Six Weeks

Tomorrow I start my sixth week of pregnancy.  I've read that most symptoms start around then.  So far, the only thing I've really noticed is that my breasts are larger and very sore.  I've had to lighten my workout, since it was causing me to be lightheaded.  I do feel more tired and a tad less patient.  But, no crazy mood swings, no nausea, etc.  Five more weeks before we tell everyone!

Baby Class

Jared and I agreed to read through a few sections of the baby books that I bought and read last year.  After about an hour, he decided that was enough for him!  He said there was too much going on inside me for him to keep up with.  :)  Jellybean, consider this the first time that you stumped your daddy.

Whisper Whisper

It's already so hard to keep a secret!  Jared agrees--we want to tell everyone already.  How do people keep these things under wraps?  Jared's family was with us today for church and lunch, and after they left, he admitted that he desperately wanted to say something.  But we've got six more weeks to kill before we share the news!  I've heard that the thing to do is tell strangers.  News won't get around, and you'll feel a little less like you're about to burst. 

Jellybean

We've decided to refer to this new little person as Jellybean for now.  We're giddy and nervous, like when we were first dating.  I know that a lot will be happening this year, and I'm thankful for all the blessings we've received.  Last December, we moved into our own home.  Just this past Monday, Jared accepted a great offer for a wonderful job.  And now, Jellybean.  God is so good to us.

Oh My Goodness

Jared and I already planned to take today off work--partially for a mental health day, partially so we could start painting our bedroom.  I figured it'd also be a good day for an early preg test--I'm only three days out.  And oh my goodness, there was a plus sign.  A plus sign!  On our first month of trying! 

I don't hardly know what to do next, but I hope this is true and we're thanking God already!

The B Word

Jared sat down today and, using our latest bank statements, fashioned us a new budget.  While he worked at his old job, we went overbudget by about $300 a month.  With his new job, we should have tons of breathing room to put money into retirement, a 529 education plan, and pay off the house faster.  It looked great and I'm thankful that he took the time to put it together.  My husband is so good with numbers and thinking logically and rationally, while I'm in charge of anything artistic, expressive, or ideological. :)

Praises

Jared got a great offer for the job he has been interviewing for!  He called me at work this morning after he got off the phone with them, and I am so proud for him.  I've been thanking God every time it comes to mind.  God really does take care of us, and I'm so grateful for that.  Jared will probably start some time in the next two weeks.  This is the first time he has been earning a salary as opposed to commission, and the first time he's been offered benefits.  We will probably be able to put my whole paycheck in savings.

As for the puppy we were planning on taking home the last week of April--the breeder called us recently and told us that the mother dog only had two puppies, and they both died after a few days.  So, now we are waiting on a summer bunch--maybe bringing one home in the middle of June or so.

And about starting a family--we are still waiting to find out from our first month of official trying.  It seems like this is the longest two weeks I've ever gone through. 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I've started my gardening for the year, and I like what we have so far.  There are tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in the front beds, with plenty of room for summer blooms.  I bought our vegetables, herbs and some fruit for planting today--we have tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, onions, green and red peppers, strawberries, basil, lavender, oregano, mint and rosemary.  I want to plant blueberries and raspberries, but I'm still looking for a bush that will yield berries this year or next, instead of in two years. 

Hopefully I will have some time to start planting tomorrow!

Can we celebrate yet?

The manager of the company Jared has been interviewing for (four interviews now) just called.  She said that she wanted to keep in touch with Jared and let him know that they are putting together an offer for him that they will deliver on Monday.  I would take this to mean that they want him for the job and, based on what the company said was the salary range, Jared will take their offer in a heartbeat.  But it wasn't an offer in itself.  So....we want to jump up and down, thank God and wear stupid grins, but don't want to count those chickens before they hatch.  So frustrating! 

Today was so hard at work.  I'm drained, physically and emotionally.  It's a mixture of the kiddos having spring fever, two or three particular students who are disrespectful and defiant, and a co-worker or two.  We don't track out for another four and a half weeks.  I think I might have to take a mental health day to get through.

No change....or is there?

Jared had a fourth interview with the company today.  Four.  Perhaps we'll hear something tomorrow or Thursday.  I hope so anyway, because I think we're both getting a little stressed about it.

I went to the gym today and did my regular workout, which I've never had problems with.  Today, I felt light-headed three times and the receptionist made me sit down and drink some fruit juice before I could leave.  It's never happened before.  Of course, the idealist in me wants to say that it's probaby fatigue and shortness of breath caused by pregnancy, but the rest of me doesn't want to be disappointed in a week and a half when we check.

It's so hard to wait for anything, isn't it?

Beginner's Steps

Once again, we're standing together on the precipice of change.  The last time we did this, we were stepping out in faith to purchase our very first home, which we have now been in for three months, and we love it dearly.  This time, we find ourselves with three hopeful, possible changes:

(1) Jared should hear back in the next 2-3 days whether or not he's been chosen for a position at a great company.  He's been working commission his whole career thus far, and we both know that's not cutting it.  His current position isn't giving him joy, and since we only have this one life anyway, why not do something you love? 

(2) Based on the outcome of (1), we intend on getting an English Bulldog puppy on the next two months.  It's been 10 years since I lived at home with a dog, and Jared's never had one.  We can't wait--we've already chosen a name for her.

(3) Now that Jared and I have been married for almost four years and we have a home of our own, we both agree we're ready to have children.  There's no news to share and there may not be for a long while, but the possibility is there and we're praying for God to bless us with a child.