

First Baby Appointment

Yesterday I had my first official baby appointment. Andy was able to come with me which was very encouraging to me. We showed up with plenty of time. The first thing the assistant told me was that I had a $450 deductible. I just stared at her like I had no idea what she was talking about. Finally, we worked out a payment plan, I went back to where Andy was sitting and cried for a little while, then went and got a urine sample. I think it's pretty funny they always have directions on how to get a urine sample.
Everything seemed to go well, I took some uncomfortable tests, then mentally prepared for the blood test. I had never had a blood test before, and I am notoriously bad at dealing with blood. Usually I faint, or feel nauseous. Andy promised to distract me for this part. He held my hand for the whole ordeal telling me stories. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In his words I was, "a champ" about it. The nurse finished up, I looked up at Andy and his face was white, and he sat down. "I'm feeling a little dizzy," he admitted. Andy has a really rough time with needles, but normally it's just when they are poking him. The nurse got him some chocolate, and he narrowly avoided passing out.
I asked him how he will handle the delivery part of pregnancy. He says that the adrenaline will get him through that. I'm not sure what will get me through--necessity?
Everything seems normal, and hopefully that will be confirmed when I get all the test results left. Fortunately I am obnoxiously healthy, and apparently at the prime age for having babies!